Coordinating Gateway for End-to-End QoS in Wireless Backhaul
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Solution Overview
Problem
LTE networks face challenges in maintaining end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, particularly for wireless backhaul links that traverse multiple operator networks, where QCI and ARP parameters are often disregarded, leading to difficulties in ensuring prioritized traffic treatment for public safety users.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a method that involves creating an N-to-M mapping of individual flows to LTE bearers using QCI, ARP, and TFTs, with the coordinating gateway applying filter templates to ensure relevant QoS treatment across different network sections, including the use of dedicated and default bearers, and dynamic configuration of backhaul bearers to prioritize traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If QCI and ARP parameters are used for packet forwarding treatment in LTE networks, then quality of service control is improved, but wireless backhaul links traversing multiple operator networks cannot maintain these parameters, leading to loss of QoS control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinating gateway as an intermediary entity that bridges the base station and the core network. This gateway maintains QCI and ARP parameters locally and applies them to traffic flows, acting as a mediator that preserves QoS control capabilities even when traversing multiple operator networks that may not recognize these parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves QoS parameter management from the traditional network core dimension to the access network dimension by implementing a coordinating gateway at the base station side. This dimensional shift allows QoS parameters to be maintained and enforced at the edge of the network, independent of multi-operator backhaul conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile base stations use wireless backhaul connections to provide services, then deployment flexibility is improved, but ability to maintain end-to-end QoS mechanisms deteriorates due to lack of wired backhaul access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring QCI and ARP parameters at the coordinating gateway before traffic traverses the wireless backhaul link. This advance preparation ensures that QoS parameters are established and maintained throughout the connection, compensating for the limitations of wireless backhaul in preserving end-to-end QoS.
3Ease of operation
If core and backhaul routers drop packets according to non-3GPP rules during congestion, then network congestion management is simplified, but prioritized traffic treatment for public safety users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing differentiated packet dropping rules at the coordinating gateway based on QCI and ARP parameters. Instead of uniform non-3GPP dropping rules across the entire network, the gateway applies localized QoS-aware dropping policies that prioritize public safety traffic while allowing simplified congestion management for non-prioritized 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.