MTC UE Category Binding for LTE Session Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The growing demand for Machine Type Communication (MTC) services on LTE networks requires low-cost MTC User Equipment (UE) to migrate from GSM/GPRS networks without increasing UE costs, while maintaining network performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A session processing method and apparatus that receives a session request message indicating a UE belongs to an MTC category, acquires subscription information, and generates a policy and charging control rule (PCC rule) specific to the MTC category, ensuring explicit binding of MTC services to low-cost MTC UEs and preventing non-low-cost MTC UEs from using these services, thus reducing costs without affecting existing UE categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If MTC services migrate from GSM/GPRS network to LTE network, then network performance and frequency spectrum utilization are improved, but UE cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of service binding from generic to category-specific by introducing MTC UE category identification and corresponding PCC rules. The network device identifies the UE as belonging to MTC category through device parameters, retrieves category-specific subscription information, and applies differentiated policy and charging control rules. This parameter change enables cost reduction for MTC services while maintaining LTE network performance by explicitly binding low-cost MTC services to appropriate UEs through category-based differentiation.
2Device complexity
If generic subscription information is used for all UEs, then system complexity is reduced, but service precision and targeting capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the subscription information retrieval process into two distinct parts: first retrieving generic subscription information applicable to all UEs, then retrieving category-specific subscription information for MTC UEs based on device parameters. The system merges these two information sets to form complete category-specific subscription data. This segmentation approach maintains service targeting precision for MTC UEs while avoiding the need to completely redesign the subscription information system, thus controlling system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If category-specific PCC rules are generated for MTC UEs, then service control precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the framework for category-specific service control. The network device is pre-configured with the capability to identify MTC UE categories through device parameters and to retrieve corresponding category-specific subscription information from the subscription profile repository. The PCC rules are generated based on pre-retrieved category-specific subscription information, which eliminates the need for real-time complex processing during session establishment. This preliminary preparation of category identification and information retrieval mechanisms reduces processing time while maintaining service control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a session processing method and apparatus of machine type communication. The method includes: receiving, by a first network device, a session request message; acquiring, by the first network device, subscription information according to a device parameter; and generating, by the first network device, a policy and charging control rule PCC rule of a subscriber of a UE according to the subscription information, carrying the PCC rule in a session response message, and sending the session response message. In the session processing method and apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention, explicit binding of an MTC UE Category to a Low cost MTC service is implemented, so that it is ensured that the cost reduction technology does not affect the performance of a UE that belongs to an existing UE Category, thereby improving network performance of a communication system.