Client Device QoS Flow Mapping in 5G Multi-Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G mobile networks face challenges in providing large guaranteed flow bitrate and high IP flow reliability due to limitations in the existing quality of service framework, particularly in handling QoS flows across multiple radio access nodes and backhaul links, which restricts efficient resource utilization and adaptability to changing network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A client device configured to receive QoS requirements from applications, establish PDU sessions with a user plane function (UPF), and dynamically manage QoS flows across multiple communication links using the 5GUP protocol, enabling flexible mapping and resource allocation to meet specific QoS demands by aggregating network resources and duplicating packets for redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single radio link and single N3 termination are used, then the network architecture is simple, but the guaranteed flow bitrate and IP flow reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP flow into multiple QoS flows (e.g., QFI 1, QFI 2, QFI 3) with different priority levels, and further segments each QoS flow across multiple radio links (master and secondary nodes). This segmentation enables independent optimization of each flow's reliability while distributing the overall complexity across multiple manageable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of multi-connectivity by establishing multiple N3 terminations (to both master and secondary UPFs) in addition to the traditional single path approach. This dimensional expansion from 1D (single path) to 2D/3D (multiple paths and nodes) enables simultaneous improvement of reliability and bandwidth aggregation.
2Productivity
If multiple QoS flows are established across multiple communication links, then the guaranteed flow bitrate increases, but the QoS framework complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic QoS flow mapping where the UE and UPF can adaptively assign different QoS flows to different radio links based on real-time network conditions. The mapping between IP streams and QoS flows is dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to optimize productivity while managing complexity through adaptive behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the UE receives QoS flow status information from the network and can adjust its packet mapping accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high flow bitrate while automatically managing the complexity of multi-flow operation through intelligent adaptation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If QoS flows are mapped 1:1 to IP streams, then the mapping is simple, but the adaptability to changing network conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial mapping where not all IP streams need 1:1 QoS flow mapping. Instead, the system can selectively apply complex multi-flow mapping only to those IP streams that require enhanced QoS (e.g., video streaming), while using simpler mapping for other traffic types. This partial application of complexity only where needed enables high adaptability without overwhelming system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a client device (100), a network control node (300) and a UPF (510) for interworking in a multi-connectivity scenario in a mobile communication system (500). Since an application (110) knows how to achieve desired QoS/QoE in the mobile communication system (500), the present invention exposes the performance information of available network paths and information about QoS fulfillment to the application (110) to dynamically adjust QoS requirements and allocate available resources to its traffic data streams. By exposing network performance information of available paths and changes in QoS fulfillment to application (110) developers in API and letting the application (110) define how to allocate resources for its traffic according to application specific criteria the use of mobile core network and QoS framework for mobile services data transfer can be increased and monetized. Furthermore, the invention also relates to corresponding methods and a computer program.