Technology agnostic QoS support in a multi-mode environment

• US 8,331,375 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Babbar, Uppinder Singh, Lioy, Marcello, Veerepalli, Sivaramakrishna, Mir, Idreas A
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMUEL, DEWANDA A
• Application Number:
  US11/197,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20060029096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,686 Days
• Field of Search: 370/231, 370/466, 370/329, 370/332, 370/229, 370/328, 370/395.21, 370/395.5
• US Class Current: 370/395.21
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/24 Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0044 of quality context information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks

Abstract

A generic quality of service (QoS) model that is not dependent on network technology is used to support QoS for communication networks utilizing different network technologies. The generic QoS model may include a superset of all QoS parameters for all network technologies being supported, e.g., 3GPP and 3GPP2. An application at a device may specify QoS for a traffic flow based on the generic QoS parameters in the superset. The generic QoS parameters may be converted to QoS parameters that are specific to a serving network. The converted QoS parameters are exchanged with the serving network and are used while exchanging traffic with the serving network.

Claims

1. A method of supporting quality of service (QoS) for communication, comprising:

with a wireless device;

receiving a first set of QoS parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device;

converting the first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model;

determining at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both in the first set of QoS parameters;

sending the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

converting the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

sending the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first QoS model is a generic QoS model and the second QoS model is a network-specific QoS model.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the second entity a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model;

converting the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

providing the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model, and the second QoS model comprises either a QoS model for a 3GPP network technology or a QoS model for a 3GPP2 network technology.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining at least one auxiliary parameter used for converting the first set of QoS parameters to the second set of QoS parameters.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one auxiliary parameter comprises a rate dependent latency, a constant latency factor, a minimum data rate to meet a latency requirement, a maximum channel rate, or a combination thereof.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the first QoS model utilizes a data rate format and the second QoS model utilizes a token bucket format to specify a data rate.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a processor operable to;

receive a first set of QoS parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at a wireless device;

convert the first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for the first QoS model to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model based at least in part by determining at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters;

send the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

obtain a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model and convert the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

initiate transmission of the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology; and

a memory unit operable to store one or more of the first set of QoS parameters, one or more of the second set of QoS parameters, one or more of the revised first set of QoS parameters, one or more of the revised second set of QoS parameters, or a combination thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters includes a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both.

9. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at a wireless device;

means for converting the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model comprising means for determining at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters;

means for sending the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

means for obtaining a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model;

means for converting the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model;

means for converting the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

means for transmitting the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters includes a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both.

11. An article comprising a non-transitory processor readable media having stored thereon implementable instructions that are executable by a processor in a wireless device to:

receive a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device;

determine whether the wireless device has access to at least one of a first air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a second QoS model or a second air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a third QoS model;

in response to the wireless device having access to the first air link connection;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model, wherein at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

initiate transmission of the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity via the first air link connection, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology; and

in response to the wireless device having access to the second air link connection;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model, wherein at least one data parameter for the third set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on the at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

initiate transmission of the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity via the second air link connection, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

12. The article of claim 11 wherein the implementable instructions are further executable by the processor to:

obtain a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

obtain a revised third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model from the third entity;

convert the revised second set of QoS parameters or the revised third set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

provide the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

13. An apparatus for use in a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first set of QoS parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device;

means for converting the first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for the first QoS model to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model;

means for determining at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both in the first set of QoS parameters; and

means for transmitting the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

means for converting the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

means for transmitting the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model and the second QoS model comprises a network-specific QoS model.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for receiving a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

means for converting the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

means for providing the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model, and the second QoS model comprises either a QoS model for a 3GPP network technology or a QoS model for a 3GPP2 network technology.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for determining at least one auxiliary parameter used for converting the first set of QoS parameters to the second set of QoS parameters.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one auxiliary parameter comprises a rate dependent latency, a constant latency factor, a minimum data rate to meet a latency requirement, a maximum channel rate, or a combination thereof.

42. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first QoS model utilizes a data rate format and the second QoS model utilizes a token bucket format to specify a data rate.

19. An article comprising a non-transitory processor readable media having stored thereon implementable instructions that are executable by a processor in a wireless device to:

obtain a first set of QoS parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device;

convert the first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for the first QoS model to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model;

determine at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on a maximum bit rate parameter, latency parameter, or both in the first set of QoS parameters; and

initiate transmission of the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

initiate transmission of the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

20. The article of claim 19, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model and the second QoS model comprises a network-specific QoS model.

21. The article of claim 19, wherein the implementable instructions are further executable by the processor to:

obtain a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

convert the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

initiate transmission of the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

22. The article of claim 19, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model, and the second QoS model comprises either a QoS model for a 3GPP network technology or a QoS model for a 3GPP2 network technology.

