Terminal Group UPF Selection for Low-Latency Local Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication methods in terminal groups, such as vehicles in a platoon, suffer from high latency due to the need for communication data to pass through multiple user plane function entities, prolonging the communication path.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that involves selecting a target user plane function entity to perform local communication within a terminal group, reducing the number of entities through which data passes by using a first SMF entity to determine and instruct a target UPF entity for direct communication between terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication data passes through multiple user plane function entities, then communication coverage and reliability are improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local UPF entity as an intermediary to establish direct local routing between terminals in the same terminal group. The local UPF acts as a mediator that enables direct communication without requiring data to traverse multiple remote UPF entities, thereby reducing latency while maintaining communication reliability through the established local path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication data passes through multiple user plane function entities, then network coverage is extended, but communication path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path by introducing local UPF entities at different network locations. Each local UPF serves a specific terminal group, creating segmented local communication paths. This segmentation allows data to be routed locally within each segment rather than traversing the entire network path through multiple remote UPF entities, reducing overall path length while maintaining extended network coverage.
3Loss of time
If direct local communication is implemented within a terminal group, then communication latency is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the UPF entity multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a remote UPF for general communication and as a local UPF for terminal group-specific communication. This universality allows the same network entity to handle multiple types of traffic routing without requiring separate dedicated local UPF devices, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving low-latency direct communication.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method, an apparatus, and a system. The method includes: determining, by a first session management function entity based on information of a terminal group, user plane function entities accessed by terminals in a terminal group; and determining, by the first session management function entity, a target user plane function entity based on the user plane function entities, where the target user plane function entity is configured to perform communication between terminals in the terminal group. According to the method, the terminals in the terminal group are redirected to a same user plane function entity, namely, the target user plane function entity, so that communication between the terminals in the terminal group is locally implemented in the target user plane function entity. This shortens a communication path, and reduces a communication latency.