US-20260129550-A1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SRv6 TRANSPORT NETWORK INTEGRATION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

US20260129550A1US 20260129550 A1US20260129550 A1US 20260129550A1US-20260129550-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for integrating a core network with a Segment Routing IPv6-based transport network in a wireless communication system. A method of operating a Unified Transport Network Controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving segment routing node information and link information from a transport network controller, configuring a transport network topology based on the received segment routing node information and link information, calculating an optimal path according to service requirements based on the configured topology to generate a segment identifier list, and delivering the generated segment identifier list to a user plane function and radio access network through a session management function.

Inventors

Kyung Soo Kim
Yoo Hwa KANG
Nam Seok Ko
Seung Han CHOI

Assignees

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251022
Priority Date: 20241105

Claims (15)

1 . A method of operating a Unified Transport Network Controller (UTNC) for integrating a core network and a Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) based transport network in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving Segment Routing (SR) node information and link information from a Transport Network Controller (TNC); configuring a transport network topology based on the received SR node information and link information; calculating an optimal path according to service requirements based on the configured topology to generate a Segment Identifier (SID) list; and delivering the generated SID list to a User Plane Function (UPF) and a Radio Access Network (RAN) through a Session Management Function (SMF).
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: directly interworking with the TNC to receive the SR node information and link information when the TNC is a trusted TNC having reliability; and receiving the SR node information and link information through a Network Exposure Function (NEF) when the TNC is an untrusted TNC not having reliability.
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising: extending a Traffic Influence Application Programming Interface (API) of the NEF to deliver the SR node information and link information when interworking with the untrusted TNC.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein delivering the SID list comprises: delivering a downlink SID list to the UPF through an N4 interface by the SMF; delivering an uplink SID list to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) through an N11 interface by the SMF; and delivering the uplink SID list to the RAN through an N2 interface by the AMF.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating the optimal path comprises: applying a shortest path algorithm between source-destination node pairs in the configured topology; and determining the optimal path considering Quality of Service (QoS) parameters according to the service requirements.
6 . A method of operating a UTN Application Function (UTN AF) for integrating a core network and an SRv6 based transport network in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving Segment Routing (SR) node information and link information from a Transport Network Controller (TNC); configuring a transport network topology based on the received SR node information and link information; calculating an optimal path according to service requirements based on the configured topology to generate a Segment Identifier (SID) list; delivering the generated SID list to a Policy Control Function (PCF) as policy information; and delivering policy rules generated by the PCF based on the policy information to a User Plane Function (UPF) and a Radio Access Network (RAN) through a Session Management Function (SMF).
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising: directly interworking with the TNC to receive the SR node information and link information when the TNC is a trusted TNC; and receiving the SR node information and link information through a Network Exposure Function (NEF) when the TNC is an untrusted TNC.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising: extending a Traffic Influence API of the NEF to deliver the SR node information and link information when interworking with the untrusted TNC.
9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein delivering as policy information comprises: delivering routing requirements including the SID list to the PCF through a Policy Authorization API by the UTN AF; and converting the routing requirements into policy rules and delivering to the SMF by the PCF.
10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein delivering the policy rules comprises: delivering a downlink SID list to the UPF through an N4 interface by the SMF; delivering an uplink SID list to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) through an N11 interface by the SMF; and delivering the uplink SID list to the RAN through an N2 interface by the AMF.
11 . A Unified Transport Network Controller (UTNC) for integrating a core network and a Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) based transport network in a wireless communication system, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor operably connected to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive Segment Routing (SR) node information and link information from a Transport Network Controller (TNC); configure a transport network topology based on the received SR node information and link information; calculate an optimal path according to service requirements based on the configured topology to generate a Segment Identifier (SID) list; and deliver the generated SID list to a User Plane Function (UPF) and a Radio Access Network (RAN) through a Session Management Function (SMF).
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to: directly interwork with the TNC to receive the SR node information and link information when the TNC is a trusted TNC; and receive the SR node information and link information through a Network Exposure Function (NEF) when the TNC is an untrusted TNC.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to: receive the SR node information and link information by extending a Traffic Influence Application Programming Interface (API) of the NEF when interworking with the untrusted TNC.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to: deliver the SID list such that the SMF delivers a downlink SID list to the UPF through an N4 interface, the SMF delivers an uplink SID list to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) through an N11 interface, and the AMF delivers the uplink SID list to the RAN through an N2 interface.
15 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to: apply a shortest path algorithm between source-destination node pairs in the configured topology; and determine the optimal path considering Quality of Service (QoS) parameters according to the service requirements.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0154922, filed on November 5, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0137788, filed on September 24, 2025, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for integrating a core network with a Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) based transport network in a wireless communication system. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART One important characteristic to note in the evolution of communication networks is that core networks and transport networks have been managed separately for a long time. This separation management approach has enhanced specialization in each domain and enabled independent development. While this has promoted technological innovation and optimization in each area, it has also brought certain limitations to the integrated operation and optimization of the entire network. Traditionally, core networks have been directly managed by mobile network operators, responsible for subscriber management, session control, and mobility management. Core networks have evolved through generations, starting from circuit-switched systems in 2G and evolving through 3G and 4G to become packet-based all-IP networks. In contrast, transport networks are typically managed by separate teams or sometimes by different operators, focusing primarily on efficient data packet transmission. Recent 5G networks have introduced revolutionary structural changes compared to previous generations of mobile networks. 5G networks consist primarily of Radio Access Networks (RAN) and core networks. The main components of 5G core networks include Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and User Plane Function (UPF). Currently in 5G networks, GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) is used as the core protocol for transmitting user data within the core network. In terms of transport network technology, in addition to the widely used Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, Segment Routing (SR) technology has recently gained attention. In particular, SRv6, which is the IPv6-based implementation of SR, has the potential to further improve scalability and flexibility in large-scale networks. However, in the current 5G network architecture, core networks and transport networks are managed separately, leading to several technical limitations. The separation between core and transport networks limits consistent Quality of Service (QoS) policy application, making end-to-end service quality management difficult. Additionally, independent resource management in each domain limits efficient resource allocation and utilization at the overall network level. In terms of network slicing, it is difficult to consistently extend slices created in the core network to the transport network, restricting the implementation of true end-to-end slicing. SUMMARY Based on the discussion above, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for effective integration of a core network and an SRv6-based transport network in a wireless communication system. Further, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for enabling efficient utilization of network resources and consistent QoS policy application through transport network interworking functions in a wireless communication system. Additionally, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for supporting end-to-end network slicing and real-time traffic path optimization through extension of existing 3GPP interfaces in a wireless communication system. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a Unified Transport Network Controller (UTNC) for integrating a core network and a Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) based transport network in a wireless communication system receives SR node information and link information from a Transport Network Controller (TNC), configures a transport network topology based on the received SR node information and link information, calculates an optimal path according to service requirements based on the configured topology to generate a Segment Identifier (SID) list, and delivers the generated SID list to a User Plane Function (UPF) and Radio Access Network (RAN) through a Session Management Function (SMF). According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a UTN Application Function (UTN AF) for integrating a core network and an SRv6-based transport network in a wireless communication system receives SR node information and link information from a TNC, configures a transport network topology based on the received SR node information and link information, calculates an optimal path according to service requirements based on the configured topology to generate a SID list, delivers the generated SID list to a Policy Con