IP Header Diffserv Markings for RAN Congestion State Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing radio access network (RAN) congestion information, as it is typically managed within the RAN itself and difficult to communicate effectively to service providers and other network elements, limiting resource management and optimization.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses differentiated services (diffserv) markings in IP packet headers to convey radio channel and base station congestion states from the RAN to content providers and service providers, allowing for real-time adjustments and optimizations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If RAN congestion information is managed within the RAN itself, then network control and management is simplified, but communication of congestion information to service providers and other network elements becomes difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses IP packet headers as an intermediary carrier to transport RAN congestion information. Specifically, it embeds congestion indicators (such as ECN bits, diffserv markings, or custom header fields) within standard IP packets, allowing RAN congestion status to be communicated to service providers and network elements without requiring direct RAN interfaces or vendor-specific protocols. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple RAN management while enabling effective congestion information communication through existing IP networking infrastructure.
2Loss of information
If special interfaces or vendor-specific operations are implemented to communicate RAN congestion information, then information communication efficiency improves, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using standard IP packet header fields that are universally supported across different network equipment and protocols. Instead of implementing vendor-specific interfaces, the solution embeds congestion information in generic IP header structures (such as ECN bits, diffserv code points, or optional headers) that can be processed by any standard-compliant network element. This multi-functional approach allows the same mechanism to serve multiple purposes: maintaining packet routing, quality of service classification, and congestion indication, thereby reducing device complexity while improving information communication.
3Productivity
If detailed RAN congestion information is communicated to service providers, then resource management and optimization capabilities improve, but information processing overhead and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential congestion information from detailed RAN status data and embeds it compactly within IP packet headers. Rather than communicating full RAN congestion reports or detailed measurement data, the solution extracts key indicators (such as congestion presence, severity level, or queue status) and encodes them in concise header fields. This extraction approach enables service providers to make resource management decisions based on critical congestion signals without processing large volumes of raw RAN data, thereby improving productivity while minimizing additional network traffic and processing overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and can include obtaining, within a radio access network, a channel state for a data channel associated with a mobile terminal; including the channel state in a differentiated services (diffserv) marking within an Internet Protocol (IP) header of at least one IP packet associated with the mobile terminal; and transmitting the at least one IP packet including the IP header having the diffserv marking toward a packet data network.