Patent Description:
As a type of a communication service and required data rate, etc. are diversified in the LTE communication system, expansion of the LTE frequency and evolution to the <NUM> communication system are actively progressing.

The rapidly evolving <NUM> communication system not only accommodates as many user equipments as possible based on limited radio resources but also supports scenarios of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC).

In the <NUM> communication system, the network structure to support, from end to end, the user equipments, base stations (radio access networks), cores, and servers is defined. Further, the control signaling functions and data transmission/reception functions that is performed in combination by a single node (e.g., S-GW, P-GW, etc.) in the existing LTE (<NUM>) communication system are separated in the <NUM> communication system. Accordingly, a network structure that separates the Control Plane for the control signaling functions and the User Plane for the data transmission/reception functions is defined.

In this case, various nodes are included in the Control Plane. For example, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) that controls wireless access of the user equipment, the Policy Control Function (PCF) that manages/controls policies such as user equipment information and subscription service information for each user equipment, billing, and the like, the Session Management Function (SMF) that manages/controls a session for using data services for each user equipment, and the Network Exposure Function (NEF) that performs an information sharing function with an external network may be included in the Control Plane.

In addition, functions such as the User Plane Function (UPF) may be included in the User Plane.

<CIT> provides determining characteristics of user plane and control plane traffic based on data from the user plane and control plane traffic selected and processed by a plurality of network elements.

<CIT> provides data processing and compression in a network device including a control plane and data plane system architecture.

Referring to Release <NUM> and <NUM> standardized for the <NUM> system, a role played by a control plane network function (CP NF) is distinguished from a role played by a user plane network function (UP NF).

For example, a session management function (SMF) belonging to the CP NF controls a customer's session, IP address, or billing related matters, etc. In addition, the SMF transmits a performance rule to a user plane function (UPF) belonging to the UP NF.

Alternatively, the UPF belonging to the UP NF receives the performance rule from the SMF described above, and transmits and receives traffic related to the customer's session according to the received performance rule.

Herein, in order to smoothly perform interworking, risk management, or seamless handover between networks, a part of roles predefined in the standard as being performed by the above-described CP NF may be performed by the UP NF. Similarly, a part of roles predefined in the standard as being performed by the UP NF may be performed by the CP NF.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a control plane network function, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The control plane network function comprises, a communication unit configured to receive a user plane packet (UPP) and a control plane packet (CPP); a packet analysis unit configured to analyze whether a packet received through the communication unit is the UPP or CPP, and when the received packet is the UPP, further analyze the received UPP to determine whether to process the received UPP and whether to convert the received UPP into a CPP; a control plane processor configured to process the received CPP and in response to the received UPP being determined to be converted, convert the received UPP into the CPP to be processed in the control plane processor and a user plane processor configured to process the received UPP if the received UPP is determined to be processed, and to control the received UPP to be transmitted to a user plane network function (UP NF) if the received UPP is being determined not to be processed.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a user plane network function, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The user plane network function comprises, a communication unit configured to receive a control plane packet (CPP) and a user plane packet (UPP); a packet analysis unit configured to analyze whether a packet received through the communication unit is the CPP or UPP, and when the received packet is the CPP, further analyze the received CPP to determine whether to process the received CPP and whether to convert the received CPP into UPP; a user plane processor configured to process the received UPP, and in response to the received CPP being determined to be converted, convert the received CPP into the UPP to be processed in the user plane processing unit; and a control plane processor configured to process the received CPP if the received CPP is determined to be processed, and to control the received CPP to be transmitted to a control plane network function (CP NF) if the received CPP is determined not to be processed.

In accordance with still the present invention, there is provided a packet processing method performed by a control plane network function, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The method comprises, receiving a user plane packet (UPP) and a control plane packet (CPP); analyzing whether a packet received through the communication unit is the UPP or CPP, and when the received packet is the UPP, further analyzing the received UPP to determine whether to process the received UPP and whether to convert the received UPP into CPP; when the received packet is the CPP, processing the received CPP, and in response to the received UPP being determined to be converted, converting the received UPP into the CPP to be processed in the control plane processing unit; and processing the received UPP if the received UPP is determined to be processed, and controlling the received UPP to be transmitted to a user plane network function if the received UPP is determined not to be processed.

Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present disclosure provides a technology related to the UP NF capable of performing a part of the roles that the CP NF performs, and the CP NF capable of performing a part of the roles that the UP NF performs. For example, a technology for the UP NF capable of processing a control plane packet (CPP) or the CP NF capable of processing a user plane packet (UPP) is provided.

