TSN Bridge Handover Configuration in 5G Core

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G communication systems face challenges in implementing enhanced features and functionalities, particularly in network slicing and resource management within the 5G core network, which affects the efficiency and flexibility of service delivery and user plane connectivity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of advanced network functions such as Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and User Plane Function (UPF) with enhanced functionalities, including registration management, connection management, and traffic steering, to support network slicing and QoS management, allowing for dynamic allocation of resources and flexible service provisioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If handover configuration is provided in RRC Release message for idle/inactive mode mobility, then mobility management for low latency services is improved, but the complexity of RRC message configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility management speedVSAvoidRRC message configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handover configuration is provided in advance within the RRC Release message during idle/inactive mode, enabling the UE to perform handover operations immediately without requiring additional signaling exchanges. This preliminary configuration approach reduces latency by preparing handover parameters before they are needed, while the configuration is efficiently packaged within existing message structures to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If TSN bridge configuration is updated during handover, then time synchronization for TSN services is maintained, but the complexity of coordination between 5G core network and TSN bridge increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime synchronization reliabilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The SMF (Session Management Function) acts as an intermediary between the 5G core network and the TSN bridge, receiving handover notifications and forwarding appropriate configuration updates to the TSN bridge. This intermediary approach maintains time synchronization reliability by ensuring proper coordination, while abstracting the complexity of inter-system communication behind standardized interfaces and procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF) are implemented with enhanced functionalities, then service flexibility and resource management are improved, but the overall system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components (AMF for access and mobility management, SMF for session management, UPF for user plane functionality), each with specific enhanced capabilities. This segmentation improves service flexibility by allowing independent optimization and management of each function, while the modular architecture helps manage overall system complexity through clear separation of concerns and standardized interfaces between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4008128B1Configuration of time sensitive bridge during handover
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 PENINSULA TECH LLC
  • EP4008128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4008128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4008128B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first base station receives a time sensitive networking (TSN) bridge parameter. A handover request is received from a second base station. A handover acceptance is sent to the second base station based on: the TSN bridge parameter; and the handover request.