Policy Charging Rules Adaptation for Seamless 3G to 4G Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile networks face challenges in seamlessly transitioning VoLTE and RCS services when a mobile terminal switches between 3G and 4G networks due to limited support for secondary Packet Data Protocol contexts and parallel Packet Switched Radio Access Bearers, leading to potential media drop or bearer overload.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented by a network component to receive and store policy and charging rules for dedicated bearers, allowing temporary suspension or modification of these rules when a mobile terminal moves from a 4G network (supporting NIDBs and secondary PDP contexts) to a 3G/WCDMA network (not supporting these), ensuring service continuity by applying rules to the default bearer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile terminal uses 3G/WCDMA network access, then the network can provide basic connectivity, but dedicated bearers cannot be established due to limited support for secondary PDP contexts
Solution Approach 1:
The network node stores policy and charging rules in advance for both 3G and 4G networks. When a handover occurs, these pre-stored rules enable immediate application to the default bearer without interruption, ensuring service continuity during the transition between network types with different bearer capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the application of policy and charging rules based on the current network type. When detecting a handover to 3G, the node modifies rule application to work with the default bearer only, and when handovering to 4G, it restores dedicated bearer support, thus adapting to the capabilities of each network type
2Ease of operation
If a mobile terminal handovers from 4G/LTE to 3G/WCDMA, then connectivity is maintained, but media may be dropped due to lack of dedicated bearer support
Solution Approach 1:
The network node acts as an intermediary that manages the transition between 4G and 3G networks. It applies policy and charging rules to the default bearer during 3G operation, effectively mediating the service delivery to maintain media continuity despite the underlying network's limited bearer capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Policy and charging rules are stored in advance for both network types. When handover to 3G occurs, the pre-stored rules are immediately applied to the default bearer, preventing media drop by ensuring uninterrupted service delivery during the transition period
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile terminal handovers from 3G/WCDMA to 4G/LTE, then dedicated bearer capability is restored, but the default bearer may become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes bearer configuration based on network type. When handovering to 4G, the node restores dedicated bearer support and adjusts policy and charging rules accordingly, distributing traffic appropriately between default and dedicated bearers to prevent overload of the default bearer while utilizing the enhanced 4G capabilities
4Reliability
If policy and charging rules are applied to dedicated bearers in 4G network, then service quality is optimized, but these rules cannot be applied when moving to 3G network without dedicated bearer support
Solution Approach 1:
The network node stores multiple sets of policy and charging rules in advance - one set for 4G networks with dedicated bearer support and another set for 3G networks without dedicated bearers. When a handover occurs, the appropriate pre-stored rule set is immediately applied, ensuring both service quality optimization and network type flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The application of policy and charging rules is made dynamic based on the current network type. The system automatically switches between different rule applications - applying dedicated bearer rules in 4G and default bearer rules in 3G - thus achieving both service quality optimization and adaptability to different network capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to aspects of applying policy and charging rules to bearers in a communication network. The policy and charging rules are provided for application to at least a dedicated bearer. The technique presented herein may be implemented in connection with a mobile terminal moving to an access point of a first type supporting default and dedicated bearers from an access point of a second type supporting default and not supporting dedicated bearers. While the mobile terminal is attached to the access point of the second type, policy and charging rules for application to at least a dedicated bearer are received, which are then stored and may be partly applied to a default bearer and/or replaced by other rules during attachment to the access point of the second type. Upon a move of the mobile terminal from the access point of the second type to the access point of the first type, the dedicated bearer is established and the rules are applied to the established dedicated bearer.