PCF Automated AM Policy Update via UDR Scripting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual provisioning of updated access and mobility (AM) policy data for a large number of user equipment (UEs) is laborious, time-consuming, and prone to errors, especially when updates have expiry periods, requiring frequent manual re-provisioning.

Innovation Solution

The Policy Control Function (PCF) device automatically generates and updates AM control policies by modifying AM policy data stored in the Unified Data Repository (UDR), using a script to overwrite existing policies with changed data, eliminating the need for manual intervention upon expiry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual provisioning is used to update AM policy data for UEs, then policy updates can be implemented, but the process becomes laborious, time-consuming, and error-prone especially when updates have expiry periods requiring frequent re-provisioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy update reliabilityVSAvoidtime for manual provisioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The PCF device automatically detects when AM policy data has expired and triggers re-provisioning without human intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring policy data validity periods and autonomously initiating updates through the UDM/UDR interface, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention while maintaining policy freshness and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the PCF device continuously monitors the validity period of AM policy data. When the policy data approaches or exceeds its expiry period, the system receives feedback about the expired state and automatically triggers a re-provisioning cycle by interfacing with the UDM/UDR, ensuring policies are always current without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If manual provisioning is used for each UE, then policy data can be updated, but the process becomes extremely laborious and time-consuming for large numbers of UEs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy update speedVSAvoidease of policy provisioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The PCF device implements a universal automated provisioning mechanism that handles AM policy data updates for any number of UEs through a single standardized interface with the UDM/UDR. This multi-functional system can simultaneously manage policy updates across the entire UE population without requiring separate manual operations for each device, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240430661A1Systems and methods for enhanced access and mobility data control

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

In some implementations, a policy control function (PCF) device may receive, from an access and mobility management function (AMF) device, an access and mobility (AM) policy association request that is related to a user equipment (UE) that is associated with AM policy data. The PCF device may modify at least a portion of the AM policy data to generate modified AM policy data associated with the UE. The PCF device may create, based on the modified AM policy data, an AM control policy associated with the UE. The PCF device may transmit, to the AMF device, an AM policy association message, responsive to the AM policy association request, indicating the AM control policy.