User Plane Function Ordering for QoS-Adaptive Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cellular communication networks lack flexibility in configuring user plane functions according to service or deployment requirements, leading to suboptimal performance in 4G and 5G systems.

Innovation Solution

Configuring user plane functions based on characteristics of the cellular system, network node capabilities, and wireless device capabilities, using control plane messages to dynamically adjust the processing order of protocols such as SDAP, PDCP, and RLC layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user plane functions are configured with fixed processing order in existing cellular networks, then network simplicity is maintained, but flexibility to meet diverse service requirements (eMBB, IoT, URLLC) is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to meet service requirementsVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configuration of user plane function processing orders through control plane messages. The network can dynamically adjust the processing order of user plane functions (such as PDCP, RLC, MAC layer functions) based on service type, deployment type, connection mode, and device capabilities. This allows the system to adapt to different service requirements (eMBB, IoT, URLLC) without fixed rigid configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing order parameter of user plane functions based on multiple factors including service type, deployment type, connection mode, network node capabilities, and wireless device capabilities. By varying this parameter dynamically, the system achieves versatility for different service scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized configuration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If user plane functions are dynamically configured based on multiple parameters, then service quality is optimized, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQuality of Service guaranteeVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control plane message structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it conveys processing order configuration, indicates service type requirements, specifies deployment type, and adapts to different connection modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages for each parameter, thereby optimizing QoS while controlling signaling overhead through a unified configuration approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If fixed user plane configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but performance optimization for different service types (IoT vs eMBB) cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughput performanceVSAvoidconfiguration management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of user plane function processing orders through control plane messages before data transmission begins. The network node determines the appropriate processing order based on service type, deployment type, and device capabilities in advance, and configures this through signaling. This preliminary action enables performance optimization for different service types (high throughput for eMBB, low latency for URLLC, low power for IoT) without requiring complex real-time adjustments during data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3903522B1Configuration of user plane functions for wireless systems
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 ZTE CORP
  • EP3903522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3903522B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3903522B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for configuring user plane functions in mobile communication technology are described. An exemplary method for wireless communication includes determining, at a network node, a processing order for processing a plurality of user plane functions based on at least one of a type of service, a deployment type, a connection mode, one or more capabilities of the network node, or one or more capabilities of a wireless device, and transmitting, to the wireless device, a first control plane message comprising the processing order. Another exemplary method for wireless communication includes receiving, from a network node, a first control plane message comprising information that includes a processing order for processing a plurality of user plane functions, and processing, at the wireless device, a plurality of user plane functions based on the processing order.