Inter-SMF PSA UPF Coordination in Virtual Network Group Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in sharing information between multiple session management functions (SMFs) with different service areas or tracking areas (TAs) when supporting virtual network group communication, leading to incomplete control of protocol data unit (PDU) session anchors (PSA UPFs) and limited data transfer paths.
Innovation Solution
A method and device enabling a first SMF to receive a PDU session establishment request from a user equipment (UE) through an access and mobility management function (AMF), transmit a request to a user data management (UDM) for subscription information, and perform session management through information sharing with multiple SMFs to control PSA UPFs across different service areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple SMFs with different service areas or TAs are used to support virtual network group communication, then the coverage area and service capability are improved, but the information sharing between SMFs becomes incomplete and control of PSA UPFs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message broker as an intermediary component that enables information sharing between multiple SMFs. The message broker receives session management information from one SMF and distributes it to other SMFs, ensuring that all SMFs in the virtual network group have access to necessary information about PSA UPFs and data transfer paths, thus resolving the information loss problem while maintaining multiple service areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the session management function into multiple SMFs distributed across different service areas or tracking areas, each responsible for local session management. This segmentation allows the system to cover larger areas and provide more localized service capability while the message broker coordinates information sharing between these segmented SMFs
2Reliability
If information sharing between multiple SMFs is implemented, then complete control of PSA UPFs and data transfer paths is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The message broker acts as a centralized intermediary that simplifies the complexity of inter-SMF communication. Instead of implementing complex peer-to-peer communication protocols between multiple SMFs, the system uses the message broker to handle information distribution, reducing the communication complexity while ensuring complete control of PSA UPFs and data transfer paths across all SMFs
3Device complexity
If each SMF manages sessions independently without information sharing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the service continuity and data transfer efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The message broker provides a simple yet effective mechanism for information sharing that does not significantly increase device complexity. It enables SMFs to exchange session management information and coordinate control of PSA UPFs, thereby improving data transfer efficiency and service continuity while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and device enabling information sharing between multiple SMFs in a wireless communication system for supporting virtual network (VN) group communication. A method performed by a first SMF for managing a session of a terminal in a wireless communication system for supporting VN group communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the steps of: receiving, through an AMF that manages the mobility of the terminal, a PDU session establishment request message having been transmitted from the terminal and including identification information indicating the VN group communication; transmitting a request message including the identification information to a UDM that manages subscription information; receiving information about multiple SMFs enabling information sharing for the VN group communication from the UDM; and performing session management for the VN group communication through the information sharing with a second SMF among the multiple SMFs.