Dynamic QoS for Push-to-Talk via Dedicated Bearers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing advanced voice services in wireless communications networks, such as Push-to-Talk (PTT), lack dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) settings, which hinders network resource prioritization and user experience, especially in compliance with both existing and emerging wireless standards.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing dynamic QoS in wireless communications networks by establishing dynamic dedicated bearers using the Rx interface, allowing for real-time policy control and QoS management during PTT call setups, without incurring additional delay, through the PoC Server and PCRF Server communication, ensuring optimal resource allocation and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dynamic QoS management is implemented for PTT services, then network resource prioritization and service quality are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) server as an intermediary between the PoC server and the network infrastructure. The PCRF server handles all QoS policy decisions, bearer management, and resource allocation, shielding the PoC server from complex QoS management tasks. This intermediary approach enables dynamic QoS control while keeping the PoC system architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments QoS management into distinct functional components: the PoC server handles application-level service logic, the PCRF server handles policy control and QoS decision-making, and the network infrastructure handles bearer management. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific tasks, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive QoS control.
2Productivity
If dedicated bearers are established dynamically during PTT call setup, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but call setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the PCRF server pre-evaluate QoS requirements and prepare bearer establishment parameters before the actual PTT call setup. The server proactively manages resource allocation and pre-configures QoS policies, so that when a PTT call is initiated, the dedicated bearer can be established rapidly using pre-computed parameters, minimizing call setup time while maintaining efficient resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the PCRF server continuously monitors network conditions, bearer status, and service quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the server dynamically adjusts QoS parameters and bearer management decisions in real-time, optimizing resource allocation efficiency without causing delays in call setup.
3Reliability
If QoS settings are supported for PTT services, then network resource prioritization is improved, but compatibility with existing standards becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The PCRF server acts as an intermediary that translates application-level QoS requirements into network-standard-compliant parameters. It maps PTT service QoS demands to appropriate bearer QoS Class Identifiers (QCIs) and network resource allocation parameters, ensuring compatibility with existing 3GPP and LTE standards while enabling sophisticated network resource prioritization for PTT services.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for providing dynamic quality-of-service (QoS) for Push-to-Talk (PTT) services in a wireless communications network. One or more servers interface to the wireless communications network to perform the PTT services for mobile units therein. Both the servers and the mobile units communicate with each other using control messages transmitted across bearers in the wireless communications network, and at least one of the servers transmits media streams comprised of voice messages for the PTT services between the mobile units across the bearers in the wireless communications network. At least one of the servers sets up a dedicated bearer in the wireless communications network for at least one of the mobile units, wherein the dedicated bearer has a specified quality of service (QoS) for transmission of at least the media streams to the mobile unit. The dedicated bearer may be static or dynamic.