Open RAN User Plane Local Switching for Low-Latency 4G-5G Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless telecommunications systems face challenges in reducing latency and infrastructure resource requirements due to excessive hops in the user plane path, leading to increased costs and resource consumption, especially in handling local traffic within the same network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 4G-5G Open RAN Local Switch User Plane Path Solution that allows for local switching of traffic at the Distributed Unit (DU) or Centralized Unit (CU)-User Plane (UP) level, reducing the number of hops by intelligently selecting the shortest path for local traffic within the same network, and optionally using inter-node tunnels for traffic between DUs or CU-UPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional user plane path routing is used in 4G-5G networks, then traffic can be transported from source to destination subscriber, but the path includes excessive hops that increase latency and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes intermediate hops from the traditional user plane path between source and destination subscribers within the same local network. By identifying local traffic and routing it directly through the DU/CU-UP without requiring traversal through core network elements, the solution eliminates unnecessary network elements from the path, thereby reducing latency and resource consumption while maintaining connectivity.
2Loss of energy
If traditional user plane path is used, then traffic routing is standardized, but infrastructure resource needs and operational costs increase due to excessive hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by enabling intelligent, context-aware routing decisions at the DU/CU-UP level. The system identifies whether traffic is local (source and destination in same network) and applies different routing logic: local traffic is routed directly through the DU/CU-UP while non-local traffic follows traditional paths. This localized optimization reduces resource consumption for local traffic without compromising standardized routing for external traffic.
3Productivity
If local switching is implemented at DU/CU-UP level, then latency is reduced and resource needs are lowered, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing flexible, adaptive routing at the DU/CU-UP level that can dynamically switch between traditional and local switching paths based on traffic characteristics. The architecture maintains the ability to route traffic through conventional paths when needed while enabling direct local switching for local traffic, providing dynamic optimization without requiring a complete architectural overhaul. This dynamic approach improves productivity while managing architecture complexity through selective implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are presented for providing a 4G-5G Open RAN User Plane Path. In one embodiment a method includes keeping, by a Distributed Unit (DU)/Centralized Unit (CU)-User Plane (UP), a list of local switch enabled subscribers; receiving an uplink data packet for a local switch enabled subscriber from a source device; comparing, by the DU/CU-UP, if a destination Internet Protocol (IP) address matches with any of IP addresses in the local switch enabled subscriber destination device IP addresses; and when the destination IP address matches, then switching by the DU/CU-UP the traffic and sending the data packet as a downlink traffic towards the destination device.