Reflective QoS Handling During EPC-NGC Interworking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of ensuring seamless quality of service (QoS) management during inter-system changes in wireless communication systems, particularly between evolved packet core (EPC) and NextGen core (NGC) networks, is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) sends a packet data unit (PDU) modification request to a network node, indicating support for reflective quality of service (RQoS), which includes Session Management (SM) and/or Mobility Management (MM) information, enabling the WTRU to send data with specific RQoS requirements during system changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a WTRU moves between different core networks (EPC and NGC), then network interworking and universal operation are enabled, but quality of service (QoS) management becomes complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a session management function (SMF) as an intermediary entity that mediates QoS management between the WTRU and different core networks. The SMF receives PDU modification requests from the WTRU, processes RQoS support indications, and manages the QoS parameters during inter-system changes, thereby simplifying the complexity for both the WTRU and the core networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal QoS management mechanism that works across both EPC and NGC networks. The PDU modification request procedure and RQoS support indication are designed to be architecture-agnostic, allowing the same protocol and process to handle QoS management regardless of which core network the WTRU is currently attached to, thus reducing the need for network-specific QoS handling logic.
2Reliability
If reflective QoS (RQoS) is supported during inter-system changes, then QoS requirements for data transmission are maintained, but signaling overhead and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RQoS support indication with the existing PDU modification request procedure. Instead of introducing a separate signaling message for RQoS support, the indication is embedded within the PDU modification request that the WTRU already sends during inter-system changes. This combining approach maintains QoS requirements while avoiding additional signaling overhead.
3Reliability
If QoS management procedures are implemented during inter-system changes, then service continuity is ensured, but transmission time and procedure duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary QoS management actions by having the WTRU send the PDU modification request with RQoS support indication before the actual inter-system change is completed. The SMF processes the QoS parameters in advance and prepares the necessary configurations, ensuring that QoS requirements are already in place when the system change occurs, thereby minimizing service interruption time.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Procedures, systems, and devices for addressing quality of service (QoS) during an intersystem change of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) are discussed herein. A WTRU may send a packet data unit (PDU) modification request to a network node, such as a session management function (SMF) device, indicating support for reflective quality of services (RQoS). In response to the modification request, the WTRU may then receive an acknowledgement, after which the WTRU may then be able to send data for a PDU of a specific RQoS. The RQoS may be specific to a single PDU or a plurality of PDUs. The modification request may include Session Management (SM) and/or Mobility Management (MM) information. The modification request may be included in an attach procedure or a tracking area update (TAU).