WO2014180210A1

WO2014180210A1 - Method for controlling network congestion and load perception function

Info

Publication number: WO2014180210A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/074899
Authority: WO
Inventors: 毛玉欣; 周晓云; 郑兴明
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2013-05-10
Filing date: 2014-04-08
Publication date: 2014-11-13
Also published as: CN104144128B; CN104144128A

Abstract

The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for controlling a network congestion and a load perception function, which are applied to a wireless communication network. The method comprises: a load perception function obtaining user location information and a user identification from an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) or a user equipment; and the load perception function determining a congestion state of a cell used by a user according to the user location information, the user identification and congestion judging information obtained from an access network device. In the embodiments of the present invention, the load perception function judges the congestion state of the cell used by the user according to the congestion judging information, the user location information and the user identification, so that when cell congestion occurs, a PCRF is notified to conduct congestion management on a service developed by the user in the cell, or the user equipment in the cell is notified to unload the service which is being developed, thereby alleviating the network load and reducing the network congestion.

Description

A method for controlling network congestion and load sensing function

Technical field

The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method for controlling network congestion and a load sensing function.

Background technique

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines the Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for mobile networks. As shown in Figure 1, the functions of each entity are described as follows:

The Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) provides a resource control policy for the service data flow included in the service, including QoS (Quality of Service) control policy and charging control. Strategy.

The PCEF (Policy and Charging Enforcement Function) is used to perform the PCC rules delivered by the PCRF or preconfigured on the PCEF. The IP packets transmitted on the network are detected to identify the services to which the IP packets belong. Data flow, and provide QoS and charging control for service data flows.

The BBERF (Bearer Binding and Event Report Function) is used to detect IP packets transmitted on the network and map the IP packets to the corresponding bearer channel according to the rules. The BBERF also performs the reporting of the bearer-related event. For example, when the bearer is lost or the access network is switched, the corresponding event is reported to the PCRF to request the PCRF to make a corresponding decision.

The SPR (Subscription Profile Repository) is used to store the service information signed by the user, and provides the necessary user subscription information for the PCRF to formulate PCC rules. OCS (Online Charging System) and OFCS (Offline Charging System) are used for offline and online charging, respectively.

The principle of the PCC architecture implementing policy control on the services carried on the bearer network is as follows:

When the user equipment is attached to the network, the corresponding BBERF, PCEF and PCRF are selected. PCRF A gateway control session is established between the BBERF and the BBERF, and an IP-CAN session is established with the PCEF, and a gateway control session and an IP-CAN session association are established according to information such as the user identification.

When the user conducts the service, the PCRF formulates a corresponding QoS and charging control policy for the service data flow corresponding to the service, including the service information negotiated by the application layer, the user subscription information, and the operator policy, including the five-way of the service data flow. Group, authorized bandwidth and other information. The QoS control policy is sent to the BBERF by the QoS control policy, and the QoS and charging control policies are sent to the PCEF by using the PCC rules. BBERF establishes bindings between QoS rules and bearers. When an IP packet arrives at the PCEF or BBERF, the IP packet is matched according to the quintuple in the rule, and the matched IP packet is transmitted using the corresponding bearer, and the corresponding charging is performed to implement the service. control. When the service is changed, the service information changes, for example, the service data flow is terminated. The network resources occupied by the service data flow can be released in real time through PCC control, and the dynamic QoS control of the service is achieved.

With the rapid development of the network, the rich business and the emergence of intelligent terminals, a large number of users began to access various data services through the intelligent terminal access network, such as web browsing, online games, online shopping, watching videos, and the like. This has led to a dramatic increase in network data traffic, which will not only greatly increase the network load, but even cause network congestion, which will inevitably lead to a decline in user experience. This therefore creates an impact and challenge for network operations. How to solve network congestion and reduce network load are getting more and more attention and attention from operators.

Reducing network load and reducing network congestion can increase the investment and expand the network, but this will increase the cost.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling network congestion and a load sensing function, which can reduce network load and reduce network congestion without expanding the network.