However, the problem to be solved by the present disclosure is not limited to the above description, and another problem to be solved that is not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description.

According to an embodiment, the CP NF may receive and process the UPP, and the UP NF may receive and process the CPP. Accordingly, in the <NUM> system, the interworking between networks, risk management, seamless handover, or interworking between heterogeneous networks may be smoothly performed.

The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods of accomplishing these will be clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments are not limited to those embodiments described, as embodiments may be implemented in various forms. It should be noted that the present embodiments are provided to make a full disclosure and also to allow those skilled in the art to know the full range of the embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments are to be defined only by the scope of the appended claims.

In describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, if it is determined that detailed description of related known components or functions unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the terminologies to be described below are defined in consideration of functions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and may vary depending on a user's or an operator's intention or practice. Accordingly, the definition thereof may be made on a basis of the content throughout the specification.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating an architecture <NUM> of the <NUM> system according to an embodiment.

The <NUM> system represented by the architecture <NUM> of <FIG> will be described. The <NUM> system is a technology evolved from a 4th generation LTE mobile communication technology. The <NUM> system is a new Radio Access Technology (RAT) and an expanded technology of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) through an evolution of an existing mobile communication network structure or a clean-state structure, and supports extended LTE (eLTE), non-3GPP access, and the like.

However, because the architecture <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is just an example, the idea of the present disclosure is not interpreted as being limited to the architecture <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> nor the <NUM> communication system.

The architecture <NUM> includes various components (for example, a network function (NF)). Hereinafter, these components will be described.

Referring to <FIG>, an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) <NUM>, an (Core) Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) <NUM>, a Session Management Function (SMF) <NUM>, a Policy Control Function (PCF) <NUM>, an Application Function (AF) <NUM>, Unified Data Management (UDM) <NUM>, a Data Network (DN) <NUM>, a User Plane Function (UPF) <NUM>, an (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN) <NUM> or a base station <NUM>, and a User Equipment (UE) <NUM>, etc. are shown.

Among these components, the UPF <NUM> is a component included in a User Plane in the <NUM> system, and is classified as a User Plane Network Function (UP NF).

In addition, each of the SMF <NUM>, the AMF <NUM>, the AUSF <NUM>, a NSSF <NUM>, a NEF <NUM>, the NRF <NUM>, the UDM <NUM>, and the AF <NUM> is a component included in a Control Plane separated from the User Plane, and may be referred to as a Control Plane Network Function (CP NF) <NUM>.

The components included in the CP NF <NUM> are connected to each other by a service-based interface (SBI) <NUM>. In addition, the SMF <NUM> and the UPF <NUM> are connected by an N4 interface, the AMF <NUM> and the UE <NUM> are connected by an N1 interface, and the AMF <NUM> and the (R)AN <NUM> are connected by an N2 interface, and the (R)AN <NUM> and the UPF <NUM> are connected by an N3 interface. Herein, through the N4 interface, a rule used by the CP NF <NUM> to control the UP NF <NUM> or a user plane packet may be transmitted. In addition, in <FIG>, the N4 interface and the SBI <NUM> are shown to be separate interfaces. However, contrary to the illustration of <FIG>, the N4 interface may be included in the SBI <NUM> according to an embodiment. In this case, the N4 interface is referred to as an N4/SBI rule used for transmission of the above-described rule or as an N4 UP/SBI UP through which the UPP is transmitted.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of the UP NF <NUM> among the components shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the UP NF <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, an UP processor <NUM>, a CP processor <NUM>, and a packet analysis unit <NUM>. However, since what is illustrated in <FIG> is just an example, the configuration of the UP NF <NUM> is not limited to that illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the UP NF <NUM> may be implemented by network function virtualization (NFV). Since the NFV technology itself is a publicly known technology, a detailed description thereof will be skipped.

The communication unit <NUM> is configured to transmit and receive a packet. Through the communication unit <NUM>, a control plane packet (CPP) or a user plane packet (UPP) may be transmitted and received. Each of the CPP and the UPP is a packet related to any one of Layer <NUM> through Layer <NUM> including data or a message in the <NUM> communication system.

The UP processor <NUM> performs a default function that is defined as being processed by the UP NF <NUM>, that is, defined to be performed by the UP NF <NUM> under the Release <NUM> and <NUM> standardized for the <NUM> communication system. In addition, the UP processor <NUM> may convert the CPP into the UPP.

