Class-based quality of service over air interfaces in 4G mobile networks

We present a framework for quality of service provisioning over the air interfaces in future wireless networks, including 3G enhancement and 4G mobile networks. The framework is based on the paradigm of service classes, wherein each class can exhibit a characteristic behavior in terms of resource allocation over the air interface. Using this QoS framework, future wireless network operators can define their own sets of service classes, choose the preferred way of implementing the QoS behavior of these classes, and offer class-based pricing schemes. The user application can choose the service class that best suits its expectations in terms of QoS and cost of access. A class-based bandwidth scheduling scheme is described as a mechanism to implement this QoS framework over CDMA air interfaces. This scheme incorporates the paradigm of service classes, in conjunction with fair resource allocation and air interface congestion resilience, while allocating air interface bandwidth to mobile users.