Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
  • H04W48/18—Selecting a network or a communication service
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
  • H04W48/08—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
  • H04W48/14—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using user query or user detection
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
  • H04W88/16—Gateway arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W92/00—Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks
  • H04W92/02—Inter-networking arrangements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to bridging mechanisms to multiple cells. More specifically, the present invention exemplarily relates to measures (including methods, apparatuses and computer program products) for realizing bridging mechanisms to multiple cells.
• the present specification generally relates to multicell internet of things (IoT) and in particular to bridging to networks/ cel Is in such scenarios.
• IoT internet of things
• the present specification relates to use of 5G in industry deployments, especially in manufacturing environments.
• 5G mainly two technical areas are of importance for the concept of the present invention, namely, existing (layer 2 based) industry networks and 5G extensions to industry networks as e.g. described in TS 23.501, TS 23.502, and TS 23.503.
• existing (layer 2 based) industry networks and 5G extensions to industry networks as e.g. described in TS 23.501, TS 23.502, and TS 23.503.
• exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in the contexts of such scenarios, the present invention is not limited to such scenarios.
• Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary (typical) industry network deployment.
• Figure 10 provides a simplified view on typical industry networks (mostly wireline) as it exists e.g. in manufacturing halls. Due to given needs and due to redundancy reasons, separate disjunct local area networks (LAN) co-exist with partly or even full geographical overlap (referenced by LAN 1 and LAN 2 in Figure 10).
• LAN local area networks
• Those LANs comprise of a number of switches or bridges (denoted as S/B in Figure 10).
• hosts are connected, those are Ethernet devices like sensors, actuators but may also be servers with e.g. applications running where sensor data is evaluated.
• hosts of one network e.g. H2, H3, H5, H6, H7 in LAN 1
• hosts of another network e.g. H4, H8, H9 in LAN 2
• IP Internet Protocol
• a local network e.g. LAN 1
• LAN 1 may comprise of hundreds or even thousands of sensors/devices, e.g. at a production street; if in such case each host of each network were "visible" to all other hosts of all other networks, the routing tables of the S/B nodes would exceed the capabilities of commercial products and the system performance would dramatically decrease. Also, time sensitive procedures may require a strict isolation.
• Hosts and S/B nodes are connected via interface i/f 1, most typically Ethernet.
• interface i/f most typically Ethernet.
• network nodes S/B
• LAN mgnt a management system
• Those management systems typically collect information from hosts via interface i/f 2 (e.g. SNMP), where S/B nodes report regularly or upon changes of connectivity their existing connectivity schemes.
• interface i/f 2 e.g. SNMP
• the management system provides an overview about which hosts (e.g. identities or MAC addresses) are connected to which port of which S/B node and which S/B node belongs to which network (as indicated in the upper section of Figure 10).
• hosts e.g. identities or MAC addresses
• Such overview allows network tools to query information about local or global connectivity information for monitoring or optimization purposes via an interface i/f 3 (typically RESTful, e.g. WEB based).
• an interface i/f 3 typically RESTful, e.g. WEB based.
• Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary industry network deployment including a 5G system (attaching 5GS to industry deployment).
• Figure 11 shows the same deployment shown in Figure 10, now extended with 5G radio access.
• the whole 5GS appears logically and topology wise as a bridge (another S/B-node), or as a number of bridges, respectively.
• the (geographical) area of both, LAN 1 and LAN 2 is covered by 5G radio, represented by two gNBs. There may be one or many gNBs, however, all gNBs are assumed to be accessible by devices associated to either of the LANs. For example, a host HO of LAN 1 can be connected to a UE associated with a first corresponding UPF (upper UPF in 5G Core box). Similarly, a host HI of LAN 2 can be connected to UE associated with a second corresponding UPF (lower UPF in 5G Core box).
• HO can communicate with other hosts of LAN 1
• HI can communicate with other hosts of LAN 2, via the UPFs that are assigned to the respective LANs and which logically - with according control functions such as AMF, SMF, NEF, AF and some translators - are acting as "native" bridges of given LANs.
• control functions are denoted as SANA (including session management function (SMF), access and mobility management function (AMF), network exposure function (NEF), application function (AF)), and the SANA may be mentioned as a wireless network control function entity.
• SMF session management function
• AMF access and mobility management function
• NEF network exposure function
• AF application function
• TSC time sensitive communications
• Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary scenarios of industry network deployments with and without a 5G system.
