CN102137368B

CN102137368B - Enhanced policy and charge control method and system and PCC (Policy Charge Control) system

Info

Publication number: CN102137368B
Application number: CN201010101353.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周晓云; 刘小华
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2010-01-26
Filing date: 2010-01-26
Publication date: 2015-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-26
Also published as: WO2011091682A1; CN102137368A

Abstract

The invention discloses an enhanced policy and charging control method. A PCC (Policy Charge Control) system is internally provided with a TDEF (Traffic Detection Executing Function) entity. The method comprises the steps: when formulating the PCC rule, a PCRF (Policy and Control Reporting Function) determines whether more than four layers of policy and charging control are carried out on service data streams matched with the PCC rule; when sending the PCC rule to a policy and control executing function (PCEF) entity, the PCRF indicates whether more than four layers of policy and charging control are carried out on the service data streams matched with the PCC rule; if yes, the PCRF sends the rule for carrying out more than four layers of policy and charging control on the service data streams to the TDEF; and the TDEF implements the rule for carrying out more than four layers of policy and charging control on service data streams, and returns an implementation result to the PCRF. The invention discloses an enhanced policy and charging control system and the PCC system. The invention realizes multilevel and multi-latitudinal charging control on service data.

Description

Method and system for enhanced policy and charging control and PCC system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique of enhanced Policy and Charging Control (PCC), and in particular, to a method and a system for enhanced Policy and Charging Control, and a PCC system.

Background

The PCC System of the third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) is a functional framework capable of being applied to various Access technologies, for example, it can be applied to a Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)/GSM Data Enhanced Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network, an interworking wireless local area Network (I-WLAN), and an Evolved Packet System (EPS), etc. the PCC System of the 3GPP is a functional framework that can be applied to various Access technologies.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Rel-8PCC non-roaming architecture in the related art, as shown in fig. 1, a PCC system includes a subscriber Subscription database (SPR), an Application Function entity (AF), a Policy and charging Rule Function entity (PCRF), a Bearer binding and Event Reporting Function entity (BBERF), a Policy and control Enforcement Function entity (PCEF), and a charging system, where the SPR is connected to the PCRF through an Sp interface, the AF is connected to the PCRF through an Rx interface, the BBERF is connected to the PCRF through a Gxx interface, and the PCEF is connected to the PCRF through a Gxx interface; the Charging System comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an Offline Charging System (OFCS), wherein the PCEF is connected to the OCS through a Gy interface, and the PCEF is connected to the OFCS through a Gz interface. The following describes each logical functional entity and its interface function in the PCC system with reference to fig. 1:

the AF is used to provide access points for service applications that use network resources that require dynamic policy control. And when the service plane carries out parameter negotiation, the AF transmits the related service information to the PCRF. If the service information is consistent with the policy of the PCRF, the PCRF accepts the negotiation; otherwise, the PCRF refuses the negotiation and simultaneously gives out the service parameters acceptable by the PCRF in the feedback. The AF may then return these parameters to the User Equipment (UE). Wherein, the interface between the AF and the PCRF is an Rx interface.

The PCRF is the core of the PCC and is responsible for policy decision and charging rule making. The PCRF provides traffic data flow-based network Control rules including detection, Gating (Gating Control), Quality of Service (QoS) Control, and data flow-based charging rules, among others. The PCRF sends the policy and charging rules formulated by the PCRF to the PCEF for execution, and meanwhile, the PCRF needs to ensure that the rules are consistent with the subscription information of the user. The basis for the PCRF to formulate the policy and charging rules comprises the following steps: acquiring information related to the service from the AF; acquiring subscription information with user policy charging control from SPR; information of a bearer-related network is acquired from a PCEF.

The PCEF is typically located within a Gateway (GW), and enforces policy and charging rules formulated by the PCRF at the bearer plane. The PCEF detects the service data flows according to the service data flow filters in the rules sent by the PCRF, and then executes the policy and charging rules formulated by the PCRF on the service data flows. When the load is established, the PCEF carries out QoS authorization according to the rule sent by the PCRF, and carries out gating control according to the execution of the AF. According to the charging rules sent by the PCRF, the PCEF performs a corresponding service data flow charging operation, and the charging may be either online charging or offline charging. In case of online charging, the PCEF needs to perform credit management together with the OCS. When off-line charging is carried out, relevant charging information is exchanged between the PCEF and the OFCS. The interface between the PCEF and the PCRF is a Gx interface, the interface between the PCEF and the OCS is a Gy interface, and the interface between the PCEF and the OFCS is a Gz interface. The PCEF is typically located at gateways in the network, such as a GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN) in GPRS and a Packet Data Gateway (PDG) in I-WLAN.

