PFCP Usage Reporting Rules for Lower 5G Core Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication methods in 5G networks require burdensome signaling overhead during session establishment and modification procedures due to the large number of Policy Charging and Control (PCC) rules, particularly for Usage Reporting Rules (URRs), which are not efficiently managed, leading to excessive memory usage and signaling.
Innovation Solution
Implement an optimized PFCP protocol extension that delays the installation of URR parameters for less frequently used applications, using a configurable threshold to generate 'light URRs' and 'light QERs', and triggers reporting only when actual traffic is detected, reducing signaling and memory consumption at the UPF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all URR parameters are installed during session establishment for every PCC rule, then complete usage reporting coverage is achieved, but signaling overhead and memory usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing only essential URR parameters (light URRs) during session establishment, while deferring the installation of detailed URR parameters until actual traffic patterns are observed. This allows the system to prepare basic reporting structures in advance without committing to full parameter sets, thereby reducing initial signaling overhead while maintaining the capability to provide complete usage reporting coverage when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making URR parameter installation adaptive based on observed traffic patterns. The system dynamically determines whether to install light URRs or full URR parameters depending on whether traffic matches predefined templates. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize between signaling overhead and reporting coverage in real-time based on actual usage conditions rather than following a static all-or-nothing installation strategy.
2Measurement precision
If URR parameters are installed for all applications, then comprehensive traffic measurement is achieved, but memory usage at UPF increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of URR parameters based on local traffic characteristics. Instead of uniformly installing full URR parameters for all applications, the system installs light URRs for applications with template-matching traffic patterns and full URR parameters only for applications requiring detailed measurement. This localized differentiation optimizes memory usage at UPF while maintaining comprehensive traffic measurement coverage where actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the principle of cheap short-living objects by using light URRs as temporary, lightweight placeholders that consume minimal memory resources. These light URRs serve as provisional measurement structures that can be quickly replaced with full URR parameters only when necessary, rather than permanently allocating memory for all possible URR parameter sets. This approach significantly reduces memory usage while preserving the ability to achieve comprehensive traffic measurement when required.
3Device complexity
If light URRs are used without parameters, then signaling and memory consumption are reduced, but reporting capability is limited until parameters are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing light URRs with identifiers and basic structures during session establishment, creating a preliminary reporting framework that can immediately reduce signaling overhead. These light URRs serve as placeholder structures that prepare the system for future parameter installation without requiring complete parameter sets upfront, thereby maintaining reporting capability while deferring the complexity of full parameter management until later when actual traffic patterns are known.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the reporting capability to evolve from a simplified initial state (light URRs) to a more complete state (full URR parameters) based on observed traffic conditions. The system dynamically transitions between these states, allowing light URRs to provide basic reporting functionality initially, then upgrading to full parameters when template-matching traffic is detected, thus adapting reporting capability to actual needs rather than maintaining a fixed level of complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a core network CN node is disclosed. A plurality of PCC rules are received corresponding to a plurality of applications used by a communication device. Each of the applications has a respective appID, and each of the PCC rules is associated with a respective application/appID. A first information element is generated based on a first PCC rule associated with a respective first application/appID including a first URR having a first URR Identifier and including first URR parameters associated with the first URR. A second information element is generated based on a second PCC rule associated with a respective second application/appID including a second URR having a second URR identifier without including second URR parameters associated with the second URR. A session establishment request message is transmitted to a second CN node. The session establishment request message includes the first and second information elements.