QoS Flow Radio Bearer Mapping in Split CU-CP and CU-UP

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of implementing data transmission based on quality of service flow in a CU-CP and CU-UP separated architecture in 5G networks is not adequately addressed, leading to inefficiencies in mapping data to radio bearers and impacting user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method where the CU-UP sends QoS flow identity IDs and PDU session IDs to the CU-CP, allowing the CU-CP to determine optimal radio bearer mapping, with options for remapping and asymmetric mapping to meet performance parameters and improve user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the CU-CP and CU-UP are separated in 5G network architecture, then the system can support diverse network deployment and application types with improved flexibility, but the data transmission mechanism becomes complex and inefficient for QoS flow mapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork deployment flexibilityVSAvoiddata transmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission process into two distinct parts: the CU-UP receives and processes QoS flow data, while the CU-CP receives notifications and determines radio bearer mapping. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in specific functions, maintaining architectural flexibility while simplifying the data transmission mechanism through clear division of responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the CU-UP send notification messages to the CU-CP before actual data transmission. The notification includes QoS flow identity and PDU session identity, allowing the CU-CP to pre-determine the radio bearer mapping strategy, thus simplifying the subsequent data transmission process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the CU-UP determines radio bearer mapping independently, then data transmission speed improves, but the ability to meet specific QoS transmission performance parameters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidQoS transmission performance compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary notification mechanism where the CU-UP sends QoS flow identity and PDU session identity information to the CU-CP. The CU-CP acts as a mediator that determines the optimal radio bearer mapping based on QoS requirements, ensuring both fast transmission (CU-UP independence) and compliance (CU-CP control).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the CU-UP notify the CU-CP about incoming QoS flow data. This feedback loop allows the CU-CP to provide guidance on radio bearer mapping based on observed QoS requirements, ensuring reliable performance compliance while maintaining the speed benefits of distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the CU-CP receives detailed QoS flow information from CU-UP, then accurate radio bearer mapping is achieved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio bearer mapping accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for radio bearer mapping determination from the QoS flow data. Specifically, it sends the QoS flow identity and PDU session identity in the notification message, excluding redundant detailed information. This extraction maintains mapping accuracy while minimizing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing detailed QoS flow information (QoS flow identity, PDU session identity) only where needed at the CU-CP for mapping determination, rather than transmitting all possible data attributes. This localized information provision achieves accurate mapping while controlling signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4727245A2Data transmission method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4727245A2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
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  • EP4727245A2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a data transmission method and an apparatus, to implement quality of service QoS flow-based data transmission in an architecture in which a CU-CP and a CU-UP are separated from each other. In embodiments of this application, in a scenario in which the CU-CP and the CU-UP are separated from each other, when receiving data of a quality of service QoS flow, the CU-UP may send a QoS flow identity ID and a PDU session ID that are of the data of the QoS flow to the CU-CP, and a PDU session corresponding to the PDU session ID includes the data of the QoS flow. In this way, the CU-CP can determine a manner of mapping the data of the QoS flow to a radio bearer, so that a transmission performance parameter of the QoS flow is met, and user experience is improved.