23. The article of claim 19, wherein the implementable instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine at least one auxiliary parameter used for converting the first set of QoS parameters to the second set of QoS parameters.

24. The article of claim 23, wherein the at least one auxiliary parameter comprises a rate dependent latency, a constant latency factor, a minimum data rate to meet a latency requirement, a maximum channel rate, or a combination thereof.

43. The article of claim 19, wherein the first QoS model utilizes a data rate format and the second QoS model utilizes a token bucket format to specify a data rate.

25. An apparatus for use in a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

a processor to;

obtain a first set of QoS parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device, convert the first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for the first QoS model to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model;

determine at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both in the first set of QoS parameters;

initiate transmission of the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

initiate transmission of the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology; and

a memory unit operative to store at least the first set of QoS parameters.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model and the second QoS model comprises a network-specific QoS model.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

convert the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

initiate transmission of the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first QoS model comprises a generic QoS model, and the second QoS model comprises either a QoS model for a 3GPP network technology or a QoS model for a 3GPP2network technology.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine at least one auxiliary parameter used for converting the first set of QoS parameters to the second set of QoS parameters.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the at least one auxiliary parameter comprises a rate dependent latency, a constant latency factor, a minimum data rate to meet a latency requirement, a maximum channel rate, or a combination thereof.

44. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first QoS model utilizes a data rate format and the second QoS model utilizes a token bucket format to specify a data rate.

31. A method comprising:

receiving a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at a wireless device;

converting the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model comprising means for determining at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters;

sending the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

obtaining a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model;

converting the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model;

converting the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

sending the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters includes a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both.

33. An article comprising a non-transitory processor readable media having stored thereon implementable instructions executable by a processor in a wireless device to:

receive a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for a second QoS model, at least in part, by determining at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters based at least in part on at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters;

send the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

obtain a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model;

convert the revised second set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for a third QoS model; and

initiate sending of the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

34. The article of claim 33, wherein the at least one data rate parameter in the first set of QoS parameters includes a maximum bit rate parameter, a latency parameter, or both.

35. A method comprising:

with a wireless device;

receiving a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at the wireless device;

determining whether the wireless device has access to at least one of a first air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a second QoS model or a second air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a third QoS model;

in response to the wireless device having access to the first air link connection;

converting the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model, wherein at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

sending the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity via the first air link connection, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology; and

in response to the wireless device having access to the second air link connection;

converting the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model, wherein at least one data parameter for the third set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on the at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

sending the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity via the second air link connection, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

36. The method of claim 35 and further comprising:

with the device;

obtaining a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

obtaining a revised third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model from the third entity;

converting the revised second set of QoS parameters or the revised third set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

providing the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

37. An apparatus comprising:

a processor to;

receive a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at a wireless device,

determine whether the apparatus has access to at least one of a first air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a second QoS model or a second air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a third QoS model,

in response to the apparatus having access to the first air link connection;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model, wherein at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

send the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity via the first air link connection, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology; and

in response to the apparatus having access to the second air link connection;

convert the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model, wherein at least one data parameter for the third set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on the at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

send the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity via the second air link connection, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology; and

a memory unit operative to store at least the first set of QoS parameters.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

obtain a revised third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model from the third entity;

convert the revised second set of QoS parameters or the revised third set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

provide the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.

39. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first set of quality of service (QoS) parameters for a first QoS model from a first entity, the first entity comprising an application at a wireless device;

means for determining whether the apparatus has access to at least one of a first air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a second QoS model or a second air link connection using a network technology whose QoS parameters are specified using a third QoS model;

means for converting the first set of QoS parameters to a second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model in response to the apparatus having access to the first air link connection, wherein at least one data rate parameter for the second set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters;

means for sending the second set of QoS parameters to a second entity via the first air link connection in response to the apparatus having access to the first air link connection, the second entity comprising a first base station in a first communication network utilizing a first network technology;

means for converting the first set of QoS parameters to a third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model in response to the apparatus having access to the second air link connection, wherein at least one data parameter for the third set of QoS parameters is based at least in part on the at least one data parameter in the first set of QoS parameters; and

means for sending the third set of QoS parameters to a third entity via the second air link connection in response to the apparatus having access to the second air link connection, the third entity comprising a second base station in a second communication network utilizing a second network technology that is different from the first network technology.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

means for obtaining a revised second set of QoS parameters for the second QoS model from the second entity;

means for obtaining a revised third set of QoS parameters for the third QoS model from the third entity;

means for converting the revised second set of QoS parameters or the revised third set of QoS parameters to a revised first set of QoS parameters for the first QoS model; and

means for providing the revised first set of QoS parameters to the first entity.