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6G • Core Network

Deterministic Latency Budgeting

End-to-End Microsecond Delay Partitioning across Radio, Transport, and Core

Rigorous mathematical framework allocating fixed microsecond delay ceilings to every network hop to guarantee bound latency.

Technical Explanation

To achieve sub-millisecond end-to-end round-trip latency, uncertainty cannot be tolerated. Deterministic Latency Budgeting breaks down an application's delay allowance (e.g. 500 microseconds for robotic feedback) and allocates fixed, non-negotiable budgets: 80 µs for the 6G air interface, 120 µs for optical transport propagation, 150 µs for edge UPF packet processing, and 150 µs for application inference. Network nodes drop or pre-empt lower-priority traffic to guarantee these bounds.

Key Functions

  • Allocates fixed microsecond delay budgets to radio, optical transport, and core hops
  • Eliminates probabilistic queuing delays via Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)
  • Pre-empts background non-deterministic packets using IEEE 802.1Qbu frame preemption
  • Guarantees bounded delay for safety-critical autonomous driving and medical systems
Specifications
IEEE 802.1Qbu, 3GPP TS 23.501 Rel-19 Time-Critical Profile, IETF DetNet
Interfaces
Deterministic Path CoordinatorTime-Sensitive Ingress Shaper

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