FMC PF Policy Control for Fixed Broadband QoS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fixed broadband access networks often fail to sense UE access or support 3GPP-based access authentication, leading to inadequate QoS control and guarantee in data transmission paths.

Innovation Solution

A policy control method and system that includes an FMC PF, which receives trigger messages from an ePDG to establish policy control sessions with a BPCF in the fixed broadband access network, ensuring QoS control by performing admission control based on transmitted QoS rules and information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fixed broadband access network uses conventional BPCF-based QoS control, then QoS control is effective when the network can sense UE access and support 3GPP authentication, but QoS control fails when the network cannot sense UE access or does not support 3GPP-based access authentication

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS control reliabilityVSAvoidAdaptability to different access scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ePDG acts as an intermediary between the UE and the fixed broadband access network. When the BPCF cannot sense UE access or support 3GPP authentication, the ePDG receives trigger messages from the UE and forwards them to the BPCF, enabling QoS control in scenarios where the conventional approach fails. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between different access technologies and authentication methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is enhanced to support multiple authentication methods and access scenarios. The BPCF is configured to handle both 3GPP-based authentication (when supported) and alternative authentication methods (when 3GPP is not supported). The trigger message mechanism provides a universal interface that works across different access types including WLAN, fixed broadband, and hybrid scenarios, making the QoS control system adaptable to various network configurations.

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

2Reliability

If the fixed broadband access network relies on native access sensing capabilities, then the architecture remains simple, but QoS control is inadequate when sensing fails

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS control effectivenessVSAvoidArchitecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of the BPCF with trigger message handling capabilities and QoS policy rules before UE access. The BPCF is pre-configured with the ability to process trigger messages from ePDG and enforce QoS policies. This preliminary setup ensures that when a UE attempts to access via fixed broadband, the QoS control mechanism is already in place and can immediately take effect without requiring complex runtime sensing and decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system implements comprehensive QoS control through ePDG trigger messages and BPCF policy sessions, then QoS guarantee is achieved in all access scenarios, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS guaranteeVSAvoidSystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements QoS control selectively based on the access scenario. When the fixed broadband access network can natively sense UE access and support 3GPP authentication, the conventional BPCF mechanism is used without ePDG intervention. The ePDG trigger message mechanism is activated only when needed (when native sensing fails or 3GPP authentication is not supported). This partial action approach achieves comprehensive QoS coverage while avoiding unnecessary complexity in scenarios where the simple conventional approach suffices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2597908B1Policy control method and system for a fixed broadband access network
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 ZTE CORP
  • EP2597908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2597908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2597908B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The disclosure provides a policy control method and a policy control system for accessing a fixed broadband access network. The policy control method includes: a FMC PF used for sensing the access of UE to a fixed broadband access network is set in a mobile network which a user requests to be accessed to; after the FMC PF receives a trigger message from an ePDG, the FMC PF requests a BPCF to establish a policy session, and the BPCF performs, policy control according to the information of the fixed broadband access network accessed by the UE. It can be seen from the method of the disclosure that when the UE is accessed to the 3GPP through the fixed broadband access network, the FMC PF senses a gateway control session establishment request message or a DHCP request message from the ePDG, so that a PCRF of the 3GPP access network accessed by the UE is triggered to send a policy session request to the BPCF. In this way, in the case that the fixed broadband access network fails to sense the access of the UE or that the fixed broadband access network does not support 3GPP-based access authentication in the conventional art where the UE is accessed to a 3GPP core network through the fixed broadband access network, QoS control is achieved for the access of the UE, and thus QoS guarantee is provided to the entire transmission path of data.