PCRN Session Authorization via Application Function Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP standards for LTE networks do not provide a clear method for the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to interpret application requests and create Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules, leading to challenges in establishing application sessions, charging subscribers, and ensuring quality of experience (QoE).
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) receives requests for service data flows, extracts subscriber identifiers, retrieves subscription records, and determines whether to fulfill requests based on bandwidth limits, ensuring compliance with subscription profiles and operator policies, thereby authorizing and creating PCC rules dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the PCRF follows 3GPP standards to process application requests, then the network can support multiple applications and services, but the standards do not provide clear guidance on how to interpret requests or create PCC rules, leading to operational uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application function (AF) as an intermediary component that acts as a bridge between the network and applications. The AF receives application requests, interprets them according to operator policies, and translates them into standardized PCC rules that the PCRF can process. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing clear interpretation guidance while maintaining versatility in supporting multiple applications.
2Productivity
If the network establishes application sessions without clear PCC rule creation guidance, then service provisioning can proceed, but reliable charging and QoE assurance cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring the creation and installation of PCC rules in the policy enforcement function (PEF) before application sessions are established. The AF creates PCC rules based on application requests and operator policies, installs them in the PEF, and only then allows session establishment. This ensures that charging and QoE enforcement mechanisms are already in place and configured correctly before services begin, guaranteeing reliable charging accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network allows all application requests without verification, then service availability is maximized, but per-subscriber usage limits and operator policies cannot be enforced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the AF continuously monitors application requests against operator policies and subscriber profiles. When a request is received, the AF checks it against defined policies, receives feedback on whether the request is authorized, and only proceeds to create PCC rules if authorization is granted. This feedback loop ensures that service availability is maintained for authorized requests while automatically enforcing usage limits and policies without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at a policy and charging rules node (PCRN) from a requesting entity, a message including a request associated with at least one service data flow (SDF); extracting a subscriber identifier and a first identifier from the message; retrieving a subscription record associated with the subscriber identifier, wherein the subscription record is associated with a first plurality of subrecords; identifying an first subrecord from the plurality of subrecords based on the first identifier; and conditionally fulfilling the request based on a first value stored in the first subrecord.