Priority Queuing for IP-Based Service Differentiation in the UMTS Radio Access Network

In this work, we investigate service differentiation under IP for the transport of both real-time and non real-time user traffic in the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). Therein, stringent delay bounds are to be met for both types of traffic, albeit tighter for the voice traffic. For the sake of simplicity, we suggest, model and analyze the use of priority queuing, as an efficient way to implement service differentiation. Our results are validated empirically on a test-bed emulating the UTRAN transport functionalities. This is carried out following a mean value as well as a percentile analysis. Based on these results, we draw the proper dimensioning of the UTRAN so as to meet the target QoS requirements.