GTP-U Header Marking for Service Data Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE and GERAN systems, base stations fail to distinguish between different service data packets, leading to degraded user experience due to the lack of a data packet detection function at the PCEF, which affects differentiated scheduling and service identification.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a session establishment request message carrying a data packet marking rule is transmitted to the bearer binding function entity, allowing it to map data flows and mark GTP-U headers, enabling the base station to identify target service data even without a data packet detection function at the PCEF, through coordination between network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the PCEF is equipped with a data packet detection function to identify target service data, then service identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data packet detection function is extracted from the PCEF and implemented as a separate network element. This allows the PCEF to maintain its core charging and policy enforcement functions while the detection capability resides in a dedicated component, reducing overall system complexity while preserving identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
A GTP-U header marking mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the data packet detection function and the base station. The detection function marks packets with service identification information in the GTP-U header, enabling the base station to perform differentiated scheduling without requiring the PCEF to have direct detection capabilities
2Device complexity
If the base station performs differentiated scheduling without service data identification, then device complexity is reduced, but user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Service identification marking is performed in advance at the data packet detection function before packets reach the base station. The GTP-U header is pre-marked with service identification information, allowing the base station to perform simple lookup-based differentiated scheduling without complex analysis, thus maintaining low complexity while improving user experience
3Adaptability or versatility
If functions between network elements are completed separately, then system modularity is improved, but service data identification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is established where the data packet detection function monitors data flows, identifies service types, and provides marking rules to the GTP-U header marking function. This feedback loop ensures that distributed network elements work together to achieve accurate service identification while maintaining system modularity
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus and a system for marking a service data packet, which relate to the field of communications, and improve the user experience. The method includes: requesting a traffic detection function TDF to detect a data flow description corresponding to a service application type or data flow starting or ending information corresponding to the service application type; receiving, transmitted by the TDF, the detected data flow description or a data flow starting or ending information report, and generating a data packet marking rule according to the data flow description or the data flow starting or ending information report; and transmitting, to a bearer binding function entity BBF, a session modification message carrying the data packet marking rule, so that the BBF can map a data flow identified by the session modification message to a bearer according to the session modification message, and mark a GTP-U header according to the data packet marking rule. Embodiments of the present invention are used for marking the GTP-U header for the data flow of an application service.