• Figure 12 sketches a typical use case that may be valid for many existing deployment scenarios, where Ethernet functionality is required even if TSN support may be not in the primary scope, e.g. in manufacturing environments dealing with process automation, logistics and many more tasks.
• Ethernet functionality is required even if TSN support may be not in the primary scope, e.g. in manufacturing environments dealing with process automation, logistics and many more tasks.
• there may exist many (hundreds, thousands) LANs.
• One specific machine e.g. a bottling plant, may already comprise of dozens of sensors and actuators which are interconnected by such a LAN.
• a typical wireless use case would be that in case of something is getting in the way at one cell which makes normal operation cumbersome, a given wireline connection shall be replaced by wireless connection ad-hoc.
• two hosts one in cell A and second one in cell B, shall be unplugged and re-plugged to UEs (e.g. modems that provide one Ethernet port and connect to a system as described in Figure 11).
• UEs e.g. modems that provide one Ethernet port and connect to a system as described in Figure 11).
• the cell can continue operation, since also with wireless connections it is assured that both hosts can communicate with other hosts of the given cells because the 5GS presents itself as being a "native" bridge towards the individual cells.
• Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary scenarios of network deployments with a 5G system.
• Figure 13 illustrates a problem underlying the present invention.
• the existing R16 architecture requires that UEs (e.g. modems) and its device side TSN translator (DS-TT) ports will have to be pre-assigned to a given user plane function (UPF) with its network side TSN translator (NW- TT), which acts then as a 5GS bridge (S/B-5 in upper part or S/B-6 in lower part) that serves the LAN, respectively.
• UPF user plane function
• NW- TT network side TSN translator
• FIG. 13 in accordance with Figure 11 shows, if a host of LAN 1 (illustrated as white host) will be connected to a UE assigned to S/B-5, this will lead to the expected behavior, but if a host of LAN 2 (illustrated as black host) will be connected to such a UE, this will turn the host to a member of LAN 1 - which is definitely not wanted.
• the lower part of the figure shows the behavior using a UE assigned to S/B-6.
• 3GPP TS 23.501 allows that a UE can have multiple ports where each port belongs to a dedicated DS-TT. Due to the definition that a DS-TT is dedicated to an UPF with its NW-TT, this feature allows that a UE can provide a wireless connection for multiple 5GS TSN bridges. While this reduces the number of UE pools, it will add additional complexity, because the host needs to be connected to the correct port of a DS-TT.
• a method of a wireless network accessing entity comprising receiving, from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device, ascertaining said host device identity, and transmitting said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN).
• a method of a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN), the method comprising receiving, from a wireless network accessing entity, a host device identity of a host device connected to said wireless network accessing entity, and transmitting, to a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, said host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises said host device identity.
• a method of a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment comprising receiving, from a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN), a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, a host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises a host device identity of said host device, and deriving said information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to based on said host device identity and said topology information.
• an apparatus of a wireless network accessing entity comprising receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device, ascertaining circuitry configured to ascertain said host device identity, and transmitting circuitry configured to transmit said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN).
• receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device, ascertaining circuitry configured to ascertain said host device identity, and transmitting circuitry configured to transmit said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN).
• an apparatus of a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN), the apparatus comprising receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a wireless network accessing entity, a host device identity of a host device connected to said wireless network accessing entity, and transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, said host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises said host device identity.
• an apparatus of a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment comprising receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN), a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, a host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises a host device identity of said host device, and deriving circuitry configured to derive said information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to based on said host device identity and said topology information.
• an apparatus of a wireless network accessing entity comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform receiving, from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device, ascertaining said host device identity, and transmitting said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN).
• a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN).
• an apparatus of a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN), the apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform receiving, from a wireless network accessing entity, a host device identity of a host device connected to said wireless network accessing entity, and transmitting, to a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, said host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises said host device identity.
• an apparatus of a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform receiving, from a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN), a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, a host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises a host device identity of said host device, and deriving said information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to based on said host device identity and said topology information.
• a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (LAN)
• a computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program is run on a computer (e.g. a computer of an apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned apparatus-related exemplary aspects of the present invention), is configured to cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the aforementioned method-related exemplary aspects of the present invention.
• Such computer program product may comprise (or be embodied) a (tangible) computer-readable (storage) medium or the like on which the computer- executable computer program code is stored, and/or the program may be directly loadable into an internal memory of the computer or a processor thereof.