The BBERF is used for bearer binding, verification of uplink bearer binding, and event reporting. When UE accesses through E-UTRAN and a mobility management protocol is adopted between S-GW and P-GW as mobile IPv6(DSMIPv6, Moblie IPv6 support for dual stack Hosts and Routers) protocol, BBERF is located at S-GW, when UE accesses through a trusted non-3 GPP access system, BBERF is located at the trusted non-3 GPP access gateway, when UE accesses through an untrusted non-3 GPP access system, BBERF is located at an Evolved Packet Data gateway (ePDG, Evolved Packet Data gateway, at this time, PCEF does not execute binding bearer function any more.

The SPR stores subscriber policy charging control subscription information related to policy control and charging. The interface between the SPR and the PCRF is an Sp interface.

The OCS and the PCEF together control and manage the user credit in an online charging mode. The OFCS and the PCEF together complete the charging operation in the offline charging mode.

The PCC system implements policy charging control on an IP connection Access Network (IP-CAN) session established by the UE for accessing one PDN through the above functional entities.

With the current PCC architecture, there are several problems:

(1) the information of the service is provided by the AF, and the PCRF carries out policy decision according to the information. In the existing network application, there is no AF in many scenes. Services based on session classes, such as an IP multimedia Subsystem (IMS, IMS ipmultitiming Subsystem), can use an initial session protocol (SIP) signaling to perform service layer negotiation of a session (such as a coding and decoding mode, a media type, a required bandwidth, and the like), and a P-CSCF (i.e., an AF in a PCC system) notifies a PCRF of negotiated service information and performs QoS authorization by the PCRF. However, a large number of non-session services in the existing network, such as services currently applying Voice Protocol (VoIP) based on an IP network, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), Video on demand (VoD), network game, etc., do not perform media negotiation of an application layer, nor perform a process of transmitting service information to the PCRF. For these non-session services, although some static policies can be configured on the PCRF for performing certain policy authorization, this approach greatly limits the advantages of the PCC system.

(2) At present, filters for detecting IP packets in PCC rules issued by PCRF all use quintuple. In some scenarios, two different services cannot be distinguished by only using the quintuple, which requires detecting information of more than four layers.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for enhanced policy and charging control, and a PCC system, which can implement policy and charging control on non-session services, and in particular can detect information of more than four layers of service data streams, thereby widening the practical performance of the PCC system.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme of the invention is realized as follows:

a method for enhancing policy and charging control sets service detection and execution functional entity TDEF in policy and charging control PCC system; the method comprises the following steps:

after the policy and charging rule functional entity PCRF determines that the policy and charging control of more than four layers is carried out on the service data flow of the IP-CAN session of the IP connection access network, a service detection rule and/or a service execution rule are formulated and sent to the TDEF;

after receiving an instruction of performing more than four layers of policy and charging control on a service data stream by the PCRF, the PCEF sends the detected service data stream to the TDEF according to the instruction;

the TDEF executes the service detection rule on the service data flow, reports the identification information of the detected data service to the PCRF, and/or executes the service execution rule on the detected data service.

Preferably, in the process of establishing an IP-CAN session or initiating an IP-CAN session modification, the PCRF formulates a PCC rule according to subscription information of a user;

the method further comprises the following steps:

when the PCEF determines that the policy and charging control of more than four layers is carried out on the service data flow matched with the PCC rule, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF; and forwarding, by the PCEF, the traffic data flow, which is not matched with any PCC rule but is instructed by the PCRF to perform control of more than four layers of policy and charging, to the TDEF.

Preferably, the process of establishing the IP-CAN session is initiated by a gateway where a bearer binding and event reporting function entity BBERF resides after receiving a request message for establishing the IP-CAN session;

the process of the IP-CAN session modification is initiated when the application function entity AF provides the service information of the IP-CAN, or initiated after the TDEF detects a new service, or initiated after the BBERF receives a new QoS (quality of service) request rule or detects an event subscribed by the PCRF, or initiated after the TDEF receives the new QoS request rule or detects the event subscribed by the PCRF.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

and in the process of deleting the IP-CAN session, when the PCRF determines that the PCC rules related to the IP-CAN session comprise the rules of the more than four layers of policy and charging control, the PCEF is controlled to delete the PCC rules related to the IP-CAN session, and the TDEF is controlled to delete the service execution rules.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

and when the subscription data is updated, the PCRF re-determines whether to perform policy and charging control of more than four layers on the service data flow of the IP-CAN session, if so, re-determines the service execution rule and updates the rule into the TDEF.

Preferably, the TDEF is set in the PCC system, specifically:

and the TDEF is respectively connected with the PCRF and the charging system.

A PCC system comprises a user subscription database SPR, an AF, a PCRF, a BBERF, a PCEF and a charging system, wherein the SPR, the AF, the BBERF and the PCEF are respectively connected with the PCRF, and the PCEF is connected with the charging system; the PCC system also comprises TDEF which is respectively connected with the PCRF and the charging system; the PCC system is used for the aforementioned method of enhanced policy and charging control.

Preferably, the TDEF is connected to the PCRF through an Sx interface.

