Traffic Flow Differentiation in Mobile Network PDP Contexts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communications networks lack the ability to differentiate between traffic flows for varying treatment requirements, such as quality of service and charging attributes, within a single PDP context, limiting the implementation of business models that require end-to-end or local intelligence in network resource allocation and charging.
Innovation Solution
A method and network architecture that allow for the identification and separate treatment of traffic flows based on associated attributes, enabling the establishment of multiple communication pathways with distinct flow treatments, utilizing a policy control function node or GGSN to initiate secondary PDP context activation or radio access bearers for differentiated flow handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single PDP context is used to carry multiple traffic flows, then network configuration is simplified, but the ability to provide differentiated flow treatment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic flows within a PDP context by introducing flow identification mechanisms (IP addresses, port numbers, protocol types) and associating each flow with specific treatment attributes. This allows multiple flows to be handled differently within the same PDP context, resolving the contradiction between simplified configuration and differentiated treatment capability.
2Reliability
If network intelligence is added to define end-to-end treatment of traffic flows, then service quality is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of flow treatment attribute associations and network node processing logic that automatically applies predefined treatment rules. This intermediary layer provides intelligent flow differentiation without requiring complex end-to-end signaling or manual configuration, thus improving service quality while controlling network complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDP contexts are established for different traffic flows, then flow treatment differentiation is achieved, but signaling overhead and network resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traffic flows into a single PDP context while maintaining the ability to differentiate treatment through flow identification attributes. This combining approach allows flow differentiation without the signaling overhead and resource consumption associated with creating separate PDP contexts for each flow, thus resolving the contradiction between differentiation capability and signaling efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of handling traffic flows across a network is disclosed. The method includes issuing a request for establishing a first communication pathway end to end over the network, the communications pathway including the radio communication channel and the packet communication channel, the request identifying multiple traffic flows with their associated attributes. The method further includes identifying any of the traffic flows which require a different flow treatment across the network, and establishing the first communication pathway, and at least one second communication pathway end to end over the network, the second communication pathway providing a different flow treatment.