Programmable Network Device for User Plane Function Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face inefficiencies in data transmission due to throughput limitations in existing user plane functions, particularly in 4G and 5G networks, where excessive signaling between switching hardware components and external hosts/servers leads to suboptimal performance and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of programmable network devices, such as those utilizing field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which perform user plane functions like quality of service (QoS) policy application, data session management, and pipeline processing within a compact hardware unit, minimizing the need for external servers and reducing excessive communication and signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is routed through external servers and hosts for user plane functions, then control and user plane separation is achieved, but excessive signaling and communication occur between switching hardware and external hosts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the user plane function into the network switch by integrating a service gateway into the switching hardware. This merging eliminates the need for extensive communication between separate external servers and switching hardware, thereby reducing signaling overhead and processing time while maintaining control and user plane separation through logical function integration.
2Quantity of substance
If billions of packets per second are processed through existing gateways, then high data volume is handled, but throughput is limited due to capacity constraints of user plane functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional software-based user plane functions with hardware-based processing using network processors and integrated service gateways within the switching hardware. This substitution enables parallel processing of billions of packets per second, significantly increasing throughput by eliminating the bottlenecks associated with software-based packet processing and external server communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external hosts are used for user plane functions, then flexibility in network management is maintained, but device complexity increases due to multiple separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional network switch that integrates switching, routing, and service gateway functions within a single device. The integrated service gateway can perform multiple user plane functions including packet processing, quality of service management, and data forwarding, thereby reducing the number of separate components while maintaining network management flexibility through unified control.
Data Source
AI summary
Programmable network devices configured to perform various UPF functions including QoS enforcement, session management, and timer synchronization. Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are configured to perform user plane functions on data streams within a compact and modular hardware unit to minimize excessive communication while maintaining control and user plane separation (CUPS). QoS enforcement can include guaranteed bit rate (GBR) and maximum bit rate (MBR) and token buckets associated therewith, pipeline processing, synchronizing transmission of data packets and control signals with timers at various operational levels, and so on.