QoS Flow Management Over E1 for Dynamic DRB Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G RAN architecture faces inefficiencies in managing Quality of Service (QoS) flows, leading to suboptimal allocation and utilization of radio resources due to the lack of information exchange between the CU-CP and CU-UP, resulting in unnecessary allocation of AN resources when no data is being transferred for specific QoS flows or DRBs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism for the CU-CP to request and receive flow information from the CU-UP over the E1 interface, enabling dynamic management of QoS flows by establishing a default DRB, remapping flows based on traffic detection, and optimizing resource allocation through periodic or threshold-based reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If QoS flows are allocated to Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) in the 5G RAN architecture, then QoS differentiation and service quality are improved, but radio resources are wasted when no data is being transferred for specific QoS flows or DRBs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic management of QoS flows by allowing the CU-CP to request and receive flow information from the CU-UP over the E1 interface. This enables the system to adaptively adjust DRB allocation based on actual traffic conditions, transitioning from static resource allocation to dynamic resource management that activates or deactivates DRBs as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention establishes a feedback mechanism where the CU-CP requests flow information from the CU-UP and receives reports about active QoS flows. This feedback loop enables the control plane to make informed decisions about resource allocation, allowing the system to release or modify DRBs when flows become inactive, thereby preventing resource waste.
2Productivity
If information exchange between CU-CP and CU-UP is implemented for flow management, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing E1 interface, which is already defined for control plane and user plane separation in the 5G architecture. By using this existing multi-functional interface for both its original purpose and for flow information exchange, the patent avoids creating entirely new communication pathways, thereby reducing the complexity increase that would result from new interface definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention manages complexity by controlling the parameters of information exchange - specifically by requesting flow information only when needed for resource management decisions rather than continuous exchanges. This parameter-based approach (requesting information on-demand rather than continuously) maintains productivity improvements while limiting the complexity burden of the information exchange mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided by a central-unit-control plane (CU-CP) of a network node for exchanging information with a central-unit user plane (CU-UP) of the network node to manage Quality of Service (QoS) flows for the optimization of radio resources. The method includes transmitting, to the CU-UP, a request for flow information for at least one QoS flow and receiving, from the CU-UP of the network node, the flow information for the at least one QoS flow. Based on the flow information for the at least one QoS flow, at least one action is taken.