5G Vertical LAN Session Management for Private UE Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The implementation of a Vertical Local Area Network (LAN) service in the 5G System (5GS) is challenging due to the lack of a clear method for enabling private communication between User Equipments (UEs) without using the Internet or service networks, which is essential for supporting diverse services and optimizing system architecture.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Vertical LAN in 5GS is achieved through the registration, session establishment, management, and configuration updates of User Equipments (UEs), allowing them to perform private communication by establishing PDU sessions via the 5G access network, specifically using the gNB and UPF for non-IP communication, enabling data transmission and reception without relying on the Internet or service networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional public communication networks are used for data transmission, then connectivity is achieved, but service privacy and network complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice privacyVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication network into private vertical LAN segments isolated from the public internet. Each vertical LAN creates a dedicated data transmission path between UEs, separating private communication traffic from public network traffic. This segmentation enables service privacy while managing network complexity through structured isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a private communication interface as an intermediary component between UEs and the core network. This intermediary enables direct peer-to-peer data transmission within vertical LANs without routing through public internet infrastructure, thereby enhancing service privacy while the standardized interface manages the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If private communication between UEs is enabled without Internet, then service flexibility improves, but system architecture complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal vertical LAN interface that can support multiple service types and communication protocols. This multi-functional interface enables various service scenarios (industrial IoT, healthcare, education) without requiring separate specialized infrastructure for each service, thereby improving service flexibility while managing architecture complexity through standardization.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables service flexibility by allowing dynamic configuration of communication parameters such as data transmission modes, quality of service levels, and network slice selections. The system can adapt parameters based on service requirements without changing the fundamental architecture, achieving versatility through parameter configuration rather than architectural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If PDU session establishment is simplified, then ease of operation improves, but session management control decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession establishment simplicityVSAvoidsession management control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service capabilities where UEs can autonomously establish, modify, and terminate PDU sessions based on application requirements. The UE independently selects appropriate network slices and configures session parameters without requiring manual network intervention, thereby improving ease of operation. Session management control is maintained through automated policy enforcement and network-driven session management mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3836740B1User device and communication control method
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SHARP KK
  • EP3836740B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3836740B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3836740B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is, in 5GS, a communication unit for implementing a Vertical LAN. Provided are, in 5GS, a unit for registration of a UE, a session establishment procedure, and generation of a 5GLAN group for implementing the Vertical LAN and a 5GLAN service, a unit for starting communication using the Vertical LAN and the 5GLAN service, and the communication unit. In addition, provided are a unit for modifying a configuration of the UE registered with a network, a unit for managing an established session, a unit for deleting the 5GLAN group, a unit for deleting the UE from the 5GLAN group, and a unit for stopping communication using the Vertical LAN and the 5GLAN service.