Service Flow QoS Mapping Within LTE Bearers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bearer-based QoS control methods in LTE networks are limited in applying differential QoS to service flows within a single bearer, which is becoming a significant issue as various communication services are developed, and there is a need for a method that can provide more differential QoS without increasing complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a service flow-based QoS control method that determines and applies specific QoS parameters to individual service flows, using a Base Station apparatus to insert QoS control information into packet headers and a terminal apparatus to map and apply these parameters, allowing for differential QoS without additional signaling complexity.

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 differential QoS cannot be applied to service flows belonging to one bearer

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the QoS control by introducing service flow identification within bearers. Each service flow is assigned a unique identifier (such as 5-tuple: source IP, destination IP, source port, destination port, protocol type) that allows the network to distinguish and apply different QoS parameters to individual service flows while maintaining the bearer structure. This segmentation enables differential QoS without requiring separate bearers for each service flow, thus managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different QoS parameters (such as priority, guaranteed bit rate, maximum bit rate) to be assigned to different service flows within the same bearer. The QoS control entity determines the appropriate QoS parameters for each service flow based on local service flow identification information, enabling customized QoS treatment for each service flow while sharing the common bearer resource.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If service flow-based QoS control is implemented, then differential QoS can be applied to service flows, but complexity of QoS control increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing service flow QoS parameter correspondence relationships in the QoS control entity before actual service flow transmission. When a service flow is identified, the corresponding QoS parameters are retrieved from the pre-configured mapping relationships, eliminating the need for complex real-time QoS parameter determination and reducing control complexity during actual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a QoS control entity as an intermediary between the bearer-based QoS control mechanism and service flow-based QoS requirements. This intermediary entity receives service flow identification information, determines appropriate QoS parameters based on pre-configured relationships, and applies them to the corresponding service flows. The intermediary abstracts the complexity of service flow QoS management from the core network elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If QoS control information is inserted into packet headers, then terminal can transmit uplink packets with particular QoS, but packet header size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal QoS application capabilityVSAvoidpacket header size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible shell by inserting QoS control information into existing packet header structures in a flexible manner. The QoS control information is integrated into the packet header using existing header fields or by adding minimal extension fields, allowing the terminal to apply QoS parameters to uplink packets without significantly increasing the overall packet header size. The flexible integration maintains compatibility with existing packet structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4149156B1Base station apparatus, terminal apparatus, and QOS control method
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SK TELECOM CO LTD
  • EP4149156B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4149156B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4149156B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a BS apparatus, a terminal apparatus, and a QoS control method for implementing the service flow-based QoS control without increasing complexity compared to the conventional bearer-based QoS control method.