End-to-End Priority Service in LTE Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4G LTE networks lack a suitable solution for end-to-end prioritization of communications for high-priority users, such as public safety officials, leading to network resource unavailability during emergency situations, and existing proposals are inadequate as they typically prioritize on a per-interface basis without standardized procedures for mapping priority parameters across interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an end-to-end priority user indicator that identifies priority users across the network, allowing each node to recognize and store this indicator, ensuring priority treatment and inclusion in subsequent messages, thereby providing standardized and universal recognition of priority users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If per-interface priority mechanisms are used in LTE networks, then priority service can be provided at individual interfaces, but end-to-end priority service across multiple interfaces cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal priority parameter that can be carried across multiple interfaces and network nodes. This parameter serves multiple functions: identifying priority users, maintaining priority across interface boundaries, and enabling end-to-end priority service. The priority parameter is designed to be interface-agnostic, allowing it to traverse different network interfaces (S1, S6a, Gx, etc.) while maintaining its priority indication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the end-to-end priority service into discrete components: priority parameter insertion at the source, priority parameter carrying through intermediate nodes, and priority parameter recognition at destination nodes. Each network node is responsible for specific segments of the priority service chain, allowing modular implementation while achieving end-to-end coverage.
2Loss of information
If priority parameters are placed deep in message information elements, then detailed information can be included, but excessive parsing is required to determine message priority
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the priority parameter from deep within complex information elements and places it in readily accessible locations within message structures. By positioning the priority parameter in shallow, easily parseable locations, network nodes can quickly determine message priority without extensive parsing of nested information elements, reducing processing time while maintaining complete priority information.
3Reliability
If standardized priority mapping procedures are implemented across all interfaces, then end-to-end priority consistency can be achieved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs homogeneous priority parameter structures across different interfaces, using the same parameter format and semantics throughout the network. This uniform approach simplifies mapping procedures by eliminating the need for complex interface-specific transformations. The same priority parameter can be carried across S1, S6a, Gx, and other interfaces without requiring complex mapping logic, thereby reducing implementation complexity while maintaining priority consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for supporting end-to-end priority service in LTE or subsequent generation networks. One method for supporting such priority occurs at a network node configured to operate in an LTE or subsequent generation network. The method includes receiving an incoming message associated with a communications session or transaction in the network. The message includes an end-to-end priority user indicator identifying a user associated with the session or transaction as a priority user. The method optionally includes storing an association between the end-to-end priority user indicator and the session or transaction. The method further includes treating the session with a priority corresponding to the end-to-end priority user indicator. The method further includes including the end-to-end priority user indicator in subsequent messages transmitted by the network node that are associated with the same session or transaction as the received message.