Selective CU-UP Node Buffering Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications network configurations face scalability issues with one-to-one setup and discovery procedures for assigning centralized unit-user plane nodes to user equipment, particularly in supporting diverse services and network slices, and do not effectively utilize buffering capabilities to optimize data handling based on user equipment mobility and activity states.
Innovation Solution
A method where a centralized unit-control plane node evaluates buffering-relevant information about available centralized unit-user plane nodes and user equipment to selectively assign nodes based on their capabilities and the equipment's appropriateness for buffering, using messages formatted according to the E1 Application Protocol, to optimize buffering procedures in the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one-to-one setup and discovery procedures are used for assigning centralized unit-user plane nodes to user equipment, then connection reliability is improved, but network scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the node assignment process into two distinct phases: a setup phase where buffering capabilities are negotiated and stored in a repository, and a discovery phase where pre-negotiated nodes are quickly assigned. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable connections through proper capability matching while achieving scalability through template-based preconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs buffering capability negotiation and node assignment in advance during the setup phase, storing results in a repository. When user equipment needs assignment, the system quickly retrieves pre-negotiated information rather than performing full negotiation. This preliminary action enables fast scaling while maintaining connection reliability through pre-validated assignments.
2Productivity
If buffering capabilities are not utilized, then network simplicity is maintained, but data handling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces buffering capability as a negotiable parameter in the setup phase, allowing nodes to declare their buffering capabilities and user equipment to indicate their appropriateness. This parameter change enables the network to optimize data handling efficiency by matching buffering-capable nodes with suitable user equipment, without significantly increasing overall network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables user equipment to self-indicate whether they are appropriate candidates for buffering procedures, and nodes to self-declare their buffering capabilities. This self-service approach allows the network to achieve efficient data handling through distributed intelligence rather than centralized control, minimizing the complexity overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If selective buffering assignment is implemented, then resource utilization is improved, but procedural complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the buffering capability negotiation from the real-time connection establishment process and places it in a separate setup phase. This extraction allows the system to achieve improved resource utilization through selective buffering assignment while minimizing procedural complexity during critical path operations, as the complex negotiation happens in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed method may include (i) receiving a message including first buffering-relevant information relating to an ability of a specific centralized unit-user plane node to perform a buffering procedure, (ii) evaluating the first buffering-relevant information against second buffering-relevant information indicating at least in part whether an item of user equipment is an appropriate candidate for the buffering procedure, and (iii) assigning the specific centralized unit-user plane node based at least in part on evaluating the first buffering-relevant information against the second buffering-relevant information. Related systems and computer-readable mediums are further disclosed.