Terminal Traffic Steering via Local Path Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current 5G Uplink Classifier (ULCL) function relies heavily on information from the Session Management Function (SMF) for steering traffic, leading to overhead and increased signaling between SMF and User Plane Function (UPF), and does not allow terminals to independently control their data transmission paths.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable terminals to independently control their data transmission paths by identifying specific information within uplink packets, generating and configuring transmission paths, and transmitting packets through local networks, reducing dependence on SMF-provided information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the current 5G ULCL function uses SMF-provided information for traffic steering, then traffic can be steered to local networks, but overhead and signaling between SMF and UPF increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic steering capabilityVSAvoidoverhead and signaling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device independently performs transmission path selection and control by identifying its own service flows and autonomously selecting appropriate transmission paths based on local network conditions, eliminating the need for continuous SMF-provided steering information and reducing signaling overhead between SMF and UPF

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the current 5G ULCL function relies on SMF information management, then traffic steering is enabled, but terminal independence in controlling transmission paths is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic steering capabilityVSAvoidterminal independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the UPF continuously manages terminal identifier and destination information from SMF, then accurate traffic steering is achieved, but overhead at the UPF increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic steering accuracyVSAvoidoverhead at UPF

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transmission path control function from the network side (SMF-UPF interaction) and relocates it to the terminal side, where the terminal independently identifies service flows and selects transmission paths, thereby removing the need for UPF to continuously manage and process terminal identifier and destination information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11778504B2Terminal device, data transmission/reception device, and operating method of device

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 SK TELECOM CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a technology for resolving the problems of the conventional 5G ULCL function and efficiently supporting requirements/performance of the URLLC service supported by 5G as the terminal implements a new technology, that is, ULCL of the terminal capable of controlling steering of the transmission path of its own traffic.