User Plane NF Selection for Low-Latency Session Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

During session handover in wireless communication networks, the selecting NF is unaware of the user plane NF used in the first session, leading to inefficient handovers with data latency, increased costs, and capacity bottlenecks due to the selection of mismatched user plane NFs.

Innovation Solution

Providing the selecting NF with a user plane NF identifier to ensure the correct user plane NF is chosen for the second session, avoiding the deployment of two different user plane NFs and reducing data latency and troubleshooting inefficiencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the selecting NF selects a user plane NF without knowing the previous session's user plane NF, then the handover process is simplified, but data latency increases and maintenance inefficiencies occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover process complexityVSAvoiddata latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first mobility management network function retrieve and store the user plane NF identifier before the handover occurs. This pre-retrieval of session information ensures that when the selecting NF needs to establish the second session, the correct user plane NF identifier is already available, eliminating data latency and avoiding mismatched selections without adding complex real-time queries during handover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the selecting NF is unaware of the first session's user plane NF, then the network function selection is more flexible, but capacity bottlenecks and increased costs occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser plane NF selection flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork capacity requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the first mobility management network function provide the user plane NF identifier to the selecting NF during the handover process. This feedback mechanism ensures the selecting NF knows which user plane NF was used in the first session, allowing it to select the same NF for the second session, thereby avoiding capacity bottlenecks and reducing the need for additional network resources without sacrificing selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If a different user plane NF is selected for the second session, then the network can distribute load, but troubleshooting efficiency decreases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distribution capabilityVSAvoidtroubleshooting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having the selecting NF automatically retrieve the user plane NF identifier from the first session's session information and use it for the second session without requiring manual intervention or complex decision-making. This self-service approach maintains load distribution capabilities while ensuring the same user plane NF is used, thereby simplifying troubleshooting and reducing operational costs without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250351025A1User plane network function identifier during session handover

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for improved protocol session handover. By providing the selecting NF with a user plane NF identifier associated with the first session, the selecting NF can select the user plane NF associated with the first session in establishing the second session, resulting in a more optimal network in the event of protocol session handover.