A system for enhanced policy and charging control, comprising a setting unit, a formulating unit, a determining unit, a first sending unit, a second sending unit and an executing and returning unit, wherein:

a setting unit, configured to set a TDEF in the PCC system;

the system comprises a formulation unit, a service detection unit and a service execution unit, wherein the formulation unit is used for formulating a PCC rule, a service detection rule and a service execution rule;

the determining unit is used for determining whether to control the strategy and charging of more than four layers of service data flow of the IP-CAN session;

a first sending unit, configured to send a PCC rule to a PCEF and/or indicate whether to perform control on policy and charging for more than four layers on a service data flow matched with the PCC rule;

a second sending unit, configured to send the service detection rule and/or the service execution rule to the TDEF;

and the execution and return unit is used for executing the service detection rule on the service data stream, reporting the identification information of the detected data service to the PCRF, and/or executing the service execution rule on the detected data service.

Preferably, the formulating unit formulates the PCC rule according to the subscription information of the user in the process of establishing the IP-CAN session or initiating the IP-CAN session modification;

correspondingly, when the determining unit further determines to control the policy and charging for more than four layers of service data flows of the IP-CAN session, the PCEF forwards the service data flows matched with the PCC rules to the TDEF, and forwards the service data flows that are not matched with any PCC rules but the PCRF instructs to control the policy and charging for more than four layers of service data flows to the TDEF.

Preferably, the system further comprises:

and the deleting unit is used for deleting the PCC rules related to the IP-CAN session and the service execution rules in the process of deleting the IP-CAN session.

Preferably, when the subscription data is updated, the determining unit determines whether to perform policy and charging control for more than four layers on the service data stream of the IP-CAN session, and if so, determines the service execution rule again, and the second sending unit sends the service execution rule to the TDEF.

In the invention, a Traffic Detection Function (TDF) is added in the current PCC system to realize the detection of the information of more than four layers of the service data flow, thus providing more service information to the PCRF, being beneficial to the PCRF to make policy decision, and realizing the multi-level and multi-latitude policy charging control of the service data.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Rel-8PCC non-roaming architecture of the related art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a PCC system architecture according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a method for enhanced policy and charging control in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a fifth embodiment of the method of enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a flow chart of a seventh embodiment of the method of enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary architecture for a system for enhanced policy and charging control in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the enhanced policy and charging control system of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The basic idea of the invention is: a service Detection and execution Function entity (TDEF) is set in the current PCC system so as to perform gate control, QoS policy control and the like on a filter with more than four layers of service data flow, thereby implementing multi-level and multi-latitude policy charging control on service data.

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of examples.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a PCC system composition structure of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 2, the PCC system of the present invention is formed by adding a TDEF to the PCC system shown in fig. 1, specifically, the TDEF is disposed between the charging system and the PCRF, and the TDEF is connected to the PCRF through an Sx interface. The main functions of TDEF include:

1. executing service data message detection according to message detection rules (rules of policy and charging control with more than four layers) issued by PCRF, and performing more than four layers of analysis detection on data packets;

2. reporting the detected service information to PCRF;

3. performing gating and QoS strategy execution based on more than four layers of filters;

4. reporting a request for carrying layer resource modification to PCRF;

5. and reporting the event subscribed by the PCRF.

The following further details a specific implementation of the enhanced policy and charging control method according to the present invention based on the PCC system shown in fig. 2.

Example one

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the enhanced policy and charging control method of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 3, this embodiment describes an IP-CAN session establishment procedure, and the specific steps are as follows:

step S301, the gateway where BBERF resides receives the request message for establishing IP-CAN session, and the message carries the user' S identification, PDN identification and other information.

Step S302, BBERF sends a request message for establishing gateway control session to PCRF, wherein the message carries user identification, PDN identification and the like. The message is used to request establishment of a gateway control session.

Step S303, if the PCRF does not have the subscription information related to the user, the PCRF sends a subscription document request message to the SPR, and the message carries the user identifier, the PDN identifier and the like. If the PCRF stores the subscription information related to the user, step S305 is directly performed, and a corresponding policy is formulated according to the subscription information.

Step S304, SPR returns the subscription information of the user according to the user identification and the PDN identification, wherein the subscription information comprises whether the service detection is needed and the service which needs to be detected.

Step S305, the PCRF makes a default strategy according to the subscription information returned by the SPR, wherein the default strategy comprises a PCC rule and a corresponding QoS rule. And if the service detection is needed, the PCRF formulates a service detection rule according to the service to be detected. Traffic detection rules typically include more than four layers of filters. If the issued PCC rule further needs to further execute policy control of more than four layers, the PCRF further customizes a corresponding service execution rule, where the service detection rule generally includes filters of more than four layers and corresponding QoS information, such as Guaranteed Rate (GBR), Guaranteed Bit Rate (Max Bit Rate), maximum Rate (MBR, Max Bit Rate), Usage Threshold (Usage Threshold), and the like. Optionally, the PCRF may also formulate an event trigger.

Step S306, the PCRF returns a gateway control session establishment confirmation message to the BBERF, wherein the message carries the QoS rule, the event trigger and the like. The BBERF installs QoS rules and event triggers.

