Shortcuts: A Simple Mechanism for Reducing the Data Path Delay in Beyond 5G and 6G Networks

For achieving ultra-low latency in beyond 5G and 6G networks, a critical challenge is the reduction of end-to-end data path delay. While significant progress has been made in optimizing the radio network, a substantial portion of latency originates from the core network's data path. This delay emerges as data packets follow an extended route to reach an anchor User Plane Function (UPF) for synchronous processing. To tackle this challenge, we introduce the innovative concept of the Data Path “Shortcut. ” This concept facilitates localized communication between co-located devices and minimizes data path length within the core network. Operations that are not latency-critical seamlessly transition to asynchronous processing. We demonstrate the practicality of this concept within the 5G core architecture, highlighting its technical feasibility and functions requiring standardization. By implementing this concept as an extension of the Open5GCore, we illustrate the benefits of this solution in a distributed campus network. Evaluation results affirm the solution's robust performance and smooth integration with existing deployments, representing a significant step towards transforming data path processing in preparation for 6G networks.