Passive IoT Uplink Routing via User Plane for Data Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies for passive Internet of Things (IoT) face challenges in securely transmitting confidential or private data, as they often rely on control plane network elements that may compromise data privacy.
Innovation Solution
The transmission of uplink data for passive IoT devices is conducted via a user plane instead of a control plane, utilizing network elements to ensure data privacy by encapsulating data with an application layer protocol and routing it through user plane function network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control plane network elements are used for transmitting uplink data of passive IoT devices, then the transmission can be managed through existing core network infrastructure, but data privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path by introducing a user plane function network element that operates independently from the control plane. The user plane function receives data from the access network device and forwards it to the data network, separating data handling from control signaling. This segmentation ensures that sensitive data does not traverse control plane elements, thereby improving data privacy while maintaining manageable network architecture through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The user plane function network element acts as an intermediary between the access network device and the data network. It receives uplink data from the access network device, performs necessary data plane processing, and forwards the data to the appropriate data network destination. This intermediary role allows data to be transmitted without passing through control plane elements, ensuring privacy while maintaining network control through the intermediary's coordinated operation.
2Reliability
If user plane is used for transmitting uplink data, then data privacy is improved, but network element coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the access network device determine whether to forward data through the user plane function based on pre-established configuration information or signaling from the control plane. The user plane function also determines destination addresses and routing paths in advance based on configured policies. This preliminary configuration and decision-making reduces the need for real-time complex coordination between network elements, simplifying operation while maintaining privacy benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control plane network element provides instructions to the access network device about whether to use the user plane for data transmission. The access network device feeds back status information to the control plane, and the user plane function provides feedback on data forwarding status. This feedback loop enables coordinated operation between different network elements, managing the complexity through continuous information exchange while maintaining data privacy through user plane transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method includes: A first network element receives request information from a second network element, where the request information indicates to perform an operation on a terminal device; the first network element obtains first indication information based on the request information; the first network element determines, based on the first indication information, that transmission of uplink data of the terminal device is performed via a user plane; the first network element sends second indication information to an access network device. Therefore, the transmission of the uplink data of the terminal device is performed via the user plane based on the indication of the first network element, instead of a control plane network element in some specific scenarios, thereby ensuring data privacy. A communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method includes: a first network element receives request information from a second network element, where the request information indicates to perform an operation on a terminal device; the first network element obtains first indication information based on the request information; the first network element determines, based on the first indication information, that transmission of uplink data of the terminal device is performed via a user plane; the first network element sends second indication information to an access network device. Therefore, the transmission of the uplink data of the terminal device is performed via the user plane based on the indication of the first network element, instead of a control plane network element in some specific scenarios, thereby ensuring data privacy.