QoS Control for Uplink Traffic in Mobile Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network-initiated Quality of Service (QoS) control for non-3GPP access to a 3GPP Core Network is inadequate for ensuring proper QoS for uplink traffic, particularly for services with high QoS requirements like real-time applications, as existing solutions do not effectively map uplink traffic flows to appropriate QoS parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that provide QoS control information to User Equipment (UE) to associate uplink traffic flows with appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, enabling proper mapping and routing of uplink traffic through Access Network Gateways to PDN Gateways, using signaling protocols to convey QoS parameters and traffic filters, ensuring adequate QoS for uplink traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network-initiated QoS control is implemented for non-3GPP access to 3GPP Core Network, then QoS management capability is improved, but uplink traffic QoS mapping effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoS management capabilityVSAvoiduplink traffic QoS mapping effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the network directly controlling uplink QoS parameters, the patent inverts the approach by having the network provide downlink QoS parameters and packet filter information to the UE, which then autonomously determines uplink QoS parameters based on this information. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining network QoS management capability while enabling effective uplink QoS mapping through UE-side decision making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE is empowered to self-determine uplink QoS parameters using the downlink QoS information and packet filter information provided by the network. This self-service mechanism allows the UE to autonomously map uplink traffic flows to appropriate QoS parameters without requiring complex network-side uplink QoS control, thereby improving both QoS management capability and uplink traffic QoS mapping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing QoS control solutions are used for non-3GPP access, then network access flexibility is improved, but uplink traffic flow to QoS parameter mapping deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access flexibilityVSAvoidtraffic flow to QoS parameter mapping precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary action by providing the UE with downlink QoS parameters and packet filter information before uplink traffic transmission. This advance provision of mapping criteria enables the UE to accurately map uplink traffic flows to appropriate QoS parameters, improving mapping precision while maintaining network access flexibility through the existing non-3GPP access architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Packet filter information acts as an intermediary between downlink QoS parameters and uplink traffic flows. The patent uses packet filters as a matching criterion to associate uplink traffic with appropriate QoS parameters, thereby improving mapping precision without compromising the flexibility of non-3GPP network access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If QoS control information is provided to UE for uplink traffic association, then uplink QoS reliability is improved, but signaling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink QoS reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses existing downlink QoS parameters and packet filter information, which are already part of the standard signaling流程, for the dual purpose of downlink QoS control and uplink QoS determination. This multi-functionality approach improves uplink QoS reliability without requiring additional dedicated signaling messages, thereby avoiding increased signaling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE uses the provided downlink QoS information and packet filter information to autonomously determine uplink QoS parameters without requiring additional network signaling for each uplink flow. This self-service mechanism reduces signaling complexity while ensuring reliable uplink QoS through UE-side autonomous decision making based on network-provided criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10694418B2Support of quality of service control in a mobile communication system

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

In an embodiment, a method is provided for support of Quality of Service QoS control in a mobile communication system wherein an User Equipment has access to a mobile network providing Packet Data Network (PDN) connectivity services, said mobile network including a 3GPP Core Network (CN) accessed by a trusted non-3GPP Access Network (TNAN) via an interface between an Access Network Gateway (AN-GW) in said Trusted non-3GPP Access Network (TNAN) and a PDN Gateway PDN-GW in said 3GPP CN, said method including support of 3GPP CN-initiated QoS control, for uplink traffic from said UE, based on QoS control information received by said UE, said QoS control information allowing the UE to associate uplink traffic flows sent by the UE via Access Network Gateway (AN-GW) towards a PDN Gateway PDN-GW with TNAN connectivity QoS for uplink traffic.