Deferred Location Reporting for Mobile Policy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks experience excessive signaling load due to unnecessary user location information (ULI) and Fixed Broadband Access-related information changes, leading to inefficiencies in reporting procedures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing new granularity levels for ULI reporting, such as ENB, policy area, and deferred reporting for UEs without active radio bearers, as well as optional indications for BBAI information changes, to reduce unnecessary signaling and improve network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location change reporting procedures are implemented to notify PCRF of user location changes, then policy and charging control accuracy is improved, but signaling load and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective reporting - only certain location changes are reported to PCRF based on predefined criteria. The network node evaluates whether a location change warrants reporting by checking if the new location triggers policy changes or charging rule modifications. This prevents excessive reporting of all location changes, reducing signaling load while maintaining necessary policy control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reporting parameter from continuous location change reporting to event-driven reporting based on specific conditions. The reporting mechanism transitions from reporting all location changes to reporting only when predefined parameters (such as entering/leaving service areas, changing access networks) are met. This parameter change significantly reduces signaling load while preserving essential policy control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If H(e)NB local IP address and BBAI information changes are reported to PCRF, then fixed broadband access network interworking is improved, but unnecessary signaling and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary reporting elements from the BBAI information change reporting process. It identifies and filters out reporting instances where the H(e)NB local IP address or other BBAI information changes but do not actually impact PCRF decision-making or policy enforcement. This extraction of essential information from the complete data set reduces network traffic while maintaining fixed broadband access interworking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node performs self-service evaluation by autonomously determining whether BBAI information changes warrant PCRF notification. The node uses locally available information and predefined criteria to assess whether a reported change is significant, eliminating the need for blind reporting of all BBAI changes. This self-service mechanism reduces unnecessary signaling while ensuring important changes are communicated.
3Measurement precision
If detailed user location information is continuously reported to PCRF, then policy enforcement accuracy is improved, but network resources and processing power are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location reporting function into multiple levels: detailed location information is reported only when necessary for policy enforcement, while coarser location information may be used for other purposes. The reporting is divided into different types (e.g., access network changes, service area changes, cell changes) with different reporting thresholds and priorities. This segmentation allows the system to maintain policy enforcement accuracy while reducing overall network resource consumption by not continuously reporting all location details.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic evaluation rather than continuous reporting. The network node periodically assesses whether location changes meet reporting criteria before notifying PCRF. This periodic action with conditional triggering maintains policy enforcement accuracy by ensuring relevant location information is reported while significantly reducing network resource consumption compared to continuous detailed location reporting.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an embodiment, there is provided a method for reducing the load due to user location change reporting for location-based policy and/or charging control services for said user, in a mobile communication system wherein granularity of user location includes granularity at cell level and/or granularity at service area level, a service area (or Location or Routing or Tracking Area) comprising a set of cells defined at network operation level, a method wherein said user location change reporting is based on at least one of: - a granularity of reporting at a base station level, whereby a user location change is reported upon change of serving base station, - a granularity of reporting at a policy area level, whereby a user location change is reported upon entering or leaving a policy area, a policy area comprising a set of cells and/or serving areas, defined at policy and/or charging control level, - for a granularity of reporting at a cell level or at a service area level or at a policy area level, a deferred user location change reporting until user plane activity is resumed, in case said user is not currently active in the user plane.