The reference architecture considered can be described as an heterogeneous radio access network supported by a common Core Network.
Figure shows the most relevant concepts and facilitates the identification of the QoS management elements.
One interesting approach for managing the QoS in B3G networks is the Policy-Based Networking (PBN). It facilitates the management and introduce high levels of flexibility. Important efforts has been done by 3GPP to incorporate such concept in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).
QoS Management in CN: Bandwidth Broker (BB) concept Recently has been considered that one solution for managing the QoS in the IP CN is based in the use a Diffserv domain for the CN with a BB in the control plane. This BB will take decisions (admission control, routing, etc) based in rules (policy-based) defined by the operator.
RANs QoS management: Wireless QoS Broker (WQB)concept.
This entity is the counterpart of the BB although the characteristics of the radio access system implies the definition different functionalities:
· Configuration of the RANs for QoS provision.
· Joint Radio Resource Management (JRRM).
· Inter-domain negotiation.