PCRF Signaling Optimization via Predictive Bearer Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication network procedures result in high signaling overhead due to frequent establishment, modification, and termination of bearers based on application demands, leading to inefficient resource handling and network performance issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where network nodes, including a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and an Application Function (AF), exchange resource type information to optimize signaling procedures, allowing nodes to determine when to terminate service sessions based on resource type assignments, thereby reducing unnecessary bearer establishment and termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bearers are frequently established and terminated based on application demands, then network resources are dynamically allocated to match service needs, but signaling overhead increases and network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing bearers in advance based on predicted service needs rather than waiting for actual service requests. The PCRF node proactively sets up bearers before the service session starts, so when the service is actually requested, the bearer is already in place and no additional signaling is needed for establishment. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through prediction while eliminating the signaling overhead of frequent bearer establishment.
2Quantity of substance
If bearers are terminated when not in use to free up network resources, then resource utilization improves, but frequent bearer re-establishment increases signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing bearers based on predicted service requirements. This allows network resources to be allocated in advance according to anticipated demand patterns, maintaining resource availability when needed without requiring frequent re-establishment. The contradiction is resolved because bearers are set up proactively rather than reactively, reducing the cycle of termination and re-establishment that causes signaling overhead.
3Loss of energy
If bearers are maintained during periods of non-use to avoid re-establishment signaling, then signaling overhead is reduced, but network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing bearers in advance based on predicted service needs, allowing the system to maintain bearers only when prediction indicates they will be needed. This proactive approach enables the network to optimize the balance between maintaining bearers and freeing resources, rather than using static policies that either always maintain or always terminate bearers. The contradiction is resolved through intelligent prediction-driven resource management.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a methods and network nodes for controlling resources of a service session in a communication network as well as to a corresponding system and computer program to improve the handling of resources in the network, and particularly to optimize signaling in the network. The method for controlling resources for a service session by a policy and charging system in a communication network comprises the steps of obtaining, at a first network node, a request including service session data indicating the type of service; determining, based on the service session data obtained at said first network node, a resource type to be assigned to said service; and sending to a second network node an indication of said resource type assigned to said service, according to which resource type it is determined when a service session associated with said service is terminated.