UE Policy Provisioning via ePCO Across 5GS and EPC Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions fail to consistently provision UE policies, such as URSP, across 5GS and EPS, especially when ANDSF is not deployed in the network, affecting scenarios like Edge Computing, AF guidance, operator policies, and V2X/ProSE scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is proposed to encapsulate UE Policy Delivery Protocol (UPDP) messages into a new Extended Protocol Configuration Option (ePCO) parameter, allowing UE policies to be transmitted via PDN connections in the EPC network, reusing existing PDU session procedures for delivery between the UE and the SMF+PGW-C, and handling these messages similarly to 5GC NAS signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UE policies are provisioned using existing EPC mechanisms, then the provisioning can be done in current networks, but UE policies cannot be consistently provisioned across 5GS and EPS when ANDSF is not deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the PCF to provision UE policies (URSP, V2XP, ProseP, ANDSP) to UEs in both 5GS and EPC networks using a unified mechanism. The SMF+PGW-C acts as a universal entity that can deliver policies to UEs regardless of whether they are attached to 5GC or EPC, eliminating the need for separate ANDSF deployment in EPC.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the SMF+PGW-C as an intermediary entity that mediates between the PCF and the UE in EPC networks. The SMF+PGW-C receives UE policy information from the PCF via N7 interface and delivers it to the UE using extended protocol configuration options, serving as a bridge that enables policy provisioning without requiring direct PCF-UE communication in EPC.
2Reliability
If UE policies are updated at network side, then the policies can be kept current, but there is no way to provision the URSP rule to UE in EPS based on current design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the PCF prepare and send UE policy information to the SMF+PGW-C in advance through the N7 interface. The SMF+PGW-C then has these policies ready for delivery to the UE when needed, using existing EPC procedures with minimal additional complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing EPC procedures are used for policy delivery, then the solution can be implemented in current networks, but the procedures cannot support UE policy provisioning without ANDSF
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying existing EPC procedures to include UE policy information in extended protocol configuration options. The SMF+PGW-C uses bearer modification procedures without QoS update to deliver policies, changing the parameters of existing procedures rather than creating entirely new ones, thus maintaining implementation feasibility while enhancing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure presents a method for provisioning a User Equipment (UE) policy to a UE in the Extended Protocol Configuration Options (ePCO). The method involves provisioning the UE policy to a user terminal via an ePCO, where the UE policy is included in a UE policy container. The UE policy is transmitted from a first network node to the user terminal, where it is received and included in the UE policy container and the ePCO. The method also involves transmitting the UE policy from the first network node to a second network node, where it is included in a UE policy container and the ePCO, before being transmitted to the user terminal.