PCRF and PIC Based Congestion Control in Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communications networks face congestion challenges due to increasing data traffic, primarily caused by circuit-switched calls, signaling traffic, and user data traffic, leading to service degradation and difficulties in implementing fair usage policies.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a monitoring module to detect congestion in radio access networks by analyzing message traffic and generating notifications, which triggers a policy server to apply bandwidth management policies, such as adjusting quality of service and redistributing bandwidth, to mitigate congestion through the integration of Performance Intelligence Center (PIC) and Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bandwidth resources are allocated to circuit-switched calls and data sessions during call setup, then call quality is maintained, but cell congestion worsens due to excessive bandwidth consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors message traffic and bandwidth usage in the cell, comparing current usage against predefined thresholds. When congestion is detected, the system automatically adjusts bandwidth allocation and applies rate limiting policies to identified subscribers, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains call quality while preventing congestion
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes bandwidth allocation parameters and QoS settings based on real-time congestion conditions. When congestion is detected, the PCRF modifies bandwidth parameters for specific subscribers, transitioning from static bandwidth allocation to dynamic parameter adjustment that adapts to network conditions
2Reliability
If fixed bandwidth is allocated during session setup, then service reliability is improved, but network resource efficiency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to varying traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static bandwidth allocation to dynamic bandwidth management by continuously monitoring traffic patterns and adjusting allocations in real-time. The PCRF receives congestion notifications and dynamically modifies QoS parameters and bandwidth allocations based on current network conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying traffic demands while maintaining service reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures QoS policies and bandwidth allocation rules before congestion occurs. When congestion is detected, these pre-configured policies are automatically activated through the PCRF, enabling rapid response without requiring complex real-time calculations during congestion events
3Measurement precision
If monitoring and notification systems are implemented to detect congestion, then congestion detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and policy management components
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a PIC as an intermediary monitoring component that sits between the network infrastructure and the PCRF. The PIC handles the complex tasks of message traffic monitoring, congestion detection, and subscriber identification, while the PCRF focuses on policy enforcement. This intermediary architecture separates monitoring complexity from policy management, making the overall system more manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A system for congestion control in a mobile communications network includes a monitoring module configured to monitor message traffic associated with a cell in a mobile communications network. The message traffic includes control plane and user plane messages. The monitoring module determines, based on the message traffic, whether a predetermined congestion threshold associated with the cell in the mobile communications network has been crossed. In response to the threshold being crossed, the monitoring module generates a cell congestion notification message that includes the identity of subscribers that are contributing to the congestion. A policy server receives the cell congestion notification message and generates a PCC rule that modifies the policy of the one or more identified subscribers and for communicating the PCC rule to a PCEF.