Energy-Aware UE Route Selection Policies for Traffic Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telecommunications networks lack the ability to consider energy-related criteria in user equipment route selection policies, limiting the integration of sustainability-related aspects in data traffic routing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating energy-related information elements into user equipment route selection policy rules, allowing the user equipment to evaluate and apply these rules based on energy-related criteria, such as energy efficiency, cost, and sustainability, to determine the routing of data packets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional user equipment route selection policies are used without energy-related criteria, then the routing functionality is simple and straightforward, but the ability to consider sustainability and energy efficiency aspects is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to consider energy-related criteriaVSAvoidpolicy rule structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The policy rule is segmented into distinct components: traditional routing criteria (traffic descriptors, route selection descriptors) and energy-related criteria (energy-related information elements). This segmentation allows the system to maintain existing routing functionality while adding energy consideration capabilities independently, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The user equipment route selection policy is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: traditional traffic routing based on network conditions and application requirements, plus energy efficiency optimization based on energy-related information elements. This multi-functionality enables the same policy structure to address both conventional routing needs and sustainability goals without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If energy-related information elements are incorporated into route selection policies, then sustainability and energy efficiency can be optimized, but the processing and evaluation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption in routingVSAvoidpolicy evaluation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Energy-related information elements are obtained and prepared in advance by the network or user equipment before route selection decisions are made. This preliminary action includes acquiring energy efficiency data, sustainability metrics, and energy consumption information, so that when routing decisions are required, the evaluation can proceed efficiently without complex real-time processing, thus optimizing energy loss while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The energy-related information element acts as an intermediary between the traditional routing system and energy efficiency goals. It translates complex energy metrics into comparable values that can be integrated with existing routing criteria, simplifying the evaluation process while enabling energy optimization. The intermediary structure allows energy considerations to be incorporated without directly complicating the core routing logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4543089B1Method for transmitting and/or using a user equipment route selection policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, user equipment, system or telecommunications network, program and computer program product
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4543089B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4543089B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting and/or using a user equipment route selection policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, wherein the user equipment comprises or is able to access or to obtain energy-related information and wherein the user equipment route selection policy information comprises an energy-related information element, wherein, in order to transmit and/or to use a specific user equipment route selection policy information, the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the user equipment comprises or receives the specific user equipment route selection policy information to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment route selection policy information comprises or is associated to a specific energy-related information element, -- in a second step, the specific user equipment route selection policy information is either applied or not applied, by the user equipment, depending on whether the specific energy-related information element of the specific user equipment route selection policy information corresponds to the energy-related information or not.