Network Slice Switching via Control-User Plane Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing technologies face challenges in dynamically switching and handover between 3GPP and non-3GPP wireless networks without interrupting user data forwarding, especially in managing separate control and data plane operations across different radio frequency spectra.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that separates control plane and user plane operations for each wireless access point, allowing for seamless redirection of user data from one wireless access point to another without interrupting ongoing data forwarding, using a separate control plane to manage the transfer and configuration of network resources across different radio frequency spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing technology is implemented to support multiple virtual networks, then network flexibility and service diversity are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of managing separate control and data plane operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network plane into separate control plane and user plane functions. Control plane functions are virtualized and can be independently deployed, managed, and scaled across different network locations. This segmentation allows multiple virtual networks to share physical infrastructure while maintaining independent control, thereby improving network flexibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control plane as an intermediary layer that manages multiple virtual networks. The control plane handles signaling, session management, and coordination between different network slices, while the user plane handles actual data forwarding. This intermediary architecture simplifies the management of multiple virtual networks by centralizing control functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic slice switching between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks is implemented, then network adaptability and service continuity are improved, but interruption of user data forwarding may occur during handover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes user plane tunnels and data forwarding paths in advance, before handover is needed. During normal operation, user data is continuously forwarded through pre-configured tunnels. When handover between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks is required, the pre-established tunnels allow seamless switching without interrupting data flow, as the forwarding paths are already prepared.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous user data forwarding through persistent tunnels that span across different network types (3GPP and non-3GPP). The control plane manages these tunnels to ensure uninterrupted data flow during network transitions, allowing useful action (data transmission) to continue without interruption during slice switching and handover operations.
3Ease of operation
If separate control and data plane operations are implemented for each wireless access point, then handover management is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control plane functions from individual wireless access points and consolidates them into a centralized control plane. Individual access points focus solely on user plane data forwarding, while the centralized control plane handles all control operations including handover management, session establishment, and tunnel configuration. This extraction simplifies access point operations while maintaining comprehensive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized control plane serves multiple wireless access points and manages multiple virtual networks simultaneously. It provides universal control functions that can be applied across different access points and network slices, reducing the need for duplicate control functionality at each access point and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a request to allow a wireless device accessing a network service by a first portion of a network to access the service via a second portion of the network operating within a different spectral region, wherein control operations are separate from data forwarding operations and configured to facilitate a forwarding of user data via the data forwarding operations. The first and second wireless spectral regions are different ones of managed and unmanaged spectral regions. The request is evaluated and a redirection of the forwarding of the user data facilitated via the data forwarding operations to the second portion of the network, responsive to the request, the request being initiated via the control operations, without interrupting the forwarding of the user data via the data forwarding operations. Other embodiments are disclosed.