METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUNDANCY IMPROVEMENT IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product can receive a traffic redundancy indication from a user equipment in a communication network or from a policy controller. The method, apparatus, and computer program product can determine whether traffic redundancy is needed for the radio access network and the user plane function based on the traffic redundancy indication. The method, apparatus, and computer program product can request the radio access network to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the radio access network. The method, apparatus, and computer program product can request the user plane function to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the user plane function.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

An example embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to redundancy improvement in a communication system, such as a fifth generation (5G) system.

BACKGROUND

5G communication systems aim to support Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC). In order to ensure high reliability of transmission, redundant transmission of user data is supported in communication systems such as a 5G system. The key points in supporting redundant transmission of user data in communication systems such as a 5G system include: how to make a decision on enabling redundant transmission or not for a specific quality of service (QOS) flow, how to replicate the data packets in user equipment (UE)/radio access network (RAN)/user plane function (UPF), when redundancy is needed or the like. However, a number of deficiencies and issues associated with supporting redundant transmission of user data in communication systems remain.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment to improve, such as to optimize, redundancy in a communication system, such as a fifth generation (5G) system.

In one example embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a traffic redundancy indication from a user equipment in a communication network or from a policy controller. The method further includes determining whether traffic redundancy is needed for the radio access network and the user plane function based on the traffic redundancy indication. The method further includes requesting the radio access network to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the radio access network. The method further includes requesting the user plane function to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the user plane function.

In some implementations of such a method, the traffic redundancy indication is part of the protocol data unit session establishment request received from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is part of a protocol data unit session modification request from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets the whole traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of the traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the radio access network is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Core Network to determine not to perform redundant transmission at: a Packet Data Convergence Protocol level, a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnelling level, or a transport level. In some embodiments, such as in embodiment in which the tunnels are general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnels or transport level tunnels, the user plane function is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Session Manager of the Core Network to determine not to use redundant tunnels.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes processing circuitry and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least to receive a traffic redundancy indication from a user equipment in a communication network or from a policy controller. The computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine whether traffic redundancy is needed for the radio access network and the user plane function based on the traffic redundancy indication. The computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to request the radio access network to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the radio access network. The computer program code is further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to request the user plane function to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the user plane function.

In some implementations of such an apparatus, the traffic redundancy indication is part of the protocol data unit session establishment request received from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is part of a protocol data unit session modification request from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets the whole traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of the traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the radio access network is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Core Network to determine not to perform redundant transmission at: a Packet Data Convergence Protocol level, a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnelling level, or a transport level. In some embodiments, such as in embodiment in which the tunnels are general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnels or transport level tunnels, the user plane function is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Session Manager of the Core Network to determine not to use redundant tunnels.

In another example embodiment, a computer program product is provided that includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer executable program code instructions stored therein with the computer executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured, upon execution, to receive a traffic redundancy indication from a user equipment in a communication network or from a policy controller. The computer executable program code instructions comprise program code instructions that are further configured, upon execution, to determine whether traffic redundancy is needed for the radio access network and the user plane function based on the traffic redundancy indication. The computer executable program code instructions comprise program code instructions further configured, upon execution, to request the radio access network to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the radio access network. The computer executable program code instructions comprise program code instructions that are further configured, upon execution, to request the user plane function to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the user plane function.

In some implementations of such a computer program product, the traffic redundancy indication is part of the protocol data unit session establishment request received from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is part of a protocol data unit session modification request from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets the whole traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of the traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the radio access network is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Core Network to determine not to perform redundant transmission at: a Packet Data Convergence Protocol level, a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnelling level, or a transport level. In some embodiments, such as in embodiment in which the tunnels are general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnels or transport level tunnels, the user plane function is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Session Manager of the Core Network to determine not to use redundant tunnels.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for receiving a traffic redundancy indication from a user equipment in a communication network or from a policy controller. The apparatus further includes means for determining whether traffic redundancy is needed for the radio access network and the user plane function based on the traffic redundancy indication. The apparatus further includes means for requesting the radio access network to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the radio access network. The apparatus further includes means for requesting the user plane function to not establish redundancy mechanisms in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the user plane function.

