Dynamic IP Header Marking for Bearer Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP LTE systems face challenges in dynamically managing IP headers for efficient bearer splitting across integrated WLAN/3GPP networks, leading to suboptimal performance in multi-radio access technology environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic IP header marking mechanisms that allow for selective modification of IP header bits to facilitate bearer splitting and link aggregation, enabling seamless communication between 3GPP and WLAN networks by using bits like ToS, TTL, or DSCP for control information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamic IP header marking is implemented for bearer splitting, then bearer splitting efficiency and QoS are improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state of IP header parameters (TOS, TTL, DSCP bits) to encode bearer splitting control information. By dynamically modifying these existing header fields rather than creating new structures, the system achieves efficient bearer splitting while avoiding excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing IP header fields serve multiple functions: their original purposes (TOS for service type, TTL for time to live, DSCP for differentiation services) plus the additional function of carrying bearer splitting control information. This multi-functionality improves productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio access technologies are integrated for communication, then network versatility and performance are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single IP header structure to serve multiple radio access technologies (3GPP LTE and WLAN) simultaneously by encoding RAT-specific control information in the header bits. This universal header approach allows multi-RAT integration without creating separate handling mechanisms for each technology, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified IP header acts as an intermediary that carries control information between different radio access technologies and the network core. This intermediary mechanism facilitates seamless multi-RAT communication by providing a standardized interface that abstracts the complexity of integrating multiple technologies.
3Loss of information
If IP header bits are used for control information, then signaling overhead is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing IP header fields (TOS, TTL, DSCP) to carry control information, making these fields serve dual purposes. This approach reduces signaling overhead by eliminating the need for separate control messages while maintaining reliability through the use of standardized, well-defined header structures that are reliably processed across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A User Equipment (UE), an evolved Node B (eNB), or a PDN Gateway (PGW) comprising a processing circuitry to comprise a user-plane multi-link data convergence element for modifying the IP header of a data packet to support transporting an EPS bearer over multiple radio (3GPP or Non-3GPP) access networks simultaneously, bearer splitting. The eNB or PGW may be configured to send a message to UE, requesting the candidate bits to be reused to support bearer splitting. The UE to be configured to send a message to eNB or PGW, indicating which bits of the IP header field (e.g. ToS, TTL). The eNB or PGW is configured to send a message to UE, confirming which bits of the internet protocol (IP) header field will be used, and a mapping rule between the bit value and the various bearer splitting mode that a data packet to be subject to. The eNB or PGW or UE to be configured to monitor incoming IP packets, and stop marking if default values of selected bits in the incoming IP packets have changed. The eNB or PGW or UE to send a message to notify the other side that the marking has stopped due to the change of the default, and the message may also include the sequence number of the last marked data packet. An IP header field of the data packet to comprise to be a Type of Service (ToS) field or a Time to Live (TTL) field.