• Any one of the above aspects enables an efficient ad hoc connection of hosts to intended LANs via 5GS to thereby solve at least part of the problems and drawbacks identified in relation to the prior art.
• bridging mechanisms to multiple cells More specifically, by way of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there are provided measures and mechanisms for realizing bridging mechanisms to multiple cells.
• Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary industry network deployment
• Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary industry network deployment including a 5G system
• Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary scenarios of industry network deployments with and without a 5G system
• Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary scenarios of network deployments with a 5G system
• Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary scenario of a network deployment with a 5G system according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
• Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of signaling sequences according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
• Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of signaling sequences according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 17 is a block diagram alternatively illustrating apparatuses according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the following description of the present invention and its embodiments mainly refers to specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. Namely, the present invention and its embodiments are mainly described in relation to 3GPP specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments.
• 3GPP specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments.
• 5G wireless networks and local area networks (LANs) as an example for wired networks are used as non-limiting examples for the applicability of thus described exemplary embodiments.
• LANs local area networks
• the description of exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to terminology which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the context of the presented non-limiting examples and does naturally not limit the invention in any way. Rather, any other communication or communication related system deployment, etc. may also be utilized as long as compliant with the features described herein.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the apparatus may be a terminal such as a user equipment which may have or may be connected to a device-side time sensitive networking translator functionality (i.e., a 5GS port), the apparatus comprising a receiving circuitry 11, an ascertaining circuitry 12, and a transmitting circuitry 13.
• the receiving circuitry 11 receives, from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device.
• the ascertaining circuitry 12 ascertains said host device identity.
• the transmitting circuitry 13 transmits said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments.
• Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the apparatus according to Figure 1 may perform the method of Figure 7 but is not limited to this method.
• the method of Figure 7 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 1 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
• a procedure (of a wireless network accessing entity) comprises an operation of receiving (S71), from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device, an operation of ascertaining (S72) said host device identity, and an operation of transmitting (S73) said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments.
• Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 2 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
• the apparatus according to Figure 2 may thus further comprise a determining circuitry 21, an establishing circuitry 22, a releasing circuitry 23, and/or a blocking circuitry 24.
• At least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
• information indicative of a related user plane function is transmitted (i.e. as a variation of the transmitting operation (S73)) towards said wireless network control function entity.
• said information indicative of said related user plane function is one of a data network name (DNN) and a single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of determining whether said host device identity is a host device identity received for the first time from activation of said wireless network accessing entity.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of determining whether said host device identity differs from a previously received host device identity.
• an exemplary method may comprise an operation of receiving an instruction to establish, for said host device, a packet data unit session with a user plane function entity assigned to a network segment said host device is to be linked to, and an operation of establishing, for said host device, said packet data unit session with said user plane function entity.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of establishing, upon activation of said wireless network accessing entity, a basic packet data unit session with a certain user plane function entity.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of requesting, upon activation of said wireless network accessing entity, information for establishment of a basic packet data unit session with a certain user plane function entity, and an operation of receiving said information for said establishment of said basic packet data unit session with said certain user plane function entity.
• the exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may then further comprise an operation of establishing, based on said information for said establishment of said basic packet data unit session, said basic packet data unit session.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of releasing said basic packet data unit session, if a specific packet data unit session with a specific user plane function entity assigned to a specific network segment is established.
• said basic packet data unit session is a default packet data unit session.
• said certain user plane function entity is a default user plane function entity.
• said data packet is one of an allocation and retention priority request, a dynamic host configuration protocol request, a link layer discovery protocol advertisement, and any payload data packet.
• said host device identity is one of a medium access control address, an internet protocol address, and a chassis identity.
• said wireless network accessing entity comprises a user equipment entity and a device-side time sensitive networking translator entity.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of blocking any traffic received from the host device for uplink transmission until a connection to a specific user plane function entity has been established.
• said wireless network is replaced by a wireline network in case the 5GS is also used to manage a wireline network.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the apparatus may be a network entity such as a wireless network control function entity which may have a session management function entity, an access and mobility management function entity, a network exposure function entity, and/or an application function entity, the apparatus having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments, and the apparatus comprising a receiving circuitry 31 and a transmitting circuitry 32.
• the receiving circuitry 31 receive from a wireless network accessing entity, a host device identity of a host device connected to said wireless network accessing entity.
• the transmitting circuitry 32 transmits, to a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, said host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises said host device identity.
• Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the apparatus according to Figure 3 may perform the method of Figure 8 but is not limited to this method.
• the method of Figure 8 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 3 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
• Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 4 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in Figure 3.
• the apparatus according to Figure 4 may thus further comprise a determining circuitry 41.
• At least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 3 may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
• information indicative of a related user plane function is received (i.e. as a variation of the receiving operation (S81)) from said wireless network accessing entity.
• said information indicative of said related user plane function is one of a data network name (DNN) and a single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI).
• DNN data network name
• S-NSSAI single network slice selection assistance information
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of receiving, from said network management entity, information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of determining, based on said information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to and said assignment information, a user plane function entity assigned to said network segment said host device is to be linked to.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of transmitting, towards said user plane function entity, an instruction to establish, for said host device, a packet data unit session between said wireless network accessing entity and said user plane function entity.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of transmitting, towards said wireless network accessing entity, an instruction to establish, for said host device, a packet data unit session between said wireless network accessing entity and said user plane function entity.
• said host device identity is one of a medium access control address, an internet protocol address, and a chassis identity.
• said wireless network control function entity comprises a session management function entity, an access and mobility management function entity, a network exposure function entity, a policy control function entity, a unified data repository entity, a unified data management entity, and an application function entity.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the apparatus may be a network entity such as a (local area) network management function entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, the apparatus comprising a receiving circuitry 51 and a deriving circuitry 52.
• the receiving circuitry 51 receives, from a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, a host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises a host device identity of said host device.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the apparatus according to Figure 5 may perform the method of Figure 9 but is not limited to this method.
• the method of Figure 9 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 5 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
• Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 6 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in Figure 5.
• the apparatus according to Figure 6 may thus further comprise a transmitting circuitry 61.
• At least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 5 may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
• an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of transmitting, towards said wireless network control function entity, said information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to.
• said host device identity is one of a medium access control address, an internet protocol address, and a chassis identity.
• a solution for flexible assignment of 5G UEs to dedicated LANs without requiring pre-assignments (to LANs or UPFs, respectively) is provided.
• any UE can dynamically be assigned without manual configuration.
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary scenario of a network deployment with a 5G system according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• a (wireline) connected Ethernet host of a (LAN) cell shall be disconnected (i.e., LAN cable shall be unplugged).
• a UE (or modem) with an Ethernet port shall be switched on and, instead of via the previous wireline connection the host shall be wirelessly connected via UE, UPF to the same LAN as it was connected before.
• the SANA after attaching the host to the port of the UE the SANA functions interrogate the LAN management for the appropriate LAN the host shall be connected to.
• the SANA Upon reception of the LAN parameters, the SANA according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention instructs (e.g. via SMF part of SANA) the according UPF (assigned to the LAN) and the UE to setup a PDU session.
• the UE can be any out of a pool of UEs that are pre-registered, i.e. the UE may have a SIM card which is registered at the 5GS - but no explicit registration to a LAN is required.
• Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of signaling sequences according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 15 shows a message flow/sequence chart that illustrates the above outlined proceeding.
• a host H connected to LAN 1 is assumed for explanation purposes.
• the wireline connection shall be replaced by a 5G based wireless connection ad-hoc, i.e. there is a spontaneous need to replace the wireline connection (e.g. because a sensor needs to be moved).
• a UE e.g. modem
• the UE e.g. modem
• the UE will attach to the system, i.e. it will be authenticated and (optionally) be assigned to a network slice which may be in place for LAN type services.
• the UE e.g. modem
• the UE e.g. modem
• the UE e.g. modem
• the UE e.g. modem
• the UE may indicate its "ready for use” state e.g. by an LED.
• the host H can be disconnected (unplugged) from LAN 1 and be connected to the UE (e.g. modem), most typically via Ethernet.
• the host will issue an allocation and retention priority (ARP) request or a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request (e.g. depending on the type of connectivity required, layer 2 or layer 3) revealing its medium access control (MAC) address to the UE (e.g. modem).
• ARP allocation and retention priority
• DHCP dynamic host configuration protocol
• MAC medium access control
• the UE or it's device-side time sensitive networking translator may receive a link-layer discovery protocol (LLDP) advertisement from the host device connected to the Ethernet port, which contains a unique identity (e.g. MAC address of the device) as defined in IEEE 802.1AB.
• LLDP link-layer discovery protocol
• the UE requests for a packet data unit (PDU) session and provide this MAC address/identity (e.g. in as information element).