In some implementations of such an apparatus, the traffic redundancy indication is part of the protocol data unit session establishment request received from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is part of a protocol data unit session modification request from the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets the whole traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of the traffic within a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the radio access network is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Core Network to determine not to perform redundant transmission at: a Packet Data Convergence Protocol level, a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnelling level, or a transport level. In some embodiments, such as in embodiment in which the tunnels are general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnels or transport level tunnels, the user plane function is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Session Manager of the Core Network to determine not to use redundant tunnels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example configuration to handle redundant protocol data unit sessions in a communication system;

FIG. 2 illustrates another example configuration to handle redundant protocol data unit sessions in a communication system;

FIG. 3 illustrates another example configuration to handle redundant protocol data unit sessions in a communication system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations performed by an apparatus, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 4, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations performed by an apparatus, such as by the apparatus of FIG. 4, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a non-transitory physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

5G communication systems aim to support Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC). The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technical report (TR) 23.725 included a number of proposed solutions for supporting redundant transmission.

The first configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 operates by providing redundant user plane paths based on dual connectivity. The first configuration will enable a terminal device to set up two redundant protocol data unit (PDU) Sessions over the 5G network, so that the network will attempt to make the paths of the two redundant PDU sessions independent whenever that is possible. It is possible to rely on upper layer protocols, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) TSN (Time Sensitive Networking) FRER (Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability), to manage the replication and elimination of redundant packets/frames over the duplicate paths which can span both the 3GPP segments and possibly fixed network segments as well.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the 3GPP network provides two paths from the device: the first PDU Session spans from the user equipment (UE) via next generation Node B (gNB) 1 to user plane function (UPF) 1 acting as the PDU Session Anchor, and the second PDU Session spans from the UE via gNB2 to UPF2 acting as the PDU Session Anchor. Based on these two independent PDU Sessions, two independent paths are set up, which may span even beyond the 3GPP network. In the example shown in the FIG. 1, two paths are set up between Host A in the device and Host B, with some (optional) fixed intermediate nodes. In order to enable such a configuration, the following features are supported (one or more of which may be applicable to other solutions, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products disclosed herein):

• • RAN supports dual connectivity, and RAN coverage is sufficient for dual connectivity in the target area (e.g., it is possible for UE to connect to at least two independent gNBs using dual connectivity, for example, by operating the gNBs in different frequencies).
  • UEs support dual connectivity.
  • The core network UPF deployment is aligned with RAN deployment and supports redundant user plane paths.
  • The underlying transport topology is aligned with the RAN and UPF deployment and supports redundant user plane paths.
  • The physical network topology and geographical distribution of functions also supports the redundant user plane paths to the extent deemed necessary by the operator.
  • The operation of the redundant user plane paths is made sufficiently independent, to the extent deemed necessary by the operator, e.g., independent power supplies.

Another configuration proposed is illustrated in FIG. 2. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 deploys at least two UEs on one single device and generally operates these UEs as independent UEs. This solution will enable a terminal device to set up multiple redundant PDU Sessions over the 5G network, so that the network will attempt to make the paths of the multiple redundant PDU sessions independent whenever that is possible. It is possible to rely on upper layer protocols, such as the IEEE TSN (Time Sensitive Networking), to manage the replication and elimination of redundant packets/frames over the multiple paths which can span both the 3GPP segments and possibly fixed network segments as well.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first PDU Session spans from the UE1 via gNB1 to UPF1, while the second PDU Session spans from the UE2 via gNB2 to UPF2. Based on these two independent PDU Sessions, two independent paths are set up, which may span even beyond the 3GPP network. This solution makes use of the integration of multiple UEs into the device, and assumes a RAN deployment where redundant coverage by multiple gNBs is generally available. Multiple PDU Sessions are set up from the UEs, which use independent RAN (gNB) and core network (CN) (such as UPF) entities. For example, two UEs, UE1 and UE2 are connected to gNB1 and gNB2, respectively. UE1 sets up a PDU Session via gNB1 to UPF1, and UE2 sets up a PDU Session via gNB2 to UPF2. UPF1 and UPF2 connect to the same Data Network (DN), even though the traffic via UPF1 and UPF2 might be routed via different user plane nodes within the DN. UPF1 and UPF2 are controlled by session management functions (SMF) SMF1 and SMF2, respectively.

