QoS Control in 5G Dual Connectivity via Xn Interface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The 5G system faces challenges in implementing QoS control and transmitting QoS information between primary and secondary base stations due to differences in QoS frameworks between the 5G and LTE systems, particularly in dual connectivity scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and access network device are introduced to facilitate QoS control by exchanging QoS flow information between primary and secondary base stations through specific messages, including QFI and QoS parameters, to ensure proper resource allocation and data transmission in dual connectivity scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If QoS flow information is exchanged between primary and secondary base stations in dual connectivity scenarios, then QoS control capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to framework differences between 5G and LTE systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the Xn interface as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the QoS framework differences between 5G and LTE systems. By defining standardized message structures (SgNB Addition Request, SgNB Modification Request, etc.) that carry QoS flow information (QFI, QoS parameters) through this interface, the system enables QoS control in dual connectivity scenarios without requiring fundamental changes to either 5G or LTE QoS frameworks, thus managing complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If QoS parameters are transmitted through specific messages between base stations, then information transmission accuracy is improved, but message overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS information transmission accuracyVSAvoidmessage overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments QoS information transmission into distinct message types and fields. QoS flow information is divided into specific parameters (QFI, 5QI, GBR, MFBR, etc.) that are carried within standardized message structures. This segmentation allows precise transmission of only necessary QoS information through messages like SgNB Addition Request and SgNB Modification Request, reducing unnecessary overhead while maintaining transmission accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3627889B1Communication method and access network device
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3627889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3627889B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3627889B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and an access network device. The method includes the following steps: sending, by a first access network device, a first message to a second access network device, where the first message carries a QFI for a split bearer corresponding to the first access network device and a QoS parameter corresponding to the QFI; receiving, by the second access network device, the first message from the first access network device, where the first message carries the QFI for the split bearer corresponding to the first access network device and the QoS parameter corresponding to the QFI; and sending, by the second access network device, a second message to the first access network device, where the second message is a response to the first message. The embodiments of this application are used to implement QoS control.