5G QoS Framework for OTT Voice Call Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
OTT applications, which rely on best effort Internet connectivity, experience degraded performance during network congestion and lack support for emergency calls, necessitating improved quality of service (QoS) in 5G and future wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 5G QoS framework with network slicing and deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect OTT applications, assign higher QoS flows, and ensure guaranteed packet latency and priority, using features like Reflective QoS and AI/ML models for accurate classification and QoS management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If OTT applications rely on best effort Internet connectivity, then device complexity and ease of operation are maintained, but service reliability and call quality deteriorate during network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different QoS flows based on service type (e.g., voice, video, data). The SMF creates multiple QoS flows with different characteristics, and the UPF segments incoming traffic into appropriate flows using DPI. This segmentation allows critical services like voice calls to receive guaranteed resource allocation while maintaining best-effort service for non-critical traffic, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary network functions (SMF and UPF) that act as mediators between the core network and OTT applications. The SMF serves as a control plane intermediary that manages QoS flow creation and modification, while the UPF acts as a user plane intermediary that performs traffic segmentation and QoS enforcement. These intermediaries enable improved service reliability without directly modifying OTT application logic.
2Reliability
If QoS flows are assigned to OTT applications using DPI and network slicing, then call quality and service reliability improve, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring QoS flow templates and service data flow (SDF) rules in the SMF before traffic arrives. When an OTT application initiates a service, the SMF proactively creates appropriate QoS flows and pushes SDF templates to the UPF in advance. This preliminary setup enables rapid QoS enforcement without real-time complex analysis, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high call quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through automated QoS flow management where the SMF autonomously creates, modifies, and manages QoS flows based on service type detection. The system automatically performs DPI, classifies traffic, selects appropriate QoS parameters, and enforces policies without manual intervention. This automation reduces operational complexity while ensuring consistent high-quality service delivery.
3Loss of time
If higher QoS flows are assigned to OTT applications, then service reliability and packet latency guarantees improve, but network resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting QoS flow parameters (packet loss rate, latency, priority, guaranteed bit rate) based on service type and network conditions. The SMF selects appropriate QoS parameters from predefined templates when creating flows, and the UPF enforces these parameters through packet marking and priority queuing. This parameter-based approach enables precise control over packet latency and resource allocation without complex real-time optimization algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where QoS flows can be created, modified, or released in real-time based on service requirements. The SMF dynamically manages QoS flow states, and the UPF dynamically adjusts traffic segmentation and prioritization. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt resource allocation to changing service demands while maintaining simple enforcement mechanisms through pre-configured QoS parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing improved call quality for over-the-top (OTT) services using Fifth Generation (5G), Sixth Generation (6G), or any future wireless network capabilities is disclosed. 5G wireless networks, for example, support an advanced quality of service (QoS) framework with different QoS attributes and priorities. An OTT application and a service type (e.g., voice call, video, group communications, etc.) can be detected and an appropriate high quality QoS flow can be assigned for that service. The OTT service can thus have high quality even when the network is congested.