eNodeB RAN Congestion Reporting in Network Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP networks, radio access network (RAN) congestion due to increasing user traffic outpaces infrastructure growth, leading to degraded service, and existing solutions fail to provide application-based differential treatment and accurate accounting in network sharing environments.
Innovation Solution
A method to detect user plane congestion at eNodeB, identify notified PLMNs based on agreements, and report RAN congestion information only to those PLMNs, using thresholds and configuration tables, enabling application-specific congestion control and offloading to complementary networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RAN nodes throttle user data packets based on QoS profile during radio congestion, then radio congestion is managed, but application-based differential treatment cannot be provided and backhaul load increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by notifying PLMNs of upcoming radio congestion before it occurs. The eNodeB sends RAN congestion information to subscribed PLMNs in advance, allowing them to take preventive measures such as throttling traffic at the core network level or switching to complementary networks, thereby avoiding the need to throttle packets at the RAN node and reducing unnecessary backhaul load.
2Loss of information
If RAN congestion information is reported to all PLMNs sharing the RAN, then complete information is provided, but confidentiality and service level agreement compliance are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different congestion information to different PLMNs based on their specific subscriptions and service level agreements. The eNodeB maintains a list of subscribed PLMNs and sends RAN congestion information only to those that have explicitly subscribed, ensuring each PLMN receives appropriate information while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with individual agreements.
3Quantity of substance
If radio capacity is upgraded to handle increasing user traffic, then network capacity increases, but radio spectrum acquisition and control becomes more difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling PLMNs to take preventive measures before radio congestion occurs. By receiving advance congestion notifications, PLMNs can throttle traffic at the core network level or redirect users to complementary networks, thereby managing traffic demand proactively without requiring additional radio spectrum or infrastructure upgrades.
4Productivity
If user data packets are throttled at RAN nodes, then radio congestion is controlled, but accounting accuracy deteriorates and user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling PLMNs to throttle traffic at the core network level before packets reach the RAN node. This preliminary throttling action maintains accurate accounting at the PLMN level while avoiding the need for RAN-based throttling, thereby preserving both accounting precision and user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes detecting user plane congestion at an eNodeB in connection with subscribers of a first one of a plurality of public land management networks (“PLMNs”) sharing a radio access network (“RAN”), identifying one or more of the PLMNs to be notified of the detected congestion in accordance with an agreement between the PLMNs, and reporting RAN congestion information (“RCI”) regarding the detected congestion to only the identified one or more of the PLMNs. The detecting may comprise determining whether detected user plane congestion exceeds a first congestion threshold indicated for the first one of the PLMNs. The method may further comprise terminating the RCI reporting when the detected congestion falls below a second congestion threshold specified for the first one of the PLMNs. The first and second thresholds may be indicated in a table associated with the eNodeB.