In order to solve the above technical problem, a method for controlling network congestion in an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a wireless communication network, and the method includes:

The load sensing function obtains the user location information and the user identifier from the access network discovery and selection function ANDSF or the user equipment; The load sensing function determines a congestion status of a cell used by the user according to the user location information, the user identifier, and congestion determination information obtained from the access network device.

Preferably, after the determining, by the load sensing function, the congestion status of the cell used by the user, the method further includes:

The load-aware function sends a congestion status of the cell used by the user to the policy and the charging rule function PCRF corresponding to the user, for example, the cell used by the user is congested, and the PCRF determines and sends a congestion management policy to the policy execution device. Or

The load sensing function sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user to the user equipment corresponding to the user. If the cell used by the user is congested, the user equipment initiates local offloading on the ongoing service.

Preferably, the load sensing function obtains user location information and user identifier from the ANDSF, including:

The ANDSF receives the user location information and the user identifier reported by the user equipment, and adds the user location information and the user identifier to the load sensing function; or

The ANDSF obtains the user's IP address and the user identifier from the gateway or the PCRF, receives the user location information and the user's IP address from the user equipment, obtains the correspondence between the user's location information and the user identifier, and obtains the user location information and the user identifier. The load sensing function is given by the upper 4艮.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

For example, the user location information is used by the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, and the load identifier function is used to save the cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user;

If the user location information does not use the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, the load sensing function determines, according to the user location information of the user, the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, and correspondingly saves the cell identifier and the user of the cell used by the user. User ID.

Preferably, the congestion determination information is traffic information of a cell or a congestion state of a cell.

Preferably, the load sensing function obtains the congestion determination information from the access network device, where: the load sensing function periodically receives traffic information of all cells and a cell identity of the corresponding cell from the access network device, and determines the wireless connection according to the traffic information. The congestion state of the incoming cell; or receiving, from the access network device, the congestion of the wireless access cell determined by the access network device according to the traffic information State and cell identity of the corresponding cell.

Preferably, the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the user location information, the user identifier, and the congestion determination information obtained from the access network device, and corresponds to the user.

The PCRF or the user equipment sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user, including:

After obtaining the congestion state of the radio access cell, the load sensing function determines the cell in which the congestion occurs, and determines the user under the congested cell according to the user location information and the user identifier, for example, the user is in a congested cell. The PCRF or user equipment corresponding to the user sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user.

Preferably, the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the user location information, the user identifier, and the congestion determination information obtained from the access network device, and sends the user to use the PCRF corresponding to the user. The congestion status of the cell, including:

The load sensing function receives the request message sent by the PCRF, and determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the user identifier carried in the request message, the user identifier in the load sensing function, the user location information, and the congestion status of the radio access cell, and Return to the PCRF.

The load sensing function receives the request message sent by the PCRF, determines the cell identifier of the cell used by the user according to the user identifier carried in the request message, and obtains the traffic information of the cell used by the user from the access network device according to the cell identifier, and determines the traffic information according to the traffic information. The congestion status of the cell used by the user and returned to the PCRF.

Preferably, the PCRF determines and sends a congestion management policy to the policy enforcement device, including: the PCRF rejects the service when the service is determined to be a non-real-time service according to the service type of the user performing the service; or , according to the user's subscription information and / or operator policy, start bandwidth restrictions on the business.

Preferably, the load sensing function is to send, by using the ANDSF, a congestion status of a cell used by the user to a user equipment corresponding to the user, and the ANDSF sends network information of another network that the user can access to the user. device; The user equipment initiates local offloading on the ongoing service, including: the user equipment performs access network selection according to network information of other networks that the user can access, selects other network access, and performs services through the selected network.

A load sensing function, which is applied to a wireless communication network, includes: a first information unit and a congestion determining unit, where:

The first information unit is configured to obtain user location information and a user identifier from an access network discovery and selection function ANDSF or a user equipment;

The congestion determining unit is configured to determine a congestion state of a cell used by the user according to the user location information, the user identifier, and congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device.

