Sub-Interface Selection for 5G Control Plane Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks, particularly 3GPP 5G networks, face bottlenecks and communication delays due to the need to route control signaling through dedicated interface nodes, especially in scenarios where logical entities are geographically distributed.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting a sub-interface from multiple available sub-interfaces based on keys associated with control plane messages to optimize transmission, allowing direct communication between sub-entities of different logical nodes, thereby reducing bottlenecks and improving communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If control signaling is routed through dedicated interface nodes, then network management and control is simplified, but communication delay increases and bottlenecks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The interface between logical nodes is segmented into multiple sub-interfaces, each capable of independent communication. This allows control plane messages to be routed through multiple parallel paths rather than forcing all traffic through a single dedicated interface node, thereby reducing communication delay and eliminating bottlenecks while maintaining manageable network control through structured interface organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to interface architecture by creating multiple sub-interfaces at the same logical node interface level. This dimensional expansion allows messages to traverse different sub-interface paths simultaneously, adding routing flexibility without increasing overall network management complexity, thus resolving the time delay issue while preserving structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If multiple sub-interfaces are deployed between logical nodes, then communication efficiency and bandwidth are improved, but interface management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sub-interfaces are designed with universal functionality and standardized protocols, allowing them to perform identical communication tasks through different physical or logical paths. This multi-functionality enables load distribution and parallel communication, improving overall efficiency while the standardized design prevents exponential growth in management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (interface management entity or controller) that abstracts the complexity of managing multiple sub-interfaces. This intermediary handles interface selection, monitoring, and coordination, allowing sub-interfaces to operate in parallel for improved communication efficiency while the intermediary maintains centralized control to prevent management complexity from becoming unmanageable.
3Ease of operation
If control plane messages are transmitted through intermediate nodes, then message routing is simplified, but transmission time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes preliminary routing configurations where sub-interfaces are pre-configured with routing information and message paths are predetermined based on message types and destination nodes. This preliminary setup allows messages to be forwarded directly through appropriate sub-interfaces without requiring complex real-time routing decisions at intermediate nodes, thus maintaining routing simplicity while achieving faster transmission speeds through optimized direct paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and system for transmitting control plane messages in a communication network. Messaging is between two logical nodes, e.g. gNBs. Logical nodes include multiple networked sub-entities. Multiple sub-interfaces couple a pair of logical nodes. One sub-interface is selected based on keys associated with content of a message. Key-to-sub-interface associations are stored in memory. The keys may be identifiers included in the control plane message, such as UE IDs, Cell IDs, etc. Packets carrying the control plane message are configured and transmitted using the selected sub-interface. A key-to-sub-interface association may be established or updated when a control plane message is received via the sub-interface and includes the key, or in response to a rejection message specifying the correct sub-interface to use. A middle box entity may be provided in a logical node for each sub-interface and configured to act at least initially to forward messages to appropriate sub-entities.