UE-to-UE Communication Control Using Hierarchical IP Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP standards lack a mechanism to efficiently control UE-to-UE communication, leading to complex configurations and high CPU processing demands due to the need for numerous IP range and subrange matches, especially in networks with many data network names (DNNs), and fail to update when IP address ranges change.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method to control UE-to-UE communication through a session management entity that sends requests to a user plane entity, specifying IP addresses for allowed or blocked communication, and involves a policy control entity to query a user data storage entity for subscriber types, enabling efficient configuration and management of UE-to-UE policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network uses standard 3GPP mechanisms to control UE-to-UE communication, then communication control is achieved, but device complexity and CPU processing load increase significantly due to numerous IP range and subrange matches required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP address space into hierarchical groups and subgroups, where each group contains multiple subgroups. This segmentation allows the network to control UE-to-UE communication by matching at the group level rather than requiring individual subrange matches, significantly reducing configuration complexity while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by creating a hierarchical grouping structure (groups containing subgroups) that adds an organizational dimension to IP address management. This dimensional change transforms the control mechanism from flat individual subrange matching to hierarchical group-based matching, reducing the computational burden on network devices.
2Measurement precision
If the network configures numerous IP range and subrange matches to control UE-to-UE communication, then communication control precision is improved, but CPU processing load and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting IP addresses into hierarchical groups and subgroups, the patent maintains precise communication control through group-based matching. Instead of checking numerous individual subranges, the system performs matching at the group level, which preserves control precision while dramatically improving network processing efficiency by reducing the number of comparisons required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple IP subranges into larger groups, where a single group can represent numerous subranges. This merging allows the network to maintain precise control over communication patterns while reducing the processing load, as matching against one group identifier is computationally lighter than matching against multiple individual subrange identifiers.
3Measurement precision
If the network uses detailed IP subrange matching to control UE-to-UE communication, then control accuracy is improved, but the system fails to adapt when IP address ranges change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mechanism where groups and subgroups can be flexibly configured and updated. When IP address ranges change, the network can modify group assignments without requiring complete reconfiguration of individual subrange rules. This dynamic structure maintains control accuracy while improving adaptability to changing network conditions and IP allocations.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the hierarchical group dimension, the system gains adaptability to IP range changes. Instead of being locked into static subrange configurations, the hierarchical structure allows flexible reorganization of IP addresses into groups and subgroups, maintaining control accuracy while enabling easy adaptation when IP allocations change.
4Reliability
If the network operator configures multiple appIds to block UE-to-UE communication per DNN, then communication blocking coverage is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple appIds into a single group-based control mechanism. Instead of configuring separate appIds for each DNN and IP subrange, the system uses hierarchical groups that can encompass multiple IP ranges across different DNNs. This merging maintains comprehensive blocking coverage while significantly reducing configuration complexity and the number of identifiers that must be managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The group-based control mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it can block UE-to-UE communication across multiple DNNs, handle multiple IP ranges, and provide hierarchical organization. This universal approach replaces the need for numerous specialized appIds, maintaining reliable blocking coverage while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided a method of operating a session management entity in a communication network. The method comprises sending (901) a first request to a user plane entity in the communication network. The first request relates to UE-to-UE communication and indicates a first set of Internet Protocol, IP, addresses available for allocation to UEs for which UE-to-UE communication is one of blocked or allowed; and at least one subset of the first set of IP addresses for which UE-to-UE communication is the other one of blocked or allowed.