US 12,356,249 B2 · User plane function (UPF) load balancing based on network data analytics to predict load of user equipment

Abstract

Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

a memory that stores computer instructions;
and
a processor that executes the computer instructions to perform actions, the actions including:
receiving network data analytics regarding a cellular telecommunication network having a plurality of User Plane Functions (UPFs), wherein:
the plurality of UPFs serve as anchor points between user equipment (UE) in the cellular telecommunication network and a data network (DN);
each UPF of the plurality of UPFs is a virtual network function responsible for interconnecting packet data unit (PDU) sessions between the user equipment (UE) and the DN by anchoring the PDU sessions on individual UPFs;
and
receiving a request to anchor on a UPF a PDU session of a new UE newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network;
and
selecting a UPF of the plurality of UPFs on which to anchor the PDU session based on network data analytics.

7 more elements

A method, comprising:

electronically receiving network data analytics regarding a cellular telecommunication network having a plurality of User Plane Functions (UPFs), wherein:
the plurality of UPFs serve as anchor points between user equipment (UE) in the cellular telecommunication network and a data network (DN);
each UPF of the plurality of UPFs is a virtual network function responsible for interconnecting packet data unit (PDU) sessions between the user equipment (UE) and the DN by anchoring the PDU sessions on individual UPFs;
and
electronically receiving a request to anchor on a UPF a PDU session of a new UE newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network;
and
electronically selecting a UPF of the plurality of UPFs on which to anchor the PDU session based on network data analytics.

4 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computer processor, cause actions to be performed including:

receiving network data analytics regarding a cellular telecommunication network having a plurality of User Plane Functions (UPFs), wherein:
the plurality of UPFs serve as anchor points between user equipment (UE) in the cellular telecommunication network and a data network (DN);
each UPF of the plurality of UPFs is a virtual network function responsible for interconnecting packet data unit (PDU) sessions between the user equipment (UE) and the DN by anchoring the PDU sessions on individual UPFs;
and
receiving a request to anchor on a UPF a PDU session of a new UE newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network;
and
selecting a UPF of the plurality of UPFs on which to anchor the PDU session based on network data analytics.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

User plane function (UPF) load balancing based on network data analytics to predict load of user equipment

Life of this patent

User plane function (UPF) load balancing based on network data analytics to predict load of user equipment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20