Per-User Charging via Multi-ID PCC Rules in 5G Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G systems lack the capability to create, manage, and provide policies and charging information at the granularity of individual user identifiers for scenarios where multiple users share the same User Equipment (UE).
Innovation Solution
The system includes network function nodes in the core network that receive user identity information from User Equipment (UE) and send it to policy control and charging function nodes to create Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules based on individual user identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If 5G system uses per subscription charging with UE ID, then charging simplicity is maintained, but user granularity and individual user identification capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user identification approach by introducing multiple user identifiers (SUPI, GPSI, DNN) within a single PDU session context. This allows the system to distinguish between different users sharing the same UE while maintaining the existing per-subscription charging architecture. The segmentation is achieved through separate identification fields and user-specific policy association mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces user-specific policy association as an intermediary mechanism between the UE-level subscription and the individual user level. This intermediary layer (user identity information, user-specific policies) enables fine-grained user identification and charging without requiring fundamental changes to the core charging architecture, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user identifiers are supported per UE, then user experience and service differentiation are improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality in existing network functions (SMF, PCF, CHF) by enabling them to handle both single-user and multi-user scenarios through the same core mechanisms. The SMF can associate multiple user identifiers with a single PDU session, the PCF can provide user-specific policies for multiple users, and the CHF can generate charging records for individual users within the same session, thus avoiding additional dedicated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension of identification (user identity information layer) within the existing PDU session structure. Instead of changing the fundamental session architecture, it introduces additional user-specific fields and association mechanisms that operate within the session context, enabling multi-user support without fundamentally altering the network architecture.
3Measurement precision
If per-user PCC rules are created, then charging accuracy and policy control are improved, but processing time and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing user identity information and associated policies before actual charging events occur. The user-specific policy association is set up in advance during session establishment or modification, so that when charging events happen, the system can directly reference pre-configured policies rather than creating them in real-time, thus reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the network function nodes (SMF, PCF, CHF) exchange user identity information and policy decisions through standardized interfaces. This feedback loop allows efficient policy propagation and updates, enabling the system to quickly adapt to multi-user scenarios without significant time overhead through iterative refinement of user associations and policy applications.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure proposes a network function node in a core network, comprising: means for receiving, from User Equipment, UE, a non access stratum, NAS, message including identity information for the UE, and a plurality of user identity information, each of which includes a user identifier for a user that uses the UE; and means for sending, to a policy control and charging function node in the core network, the plurality of the user identity information for creating a Policy and Charging Control, PCC, rule based on the plurality of the user identity information.