Time-Dependent QoS Mechanism for Signaling Load Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face inefficiencies in managing time-dependent Quality of Service (QoS) settings, particularly in scenarios like AI/ML model transfers, where resources are reserved for brief, periodic use, leading to frequent QoS profile changes and increased signaling load.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that determine traffic pattern information and QoS requirements for data communication, allowing for the request of specific resource allocation at specified times, enabling time-dependent QoS settings by converting this information into policy and charging rules, and managing different QoS profiles for varying time periods to optimize resource usage and reduce signaling load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If QoS profiles are frequently changed to match time-dependent application needs, then service quality is improved, but signaling load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining traffic pattern information and QoS requirements in advance before the actual data communication occurs. The system pre-configures time-dependent QoS settings based on predicted traffic patterns, so that when the communication actually happens, the QoS profile is already optimized and ready, eliminating the need for frequent real-time changes and reducing signaling load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by introducing time-dependent QoS profiles that automatically adapt to different time periods. The system dynamically adjusts QoS parameters based on the determined traffic patterns and time settings, allowing the network to optimize resource allocation for periodic applications without manual intervention or excessive signaling, as the changes are driven by pre-determined temporal patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If resources are reserved for brief periodic use, then application performance is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by identifying and utilizing the periodic nature of certain data communications (such as AI/ML model transfers). The system determines traffic patterns that occur at regular intervals and configures QoS profiles accordingly, reserving resources only during the expected periodic transmission windows. This ensures application performance during these brief periods while allowing resources to be released and utilized by other applications during non-peak times, thus improving overall resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If time-dependent QoS settings are implemented, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically determine traffic pattern information and derive time-dependent QoS requirements without extensive manual configuration. The network element autonomously analyzes communication patterns, identifies periodicity, and configures appropriate QoS profiles based on the determined parameters. This self-configuration capability reduces the operational complexity of implementing time-dependent QoS while maintaining improved resource allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4274298A1Mechanism for setting time dependent quality of service
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4274298A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4274298A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4274298A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for use by an application function network element or application function network function of a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to determine, for a data communication to be conducted with at least one communication element or communication function, traffic pattern information indicating a time setting for the data communication and quality of service, QoS, information to be provided for the data communication, and to send, to a communication network control element or communication network control function, a request for providing resources at a specified time according to the determined traffic pattern information.