Network Node Offloading Switchable UEs to Non-3GPP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current congestion mitigation strategies in RAN user plane congestion do not consider the context of user equipment (UE) in congested areas, such as the applications being used, limiting their effectiveness in managing traffic efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A network node that receives congestion data and determines switchable UEs to offload to alternative access networks based on their location and capabilities, using an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) to facilitate network switching and enhance congestion mitigation policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional congestion mitigation measures (traffic prioritization, reduction, limitation) are applied in RAN user plane congestion, then network traffic management is improved, but the effectiveness is limited because UE context information (applications being used, location, capabilities) is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network node receives congestion data from RCAF including UE identifiers, and determines which UEs can be offloaded to alternative access networks based on their context information. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of congestion mitigation strategies based on real-time network conditions and UE capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node proactively determines switchable UEs and prepares offloading instructions before congestion becomes severe. By identifying UEs capable of alternative access network switching in advance and having the ANDSF ready to provide network selection policies, the system can rapidly respond to congestion conditions without waiting for full congestion escalation.
2Device complexity
If all UEs in congested areas are subjected to the same congestion mitigation measures, then network traffic management is simplified, but the user experience deteriorates because individual UE contexts (applications, capabilities) are ignored
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different congestion mitigation actions to different UEs based on their individual characteristics. UEs running real-time applications receive different treatment compared to those running non-critical applications. The network node determines switchable UEs based on their specific capabilities and applies appropriate offloading instructions through ANDSF, enabling localized, context-aware congestion management.
Solution Approach 2:
The congestion mitigation strategy dynamically adapts to each UE's context and current network conditions. The network node continuously evaluates which UEs can be switched to alternative access networks based on real-time congestion data and UE capabilities. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize user experience by maintaining critical services on the primary network while offloading non-critical traffic to alternative networks.
3Reliability
If the network node determines and switches UEs to alternative access networks using ANDSF, then congestion mitigation is enhanced through targeted offloading, but the system complexity increases due to additional network components and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The ANDSF (Access Network Discovery and Selection Function) serves as an intermediary between the network node and UEs for alternative access network selection. The network node sends instructions to the ANDSF, which then provides appropriate network selection policies to UEs. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall architecture by centralizing the complex logic of alternative network selection and policy management in a dedicated function, rather than requiring direct complex interactions between the network node and each UE.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for congestion mitigation in telecommunications networks. In an exemplary apparatus, a network node (314, 500; 302, 400) in a telecommunications network is provided, the node comprising: a receiver (504; 404) configured to receive congestion data identifying a congested area (A-H) and one or more user equipments, UE, (a-j; 312) affected by the congested area; an alternative network determiner (516; 420) configured to determine one or more switchable UEs, amongst the identified UEs, that may be offloaded to an alternative access network (1-3); and a network switcher (518; 422) configured to control a transmitter (502; 402) to transmit an instruction for one or more of the switchable UEs to switch to an alternative access network.