Step S307, the gateway where the BBERF resides sends a request message for establishing the IP-CAN session to the gateway where the PCEF resides, wherein the message carries information such as the user identifier and the PDN identifier. In the present invention, step S307 and step S302 may be executed simultaneously.

Step S308, the gateway where the PCEF resides allocates an IP address for the IP-CAN session requested to be established by the UE. And the PCEF sends an IP-CAN session establishment indication message to the PCRF, wherein the message carries information such as a user identifier, a PDN identifier, an IP Address and the like. This message is used to request the establishment of a Gx session.

Step S309, the PCRF associates the gateway control session requested to be established in step S302 with the Gx session requested to be established in step S308 according to the user identifier and the PDN identifier. And the PCRF sends the PCC rules and the event triggers formulated by the S304 to the PCEF. And the PCRF sends an indication whether the service data flow of the IP-CAN session needs to be subjected to service detection to the PCEF, and if the service detection is needed, the PCEF forwards the service data flow which is not matched with any PCC rule to the TDEF. For each PCC rule, PCRF will send the policy and charging control indication whether more than four layers of filtering are needed to the PCEF at the same time, and if the policy and charging control of more than four layers of filtering are needed to the data flow, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF. If not, the PCEF uses the PCC rule to carry out policy charging control on the service data flow and then directly sends the service data flow to the PDN network.

Step S310, if at least one PCC rule is successfully activated, the gateway where the PCEF resides returns a response message for establishing the IP-CAN session to the gateway where the BBERF resides, and the response message carries the IPAddress of the IP-CAN session.

Step S311, the gateway where BBERF resides returns a response message for establishing the IP-CAN session, and carries the IP address of the IP-CAN session.

Step S312, the PCRF sends a service detection session establishment request message to the TDEF, where the message carries a service detection rule and/or a service execution rule. The request message is used to establish a traffic detection session.

Step S313, the TDEF returns a confirmation message to the PCRF after installing the service detection rule and/or the service execution rule.

In the present invention, step S312 can be executed after step S305.

Through the process, the UE establishes the IP-CAN session, and the PCRF associates the gateway control session, the Gx session and the service detection session for realizing the policy control of the IP-CAN session. And the PCEF filters the service data packet according to the PCC rule issued by the PCRF and executes corresponding policy and charging control. If the service data flow can be matched with the PCC rule, and the PCRF indicates that the service data flow detected by the PCC rule needs to be forwarded to the TDEF for further policy charging control, the PCEF sends the service data flow to the TDEF; if the service data flow can be matched with the PCC rule, but the PCRF does not indicate that the service data flow detected by the PCC rule needs to be forwarded to the TDEF for further policy charging control, the PCEF does not send the service data to the TDEF, but directly sends the service data to the PDN network; and if the service data flow is not matched with any PCC rule but the PCRF indicates that the PCEF needs to perform service detection on the service data flow of the IP-CAN session, the PCEF also sends the service data flow to the TDEF so as to perform service detection.

Example two

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 4, this embodiment describes a termination procedure of an IP-CAN session initiated by a UE after the IP-CAN session is established according to the first embodiment, in this procedure, a PMIPv6 protocol is used for communication between a gateway where a BBERF resides and a gateway where a PCEF resides. The method comprises the following specific steps:

step S401, the gateway where BBERF resides receives the request message for deleting IP-CAN session. The message carries the identification of the IP-CAN session, such as the IP address of the IP-CAN session.

Step S402, BBERF sends a request message for terminating the gateway control session to PCRF, and PCRF identifies the relevant IP-CAN session and deletes the corresponding QoS rule.

Step S403, the PCRF returns a gateway control session termination confirmation message to the BBERF.

Step S404, the gateway where the BBERF resides sends a request message for deleting the IP-CAN session to the gateway where the PCEF resides.

Step S405, PCEF sends IP-CAN conversation ending indication information to PCRF.

Step S406, the PCRF identifies the relevant IP-CAN session and deletes the corresponding PCC rule.

In step S407, the PCEF deletes the PCC rule associated with the IP-CAN session.

Step S408, if the AF associated with the IP-CAN session needs to be notified, the PCRF notifies the AF to release the transmission resource. If the AF does not need to be notified, step S410 is directly performed.

In step S409, the AF returns a response message.

And step S410, the PCRF returns an IP-CAN session termination confirmation message.

Step S411, the gateway where the PCEF resides returns a response message for deleting the IP-CAN session to the gateway where the BBERF resides.

Step S412, the gateway where the BBERF resides returns a response message for deleting the IP-CAN session.

Step S413, the PCRF identifies the service detection session related to the IP-CAN session, and sends a service detection session termination request message to the TDEF.

In step S414, the TDEF identifies the relevant service detection rule and service execution rule, and then deletes the service detection rule and service execution rule.

Step S415, the TDEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

Step S416, if the SPR subscribes to the cancellation notification message before, the PCRF sends a cancellation subscription notification request message to the SPR.

