User Plane Function Redirection for Low-Latency Group Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication latency is high in scenarios where terminals in a terminal group, such as vehicles in a platoon, require low-latency communication.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that redirects terminals in a terminal group to a single target user plane function entity for local communication, determined by a session management function entity based on factors like service range, location, and load of user plane function entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminals in a terminal group communicate through multiple user plane function entities in a 3GPP network, then communication coverage and reliability are improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terminal group into multiple sub-groups, each served by a dedicated user plane function entity. This segmentation allows local communication within sub-groups to occur with reduced latency, while the overall system maintains reliability through distributed architecture. The session management function entity coordinates between multiple user plane function entities to ensure reliable communication across the entire terminal group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of communication by establishing direct local communication paths between user plane function entities within the same network, bypassing the traditional multi-hop 3GPP network path. This dimensional change in communication routing significantly reduces latency while maintaining the reliability benefits of network-mediated communication.
2Loss of time
If terminals are redirected to a single target user plane function entity for local communication, then communication latency is reduced, but communication path flexibility and load distribution are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the session management function entity to flexibly allocate terminals to different user plane function entities based on real-time conditions such as load status, service range, and location. This dynamic routing maintains path flexibility while enabling low-latency local communication when appropriate, resolving the contradiction between fixed redirection and adaptive routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of communication path selection from a static single-target approach to a dynamic multi-parameter decision process. The session management function entity considers multiple parameters including user plane function entity load, service range coverage, and terminal location to determine the optimal target entity, thereby maintaining flexibility while achieving low latency.
3Productivity
If multiple user plane function entities serve terminals in a terminal group, then service coverage and load distribution are improved, but communication path length and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling user plane function entities to prioritize and optimize for local communication within their service areas. Terminals that can communicate locally within the same user plane function entity's service range experience low latency, while the system maintains broad service coverage through multiple distributed entities. Each entity optimizes its local communication quality without sacrificing overall system coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method, an apparatus, and a system in which a first session management function entity determines, based on information of a terminal group, user plane function entities accessed by terminals in a terminal group, and the first session management function entity determines a target user plane function entity based on the user plane function entities, where the target user plane function entity is used to perform communication between terminals in the terminal group. According to the method, the terminals in the terminal group are redirected to a same user plane function entity, namely, the target user plane function entity, so that communication between the terminals in the terminal group is locally implemented in the target user plane function entity. This shortens a communication path, and reduces a communication latency.