Network Resource Manager for Dynamic Policy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3GPP policy and charging control architectures for LTE networks fail to dynamically update Quality of Service (QoS) and charging policies based on network resource utilization information, such as radio resource utilization, equipment resource utilization, and backhaul resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A network resource manager is introduced to monitor and provide real-time network resource utilization information to the policy and charging control components, enabling dynamic determination and updating of QoS and charging policies. This involves new interfaces and extensions to existing communication protocols between network elements to facilitate the collection and utilization of resource utilization data for policy decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing 3GPP policy and charging control architectures are used, then the system maintains simplicity and stability, but it fails to dynamically update QoS and charging policies based on network resource utilization information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Network Resource Manager (NRM) as an intermediary component that collects network resource utilization information and provides it to the PCRF. This mediator enables dynamic policy updates without requiring fundamental changes to the existing 3GPP architecture, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through a dedicated intermediate layer
Solution Approach 2:
The Network Resource Manager performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and collecting network resource utilization information before policy decisions are made. This advance preparation of resource data enables the PCRF to make informed dynamic policy updates without real-time complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If network resource utilization information is continuously monitored and used for dynamic policy updates, then policy flexibility improves, but system complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts network resource utilization information from the complex network environment and consolidates it in the Network Resource Manager. This extraction and centralization approach allows policy flexibility through comprehensive information availability while reducing information processing overhead by having a single dedicated component handle data collection and management
3Productivity
If a network resource manager is introduced to monitor real-time network resource utilization, then dynamic QoS and charging policy determination is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Network Resource Manager is designed as a multi-functional component that performs resource monitoring, data collection, information management, and policy support functions. This universal approach enables efficient policy determination through a single versatile component rather than multiple specialized systems, improving productivity while managing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a solution for determining a QoS policy and/or charging policy based on network resource utilization information in an LTE network. As compared to the current 3GPP policy and charging control architecture, the solution of the present invention determines a QoS policy and/or charging policy based on network resource utilization information in combination with existing input information, thereby making policy and charging control more flexible.