Dynamic Access and Mobility Policies from Application Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems lack a standardized mechanism for dynamically changing access and mobility policies in response to traffic changes for applications on terminal devices, especially when Policy Control Function-Access (PCF-AM) and Policy Control Function-Session Management (PCF-SM) entities are from different manufacturers or in different network slices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically changing access and mobility policies by entities that detect traffic changes in applications, allowing entities to configure or update settings based on detected traffic changes, and communicate through discovery and update requests to manage access and mobility settings effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PCF-AM and PCF-SM entities are separated into different manufacturers or network slices, then system flexibility and vendor independence are improved, but coordination complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the policy control function into separate PCF-AM and PCF-SM entities that can be independently deployed with different vendors or in different network slices. This segmentation allows flexible architecture where each entity handles specific policy aspects (access/mobility vs. session management) without requiring tight coupling, thus improving adaptability while managing coordination through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized discovery and communication mechanism as an intermediary between PCF-AM and PCF-SM entities. This intermediary framework enables these separated entities to coordinate effectively through defined protocols for traffic change detection, discovery requests, and policy updates, reducing coordination complexity despite physical or vendor separation.
2Productivity
If access and mobility policies are dynamically changed based on traffic conditions, then network resource allocation efficiency is improved, but policy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic policy adjustment mechanisms where PCF-AM and PCF-SM entities can modify access and mobility policies in real-time based on detected traffic changes. The system transitions from static policies to dynamic policies that adapt to application traffic conditions, improving resource allocation efficiency while managing complexity through automated detection and standardized update procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback loops where traffic changes are detected by PCF-SM, communicated to PCF-AM, which then adjusts access and mobility policies accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic policy optimization based on actual network conditions, improving productivity while reducing manual policy management complexity through event-driven automated adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized discovery and communication mechanisms are implemented between separate PCF entities, then interoperability is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops universal discovery and communication mechanisms that enable different PCF entities (AM and SM) from various vendors or network slices to interoperate through standardized protocols. These multi-functional mechanisms handle multiple tasks including entity discovery, traffic change notification, and policy update coordination, improving interoperability while reducing implementation complexity through consolidated standardized interfaces rather than multiple proprietary solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to dynamical changes in access and mobility policies. According to embodiments, an Application Function entity can request the Access and Mobility related entity to modify the access and mobility policies for a terminal device after the discovery of the Access and Mobility related entity. Alternatively, the Access and Mobility related entity obtains access and mobility policies from a User Data Repository that link traffic of an application on a Session towards to access and mobility policies and configure the AM policy based on a detection of traffic change done under control of a Session Management related entity. Therefore, the access setting and/or the mobility setting can be dynamically changed based on the traffic change in the application.