UPF Multicast Tunnel Control to Reduce Packet Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G wireless communication systems lack efficient mechanisms for multicast transport, leading to unnecessary replication of packets and inefficient use of transport and processing resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for user plane function control that includes sending a session establishment request to apply multicast and supply identifiers, such as IP addresses and GTP tunnel identifiers, to establish a multicast tunnel for efficient packet distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If unicast transport is used for multicast content distribution, then packet delivery can be achieved, but transport resources are inefficiently consumed due to unnecessary packet replication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast packet streams into a single multicast stream by establishing a shared tunnel identifier (TID) for multiple packet flows. The UPF assigns a common TID to packets destined for multiple UEs, allowing the network to transport replicated content once instead of separately for each UE, thereby improving transport efficiency and reducing resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast tunnel mechanism provides universal packet delivery capability to multiple UEs simultaneously. A single tunnel configuration serves multiple destinations, enabling the same transport path to deliver content to multiple users without requiring separate unicast connections, thus optimizing resource utilization across the network.
2Productivity
If multicast tunneling is implemented in the 5G core network, then transport efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases due to new control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The User Plane Function (UPF) acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of multicast tunnel management. The UPF receives unicast packet flows from the core network, assigns shared tunnel identifiers, and forwards packets through the appropriate multicast paths. This intermediary approach centralizes the complexity in a dedicated function rather than distributing it across multiple network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet forwarding function into control plane (session management) and user plane (packet forwarding with TID assignment). The control plane establishes sessions and requests multicast tunneling, while the user plane independently manages packet replication and tunnel identifier assignment. This segmentation allows each plane to operate independently, reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If source specific multicast is used, then packet routing precision is improved, but the overhead for managing source and destination identifiers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF performs self-service by automatically generating and assigning tunnel identifiers to packet flows. When receiving packets, the UPF autonomously determines whether to use unicast or multicast delivery, assigns appropriate TIDs, and manages the mapping between packet flows and tunnel identifiers without requiring manual configuration or complex external coordination, thereby reducing identifier management overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and computer readable medium for user plane function control for multicast transport. A method includes sending (300) a session establishment request to a user plane function requesting the user plane function to apply multicast and supply identifiers for outgoing packets. The method also includes receiving (305) from the user plane function a multicast response comprising the requested identifiers. The method also includes establishing (605) a multicast tunnel with a network node.