5G QoS Rate Control Adaptation for Variable Traffic Flows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G QoS mechanisms struggle to efficiently align application traffic characteristics and requirements with QoS configurations due to ambiguous rate control, particularly for interactive and rate-adaptive services like XR and cloud-gaming video, which have variable traffic properties.

Innovation Solution

Implementing both long and short time-scale rate control requirements for service data flows, allowing the 5G core network to derive and convey these parameters to the access network for accurate rate control configuration and adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing 5G QoS mechanisms are used with default MDBV values, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but alignment between application traffic characteristics and QoS configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment between application traffic characteristics and QoS configurationsVSAvoidrate control configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic rate control mechanisms that adapt to variable traffic properties of interactive services. The system transitions from static default MDBV values to dynamic rate control parameters that can be adjusted based on actual traffic characteristics, enabling better alignment between application requirements and network configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter structure by introducing both long time-scale rate control requirements (affecting MDBV) and short time-scale rate control requirements (affecting periodicity). This parameter differentiation allows precise control over traffic patterns matching application-specific characteristics while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through structured parameter sets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If long time-scale rate control parameters are used, then overall resource allocation efficiency is improved, but responsiveness to short-term traffic variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidresponsiveness to traffic variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments rate control into two distinct time scales: long time-scale rate control parameters (affecting MDBV) for overall resource allocation efficiency, and short time-scale rate control parameters (affecting periodicity) for rapid responsiveness to traffic variations. This segmentation allows each time scale to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous rate control by combining long-term and short-term parameters that work together across different time scales. The long-term parameters provide sustained resource allocation while short-term parameters continuously adapt to immediate traffic conditions, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient service delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If short time-scale rate control parameters are used, then responsiveness to traffic variations is improved, but overall resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to traffic variationsVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments rate control functionality so that short time-scale parameters (affecting periodicity) handle rapid traffic variations while long time-scale parameters (affecting MDBV) manage overall resource allocation efficiency. This segmentation prevents short-term adjustments from compromising long-term resource optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If DC-GBR with strict rate guarantees is used, then QoS reliability is improved, but adaptability to variable traffic properties deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoS guarantee reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to variable traffic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes DC-GBR dynamic by introducing two layers of rate control parameters. The long time-scale parameters maintain strict QoS guarantees for reliability, while the short time-scale parameters provide adaptability to variable traffic properties. This dynamic structure allows the system to fulfill both reliability and adaptability requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250374112A1Rate control configuration and adaptation

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to rate control configuration and adaptation. A first device transmits, to a second device, a service request comprising a group of requested service parameters and a plurality of alternative service requirements in a prioritized order, each alternative service requirement comprising at least one long time-scale rate control requirement and at least one short time-scale rate control requirement associated with a flow description; and receives, from the second device, a report of QoS notification by a fourth device based on a requested QoS profile and at least one alternative QoS profile corresponding to the group of the requested service parameters and the plurality of alternative service requirements. In this way, an aligned rate control configuration and adaptation can be achieved between applications and 5GS, which considers both long time-scale and short time-scale rate control requirements.