Network Slice Traffic Segregation by Device Type
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G core network implementations do not support segregating network slice traffic based on User Equipment (UE) device types, which can lead to inefficient traffic management and failure to meet Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements specific to different device types.
Innovation Solution
The system segregates network slice traffic by identifying the device type of each UE and routing it through specific Session Management Functions (SMFs) and User Plane Functions (UPFs) optimized for that type, using the Service Based Architecture (SBA) and Service Based Interface (SBI) to manage sessions and traffic paths accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slice traffic is distributed among all SMFs and UPFs without segregation, then network resource utilization is maximized, but QoS requirements specific to different device types cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network slice traffic based on UE device types by introducing device type identifiers (DTIs) and creating separate SMF and UPF groups for different device types. This segmentation enables differentiated traffic management where each device type route is handled by dedicated network functions, ensuring specific QoS requirements are met while maintaining organized complexity through structured division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific characteristics to different parts of the network based on device type requirements. Each SMF group and UPF group is optimized for particular device types (e.g., IoT devices, emergency call devices, mobile broadband devices), allowing localized quality adjustments in traffic handling, resource allocation, and QoS parameter enforcement for each device type segment.
2Reliability
If network slice traffic is segregated by device types with dedicated SMFs and UPFs, then QoS requirements are met, but network resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing SMFs and UPFs that can serve multiple device types through the SBA framework. Network functions are not permanently dedicated to single device types but can dynamically handle traffic for different device types based on load conditions and requirements, achieving both QoS compliance and efficient resource utilization through multi-functional network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic traffic routing where the network can adaptively select which SMF group and UPF group handles traffic based on current network conditions, device type requirements, and resource availability. This dynamic allocation allows the system to optimize between QoS compliance and resource utilization in real-time, rather than using static dedicated assignments.
3Device complexity
If all network traffic is handled by a single set of SMFs and UPFs, then device complexity is minimized, but traffic analysis per device type becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces device type identifiers (DTIs) as intermediaries that carry device type information through the network signaling path. These DTIs enable network functions to identify and categorize traffic by device type without requiring complex structural changes, preserving traffic information while maintaining a manageable network function architecture through information-based differentiation.
4Measurement precision
If network slice traffic is segregated based on device types, then traffic analysis capability is improved, but the number of network functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic analysis capabilities by organizing SMFs and UPFs into device type-specific groups, enabling precise traffic analysis for each device type category. This segmentation allows network operators to monitor and analyze traffic patterns, QoS metrics, and performance characteristics separately for different device types (IoT, emergency calls, mobile broadband) while maintaining a structured and manageable network architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A device in a network may be configured to: receive a request from a User Equipment (UE) device to establish a session with a network slice in the network; obtain a device type of the UE device; select, by using the device type, a Session Management Function (SMF), among a set of SMFs, which manages sessions for UE devices of the device type; and send a message to the selected SMF to create a session context. When the selected SMF receives the message, the selected SMF is configured to select a User Plane Function (UPF) based on the device type and cause the selected UPF to establish the session between the UE device and the network slice.