Envelope Reporting in 3GPP CP-UP Architecture

The patent divides the envelope reporting function into two separate parts: the CP function handles control plane operations including setting TQM and receiving usage reports, while the UP function handles user plane operations including monitoring traffic and generating envelope closure reports. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, improving reporting efficiency without creating unnecessary complexity in either component.

The patent extracts the time-based measurement and envelope reporting logic from the UP function and places it in the CP function. The CP function sets the TQM parameters and determines envelope closure timing based on received usage reports, while the UP function simply monitors traffic and reports envelope closures. This extraction improves overall system efficiency by centralizing control logic while keeping the UP function simple and 3GPP agnostic.

The patent extracts the TQM configuration and envelope reporting logic from the UP function and relocates it to the CP function. The UP function receives simple instructions to monitor traffic and report envelope closures, while the CP function handles the complex tasks of setting TQM parameters, determining envelope closure timing, and generating usage reports. This maintains measurement precision while keeping the UP function simple and vendor-neutral.

The patent introduces the CP function as an intermediary between the traffic monitoring process and the reporting process. The CP function receives usage reports from the UP function, determines envelope closure timing based on TQM parameters, and generates the final usage reports for charging. This intermediary role allows the UP function to remain simple and 3GPP agnostic while still achieving precise time-based measurement through coordinated operation.