Unified PDP Context for IMS Policy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks require at least two active PDP contexts for IMS sessions with policy control, leading to resource inefficiencies and complex implementations, especially in multi-access environments like xDSL and WLAN access.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution enables an IMS session with SBLP functionality using only one active PDP context, optimizing resource management by eliminating the need for separate signalling PDP contexts and allowing modification of a general purpose or signalling context into a policy-controlled context, thereby simplifying implementation and operation for both user equipment and network control elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate signalling PDP contexts are used for IMS sessions with policy control, then policy control functionality is ensured, but the number of active PDP contexts increases leading to resource inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signalling PDP context and media PDP context into a single unified PDP context. The network control element modifies the signalling PDP context to include both signalling traffic and media stream data, eliminating the need for separate contexts and reducing the total number of active PDP contexts while maintaining policy control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The signalling PDP context is transformed into a multi-functional context that can handle both signalling traffic and media stream data. By adding media authorization tokens and modifying packet filters, the same PDP context serves multiple purposes, reducing resource consumption while ensuring policy control is maintained.
2Reliability
If multiple PDP contexts are maintained for IMS sessions, then policy control is supported, but implementation complexity increases especially in multi-access environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PDP contexts into a single context, simplifying the architecture. The network control element modifies the existing signalling PDP context to handle both signalling and media traffic, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple separate contexts in multi-access environments like xDSL and WLAN.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic modification of PDP contexts. The network control element can dynamically adjust packet filters, QoS parameters, and media authorization tokens within the same PDP context based on traffic type, allowing flexible policy control without requiring multiple static contexts.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate signalling and media PDP contexts are used, then traffic separation is achieved, but resource management becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different packet filters within the same PDP context for different traffic types. The network control element configures specific packet filters that differentiate signalling traffic from media stream data, maintaining traffic separation at the packet level while using a single PDP context for resource efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a mechanism for controlling a communication connection with policy control, after the communication connection with policy control is established in a communication network between a user equipment and service providing network element via a network control element on the basis of an initial packet data protocol context, a modification of the initial packet data protocol context for the communication connection is requested or initiated at the network control element. When the modification is authorized, relevant resources for a modified packet data protocol context usable for signalling traffic and transmission of media stream data are set up.