Mobile Video QoE Provisioning with PCRF-Based Network Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current QoE provisioning methods for mobile video applications do not effectively consider network status and user factors, leading to inadequate control over video quality and network traffic, which is crucial as video applications are expected to dominate mobile data consumption.
Innovation Solution
A network-based QoE provisioning method that utilizes a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to collect and transmit QoE estimation information from UE and network measurement apparatuses, allowing for QoE adjustment based on estimated values, incorporating various factors such as user profiles and network conditions to optimize video quality and traffic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If application level QoE provisioning is implemented without network status consideration, then video quality can be adjusted dynamically, but network operator control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application function (AF) as an intermediary component that bridges the application server and network infrastructure. The AF collects QoE metrics from the application server, correlates them with network status information from the PCRF, and generates coordinated QoE provisioning decisions. This intermediary structure enables both dynamic video quality adjustment and network operator control by integrating signals from both application and network layers.
2Measurement precision
If detailed QoE metrics are collected from multiple sources, then QoE estimation accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application function (AF) serves multiple functions within a single component: it collects QoE metrics from the application server, receives network status information from the PCRF, correlates these diverse data sources, and generates QoE provisioning decisions. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized components, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If network-based QoE provisioning is implemented, then network traffic control capability improves, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary QoE estimation and network status correlation through the AF before actual QoE provisioning decisions are made. By pre-processing and correlating QoE metrics with network status information in advance, the system prepares structured data that simplifies subsequent traffic control decisions, thereby improving ease of operation while managing implementation complexity through staged processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a network-based quality of experience (QoE) provisioning method and apparatus for mobile video applications. A QoE provisioning method of a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) in a network includes collecting, by the PCRF, information for QoE estimation of a data flow from a user equipment measurement apparatus and a network measurement apparatus in the network, transmitting, by the PCRF, a request for the QoE estimation for the data flow, to a QoE estimation unit in the network, the data flow including information used for the QoE estimation, and transmitting, by the PCRF, a request for QoE adjustment to a server that transmits the data flow, based on the QoE estimated by the QoE estimation unit and the QoE required for the data flow.