• PDU packet data unit
• the l_AN management Upon reception of the request at the 5G core (5GC), according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the l_AN management is queried (via SANA control functions) for information about the cell/LAN the host is assigned to via interface i/f 3, e.g. via HTTP.
• the 1_AN management has lists (e.g. per LAN) of MAC addresses of hosts that are assigned to these LANs (fixed assignments).
• hosts may be flexibly assigned to LANs.
• the LAN management may be notified via interface i/f 2, e.g. SNMP, by the network nodes (S/B) about the presence of MAC addresses at a LAN.
• S/B network nodes
• the "valid" LAN i.e. the LAN to which the host is considered to be assigned to, will be the latest LAN said host was reported to have been connected to.
• the UE or it's DS-TT received an LLDP advertisement from a host device connected to an Ethernet port
• the identity information (about a directly connected neighbor which is derived from the LLDP advertisement) the UE will convey to the network allows a corresponding network-side time sensitive networking translator (NW-TT) (if such an association already exists) to query SANA whether the UE/UPF association is still valid (via LAN management), or in case no association exists, it allows SANA to initiate a UDP context between the UE and the correct UPF.
• NW-TT network-side time sensitive networking translator
• the SANA upon reception of the MAC/l-AN relationship from the LAN management, the SANA initiates a setup of a PDU session between the UE and a UPF that is used as a bridge for this LAN (upper UPF or S/B-5 in Figure 11).
• SANA has access to information (e.g. a list) where UPF/LAN relationships are stored.
• all 5GC functional procedures are carried out according to 3GPP TS 23.501, TS 23.502, and TS 23.503.
• Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of signaling sequences according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 16 shows a message sequence chart that reflects one possible concrete implementation option.
• Figure 16 shows a wireless 5GS port (dotted rectangle) which can be assumed to represent one of the devices according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are used to replace a cable connection.
• these devices can be used arbitrarily, e.g. they are on stock and used when and where needed without requiring specific administration before each use.
• UE and translator (the DS-TT) form the wireless 5GS port.
• 3GPP Rel. 16 allows to integrate DS-TT with the UE or to operate UE and DS- TT as individual entities. Common to both options is that they act as wireless 5GS port.
• DS-TT is integrated with the UE.
• UE and DS-TT are operated as individual entities.
• the wireless 5GS port shows the following behavior:
• the wireless 5GS port enters a default state, which is given by the following:
• a PDU session request is initiated as defined in 3GPP TS 23.501 clause 5.6.1, which establishes a default PDU session to a default UPF/NW-TT acting as counterpart of the 5GS TSN bridge.
• DNN-Default a specific DNN (DNN-Default) is used in Figure 16 as a network identifier for the SMF.
• the SMF will use this network identifier to select the default UPF (UPF-D) according to TS 23.501 clause 6.3.3.3.
• Uplink traffic generated by a host is blocked until the host is identified (e.g. reception of a valid LLDP frame).
• a host H will be disconnected from a wireline network (1_AN 1 in this example) and plugged to a wireless 5GS port (consisting of DS-TT and UE in this example).
• the wireless 5GS port upon power on, the wireless 5GS port enters its default state and sends out a PDU session request using the specific DNN (DNN-Default) as network identifier.
• DNN-Default indicates the UPF (UPF-D) that shall be addressed.
• UPF-D is solely used for the purpose of preliminary registrations of ad hoc usage of wireless 5GS ports.
• the PDU session establishment with UPF-D follows the standard procedures as described in 3GPP TS 23.502 clause 4.3.2.2 (indicated as N4 session establishment, N2 PDU session setup and PDU session establishment).
• the LLDP behavior is configured, e.g. via the respective application function AF that serves the 5GS TSN Bridge.
• either the DS- TT or the NW-TT on behalf of the wireless 5GS port will forward the host's ID (MAC address or chassis ID) alongside with other parameters (e.g. TTL) as part of a port management container or bridge management container information to the AF.
• host's ID MAC address or chassis ID
• other parameters e.g. TTL
• the AF based on the received LLDP information from the wireless 5GS port, the AF detects that there is a new host connected to the wireless 5GS port and that there is no information available at AF to which network this chassis-ID/MAC shall be associated (as it was unplugged from LAN-1 in this example).
• the AF interrogates the LAN management system using the host's ID (MAC address or chassis-ID as indicator), and the LAN management system reports back the according network ID (LAN-1 in this example).
