UPF-Based Direct UE-UE Communication for TSC Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications, time-sensitive communications (TSC) data is always routed through a time-sensitive networking (TSN) network, even if the transmitting and receiving user equipment (UE) are served by the same user plane function (UPF), resulting in wasted time due to unnecessary routing through the TSN network.
Innovation Solution
A method where the UPF monitors the source and destination of packets in PDU sessions of UEs and pairs device side TSN translator (DS-TT) ports of UEs served by the same UPF, allowing direct UE-UE communication without traversing the TSN network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TSC data is always routed through the TSN network, then network connectivity and standard compliance are ensured, but transmission latency increases due to unnecessary routing hops
Solution Approach 1:
The network path is segmented into two types: TSN network path for general connectivity and direct UPF-to-UPF path for time-sensitive traffic. The system divides communication routes based on traffic requirements, allowing TSC data to bypass the TSN network when both UEs are served by the same UPF, thus reducing latency while maintaining network connectivity through the segmented direct path
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF acts as an intermediary that monitors PDU sessions and identifies when both source and destination UEs are served by the same UPF. This intermediary function enables the system to redirect TSC traffic from the standard TSN route through a direct UPF-mediated path, reducing transmission hops and latency while ensuring reliable delivery
2Device complexity
If TSC data traverses the TSN network, then network management and control are simplified, but communication efficiency decreases due to additional routing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The routing path is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors PDU session information to determine whether source and destination UEs are served by the same UPF, dynamically switching between TSN network routing and direct UPF routing based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adaptation improves communication efficiency for TSC traffic without permanently complicating network management
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF monitors PDU session information and provides feedback about which UEs are served by the same UPF. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically optimize routing decisions for TSC traffic, improving communication efficiency by redirecting eligible traffic through the direct path while maintaining simple centralized control through the UPF
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, methods, integrated circuits and computer readable storage media for configuring time sensitive communications (TSC). The configuring of the TSC includes monitoring, by a user plane function (UPF), a source and destination of packets in a first protocol data unit (PDU) session of a first user equipment (UE) and in a second PDU session of a second UE, pairing a first device side TSN translator (DS-TT) port of the first UE with a second DS-TT port of the second UE when the first PDU session and the second PDU session are served by the same UPF, wherein the pairing is based on the monitoring of the first and second PDU sessions and when the first DS-TT and second DS-TT ports are paired, communicating the packets between the first UE and the second UE in a UE-UE communication without traversing the TSN.