UPF Capability Discovery via NRF for Packet Inspection and XRM
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3GPP Rel-16/17/18 wireless communication systems lack defined methods for network functions to search for User Plane Functions (UPFs) with packet inspection functionality, GPU, DPU, firewall, DDoS protection, and DPI features, and do not support essential functions for extended Reality and Media services, leading to network congestion and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for registering and searching UPFs with packet inspection, GPU, DPU, firewall, DDoS protection, and DPI features to a Network Repository Function (NRF), enabling efficient and secure network operations, and supporting extended Reality and Media services through MoQ traffic Relay, Connect-UDP, and HTTP/3 features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the 3GPP system uses basic packet forwarding UPFs, then network simplicity is maintained, but packet inspection functionality and security features are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments UPF functionalities by introducing specific feature indicators (PINU, GPUF, DPUF, FWEN, DDPF, DPIF) that can be independently selected and configured. This allows the system to divide complex UPF capabilities into discrete, selectable features rather than requiring full complexity for all UPFs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by introducing new boolean parameters (PINU, GPUF, DPUF, FWEN, DDPF, DPIF) to the UPF feature set. These parameters enable dynamic configuration of UPF capabilities, allowing the system to adjust functionality based on specific service requirements rather than using fixed complex configurations.
2Reliability
If the system implements comprehensive security features (firewall, DDoS protection, DPI) in UPFs, then network security is improved, but device complexity and provisioning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining security feature parameters (FWEN, DDPF, DPIF) that can be selected during UPF registration and provisioning. This allows security configurations to be prepared in advance through standardized parameter selection rather than complex post-deployment configuration, easing the provisioning process.
3Productivity
If the system adds specialized features (GPU, DPU) for high-performance processing, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces boolean parameters (GPUF, DPUF) to represent optional high-performance processing features. This parameter-based approach allows the system to selectively enable GPU or DPU capabilities based on service requirements, avoiding the need to deploy complex hardware configurations in all UPFs and thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high productivity where needed.
4Productivity
If the system does not define search procedures for specialized UPFs, then system simplicity is maintained, but service quality for XRM and sensing services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service discovery process by introducing specific feature-based search capabilities. Network functions can now search for UPFs with specific features (PINU for packet inspection, MoQ for XRM, sensing information storage) independently, rather than requiring complex holistic matching procedures. This segmented approach improves service quality while managing discovery complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to apparatus and method for providing User Plane Function (UPF) functionality in a wireless communication system. A method of providing user plane function (UPF) functionality information in a wireless communication system may include registering, by a first network function, the UPF functionality information including a packet inspection functionality to a network repository function (NRF); and searching, by a second network function, the NRF for the UPF including the packet inspection functionality.