RAN QoS Notification Control for Time-Critical 5G Sessions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing notification control mechanism in 5G networks is inadequate for time-critical applications like V2X, as it does not allow the user equipment (UE) to directly receive notifications from the radio access network (RAN) about QoS unfulfillment or re-fulfillment, leading to poor user experience and potential safety issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing AN-signaling based notification control that enables the RAN to directly notify the UE of QoS unfulfillment or re-fulfillment for QoS Flows, including additional parameters like PDB and PER, along with expected QoS figures and time intervals, allowing the UE to adapt its behavior accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the existing notification control mechanism is used, then the core network can be notified of QoS unfulfillment, but the user equipment cannot directly receive notifications from the radio access network about QoS changes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS notification informationVSAvoidResponse time for QoS adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the notification function from the core network and implements it directly in the radio access network. The RAN is enabled to independently generate and send QoS notifications to the UE without requiring core network involvement, thus delivering information faster and reducing the time loss for QoS adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new intermediary mechanism where the RAN acts as a direct communicator between the network and UE for QoS notifications. This intermediary pathway bypasses the core network for notification delivery, enabling faster information transfer while the core network retains control for establishing and modifying QoS parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If notification control is applied only to GBR flows, then the notification mechanism is simple, but applications cannot adjust behaviors for other QoS parameters like PDB and PER

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveApplication behavior adaptationVSAvoidNotification control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the notification control mechanism from being GBR-specific to being universal across all QoS flows. The RAN monitors and notifies about multiple QoS parameters including PDB, PER, and GFBR, enabling applications to adapt their behavior based on any QoS degradation regardless of flow type, thus achieving multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter scope of notification control from单一的GFBR to multiple QoS parameters including PDB, PER, and GFBR. This parameter expansion allows the notification mechanism to cover a broader range of QoS aspects, enabling more comprehensive application adaptation while maintaining a unified control framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the RAN directly notifies the UE of QoS changes, then the UE can adapt behavior timely, but additional signaling and control mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNotification delivery speedVSAvoidSignaling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the RAN continuously monitor QoS parameters and prepare notification conditions in advance. When QoS thresholds are violated, the RAN can immediately notify the UE without waiting for core network processing, thus achieving fast notification delivery while the signaling mechanism is pre-configured through existing RAN-UE interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3864879B1Notification control in a communication system
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3864879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3864879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3864879B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for notification control in a communication system performed by a core network is presented. The method comprising: establishing a PDU session; enabling a radio access network, RAN, to send a notification that notifying a UE, of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session using an AN-signaling based notification. The AN-signaling based notification including the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS parameters as defined in a QoS Flow description. The AN-signaling based notification further including expected QoS figures, an expected time interval and an accuracy of the notification. The UE/AF may further adapt their behavior according to the expected QoS provided by the AN.