Per-Slice QoS Constraint Signaling for CU/DU MAC Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks face challenges in complying with service level agreements (SLAs) due to constraints related to individual dedicated radio bearers (DRBs), which limit operational flexibility and make it difficult to align network operations with varying quality of service (QoS) requirements across different network slices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing per-slice QoS constraints communicated from a centralized unit (CU) to the MAC scheduler of a distributed unit (DU) via the CU/DU interface, allowing for improved alignment with SLAs and enhanced operational flexibility by managing QoS at the network slice level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If per-slice QoS constraints are implemented at the network slice level, then network flexibility and SLA alignment are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments QoS management at the network slice level rather than at the individual radio bearer level. The CU/DU interface is introduced to separate control plane functions, allowing per-slice QoS constraints to be communicated from the centralized unit to the distributed unit's MAC scheduler. This segmentation enables flexible SLA alignment while distributing complexity across hierarchical levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The CU/DU interface acts as an intermediary mechanism that communicates per-slice QoS constraints from the centralized unit to the distributed unit's MAC scheduler. This intermediary layer enables flexible QoS management without requiring complex direct control mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If QoS management is performed at the radio bearer level, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but alignment with varying SLA requirements across network slices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments QoS management from the radio bearer level to the network slice level. By introducing per-slice QoS constraints communicated through the CU/DU interface, the system maintains implementation simplicity at the slice level while achieving precise SLA alignment. The MAC scheduler in the DU receives slice-level constraints and applies them appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions QoS management from a one-dimensional radio bearer level to a multi-dimensional network slice level. This dimensional change allows simultaneous management of multiple slices with different SLA requirements while maintaining a unified implementation framework through the CU/DU interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A 5G network communicates per-slice constraints for QoS parameter values froma centralized unit (CU) to a MAC scheduler of a distributed unit (DU). The CU communicates these per-slice constraints, rather than or in addition to per-DRB constraints, to the MAC scheduler over the CU/DU interface. In some implementations, the CU/DU interface is an F1 air interface as defined in specification 38.473 in the 3GPP standard. In some implementations, the DU provides per-slice performance feedback over the CU/DU interface. Based on such feedback, the CU may adjust the per-slice QoSconstraints.