Network Exposure Function for Selective L4S Service Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of the Low Latency, Low Loss, and Scalable Throughput (L4S) service in wireless networks faces challenges such as resource-intensive provisioning, high costs for dedicated bearer operations, and the need for complex business logic in application functions to discern which traffic flows require L4S service.
Innovation Solution
An exposure function, such as a network exposure function (NEF), is used to correlate service level agreement (SLA) metrics with policies and parameters for dedicated bearers, enabling traffic flow monitoring and invoking updates to ensure L4S service is applied only when necessary, thereby optimizing resource usage and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If L4S service is applied to all traffic flows, then network performance (low latency, low loss, high throughput) is improved, but resource consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies L4S service selectively to specific traffic flows that require low latency and low loss performance, rather than uniformly to all traffic. The exposure function determines which traffic flows need L4S based on service level agreement metrics, applying the service locally where needed while leaving other traffic flows using standard handling, thus optimizing resource consumption while maintaining network performance where required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements L4S service partially - only for traffic flows that meet specific criteria and require enhanced performance. The exposure function monitors traffic flows and invokes L4S only when SLA requirements indicate need, avoiding the excessive application of L4S to all traffic and thereby reducing resource consumption while still achieving the desired network performance for critical flows
2Reliability
If L4S service is provisioned through dedicated bearer operations, then service quality is improved, but provisioning complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an exposure function as an intermediary between the network API and the L4S service provisioning mechanism. This exposure function simplifies the provisioning process by providing a standardized interface that automatically determines when L4S service is needed based on SLA metrics, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration and reducing provisioning complexity while maintaining service quality
Solution Approach 2:
The exposure function enables self-service provisioning by automatically monitoring traffic flows against SLA metrics and invoking L4S service when needed without requiring explicit requests or manual intervention. The system autonomously determines which traffic flows require L4S and provisions the service accordingly, significantly reducing provisioning complexity while ensuring service quality is maintained
3Measurement precision
If application functions implement complex business logic to discern L4S traffic flows, then service precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex business logic for determining L4S traffic flow requirements from the application function and relocates it to the exposure function. The exposure function monitors traffic flows and determines L4S requirements based on SLA metrics, freeing the application function from implementing complex discernment logic while maintaining precise identification of L4S traffic flows through centralized exposure function control
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a network device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are described in relation to an LAS service. The LAS service may include enablement or disablement of the LA service subsequent to an establishment and active traffic flow associated with an application session. The LAS service may be enabled or disabled based on performance metric criteria and threshold values not being satisfied or being satisfied. The LAS service may be implemented to include an exposure function.