Multicast Session Management via Policy Control Network Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multicast transmission architectures require the deployment of BM-SC and MBMS GW, which are not fully utilized during unicast transmissions, leading to increased network complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A multicast session establishment method that utilizes a policy control network element to manage multicast sessions within an existing network architecture, simplifying the network and reducing costs by eliminating the need for BM-SC and MBMS GW in unicast scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If BM-SC and MBMS GW are deployed for multicast transmission, then multicast service management and session management can be performed, but network architecture complexity increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the PCF and SMF to perform both unicast and multicast session management functions. The PCF is configured with multicast session management capabilities and can provide policy control for both unicast and multicast sessions. The SMF can establish both unicast PDU sessions and multicast sessions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated network elements for multicast operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the previously separate multicast management functions (BM-SC and MBMS GW) into existing unicast network elements. The SMF combines unicast session management and multicast session management into a single network element. The PCF combines unicast policy control and multicast policy control into a single network element, thereby simplifying the overall network architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If BM-SC and MBMS GW are deployed for multicast transmission, then multicast service management and session management can be performed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing network elements universal by enabling them to handle both unicast and multicast traffic. The PCF can provide policy control for both unicast and multicast sessions, and the SMF can manage both types of sessions, thereby eliminating the need to deploy additional dedicated multicast network elements and reducing equipment quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing unicast network elements (PCF and SMF) are enhanced to self-serve multicast session management needs. Rather than requiring external dedicated multicast management elements, the PCF and SMF can independently perform multicast policy control and session establishment, reducing dependency on additional network infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If unicast transmission is performed using PDU GW only, then network architecture is simplified, but multicast transmission capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic functionality to the PCF and SMF, enabling them to adapt their behavior based on session type. The PCF can dynamically switch between providing unicast policy control and multicast policy control. The SMF can dynamically establish either unicast PDU sessions or multicast sessions based on the service requirements, providing versatility without adding permanent dedicated multicast infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This application discloses a multicast session establishment method and a network device, and relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, to implement establishment of a multicast session based on a network architecture that has been deployed by an operator, so that the network architecture is simplified, and costs are reduced. Specifically, when the multicast session is established, policy control, for example, quality of service QoS control, of the multicast session may be completed via a policy control network element or a session management network element in the network architecture that has been deployed by the operator. In this way, a more flexible multicast/broadcast transmission scheme is supported.