SMF Entity Multicast Service Activation in 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face complexity and incompatibility issues in activating multicast services, particularly with the development of 5th-generation systems, where terminals may not need IP addresses and the Quality of Service (QoS) control mechanisms need integration with Policy Control and Charging (PCC) architecture.
Innovation Solution
A method where User Equipment (UE) determines an activation manner to activate a multicast service by establishing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session and acquiring an Internet Protocol (IP) address from a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, optimizing the activation process and ensuring compatibility, while the SMF entity receives requests for activating multicast/broadcast services and performs session management to integrate with PCC technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UE uses the traditional multicast service activation process with multiple entities (GGSN, SGSN, BM-SC), then the service can be activated, but the process becomes complex and requires many information exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of GGSN, SGSN, and BM-SC into a single SMF entity. The SMF integrates IP address management, PDU session management, and multicast service activation functions that were previously distributed across multiple entities, thereby simplifying the activation process and reducing the number of information exchanges required
Solution Approach 2:
The SMF entity is designed with multi-functionality, handling both unicast and multicast service activations, IP address allocation, PDU session management, and interaction with PCF for QoS control. This universal entity replaces multiple specialized entities, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full service capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE establishes a PDU session and acquires an IP address from the SMF entity, then compatibility with various terminal capabilities is ensured, but the activation process requires additional session management steps
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF entity performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing PDU sessions and allocating IP addresses to UEs before multicast service activation. This ensures that when multicast services need to be activated, the necessary network layer infrastructure is already in place, improving compatibility with different terminal capabilities while streamlining the actual service activation process
3Reliability
If the QoS control mechanisms are integrated with PCC architecture in 5th-generation systems, then service quality is improved, but the system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF entity serves as an intermediary between the multicast service activation process and the PCC architecture. It receives QoS parameters from the PCF entity and translates them into appropriate resource allocations for multicast services, thereby integrating QoS control with PCC while managing the complexity through a dedicated mediation layer
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments QoS control functions by separating policy decision-making (handled by PCF) from policy execution (handled by SMF). This segmentation allows complex QoS requirements to be managed through a structured division of responsibilities, improving reliability while making the integration more manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining whether a user equipment activating a multicast service is to establish a Protocol Data Unit session and acquire an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned by a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, and activating the multicast service for the user equipment through the SMF entity based on the determination.