UPF Local Forwarding for Same-MLAN Terminal Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is currently no solution for how two terminals can locally interact with each other when they correspond to the same user plane function (UPF) entity in a mobile local area network (MLAN).

Innovation Solution

A data transmission method where a user plane function entity receives a data packet from a first terminal, determines the downlink path for a second terminal based on the uplink path information and addressing information, and sends the packet to the second terminal, enabling local interaction between terminals sharing the same UPF entity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If two terminals share the same UPF entity in MLAN, then network resource utilization is improved, but local interaction between terminals cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidlocal interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data forwarding path by introducing a local forwarding mechanism within the UPF entity. When data packets are exchanged between terminals under the same UPF, the UPF performs local forwarding without sending packets to the external network, thus achieving local interaction while maintaining shared UPF resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The UPF entity acts as an intermediary that intelligently routes data packets. It determines whether to perform local forwarding or external forwarding based on packet inspection, enabling local interaction between terminals while maintaining the benefit of shared UPF resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If data packets are forwarded through external network path, then network coverage is extended, but local interaction efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidlocal interaction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection where the UPF entity adaptively chooses between local forwarding and external forwarding based on the destination address of each packet. This dynamic mechanism ensures that local traffic is forwarded efficiently within the UPF while external traffic maintains wide network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different forwarding qualities to different traffic types: local traffic receives high-speed local forwarding treatment within the UPF, while external traffic receives standard external routing treatment, thus optimizing local interaction speed without compromising overall network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12363772B2Data transmission method, device, and system

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A data transmission method includes receiving, by a user plane function entity, a data packet from a first terminal through an uplink path corresponding to the first terminal, where the data packet carries addressing information of a second terminal; determining, by the user plane function entity based on information about the uplink path corresponding to the first terminal and the addressing information of the second terminal, a downlink path corresponding to the second terminal; and sending, by the user plane function entity, the data packet to the second terminal through the downlink path corresponding to the second terminal.