N6/SGi LAN Traffic Routing for Single Charging and Health Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP specifications are silent on how to handle multiple N6 or SGi LANs for user traffic, leading to potential double charging and lack of load balancing and health check mechanisms for servers in Radio Access Networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with a Session Management Function (SMF) connected to a User Plane Function (UPF) via N4 interface, using Virtual LAN (VLAN) IDs and Media Access Control (MAC) addresses to route traffic through multiple N6 or SGi LANs, ensuring single charging, load balancing, and health checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple N6 or SGi LANs are implemented for user traffic handling, then service versatility and load balancing capability are improved, but charging accuracy deteriorates due to potential double charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidcharging accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the charging function by introducing a charging identifier (such as PCC rule ID, QoS flow ID, or 5QI) for each traffic stream. This allows the charging system to uniquely identify and track each service flow separately, preventing double charging while supporting multiple N6/SGi LANs for different services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary charging identification mechanism between the UPF and charging system. This intermediary uses PCC rules and QoS parameters as identifiers to mediate the charging process, ensuring accurate single charging even when traffic passes through multiple LANs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple N6 or SGi LANs are implemented for user traffic handling, then service versatility is improved, but system complexity worsens due to lack of health check mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through health check procedures that monitor the status of servers and LANs. The system continuously checks the health status of network elements and adjusts traffic routing accordingly, providing closed-loop control that simplifies management of complex multi-LAN configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If traffic is routed through multiple N6 or SGi LANs for service treatment, then service capability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to multiple packet processing hops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice capabilityVSAvoidpacket processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring PCC rules and QoS parameters that identify and mark traffic flows before they enter the multi-LAN routing process. This preliminary identification enables faster processing at each hop, as intermediate nodes can quickly match traffic against pre-defined rules rather than performing complex analysis at each stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250220507A1Method and apparatus for treatment of user traffic with multiple LAN services and single charging

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOC FSB

AI summary

Treatment of user traffic with multiple LAN Services and Single Charging. A network configuration for multiple N6/SGi LANs that are used to treat a given UE traffic. A system is configured for traffic routing and handling when a given session is to be treated by services offered in multiple N6-LANs. Load balancing for user traffic to different available servers if configured on N6 interface is provided. A health check mechanism of the available servers on the N6 interface is provided.