In step S417, the SPR returns a response message.

EXAMPLE III

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 5, this embodiment describes an IP-CAN session modification procedure initiated by an AF, in which a BBERF-hosted gateway and a PCEF-hosted gateway communicate with each other using PMIPv6 protocol. The method comprises the following specific steps:

step S501, the AF sends application/service information to the PCRF.

Step S502, after the PCRF saves the application/service information, a confirmation message is returned.

Step S503, the PCRF makes a policy decision according to the subscription information, the access information, the service information and the network policy. The PCRF policy includes PCC rules and corresponding QoS rules. If the issued PCC rules further need to implement policy and charging control of more than four layers, the PCRF may also customize the corresponding service implementation rules. The service execution rule comprises a filter for detecting more than four layers of information and corresponding QoS information, so that the TDEF can carry out policy and charging control on the service data flow according to more than four layers of filters. The PCC rule comprises four layers of filters, and the PCEF performs policy and charging control on the service data flow according to the four layers of filters. The PCRF may also formulate an event trigger for subscribing to an event towards the BBERF, PCEF or TDEF.

Step S504, the PCRF sends a gateway control and QoS rule provision message to the BBERF, carrying the QoS rule, and an event trigger.

In step S505, the BBERF installs QoS rules and event triggers. The gateway where the BBERF is located may perform corresponding quality control according to the QoS rules, and perform establishment, modification, or termination of the bearer.

Step S506, the BBERF returns a confirmation message to the PCRF.

Step S507, the PCRF sends a policy and charging rule provision message to the PCEF, carrying the PCC rule and the event trigger. For each PCC rule, PCRF will send policy and charging control indication whether more than four layers of filtering are needed to PCEF at the same time, if so, PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to TDEF.

At step S508, the PCEF installs the PCC rules and event triggers. And forwarding the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF by the PCEF according to the policy and charging control instruction filtered by more than four layers.

In step S509, the PCEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

Step S510, the PCRF sends a service enforcement rule providing message to the TDEF, and provides the service enforcement rule and the event trigger customized in step S503.

In step S511, the TDEF installs the service execution rule and the event trigger.

Step S512, the TDEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

Through the above process, the BBERF and the PCEF implement filtering, policy and charging control of service data flows of four or less layers for the service, and the TDEF implements filtering, policy and charging control of service data flows of more than four layers for the service. Thereby realizing multi-level control of the service.

Example four

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 6, this embodiment describes an IP-CAN session modification procedure initiated after a TDEF detects a new service according to a service detection rule, in this procedure, a PMIPv6 protocol is used for communication between a gateway where a BBERF resides and a gateway where a PCEF resides. The method comprises the following specific steps:

step S601, the TDEF detects the traffic data stream flowing through according to the traffic detection rule issued by the PCRF, and detects a traffic that has not been reported to the PCRF before.

Step S602, the TDEF reports the detected traffic that did not exist before to the PCRF. The TDEF may implement reporting to the PCRF by reporting the identifier of the corresponding service detection rule or the identifier of the service preconfigured between the PCRF and the TDEF.

Step S603, after storing the information reported by the TDEF, the PCRF returns a confirmation message to the TDEF.

Step S604, the PCRF makes a policy decision according to the subscription information, the access information, the network policy, and the service information reported by the TDEF. The PCRF policy includes PCC rules and corresponding QoS rules. The PCC rule comprises four layers of filters, and the PCEF detects the service data flow according to the four layers of filters and performs policy and charging control. If the issued PCC rules further need to execute policy control of more than four layers, the PCRF further customizes the corresponding service execution rules. The service execution rule comprises more than four layers of filters, so that the TDEF can detect the service data flow according to the more than four layers of filters and carry out policy and charging control. The PCRF may also formulate an event trigger for subscribing to an event towards the BBERF, PCEF or TDEF.

Step S605, the PCRF sends a gateway control and QoS rule provision message to the BBERF, carrying the QoS rule, and an event trigger.

In step S606, the BBERF installs QoS rules and event triggers. The gateway where the BBERF is located performs QoS control according to QoS and performs establishment, modification, or termination of a bearer.

In step S607, the BBERF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

Step S608, the PCRF sends a policy and charging rule providing message to the PCEF, carrying the PCC rule and the event trigger. For each PCC rule, PCRF will send a policy control instruction whether more than four layers of filtering are needed to PCEF at the same time, and if so, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to TDEF.

In step S609, the PCEF installs the PCC rules and event triggers. And forwarding the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF by the PCEF according to the policy control instruction filtered by more than four layers.

Step S610, the PCEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

Step S611, the PCRF sends a service enforcement rule providing message to the TDEF, providing the service enforcement rule and the event trigger.

Step S612, the TDEF installs the service execution rule and the event trigger.

Step S613, the TDEF returns a confirmation message to the PCRF.

Through the above process, the BBERF and the PCEF implement filtering and policy control of service data flows of four or less layers for the service, and the TDEF implements filtering and policy and charging control of service data flows of more than four layers for the service. Thereby realizing multi-level control of the service.

