User Plane Bearer Setup for NB-IoT Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In NB-IoT applications, existing data transmission methods, such as the control plane solution, lead to increased load on the MME and excessive NAS signaling, making them inefficient for small, high-frequency or large packets, while the user plane solution is more appropriate but not easily switchable from the control plane.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow switching data transmission from a control plane solution to a user plane solution by allocating identifiers for S1 and S11 interface bearers between the S-GW and eNB, and MME, respectively, enabling efficient data routing without requiring constant MME instruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If control plane solution is used for NB-IoT data transmission, then data can be transmitted through existing NAS signaling, but MME load increases and NAS signaling exchange becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a user plane as an intermediary path for data transmission, bypassing the control plane (MME) for actual data packets. The user plane includes user plane gateway (UP-GW) and user plane router (UP-ROUTER) that handle data forwarding without requiring MME involvement, thus reducing MME load while maintaining implementation feasibility through the existing control plane for signaling.
2Productivity
If user plane solution is used for NB-IoT data transmission, then data transmission efficiency improves, but switching from control plane to user plane becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes user plane bearers and configures user plane routing in advance during attachment or tracking area update procedures. The network pre-configures the user plane path with UP-GW and UP-ROUTER, so when data transmission is needed, the switch to user plane can occur rapidly without complex real-time setup, reducing the complexity of the switching mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control plane solution is used, then existing NAS signaling can handle data, but overhead increases for small data packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the control plane (NAS signaling) and places it in the user plane. Small data packets are routed through the user plane (UP-GW and UP-ROUTER) which handles them with minimal overhead, while the control plane retains only essential signaling functions, thus reducing signaling overhead while maintaining protocol compatibility.
4Loss of substance
If user plane solution is implemented, then overhead is reduced, but requires additional network elements and configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the user plane gateway (UP-GW) and user plane router (UP-ROUTER) to perform multiple functions: data packet routing, user plane bearer management, and interaction with existing core network elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely new network elements and simplifies configuration by integrating user plane capabilities into existing network infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a user plane bearer setup method and a device, so as to switch data from a control plane solution to a user plane solution. According to the method in this application, a serving gateway receives indication information sent by a mobility management entity, and allocates an identifier to a bearer according to the indication information, so as to set up an S1 interface user plane bearer. Data can be switched from the control plane solution to the user plane solution through setup of the user plane bearer.