Visited Policy Control Function Dynamic URSP Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for efficient data transmission in 5G communication systems, particularly in high-frequency bands, requires innovative methods to manage traffic routing policies for user equipment (UE) to ensure high data rates, low latency, and stability, especially with the introduction of network slicing and the separation of mobility and session management functions in 5G core networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a visited-policy control function (V-PCF) and a home-policy control function (H-PCF) to transmit and manage user equipment route selection policies (URSP) dynamically, allowing for precedence indicators and policy updates, ensuring optimal traffic processing and routing based on service requirements and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single core equipment (MME) supports all functions in 4G LTE system, then all UEs can receive services through centralized management, but scalability decreases when the number of UEs tremendously increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the monolithic MME into separate AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) and SMF (Session Management Function) entities. This allows the mobility management and session management to be handled independently, enabling the system to scale more effectively with increasing numbers of UEs while maintaining centralized coordination through the PCF.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCF (Policy Control Function) acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the AMF and SMF, enabling policy-based control across the separated functions. This mediator allows the system to maintain centralized policy management while benefiting from the scalability of distributed function separation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is introduced to support various service requirements, then differentiated services (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) can be satisfied, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different PCF instances to provide customized policy control for different network slices and service types. Each slice (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) can have tailored routing policies and parameters configured locally, enabling differentiated service quality without requiring complete network redesign for each service type.
Solution Approach 2:
The separated AMF and SMF architecture provides a universal framework that can support multiple network slices and service types through a common infrastructure. The PCF coordinates policies across different slices, allowing the same core network structure to serve diverse requirements through configurable policy parameters rather than dedicated hardware for each service.
3Productivity
If UE route selection policies are dynamically updated based on roaming status, then optimal traffic routing is achieved, but signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the PCF prepare and store routing policies in advance, categorized by roaming status (home network or visited network). When UE registration occurs, the appropriate pre-configured policy is quickly retrieved and applied, avoiding the need to create routing policies dynamically during the registration process, thus reducing signaling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE receives routing policies from the PCF that enable it to autonomously determine optimal traffic routing based on its current roaming status. The policy includes parameters that allow the UE to self-adjust its routing behavior without requiring continuous network signaling, reducing the signaling load while maintaining routing efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a method and apparatus for providing a policy of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, and an operating method of a visited-policy control function (V-PCF) of a visited public land mobile network (PLMN) providing a policy for processing traffic of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, the operating method includes: transmitting an indicator requesting transmission or allowance of transmission of a visited user equipment route selection policy (V-URSP) of the V-PCF to a home-policy control function (H-PCF) of a home PLMN; receiving, from the H-PCF, an indicator indicating whether transmission of the V-URSP of the V-PCF is allowed; and receiving a home user equipment route selection policy (H-URSP) from the H-PCF.