EXAMPLE five

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 7, this embodiment describes an IP-CAN session modification procedure initiated after a BBERF receives an event requesting a new QoS rule or detecting a PCRF subscription, in which a PMIPv6 protocol is used for communication between a gateway where the BBERF resides and a gateway where a PCEF resides. The method comprises the following specific steps:

step S701, the BBERF receives a new QoS rule request or detects an event subscribed by the PCRF.

Step S702, the BBERF sends a gateway control and QoS rule request message to the PCRF, carrying a resource authorization request or detecting an event subscribed by the PCRF.

Step S703, the PCRF updates the policy according to the information reported by the BBERF. The PCRF policy includes PCC rules and corresponding QoS rules. If the issued PCC rules further need to implement policy and charging control of more than four layers, the PCRF may also customize the corresponding service implementation rules. The PCC rule comprises four layers of filters, and the PCEF performs policy and charging control on the service data flow according to the four layers of filters. The PCRF may also update traffic enforcement rules (previously formulated) or formulate traffic enforcement rules (not previously formulated). The service execution rule comprises a filter for detecting information of more than four layers, so that the TDEF can carry out policy and charging control on the service data flow according to the filters of more than four layers.

Step S704, the PCRF sends a return confirmation message to the BBERF, where the return confirmation message carries the QoS rule.

Step S705, the BBERF installs the QoS rule. The gateway where the BBERF is located can execute QoS control according to the QoS rule and carry out the establishment, modification or termination of the load

Step S706, PCRF sends policy and charging rules providing message to PCEF, carrying PCC rules and event trigger. For each PCC rule, PCRF will send a policy control instruction whether more than four layers of filtering are needed to PCEF at the same time, and if so, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to TDEF.

In step S707, the PCEF installs the PCC rules and event triggers. And forwarding the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF by the PCEF according to the policy control instruction filtered by more than four layers.

Step S708, the PCEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

Step S709, the PCRF sends a service enforcement rule providing message to the TDEF, and provides the service enforcement rule and the event trigger.

Step S710, the TDEF installs the service execution rule and the event trigger.

Step S711, the TDEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

EXAMPLE six

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 8, this embodiment describes an IP-CAN session modification procedure initiated after a TDEF receives an event requesting a new QoS rule or detecting a PCRF subscription, in which a BBERF-hosted gateway and a PCEF-hosted gateway communicate with each other by using a PMIPv6 protocol. The method comprises the following specific steps:

step S801, the TDEF detects an event of PCRF subscription.

Step S802, TDEF reports the event to PCRF.

Step S803, the PCRF updates the policy according to the event reported by the TDEF. The modification of the policy will involve a change in bearer layer resources. The PCRF policy updates the PCC rules as well as the QoS rules.

Step S804, the PCRF returns a response message to the TDEF.

Step S805, the PCRF sends a gateway control and QoS rule provision message to the BBERF, carrying the updated QoS rule.

In step S806, the BBERF installs the QoS rules. And the gateway where the BBERF is located executes QoS control according to the QoS rule and establishes, modifies or terminates the load.

In step S807, the BBERF returns a confirmation message to the PCRF.

Step S808, the PCRF sends a policy and charging rule provision message to the PCEF, carrying the updated PCC rules.

At step S809, the PCEF installs the updated PCC rules.

Step S810, the PCEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

EXAMPLE seven

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of the method for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 9, this embodiment describes an IP-CAN session modification procedure caused by a change in subscription data, in which a PMIPv6 protocol is used for communication between a gateway where a BBERF resides and a gateway where a PCEF resides. In this embodiment, it is assumed that whether to perform service detection and policy charging control for more than four layers on the service data stream of the user is based on the subscription of the user. That is, if the user sign does not allow service detection of more than four layers, policy charging control of service data flows of more than four layers is not performed. The method comprises the following specific steps:

in step S901, the SPR detects that the user subscription document is changed. The change may be understood as the user adding a service-aware permission to some services, or removing a service-aware permission to some services or removing a service-aware permission to all services altogether.

Step S902, the SPR sends a subscription document update message to the PCRF, carrying the updated subscription document.

Step S903, PCRF returns confirmation message to SPR.

Step S904, the PCRF makes policy decision according to the updated subscription document. The PCRF update policy includes one or more of:

(a) if the service perception permission for certain services is increased, the PCRF formulates a new service detection rule and initiates a service detection rule modification process.

(b) If the service perception permission of some services is deleted, and the PCRF has issued the service detection rules of the services, but the PCRF has not made a policy enforcement session (including a PCC rule and a service enforcement rule) for the services, that is, has not performed policy and charging control of more than four layers, the PCRF will initiate a flow of modifying the service detection session, and delete the corresponding service detection rules.

