Implementation of Hybrid QoS-Aware Data Radio Bearer in 5G Networks

2026-10-02

AI Summary

This study addresses the limitations of static Data Radio Bearer (DRB) mapping in 5G networks, which results in low spectrum utilization and struggles to guarantee Quality of Service (QoS) for delay-sensitive applications. To overcome these challenges, this work proposes a hybrid DRB mapping mechanism based on 5G QoS Identifier (5QI) characteristics. The proposed approach enables flexible many-to-one and one-to-one mappings by allocating dedicated DRBs to critical traffic flows to ensure stringent QoS requirements, while allowing non-critical flows to dynamically share DRB resources. Experimental validation conducted on the OpenAirInterface platform demonstrates that the proposed method effectively enhances radio resource utilization, significantly reduces bearer establishment overhead, and achieves efficient management of differentiated QoS.

Abstract

In Fifth-Generation (5G) wireless networks, Quality of Service (QoS) flow management supports diverse applications with heterogeneous QoS requirements, including latency-sensitive and high-throughput services. 5G architectures adopt a flow based QoS framework, where QoS flows are mapped to Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) to achieve the desired radio resource allocation. Existing mapping strategies typically rely on static one-to-one QoS-to-DRB mappings per PDU session, leading to inefficient spectrum utilization or inadequate support for delay sensitive traffic. This work presents a hybrid QoS-aware DRB mapping mechanism based on standardized 5G QoS Identifier (5QI) characteristics. The proposed framework incorporates multiple QoS flows within a single PDU session, supporting both many-to-one and one-to-one mapping strategies. The hybrid framework improves radio resource utilization and reduced bearer overhead by enabling flexible DRB utilization, where compatible non critical flows share DRBs while delay-critical flows are assigned dedicated DRBs to ensure strict QoS guarantees. The proposed hybrid QoS-aware DRB mapping is implemented using the open-source OpenAirInterface (OAI) mobile stack platform to demonstrate the integration of the proposed features within the existing 5G framework.

Problem

• 5G Networks
• Quality of Service (QoS)
• Data Radio Bearer (DRB)
• Spectrum Utilization
• Delay-sensitive Traffic

Innovation

• Hybrid QoS-aware DRB mapping
• 5G Networks
• 5QI
• OpenAirInterface
• Radio resource utilization