5G Core Network Traffic Routing by Subscriber Category
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks lack the ability for Application Functions (AFs) to request specific traffic routing for user equipment (UE) categories or services, and Network Functions (NFs) cannot request analytics data for specific UE categories, leading to inefficient management of network resources and high costs in differentiating tariff plans.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods and apparatuses that enable AFs to request traffic routing and influence analytics data for specific UE categories by collecting and tracking subscriber categories and allowed services, and updating policy and charging control rules for impacted protocol data unit sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 5G networks implement comprehensive analytics collection for all user equipment, then network optimization and service quality improve, but network complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by enabling selective analytics collection based on user category identifiers. Instead of uniformly collecting analytics for all users, the system collects analytics only for users belonging to specific categories (e.g., premium, basic, enterprise) as defined by the operator. This is achieved through the PCF receiving analytics subscription requests filtered by user category identifiers and selectively distributing collection instructions to relevant NFs, thereby reducing network complexity while maintaining service quality for targeted segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the user population into distinct categories based on subscription plans and service requirements. The system segments analytics collection efforts by user category identifiers, with different NFs collecting analytics for different user segments. This segmentation allows the network to manage complexity by handling analytics for specific user groups separately and selectively, rather than treating all users uniformly.
2Productivity
If the network differentiates tariff plans through comprehensive user monitoring, then billing accuracy and resource allocation improve, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by collecting and processing analytics data selectively based on user category identifiers. The PCF receives analytics subscription requests that specify target user categories and only triggers analytics collection for users in those categories. This selective approach enables accurate resource allocation and billing for specific tariff plans while reducing operational costs by avoiding unnecessary monitoring of users who do not require differentiated service levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing analytics collection only for the portion of users who require differentiated tariff plans and service monitoring. Rather than comprehensively monitoring all users, the system collects analytics partially - only for users matching the specified category identifiers in the analytics subscription requests. This reduces operational costs while maintaining sufficient monitoring accuracy for billing and resource allocation purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Application Functions can request traffic routing for any user equipment, then service flexibility and user experience improve, but network control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by enabling Application Functions to request traffic routing only for specific user categories identified by user category identifiers. The PCF receives traffic influence requests filtered by these identifiers and only distributes routing instructions to NFs for the targeted user segments. This maintains service flexibility for operators while reducing network control complexity by limiting routing decisions to specific user groups rather than managing all users uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCF serves as an intermediary that mediates between Application Functions and Network Functions regarding traffic routing requests. It receives analytics subscription requests and traffic influence requests from AFs, filters them by user category identifiers, and selectively forwards relevant routing instructions to appropriate NFs. This intermediary role enables service flexibility for AFs while managing network control complexity by centralizing and filtering routing decisions.
4Reliability
If Network Functions collect analytics data for all users, then network optimization improves, but data management complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by collecting analytics data selectively based on user category identifiers. The PCF receives analytics subscription requests that specify target user categories and only triggers analytics collection for users in those categories. This reduces the volume of analytics data that NFs must collect, store, and process, thereby reducing data management complexity and storage requirements while maintaining network optimization for the targeted user segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts relevant analytics data by filtering and selecting only the analytics information needed for specific user categories. The PCF extracts user category identifiers from analytics subscription requests and uses them to filter which users' analytics should be collected. This extraction approach reduces data volume by removing unnecessary analytics data for users who do not match the specified categories, while preserving the optimization capabilities for the relevant user segments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for enhanced traffic routing. A method can include receiving, from a network function consumer or an application function, in a communications system, an analytics subscription request, the analytics subscription request comprising one or more subscriber categories and/or one or more allowed services; and causing transmission of an event exposure request to at least one network function, the event exposure request comprising the one or more subscriber categories and/or the one or more allowed services.