Core Network Policing System for Charging Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face challenges in managing increased signaling traffic during high usage scenarios like emergencies or special events, leading to potential overload of charging systems, which can result in service failures and revenue loss for providers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a policing system within the core network to monitor and control data flow requests to the charging system based on predefined policies, using policing circuitry that interacts with the Diameter protocol to analyze and manage request traffic, blocking or redirecting excessive requests to prevent overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless networks handle increased numbers of user equipment and data-driven applications, then user experience and connectivity availability are improved, but signaling traffic and network load increase causing potential system overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a policing system that proactively monitors and controls signaling traffic flow before the charging system becomes overwhelmed. By establishing rate limits and thresholds in advance, the system prevents excessive request loads from reaching the charging system during high-traffic periods, thus maintaining service reliability while supporting expanded wireless connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The policing system acts as an intermediary component between the wireless network and the charging system. It intercepts and regulates signaling traffic flow, applying policy-based control to smooth out traffic spikes and distribute load appropriately, thereby protecting the charging system from overload while allowing legitimate traffic to pass through
2Adaptability or versatility
If charging systems handle larger request loads during high wireless volume periods, then service coverage is maintained, but system reliability decreases due to potential overload and failures
Solution Approach 1:
The policing system establishes rate limits and thresholds before traffic overload occurs. By pre-configuring policy rules that define maximum acceptable request rates, the system proactively prevents the charging system from entering an overloaded state, thus maintaining reliability during high-demand periods while still providing service coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements protective measures in advance by monitoring traffic patterns and applying rate limiting policies before the charging system becomes overwhelmed. This cushioning effect absorbs traffic spikes and prevents them from propagating to the charging system, thereby maintaining system reliability during periods of high wireless volume
3Reliability
If rate limiting is applied to control signaling traffic flow, then charging system overload is prevented, but traffic management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The policing system serves as a dedicated intermediary component that centralizes rate limiting functionality. By isolating the complexity of traffic management policies within this specific component, the rest of the charging system remains simple and unchanged, thus achieving reliable overload protection without broadly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network function into distinct components: the policing system for traffic control and the charging system for billing operations. This segmentation allows the policing system to handle the complexity of rate limiting and policy enforcement independently, while the charging system focuses on its core function, thereby managing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to system to monitor and control data flow in a network. At least one device in a core network may be responsible for charging functions related to the data requests. During certain high usage scenarios (e.g., emergencies, special events, etc.), it may be possible for the charging system to be overwhelmed. For example, a policing system may be implemented in the core network to at least manage the flow of requests to the charging system. The policing system may monitor and control request flow to the charging system based on at least one policy. When a request is determined to violate a policy, the policing system may take corrective action to prevent the charging system from being overwhelmed. For example, the policing system may block the request, divert the request to another charging system that may have available capacity, etc.