User Equipment Assisted RAN Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining quality of experience (QoE) during radio access network (RAN) congestion, as existing solutions for resource redistribution can be complex and inaccurate, leading to unduly throttled traffic and degraded service quality.
Innovation Solution
User Equipment (UE) assists in congestion control by mapping applications to quality control indicators (QCIs) supported by the core network, allowing explicit resource modification requests to improve QoE during RAN congestion, thereby optimizing resource redistribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resource redistribution is implemented in the RAN to improve QoE during congestion, then service quality for critical applications is improved, but the operation becomes unduly complex and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the UE maps applications to QCIs based on operator policies, serving as a mediator between the application layer and the RAN resource management. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system operation by localizing the complexity at the UE side through policy-based mapping, rather than requiring complex centralized RAN operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously performs application-to-QCI mapping and initiates bearer modification requests based on detected congestion conditions and operator policies. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex network-side intervention and decision-making, allowing the UE to independently optimize its own resource allocation while maintaining accuracy through policy-guided mapping.
2Measurement precision
If traditional congestion control methods are used, then network operations remain simple, but resource allocation becomes inaccurate and QoE degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the congestion control function into distinct components: application identification, QCI mapping based on operator policies, congestion detection, and bearer modification requests. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, improving resource allocation accuracy through specialized processing while keeping overall network operations manageable through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes QCI parameters based on application type and congestion conditions. By mapping different applications to appropriate QCIs with specific resource allocation characteristics, the system achieves accurate resource allocation that adapts to varying service requirements and network conditions, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring permanently complex operations.
3Reliability
If bearer modification requests are initiated by UE during congestion, then QoE for specific applications is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE monitors congestion conditions periodically and initiates bearer modification requests only when congestion is detected and relevant operator policies are triggered. This periodic monitoring approach with event-driven action reduces unnecessary signaling traffic compared to continuous reporting, while ensuring QoE is maintained by promptly responding to actual congestion events.
Solution Approach 2:
Operator policies are pre-configured in the UE, containing advance instructions for application-to-QCI mapping and bearer modification under various congestion scenarios. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to immediately execute appropriate actions when congestion occurs, reducing the need for extensive real-time signaling and negotiation with the network, thereby lowering signaling overhead while maintaining reliable QoE improvement.
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AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with improving QoE in RAN congestion. In one example, a communications device is equipped to indicate a quality control indicator (QCI) for each of a plurality of applications that communicate with a RAN over a bearer, receive information regarding modification of the bearer or additional bearers based on the QCIs, and modify the bearer or additional bearers according to the information to achieve a desired QoE for at least one of the plurality of applications. In another example, a RAN is equipped to receive a QCI for each of a plurality of applications related to a bearer from a UE, and modify the bearer or adding additional bearers for communicating with the UE based on the QCI for each of the plurality of applications to improve QoE at the UE.