QoS and session signaling in a 4G network

This paper describes the QoS subsystem of a proposed architecture for a next generation network, supporting both legacy data transfer applications and multimedia services. This subsystem is based on the concept of brokers, which manage resources and perform admission control of flows. Three main different scenarios for the integration of application signaling and network resource reservation signaling are supported. The scenarios differ on the entity that triggers the QoS requests to the broker and the resource reservation, in order to better support all types of applications and the needs of different operators. Simulation work shows the performance of each scenario in terms of signaling delay and response to high loads and sudden peaks of calls. Some guidelines for system dimensioning are also provided.