RAN Node UPF Selection for Low Latency 5G

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a significant delay in handling uplink data packets during user plane function (UPF) selection in 5G communications networks, particularly during handover events, which can be unacceptable for services requiring low latency like ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC).

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a radio access network node to select a core network user plane function responsive to trigger events, such as handover, and initiate the establishment of a user-plane tunnel directly, reducing reliance on control plane signaling and enabling immediate forwarding of uplink data packets to the selected UPF.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the SMF performs UPF selection through control plane signaling during handover, then the UPF can be properly selected and configured, but significant delay occurs in handling uplink data packets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper UPF selection and configurationVSAvoiddelay in handling uplink data packets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The RAN node performs UPF selection and establishes the user plane tunnel before the control plane signaling is complete. By selecting the UPF in advance (upon detecting handover trigger events) and pre-establishing the tunnel, the system eliminates the waiting period that would otherwise occur during control plane processing, allowing uplink data to be forwarded immediately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the user plane establishment from the control plane signaling process. The user plane tunnel is established independently between the RAN node and UPF based on trigger events, while control plane signaling continues separately. This segmentation allows data forwarding to proceed without being blocked by control plane delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If control plane signaling is used for UPF selection and tunnel establishment, then proper network coordination is achieved, but signaling overhead increases and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coordinationVSAvoidcontrol plane signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the UPF selection and tunnel establishment functions from the control plane signaling path and places them in the user plane. The RAN node directly selects the UPF and establishes the tunnel using user plane procedures, removing these operations from the control plane signaling sequence and reducing signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces trigger events as intermediaries that initiate user plane tunnel establishment. Instead of relying on control plane signaling sequences, trigger events (such as handover detection) directly trigger the UPF selection and tunnel setup process, simplifying the coordination mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230071543A1User plane function selection in a communications network

Publication Date: 2023.03.09 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish or resume a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, selecting a core network user plane function for the connection to the telecommunications network; and initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the selected core network user plane function.