PCF-Controlled QoS Flow Network Coding for Reliable, Low-Latency Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network coding in mobile communication networks faces challenges in ensuring data transmission reliability and throughput, particularly for real-time media services with high requirements.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that utilizes a Policy Control Function (PCF) to manage network coding on Quality of Service (QoS) flows, determining and indicating network coding operations based on request information from terminals or service servers, enhancing data transmission reliability and reducing delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network coding is applied on QoS flows in mobile communication networks, then data transmission reliability is improved and delay is reduced, but device complexity and system configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Policy Control Function (PCF) as an intermediary network element that centrally manages and configures network coding parameters. The PCF receives service requirements from service servers, determines appropriate network coding configurations, and distributes these configurations to access network devices and terminals. This intermediary approach resolves the complexity issue by centralizing the configuration management rather than requiring distributed negotiation between multiple devices, thus improving reliability through consistent network coding application while managing system complexity through a dedicated control function.
2Productivity
If network coding is applied on QoS flows, then throughput is improved, but device complexity and negotiation overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the PCF determine and configure network coding parameters before actual data transmission begins. The service server sends service requirement information to the PCF, which proactively calculates and establishes the network coding configuration in advance. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time negotiation during data transmission, allowing throughput improvement through pre-optimized network coding while reducing negotiation complexity by performing the configuration work beforehand.
3Reliability
If network coding is applied on QoS flows, then transmission reliability is improved, but processing complexity at intermediate nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by having the PCF determine specific network coding parameters (such as coding rates, block sizes, and coding schemes) based on service requirements and network conditions. These optimized parameters are then configured at intermediate nodes (access network devices and terminals). By pre-determining the optimal parameters through the PCF rather than requiring complex real-time processing and adaptation at each intermediate node, the system achieves improved transmission reliability through appropriate network coding while reducing processing complexity at intermediate nodes through parameter optimization and centralized determination.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a communication method and apparatus. In the method, a policy control function (PCF) receives request information from a terminal or a service server. The request information requests to establish a first quality of service (QoS) flow for the terminal, and includes first indication information indicating to perform network coding on the first QoS flow. The PCF sends network coding information to an access network device accessed by the terminal and/or the terminal based on the request information. The network coding information includes second indication information indicating a QoS flow on which network coding is to be performed.