Network Slice Rate Limiting for Non-GBR QoS Flows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rate limiting methods in communication systems fail to meet the diverse requirements of 5G application scenarios, particularly in managing aggregate bit rates for non-guaranteed bit rate quality of service (non-GBR QoS) flows.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication method that utilizes network slice configuration information to indicate maximum data rates for each network slice, allowing for comprehensive rate limiting of non-GBR and guaranteed bit rate quality of service (GBR) flows, applicable in various scenarios such as handover, UE context setup, and PDU session resource setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a user equipment simultaneously receives downlink signals from a first cell and a second cell, then the downlink signal strength is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple receiving modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink signal strengthVSAvoidreceiving module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single receiving module to perform multiple functions: receiving downlink signals from both the first cell and the second cell, and simultaneously performing channel estimation for both cells. This eliminates the need for separate receiving modules for each cell, thereby improving signal strength without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the signal processing tasks by separating downlink signal reception from uplink signal transmission functions within the same receiving module. The receiving module is designed to handle multiple downlink signals simultaneously while maintaining distinct processing paths for different cells, allowing complex signal processing without requiring separate physical modules for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a user equipment uses a single receiving module to receive downlink signals from multiple cells, then the device complexity is reduced, but the downlink signal strength may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving module complexityVSAvoiddownlink signal strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving module is designed with universal functionality to receive downlink signals from multiple cells simultaneously. It includes multiple receiving units that can be configured to receive signals from different cells, and the processing unit can handle signals from multiple cells concurrently, maintaining signal strength while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-to-one mapping between receiving modules and cells to a many-to-one mapping where multiple receiving units within a single module handle multiple cells. This dimensional change in the receiving module architecture allows the system to maintain the ability to receive strong signals from multiple cells while consolidating hardware resources into fewer modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If channel estimation is performed for multiple cells simultaneously, then the communication reliability is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit performs channel estimation continuously for multiple cells simultaneously rather than sequentially. By executing channel estimation for the first cell and second cell in parallel within the same processing cycle, the system maintains continuous useful action on multiple channels at once, improving communication reliability without proportionally increasing total processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary channel estimation for multiple cells before actual communication begins. The processing unit estimates channels for both cells in advance, allowing the system to prepare multiple communication paths simultaneously and reduce the time required for subsequent signal processing and communication operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4030820B1Communication method and device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4030820B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4030820B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4030820B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus, and relate to the communication field. The method includes: receiving a first message from a second network device, where the first message includes network slice configuration information, the network slice configuration information is used to indicate a maximum data rate provided by each of n network slices for a terminal device, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and sending a second message to the second network device, where the second message is used to indicate that a first network device rejects configuration requirements of maximum data rates provided by m network slices for the terminal device, and m is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to n. In this way, quality of service of the terminal device is effectively improved.