The CP processor <NUM> performs 'some functions' described below among default functions that are defined as being processed by the CP NF <NUM>, that is, defined to be performed by the CP NF <NUM> under the Release <NUM> and <NUM> standardized for the <NUM> communication system, but the some functions are not limited to the followings.

The packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes a packet received through the communication unit <NUM>, that is, the packet of Layer <NUM> through Layer <NUM> including the data or the message in the <NUM> communication system.

Examining the analysis process in more detail, the packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes the received packet to determine whether the received packet is the CPP or the UPP. If the received packet is the UPP, the corresponding packet may be processed by the UP processor <NUM>.

However, if the received packet is the CPP, the packet analysis unit <NUM> may further perform the following analysis.

First, the packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes the CPP to determine whether the corresponding CPP may be processed by the CP processor <NUM> or whether the above-described conversion may be performed for the corresponding CPP. If it is determined that the corresponding CPP may be processed by the CP processor <NUM>, the CP processor <NUM> processes the corresponding CPP. If it is determined that the conversion may be performed, the conversion process for the corresponding CPP may be performed together.

Alternatively, it may be determined that the corresponding CPP may not be processed by the CP processor <NUM>. In this case, the CP processor <NUM> controls the corresponding CPP to be transmitted to another UP NF so that the corresponding CPP may be processed by the another UP NF. Similarly, if it is determined that the conversion may be performed as a result of the analysis, the conversion process for the corresponding CPP may be performed together.

Herein, the packet analysis unit <NUM> may comprehensively consider various items while analyzing, and then determine whether the corresponding CPP may be processed by the CP processor <NUM> and whether the conversion for the corresponding CPP may be performed. The various items may include the following, but are not limited thereto.

Further, the packet analysis unit <NUM> may determine whether the corresponding CPP may be processed by the CP processor <NUM> based on a state of the CP processor <NUM>. Herein, the state of the CP processor <NUM> may indicate a load of the CP processor <NUM> (e.g., usage of a CPU or a memory), a processing delay (e.g., a message processing delay), or a condition of the interface (e.g., a traffic bandwidth or latency), but is not limited thereto.

In the following [Table <NUM>], the various items that the packet analysis unit <NUM> may consider during the above-described analysis are presented as examples. However, since [Table <NUM>] is just an example, the various items that may be considered for the analysis are not limited to those shown in [Table <NUM>].

Hereinafter, a procedure of processing a packet by the UP NF <NUM> will be described. If the packet received through the communication unit <NUM> is the UPP, the packet analysis unit <NUM> determines that the corresponding packet may be processed by the UP processor <NUM>, and accordingly, the UP processor <NUM> processes the corresponding packet. However, if the corresponding packet is the CPP, the packet analysis unit <NUM> performs analysis of the corresponding packet by considering the various items described above. Whether the corresponding CPP may be processed by the CP processor <NUM> and whether the conversion of the corresponding CPP may be performed may be derived as the result of the analysis, and a corresponding operation is performed according to the derived result.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of the CP NF <NUM> among the components shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the CP NF <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, a CP processor <NUM>, a UP processor <NUM>, and a packet analysis unit <NUM>. However, since what is shown in <FIG> is just an example, the configuration of the CP NF <NUM> is not limited to that shown in <FIG>.

First, similarly to the UP NF <NUM>, the CP NF <NUM> may also be implemented by NFV.

The communication unit <NUM> is configured to transmit and receive a packet, and since the communication unit <NUM> corresponds to the communication unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, description of the communication unit <NUM> may be applied to the communication unit <NUM>.

The CP processor <NUM> performs a default function that is defined as being processed by the CP NF <NUM>, that is, defined to be performed by the CP NF <NUM> under the Release <NUM> and <NUM> standardized for the <NUM> communication system. In addition, the CP processor <NUM> may convert a UPP into a CPP.

The UP processor <NUM> performs 'some functions' described below among default functions that are defined as being processed by the UP NF <NUM>, that is, defined to be performed by the UP NF <NUM> under the Release <NUM> and <NUM> standardized for the <NUM> communication system, but the some functions are not limited to the followings.

The packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes a packet received through the communication unit <NUM>, that is, the packet of Layer <NUM> through Layer <NUM> including data or a message in the <NUM> communication system. Examining the analysis process in more detail, the packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes the received packet to determine whether the received packet is the CPP or the UPP. If the received packet is the CPP, the corresponding packet may be processed by the CP processor <NUM>.

However, if the received packet is the UPP, the packet analysis unit <NUM> may further perform the following analysis.

