Service Flow QoS Control in Mobile Terminals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bearer-based QoS control methods in mobile communication systems limit the ability to apply different Quality of Service (QoS) levels to various application services, which is inadequate for the diverse services in modern and future networks like 5G, where complex QoS management is required without increasing complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a service flow-based QoS control method that uses identification codes to prioritize and manage QoS for each application service flow, allowing differential QoS application without increasing complexity, by acquiring and processing QoS control information within the terminal apparatus and base station, and applying QoS parameters to uplink and downlink packets accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If bearer-based QoS control method is used, then complexity of QoS control is reduced, but different QoS cannot be applied to service flows belonging to one bearer

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS control complexityVSAvoiddifferential QoS application capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the QoS control from the bearer level to the service flow level. Each service flow is assigned its own QoS parameters independently, allowing different QoS treatments for different applications within the same bearer. This is achieved by introducing service flow identification mechanisms and applying QoS policies at the packet level based on flow classification, thereby enabling fine-grained QoS differentiation without requiring separate bearers for each service flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If service flow-based QoS control is implemented, then differential QoS application is enabled, but complexity of QoS control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifferential QoS application capabilityVSAvoidQoS control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial service flow-based QoS control by applying differential QoS only to specific service flows that require it, rather than all service flows. This is achieved through selective flow classification and QoS policy application, where only certain traffic types receive detailed flow-level QoS treatment while others continue to use simplified bearer-level QoS, thereby reducing the overall complexity burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary elements such as service flow identifiers, classification rules, and policy decision functions that mediate between the bearer-level QoS framework and the service flow-level QoS requirements. These intermediaries enable differential QoS application by translating high-level QoS policies into actionable packet-level treatments without requiring complete redesign of the underlying bearer architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional bearer-based QoS control is used, then QoS control is simple, but response time of service requests is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS control complexityVSAvoidservice request response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary QoS actions by pre-configuring QoS policies and parameters for service flows before actual data transmission occurs. Service flow classification and QoS parameter assignment are performed in advance during flow establishment or initial packet processing, enabling immediate QoS application without delaying subsequent data transmission. This preliminary setup ensures that time-sensitive service requests receive prioritized handling from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3474591B1Terminal device, base station device, and method for controlling QOS
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 SK TELECOM CO LTD
  • EP3474591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3474591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3474591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a terminal apparatus, a BS apparatus, and a QoS control method for realizing a service flow-based QoS control without an increase in complexity compared to the conventional bearer-based QoS control method and improving a response time of a service request by making a QoS control for an initial service flow generated according to the service request possible.