Methods, Network Node, Systems, and Computer Program Products For Controlling Usage of Multi-Path TCP

• US 20150215225A1
• Filed: 03/20/2014
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Vikberg, Jari, Hedberg, Tomas, MILDH, Gunnar
• Granted Patent: US 10,097,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/24 Multipath
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/263 Rate modification at the source after receiving feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/41 by acting on aggregated flows or links
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by an MPTCP controller of a multi-path transmission control protocol (MPTCP) capable device. The method comprises receiving information signals comprising MPTCP usage information, from outside of the device. The method also comprises sending control signals to an MPTCP scheduler of the device for controlling said scheduler, the control signals being based on the received usage information. The present disclosure also relates to devices which may perform said method.

Claims

1. A method performed by an MPTCP controller of a multi-path transmission control protocol, MPTCP, capable device, the method comprising:

receiving information signals comprising MPTCP usage information, from outside of the device; and

sending control signals to an MPTCP scheduler of the device for controlling said scheduler, the control signals being based on the received usage information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signals for controlling the MPTCP scheduler are application specific, or are for all applications.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signals for controlling the MPTCP scheduler comprises instructions about if and/or how different applications should be scheduled using MPTCP.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the control signals specify a condition when a new MPTCP sub-flow should be established.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the control signals specify that MPTCP shall be used for seamless session continuity at mobility.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the control signals specify that MPTCP shall be used for throughput aggregation on all available, or on specified, sub-flows.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the control signals specify under which condition(s) and/or to what extent each sub-flow should be included in the throughput aggregation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the received MPTCP usage information identifies at least one application for the scheduling of which the usage information is relevant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the received MPTCP usage information identifies at least one user equipment, UE, for the scheduling of which the usage information is relevant.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the received MPTCP usage information is signalled out-band via over-the-top (OTT) signalling or non-access stratum (NAS) signalling.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the received MPTCP usage information is signalled in-band as part of MPTCP signalling with another MPTCP device, e.g. in TCP Options header field(s).

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending information signals comprising MPTCP usage information to another MPTCP device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sent MPTCP usage information is based on information specific for the other MPTCP device to which the usage information is sent.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the MPTCP capable device is a UE, an MPTCP proxy, or an application server.

15. The method claim 1, wherein the information signals are received over a radio interface.

20. A computer program product comprising computer-executable components for causing an MPTCP controller to perform the method of claim 1 when the computer-executable components are run on processor circuitry of the controller.

16. An MPTCP controller for an MPTCP capable device, the controller comprising:

processor circuitry; and

a storage unit storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry whereby said controller is operative to;

receive information signals comprising MPTCP usage information, from outside of the device; and

send control signals to an MPTCP scheduler of the device for controlling said scheduler, the control signals being based on the received usage information.

17. A UE comprising:

an MPTCP controller of claim 16; and

an MPTCP scheduler.

18. An MPTCP proxy comprising:

an MPTCP controller of claim 16; and

an MPTCP scheduler.

19. An application server comprising:

an MPTCP controller of claim 16; and

an MPTCP scheduler.

21. A computer program comprising computer program code which is able to, when run on processor circuitry of an MPTCP controller of an MPTCP capable device, cause the controller to:

receive information signals comprising MPTCP usage information, from outside of the device; and

send control signals to an MPTCP scheduler of the device for controlling said scheduler, the control signals being based on the received usage information.

22. A computer program product comprising a computer program according to claim 21 and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.

23. A method performed by a network element in a communication network, the method comprising:

obtaining MPTCP usage information for an MPTCP controller of an MPTCP capable device; and

transmitting information signals comprising the MPTCP usage information to the MPTCP capable device for enabling said MPTCP controller to control an MPTCP scheduler of the MPTCP capable device based on the MPTCP usage information.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the network element is comprised in another MPTCP device, e.g. a UE, an MPTCP proxy, or an application server, and wherein the information signals are transmitted in-band as part of MPTCP signalling with the MPTCP capable device.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the network element is comprised in an ANDSF server or an OTT server, and wherein the information signals are transmitted out-band of any MPTCP signalling of the MPTCP capable device.

26. A network element for a communication network, the element comprising:

processor circuitry; and

a storage unit storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry whereby said network element is operative to;

obtain MPTCP usage information for an MPTCP controller of an MPTCP capable device; and

transmit information signals comprising the MPTCP usage information to the MPTCP capable device for enabling said MPTCP controller to control an MPTCP scheduler of the MPTCP capable device based on the MPTCP usage information.