PDU Session QoS Coordination Across 3GPP And Non-3GPP Accesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication schemes limit the ability to allocate bandwidth effectively across multiple access technologies, such as 4G and 5G, by associating each protocol data unit session with a single access, thereby restricting network flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and computing device for establishing a protocol data unit session that supports multiple accesses by determining and transmitting quality of service flows across different network accesses, allowing seamless communication across various access technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If each protocol data unit session is associated with a single access, then the network management is simplified, but the bandwidth allocation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol data unit session into multiple access-specific session contexts, allowing each access (3GPP and non-3GPP) to have its own session parameters and QoS configurations while maintaining overall session coherence through centralized management. This enables flexible bandwidth allocation across different accesses without complicating the overall network management structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal session management framework that can handle both single-access and multi-access scenarios. The session management function is designed to be multi-functional, supporting traditional single-access sessions while also enabling new multi-access sessions that can dynamically allocate bandwidth across different access technologies based on network conditions and service requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless communication device carries out a protocol data unit session on both 4G and 5G accesses, then the network flexibility is improved, but the session management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary session management function that acts as a mediator between multiple access networks and the wireless communication device. This intermediary consolidates session management tasks, coordinates QoS parameters across different accesses, and handles the complexity of multi-access session coordination, thereby enabling network flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to session management by introducing access-specific session contexts that operate in parallel. Instead of managing sessions in a single-dimensional manner, the system now handles multiple session contexts simultaneously, each tailored to specific access characteristics, thereby achieving enhanced flexibility while distributing management complexity across different dimensional layers.
3Productivity
If multiple QoS flows are established across different network accesses, then the bandwidth allocation efficiency is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges common QoS parameters and session management functions across different network accesses into unified configurations. By identifying and combining redundant signaling elements while maintaining access-specific optimizations, the system achieves efficient bandwidth allocation across multiple QoS flows without proportionally increasing signaling overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication network supports multiple accesses by a wireless communication device in one implementation as follows. After a PDU session is established via a first access (e.g., via 3GPP access), an SMF (such as an hSMF) receives notification that the wireless communication device is registered over a second access (such as an untrusted non-3GPP access). The SMF establishes new QoS flows in the second access by sending a message to the AMF currently service the wireless communication device (including QoS information of the new QoS flow and information that these QoS flows are associated with the second access). The SMF also sends QoS rules of the new QoS flows to the wireless communication device via the first access.