Configurable QoS Lookup Table for Dynamic Parameter Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges in dynamically adjusting Quality of Service (QoS) treatment for data flows in mobile networks, as existing methods require time and resources to switch between QoS tunnels and do not account for network variations or evolutions, leading to suboptimal data processing parameters.

Innovation Solution

A configurable look-up table is used to dynamically re-configure QoS classes and corresponding data treatment parameters in each network layer and user equipment, allowing for quick adjustments without involving the control plane, and enabling synchronization between network entities and user equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate data tunnels are established for each QoS class through control plane signaling, then QoS treatment can be adjusted for different data flows, but the process is slow and consumes significant signaling resources

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS treatment adjustmentVSAvoidTunnel setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes a mapping relationship between QoS classes and data processing parameters in a lookup table at the protocol layer, so that when QoS adjustment is needed, the system can directly retrieve and apply the corresponding parameters without going through the slow control plane tunnel setup process. This preliminary configuration enables fast QoS adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the control plane tunnel switching mechanism with a direct parameter modification approach at the protocol layer. Instead of mechanically creating new tunnels through signaling, the system modifies data processing parameters (such as priority, bandwidth, latency) directly based on QoS class mappings, significantly reducing setup time and signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If a fixed mapping between QoS class and data processing parameters is used, then protocol layers can quickly adapt to QoS changes, but the network cannot optimize individual data units according to varying network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS adaptation speedVSAvoidNetwork optimization flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic QoS parameter mapping that can adapt to different network conditions. The lookup table can be configured with different mapping rules for different network scenarios, and the mapping can be updated dynamically based on network state. This allows the system to maintain fast adaptation while gaining the flexibility to optimize for specific network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables different QoS parameter mappings to be applied at different locations or scenarios within the network. Instead of a single fixed mapping, the system can have location-specific or condition-specific mapping rules, allowing each part of the network to optimize data processing parameters according to its specific characteristics and current state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If control plane signaling is used to reconfigure protocol layers for QoS changes, then QoS treatment can be modified, but the process consumes time and signaling resources

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS parameter modificationVSAvoidControl plane complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the QoS parameter mapping functionality from the control plane and embeds it directly into the protocol layer. The lookup table and mapping rules are configured at the protocol layer, eliminating the need for complex control plane signaling to reconfigure protocol layers. This extraction simplifies the control plane while enabling fast QoS adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If data processing parameters are fixed for each QoS class, then implementation is simple, but the system cannot adapt to network evolution and changing configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveImplementation simplicityVSAvoidNetwork evolution adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures the lookup table with QoS class to parameter mappings during system initialization or configuration, maintaining implementation simplicity. However, the table can be updated in advance with new mapping rules before network evolution occurs, so that when changes happen, the system can adapt by simply updating the pre-configured mappings rather than reconfiguring everything from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3427511B1Configurable mapping of quality of service classes
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3427511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3427511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3427511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various communication systems may benefit from improved quality of service treatment in the access networks. For example, certain communication systems may benefit from a dynamic varying of the quality of service level of a data flow. A method may include detecting a requested quality of service level requirement at a new data flow or an existing data flow at a network entity. The method may also include retrieving from a table a needed parameter linked to the requested quality of service level. In addition, the method can include using the needed parameter to create a new processing instance or to update an existing processing instance at the network entity. A method may further include updating the content of the table through separate signaling.