First, the packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes the UPP to determine whether the corresponding UPP may be processed by the UP processor <NUM> or whether the above-described conversion for the corresponding UPP may be performed. If it is determined that the UPP may be processed by the UP processor <NUM>, the corresponding UPP is processed by the UP processor <NUM>. If it is determined that the conversion may be performed, the conversion process for the corresponding UPP may be performed together.

Alternatively, it may be determined that the corresponding UPP may not be processed by the UP processor <NUM>. In this case, the UP processor <NUM> controls the corresponding UPP to be transmitted to another CP NF so that the corresponding control plane packet may be processed by the another CP NF. Similarly, if it is determined that the conversion may be performed as the result of the analysis, the conversion process for the corresponding UPP may be performed together.

Herein, the packet analysis unit <NUM> may comprehensively consider various items while analyzing, and then determine whether the corresponding UPP may be processed by the UP processor <NUM> and whether the conversion for the corresponding CPP may be performed. The various items may include the following, but are not limited thereto.

Further, the packet analysis unit <NUM> may determine whether the corresponding UPP may be processed by the UP processor <NUM> based on a state of the UP processor <NUM>. Herein, the state of the UP processor <NUM> may indicate a load of the UP processor <NUM> (e.g., usage of a CPU or a memory), a processing delay (e.g., a message processing delay), or a condition of the interface (e.g., a traffic bandwidth or latency), but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a procedure of processing a packet in the CP NF <NUM> will be described. If the packet received through the communication unit <NUM> is the CPP, the packet analysis unit <NUM> analyzes that the corresponding packet may be processed by the CP processor <NUM>, and accordingly, the CP processor <NUM> processes the corresponding packet. However, if the packet is the UPP, the packet analysis unit <NUM> performs analysis of the corresponding packet by considering the various items described above. As a result of the analysis, whether the corresponding UPP may be processed by the UP processor <NUM> and whether the conversion of the corresponding UPP may be performed may be derived.

As described above, the UP NF <NUM> may perform not only the default functions defined as being performed by the UP NF <NUM>, but also 'a part' of the functions defined as being performed by the CP NF <NUM>. This is the same as the CP NF <NUM>. The CP NF <NUM> may perform not only the default functions defined as being performed by the CP NF <NUM>, but also 'a part' of functions defined as being performed by the UP NF <NUM>.

For example, when the UP NF <NUM> receives the CPP, the UP NF <NUM> may control the CPP to be transmitted to the CP NF <NUM>. Alternatively, when receiving CPP, the UP NF <NUM> may convert the CPP into the UPP, and then may control the converted UPP to be transmitted to the UP NF <NUM>.

This is the same as the CP NF <NUM>. For example, when receiving the UPP, the CP NF <NUM> may control the UPP to be transmitted to the UP NF <NUM>. In addition, when receiving the UPP, the CP NF <NUM> may convert the UPP into the CPP and then may control the converted CPP to be transmitted to the CP NF <NUM>.

As described above, according to an embodiment, the CP NF <NUM> may receive and process the UPP, and the UP NF <NUM> may receive and process the CPP. In other words, functions may be partially linked between the CP NF <NUM> and the UP NF <NUM>. Accordingly, in the <NUM> system, interworking between networks, risk management, seamless handover, or interworking between heterogeneous networks may be smoothly performed.

Hereinafter, the process in which the UP NF <NUM> receives and processes the CPP will be described first.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a first example in which a CPP is processed by the UP NF <NUM> according to an embodiment, and <FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a second example in which the CPP is processed by the UP NF <NUM> according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, a UP NF 100b shown in the center will be described as a reference. In <FIG>, the UP NF 100b receives the CPP from a UP NF 100a. The UP NF 100b analyzes the received CPP to determine whether the UP NF 100b may process the received CPP and whether the received CPP may be converted. <FIG> shows a case where it is determined that the UP NF 100b may not process the corresponding CPP and the received CPP may not be converted. The UP NF 100b directly transmits the CPP received from the UP NF 100a to the CP NF <NUM>.

In other words, according to an embodiment, the UP NF 100b receiving the CPP may transmit the corresponding CPP to the CP NF <NUM> without processing. In addition, the UP NF 100b may identify a packet type based on at least one of, for example, a service name, a service operation, and an attribute name, and may perform QoS Enforcement and Forwarding action according to a message.

