IP Flow Classification for QoS Multiplexing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP networks inefficiently manage Quality of Service (QoS) by treating IP flows with the same requirements in separate MAC queues, leading to longer logical channel flow identifiers and complex PDU structures, which are not desirable for efficient resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A network component that detects IP flows and classifies them based on QoS requirements, allowing for multiplexing or demultiplexing of IP packets into flows with similar or different QoS, thereby simplifying MAC queue management and reducing the need for lengthy logical channel flow identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each IP flow is treated in a separate MAC queue, then QoS requirements for each flow are individually managed, but the number of MAC queues increases leading to inefficient resource utilization and longer logical channel flow identifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple IP flows with the same QoS requirements into a single shared MAC queue. Instead of creating separate MAC queues for each IP flow, the system classifies flows by their QoS characteristics and multiplexes them into shared queues, thereby reducing the total number of queues while maintaining appropriate QoS differentiation through class-based scheduling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal shared MAC queues that can serve multiple IP flows with similar QoS requirements. Each shared queue is designed to handle various flows that share common service characteristics, making the queue structure multi-functional rather than dedicated to single flows, thus improving resource utilization efficiency
2Measurement precision
If logical channel flow identifiers are made longer to uniquely identify each IP flow, then flow identification accuracy improves, but transmission overhead increases and air interface efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple IP flows into shared MAC queues based on QoS classification, which reduces the number of queues that need to be identified. This merging approach allows the use of shorter logical channel flow identifiers since fewer unique identifiers are needed, thereby reducing transmission overhead while maintaining sufficient flow identification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from flow-specific unique identifiers to class-based identifiers that group flows by QoS characteristics. This parameter change from fine-grained to coarse-grained identification reduces the bit length required for logical channel flow identifiers while still enabling proper flow management and QoS enforcement
3Productivity
If IP packets are multiplexed into shared MAC queues, then queue management efficiency improves, but the PDU structure becomes more complicated requiring additional control fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding specific control fields or markers only within the multiplexed PDU structures where needed, rather than complicating the entire PDU format. The additional information is inserted locally at relevant positions in the packet structure, allowing efficient queue management while minimizing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary control fields or tagging mechanisms that act as mediators between the multiplexed IP flows and the shared MAC queue. These intermediary elements provide the necessary information for proper demultiplexing and QoS handling without fundamentally restructuring the entire PDU format, thus balancing efficiency gains with structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A network component for classifying at least one IP flow for efficient quality of service realization in a network, where in one embodiment the network component includes a unit for detecting at least one IP flow from at least one IP packet. Upon detection of the at least one IP flow, the unit obtains predefined information from the at least one IP packet to determine a quality of service requirement that is associated with the at least one IP packet. The unit creates at least one other IP flow by multiplexing a plurality of IP packets with the same quality of service requirement into the other IP flow or demultiplexing the plurality of IP packets with different quality of service requirements into other IP flows, each of the other IP flows having a different quality of service requirement.