Delay- and Resource-Aware Satellite UPF Service Optimization

Executing 5G core network functions on satellites has become crucial to enhance satellite network management and service capabilities. The User Plane Function (UPF) is responsible for efficient data traffic forwarding and is envisioned as a key and pioneering core network function that will be deployed on satellites. However, managing and providing services with satellite UPFs face dual challenges. Limited satellite resources constrain the user scale that a satellite UPF can service, resulting in an unguaranteed service delay. Moreover, the extremely rapid mobility of satellites renders it difficult for satellite UPFs to provide seamless services. To address the above challenges, this paper presents the first-of-its-kind service optimization scheme for satellite UPFs in terms of switch control, state migration, and traffic routing. To provide guaranteed service delay, we provide a theoretical analysis based on the M/G/1 queue model, demonstrating the service delay-resource consumption trade-off. A satellite UPF switch control scheme is integrated into the service optimization process, which can decrease satellite UPF service delay while saving satellite resources by adjusting the switch control parameters. To provide seamless services, we propose a satellite UPF-oriented state-aware service migration and traffic routing (UPF service optimization) algorithm. A policy network-based reinforcement learning approach is employed to dynamically perceive the satellite network’s state as well as the satellite UPF switch state. Building upon the optimization of service delay through satellite UPF switch control, the processes of state-aware state migration and traffic routing are further employed to reduce delay, ensuring seamless service effectively. Experiments reveal that the proposed algorithm outperforms other benchmark algorithms under different metrics. The service delay is reduced by an average of 23.2% compared with other algorithms.