SMF Latency Calculation for TSN-3GPP Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies face challenges in accurately determining the accumulated latency of transmitting a flow between a terminal device (UE) and a User Plane Function (UPF) network element in a scenario where a 3GPP network interworks with a Time Sensitive Network (TSN).
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a Session Management Function (SMF) network element receives first latency information from the UPF, determines a third latency based on a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule, and calculates a second latency by summing the first and third latencies. This information is then sent to the UPF to ensure Quality of Service (QoS) for the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clock synchronization is performed between all adjacent nodes in the network to calculate accumulated latency, then measurement precision of latency is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the complex synchronization requirements across multiple nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clock synchronization requirement from individual node operations and consolidates it to only the UPF network element. The SMF network element performs the latency calculation centrally using the third latency from PCC rules and first latency from TSN, eliminating the need for distributed synchronization across all nodes while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The SMF network element acts as an intermediary that receives latency information from both the UPF and TSN network elements, and performs the accumulated latency calculation. This intermediary approach allows centralized coordination without requiring direct synchronization between all network nodes, simplifying the overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If clock synchronization is implemented across all transmission nodes between UPF and UE, then reliability of latency calculation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the operational complexity of synchronizing multiple nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from multiple operational nodes and concentrates it in the SMF network element, which performs the latency calculation. The UPF only needs to provide the third latency parameter, while the SMF combines this with TSN latency information and PCC rules to determine the accumulated latency, significantly improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If accumulated latency is calculated using traditional methods requiring full network synchronization, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming synchronization setup and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the latency measurement function from distributed node operations and centralizes it in the SMF network element. The SMF receives the third latency from UPF and first latency from TSN, then calculates the accumulated latency using PCC rules, eliminating the need for time-consuming distributed synchronization while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring PCC rules that contain the third latency parameter for the UPF-UE transmission path. This allows the SMF to quickly determine accumulated latency by combining the pre-stored third latency with real-time TSN latency information, improving productivity without sacrificing measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An SMF network element determines, according to a PCC rule of a flow, a third latency of transmitting the flow from a UPF network element to UE, so that a second latency of transmitting the flow from a flow service provider in a TSN to the UE can be determined based on the third latency and a first latency of transmitting the flow from the flow service provider in the TSN to the UPF network element.