PFCP Session-Level Charging Pause Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mechanism for pausing and resuming charging in wireless communication networks, particularly in 3GPP standards, is inefficient due to the need for per-Usage Report Rule (URR) level indications, which can limit configurability and speed, leading to significant charging discrepancies, especially in high-throughput scenarios like enhanced mobile broadband services.
Innovation Solution
Introducing new flags, such as the Applicable for Start of Pause of Charging (ASPOC) flag, at the message level of the Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) to control usage measurements for all URRs, allowing for simultaneous pause or resume of charging, thereby enhancing the existing mechanism to activate or deactivate charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If per-URR level indications are used to control usage measurements, then configurability is maintained, but the speed of pausing and resuming charging is reduced and charging discrepancies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of usage measurements from individual URR level to session level by introducing new PFCP message level indications (Start Pause of Charging and Stop Pause of Charging). This consolidation allows simultaneous control of all URRs in a session, dramatically speeding up the pausing and resuming process while eliminating the timing discrepancies that occur when controlling each URR separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The new PFCP message level indications serve as universal control mechanisms that apply to all URRs within a session simultaneously. The Start Pause of Charging indication universally pauses charging across all URRs, and the Stop Pause of Charging indication universally resumes charging, providing a multi-functional solution that addresses both speed and accuracy requirements.
2Device complexity
If per-URR level indications are used to control usage measurements, then individual URR configurability is maintained, but the complexity of the control mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces control mechanism complexity by merging multiple per-URR control operations into single session-level PFCP message indications. Instead of managing multiple individual URR control signals, the system now uses unified Start Pause of Charging and Stop Pause of Charging indications that affect all URRs simultaneously, making the mechanism simpler and easier to operate.
3Reliability
If control plane signalling is used to transmit Start of Pause of Charging requests between CP functions, then charging pause can be activated, but significant time is consumed leading to charging discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow control plane signalling mechanism with a faster user plane-based PFCP message level indication system. By substituting the traditional CP function signalling path with direct PFCP indications in the user plane, the system maintains reliable charging pause activation while dramatically reducing the time consumption and eliminating charging discrepancies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing PFCP message level indications (Start Pause of Charging and Stop Pause of Charging) that can be immediately executed without waiting for control plane signalling delays. This preliminary setup allows the system to rapidly respond to charging pause requirements, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a control plane node is provided. The control plane node includes processing circuitry configured to: determine to one of pause and resume a usage measurement; and cause transmission, to a user plane node, of a request indicating to one of pause and resume the usage measurement for a plurality of Usage Reporting Rules, URRs, based on the determination.