SMF Local Breakout Traffic Detection Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G systems, there is no guaranteed correlation between AF influence requests for local breakout and UE access to services benefiting from it, leading to unnecessary resource consumption and suboptimal mobility due to traffic being anchored in both central and local UPFs without actual usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing traffic detection filters in SMF and UPFs to only establish local breakout when actual end-user traffic matches the breakout criteria, and revoke it when no longer needed, thereby optimizing traffic routing and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If local breakout is established based on AF influence requests without traffic detection, then traffic routing flexibility is improved, but resource consumption increases and mobility performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing traffic detection filters before actual local breakout. The SMF installs detection filters in the UPF that monitor for matching traffic patterns. Only when traffic actually matches the filter criteria does the system establish the local breakout connection to a second UPF. This prevents premature resource allocation while maintaining the capability for rapid activation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UPF continuously monitors traffic against detection filters and reports back to the SMF when matching traffic is detected or when traffic patterns change. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically adjust local breakout establishment based on actual traffic conditions, ensuring resources are allocated only when beneficial and released when no longer needed.
2Reliability
If traffic is anchored in both central and local UPFs simultaneously, then service availability is improved, but mobility performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the UPF anchoring configuration dynamic rather than static. Traffic detection filters monitor actual traffic patterns, and based on detection results, the system dynamically switches between anchoring traffic in a central UPF versus establishing local breakout to a second UPF. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal mobility performance while maintaining service availability, as the anchoring point adjusts based on real-time traffic conditions rather than being fixed.
3Speed
If local breakout is established without traffic detection, then response time to AF requests is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring traffic detection filters in the UPF when the SMF receives AF influence requests. These filters are ready to immediately detect matching traffic patterns without delay. When traffic actually matches the filter criteria, the local breakout can be established rapidly. This approach maintains fast response time by having detection mechanisms in place beforehand while improving resource allocation efficiency by only activating breakouts when actual matching traffic is detected.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a SMF (113), for handling local breakout of traffic. The SMF (113) receives, from a PCF (115), policy information indicating traffic that should be routed via a second UPF (105b) to a second DN (108b). The SMF (113) provides, to a first UPF (105a), a first traffic detection filter for detecting the traffic indicated in the received policy information. The SMF (113) detects that there is traffic matching the first traffic detection filter. The SMF (113) sets up, according to the policy information, a local breakout to the second UPF (105b) when the matching traffic has been detected. The setting-up comprises setting-up the second UPF (105b).