In order to enable such a configuration, the following features are supported (one or more of which may be applicable to other solutions, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products disclosed herein):

• • Terminal devices integrate multiple UEs which can connect to different gNBs independently.
  • RAN coverage is redundant in the target area: it is possible to connect to multiple gNBs from the same location. To ensure that the two UEs connect to different gNBs, the gNBs operate such that the selection of gNBs can be distinct from each other (e.g., gNBs operating in different frequencies, etc.).
  • The core network UPF deployment is aligned with RAN deployment and supports redundant user plane paths.
  • The underlying transport topology is aligned with the RAN and UPF deployment and supports redundant user plane paths.
  • The physical network topology and geographical distribution of functions also supports the redundant user plane paths to the extent deemed necessary by the operator.
  • The operation of the redundant user plane paths is made sufficiently independent, to the extent deemed necessary by the operator, e.g., independent power supplies.

Both of these proposed configurations involve setting up two disjoint redundant user plane paths in a 5G system either from one UE or two UEs for support of high reliability. The setup of two or more redundant paths is rather static for 5G system when a UE requests the different PDU sessions setup. A 5G system does not have much flexibility on handling of these two redundant PDU sessions in proposed solution #1 and #2. However, such static and blind support of the redundant PDU sessions by a 5G system may not always provide high reliability as expected. For instance, the data replication into two or more PDU sessions may further increase the load of the radio access network (RAN) and thus introduce more radio interference, which in turn may negatively impact the data transmission reliability over the radio links and hence impact the end-to-end reliability. On the other hand, the static and blind support of redundant user plane paths for high reliability may also introduce unnecessary usage of network resources if one PDU session is sufficient to provide the required QoS. In such case, a 5G system, from the perspectives of network resource utilization and network performance, should prefer to serve the end-to-end (E2E) duplication for the UE with one PDU session while not impacting higher layer duplication required by an application.

Another configuration proposed in the TR 23.725 and illustrated in FIG. 3 introduced replicator functions to guide the lower layers to ensure their corresponding latency/availability/reliability requirements are fulfilled. This configuration introduces a replicator that allows the 5G system to be aware (e.g., detect or have explicit information) that two or more “streams” of replicated packets belong together, and guide the lower layers to ensure these packets get an optimized treatment in the 5G system depending on whether the streams are terminated in a single UE or by two different UEs that belong together within the same host. Another configuration proposed in the TR 23.725 introduced Dual GTP-U tunnel for a single PDU Session where the network (5G RAN and UPF controlled by the SMF) duplicates data transmitted in order to ensure reliability.

One issue related to all of the configurations proposed above is that the network, in certain cases, tends to duplicate the data traffic even though the application may have already transmitted the data traffic redundantly. If the application transmits the traffic redundantly and the network carries out traffic replication, then the UE ends up receiving the same packet at least four (4) times. This would lead to significant radio and network resources being wasted for the same packet. Thus, a solution is needed to manage the replication mechanisms based on expected application behaviour. A solution proposed in TR 23.725 tries to address this issue by introducing a replication framework. The replication framework includes a replicator functionality that detects multiple related flows, and whether they are utilized for redundant packets, of incoming internet protocol (IP)/Ethernet flows at the transmitter side. The replication framework can replicate the packets towards the lower layers based on the application requirement to support lowest latency and the need to support replication within 5G System (within the domain of a 3GPP system). The replication framework can also eliminate further replication and can, instead, transmit the packet stream just once towards the lower layers based on an application functionality that supports redundancy by default. However, such a solution has two major issues that cannot be easily resolved. First, it relies on the replication framework to have information regarding the traffic and the expected packet format for applications that are transmitting redundantly. This requirement would not be easy for all of the applications to satisfy unless the format is well defined and known to the replication framework. However, the packet format may not be well defined in many cases. Second, such a solution relies on support of an additional protocol layer in the UE and UPF/replicator which may not be supported due to potential complexities. In addition, the network may not be able to detect such application layer protocol (e.g., when the application flows are ciphered at application level). Therefore, an alternative solution is desired.

