SMF Always-On PDU Session Control for URLLC Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G systems face inefficiencies in managing always-on packet data unit (PDU) sessions, particularly for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) services, leading to increased network resource usage and reduced reliability due to the lack of precise control over which services use always-on PDU sessions.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where the Session Management Function (SMF) determines and manages always-on PDU sessions based on user requests and service types, specifically allowing only restricted services like emergency services, URLLC, V2X, and IoT to utilize always-on PDU sessions, while denying others like eMBB and web browsing, thereby optimizing network resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If always-on PDU sessions are established for all service types, then service availability is improved, but network resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of PDU sessions based on service type. Instead of uniform always-on establishment for all services, the system selectively establishes always-on PDU sessions only for critical services (URLLC, emergency services, V2X) while maintaining conventional establishment for non-critical services (eMBB, web browsing). This localized differentiation optimizes network resource allocation while ensuring availability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of PDU session establishment behavior based on service type characteristics. By modifying the establishment mode parameter from uniform always-on to conditional always-on based on service category, the system achieves both reliability for critical services and resource efficiency for non-critical services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If always-on PDU sessions are established without service restriction, then connection speed is improved, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments PDU sessions into distinct categories based on service type (critical vs. non-critical services). By segmenting the user base and service types, the system can apply different establishment strategies: always-on for critical services to ensure fast connection, and conventional establishment for non-critical services to reduce overall network load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing fast always-on connection specifically for critical services where speed is essential, while allowing conventional connection establishment for non-critical services. This localized optimization ensures high speed where needed without proportionally increasing overall network load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If unrestricted always-on PDU sessions are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection setup simplicityVSAvoidsession management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having the network automatically determine and apply the appropriate PDU session establishment mode based on service type identification. The SMF automatically classifies services and applies the correct establishment strategy without requiring manual configuration or complex user-side management logic, thus maintaining ease of operation while managing complexity centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4009731B1Restrict services and policy control for always-on PDU session
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 OFINNO LLC
  • EP4009731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4009731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4009731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, device and system comprising: receiving, by a session management function, SMF, from a wireless device, an indication that an always-on packet data unit, PDU, session is requested, determining to establish the PDU session as an always-on PDU session based on the indication that the always-on PDU session is requested and the PDU session being for an ultra-reliable low-latency communication, URLLC, service and sending, by the SMF to the wireless device, an indication that the PDU session is to be established as the always-on PDU session.