UPF SBI Exposure Service for Direct Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional 5G mobile communication systems, data measured by the User Plane Function (UPF) is inefficiently provided to other network functions due to reliance on the Session Management Function (SMF) for data collection and transmission, which hinders direct and consistent data access across various network functions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Service-Based Interface (SBI)-based exposure service within the UPF, allowing direct data access from the UPF to other network functions through a consistent interface, eliminating the need for SMF mediation by using unique session identifiers like PduSessionID, UEID, cpSeId, and upSeId for session management and notification services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data from UPF is collected and provided through SMF, then data can be transmitted to network functions, but data access efficiency deteriorates and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data collection and transmission function from SMF and relocates it to UPF. UPF now directly provides measured data to network functions through SBI, eliminating the need for SMF mediation in this specific data flow path. This extraction resolves the contradiction by improving data provision efficiency while reducing the burden on SMF and overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
UPF performs self-service by directly exposing its own measured data through service-based interfaces. Instead of relying on SMF to collect and forward data, UPF autonomously provides data to interested network functions. This self-service capability improves productivity by eliminating intermediate steps while reducing system complexity by removing unnecessary mediation layers.
2Loss of time
If SMF mediates data transmission from UPF, then data can be provided to network functions, but data access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mediation step by extracting the data forwarding function from SMF. UPF directly connects to network functions through SBI, eliminating the time-consuming intermediate transmission step. This extraction directly reduces data access time while maintaining ease of operation through standardized interface protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
UPF performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing service-based interface connections and pre-configuring data exposure parameters. This allows network functions to access data directly without waiting for SMF mediation, reducing access time. The preliminary setup of SBI connections enables immediate data retrieval when needed.
3Productivity
If UPF provides direct data access through SBI, then data provision efficiency improves, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing a standardized Service-Based Interface (SBI) framework that UPF uses to provide multiple types of data services to various network functions. This universal interface framework handles different data types and access patterns through a common mechanism, improving efficiency while managing complexity through standardization rather than custom interfaces for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a standardized SBI framework and API specification. This intermediary structure simplifies the interaction between UPF and network functions by providing a uniform interface layer. The standardized protocols act as mediators that manage the complexity of direct data access while maintaining high efficiency, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and interface complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an operation method of a user plane function (UPF) in a wireless communication system, the operation method including: obtaining a subscription request message from a network function (NF), the subscription request message including a first identifier; and providing the NF with a subscription response message corresponding to the subscription request message, the subscription response message including a second identifier, wherein the first identifier includes upSeId or a user session identifier that is a session identifier for a user terminal, or both, and the second identifier includes cpSeId or the user session identifier or both.