User Plane Congestion Control via Selective Traffic Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network congestion management systems face challenges in selectively identifying and preventing new traffic establishment and reducing existing traffic in congested radio cells or network elements, while avoiding the relocation of congestion to other points in the network.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a Traffic Detection Function (TDF) integrated with or collocated with the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) to detect congestion, identify affected user equipment, and prevent application setup or continue existing applications based on congestion status, prioritization, and capacity criteria, using control messages and deep packet inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network congestion management blocks all new traffic establishment in congested cells, then congestion is alleviated, but legitimate traffic is unnecessarily blocked and service quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment based on application type and user status. Instead of blocking all traffic uniformly, the system blocks only specific applications (e.g., non-attended applications, low-priority applications) while allowing others (e.g., operator-owned applications, high-priority applications) to continue. This selective approach alleviates congestion while preserving essential service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of traffic blocking from a binary all-or-nothing approach to a granular selective blocking approach. By introducing parameters such as application type, user status (attended vs. non-attended), and priority level, the system dynamically adjusts which traffic is blocked and which is allowed, optimizing both congestion relief and service continuity.
2Device complexity
If network congestion management uses a single PDP context to carry different types of traffic, then device complexity is reduced, but traffic control precision and application-specific quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single PDP context into multiple logical channels or bearers, each dedicated to specific application types or user categories. This segmentation allows different types of traffic (e.g., operator-owned applications, third-party applications, attended vs. non-attended applications) to be managed separately with appropriate quality of service parameters while maintaining a unified PDP context structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different characteristics and treatment parameters to different traffic segments within the same PDP context. Each segment can have its own priority, bandwidth allocation, and congestion control parameters, enabling precise traffic control without requiring separate PDP contexts for each application type.
3Productivity
If network entities block traffic to alleviate congestion, then network throughput is improved, but congestion may be relocated to other network elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where network entities continuously monitor congestion conditions and adjust blocking decisions accordingly. When traffic is blocked in one location, the system receives feedback about congestion status and can dynamically modify blocking actions to prevent congestion relocation. This feedback loop ensures that congestion management actions are coordinated across multiple network elements to maintain overall network throughput while preventing congestion migration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer program product relating to user plane congestion control. The present invention includes receiving, at a network entity, an indication that there is a congestion in at least one network element in a network, receiving, at the network entity, information indicating an internet protocol address of at least one user equipment located in the congested network, and preventing, by the network entity, a setup and/or continuation of at least one application of the at least one user equipment using the at least one network element in the network if it is determined that there is a congestion in the network.