Packet Flow Mapping to Bearers via Classifier Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In packet switched communication systems, existing methods for Quality of Service (QoS) management are limited by their inability to accurately map traffic flows to bearers, leading to resource wastage and potential network congestion, as they rely on aggregate authorization for multiple PDP contexts without separating individual flow QoS, resulting in excessive bitrate and QoS class usage.

Innovation Solution

A method for mapping packet flows onto packet data protocol contexts involves initiating an application protocol session, obtaining packet classifiers, establishing and matching packet flows, and removing classifiers from unnecessary contexts, allowing for precise bitrate and QoS management by summing bitrates and service classes across mapped flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If aggregate authorization for multiple PDP contexts is used, then QoS management is simplified, but resource wastage and network congestion occur due to inaccurate flow-to-bearer mapping

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS management complexityVSAvoidnetwork resource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aggregate QoS authorization into individual flow-level authorizations by introducing packet classifiers that separately identify each packet flow. This allows the system to track and manage QoS parameters for each flow individually rather than treating all flows uniformly, thereby preventing resource wastage while maintaining manageable complexity through automated classification rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If packet flows are not accurately mapped to bearers, then setup is simpler, but bitrate and QoS class usage becomes excessive leading to congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearer setup simplicityVSAvoidbitrate and QoS class usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing packet classifiers during PDP context activation before actual data transmission begins. These classifiers are pre-configured with matching criteria for identifying specific packet flows, enabling the system to accurately map flows to bearers from the outset and enforce appropriate QoS limits without requiring complex real-time adjustments later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If individual flow QoS is separated and tracked, then resource allocation precision improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow QoS measurement precisionVSAvoidQoS tracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the packet classifier to automatically match incoming packets to the correct PDP context based on pre-defined criteria without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized control. The system autonomously enforces QoS policies by comparing packet characteristics against classifier rules and applying appropriate bearer mappings, thereby achieving precise flow-level QoS management with minimal additional operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1964421B1Mapping of packet flows to bearers in a communication system
Publication Date: 2015.02.11 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP1964421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1964421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1964421B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the mapping of packet flows onto bearers in a communication system. The establishment of a session between a terminal and a remote terminal is initiated. Information on the session and packet flows associated with it is received to a second network node. A first network node obtains from the second network node one or two packet classifiers for each of the packet flows. At least a first bearer belonging to the bearers is established between the terminal and the first network node. A packet associated with the first bearer is received in the first network node. The packet is matched with the one or two packet classifiers associated with each of the packet flows to determine a first packet flow among the packet flows. A mapping is established between the first packet flow and the first bearer in the first network node.