RAN Flow ID Mapping for Packet Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently handling packet flows, particularly in reducing signaling overhead and accurately identifying data packets within the radio access network, which affects network capacity and performance, especially for small user data packets like voice and control packets.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining a RAN flow ID for data packets, which includes both PDU session ID and PDU flow ID, using techniques such as concatenation or encoding with a paring function to minimize header overhead, and optionally using local RAN IDs to reduce computational complexity and processing time for encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PDU session ID and PDU flow ID are included in the packet header for accurate flow identification, then packet identification accuracy is improved, but header overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PDU session ID and PDU flow ID into a single RAN flow ID field in the packet header. This merging allows both identification functions to be achieved simultaneously while reducing the total header size compared to including both IDs separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The RAN flow ID is designed to serve multiple functions: it uniquely identifies the PDU session and the PDU flow within that session. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification fields, thereby reducing header overhead while maintaining accurate packet identification.
2Measurement precision
If explicit signaling is used to indicate flow to data radio bearer mapping, then mapping accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously determine the flow to data radio bearer mapping by examining the RAN flow ID in received packets. This self-service approach eliminates the need for explicit network signaling to convey mapping information, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining accurate mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-configures the UE with the relationship between RAN flow IDs and data radio bearers during connection setup. This preliminary action allows the UE to perform local mapping decisions without requiring subsequent explicit signaling, reducing overall signaling overhead.
3Reliability
If RAN flow ID is included in every packet header, then flow identification reliability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using a compact RAN flow ID that encodes both PDU session and flow information. This parameter transformation reduces the computational complexity of flow identification while maintaining reliable flow distinction across all packets.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, performed by a RAN node for handling data packets from a Core Network (CN) node to a User Equipment (UE) is provided. The RAN node receives (601) from the CN node, a data packet comprised in a PDU flow. The data packet comprises a PDU session ID and a PDU flow ID for identifying the data packet. The RAN node generates (602) a RAN flow ID based on the PDU session ID and the PDU flow ID. The RAN node further transmits (603) a RAN packet to the UE, wherein the RAN packet comprises the data packet and the generated RAN flow ID for identifying the RAN packet.