Interaction Function Dedicated Bearer Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for establishing dedicated bearers in cellular communication networks face challenges, particularly with end-to-end encryption and the need for device internal APIs, which hinder efficient Quality of Experience (QoE) for adaptive streaming services like Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH).
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an Interaction Function (IF) within the Radio Access Network (RAN) enables the setup of dedicated bearers through user plane interaction between the service client in the radio device and the RAN, using interfaces like I1 and I2, allowing address information elements from multiple servers to be forwarded to the Application Function (AF) for bearer setup, even with end-to-end encryption, without requiring internal APIs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If end-to-end encryption is implemented in the communication network, then security and privacy are improved, but the ability to establish dedicated bearers for QoS management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Interaction Function (IF) as an intermediary entity that mediates between the service client and the network. The IF receives service level communication information from the client via the encrypted user plane, extracts address information elements, and forwards them to the Application Function (AF) for dedicated bearer establishment. This intermediary approach allows QoS management to occur without breaking end-to-end encryption, as the IF operates on metadata (address information) rather than the encrypted payload itself.
2Ease of operation
If device internal APIs are required for bearer setup, then control and management are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Interaction Function (IF) serves as an external intermediary that eliminates the need for complex internal APIs within the device. Instead of requiring deep integration with device internal systems, the service client communicates standard address information to the IF through the user plane, and the IF handles the complex bearer establishment process with the network. This externalizes the complexity from the device to the network side.
Solution Approach 2:
The service client autonomously provides necessary address information elements to the Interaction Function without requiring complex internal APIs or manual configuration. The client self-services by sending service level communication information through the user plane, and the network infrastructure (IF and AF) automatically processes this information to establish the appropriate dedicated bearers.
3Device complexity
If throughput estimation is performed only by the application layer, then simplicity is maintained, but accuracy and Quality of Experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the Interaction Function provides network assistance information to the service client based on actual network conditions. The IF receives throughput measurements from the application layer, combines them with network-side observations, and feeds back accurate throughput predictions to the client. This feedback loop enables the application to make more accurate bitrate adaptation decisions for adaptive streaming, improving Quality of Experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges throughput estimation capabilities from both the application layer and the network layer (Interaction Function). The application provides measured throughput data, while the IF provides network-side observations and assistance information. By combining these two sources of information, the system achieves more accurate throughput predictions than either side could achieve alone, while maintaining reasonable complexity through the standardized interaction interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method performed in a communication network 1 comprising a cellular Radio Access Network (RAN) 2, a Core Network (CN) 5 and an Application Function (AF) 12. The method comprises receiving, via a user plane bearer, from a service client in a radio device 4 connected to the RAN, at least one address information element of at least one server of a service provider 10. The method also comprises forwarding the at least one address information element to the AF for initiating setting up of a CN end of a dedicated bearer between the radio device and the CN for service level communication between the service client and the at least one server.