PCC Node UE Status Check for PDN Connection Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Policy Charging Control (PCC) system is inefficient in handling user equipment (UE) status, particularly when UE is in a suspend or power saving state, leading to unnecessary signaling and synchronization issues due to lack of UE mobility status information, resulting in failed QoS modifications and network inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing PDN connections and IP-CAN sessions by transmitting UE status requests and responses between network nodes to determine whether to modify connections based on UE reachability, mode, location, time zone, and serving network, allowing for delayed or canceled modifications when UE is unreachable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PCC node initiates QoS modification updates for UE context when UE is unreachable, then the PCC system attempts to maintain service quality, but unnecessary signaling is generated and the modification fails
Solution Approach 1:
The PCC node performs preliminary checks of UE status information before initiating QoS modification procedures. By checking whether the UE is reachable and in an active mode beforehand, the system prevents unnecessary signaling when the UE is unreachable, suspended, or in power saving state, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable QoS modifications and reducing network signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the PCC node continuously monitors UE status information from the EPC system. This feedback loop allows the PCC node to adapt its QoS modification decisions based on current UE reachability status, ensuring modifications are only initiated when successful, thereby improving reliability while minimizing unnecessary signaling
2Speed
If the PCC node triggers bearer modifications without checking UE status, then the system responds quickly to QoS requirements, but the modifications fail when UE is not reachable
Solution Approach 1:
The PCC node performs preliminary verification of UE reachability status before triggering bearer modifications. This preliminary check ensures that modification requests are only sent when the UE is in a state capable of receiving them, thereby maintaining high success rates without significantly delaying the QoS response time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the QoS modification process based on real-time UE status information. When UE status indicates reachability and active mode, modifications proceed quickly; when status shows unreachable or suspended states, modifications are delayed or canceled, thus adapting the process speed to current conditions to maintain reliability
3Device complexity
If the PCC system operates without UE mobility status information, then the system architecture remains simple, but synchronization between PCC and EPC systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary status information exchange mechanism between the EPC system and PCC node. This intermediary layer provides the PCC node with essential UE mobility status information without requiring complex integration, maintaining relatively simple system architecture while improving PCC-EPC synchronization reliability through standardized status information sharing
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed in a first network node includes the first network node transmitting, to a second network node, a first message including a user equipment (UE) status request of a UE. The method further includes the first network node receiving, from the second network node, a second message including a UE status response. The method also includes the first network node determining, based on the received UE status, whether to modify an PDN connection and/or a corresponding IP-CAN session associated with the UE.