ADC Mode Identification in Roaming Policy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of policy and charging control in mobile communications, when a user equipment (UE) roams to a visited network, the Home Policy and Charging Rule Function (H-PCRF) cannot correctly distinguish the Application Detection and Control (ADC) mode of the Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN), leading to incorrect decision-making and performance of the ADC function.

Innovation Solution

The method involves the Visit Policy and Charging Rules Function (V-PCRF) informing the H-PCRF of the ADC function mode supported by the visited network through an S9 session, allowing the H-PCRF to determine whether to provide ADC rules, with options for solicited or unsolicited application reporting modes, and forwarding these rules to the Policy and Control Enforcement Function (PCEF) or Traffic Detection Function (TDF) as necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the H-PCRF does not obtain ADC mode information from the V-PCRF, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the H-PCRF cannot correctly distinguish the ADC mode of the VPLMN leading to incorrect decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveADC mode informationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The V-PCRF performs preliminary action by determining the ADC mode supported by the VPLMN before the H-PCRF makes policy decisions. The V-PCRF includes this determined ADC mode information in the S9 session establishment request message sent to the H-PCRF, enabling the H-PCRF to correctly distinguish the ADC mode and make accurate decisions without requiring additional signaling exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The S9 session establishment request message acts as an intermediary carrier that transfers the ADC mode information from the V-PCRF to the H-PCRF. This intermediary mechanism allows the H-PCRF to obtain necessary ADC mode information during the existing session establishment process without requiring separate dedicated signaling messages, thus balancing information completeness with signaling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the H-PCRF provides ADC rules without knowing the ADC mode, then the service response speed is improved, but the ADC function cannot be performed correctly due to incorrect mode assumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice response speedVSAvoidADC function correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of the ADC mode by the V-PCRF and includes this information in the S9 session establishment request message before the H-PCRF formulates and provides ADC rules. This preliminary action ensures that the H-PCRF has accurate ADC mode information available when making policy decisions, guaranteeing the correctness of the ADC function while maintaining efficient service response through the existing session establishment signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the V-PCRF does not inform the H-PCRF of the ADC mode, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the roaming ADC function cannot be correctly implemented across different networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidroaming ADC function compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The V-PCRF performs preliminary determination of the ADC mode supported by the VPLMN and includes this information in the S9 session establishment request message. This approach enables the H-PCRF to adapt its ADC rule formulation to the specific ADC mode capabilities of the visited network, ensuring correct roaming ADC function implementation without requiring complex additional configuration or multiple signaling exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2800407B1Method and system for identifying application detection control function mode
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 ZTE CORP
  • EP2800407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2800407B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2800407B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for identifying an Application Detection Control (ADC) function mode is disclosed. The method is applicable to a scenario where a roaming UE accesses a visited network from a visited location, and includes that: when a Visit Policy And Charging Rule Function entity (V-PCRF) creates an S9 session, the V-PCRF informs a Home Policy And Charging Rule Function entity (H-PCRF) of an ADC (ADC) function mode supported by a visited network; and the H-PCRF determines, in accordance with the ADC function mode supported by the visited network, whether to provide the ADC rule to the visited network. A system for identifying an ADC function mode is disclosed. With the method and the system, when a user is in a visited access scenario, a network system can perform a correct application detection function on the user.