Systems and methods for implementing reflective EPS bearers to ensure uplink quality of service

摘要

The present disclosure is directed at systems, methods and media for providing QoS differentiation between IP data flows by sorting data packets into bearers. If a first node in a communication network (e.g., a User Equipment or UE) determines that downlink packets received from a second node (e.g., a Packet Data Network Gateway or PDN-GW) via a specific bearer should be given reflective bearer treatment, the first node can be configured to send uplink packets back to the second node via the same bearer. By sending uplink traffic using the same bearer as downlink traffic, the first node can aid in ensuring that the correct QoS for the uplink traffic is used. Downlink packets or bearers can be configured to request reflective bearer treatment through reserved QoS Class Identifier (QCI) values, Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP) values, or through an indicator specifically defined for requesting such treatment.

主权项

1. A network apparatus comprising:
a computer processor in communication with an interface, the computer processor to:
determine that a bearer should be configured as a reflective bearer;cause an indication that the bearer is to be a reflective bearer to be sent to a user equipment (UE);send at least one downlink packet received at the network apparatus to the UE via the bearer; andwherein the indication that the bearer is to be a reflective bearer causes the UE to store flow information comprising a source Internet Protocol (IP) address, source port, and protocol type from the at least one downlink packet and to send uplink packets matching the flow information via the bearer.