UPF Local Broadcast Breakout for 5G Unicast Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communications systems, data transmission delays occur due to the need for data to be processed and forwarded through an application server, especially for small-range transmissions where processing is unnecessary, leading to increased latency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow a terminal to request a User Plane Function (UPF) to perform a local broadcast breakout for uplink information, bypassing the application server and reducing transmission delays by forwarding data directly through a broadcast path within the UPF, thereby minimizing the transmission path length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted through the application server for processing and forwarding, then data processing and routing control are improved, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into two paths: control plane data still routes through the application server for processing, while user plane data for small-range broadcast directly routes through the UPF. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both control reliability and transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF acts as an intermediary that enables direct local breakout of user plane data without involving the application server. The SMF coordinates this by establishing a direct path between UPF and broadcast session, mediating between control requirements and transmission efficiency needs.
2Device complexity
If data routes through the application server, then centralized control and processing are achieved, but transmission path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission path is segmented into control plane (through AS) and user plane (direct through UPF). This reduces the physical path length for user data while maintaining centralized control structure for management and billing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension in the network architecture by adding direct UPF-to-broadcast-session routing that bypasses the traditional AS path. This creates a parallel transmission dimension that is optimized for speed while the original dimension maintains control.
3Reliability
If all uplink data is sent to the application server, then comprehensive data processing is ensured, but unnecessary processing delays small-range transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying full data processing to all uplink traffic, the patent applies partial processing only where necessary (control plane through AS) and allows direct transmission for user plane broadcast data. This avoids excessive processing that would delay time-sensitive small-range transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality of processing is applied to different data types: control plane data receives comprehensive processing through the AS, while user plane broadcast data receives minimal processing locally at the UPF. This local quality differentiation optimizes both reliability and efficiency for respective data types.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a data transmission method and apparatus. The method includes: sending, by a terminal, a first request message to an SMF, where the first request message is used to request to perform a UPF local broadcast breakout on unicast flow data; and receiving, by the terminal, a response message for the first request message. The first request message is used to request to perform the UPF local broadcast breakout on the unicast flow data, so that a UPF that manages a broadcast session does not forward the received unicast flow data to an AS, but directly performs the broadcast breakout on the received unicast flow data locally (that is, on the UPF that manages the broadcast session). Therefore, a length of a transmission path for the unicast flow data is reduced, and a transmission delay of the unicast flow data that needs to be broadcast in a small range is reduced.