Satellite PDU Session Management for Reduced Transmission Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current 5G mobile communication system experiences significant transmission delays when user service data flows from satellite terminals to a terrestrial User Plane Function (UPF) for communication, as the data needs to be sent through a satellite route, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A PDU session management method and apparatus that establish a data transmission tunnel between satellite UPFs when a Quality of Service (QoS) flow is triggered, allowing direct communication between satellite terminals without relying on terrestrial UPFs, thereby reducing transmission delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite terminals send user service data to a terrestrial UPF for communication, then the 5G core network can provide interconnection services, but the transmission delay increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UPF function into satellite-based UPF and terrestrial UPF components. Satellite terminals communicate with satellite UPF for local traffic, while terrestrial UPF handles external network connectivity, reducing the need for long-haul satellite transmissions to ground-based UPF.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a satellite gateway as an intermediary between satellite terminals and the terrestrial 5G core network. The gateway establishes direct data transmission tunnels with the terrestrial UPF, enabling efficient routing that minimizes satellite transmission delays for external communications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If satellite terminals communicate through a terrestrial UPF, then network coverage and service availability are ensured, but communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by deploying UPF functions directly on satellites to serve local traffic requirements. Satellite terminals in the same orbital region can communicate through satellite UPF without terrestrial involvement, optimizing local communication efficiency while maintaining broader network coverage through terrestrial UPF connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the 5G core network by deploying UPF in orbit alongside satellite terminals. This three-dimensional network architecture allows terminals to communicate with the nearest UPF regardless of whether it's on the ground or in space, significantly improving communication efficiency while maintaining global coverage.
3Device complexity
If all satellite terminal communications route through terrestrial UPF, then centralized network control is maintained, but transmission distance and delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes data transmission tunnels between satellite UPF and terrestrial UPF in advance, before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary setup enables direct routing for satellite-to-satellite communications, eliminating the need for real-time path calculation and reducing transmission delays while maintaining centralized control over tunnel management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic routing that adapts to communication patterns. For satellite-to-ground communications, data routes through terrestrial UPF maintaining centralized control. For satellite-to-satellite communications, data flows directly between satellite UPF through pre-established tunnels, reducing delay while the centralized system dynamically manages tunnel establishment and teardown.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a protocol data unit (PDU) session management method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving an SM policy modification request for a PDU session, and the request triggering establishment of a first QoS flow in the PDU session, in which the PDU session is established by a first terminal; in response to no data transmission tunnel having a same identifier as a flow identifier of the first QoS flow existing between a first UPF of a first satellite and a second UPF of a second satellite, establishing a first data transmission tunnel between the first UPF and the second UPF; and instructing the first UPF to transmit data of the first QoS flow through the first data transmission tunnel.