Thereafter, in <FIG>, the UP NF 100b shown in the center will be described as a reference. In <FIG>, the UP NF 100b receives the CPP from the UP NF 100a. The UP NF 100b analyzes the received CPP to determine whether the UP NF 100b may process the received CPP and whether the received CPP may be converted. <FIG> shows a case where it is determined that the UP NF 100b may process the corresponding CPP and the received CPP may be converted. The UP NF 100b converts the CPP received from the UP NF 100a into a UPP 100ba and processes the converted UPP 100ba, and then transmits the processed UPP 100ba to another UP NF 100c.

In other words, according to an embodiment, the UP NF 100b receiving the CPP may convert the corresponding CPP into the UPP 100ba, thereby transmitting to the another UP NF 100c.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a first example in which a UPP is processed by the CP NF <NUM> according to an embodiment, and <FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a second example in which the UPP is processed by the CP NF <NUM> according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, a CP NF 200b shown in the center will be described as a reference. In <FIG>, the CP NF 200b receives the UPP from a CP NF 200a. The CP NF 200b analyzes the received UPP to determine whether the CP NF 200b may process the received UPP and whether the received UPP may be converted. <FIG> shows a case where it is determined that the CP NF 200b may not process the corresponding UPP and the received UPP may not be converted. The CP NF 200b directly transmits the UPP received from the CP NF 200a to the UP NF <NUM>.

In other words, according to an embodiment, the CP NF 200b receiving the UPP may transmit the corresponding UPP to the UP NF <NUM> without processing. In addition, the CP NF 200b may identify a packet type based on at least one of, for example, a service name, a service operation, and an attribute name, and may perform QoS Enforcement and Forwarding action according to a message.

Thereafter, in <FIG>, the CP NF 200b shown in the center will be described as a reference. In <FIG>, the CP NF 200b receives the UPP from the CP NF 200a. The CP NF 200b analyzes the received UPP to determine whether the CP NF 200b may process the received UPP and whether the received UPP may be converted. <FIG> shows a case where it is determined that the CP NF 200b may process the corresponding UPP and the received UPP may be converted. The CP NF 200b converts the UPP received from the CP NF 200a into a CPP 200ba and processes the converted CPP 200ba, and then transmits the processed CPP 200ba to another CP NF 200c.

In other words, according to an embodiment, the CP NF 200b receiving the UPP may convert the corresponding UPP into the CPP 200ba, thereby transmitting to the another CP NF 200c.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a third example in which a UPP is processed by the CP NF <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the CP NF 200a transmits a UPP to the CP NF 200b through one of the N3, N6, and N9 interfaces.

Then, the CP NF 200b analyzes a received packet whether the packet received from the CP NF 200a is a CPP or a UPP. If the packet is the UPP, the CP NF 200b analyzes the UPP to determine whether the CP NF 200b may process the UPP or whether the UPP may be converted. <FIG> assumes that it is determined that the CP NF 200b may not process the UPP and the UPP may not be converted.

Accordingly, the CP NF 200b performs at least one of QoS Enforcement and Forwarding action for the corresponding UPP, and the CP NF 200b transmits the UPP through any one of the N3, N6 and N9 interfaces to the UP NF 100a. Thereafter, the UP NF 100a processes the corresponding UPP and transmits a result of the processing to the UP NF 100b through the N6 interface.

Then, the UPP is transmitted from the UP NF 100b to the CP NF 200a through the UP NF 100a and then through the CP NF 200b.

<FIG> shows a diagram illustrating a fourth example in which a CPP is processed by the UP NF according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the UP NF 100a transmits a CPP to the UP NF 100b through an SBI <NUM>.

Then, the UP NF 100b analyzes the received packet whether the packet received from the UP NF 100a is a CPP or a UPP. If the packet is the CPP, the UP NF 100b analyzes the CPP to determine whether the UP NF 100b may process the CPP or whether the CPP may be converted. <FIG> assumes that it is determined that the UP NF 100b may not process the CPP and the CPP may not be converted.

Claim 1:
A control plane network function, CP NF (<NUM>), comprising:
a communication unit (<NUM>) configured to receive a user plane packet, UPP, and a control plane packet, CPP;
a packet analysis unit (<NUM>) configured to analyze whether a packet received through the communication unit (<NUM>) is the UPP or CPP, and when the received packet is the UPP, further analyze the received UPP to determine whether to process the received UPP and whether to convert the received UPP into a CPP;
a control plane processor (<NUM>) configured to process the received CPP and in response to the received UPP being determined to be converted, convert the received UPP into the CPP to be processed in the control plane processor (<NUM>); and
a user plane processor (<NUM>) configured to process the received UPP if the received UPP is determined to be processed, and to control the received UPP to be transmitted to a user plane network function, UP NF (<NUM>), if the received UPP is being determined not to be processed.