IUP: Integrated and Programmable User Plane for Next-Generation Mobile Networks

Mobile networks evolve on a regular basis to meet the requirements of a rapidly changing application ecosystem; hence, a future-proof design is key to getting the most out of their lifecycle. In comparison to other access networks, one major issue with the 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) is that it behaves as a "fat Layer 2" entity, resulting in disparities in Internet Protocol (IP) flow traffic control and radio resource allocation. In this article, we propose an innovative design - Integrated User Plane (IUP) - that incorporates User Plane Function (UPF) functionalities into RAN, and we introduce the Integrated Data Flow Control (IDFC) sublayer with a new traffic management pipeline and various programmable rules. To understand its implications for crucial mobility user cases, a detailed analysis of how IUP interacts with Control Plane (CP) network functions is conducted. Finally, our IUP prototype shows benefits including a 50% saving in both latency and overhead, converged IUP and non-Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) networks for seamless connectivity, and real-time UP programmability in both traffic control and resource allocation via the O-RAN framework.