Edge Gateway Charging Interface for Local Breakout Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile network protocols lack defined interfaces for conveying online charging information from edge network gateways to the core network and receiving dynamic policy updates, which hinders efficient local breakout of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions and increases latency.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional interface is introduced between the edge network gateway and the core network nodes, enabling the edge gateway to send online charging information to the Online Charging System and receive dynamic policy updates from the Policy and Charging Rules Function, facilitating their application to PDU sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If local breakout is implemented at edge network gateway, then end-to-end latency is reduced and traffic load on core network is reduced, but existing mobile network protocols lack defined interfaces for conveying online charging information and receiving dynamic policy updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary interface (N7 interface) between the edge network gateway and core network nodes that mediates the exchange of online charging information and policy updates. This intermediary interface resolves the contradiction by providing a standardized communication path that enables local breakout functionality without requiring complex ad-hoc interface definitions, thus reducing latency while maintaining protocol simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interface framework that handles multiple functions including online charging information conveyance, dynamic policy updates, and PDU session management. This multi-functional interface eliminates the need for separate specialized interfaces for each function, reducing overall interface complexity while enabling comprehensive local breakout support with reduced latency.
2Measurement precision
If online charging information is conveyed from edge network gateway to core network, then charging accuracy is improved, but network complexity increases due to additional interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the online charging information conveyance function with the existing N7 interface framework used for policy management. By combining multiple functions (charging information transfer, policy updates, and session management) into a single standardized interface, the patent achieves accurate charging information exchange without proportionally increasing network interface complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If dynamic policy updates are received at edge network gateway, then policy enforcement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing the N7 interface framework and policy update mechanisms in advance, before actual policy enforcement is needed. This allows the edge network gateway to be pre-configured with the capability to receive and process dynamic policy updates, improving enforcement accuracy without requiring complex ad-hoc processing arrangements when policies need to be enforced.
Data Source
AI summary
An edge network gateway, located in an edge network and connected to a core network, receives packets for a local breakout (LBO) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with a mobile subscriber. The edge network gateway sends, based on receipt of the packets for the LBO PDU session, a request for charging to a core network node, and forwards the packets for the LBO PDU session to a network or multi-access edge computing (MEC) data center connected to the edge network. The edge network gateway sends, via an online charging interface, charging data counts for the packets of the LBO PDU session to the core network node for reporting to an Online Charging System and charging to the mobile subscriber.