Multi-Access Traffic Steering Without Control Plane Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems struggle to efficiently manage multiple access networks to enhance user experience and network utilization by dynamically selecting and combining paths based on current conditions, without impacting control plane signaling.
Innovation Solution
A programmable framework, Multi-Access Management Services (MAMS), which leverages network intelligence and policies to adapt traffic distribution across selected paths and user plane treatments, allowing dynamic selection and combination of access and core network paths without affecting control plane signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network paths are dynamically selected based on current conditions in multiple access networks, then user experience (throughput, latency, reliability) is improved, but system complexity increases due to multi-connectivity management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces MAMS (Multi-Access Management Service) as an intermediary component that manages multi-connectivity scenarios. MAMS receives indication information from the access network, determines whether to establish a first connection to a data network, and coordinates traffic routing across multiple access networks (3GPP and non-3GPP). This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing the complex management logic in MAMS, thereby improving user experience through intelligent path selection while preventing the complexity from propagating to the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If multiple access networks are combined or selected to improve network utilization and efficiency, then resource utilization is improved, but control plane signaling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex control plane signaling requirements from the multi-access management process by having the access network send indication information about network conditions and policies to MAMS. This extracted information allows MAMS to make intelligent decisions about connection establishment and traffic routing without requiring complex bidirectional signaling between all network elements. The approach improves network utilization by enabling dynamic path selection while reducing control plane signaling complexity through this extraction and one-way information flow mechanism.
3Productivity
If traffic is intelligently split, steered, or duplicated over multiple connections to improve user experience, then throughput and reliability are improved, but processing complexity at network elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic management where MAMS can flexibly split, steer, or duplicate traffic over multiple connections based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically adjusts traffic distribution by receiving indication information from the access network that reflects current network state, and MAMS adapts its traffic routing decisions accordingly. This dynamic approach improves throughput by utilizing multiple paths when available while managing processing complexity through adaptive rather than static traffic handling logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to a network device that includes at least one network interface and circuitry. In some examples, the circuitry is to transmit one or more packets for Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) via a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-consistent wireless network and transmit one or more other packets for IAB to Multi Access Management Services (MAMS) over Generic Multi-Access (GMA) over a second network.