Aiming to provide an alternative solution for redundancy optimization, a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment. On a high-level, some embodiments of the method, apparatus and computer program product are based on introducing a technique for an application/UE to indicate to the network (e.g., the SMF) that a UE would apply traffic redundancy at PDU Session level (traffic redundancy indication at the PDU Session level) in a communications system, such as a 5G system. The UE may opt to only apply redundancy for a certain application or for a certain traffic flow (e.g., 5-tuple) for a PDU Session, in which case the UE indicates to the network (e.g., SMF) it already applies traffic redundancy at Application/Traffic Flow level. The UE can provide the traffic redundancy indication within a PDU Session establishment or a PDU Session modification request. As an alternative method, the packet control function (PCF) or the SMF itself can be configured with the indication that redundant transmission is performed at the UE level (traffic redundancy indication) for 1) a given PDU Session (which may identified by Data Network Name (DNN) or Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI)), or for 2) a set of applications or traffic flow(s) within a PDU Session. Information derived by the SMF from PCF policies and/or local SMF configuration and/or the UE indication within the PDU Session Establishment/Modification request can be provided to the RAN and UPF as, by way of example, URLLC assistance information.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an apparatus 10 that may be provided to embody the various components in a communication system, for example, a portion of a core network, e.g., a gNB, a RAN, or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the apparatus 10 of an example embodiment includes, is associated with or is otherwise in communication with processing circuitry 12, a memory 14, and a communication interface 16.

The processing circuitry 12 (and/or co-processors or any other circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory device 14 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 10. The memory device 14 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device 14 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor). The memory device 14 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus 10 to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device 14 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry 12. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device 14 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry 12.

The apparatus 10 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus 10 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus 10 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

The processing circuitry 12 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry 12 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry 12 may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry 12 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and/or multithreading.

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 12 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 14 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry 12. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry 12 may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry 12 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry 12 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry 12 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry 12 is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processing circuitry 12 to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 12 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processor by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processing circuitry 12 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processor.

The communication interface 16 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network. In this regard, the communication interface 16 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 16 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface 16 may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface 16 may include a communication modem and/or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

Referring now to FIG. 5 various operations are illustrated that can be performed by one or more components of a communication system, such as a core network, in accordance with an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the illustrated operations can be performed by a session management function in a core network. In some embodiments, the operations can be carried out by any suitable apparatus or device, such as the apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 4.

As shown in block 500, the one or more components (e.g., apparatus 10) of the core network can comprise means, such as the communication interface 16 and/or the processing circuitry 12, for receiving signalling from a user equipment or from a policy controller in a communication network.

As shown in block 502, the one or more components (e.g., apparatus 10) of the core network can comprise and/or further comprise means, such as the communication interface 16 and/or the processing circuitry 12, for receiving a traffic redundancy indication from the user equipment or from a policy controller in a communication network. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is part of a protocol data unit session establishment request. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is part of a protocol data unit session modification request transmitted after the protocol data unit session establishment request. In various embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication may be provided at an application level, at a traffic flow level, or at a PDU session level in non-access stratum signalling, by way of example, in PDU session related signalling. In other embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is received from a policy controller (PCF) in PDU Session related policy information (in which case the traffic redundancy indication applies to the whole PDU Session) or in a policy and charging control (PCC) rule (in which case it applies only to the traffic identified by the PCC rule). In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets the whole traffic, i.e., all data to be transmitted in the traffic. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of the traffic.

As shown in block 504, the one or more components (e.g., apparatus 10) of the core network can comprise and/or further comprise means, such as the processing circuitry 12, for determining whether traffic redundancy is needed for the radio access network and the user plane function based on the traffic redundancy indication. For example, in some embodiments, if the traffic redundancy indication indicates that the user equipment will apply redundancy at a PDU Session level, the component (e.g., apparatus 10) of the core network can comprise and/or further comprise means for determining that redundancy at the radio access network level or at the communication level between the user plane function and the radio access network are not needed for one or both of the radio access network and the user plane function.

