TSN Multicast Filtering in 5G Core Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G networks integrated with Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), multicast messages lead to high radio resource overheads due to the inability of some network elements to support multicast or broadcast data transmission, affecting other network scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method where a core network device determines the target device information based on TSN domain information within a multicast message, allowing selective transmission to only the required devices, reducing the need to send messages to all connected devices and optimizing resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multicast messages are forwarded to all connected terminals, then TSN time synchronization is achieved, but radio resource overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTSN time synchronizationVSAvoidradio resource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary multicast message transmissions by introducing a filtering mechanism. The access network device determines whether to forward multicast messages based on whether there are terminals in the coverage area that belong to the same TSN domain as the message source, thereby eliminating redundant transmissions and reducing radio resource overhead while maintaining TSN synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter from blanket multicast forwarding to selective unicast transmission. When no terminals are found in the same TSN domain, the system switches from multicast mode to unicast mode for sending timing synchronization messages to specific access network devices, thereby optimizing radio resource utilization while ensuring synchronization delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multicast messages are forwarded to all connected terminals, then time synchronization is maintained, but other network scenarios are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime synchronizationVSAvoidother network scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts unnecessary multicast transmissions by implementing a domain-based filtering mechanism. The access network device checks whether any terminal in its coverage area belongs to the same TSN domain as the multicast message source before forwarding. This selective forwarding approach removes redundant message transmissions, ensuring time synchronization for TSN devices while reducing interference and resource consumption for other network scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making forwarding decisions at each access network device based on local terminal information. Each access network device independently determines whether to forward multicast messages by checking its served terminals' TSN domain membership, thereby optimizing resource allocation locally while maintaining overall network synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multicast messages are sent to all terminals, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but radio resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery coverageVSAvoidradio resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates redundant message transmissions by implementing intelligent filtering. The access network device determines whether to forward multicast timing synchronization messages based on the presence of terminals belonging to the same TSN domain in its coverage area. This selective forwarding removes unnecessary transmissions while ensuring comprehensive coverage for actual recipients, thereby improving radio resource utilization without compromising delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by sending timing synchronization messages only to access network devices that have terminals requiring synchronization, rather than broadcasting to all devices. This targeted approach ensures sufficient coverage for TSN synchronization needs while avoiding excessive transmissions that would waste radio resources, thus optimizing the balance between delivery coverage and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4044485B1Message transmission method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4044485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4044485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4044485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A message transmission method and apparatus are provided, to reduce radio resource occupation and improve resource utilization when a multicast message of a TSN network is forwarded in a wireless network. The method includes: A core network device obtains a first correspondence, where the first correspondence includes a correspondence between target device information and first TSN domain information, the target device information is used to identify a target device, and the first TSN domain information is used to identify a TSN domain to which a first TSN device belongs. The core network device receives a multicast message from a second TSN device, where the multicast message includes second TSN domain information, and the second TSN domain information is used to identify a TSN domain to which the second TSN device belongs. The core network device sends the multicast message to the target device when determining, based on the second TSN domain information and the first correspondence, that the second TSN device and the first TSN device belong to a same TSN domain.