Cellular Traffic Steering with Analytics and Multi-USIM ATSSS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G cellular networks lack efficient mechanisms for dynamic traffic steering and splitting between 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks, particularly in scenarios involving multi-USIM devices and data analytics, leading to suboptimal user experience and network resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Introduce enhancements to the PMF protocol for UEs to provide data to the NWDAF for analytics, enable multi-USIM UEs to pause communications, and define new ATSSS steering modes for data analytics-driven and multi-USIM scenarios, allowing dynamic traffic steering based on network and UE conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traffic steering between 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks is implemented using existing mechanisms, then basic traffic routing is achieved, but dynamic adaptation to network conditions and multi-USIM scenarios is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic steering by enabling the UE to autonomously select and switch between 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks based on real-time network conditions, UE state, and QoS requirements. The steering mechanism transitions from static pre-configured rules to dynamic decision-making that adapts to changing conditions including network availability, signal quality, and multi-USIM operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is empowered with self-service capabilities to perform autonomous traffic steering decisions without requiring continuous network control signaling. The device independently evaluates network conditions, determines optimal access networks for different data flows, and executes steering actions based on locally stored ATSSS rules and real-time assessments, reducing signaling overhead and improving response time.
2Productivity
If data analytics are integrated into traffic steering decisions, then optimization of network resource utilization is improved, but processing overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring ATSSS rules and policies in the UE before traffic steering is needed. The network provides steering rules, access network preference indicators, and QoS parameters in advance through control plane signaling. When traffic steering is required, the UE can immediately apply pre-prepared rules without requiring real-time analytics computation, significantly reducing processing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports traffic statistics, network condition measurements, and steering outcome data back to the network. The network analyzes this feedback data to optimize ATSSS rules and policies, which are then updated and provided back to the UE for future steering decisions. This closed-loop feedback enables continuous improvement of network resource utilization while keeping real-time processing requirements minimal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-USIM device support is added to traffic steering, then device compatibility and user experience are improved, but signaling overhead and coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating separate ATSSS rule sets and steering contexts for each USIM in multi-USIM devices. Each USIM's traffic steering is independently managed with dedicated rules, allowing the network to control and optimize traffic for each subscription separately. This segmentation enables precise control over which access network serves which USIM's traffic, reducing conflicts and improving coordination efficiency while maintaining comprehensive multi-USIM support.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices may assist in enhancements to PMF protocol and new ATSSS steering modes to enable support for analytics driven or multi-USIM steering. The following functionalities are disclosed: 1) Enable UEs to use the PMF protocol to provide UE specific data to the NWDAF for analytics purposes; 2) Enable multi-USIM UEs to notify the core network over the user plane of the UE's desire to pause communications with the CN associated with one USIM so the UE can communicate with the CN associated with another USIM; 3) Define new ATSSS steering modes to support data analytics driven steering; and 4) Define new ATSSS steering modes to support Multi-USIM steering, among other things.