Traffic Steering Control for Dual Connectivity Bearer Types
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively managing traffic steering between 3GPP and WLAN networks, particularly in dual connectivity scenarios where multiple serving cells are configured, leading to unclear operations for bearer types such as split bearers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow traffic steering per bearer type, specifically for dual connectivity, by receiving an indication on whether traffic steering is allowed for specific bearers and performing the steering accordingly, enabling efficient traffic management between 3GPP and WLAN networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic steering is implemented between 3GPP and WLAN networks, then network performance and service quality are improved, but operational complexity and ambiguity in dual connectivity scenarios increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic steering operations by bearer type, defining distinct procedures for MCG bearers, SCG bearers, and split bearers. This segmentation resolves the technical contradiction by providing clear, type-specific operational rules that improve reliability while managing complexity through structured classification rather than uniform handling of all bearers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by specifying different traffic steering behaviors for different bearer types within the dual connectivity framework. Each bearer type receives tailored operational instructions (e.g., MCG bearers use 3GPP access, SCG bearers use WLAN access), which improves overall system reliability by optimizing each bearer's path while maintaining manageable operational complexity through localized rule application.
2Productivity
If dual connectivity is configured with multiple serving cells, then system capacity and service quality are improved, but clarity of UE operations for traffic steering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments bearer operations into distinct categories (MCG, SCG, split bearers) with specific traffic steering rules for each. This segmentation preserves the benefits of dual connectivity for system capacity while recovering operational clarity by providing unambiguous, type-specific procedures that eliminate the confusion arising from multiple serving cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing bearer-type-specific traffic steering rules that adapt the steering behavior based on the bearer classification. This parameter change restores operational clarity in dual connectivity scenarios by making the steering decisions dependent on the bearer type rather than creating ambiguity from multiple serving cells.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for performing traffic steering in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE), which is connected to both a master evolved NodeB (MeNB) and a secondary eNB (SeNB) in dual connectivity, receives an indication which indicates whether traffic steering of bearers belonging to a specific bearer type is allowed or not, and performs traffic steering of bearers when traffic steering of bearers belonging to the specific bearer type is allowed.