PCF Selection Service Using UDM Context Reuse Across PDU Sessions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In Fifth Generation (5G) core networks, the configuration of policy control functions (PCFs) leads to sub-optimal resource utilization due to numerous communications and transactions among network devices for managing different PDU sessions, resulting in inefficient network resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A PCF selection service that enables the storage of identifiers in a unified data repository (UDM) to ensure that the same PCF set or SM-PCF set is used for all data network names (DNNs) and PDU sessions associated with an end device, optimizing the selection process by minimizing unnecessary communications and transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PCFs are configured to manage different PDU sessions for an end device, then policy control coverage is improved, but network resource utilization deteriorates due to numerous communications and transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PCF selection processes into a single unified selection. The SMF selects one PCF set for the first PDU session and reuses the same PCF set for subsequent PDU sessions of the same end device, eliminating redundant PCF selection communications and transactions while maintaining comprehensive policy control coverage across all session types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by storing the selected PCF set identifier in the UDM during the first PDU session establishment. This stored identifier is then retrieved and reused for subsequent PDU sessions, avoiding the need for repeated PCF selection communications and reducing network resource consumption while ensuring consistent policy control.
2Reliability
If PCF selection is performed for each PDU session independently, then session-specific policy optimization is improved, but communication overhead increases due to numerous transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the selected PCF set applicable across multiple PDU sessions. The same PCF set chosen for the first PDU session serves subsequent PDU sessions as well, allowing a single selection process to fulfill multiple session management functions and reducing overall communication overhead while maintaining policy optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by storing the PCF set identifier information in the UDM and reusing this copied information for subsequent PDU session establishments. This avoids the need for repeated PCF discovery and selection transactions, reducing communication overhead while ensuring each session receives appropriate policy control.
3Loss of energy
If the same PCF set is reused for all DNNs and PDU sessions, then network resource utilization is improved, but policy control flexibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different PCF sets to be selected for different end devices based on their subscription information stored in the UDM. While the same PCF set is reused within a single end device's multiple sessions, the system maintains the ability to select different PCF sets for different end devices, preserving policy control flexibility at the appropriate granularity level.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, an end device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are described in relation to a policy control function (PCF) selection service. The PCF selection service may include storing context information, which includes data indicating identifiers associated with a selected PCF or SM-PCF, with a unified data storage device. The context information may be used by session management functions (SMFs) of the same or different SMF set. The PCF selection service may include storing subscription data of an end device indicating that the same PCF set or the same session management (SM)-PCF set are to be selected for all packet data unit sessions of the end device. The PCF selection service may enable an access and mobility management function to provide the context information to an SMF or the SMF may obtain the context information locally or from the unified data storage device.