P-CSCF APN Awareness for IMS Resource Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proxy call session control function (P-CSCF) in cellular networks is not aware of the access point name (APN) or data network name (DNN), which prevents it from differentiating and managing IMS services accordingly based on the assigned APN or DNN.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where a control plane node inserts the APN or DNN into session messages, allowing the P-CSCF to extract and use this information to enforce policies associated with different network names for data sessions passing through it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the P-CSCF does not include APN/DNN information in session messages, then the device complexity and information processing overhead are reduced, but the proxy node cannot differentiate and manage IMS services based on network name
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the APN/DNN information is inserted into the SIP session message by the control plane node (SMF/PGW-C) and extracted by the P-CSCF. This intermediary approach allows the P-CSCF to obtain necessary network identification information without directly accessing the control plane nodes, maintaining the existing architecture while enabling service differentiation based on APN/DNN.
2Reliability
If the P-CSCF extracts and processes APN/DNN information from session messages, then policy enforcement capability is improved, but the device complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The APN/DNN information is inserted into the session message in advance by the control plane node before the message reaches the P-CSCF. This preliminary action ensures that the P-CSCF receives pre-configured information that it can directly use for policy enforcement without needing to perform complex queries or calculations, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining reliable policy enforcement.
3Productivity
If APN/DNN information is inserted into session messages, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and message processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The session message structure is designed to accommodate APN/DNN information insertion without fundamentally changing the message format or protocol. The existing SIP message framework is extended to include this additional information field, allowing the same message structure to serve both traditional signaling functions and the new resource allocation function based on network name, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Solutions are disclosed that provide for proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF) awareness of access point name (APN) or data network name (DNN). This permits the P-CSCF to enforce policies regarding use of internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) resources, such as certain voice codecs (e.g., enhanced voice services, EVS) that use larger amounts of bandwidth, based on the APN/DNN assigned to a user equipment (UE). For example, certain IMS resources may be prioritized for home UEs over mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) UEs, or outbound roamers over inbound roamers, leveraging the P-CSCF's awareness of APN/DNN. In some examples, a packet gateway (PGW) or session management function (SMF) inserts APN/DNN information into a session initiation protocol (SIP) message going to the P-CSCF. In some examples, the P-CSCF retrieves APN/DNN information from a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) or a policy control function (PCF).