Ethernet PDU Session Policy Control Using Device Packet Filters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communications systems face challenges in providing Ethernet services due to insufficient information about wireless devices, leading to difficulties in establishing desired services.

Innovation Solution

Implementing Ethernet packet data unit (PDU) session communications by allowing wireless devices to provide Ethernet packet filter sets to a session management function, which in turn provides messages to a user plane function for policy enforcement and data flow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communications systems use traditional network access methods, then network deployment flexibility is improved, but insufficient device-specific information prevents proper Ethernet service provisioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork deployment flexibilityVSAvoiddevice-specific information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device performs Ethernet packet filtering and policy rule application in advance, before data transmission occurs. The device prepares packet filter sets containing Ethernet packet detection information and provides them to the network, enabling the network to enforce policies without having previously stored device-specific Ethernet service information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the wireless device acts as a mediator between Ethernet packet filtering and network policy enforcement. The device generates packet filter sets that serve as intermediaries, carrying device-specific information to the network without requiring the network to directly store or manage detailed device Ethernet service configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the network enforces policies without device-specific information, then network operation simplicity is improved, but Ethernet service provisioning fails due to lack of necessary device information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork operation simplicityVSAvoidEthernet service provisioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device performs self-service by autonomously generating Ethernet packet filter sets and applying policy rules locally. The device identifies its own Ethernet service requirements, creates appropriate packet filters, and provides this information to the network, eliminating the need for the network to manually configure or store device-specific Ethernet service information while ensuring reliable service provisioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device prepares policy rule sets and packet filter information in advance of network policy enforcement. By performing Ethernet packet filtering and policy application beforehand, the device ensures that when the network enforces policies, all necessary device-specific information is already embedded in the packet filter sets, ensuring both operational simplicity and service reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If wireless devices provide Ethernet packet filter sets, then Ethernet service provisioning is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional filtering and policy management functions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEthernet service provisioningVSAvoidfiltering and policy management functions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device leverages its existing packet processing capabilities to perform Ethernet packet filtering and policy rule application. Rather than introducing dedicated specialized hardware or software modules, the device uses its general-purpose packet processing functions to handle Ethernet service provisioning, thereby enabling reliable service delivery without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of existing device functions rather than adding new complex components. The device modifies its packet processing behavior to include Ethernet packet detection and filtering based on policy rules, transforming existing general-purpose functions into specialized Ethernet service functions through parameter adjustments rather than structural additions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3846508B1Policy control for ethernet packet data
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC
  • EP3846508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3846508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3846508B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for wireless communications. A policy control function may determine a policy and charging control rule comprising one or more Ethernet source MAC addresses and a quality of service policy. The policy control function may send the policy and charging control rule to a session management function to provide an Ethernet PDU session for a wireless device.