Per-Packet Performance Measurement in UPF Network Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing multiple technologies and releases, particularly in supporting a mix of wireless devices with varying capabilities and technologies, and in providing flexible and configurable architectures for service-based communication.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a service-based architecture within a core network that includes multiple user plane functions and untrusted access, enabling flexible configuration and support for multiple technologies and releases, with network slicing for optimized service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a service-based architecture with multiple user plane functions is implemented, then network flexibility and configurability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple user plane functions (UPFs) that can be independently configured and managed. Each UPF handles specific user plane tasks, allowing the network to be segmented into functional modules that can be dynamically allocated based on service requirements, thereby improving flexibility without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The service-based architecture implements universal service management capabilities that can handle multiple types of services and technologies through a common framework. This multi-functionality allows the same architectural elements to serve diverse purposes across different network releases and technologies, reducing the need for separate specialized components.
2Productivity
If network slicing is implemented for optimized service delivery, then service performance is improved, but measurement and monitoring difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A packet performance measurement function is introduced as an intermediary component that collects, processes, and reports performance metrics for different network slices. This mediator consolidates measurement tasks from multiple slices into a centralized function, making it easier to monitor and manage slice performance without requiring complex distributed measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where performance measurement results are continuously collected and used to optimize network slice configurations. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic adjustment of slice parameters based on actual performance data, improving service delivery while maintaining manageable measurement complexity through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A user plane function (UPF) receives, from a network node, a message requesting a per packet performance measurement, the message comprising a parameter indicating configuration of the per packet performance measurement.