S-MBR Enforcement via RAN Capability Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication systems lack a standardized method to determine which mechanism to use for enforcing Slice Maximum Bit Rate (S-MBR) enforcement, leading to potential inconsistencies where either no mechanism or both mechanisms are enforced for a given User Equipment (UE), resulting in inefficient Quality of Service (QoS) parameter management.
Innovation Solution
The system determines whether the Radio Access Network (RAN) node supports S-MBR enforcement by obtaining information through messages exchanged between Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Policy Control Function (PCF), allowing the PCF to decide whether to apply S-MBR enforcement based on RAN support, ensuring appropriate QoS parameter monitoring within S-MBR limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If S-MBR enforcement is implemented without standardized determination method, then QoS parameter control is attempted, but enforcement consistency deteriorates (either no mechanism or both mechanisms enforced)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capability exchange between AMF and PCF before S-MBR enforcement. The AMF determines RAN S-MBR support capability and proactively communicates this to the PCF, enabling the PCF to make informed decisions about enforcement mechanisms in advance, preventing inconsistent enforcement scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the AMF provides capability information (RAN S-MBR support status) to the PCF. This feedback enables the PCF to adapt its enforcement strategy based on actual RAN capabilities, ensuring reliable and consistent S-MBR enforcement across heterogeneous network configurations
2Measurement precision
If heterogeneous RAN support for S-MBR is not considered, then simplified enforcement logic is used, but enforcement accuracy deteriorates (over- or under-enforcement)
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of enforcement accuracy by introducing capability-based decision making. The PCF adjusts its enforcement behavior based on the RAN's S-MBR support capability parameter, ensuring accurate enforcement (neither over nor under) by matching the enforcement mechanism to the actual network capabilities
3Productivity
If S-MBR enforcement mechanism is applied without capability verification, then QoS control is attempted, but network resource utilization deteriorates due to over- or under-enforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capability verification through AMF-PCF message exchange before applying S-MBR enforcement. This advance determination of RAN capabilities ensures that the appropriate enforcement mechanism is selected, optimizing network resource utilization by avoiding both over-enforcement (wasting resources) and under-enforcement (failing to protect QoS)
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service enforcement optimization where the PCF autonomously determines the appropriate enforcement mechanism based on capability feedback from the AMF. This self-adjusting mechanism optimizes network resource utilization without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for handling of heterogeneous support for Slice Maximum Bit Rate (S-MBR) enforcement are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises, at an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), obtaining information about whether a Radio Access Network (RAN) node supports S-MBR enforcement and sending, to a Session Management Function (SMF), a message that comprises an indication of whether the RAN node supports S-MBR enforcement. The method further comprises, at the SMF, sending, to a Policy and Control Function (PCF), a message that comprises an indication of whether the RAN node supports S-MBR enforcement. The method further comprises, at the PCF, making a determination of whether to apply a mechanism to enforce S-MBR for Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a wireless communication device on a network slice based on the received indication, and operating accordingly.