The disclosed embodiments relate generally to wireless communication, and, more particularly, to method of handling multiple TAGs for derived or signaled Quality of Service (QoS) rule or for Traffic Flow Template (TFT) and packet filter in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) system and 5G new radio (NR) systems.
The wireless communications network has grown exponentially over the years. A Long-Term Evolution (LTE) system offers high peak data rates, low latency, improved system capacity, and low operating cost resulting from simplified network architecture. LTE systems, also known as the 4G system, also provide seamless integration to older wireless network, such as GSM, CDMA and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). In LTE systems, an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) includes a plurality of evolved Node-Bs (eNodeBs or eNBs) communicating with a plurality of mobile stations, referred to as user equipments (UEs). The 3rd generation partner project (3GPP) network normally includes a hybrid of 2G/3G/4G systems. With the optimization of the network design, many improvements have developed over the evolution of various standards. The Next Generation Mobile Network (NGMN) board, has decided to focus the future NGMN activities on defining the end-to-end requirements for 5G new radio (NR) systems.
Quality of Service (QoS) indicates the performance from the perspective of network users. In LTE Evolved Packet System (EPS), QoS is managed based on EPS bearer in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and the Radio Access Network (RAN). In 5G network, QoS flow is the finest granularity for QoS management to enable more flexible QoS control. The concept of QoS flow is like EPS bearer. All types of traffic mapped to the same LTE EPS bearer or to the same 5G QoS flow receive the same level of packet forwarding treatment (e.g., scheduling policy, queue management policy, rate shaping policy, RLC configuration etc.) Providing different QoS forwarding treatment requires separate 5G QoS flow. Each QoS flow may include multiple QoS rules consisting of QoS profile, packet filters, and precedence order. QoS profile includes QoS parameters and QoS marking. Packet filter is used for binding a QoS flow to a specific QoS marking. Precedence order represents the priority to adapt a QoS rule to a QoS flow. UE performs the classification and marking of uplink (UL) User Plane traffic, i.e., the association of UL traffic to QoS flows based on QoS rules.
In 5G, PDU session establishment is a parallel procedure of PDN connection procedure in 4G. A PDU session defines the association between the UE and the data network that provides a PDU connectivity service. Each PDU session is identified by a PDU session ID, and may include multiple QoS flows and QoS rules. Each QoS flow is identified by a QoS flow ID (QFI) which is unique within a PDU session. Each QoS rule is identified by a QoS rule ID (QRI). There can be more than one QoS rule associated with the same QoS flow. A default QoS rule is required to be sent to the UE for every PDU session establishment and it is associated with a QoS flow. Within a PDU session, there should be one and only one default QoS rule.
In the current 5G non-access stratum (NAS) specification, QoS rule and packet filters can be created, modified, and deleted using NAS signaling for QoS operation via PDU session and PDN connection establishment, modification, and release procedures, this is referred to as signaled QoS rule. In addition, QoS rule and packet filters can be derived from downlink (DL) packet with Reflective QoS Indication (RQI), a field in service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) header. This is referred to as derived QoS rule. For each received DL SDAP data PDU with RQI set to 1, the SDAP entity shall inform the NAS layer of the RQI and QFI. If the UE receives a DL user data packet marked with a QFI and an RQI, the DL user data packet belongs to a PDU session of IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6 or Ethernet PDU session type, and the UE does not have a derived QoS rule with the same packet filter for UL direction as the packet filter for UL direction derived from the DL user data packet, then the UE shall create a new derived QoS rule and packet filter.
When there are multiple C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs in the ethernet frame header of the DL packet, it is unclear which C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs should be derived for the derived QoS Rule in DL packet with RQI. Furthermore, it is unclear which C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs should be evaluated for the signalled or derived QoS Rule or packet filter when there are multiple C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs in the ethernet frame header of an UL/DL data packet.
A solution is sought.