(c) If service perception permission of some services is deleted, and meanwhile, the PCRF already issues the service detection rules of the services and the PCRF already issues the policy enforcement rules (including the PCC rules and the service enforcement rules) of the services, that is, more than four layers of policy and charging control are performed, the PCRF not only initiates deletion of the service detection session modification procedure to delete the corresponding service enforcement rules, but also notifies the PCEF to modify routing orientation (that is, the PCC rules are adopted to perform policy control on the service data stream and then directly send the service data stream to the PDN network without sending the service data stream to the TDEF).

(d) If the service perception permission of all services is deleted, the PCRF initiates a terminating flow of the service detection session and informs the PCEF to modify the routing orientation.

If the PCRF needs to notify the PCEF to modify the routing direction of some traffic, steps S905 to S906 are performed. If the PCRF needs to initiate a service detection session modification procedure, step S908 to step S910 are performed.

Step S905, if PCRF needs to inform PCEF to modify the routing orientation of some services, PCRF sends policy and charging rule providing message to PCEF, cancels the previously issued indication that when the service data flow is matched with PCC rule, the service data flow is continuously forwarded to TDEF.

Step S906, the PCEF executes the policy, and cancels the binding relationship between the PCC rule and the TDEF.

In step S907, the PCEF returns an acknowledgement message to the PCRF.

If the PCRF needs to initiate a service detection session modification procedure, step S908 to step S910 are performed.

Step S908, the PCRF sends the service detection session modification procedure to the TDEF, carrying the service detection rule to be added or deleted, and/or carrying the service execution rule to be deleted.

In step S909, the TDEF executes the policy, adds or deletes the service detection rule, and/or deletes the service execution rule.

In step S910, the TDEF returns an acknowledgement message.

If the PCRF needs to terminate the service detection session, step S911 to step S913 are performed.

Step S911, PCRF sends service detection terminating session request message to TDEF.

In step S912, the TDEF deletes the policy (service detection rule, service execution rule, event trigger, etc.) related to the service detection session.

In step S913, the TDEF returns an acknowledgement message.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a structure of the system for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 10, the system for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention includes a setting unit 1001, a making unit 1002, a determining unit 1003, a first sending unit 1004, a second sending unit 1005, and an executing and returning unit 1006, where:

a setting unit 1001 configured to set a TDEF in the PCC system;

a formulating unit 1002, configured to formulate a PCC rule, a service detection rule, and a service execution rule;

a determining unit 1003, configured to determine whether to perform policy and charging control on service data streams of the IP-CAN session by more than four layers;

a first sending unit 1004, configured to send a PCC rule to a PCEF and/or indicate whether to perform policy and charging control for more than four layers on a service data flow matched with the PCC rule;

a second sending unit 1005, configured to send the service detection rule and/or the service execution rule to the TDEF;

an executing and returning unit 1006, configured to execute the service detection rule on the service data stream, report the identification information of the detected data service to the PCRF, and/or execute the service execution rule on the detected data service.

The formulating unit 1002 formulates a PCC rule according to subscription information of a user in an initiating process of IP-CAN session establishment or IP-CAN session modification;

correspondingly, when determining unit 1003 further determines to perform policy and charging control on more than four layers of service data flows of the IP-CAN session, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF, and forwards the service data flow not matched with any PCC rule but instructed by the PCRF to perform policy and charging control on more than four layers of service data flows to the TDEF. The process of establishing the IP-CAN session is initiated by a gateway which bears the bearer binding and resides in an event report functional entity BBERF after receiving a request message for establishing the IP-CAN session; the above IP-CAN session modification process is initiated when the application function entity AF provides the service information of the IP-CAN, or initiated after the TDEF detects a new service, or initiated after the BBERF receives the QoS request rule or detects an event subscribed by the PCRF, or initiated after the TDEF receives the QoS request rule or detects an event subscribed by the PCRF.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the system for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention, and as shown in fig. 11, on the basis of the system for enhanced policy and charging control shown in fig. 10, the system for enhanced policy and charging control according to the present invention further includes a deleting unit 1007, configured to delete the PCC rule related to the IP-CAN session and the service enforcement rule during the process of deleting the IP-CAN session.

In the system for enhanced policy and charging control of the present invention, the formulating unit 1002 formulates a PCC rule, and the determining unit 1003 determines whether to perform policy and charging control of more than four layers on a service data flow matched with the PCC rule according to subscription data of a user.

Correspondingly, when determining unit 1003 determines to perform policy and charging control on the service data flow matched with the PCC rule by more than four layers, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF.

When the subscription data is updated, the determining unit 1003 re-determines whether to perform policy and charging control of more than four layers on the service data stream of the IP-CAN session, and if so, re-determines the service execution rule, and the service execution rule is sent to the TDEF by the second sending unit 1005.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the system for enhanced policy and charging control shown in fig. 10 and 11 is designed to implement the method for enhanced policy and charging control described above, and the functions of each processing unit in the system for enhanced policy and charging control shown in fig. 10 and 11 can be understood by referring to the description of the method shown in fig. 3 to 9, and the functions of each processing unit can be implemented by a program running on a processor or by a specific logic circuit.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing policy and charging control sets service detection and execution functional entity TDEF in policy and charging control PCC system; characterized in that the method comprises:

after receiving an instruction of performing policy and charging control on the service data flow by more than four layers by the PCRF, a Policy and Control Enforcement Function (PCEF) entity sends the detected service data flow to the TDEF according to the instruction;

the TDEF executes the service detection rule on the service data flow, reports the service information of the detected service data flow to the PCRF, and/or executes the service execution rule on the service data flow.

