Terminal Service Flow Steering Across Access Technologies
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G network architectures, existing methods fail to achieve refined processing of service flows when they are migrated between different access technologies, leading to suboptimal data transmission due to inadequate link condition assessment and steering policies.
Innovation Solution
A service flow processing method that involves a terminal obtaining policy information including flow steering policies, modes, and link condition information, allowing it to process and migrate service flows based on optimal link conditions across multiple access technologies by detecting and reporting link status parameters, ensuring data is transmitted on links meeting specified criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flow steering policy is configured to indicate service flow transmission on different access technologies, then service flow can be moved between access technologies, but refined processing on the service flow cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow steering mechanism into multiple independent components: flow steering policy (for migration decisions), flow steering mode (for processing granularity control), and link condition information (for transmission quality assessment). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling both service flow migration and refined processing to coexist without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flow steering mode that can be adjusted between different processing granularities based on network conditions and service requirements. The terminal can dynamically switch between processing service flows at packet level, flow level, or aggregated level, providing adaptive refined processing while maintaining migration capability across access technologies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service flow is moved between access technologies without refined processing, then migration can be achieved, but data transmission efficiency and reliability are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal detects link status information (signal quality, bandwidth, delay, packet loss) and reports it to the network. The network uses this feedback to make informed flow steering decisions, ensuring service flows are migrated to access technologies that meet reliability requirements while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary assessment of link conditions before service flow migration. The terminal proactively detects and reports link status parameters, allowing the network to pre-evaluate the suitability of target access technologies for specific service flows, thereby ensuring reliable data transmission from the outset of migration.
3Device complexity
If link condition information is not considered in flow steering, then simple migration can be implemented, but optimal transmission path cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple link condition parameters (signal quality, bandwidth, delay, packet loss rate) that can be independently monitored and weighted. The flow steering mechanism uses these parameters to dynamically determine the optimal transmission path, balancing complexity and transmission efficiency by adjusting which parameters are monitored and how they influence migration decisions based on service requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A service flow processing method includes obtaining, by a terminal, policy information of a service flow, where the policy information includes at least one of a flow steering policy, a flow steering mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and a packet data unit (PDU) session to which the service flow belongs supports a plurality of access technologies, and processing, by the terminal, the service flow based on the policy information.