Traffic Detection Function for Packet Information Acquisition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Policy and Charging Control (PCC) system cannot acquire information about packets related to user equipment, which is crucial for enhancing transmission transparency, adjusting services, and improving user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and network element that enable a first network element to send acquiring requests to a second network element to collect and transmit information about packets between user equipment and a packet data network, allowing for the acquisition and reporting of packet information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the PCC system uses existing event subscription mechanisms, then bearer-level events can be acquired, but packet information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a TDF (Traffic Detection Function) as an intermediary component between the PCEF and AF. The TDF intercepts packet data, detects packet information, and reports it to the AF through standardized interfaces. This mediator enables packet information acquisition without directly modifying the core PCC system architecture, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system complexity.
2Loss of information
If packet information acquisition is implemented without additional network elements, then system complexity is reduced, but packet information cannot be acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The TDF is designed as a multi-functional network element that performs both traffic detection and packet information reporting. It interfaces with multiple components (PCEF, AF, PCRF) and handles various packet information types (packet loss, delay, application identification). This universal design allows a single network element to provide comprehensive packet information acquisition capabilities while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Loss of information
If the AF directly monitors packet data, then packet information can be obtained, but transmission transparency and service adjustment capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The TDF acts as a transparent intermediary that monitors and detects packet information without interfering with the actual data transmission between UE and PDN. It extracts packet characteristics (loss, delay, application type) and reports them to the AF, which then uses this information for service adjustment. This intermediary approach maintains transmission transparency while enabling comprehensive packet information acquisition and service control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and a network element for acquiring information about a packet. The method includes: after a UE establishes a bearer, sending, by a first network element, a first acquiring request to a second network element, where the first acquiring request is used to instruct the second network element to acquire information about a packet that is transmitted between the UE and a packet data network PDN and passes through the second network element; and receiving, by the first network element, information about a packet, where the information about the packet is sent by the second network element, and the information about the packet is information that is about a packet and is collected by the second network element according to the first acquiring request.