• the host's ID MAC address or chassis-ID as indicator
• the LAN management system reports back the according network ID (LAN-1 in this example).
• the AF has a list of which UPF serves which network.
• UPF-1 serves LAN-1
• UPF-2 serves LAN-2
• this mapping is not limiting, and any other mapping thereof may be possible without deviating from the concept of the present invention.
• the AF instructs the SMF to inform the wireless 5GS port (UE) to establish a second PDU session between the wireless port and the correct UPF (UPF-1) serving the correct network (LAN-1) by using e.g. the application triggering service as defined in 3GPP TS 23.502 clause 4.3.6.
• any existing UPF may serve as a default UPF so that any existing UPF can be accessed initially.
• the UPF used for initial setup is already the UPF serving the correct LAN (LAN 1 in example).
• the AF still needs to instruct the SMF to inform the wireless 5GS port (UE) to modify the existing PDU session in order to set the correct QoS settings for the PDU session.
• Figure 16 shows a simplified version of the application triggering service, since NEF and UDM/UDR are not illustrated in the figure. Further, the N4 session establishment and PDU session establishment procedures are replaced by respective PDU session modification procedures in case that PDU session is already connected to the correct UPF (UPF-1). Also this is not shown in the Figure 16.
• the final step of the application triggering service initiates the second PDU session request/establishment or PDU session modification at the wireless 5GS port.
• This follows existing procedures of 3GPP TS 23.501 clause 4.3.2 (indicated as network triggered PDU session establishment procedure) and 5.6.7 (Application Function influence on traffic routing) to guarantee also the correct QoS settings for traffic of Host H.
• the wireless 5GS port leaves the default state and conveys any information received by the host to the uplink.
• the existing PDU session with UPF-D may be released.
• any (existing) UPF may be used instead of using a default UPF.
• the AF will detect a change of host by receiving the LLDP message via management port.
• the advantage would be that there is no special UPF-D necessary.
• the DS-TT analyzes any received LLDP message with respect to changes of MAC- address/chassis ID. If the DS-TT detects a change (e.g. the host has been disconnected and another has been connected), the same procedures will be applied again. This would allow ad hoc changes in a running system, including a replacement of a wireless connection to another wireless connection.
• a change e.g. the host has been disconnected and another has been connected
• the wireless 5GS port does not wait for the LLDP configuration but analyzes any received Ethernet message.
• the received Frame is an LLDP advertisement
• the contained information is extracted and provided as described before to the AF even without activated LLDP exchange.
• the only change compared to the standard behavior is on the DS-TT, which is allowed to forward LLDP information even without received LLDP configuration and on the AF, which simply needs to be configured not to store the LLDP information in the MIB.
• the S-NSSAI is used by the wireless 5GS port. Any option described in the 3GPP TS 23.501 clause 6.3.3.3 could be employed for selecting a UPF for initial setup (UPF-D or any UPF).
• DS-TT retrieves host information by analyzing the uplink traffic (source MAC address or other identifiers, e.g. source IP, etc.) and reports this via management container to AF. This might be useful in case LLDP information exchange is not used in an existing network.
• the network entity may comprise further units that are necessary for its respective operation. However, a description of these units is omitted in this specification.
• the arrangement of the functional blocks of the devices is not construed to limit the invention, and the functions may be performed by one block or further split into sub-blocks.
• the apparatus i.e. network entity (or some other means) is configured to perform some function
• this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that a (i.e. at least one) processor or corresponding circuitry, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function.
• a (i.e. at least one) processor or corresponding circuitry potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function.
• function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured circuitry or means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression "unit configured to” is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as "means for").
• the apparatus (terminal) 10' (corresponding to the terminal 10) comprises a processor 1711, a memory 1712 and an interface 1713, which are connected by a bus 1714 or the like.
• the apparatus (network entity) 30' (corresponding to the network entity 30) comprises a processor 1731, a memory 1732 and an interface 1733, which are connected by a bus 1734 or the like.
• the apparatus (network entity) 50' (corresponding to the network entity 50) comprises a processor 1751, a memory 1752 and an interface 1753, which are connected by a bus 1754 or the like.
• the apparatuses may be connected via links 1701a, 1701b, respectively.
• the processor 1711/1731/1751 and/or the interface 1713/1733/1753 may also include a modem or the like to facilitate communication over a (hardwire or wireless) link, respectively.
