UPF Timer-Based Traffic Redirection With Lower Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile phone networks face significant signal congestion due to frequent and repetitive redirection of traffic, leading to excessive signaling traffic and overhead, particularly in scenarios where traffic rules are dynamically updated based on operator-defined thresholds or congestion.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system where the Policy and Charging Function/Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCF/PCRF) supplies both PCC rules (PCCRule1 and PCCRule2) to the Control Plane (CP), which installs UPRule1 and UPRule2 on the User Plane (UP). The User Plane Function (UPF) analyzes traffic flows, performs matching using Packet Detection Rules, and applies timers to manage redirection, disabling rules when timers expire, thereby reducing redundant signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traffic redirection rules are dynamically updated and reinstalled continuously based on operator-defined thresholds or congestion, then traffic management flexibility is improved, but network signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple PCC rules (PCCRule1, PCCRule2, etc.) in the PCF/PCRF before they are needed. When a rule becomes active, the corresponding UPRule is already available at the UPF, eliminating the need for continuous rule installation and reduction signaling. This preliminary configuration approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability while reducing signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic rule activation and deactivation at the UPF based on timer expiration or traffic flow changes, without requiring continuous communication with the PCF/PCRF. The UPF can independently switch between UPRule1, UPRule2, etc., making the system adaptive while minimizing control plane signaling.
2Measurement precision
If the UP continuously queries the CP for new rules and the CP communicates with PCF/PCRF for each rule update, then traffic redirection accuracy is improved, but signaling traffic between network elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rule execution function from the control plane and places it at the UPF. The UPF receives and stores multiple PCC rules from PCF/PCRF in advance, then independently executes them based on local conditions (traffic flow matching, timer expiration). This extraction eliminates continuous CP-UPF signaling for rule updates while maintaining accurate traffic redirection.
Solution Approach 2:
The UPF performs self-service by autonomously matching traffic flows with stored PCC rules and executing the appropriate UPRules without continuous CP intervention. The UPF can independently activate or deactivate UPRules based on timer expiration or traffic patterns, reducing signaling traffic while maintaining redirection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PCC rules are installed and continuously managed at the UP through CP coordination, then traffic control capability is improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple PCC rules are pre-installed at the UPF along with their corresponding UPRules and timers. This preliminary configuration allows the UPF to handle complex traffic control scenarios without requiring continuous coordination with the CP, reducing operational overhead while maintaining traffic control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Minimizing signaling traffic between a User Plane (UP) and a Control Plane (CP), where Policy and Charging Function/Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCF/PCRF) software transmits a first and a second Policy and Charging Control rule (PCCRule1 and PCCRule2) to CP equipment. The CP equipment installs both PCCRule1 and PCCRule2 on UP equipment as UPRule1 and UPRule2 respectively, where UPRule1 is set as active during a first time period and the UPRule2 set as active during a second time period. User Plane Function (UPF) software matching data traffic with a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) to generate identified traffic during the first and second time periods and automatically redirecting data traffic to a predetermined location at the expiration of the first and second time periods respectively. UPRule1 and UPRule2 are automatically enabled and disabled alternatively after expiration of their respective timers by the UPF software.