2. The method of claim 1,

in the process of establishing an IP-CAN session or initiating modification of the IP-CAN session, the PCRF formulates a PCC rule according to subscription information of a user;

the method further comprises the following steps:

the PCEF forwards a service data flow which is matched with the PCC rules and indicates that more than four layers of policy and charging control are carried out by the PCRF to the TDEF; and forwarding, by the PCEF, the traffic data flow that does not match any PCC rule but for which the PCRF indicates traffic detection to the TDEF.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the procedure of IP-CAN session establishment is initiated by a gateway where a bearer binding and event reporting function entity BBERF resides upon receiving an establish IP-CAN session request message;

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

and in the process of deleting the IP-CAN session, the PCRF instructs the PCEF to delete the PCC rules related to the IP-CAN session, and instructs the TDEF to delete the service detection rules and/or the service execution rules related to the IP-CAN session.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

and when the subscription data is updated, the PCRF re-determines whether the service data flow of the IP-CAN session is subjected to service detection and/or control of more than four layers of strategies and charging, and if so, re-determines a service detection rule and/or a service execution rule and updates the service detection rule and/or the service execution rule into the TDEF.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the TDEF is set in the PCC system, specifically:

and the TDEF is connected with the PCRF.

7. A PCC system comprises a user subscription database SPR, an application function entity AF, a strategy and charging rule function entity PCRF, a bearing binding and event reporting function entity BBERF, a strategy and control execution function entity PCEF and a charging system, wherein the SPR, the AF, the BBERF and the PCEF are respectively connected with the PCRF, and the PCEF is connected with the charging system; the PCC system is characterized by also comprising a service detection execution functional entity TDEF connected with the PCRF; wherein,

the SPR is used for storing user strategy charging control subscription information related to strategy control and charging;

the BBERF is used for bearing binding, verifying uplink bearing binding and reporting an event;

the AF is used for transmitting relevant service information to the PCRF when parameter negotiation is carried out on a service plane;

the PCRF is used for formulating a service detection rule and/or a service execution rule and sending the service detection rule and/or the service execution rule to the TDEF after determining that the service data flow of the IP connection access network IP-CAN session is subjected to more than four-layer policy and charging control;

the PCEF is configured to, after receiving an instruction that the PCRF performs policy and charging control on the service data flow by more than four layers, send the detected service data flow to the TDEF according to the instruction;

the TDEF is configured to execute the service detection rule on the service data flow, report the service information of the detected service data flow to the PCRF, and/or execute the service execution rule on the service data flow.

8. The PCC system of claim 7, wherein the TDEF and the PCRF are connected via an Sx interface.

9. The system for enhanced policy and charging control is characterized by comprising a setting unit, a formulating unit, a determining unit, a first sending unit, a second sending unit and an executing and returning unit, wherein:

a setting unit, configured to set a TDEF in the PCC system;

the determining unit is used for determining whether to carry out service detection and/or control of more than four layers of strategies and charging on the service data flow of the IP-CAN session;

a first sending unit, configured to send a PCC rule to a PCEF and/or indicate whether to perform service detection and/or control of policy and charging for more than four layers on the service data flow;

and the execution and return unit is used for executing the service detection rule on the service data stream, reporting the detected service information to the PCRF, and/or executing the service execution rule on the service data stream.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the formulating unit formulates the PCC rule according to subscription information of a user during an IP-CAN session establishment or an initiation of an IP-CAN session modification;

correspondingly, when the determining unit determines that the service data flow of the IP-CAN session is subjected to service detection, the PCEF forwards the service data flow which is not matched with any PCC rule but is instructed by the PCRF to perform service detection to the TDEF, and/or when the determining unit further determines that the service data flow of the IP-CAN session is subjected to control of policy and charging of more than four layers, the PCEF forwards the service data flow matched with the PCC rule to the TDEF.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the procedure of IP-CAN session establishment is initiated by a gateway where a bearer binding and event reporting function entity BBERF resides upon receiving an establish IP-CAN session request message;

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

and the deleting unit is used for deleting the PCC rules related to the IP-CAN session, the service detection rules and/or the service execution rules in the process of deleting the IP-CAN session.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein when the subscription data is updated, the determining unit determines whether to perform service detection and/or policy and charging control for more than four layers on the service data stream of the IP-CAN session again, and determines a service detection rule and/or a service enforcement rule again when the subscription data is updated, and the service detection rule and/or the service enforcement rule are sent to the TDEF by the second sending unit.