Session Management Signaling for Paused Usage Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing communication systems, the continuous reporting of network resource usage measurements, such as dropped downlink traffic, leads to unnecessary load and inefficiency when charging has been paused, resulting in invalid messages between control and user plane functions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where the control plane function indicates the user plane function to inactivate or limit the measurement and reporting of usage rules, using flags or information elements in session management messages, and specifying a number of reports or a time period for restarting measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user plane function continuously measures and reports network resource usage (such as dropped downlink traffic) to the control plane function, then the control plane function can monitor network resource usage, but unnecessary reporting continues even when charging is paused, increasing load on both control and user plane functions and creating invalid messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement and reporting behavior adaptive rather than static. The user plane function dynamically adjusts its measurement and reporting activities based on the charging state received from the control plane function. When charging is paused, measurements are suspended; when charging is active, measurements and reporting resume. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable charging monitoring only when necessary, thereby improving reporting efficiency while preserving charging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the user plane function based on charging state. Specifically, it modifies the measurement activity parameter and reporting frequency parameter according to whether charging is paused or active. When charging is paused, the measurement parameter is set to inactive; when charging is active, the measurement parameter is reactivated. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain reliable charging monitoring when needed while eliminating unnecessary reporting, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If the user plane function resets measurement counts after sending a usage report, then the measurement can continue for the next reporting period, but if the control plane function pauses charging, the user plane function continues to send reports unnecessarily, increasing message overhead and processing load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the control plane function send a pause charging indication to the user plane function before the user plane function generates unnecessary usage reports. This advance notification allows the user plane function to suspend its measurement and reporting activities proactively, preventing the generation of invalid messages and reducing processing load on both control and user plane functions while maintaining the capability to resume measurements when charging is reactivated.
3Productivity
If the control plane function sends pause charging indications to prevent unnecessary reporting, then reporting efficiency improves, but the system requires additional signaling messages between control and user plane functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the pause charging indication mechanism to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same pause charging indication message not only stops unnecessary usage reporting but also suspends measurement activities, prevents counter resets, and maintains synchronization between control and user plane functions. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction by achieving improved reporting efficiency through a single signaling mechanism that handles multiple control objectives without proportionally increasing signaling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for session management. A method at a control plane function comprises generating an information element to indicate a number of reports that the user plane function can send a usage report to the control plane function. The method further comprises sending the information element to the user plane function.