End-to-End QoS Prioritization in Mobile Base Station Backhaul
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE networks face challenges in maintaining end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, particularly for wireless backhaul links that traverse multiple operator networks, which can lead to inadequate prioritization of critical traffic, such as for public safety users, due to the loss of QoS identifiers when data packets are encapsulated into larger IP flows.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an N-to-M mapping of individual flows to LTE bearers using Quality of Service Class Indicators (QCI), Allocation Retention Priority (ARP), and Traffic Filter Templates (TFT) ensures that QoS parameters are propagated through different sections of the network, enabling differentiated treatment of traffic even within encrypted tunnels by creating dedicated and default bearers with specific QCI and ARP settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data packets are encapsulated into larger IP flows for transmission over wireless backhaul links, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but QoS identifiers are lost and traffic prioritization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested QoS identification by embedding inner QCI values within outer QCI values in a hierarchical structure. Individual UE data bearers (inner layer) are mapped to backhaul bearers (outer layer), allowing QoS information to be preserved through multiple levels of encapsulation. The outer QCI identifies the backhaul bearer while the inner QCI identifies the specific UE bearer, enabling end-to-end QoS tracking despite IP flow encapsulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mapping functions and network elements that act as intermediaries between the inner QoS domain (UE bearers) and outer QoS domain (backhaul bearers). These intermediaries perform N-to-M mapping of individual flows to LTE bearers, translating and propagating QoS parameters through the network while maintaining the relationship between individual traffic flows and backhaul resources.
2Productivity
If multiple individual flows are mapped to a single backhaul bearer, then network resource efficiency is improved, but granular traffic prioritization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments QoS management into multiple hierarchical levels: individual UE data bearers with their own QCI values, backhaul bearers with outer QCI values, and mapping relationships between them. This segmentation allows efficient aggregation of multiple flows onto single backhaul bearers while maintaining separate QoS identification and control for each original flow through the inner QCI values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes QoS parameter representation by using paired QCI values (inner and outer) instead of single QCI values. The inner QCI is transformed into an outer QCI through mapping functions, allowing the system to adapt QoS parameters at different network layers while preserving the ability to identify and prioritize specific traffic flows through the inner QCI parameter.
3Reliability
If QoS parameters are propagated through encrypted tunnels, then security is maintained, but QoS differentiation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nested QCI encoding where inner QCI values are embedded within outer QCI values that can be processed by network elements even when traffic is encrypted. The outer QCI provides QoS differentiation at the backhaul level while the inner QCI maintains individual flow identification, allowing QoS management without requiring decryption of the tunnel traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for utilizing quality of service information in a network with tunneled backhaul is disclosed, comprising: establishing a backhaul bearer at a base station with a first core network, the backhaul bearer established by a backhaul user equipment (UE) at the base station, the backhaul bearer having a single priority parameter, the backhaul bearer terminating at a first packet data network gateway in the first core network; establishing an encrypted internet protocol (IP) tunnel between the base station and a coordinating gateway in communication with the first core network and a second core network; facilitating, for at least one UE attached at the base station, establishment of a plurality of UE data bearers encapsulated in the secure IP tunnel, each with their own QCI; and transmitting prioritized data of the plurality of UE data bearers via the backhaul bearer and the coordinating gateway to the second core network.