UPF-Based NRPPa Routing for Low-Latency 5G Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G positioning schemes relying on core network signaling interaction fail to meet the requirements for high positioning data security, accuracy, and reduced time delay, particularly in UL-TDOA positioning due to high signaling overhead and increased time delays.
Innovation Solution
Integrating support for the NRPPa protocol in the UPF entity at the network edge, allowing the LMF entity to perform message interactions with the RAN through the UPF instead of the core network, reducing signaling overhead and time delay by transmitting NRPPa messages directly between the LMF entity and target base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If positioning messages are transmitted through the core network (AMF entity), then positioning can be achieved, but signaling overhead is high and time delay is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NRPPa message transmission function from the core network (AMF entity) and relocates it to the user plane function (UPF entity) at the network edge. This allows LMF to directly interact with base stations through the UPF, eliminating the need for messages to traverse the entire core network path, thereby reducing signaling overhead and time delay
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new transmission path dimension by enabling UPF to bear NRPPa messages between LMF and base stations. This creates a parallel communication route alongside the traditional core network path, allowing positioning signals to be transmitted through the user plane rather than solely through the control plane core network
2Measurement precision
If positioning messages are transmitted through the core network, then positioning can be achieved, but positioning accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time-sensitive positioning message transmission from the core network and places it at the network edge (UPF), closer to the base stations. This reduces the transmission distance and intermediate nodes, thereby reducing signaling time delay and improving positioning accuracy by providing more timely measurement data
3Reliability
If core network signaling is used for positioning, then positioning can be achieved, but positioning data security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning message transmission function from the core network and relocates it to the user plane function at the network edge. This reduces the exposure of positioning data to the core network infrastructure, thereby enhancing positioning data security by minimizing the attack surface and reducing data traversal through potentially vulnerable core network elements
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in the present disclosure is a data transmission method applied to a user plane function (UPF) entity, including: receiving a positioning initiation request sent from a location management function (LMF) entity, where the positioning initiation request carries a user equipment (UE) identifier of a target UE; and bearing, by a preset message according to the positioning initiation request, a new radio positioning protocol annex (NRPPa) message between the LMF entity and a target base station, where the target base station is a base station corresponding to the target UE.