Service-Based UPF Discovery via Network Repository
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of service-based User Plane Function (UPF) in 5G networks poses challenges in managing associations between UPFs and Session Management Functions (SMFs), UPF discovery and selection on a per PDU session basis, service chaining, and utilizing UPF services across multiple entities, due to the transition from point-to-point interfaces to service-based architectures.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a service-based UPF in a wireless communication network involves transmitting discovery messages to a network repository entity to filter and associate with suitable session control entities, allowing for the registration and selection of UPF services based on filtering criteria, and configuring services for traffic payloads across multiple UPFs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service-based architecture is adopted for UPF integration, then flexibility and adaptability of network functions are improved, but complexity of managing associations between UPFs and SMFs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service-based interface architecture with a repository function that acts as an intermediary to manage associations between UPFs and SMFs. The repository stores and provides discovery information, allowing entities to find and associate with appropriate service instances without direct complex peer-to-peer management, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and association management complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service-based interfaces are used for UPF discovery, then ability to select appropriate UPF services is improved, but time and overhead for discovery and selection processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-registering service instances and their capabilities in a repository function before actual service deployment. When service discovery is needed, the requesting entity can quickly query the pre-populated repository rather than performing complex real-time discovery, thus reducing discovery time while maintaining the ability to select appropriate services.
3Productivity
If multiple UPF entities are deployed for service chaining, then service versatility and traffic handling capability are improved, but complexity of configuring and managing service chains increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized service-based interface framework that can accommodate multiple UPF entities with different capabilities. The common service interface and repository-based discovery mechanism provide a universal approach to configure and manage service chains across multiple UPFs, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from heterogeneous configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If service-based architecture is implemented across multiple network entities, then network functionality and service capabilities are improved, but overall system complexity and coordination overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by dividing the service-based architecture into distinct functional components: service provider entities, service consumer entities, and a repository function. Each segment has clearly defined responsibilities and interfaces, allowing the system to achieve high service capabilities while managing complexity through modular organization and standardized interaction protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to various methods and apparatuses for implementing service-based user plane entity in a wireless communication network. One method relates in particular to method for operating a user plane entity (21) in a wireless communication network, the wireless communication network comprising the user plane entity (21), a plurality of session control entities (22) and a network repository entity (23). The plurality of session control entities (22) can be configured to handle at least one data packet session in the wireless communication network, the user plane entity (21) can be configured to handle a user plane of the at least one data packet session, and the network repository entity (23) can be configured to register the plurality of session control entities (22) and the user plane entity (21). The method comprises a step S2-3 of transmitting to the network repository entity (23) a discovery message comprising: an association request indication, for indicating that the user plane entity (21) can be associated to a session control entity (22), and filtering criteria for filtering the plurality of session control entities (22). The method further comprises a step S2-4 of receiving from the network repository entity (23) a response message, in response to the discovery message, comprising: a list of filtered session control entities (22), filtered based on the filtering criteria. The method also comprises a step S2-5 of transmitting to a first filtered session control entity (22), of the filtered session control entities (22), an association request message comprising: an identifier of the user plane entity (21).