A method of deriving packet filter component of derived QoS rule and evaluating of packet when there are multiple C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs in Ethernet frame header is proposed. In one novel aspect, for a derived QoS rule, when a DL packet carries multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, the UE derives packet filter component of the QoS rule derived from the outermost C-TAG and/or the outermost S-TAG of the DL packet. In another novel aspect, when evaluating an UL data packet carrying multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, the UE evaluates the outermost C-TAG and/or the outermost S-TAG of the UL data packet, the UE then send the UL data packet on the corresponding QoS rule of the matched packet filter. When evaluating a DL data packet carrying multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, the network evaluates the outermost C-TAG and/or the outermost S-TAG of the DL data packet, the network then send the DL data packet on the corresponding QoS rule of the matched packet filter.
In one embodiment, a UE establishes a protocol data unit (PDU) session in a 5G mobile communication network. The UE receives a downlink (DL) data packet comprising a QoS flow indicator (QFI), a reflective QoS indicator (RQI), and multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs. The UE derives a packet filter component from the multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, wherein the packet filter component is derived from an outmost C-TAG or S-TAG. The UE evaluates a packet header of an uplink data packet and find a matching packet filter of a QoS rule of the packet header. The UE transmits the uplink data packet using the matched QoS rule.
In another embodiment, a UE establishes a protocol data unit (PDU) session or a Packet data network (PDN) connection in a mobile communication network. The UE obtains QoS rule configuration for the PDU session or the PDN connection, wherein the QoS rule configuration comprises a number of packet filters having packet filter components. The UE evaluates a header of an uplink data packet that carries multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, wherein the UE evaluates an outmost C-TAG or S-TAG of the uplink data packet based on the QoS rule configuration. The UE transmits the uplink data packet using the matched QoS rule.
In yet another embodiment, a network entity establishes a protocol data unit (PDU) session or a Packet data network (PDN) connection with a user equipment (UE) by a network entity. The network entity obtains QoS rule configuration for the PDU session or the PDN connection, wherein the QoS rule configuration comprises a number of packet filters having packet filter components. The network entity evaluates a header of a downlink data packet that carries multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, wherein the network entity evaluates an outmost C-TAG or S-TAG of the downlink data packet based on the QoS rule configuration. The network entity transmits the downlink data packet to the UE using the matched QoS rule.
Other embodiments and advantages are described in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.
The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components, illustrate embodiments of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
EPS and 5GS networks are packet-switched (PS) Internet Protocol (IP) networks. This means that the networks deliver all data traffic in IP packets, and provide users with IP Connectivity. When UE joins an EPS/5GS network, a Packet Data Network (PDN) address (i.e., the one that can be used on the PDN) is assigned to the UE for its connection to the PDN. EPS calls the UE's “IP access connection” an evolved packet system (EPS) bearer, which is a connection between the UE and the P-GW. The P-GW is the default gateway for the UE's IP access. EPS has defined a Default EPS Bearer to provide the IP Connectivity.
In 5G, PDU session establishment is a parallel procedure of PDN connection procedure in 4G. A PDU session defines the association between the UE and the data network that provides a PDU connectivity service. Each PDU session is identified by a PDU session ID, and may include multiple QoS flows and QoS rules. Each QoS flow is identified by a QoS flow ID (QFI) which is unique within a PDU session. Each QoS rule is identified by a QoS rule ID (QRI). There can be more than one QoS rule associated with the same QoS flow. A default QoS rule is required to be sent to the UE for every PDU session establishment and it is associated with a QoS flow. Within a PDU session, there should be one and only one default QoS rule.
In the current 5G non-access stratum (NAS) specification, QoS rule and packet filters can be created, modified, and deleted using NAS signaling for QoS operation via PDU session and PDN connection establishment, modification, and release procedures, this is referred to as signaled QoS rule. In addition, QoS rule and packet filters can be derived from downlink (DL) packet with Reflective QoS Indication (RQI), a field in service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) header. This is referred to as derived QoS rule. For each received DL SDAP data PDU with RQI set to 1, the SDAP entity shall inform the NAS layer of the RQI and QFI. If the UE receives a DL user data packet marked with a QFI and an RQI, the DL user data packet belongs to a PDU session of IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6 or Ethernet PDU session type, and the UE does not have a derived QoS rule with the same packet filter for UL direction as the packet filter for UL direction derived from the DL user data packet, then the UE shall create a new derived QoS rule and packet filter.
