PCF Session Binding by User Group to Cut 5G Signaling Storms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current protocols for disaster tolerance in 5G networks cause a network signaling storm and increase AF traffic call loss time due to the need for numerous messages to update user binding relationships when a Policy Control Function (PCF) fails, leading to inefficient network signaling.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for establishing and managing user group-based session binding relationships by determining and migrating user groups between PCFs, using management create and delete requests to reduce signaling interactions and minimize network traffic impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current protocols are used for PCF disaster tolerance, then user binding relationship can be restored, but a large number of messages are generated causing network signaling storm and traffic impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser binding relationship restorationVSAvoidnumber of messages generated
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments users into groups and manages binding relationships at the group level rather than individual user level. When PCF fails, the PCF group identifier is updated in the binding relationship, allowing all users in that group to be served by the new PCF through a single message update, thus avoiding generating individual messages for each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing PCF group identifiers and organizing users into PCF service groups before failure occurs. The binding relationship is pre-configured with group-level identifiers, so when failure happens, the system can quickly switch by updating the group identifier without needing to individually re-establish each user's binding relationship.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If current protocols are used for PCF disaster tolerance, then user binding relationship can be restored, but AF traffic call loss time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser binding relationship restorationVSAvoidAF traffic call loss time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting users into groups and using group-level PCF identifiers in binding relationships, the system reduces the complexity of failure recovery. When a PCF fails, only the group identifier needs to be updated rather than individual user bindings, significantly reducing the time required to restore service and reduce AF traffic call loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary organization of users into PCF service groups and pre-configures group-level binding relationships before failure occurs. This allows for rapid failover by simply updating the PCF group identifier, minimizing the time AF traffic experiences call loss during PCF failure recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If user group migration is implemented, then signaling interactions are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of messages requiredVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces PCF service groups as a segmentation layer between individual users and PCFs. Each group is associated with a PCF group identifier that is stored in the binding relationship. This segmentation allows the system to manage user bindings at the group level, reducing signaling messages while the added complexity is confined to the group management layer rather than affecting individual user processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4344259B1Session binding relationship processing method and apparatus, electronic device, and readable medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP4344259B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4344259B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4344259B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a session binding relationship processing method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a readable medium. The method includes: in a case where a preset first condition for user group migration is met, determining a first user group, with the first user group including at least two session users; and sending a management create request message carrying information of the first user group and information of a current Policy Control Function entity to a Binding Support Function entity, so as to allow the Binding Support Function entity to establish a first binding relationship between the information of the user group and the information of the Policy Control Function entity according to the information of the first user group and the information of the current Policy Control Function entity.