UPF Deterministic Forwarding for 5G Time Sensitive Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G systems, deterministic forwarding of Time Sensitive Communication (TSC) packets is not ensured when transmitted between user equipment (UE) in the 5G system, as these packets do not pass through the Network Side TSN Translator (NW-TT), leading to unpredictable delays and potential service disruptions in critical applications like industrial control and telemedicine.
Innovation Solution
The User Plane Function (UPF) in the 5G system introduces a mechanism to forward TSC packets based on predetermined timing, ensuring they are sent at a specific moment by considering the residence time on the Device Side TSN Translator (DS-TT) and packet delay budgets, thereby maintaining deterministic delay assurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If TSC packets are immediately forwarded by the UPF upon receipt, then forwarding speed is improved, but deterministic forwarding cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF performs preliminary actions by calculating the first moment based on packet arrival time, residence time, and packet delay budget before actually forwarding the TSC packet. This preliminary calculation ensures that the packet is forwarded at the correct deterministic time rather than immediately upon receipt.
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF acts as an intermediary between the DS-TT and the destination UE, mediating the forwarding of TSC packets by holding them in a buffer and releasing them at the calculated first moment, thus ensuring deterministic forwarding while maintaining high-speed transmission.
2Reliability
If TSC packets are buffered until a predetermined moment, then deterministic forwarding is ensured, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF dynamically changes the buffering duration parameter based on the calculated first moment, which is determined by the packet arrival time, residence time, and packet delay budget. This parameter adjustment ensures that packets are held only for the necessary duration to achieve deterministic forwarding without unnecessary delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering mechanism is dynamic rather than static, with the UPF adjusting the release time of TSC packets based on real-time calculations of the first moment, allowing the system to adapt to varying packet arrival times and network conditions while maintaining deterministic forwarding.
3Reliability
If the UPF calculates the first moment based on multiple parameters, then deterministic delay assurance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation of the first moment is segmented into distinct components: packet arrival time, residence time, and packet delay budget. Each component is calculated and combined separately, making the overall complex calculation process more manageable and implementable in the UPF.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and apparatus are provided for transmitting packets of a data stream between user equipment. After receiving a first packet from a first user equipment, a user plane function (UPF) forwards the first packet to a second user equipment at a first moment, so that the first packet that arrives at the UPF before the first moment is not forwarded to the second user equipment until the first moment, to support deterministic sending and ensure that a time sensitive communication (TSC) packet is sent at a determined moment, so as to provide deterministic delay assurance for applications such as industrial control and telemedicine.