Network Service Device URLLC Segmentation for 5G Latency

Solution Overview

Problem

Current network function virtualization (NFV) implementations for user plane function devices in 5G networks face performance limitations, particularly in achieving the required latency of 1 ms, due to virtual machine performance constraints, which hinder data-processing speed and increase latency.

Innovation Solution

A network service device with a storage module for storing ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC)-compliant messages, coupled with a processing and communication module, allows for hardware-based implementation of user plane functions, enabling efficient data processing and reduced latency by providing URLLC capabilities and state messages to session management devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If network function virtualization is used to implement user plane function device, then cost is reduced and flexibility is improved, but data-processing speed decreases and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoiddata-processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments network service devices into different types (first type with URLLC capability and second type without URLLC capability). The session management device selectively connects user plane functions to appropriate network service devices based on service requirements, allowing cost-effective virtualization for non-critical services while maintaining high-performance hardware for latency-sensitive services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the capability parameter of network service devices by introducing URLLC (ultra-reliable low-latency communication) capability as a distinguishing feature. This parameter change enables the system to differentiate between devices suitable for virtualized deployment and those requiring hardware acceleration, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and performance maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If network function virtualization is used to implement user plane function device, then flexibility is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments network service devices into different types (first type with URLLC capability and second type without URLLC capability). The session management device selectively connects user plane functions to appropriate network service devices based on service requirements, allowing flexible virtualization for non-critical services while maintaining low-latency hardware for time-sensitive services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The session management device acts as an intermediary that intelligently routes user plane functions to appropriate network service devices. It receives service requests, determines URLLC requirements, and selects the appropriate device type, thereby maintaining both flexibility and low latency through intelligent mediation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If virtual machine is used for network function virtualization, then cost is reduced, but performance limitation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments network service devices into different types (first type with URLLC capability and second type without URLLC capability). The session management device selectively connects user plane functions to appropriate network service devices based on service requirements, allowing cost-effective virtualization for non-critical services while maintaining high-performance hardware for services requiring guaranteed performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the capability parameter of network service devices by introducing URLLC (ultra-reliable low-latency communication) capability as a distinguishing feature. This parameter change enables the system to differentiate between devices suitable for virtualized deployment and those requiring hardware acceleration, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and performance maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11375401B2Network service device, session management device and operation methods thereof

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A network service device includes a storage module, a communication module and a processing module. The storage module stores a ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC)-compliant message. The processing module is coupled to the storage module and the communication module. The processing module receives a connection establish request message from a session management device through the communication module, and establishes a session according to the connection establish request message. The processing module provides the URLLC-compliant message to the session management device through the communication module.