TSN Pipeline for AN-UPF Packet Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communications, the indeterminate forwarding path and lack of guaranteed delay and reliability in packet transmission between Access Network (AN) and User Plane Function (UPF) network elements due to IP route-based forwarding lead to unpredictable packet transmission delays and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that determines the transmit and receive ends using indication information and establishes a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) pipeline between AN and UPF network elements, ensuring reliable and delayed data flow transmission by using Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP) and port identifiers to create a dedicated data flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP route-based forwarding is used between AN and UPF network elements, then routing flexibility is improved, but packet transmission delay and reliability cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network forwarding function into two parts: IP routing for flexibility and TSN pipeline for reliability. The AN network element and UPF network element establish a dedicated TSN pipeline connection in addition to IP routing, separating the flexibility function (IP routing) from the reliability function (TSN pipeline with port identifiers and bandwidth information).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces TSN pipeline as an intermediary mechanism between AN and UPF network elements. The TSN pipeline acts as a dedicated communication channel that mediates packet transmission, ensuring reliability through port identifier matching and bandwidth information verification while allowing IP routing to maintain flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IP route-based forwarding is used between AN and UPF network elements, then routing flexibility is improved, but packet transmission delay becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission path into flexible IP routing for path selection and deterministic TSN pipeline for actual packet forwarding. The TSN pipeline segment ensures predictable delay by establishing a dedicated connection with verified bandwidth information and port identifier matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary establishment of the TSN pipeline connection before actual packet transmission. The AN and UPF network elements pre-configure port identifiers and bandwidth information, and verify the connection in advance, ensuring that when packets are forwarded, the reliable path is already in place with guaranteed delay characteristics.
3Reliability
If dedicated TSN pipeline is established between AN and UPF network elements, then packet transmission reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the AN and UPF network elements multi-functional by enabling them to operate both IP routing and TSN pipeline mechanisms. The same network elements that perform standard IP forwarding also establish and maintain TSN pipelines, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the IP routing function and TSN pipeline function into a unified communication framework. The AN and UPF network elements combine both mechanisms, using IP routing for flexibility and TSN pipeline for reliability, thereby reducing system complexity by avoiding separate dedicated infrastructure.
4Reliability
If dedicated TSN pipeline is established between AN and UPF network elements, then packet transmission reliability is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the AN and UPF network elements to self-configure the TSN pipeline connection. The network elements automatically exchange port identifiers and bandwidth information, and verify the connection without requiring manual configuration or complex external setup procedures, thereby reducing implementation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the TSN pipeline as an intermediary that simplifies the implementation of reliable transmission. By standardizing the pipeline establishment process with clear port identifier matching and bandwidth information verification, the patent reduces implementation complexity compared to custom reliable transmission solutions.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a communication method and a communications apparatus, to ensure a delay and reliability of packet transmission between an AN network element and a UPF network element. The communication method includes: determining, by a control device based on first indication information and second indication information, a transmit end and a receive end that communicate with each other by using a data flow, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first device is the transmit end and the second indication information is used to indicate that a second device is the receive end, or the first indication information is used to indicate that the first device is the receive end and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second device is the transmit end; obtaining, by the control device, bandwidth information of the data flow; and sending, by the control device, data flow information and the bandwidth information, where the data flow information is used to indicate at least one of a port identifier of the transmit end and a port identifier of the receive end, and the port identifier of the transmit end, the port identifier of the receive end, and the bandwidth information are used to create the data flow.