Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) Selection

• US 20090305684A1
• Filed: 10/30/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amdocs Canadian Managed Services Inc. (Amdocs Ltd.), Amdocs Development Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Bridgewater Systems Corp. (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Inventors: JONES, D. Mark, Ben-Hajla, Halim
• Granted Patent: US 8,249,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227

Abstract

The PCRF Selection Function selects the PCRF for an IP-CAN session. In embodiments, the PCRF Selection Function is located in the HSS and/or the 3GPP AAA server. The PCRF Selection Function is only required to be located in the HSS if a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) is deployed in the serving gateway. In this case, the PCRF selection takes place at the time that the PDN Gateway is selected and returned by the HSS to the serving gateway over the HSS to MME interface (S6a).

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a PCRF Selection Function module housed in a non-Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) element, and adapted to deliver policy control rules function (PCRF) information using standard 3GPP interfaces.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module is housed in a home subscriber server (HSS) and communicates PCRF information to a serving gateway via a S6a interface.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein PCRF information is communicated from the serving gateway to a PDN gateway via a S8 interface.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) is deployed in the serving gateway.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module is housed in a home subscriber server (HSS) and communicates PCRF information to an operator'"'"'s IP services via a Sh interface.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second PCRF Selection Function module housed in a 3GPP AAA server, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module and the second PCRF Selection Function module share a common state store.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second PCRF Selection Function module communicates PCRF information to a PDN gateway via a S6b interface.

8. A method, comprising:

receiving a request for policy control rules function (PCRF) information by a PCRF Selection Function module housed in a non-DRA element; and

delivering the requested PCRF information using standard 3GPP interfaces.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module is housed in a home subscriber server (HSS) and the delivering of the requested PCRF information to a serving gateway uses a S6a interface.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the delivering of the requested PCRF information from the serving gateway to a PDN gateway uses a S8 interface.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) is deployed in the serving gateway.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module is housed in a home subscriber server (HSS) and the delivering of the requested PCRF information to an operator'"'"'s IP services uses a Sh interface.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving uses a second PCRF Selection Function module housed in a 3GPP AAA server, and the second PCRF Selection Function module and the PCRF Selection Function module share a common state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the delivering of the requested PCRF information by the second PCRF Selection Function module to a PDN gateway uses a S6b interface.

15. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling at least one processor by a method, comprising:

receiving by a request for policy control rules function (PCRF) information by a PCRF Selection Function module housed in a non-DRA element; and

delivering the requested PCRF information using standard 3GPP interfaces.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module is housed in a home subscriber server (HSS) and the delivering of the requested PCRF information to a serving gateway uses a S6a interface.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the delivering of the requested PCRF information from the serving gateway to a PDN gateway uses a S8 interface.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) is deployed in the serving gateway.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the PCRF Selection Function module is housed in a home subscriber server (HSS) and the delivering of the requested PCRF information to an operator'"'"'s IP services uses a Sh interface.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the receiving uses a second PCRF Selection Function module housed in a 3GPP AAA server, and the second PCRF Selection Function module and the PCRF Selection Function module share a common state.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the delivering of the requested PCRF information by the second PCRF Selection Function module to a PDN gateway uses a S6b interface.