WTRU Traffic Steering Policies for Multi-Access PDU Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing traffic steering and switching between multiple access networks, particularly in 5G networks, where seamless integration and optimization of 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks are lacking, leading to suboptimal performance and resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing traffic steering and switching mechanisms that allow a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to establish and manage protocol data unit (PDU) sessions across multiple access networks, utilizing policies based on filters such as S-NSSAI, DNN, and QoS, and enabling multi-access PDU sessions through network entities like the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to facilitate simultaneous communication over 3GPP and non-3GPP networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traffic steering and switching mechanisms are implemented across multiple access networks, then network flexibility and resource utilization are enhanced, but device complexity and policy management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a policy management function (PMF) as an intermediary entity that centralizes the creation, storage, and distribution of traffic steering policies. This mediator handles the complexity of multi-access network management by providing a unified interface between the WTRU and multiple access networks, thereby enhancing network flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity at the WTRU level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traffic steering functionality into distinct components: (1) policy management functions handled by network entities, (2) policy distribution to WTRU, and (3) local policy execution at WTRU. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, improving overall system adaptability while managing complexity through functional decomposition.
2Productivity
If multi-access PDU sessions are established to enable simultaneous communication over multiple networks, then network efficiency and quality of service improve, but the complexity of session management and coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple single-access PDU sessions into a unified multi-access PDU session framework. This allows the WTRU to manage traffic across multiple access networks (3GPP and non-3GPP) through a single session context, improving network efficiency by enabling simultaneous communication while reducing the overhead of managing separate sessions for each access network.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-access PDU session is designed as a universal framework that can accommodate different access network types (3GPP LTE, 3GPP NR, non-3GPP WLAN) through a common session management mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the same PDU session to operate across diverse access networks, improving productivity without requiring separate session management logic for each access type.
3Reliability
If traffic steering policies are enforced at the network level through entities like AMF, then quality of service and resource allocation are optimized, but network control overhead and signaling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring traffic steering policies in the policy management function before the WTRU establishes connections. The AMF and other network entities receive and store steering policies in advance, allowing them to immediately enforce QoS requirements when traffic flows are established, thereby optimizing quality of service without requiring complex real-time negotiations that would increase signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The WTRU is equipped with local policy execution capabilities that allow it to autonomously apply received steering policies without continuous network intervention. This self-service approach enables the WTRU to independently make routing decisions based on pre-configured policies, improving QoS reliability while reducing ongoing network control overhead and signaling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A WTRU may initiate access for a PDU session over multiple access networks. The WTRU may register with two or more access networks. For example, the WTRU may register with a 3GPP access network (e.g., LTE Advanced) and a non-3GPP access network (e.g., Wi-Fi). The WTRU may determine to request a multi-access PDU session for a (e.g., at least one) PDU session. A multi-access PDU session may correspond to a PDU session where the WTRU communicates one or more PDUs associated with the PDU session over the 3GPP access network and one or more PDUs associated with the PDU session over the non-3GPP access network. The WTRU may receive a confirmation message indicating that a multi-access PDU session has been established. The WTRU may send uplink data over the 3GPP access network and the non-3GPP access network, e.g., in accordance with the established multi-access PDU session.