WLAN Bearer Routing via Virtual MAC Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies do not support the concept of bearers, which are essential for managing quality of service (QoS) and traffic flow in Internet Protocol (IP) sessions, leading to inefficient routing of uplink and downlink traffic as all PDN connections are treated as a single pipe between the user equipment (UE) and the Trusted WLAN Access Network (TWAN).
Innovation Solution
Assigning a unique identifier, such as a virtual MAC address, to each bearer within an IP session allows for the implementation of the bearer concept over WLAN, enabling multiple bearers to be established between the TWAN and the UE, thereby allowing for efficient classification and routing of uplink and downlink data packets based on their respective bearers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bearer concept is implemented over WLAN, then QoS management and traffic flow classification are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access controller as an intermediary component within the TWAN that manages bearer identification and traffic classification. This intermediary handles the complexity of bearer management centrally, allowing the WLAN infrastructure to support multiple bearers without requiring complex changes to each access point or radio device. The access controller mediates between the GTP bearers from the core network and the WLAN radio interface, translating and managing bearer-specific parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single WLAN pipe into multiple logical bearers by introducing bearer-specific identification parameters. Each bearer is identified by a unique bearer ID that is associated with specific QoS parameters and traffic flow templates. This segmentation allows the system to treat different traffic flows differently over the same physical WLAN medium, enabling QoS differentiation without requiring separate physical channels.
2Productivity
If multiple bearers are established between TWAN and UE, then traffic routing efficiency is improved, but the complexity of identifying and managing different bearers over WLAN increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification parameter from a single MAC address to a combination of MAC address and bearer ID. This parameter change allows the system to distinguish between multiple bearers over the same WLAN connection. The bearer ID is added as an additional parameter that works in conjunction with the existing MAC address, enabling the TWAN to identify and route traffic to the correct bearer without requiring multiple MAC addresses or complex addressing schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the bearer identification by introducing the bearer ID as a separate identifier that works in conjunction with the MAC address. This dimensional addition allows the system to differentiate between multiple bearers without changing the fundamental WLAN addressing structure. The bearer ID provides an additional layer of identification that enables efficient traffic routing while maintaining compatibility with existing WLAN protocols.
3Reliability
If the bearer concept is extended to WLAN, then QoS differentiation and service quality are improved, but the ease of operation and compatibility with existing WLAN standards decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal bearer management approach where the same bearer identification and routing mechanism is applied to all WLAN connections. The access controller uses a standardized set of procedures for bearer setup, modification, and teardown that can be applied universally across different scenarios and service types. This universal approach maintains operational simplicity by using consistent procedures rather than requiring different mechanisms for different services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service mechanisms where the radio device and access controller automatically negotiate and establish bearers based on service requirements. The bearer setup process is automated, with the system itself managing the complexity of bearer identification and QoS parameter configuration without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while enabling sophisticated QoS management.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a network element in a communication network for routing an IP session to a radio device over a WLAN, the IP session comprising at least one bearer. The method comprises obtaining an identifier for each of the at least one bearer of the IP session. The method also comprises mapping downlink data packets of the IP session to the identifier for each of the at least one bearer of the IP session. The method also comprises transmitting each of the DL packets on a bearer of said at least one bearer, together with the identifier for the bearer it has been mapped to, over the WLAN to the radio device. The disclosure also relates to a network element and a radio device, as well as to other methods thereof.