Policy Control Network Element Transport Information Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems like 5G, the control policies are formulated based on incomplete information, leading to mismatches between actual communication environments, affecting efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

Adaptively adjusting control policies using transport network information to align with the current communication environment, incorporating elements such as transport network type and capability into policy formulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control policies are formulated based on partial information (access network type and user subscription data), then the policy formulation process is simple, but the control policy mismatches the actual communication environment, affecting communication efficiency and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol policy matching accuracyVSAvoidinformation collection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information collection process into multiple independent components: access network information collection, transport network information collection, and user subscription data collection. Each component can be independently implemented and managed, allowing the system to gather comprehensive information without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (SMF or AMF network element) that collects and relays transport network information to the PCF. This intermediary handles the complexity of information gathering, allowing the PCF to focus on policy formulation with complete information without directly managing the complex collection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If comprehensive transport network information is collected and used for policy formulation, then communication efficiency and reliability improve, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the SMF or AMF network elements multi-functional by assigning them the additional role of collecting transport network information in addition to their existing functions. This universal approach allows existing network elements to handle multiple tasks, improving communication efficiency without adding dedicated complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where transport network information is continuously collected, relayed to the PCF, and used to dynamically adjust control policies. This feedback mechanism ensures policies remain aligned with actual network conditions, improving productivity while managing complexity through automated closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If control policies are dynamically adjusted based on transport network information, then communication reliability improves during disruptions, but the complexity of policy management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliability during disruptionsVSAvoidpolicy management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static control policies into dynamic ones that automatically adapt to changing transport network conditions. The PCF continuously receives transport network information and adjusts policies in real-time, ensuring high reliability during disruptions while the automated dynamic adjustment process manages the complexity of policy management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the SMF or AMF collect transport network information in advance and relay it to the PCF before disruptions occur. This allows the PCF to proactively adjust control policies based on emerging network conditions, improving reliability through preparedness while the preliminary information gathering simplifies subsequent policy management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4277240B1Communication method, apparatus, and system
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4277240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4277240B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4A
  • EP4277240B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~4C

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, apparatus, and system. The solution includes: A network device sends transport network information to a policy control network element; and the policy control network element formulates a control policy based on the transport network information, and sends the control policy to the network device, so that the network device correspondingly adjusts a service mode based on the control policy, thereby avoiding affecting data transmission efficiency and reliability because of a mismatch between a used service mode and a current transport network during end-to-end data transmission, and improving the data transmission efficiency and reliability.