As shown in block 506, the one or more components (e.g., apparatus 10) of the core network can comprise and/or further comprise means, such as the communication interface 16 and/or the processing circuitry 12, for requesting the radio access network to not establish traffic redundancy (e.g., not to establish traffic replication and transmission over different data paths) in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the radio access network. In some embodiments, the radio access network is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Core Network to determine not to perform redundant transmission at: a Packet Data Convergence Protocol level, a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnelling level, or a transport level.

As shown in block 508, the one or more components (e.g., apparatus 10) of the core network can comprise and/or further comprise means, such as the communication interface 16 and/or the processing circuitry 12, for requesting the user plane function to not establish traffic redundancy (e.g., not to establish traffic replication and transmission over different data paths) in a circumstance where traffic redundancy is not needed for the user plane function. In some embodiments, the user plane function is configured on a per protocol data unit session basis by a Session Manager of the Core Network to determine not to use redundant tunnels, and wherein the tunnels are general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user data tunnels or transport level tunnels.

Referring now to FIG. 6 various operations are illustrated that can be performed by an apparatus, such as a user equipment, in accordance with an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the illustrated operations can be performed by a user equipment operating in communication with a session management function in a core network. In some embodiments, the operations can be carried out by any suitable apparatus or device, such as the apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 4.

As shown in block 600, the apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10) can comprise means, such as the communication interface 16 and/or the processing circuitry 12, for applying, e.g., by a user equipment, redundancy mechanisms for traffic redundancy based on a traffic redundancy indication being provided by the user equipment to a network element in a communication network when the traffic redundancy indication provided by the user equipment to the network element in the communication network indicates that traffic redundancy is needed for a radio access network and a user plane function.

As shown in optional block 602, the apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10) can, optionally, comprise means such as the communication interface 16 and/or the processing circuitry 12, for transmitting the traffic redundancy indication towards the network element in the communication network. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication can be transmitted at an application level towards the network element in the communication network. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication can be transmitted at a traffic flow level towards the network element in the communication network. In some embodiments, the traffic flow level comprises a 5-tuple traffic flow via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection. In some embodiments, prior to applying the redundancy mechanisms for the traffic redundancy based on the traffic redundancy indication, the apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10) can provide, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication at a protocol data unit (PDU) session level. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is comprised in a message comprising a PDU session establishment request transmitted to the network element by the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is comprised in a message comprising a PDU session modification request transmitted to the network element by the user equipment. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication is provided to the network element at a protocol data unit (PDU) session level in non-access stratum (NAS) signaling. In some embodiments, the traffic redundancy indication can be provided to the network element in the communication network by the apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10) transmitting the traffic redundancy indication, or a message or signal comprising the traffic redundancy indication, towards the network element in the communication network.

As described above, FIGS. 5 and 6 include flowcharts of operations that can be performed by a device or apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10), which can be or comprise a network entity or network-side device, or which can be or comprise a user-side device such as a user equipment or mobile device. In some embodiments, one or more of the flowcharts of operations illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 can comprise a method which can be carried out by a device or apparatus in response to executing program codes stored on a computer program product comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, in accordance with certain example embodiments disclosed herein. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and/or other devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the operations or procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions or program codes.

In this regard, the computer program instructions or program codes which embody the operations or procedures described above may be stored on or by one or more memory devices (e.g., memory device 14) of an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention and executed by one or more processing circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry 12) of the apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10). As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions or program codes may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, a device, an apparatus, an article of manufacture, or other such hardware, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus or hardware can be configured to implement the functions and operations discussed herein and illustrated in the flowchart blocks in the drawing sheets provided herewith.

