PCEF Bearer Binding via QoS Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in bearers due to changes in Quality of Service (QoS) parameters in dynamic PCC rules leads to unnecessary system maintenance costs and resource allocation inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling the binding of data flows to bearers, where the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) device receives indication information and a PCC rule identifier from the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) device, and binds the data flow to a target bearer based on the indication information, avoiding the creation of new bearers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PCRF changes QoS parameters in dynamic PCC rules, then service quality is improved, but the quantity of bearers increases and system maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data flows with different QoS requirements into a single bearer by using QoS parameter ranges instead of exact matches. The PCC rule is modified to include minimum and maximum QoS parameters (QCI_min, QCI_max, ARP_min, ARP_max), allowing multiple data flows with varying QoS levels to share the same bearer, thus reducing the total number of bearers while maintaining service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the binding parameter from exact QoS parameter matching to range-based matching. By introducing QoS parameter ranges (minimum and maximum values) in PCC rules, the system allows flexible binding of data flows to bearers based on whether their QoS parameters fall within the specified ranges, rather than requiring exact matches, thereby reducing bearer proliferation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the PCRF changes QoS parameters in dynamic PCC rules, then service adaptability is improved, but system maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data flows with different QoS requirements into a single bearer through range-based matching, reducing the number of bearers that need to be managed and maintained. This merging approach maintains service adaptability while lowering system maintenance costs associated with bearer management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the bearer binding mechanism universal by using range-based QoS matching that can accommodate multiple service types and QoS requirements within a single bearer. This multi-functional approach allows the same bearer to serve multiple purposes with different QoS levels, reducing maintenance overhead.
3Productivity
If data flows with different QoS parameters are bound to the same bearer, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but QoS parameter compatibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the QoS parameter binding mechanism from exact parameter matching to range-based matching. By defining minimum and maximum QoS parameters in PCC rules, the system can bind multiple data flows with different QoS parameters to the same bearer as long as their parameters fall within the specified ranges, thus improving resource allocation while maintaining QoS compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different QoS parameter ranges for different data flows within the same bearer. Each data flow can have its own QoS characteristics within the bounds defined by the PCC rule, enabling differentiated service quality locally while sharing common bearer resources globally.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and a device for controlling binding of a data flow to a bearer. The method includes: receiving, by a policy and charging enforcement function PCEF device, indication information and an identifier of a policy and charging control PCC rule from a policy and charging rules function PCRF device; and binding, by the PCEF device to a target bearer according to the indication information, a data flow indicated by an identifier of the data flow in the PCC rule indicated by the identifier of the PCC rule. In embodiments of the present invention, system maintenance costs can be decreased.