SDAP Layer QoS Flow Remapping in 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for mobile broadband access in 5G networks poses challenges in effectively mapping and remapping Quality of Service (QoS) flows to data radio bearers, particularly due to the complexity introduced by Fifth Generation (5G) and New Radio (NR) technologies, which affect the handling and bandwidth allocation of traffic flows.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer facilitates QoS flow remapping by generating and transmitting SDAP control protocol data units (PDUs) to indicate the final transmission of QoS flows on one data radio bearer and subsequent transmission on another, ensuring proper handling and order preservation across remapping configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If QoS flow remapping is implemented in 5G networks to meet increasing mobile broadband demand, then network adaptability and service quality are improved, but the complexity of mapping and remapping management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SDAP layer as an intermediary between the QoS flow management and data transmission layers. This layer provides control PDUs that mediate the remapping process, coordinating between the old and new data radio bearers to manage the complexity of QoS flow remapping while maintaining network adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the QoS flow management into distinct functional components: the SDAP layer for control and coordination, data radio bearers for transmission, and end marker mechanisms for synchronization. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of remapping independently, reducing overall management complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple data radio bearers are used to handle QoS flows in 5G networks, then bandwidth allocation and service quality are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring flow transmission status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through SDAP control PDUs that provide status information about QoS flow transmission. The end marker mechanism sends feedback signals to indicate when all data for a QoS flow has been transmitted on a particular bearer, enabling reliable detection of transmission status across multiple bearers.
Solution Approach 2:
The SDAP layer acts as an intermediary that consolidates status information from multiple data radio bearers. It provides a unified view of QoS flow transmission status through control PDUs, making it easier to detect and measure flow status without directly managing the complexity of multiple bearers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If QoS flow remapping is performed from one data radio bearer to another, then network flexibility and user experience are improved, but the risk of data loss or misordering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary actions through end marker mechanisms that are prepared and transmitted before completing the remapping process. These markers indicate in advance when data transmission on the old bearer is complete, allowing the receiving end to properly synchronize and prevent data loss or misordering during the transition to the new bearer.
Solution Approach 2:
The SDAP control PDU serves as an intermediary mechanism that coordinates the remapping process between old and new data radio bearers. It ensures reliable data transmission by managing the transition sequence and providing synchronization signals that prevent data loss or misordering during flexible remapping operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects directed towards Quality of Service (QoS) flow remapping are disclosed. In an example, upon detecting a mapping reconfiguration of a first QoS flow from a first data radio bearer (DRB) to another DRB, a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) control protocol data unit (PDU) is generated indicating that a final SDAP data PDU associated with the first QoS flow has been transmitted on the first DRB. The SDAP control PDU is then transmitted via the first DRB. In another example, upon detecting a mapping reconfiguration of a first QoS flow from a first DRB to another DRB, an end marker parameter is set in an SDAP header of a first SDAP data PDU received from an upper layer after the mapping reconfiguration indicating that the first SDAP data PDU is a final SDAP data PDU associated with the first QoS flow transmitted on the first DRB.