When there are multiple C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs in the ethernet frame header of the DL packet, it is unclear which C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs should be derived for the derived QoS Rule in DL packet with RQI. Furthermore, it is unclear which C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs should be evaluated for the signalled or derived QoS Rule or packet filter when there are multiple C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs in the ethernet frame header of an UL/DL data packet. In accordance with one novel aspect, a method of deriving packet filter component of derived QoS rule and evaluating packet when there are multiple C-TAGs and/or S-TAGs in Ethernet frame header is proposed. In one novel aspect as depicted by 140, for a derived QoS rule, when a DL packet carries multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, the UE derives packet filter component of the QoS rule derived from the outermost C-TAG and/or the outermost S-TAG of the DL packet. In another novel aspect as depicted by 150, when evaluating an UL data packet carrying multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, the UE evaluates the outermost C-TAG and/or the outermost S-TAG of the UL data packet, the UE then send the UL data packet on the corresponding QOS rule of the matched packet filter. When evaluating a DL data packet carrying multiple C-TAGs or S-TAGs, the network evaluates the outermost C-TAG and/or the outermost S-TAG of the DL data packet, the network then send the DL data packet on the corresponding QOS rule of the matched packet filter.
Similarly, UE 201 has memory 202, a processor 203, and radio frequency (RF) transceiver module 204. RF transceiver 204 is coupled with antenna 205, receives RF signals from antenna 205, converts them to baseband signals, and sends them to processor 203. RF transceiver 204 also converts received baseband signals from processor 203, converts them to RF signals, and sends out to antenna 205. Processor 203 processes the received baseband signals and invokes different functional modules and circuits to perform features in UE 201. Memory 202 stores data and program instructions 210 to be executed by the processor to control the operations of UE 201. Suitable processors include, by way of example, a special purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of micro-processors, one or more micro-processor associated with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), file programmable gate array (FPGA) circuits, and other type of integrated circuits (ICs), and/or state machines. A processor in associated with software may be used to implement and configure features of UE 201.
UE 201 also comprises a set of functional modules and control circuits to carry out functional tasks of UE 201. Protocol stacks 260 comprise Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) layer to communicate with an MME or an AMF entity connecting to the core network, Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer for high layer configuration and control, Packet Data Convergence Protocol/Radio Link Control (PDCP/RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and Physical (PHY) layer. System modules and circuits 270 may be implemented and configured by software, firmware, hardware, and/or combination thereof. The function modules and circuits, when executed by the processors via program instructions contained in the memory, interwork with each other to allow UE 201 to perform embodiments and functional tasks and features in the network. In one example, system modules and circuits 270 comprise PDU session handling circuit 221 that performs PDU session establishment and modification procedures with the network, a QoS rule management circuit 222 that handles QoS rule management by creating, modifying, deleting QoS rules and packet filters, a config and control circuit 223 that handles QoS flow and rule configuration and other control parameters, and evaluates data packets.
In step 521, a network entity (e.g., UPF) obtains QoS rule and QoS flow parameters of the UE, which contain one or more packet filters. In step 531, the network entity (UPF) attempts to match header of a downlink data packet with packet filter of a QoS rule. If there are more than one C-TAG/S-TAG in the Ethernet frame header of the DL data packet, then the outmost C-TAG/S-TAG is evaluated. In step 541, the network entity (UPF) will transmit the DL data packet on the corresponding QoS flow of the QoS rule if a match is found.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/338,910, entitled “Multiple TAGs handling for derived or signal QoS Rule/packet filter”, filed on May 6, 2022, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63338910 | May 2022 | US |