N4 SM Event Exposure Interface for 5G UPF Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
In current 5G network architecture, information from the User Plane Function (UPF) on the user plane cannot be efficiently and flexibly exposed to other network functions on the control plane, making it difficult for these functions to perform policy control or big data analysis based on service data status.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that enable the exposure of UPF events to Network Function (NF) entities, allowing them to perceive user plane information and perform operations like policy control and big data analysis by transmitting and receiving specific requests and responses between the Session Management Function (SMF), UPF, and NF entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the current 5G network architecture is used, then the network structure is simple and easy to implement, but the UPF information cannot be efficiently exposed to other control plane NFs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the N4 SM event exposure interface as an intermediary mechanism between the UPF and control plane NFs. This interface allows UPF events to be exposed to authorized NFs through a standardized interaction protocol, enabling information sharing without requiring direct complex connections between all NFs and the UPF.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal event exposure mechanism that can serve multiple control plane NFs (PCF, AF, NEF, etc.) through a single standardized interface. The N4 SM event exposure interface provides multi-functional capability to expose various UPF events (session establishment, modification, deletion, etc.) to different NFs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces for each NF type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UPF information is not exposed to control plane NFs, then the network architecture remains simple, but policy control and big data analysis cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UPF sends event notifications to the N4 SM event exposure interface, which then forwards relevant information to authorized control plane NFs. This feedback loop ensures that control plane NFs receive timely updates about user plane status, enabling them to perform policy control and analysis based on current network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The N4 SM event exposure interface acts as an intermediary that bridges the information gap between the UPF and control plane NFs. It selectively exposes user plane information to authorized NFs based on subscription requests, ensuring information availability for policy control while maintaining architectural simplicity.
3Productivity
If direct connection between UPF and control plane NFs is established, then information exposure is efficient, but the network architecture becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal event exposure interface that handles all UPF-to-control-plane information exchange through a single standardized mechanism. This multi-functional interface can serve different NF types (PCF, AF, NEF) and event types (session establishment, modification, deletion) through a unified protocol, improving efficiency without increasing connection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate connection requirements into a single unified N4 SM event exposure interface. Instead of establishing individual direct connections between UPF and each control plane NF, the system combines all these interactions through the standardized event exposure mechanism, reducing overall connection complexity while maintaining efficient information exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses a connnunication method, comprising: a session management function entity receiving a first request sent by a network function entity, the first request comprising a first identifier and a econd identifier, the first identifier indicating an event, and the second identifier indicating the type of the event; the session management function entity sending the first request to a user plane function entity; the session management function entity receiving a first response sent by the user plane function entity, the first response comprising the first identifier, a third identifier and a fouth identifier, the third identifier indicating the network function entity, and the fourth identifier indicating a request result of the event; and the session management function entity sending the first response to the network function entity. The present application further discloses a related apparatus and a device. Thepresent application achieves the purpose of externally opening a user plane function event to a network function entity, such that the network function entity can perceive information on a user plane, and further can perform operations such as policy control and large data analysis on the basis of the user plane information.