These computer program instructions or program codes may also be stored in or by a computer-readable storage medium or a computer-readable memory device that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function or operate in a particular manner, or cause the computer or other programmable apparatus to cause another apparatus or a system to function or operate in a particular manner, such that the computer program instructions or program codes stored in or on the computer-readable storage medium or memory device is or produces an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function(s) and/or operation(s) specified in at least one of the flowchart blocks illustrated in the drawing sheets provided herewith.

Additionally or alternatively, the computer program instructions or program codes may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the computer program instructions or program codes, when executed on or by the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide for or cause the computer or other programmable apparatus to perform functions or carry out operations for implementing the functions specified in at least one of the flowchart blocks illustrated in the drawing sheets provided herewith.

Additionally or alternatively, operations and/or functions other than those specified in the flowchart blocks illustrated in the drawing sheets provided herewith can be carried out by an apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus 10). Additionally or alternatively, operations and/or functions other than those specified in the flowchart blocks illustrated in the drawing sheets provided herewith can be embodied by computer program instructions or program codes stored in or on a computer-readable storage medium or memory device, such that when an apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus 10) executes the computer program instructions or program codes stored therein or thereon, the apparatus or device performs one or more of the other such operations and/or functions. Examples of other such operations and/or functions can be found throughout the present disclosure.

A computer program product is therefore defined in those instances in which the computer program instructions, such as computer-readable program code portions, are stored by at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, being configured, upon execution, to perform the functions described above, such as in conjunction with the flowchart of FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, need not be stored or otherwise embodied by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, but may, instead, be embodied by a transitory medium with the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, still being configured, upon execution, to perform the functions described above.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A method comprising: applying, by a user equipment in a communication network, redundancy mechanisms for traffic redundancy based on a traffic redundancy indication being provided by the user equipment to a network element in the communication network when the traffic redundancy indication provided by the user equipment to the network element in the communication network indicates that traffic redundancy is needed for a radio access network and a user plane function,wherein the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of traffic.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the traffic redundancy indication at an application level towards the network element in the communication network.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the traffic redundancy indication at a traffic flow level towards the network element in the communication network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the traffic flow level comprises a 5-tuple traffic flow via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to the applying the redundancy mechanisms for the traffic redundancy based on the traffic redundancy indication, providing, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication at a protocol data unit (PDU) session level.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the traffic redundancy indication is comprised in a message comprising a PDU session establishment request transmitted to the network element by the user equipment.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the traffic redundancy indication is comprised in a message comprising a PDU session modification request transmitted to the network element by the user equipment.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the traffic redundancy indication is provided to the network element at a protocol data unit (PDU) session level in non-access stratum (NAS) signaling.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the providing, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication comprises transmitting, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication.

10. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least:applying redundancy mechanisms for traffic redundancy based on a traffic redundancy indication being provided by the apparatus to a network element in a communication network when the traffic redundancy indication provided by the apparatus to the network element in the communication network indicates that traffic redundancy is needed for a radio access network and a user plane function,wherein the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of traffic.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: transmitting the traffic redundancy indication at an application level towards the network element in the communication network.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: transmitting the traffic redundancy indication at a traffic flow level towards the network element in the communication network.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the traffic flow level comprises a 5-tuple traffic flow via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: prior to the applying the redundancy mechanisms for the traffic redundancy based on the traffic redundancy indication, providing, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication at a protocol data unit (PDU) session level.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the traffic redundancy indication is comprised in a message comprising a PDU session establishment request transmitted to the network element by the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the traffic redundancy indication is comprised in a message comprising a PDU session modification request transmitted to the network element by the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the traffic redundancy indication is provided to the network element at a protocol data unit (PDU) session level in non-access stratum (NAS) signaling.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the providing, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication comprises transmitting, to the network element in the communication network, the traffic redundancy indication.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is or comprises a user equipment.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to perform at least: applying, by the user equipment in a communication network, redundancy mechanisms for traffic redundancy based on a traffic redundancy indication being provided by the user equipment to a network element in the communication network when the traffic redundancy indication provided by the user equipment to the network element in the communication network indicates that traffic redundancy is needed for a radio access network and a user plane function,wherein the traffic redundancy indication targets a subset of traffic.