• the interface 1713/1733/1753 may include a suitable transceiver coupled to one or more antennas or communication means for (hardwire or wireless) communications with the linked or connected device(s), respectively.
• the interface 1713/1733/1753 is generally configured to communicate with at least one other apparatus, i.e. the interface thereof.
• the memory 1712/1732/1752 may store respective programs assumed to include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the respective processor, enables the respective electronic device or apparatus to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• the respective devices/apparatuses may represent means for performing respective operations and/or exhibiting respective functionalities, and/or the respective devices (and/or parts thereof) may have functions for performing respective operations and/or exhibiting respective functionalities.
• processor or some other means
• the processor is configured to perform some function
• this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that at least one processor, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function.
• function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression "processor configured to [cause the apparatus to] perform xxx-ing” is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as "means for xxx-ing").
• an apparatus representing the terminal 10 comprises at least one processor 1711, at least one memory 1712 including computer program code, and at least one interface 1713 configured for communication with at least another apparatus.
• the processor i.e.
• the at least one processor 1711, with the at least one memory 1712 and the computer program code) is configured to perform receiving, from a host device connected to said wireless network accessing device, a data packet including a host device identity of said host device (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for receiving), to perform ascertaining said host device identity (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for ascertaining), and to perform transmitting said host device identity towards a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for transmitting).
• an apparatus representing the network entity 30 comprises at least one processor 1731, at least one memory 1732 including computer program code, and at least one interface 1733 configured for communication with at least another apparatus.
• the processor i.e.
• the at least one processor 1731, with the at least one memory 1732 and the computer program code) is configured to perform receiving, from a wireless network accessing entity, a host device identity of a host device connected to said wireless network accessing entity (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for receiving), and to perform transmitting, to a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, said host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises said host device identity (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for transmitting).
• an apparatus representing the network entity 50 comprises at least one processor 1751, at least one memory 1752 including computer program code, and at least one interface 1753 configured for communication with at least another apparatus.
• the processor i.e.
• the at least one processor 1751 with the at least one memory 1752 and the computer program code) is configured to perform receiving, from a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, a host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises a host device identity of said host device (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for receiving), and to perform deriving said information on said network segment said host device is to be linked to based on said host device identity and said topology information (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for deriving).
• any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the embodiments and its modification in terms of the functionality implemented;
• CMOS Complementary MOS
• BiMOS Bipolar MOS
• BiCMOS Bipolar CMOS
• ECL emitter Coupled Logic
• TTL Transistor-Transistor Logic
• ASIC Application Specific IC
• FPGA Field-programmable Gate Arrays
• CPLD Complex Programmable Logic Device
• DSP Digital Signal Processor
• - devices, units or means e.g. the above-defined network entity or network register, or any one of their respective units/means
• an apparatus like the user equipment and the network entity /network register may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution/being run on a processor;
• a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example.
• respective functional blocks or elements according to above-described aspects can be implemented by any known means, either in hardware and/or software, respectively, if it is only adapted to perform the described functions of the respective parts.
• the mentioned method steps can be realized in individual functional blocks or by individual devices, or one or more of the method steps can be realized in a single functional block or by a single device.
• any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the present invention.
• Devices and means can be implemented as individual devices, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device is preserved. Such and similar principles are to be considered as known to a skilled person.
• Software in the sense of the present description comprises software code as such comprising code means or portions or a computer program or a computer program product for performing the respective functions, as well as software (or a computer program or a computer program product) embodied on a tangible medium such as a computer-readable (storage) medium having stored thereon a respective data structure or code means/portions or embodied in a signal or in a chip, potentially during processing thereof.
• the present invention also covers any conceivable combination of method steps and operations described above, and any conceivable combination of nodes, apparatuses, modules or elements described above, as long as the above-described concepts of methodology and structural arrangement are applicable.
• Such measures exemplarily comprise, at a wireless network control function entity having or providing means to ascertain assignment information indicative of assignment relationships between user plane function entities and corresponding network segments receiving, from a wireless network accessing entity, a host device identity of a host device connected to said wireless network accessing entity, and transmitting, to a network management entity having topology information of at least one network segment indicative of topology relationships of network entities in said at least one network segment, a request for information on a network segment, of said at least one network segment, said host device is to be linked to, wherein said request comprises said host device identity.

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• 2020
  • 2020-06-02 EP EP20731416.2A patent/EP4158950A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-06-02 WO PCT/EP2020/065208 patent/WO2021244732A1/en unknown

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