PCEF QCI Interpretation for Cross-RAT QoS Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing use of QCI (QoS Class Index) in cellular systems is limited, as operator-controlled QCI values lack standard interpretation and are not effectively utilized across different Radio Access Technologies (RATs), leading to inconsistent QoS management.
Innovation Solution
A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) is designed to interpret QCI values in a standardized manner up to a predefined limit and in a technology-specific manner beyond that limit, allowing QCI values to convey additional information such as packet priority or GTP-U header markings, enabling flexible QoS management across various RATs without requiring new parameters or QoS paradigms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operator-controlled QCI values are used without standard interpretation, then flexibility in QoS management is reduced, but consistency across different RATs is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpretation parameter of QCI values based on the RAT type. For E-UTRAN, QCI values 1-9 are interpreted as standard QoS Class Indices, while for GERAN/UTRAN, the same QCI values are interpreted as Packet Data Priority levels. This parameter change enables the system to maintain consistency in the PCC interface while adapting to the specific QoS requirements of each RAT type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new parameters or QoS paradigms are introduced to improve QoS management, then QoS control capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing QCI parameter multi-functional by enabling it to represent different QoS concepts depending on the RAT type. The same QCI value can represent QoS Class Index for E-UTRAN or Packet Data Priority for GERAN/UTRAN. This universality eliminates the need for separate parameters for different RAT types, thereby enhancing QoS control capability without increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCEF acts as an intermediary that translates QCI values into RAT-specific QoS parameters. It receives QCI values from the PCRF via the PCC interface and interprets them according to the target RAT type, converting them into appropriate QoS parameters for that RAT. This intermediary function enables seamless QoS management across heterogeneous RATs without requiring changes to the PCC interface or introduction of new parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A PCEF (400) for a cellular system, arranged (405, 410) to receive data packets from at least one other node via a certain Radio Access Technology, RAT, the PCEF (400) also being arranged to communicate with a PCRF via a PCC interface. The PCEF (400) is further arranged (425, 430) to set up Service Data flows, SDFs, which SDFs are defined for the PCEF (400) by the PCRF over the PCC interface and which comprise filters for received data packets. Said filters define a Quality Class Index, a QCI, for each received data packet, and the PCEF (400) is arranged (415, 420) to interpret QCIs for received data packets up to and including a predefined value in a first predefined manner for all RATs, and to interpret (415, 420) QCIs over said predefined value in a second predefined manner.