Edge-Based Multi-RAT Traffic Steering for Delay-Sensitive QoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-radio traffic management solutions fail to consider Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, particularly for delay-sensitive applications in heterogeneous wireless networks, leading to suboptimal performance in terms of latency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implement edge-based delay-aware Multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) traffic management that splits and steers network traffic across different RATs based on utilization thresholds, utilizing intelligent traffic distributors and control plane entities to optimize traffic distribution decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing multi-radio traffic management solutions are used, then device complexity is reduced, but QoS requirements for delay-sensitive applications are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic management function is segmented between the control plane (which computes traffic distribution decisions based on QoS requirements) and the data plane (which executes packet forwarding). This segmentation allows complex QoS-aware traffic management in the control plane while keeping the data plane simpler and faster for actual packet forwarding.
Solution Approach 2:
A traffic distributor component acts as an intermediary between the control plane and data plane. It receives traffic distribution decisions from the control plane and translates them into actionable forwarding instructions, mediating between complex QoS requirements and simple packet forwarding operations.
2Productivity
If traffic is distributed across multiple RATs without QoS awareness, then network throughput increases, but latency for delay-sensitive applications worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Different traffic classes are assigned different quality characteristics locally at the edge node. Delay-sensitive traffic receives prioritization and latency optimization, while other traffic types receive different handling. This local quality differentiation ensures that throughput gains from multi-RAT distribution do not come at the cost of increased latency for critical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The traffic distribution strategy is dynamically adjusted based on real-time QoS requirements and network conditions. The control plane continuously monitors traffic characteristics and adapts routing decisions to maintain low latency for delay-sensitive applications while maximizing overall throughput.
3Productivity
If utilization thresholds are not considered in traffic steering, then traffic distribution is simpler, but network resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Utilization thresholds are pre-configured and stored in the control plane. Before making traffic distribution decisions, the control plane retrieves these pre-established thresholds, avoiding complex real-time calculations. This preliminary preparation simplifies the decision-making process while maintaining high resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (traffic routing decisions) based on threshold comparisons. When utilization of a particular RAT exceeds its threshold, the control plane switches to alternative RATs. This parameter-based approach provides simple threshold-driven logic that achieves efficient resource utilization without complex optimization algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments generally relate to edge-based multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) traffic management (TM) solutions to support delay-sensitive traffic over heterogeneous networks. Embodiments include delay-aware TM implementations that split and/or steer network traffic across different RATs for the edge network control plane. Embodiments also include utilization threshold-based implementations to achieve delay-aware multi-path TM at the network's edge. The multi-path TM includes multi-RAT, multi-access, or multi-connectivity traffic routes. Embodiments include strategies to sort users (or devices) for making multi-RAT traffic distribution decisions and to determinate the utilization thresholds. Embodiments also include message exchange mechanisms or learning utilization thresholds and other useful system properties. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.