User Plane Resource Management in Evolved Packet Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the Evolved Packet System (EPS), user plane resources are not effectively managed as the control plane network element always initiates bandwidth assignment for new services, leading to inefficient use of resources in user plane network elements.

Innovation Solution

The user plane network element and control plane network element can separately assign channel identifiers based on user plane resource status information, allowing the user plane network element to establish data transmission channels effectively, and send capability indications to support channel management capabilities such as channel identifier assignment, detection, and status reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control plane network element assigns channel identifiers and instructs the user plane network element to establish data transmission channels, then the control plane can manage channel establishment, but the user plane resources are not effectively managed and resource utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol plane channel managementVSAvoiduser plane resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the channel management function into two parts: the control plane network element assigns channel identifiers and manages channel information, while the user plane network element independently establishes data transmission channels based on available resources. This segmentation allows each plane to operate independently and efficiently, resolving the contradiction between control plane management and user plane resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the user plane network element establishes data transmission channels in sequence after previous resources are used up, then resource allocation follows a simple pattern, but user plane resources are not effectively managed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation simplicityVSAvoiduser plane resource management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The user plane network element is empowered to independently manage its own resources by detecting available resources and establishing data transmission channels autonomously based on user plane resource status information. This self-service approach eliminates the inefficiency of sequential resource allocation and enables effective user plane resource management while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3823389B1User plane resource management method, user plane network element, and control plane network element
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3823389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3823389B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3823389B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A user plane resource management method, a user plane network element, and a control plane network element are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: receiving, by a user plane network element, a data transmission channel establishment request message sent by a control plane network element, where the data transmission channel establishment request message is used to instruct the user plane network element to establish a data transmission channel; establishing, by the user plane network element, the data transmission channel based on current user plane resource status information, and assigning a channel identifier marking the data transmission channel; and sending, by the user plane network element, the channel identifier to the control plane network element. The user plane network element and the control plane network element can separately assign, based on the user plane resource status information, the channel identifier marking the data transmission channel, and the user plane network element can establish the data transmission channel based on the user plane resource status information, to effectively manage user plane resources.