SMF-PCF QoS Rule Interaction via Segmented Message Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies lack a specific solution for the interaction procedure between session management function (SMF) and policy control function (PCF) network elements when a terminal device requests quality of service (QoS) handling for a selected service data flow (SDF), leading to incomplete implementation details.
Innovation Solution
A method where the session management network element receives a message from a terminal device with a QoS rule identifier and operation indication, and sends a corresponding message to the policy control network element to perform operations on the PCC rule, enabling policy authorization and handling of QoS rules, packet filters, and flow modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general interaction procedure is specified between SMF and PCF network elements, then the procedure can be broadly applicable, but the execution details are incomplete and cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interaction procedure into distinct message types (first message for QoS rule operations, second message for PCC rule operations) with specific information elements. This segmentation allows the general procedure to be broken down into implementable steps while maintaining broad applicability across different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes preliminary message structures and information element definitions before the actual interaction occurs. By pre-defining the message formats, information elements, and their relationships, the procedure becomes both broadly applicable and fully implementable without execution details being missing.
2Ease of operation
If detailed implementation procedures are provided for terminal device and SMF interaction, then specific QoS handling can be requested, but the interaction procedure between SMF and PCF network elements is still not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the PCF network element as an intermediary between the SMF and the policy control functions. The second message structure enables the SMF to communicate with the PCF, allowing the PCF to perform PCC rule operations based on QoS rule operations from the terminal device. This intermediary structure extends the interaction capability to include PCF while maintaining the existing terminal-SMF interaction.
3Productivity
If QoS rule operations are supported at the terminal device level, then specific service data flow handling can be requested, but policy authorization for network elements cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the SMF receives QoS rule operations from the terminal device, processes them, and then communicates the corresponding PCC rule operations to the PCF. The PCF performs policy authorization based on this feedback loop, ensuring that QoS rule operations at the terminal level are properly authorized at the network element level through the structured message exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
A policy control method, an apparatus, and a system, where the method includes: receiving, by a session management network element, a first message from a terminal device, where the first message includes a quality of service (QoS) rule identifier and a first operation indication; sending, by the session management network element, a second message to a policy control network element, where the second message includes a policy and charging control (PCC) rule identifier corresponding to the QoS rule identifier and a second operation indication corresponding to the first operation indication; and receiving, by the policy control network element, the second message, and performing, by the policy control network element on a PCC rule corresponding to the PCC rule identifier, a second operation indicated by the second operation indication.