US 2023/0156522 A1 · PREDICTIVE USER PLANE FUNCTION (UPF) LOAD BALANCING BASED ON NETWORK DATA ANALYTICS

Abstract

Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for selecting, in a Fifth Generation (5G) cellular telecommunication network, a User Plane Function (UPF) of a plurality of UPFs on which to anchor a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a new user equipment (UE) newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network. The selection is based on: a location of the new UE; a plurality of current loads for each UPF of the plurality of UPFs; a predicted UE load of the new UE based on network data analytics; and predicted UPF loads of the plurality of UPFs as a function of time considering the predicted UE load based on network data analytics from the Network Data Analytics Function. In the UPF selection, the Session Management Function (SMF) gives higher priority to shorter term predicted loads than longer term predicted loads. Also, in the UPF selection, the PDU session of the UE is preferred to attach on the UPF in the current serving area in which the UE is located.

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:
determining a plurality of current loads for each user plane function (UPF) of a plurality of UPFs in a cellular telecommunication network, wherein:
the plurality of UPFs serve as anchor points between user equipment (UE) in the cellular telecommunication network and a data network (DN);
and
each UPF of the plurality of UPFs is a virtual network function responsible for interconnecting packet data unit (PDU) sessions between UE and the DN by anchoring the PDU sessions on individual UPFs;
receiving a request to anchor on a UPF a PDU session of a new UE newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network;
selecting a UPF of the plurality of UPFs on which to anchor the PDU session based on:
a location of the new UE;
the plurality of current loads for each UPF of the plurality of UPFs;
a predicted UE load of the new UE based on network data analytics;
and
predicted UPF loads of the plurality of UPFs as a function of time considering the predicted UE load based on network data analytics;
and
anchoring the PDU session of the new UE to the selected UPF.

13 more elements

A method, comprising:

determining a plurality of current loads for each user plane function (UPF) of a plurality of UPFs in a cellular telecommunication network, wherein:
the plurality of UPFs serve as anchor points between user equipment (UE) in the cellular telecommunication network and a data network (DN);
and
each UPF of the plurality of UPFs is a virtual network function responsible for interconnecting packet data unit (PDU) sessions between UE and the DN by anchoring the PDU sessions on individual UPFs;
receiving a request to anchor on a UPF a PDU session of a new UE newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network;
selecting a UPF of the plurality of UPFs on which to anchor the PDU session based on:
a location of the new UE;
the plurality of current loads for each UPF of the plurality of UPFs;
a predicted UE load of the new UE based on network data analytics;
and
predicted UPF loads of the plurality of UPFs as a function of time considering the predicted UE load based on network data analytics;
and
anchoring the PDU session of the new UE to the selected UPF.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Predictive user plane function (upf) load balancing based on network data analytics

Life of this patent

Predictive user plane function (upf) load balancing based on network data analytics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20