Packet Detection Rule Provision for Signaling Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current PDR provision methods in communication systems like Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and 5G Core (5GC) result in increased signaling overhead, memory consumption, and packet handling time due to the limitation of a single traffic endpoint ID in a PDR, necessitating multiple PDRs for different endpoints, especially in scenarios like home-routed roaming.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting packet detection information (PDI) that includes multiple traffic endpoint identifiers, such as local F-TEIDs, network instances, UE IP addresses, and framed-routes, allowing multiple endpoints to be indicated in a single PDR, reducing the need for multiple PDRs and associated signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple PDRs are used to detect packets from different traffic endpoints, then packet detection accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket detection accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple traffic endpoint identifiers (such as N3 tunnel endpoint and N9 tunnel endpoint) into a single PDR structure. This merging allows the UP function to detect packets from multiple different endpoints using one PDR instead of requiring separate PDRs for each endpoint, thereby reducing the signaling overhead while maintaining accurate packet detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The PDR is designed to serve multiple functions by incorporating support for multiple traffic endpoint identifiers. A single PDR can now handle packet detection for both N3 and N9 tunnels simultaneously, making the PDR universal across different tunnel types and eliminating the need for endpoint-specific PDR configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PDRs are provisioned for different traffic endpoints, then packet detection coverage is improved, but memory consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket detection coverageVSAvoidmemory consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple traffic endpoint identifiers are merged into a single PDR data structure in the UP function. This consolidation reduces the total number of PDR objects that need to be stored in memory while maintaining comprehensive packet detection coverage across all traffic endpoints through the multi-identifier capability of each PDR.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple PDRs are used for different tunnels, then packet handling accuracy is improved, but packet handling time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket handling accuracyVSAvoidpacket handling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple tunnel endpoint identifiers into a single PDR, allowing the UP function to detect and handle packets from multiple tunnels using one unified rule set. This eliminates the need to sequentially check multiple separate PDRs, thereby reducing packet handling time while maintaining accurate identification and handling of packets from different tunnels through the combined endpoint identifiers within the single PDR.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4014690B1Method and apparatus for improved packet detection rule provision
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4014690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4014690B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4014690B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for improved packet detection rule provision. A method performed by a first network entity comprises: transmitting packet detection information, PDI, to a second network entity, wherein the PDI indicates information on one or more traffic endpoints on which packets are to be detected.