Policy Controller PRA Segmentation for MME Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Policy and Charging Control (PCC) systems in heterogeneous Public Land Mobile Networks face inefficiencies when handling multiple Presence Reporting Areas (PRAs), leading to high load on Mobility Management Entities (MME) and Serving GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN), resulting in inconsistent information and potential lack of reporting.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for handling multiple PRAs, where a policy controller selects and transmits applicable PRA-ids to network nodes, allowing these nodes to manage active PRAs based on supported limits and priority, ensuring efficient resource handling and consistent reporting across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple PRA-ids are provided to MME/SGSN per IP-CAN session, then service coverage and reporting accuracy are improved, but network node load and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PRA management by introducing a hierarchical structure where PRAs are divided into home PRAs (associated with the user's home network) and visited PRAs (associated with visited networks). The MME/SGSN only manages PRAs relevant to its jurisdiction, while the PCRF maintains the complete set. This segmentation reduces the number of PRA-ids each network node must handle, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive reporting accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the PCRF as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple MME/SGSN instances and the PCC system. The PCRF receives the complete set of PRA-ids, determines which PRAs are home PRAs versus visited PRAs, and distributes appropriate subsets to relevant MME/SGSN nodes. This intermediary role prevents any single network node from bearing the full burden of managing all PRA-ids, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accurate reporting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PRA-ids are monitored per IP-CAN session, then service differentiation is improved, but signalling load and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments PRA monitoring into two distinct mechanisms: home PRA monitoring and visited PRA monitoring. Home PRAs are monitored by the home MME/SGSN with complete detail, while visited PRAs are monitored by visited MME/SGSN with reduced detail (only presence/absence reporting). This segmentation allows service differentiation without requiring every node to process all PRA-ids at full complexity, thereby maintaining versatility while improving signalling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having visited MME/SGSN perform only essential PRA monitoring (presence/absence detection) rather than full PRA management. The visited nodes monitor visited PRAs but do not need to handle complete PRA configuration, reporting, or policy enforcement - those functions are performed by the home MME/SGSN and PCRF. This partial monitoring approach enables service differentiation across multiple PRAs while reducing the signalling and processing overhead at visited nodes.
3Reliability
If comprehensive PRA monitoring is implemented across all network nodes, then reporting completeness is improved, but resource consumption and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PRA monitoring responsibility between home MME/SGSN and visited MME/SGSN based on the PRA type (home vs. visited). Home MME/SGSN performs comprehensive monitoring for home PRAs, ensuring complete reporting. Visited MME/SGSN performs streamlined monitoring for visited PRAs, reporting only presence/absence events. This segmentation ensures reporting completeness for all PRAs while avoiding redundant monitoring activities at each node, thereby reducing overall network resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing visited MME/SGSN to autonomously determine which PRAs are visited PRAs based on local configuration information, and to independently perform presence/absence detection for those PRAs. The visited nodes do not need to continuously query the home MME or PCRF for PRA status - they autonomously monitor and report events. This self-service approach ensures complete reporting while minimizing unnecessary signalling and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Handling a plurality of Presence Reporting Areas, PRAs, may currently present inconsistencies between the PRAs active in a policy controller and those PRAs active in a network node handling UE mobility, e.g. MME/SGSN. To overcome these and other drawbacks, there are provided enhanced policy controller, network node and method of handling a plurality of PRAs. This method comprises selecting, at the policy controller, a plurality of applicable PRAs; transmitting from the policy controller, and receiving at the network node, the plurality of applicable PRAs; selecting, at the network node from the plurality of applicable PRAs, a number of PRAs to be active at the network node; and transmitting from the network node, and receiving at the policy controller, at least one of: an indication on whether a UE is inside or outside a PRA, and an indication on whether a PRA is or is not accepted to be active by the network node.