PFD Identification Using APN and APP ID for Accurate 5G Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, the increasing customization of services leads to overlapping charging control rules due to multiple service data streams with the same Application Identifier (APP ID) but different Access Point Names (APN), resulting in reduced charging accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing Packet Flow Descriptions (PFD) that involves appending Access Point Name (APN) information to PFD and Application Identifier (APP ID) to enable accurate identification and storage by the User Plane Function (UPF), thereby avoiding overlapping service data streams and improving charging accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple service data streams with the same APP ID but different APN are processed, then service customization is improved, but charging accuracy deteriorates due to rule overlapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PFD structure by introducing APN information as a separate field within the PFD. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between different service data streams based on APN while maintaining APP ID for application identification. The segmented structure prevents rule overlapping by explicitly differentiating streams through APN, thereby resolving the contradiction between service customization and charging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the existing PFD identification framework by incorporating APN information as an additional identifier. Instead of relying solely on APP ID, the enhanced PFD structure now operates in a multi-dimensional identification space using both APP ID and APN. This dimensional expansion enables precise differentiation of service data streams while maintaining the ability to customize services, thus improving charging accuracy without sacrificing versatility.
2Measurement precision
If PFD includes APN information and APP ID for precise identification, then charging accuracy is improved, but data structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the PFD structure to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The PFD not only identifies application streams through APP ID but also differentiates APN-based streams and enables charging control. By making the PFD a multi-functional data structure, the patent avoids the need for separate data structures for each function, thereby improving charging accuracy while limiting the increase in overall data structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges APN information and APP ID into a unified PFD structure rather than maintaining them as separate independent structures. This merging approach consolidates multiple identification functions into a single data structure, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate structures for APP ID management and APN differentiation. The combined PFD achieves precise charging identification while minimizing structural overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A PFD management method, a network element and a computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. The method may include: acquiring and storing PFD management request information sent by an Application Function (AF), wherein the PFD management request information comprises access point name (APN) information, application identifiers (APP ID), and a PFD, and the APN information and APP ID are associated with the PFD; and forwarding the APN information, the APP ID, and the PFD in the PFD management request information to a (user plane function) UPF through a Session Management Function (SMF), to cause the UPF to store the PFD according to the APN information and the APP ID.