Preferably, the congestion determining unit is further configured to: after determining a congestion status of the cell used by the user, send a congestion status of the cell used by the user to a policy and charging rule function PCRF corresponding to the user, such as a cell used by the user. Congestion occurs, the PCRF determines and delivers a congestion management policy to the policy enforcement device, or sends a congestion status of the cell used by the user to the user equipment corresponding to the user, for example, the cell used by the user is congested, and the user equipment is facing The business launched initiates a local uninstall.

Preferably, the first information unit is configured to receive the user location information and the user identifier reported by the ANDSF, where the user location information and the user identifier are sent to the ANDSF by the user equipment; or the ANDSF is obtained from the gateway or the PCRF. The IP address and the user identifier of the user receive the user location information and the IP address of the user from the user equipment, and obtain the correspondence between the user location information of the user and the user identifier.

Preferably, the first information unit is further configured to: when the user location information uses the cell identity of the cell used by the user, the corresponding cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user are saved; When the location information does not use the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, the cell identifier of the cell used by the user is determined according to the user location information of the user, and the cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user are saved correspondingly.

Preferably, the second information unit is further included, wherein:

The second information unit is configured to periodically receive traffic information of all cells from the access network device. And determining, according to the traffic information, a congestion status of the radio access cell according to the cell identifier of the corresponding cell; or receiving, by the access network device, a congestion status of the radio access cell determined by the access network device according to the traffic information, and a corresponding cell Cell identification.

Preferably, the congestion determining unit is configured to: after the second information unit obtains a congestion state of the radio access cell, determine a cell in which congestion occurs, and determine, according to the user location information and the user identifier, the cell under which the congestion occurs. A user, such as a user, sends a congestion status of a cell used by the user to a PCRF or user equipment corresponding to the user in a cell where congestion occurs.

Preferably, the congestion determining unit is configured to receive a request message sent by the PCRF, according to the user identifier carried in the request message, the user identifier and the user location information on the first information unit, and the radio access cell on the second information unit. The congestion state determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user and returns to the PCRF.

Preferably, the congestion determining unit is configured to receive a request message sent by the PCRF, determine a cell identity of the cell used by the user according to the user identifier carried in the request message, and acquire traffic of the cell used by the user from the access network device according to the cell identifier. The information determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the traffic information, and returns to the PCRF.

In summary, the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the congestion determination information, the user location information, and the user identifier, so as to notify the PCRF of the service performed by the user in the cell when the cell is congested. Congestion management is performed, or the user equipment in the cell is notified to uninstall the ongoing service, thereby reducing network load and reducing network congestion. BRIEF abstract

1 is a PCC architecture diagram of a related art;

2 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a method for controlling network congestion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a method for controlling network congestion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart of Embodiment 3 of a method for controlling network congestion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart of Embodiment 4 of a method for controlling network congestion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a load sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

In this embodiment, a congestion management mechanism is introduced to the related network, and network congestion is prevented by reasonably managing network data to reduce congestion. Because of the limited resources of wireless communication networks, congestion is more likely to occur than core networks. The present embodiment proposes a method of controlling network congestion based on the above considerations.

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings in conjunction with the embodiments. The embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

Example 1

In this embodiment, the load sensing function collects traffic information of each cell, and then determines the congestion state of the cell. Each user accesses the network or switches to the access network, and then sends the latest user location information to the load sensing function through the ANDSF. When the user has a new service started, the PCRF performs resource authorization on the service according to the congestion status of the cell used by the user. If it is congested, it rejects new business development to alleviate network congestion. As shown in FIG. 2, the process is described as follows: 201: The load sensing function periodically collects traffic information of all cells and a cell identifier of a corresponding cell from an access network device (for example, an eNB);

202: The load sensing function determines the congestion state of the wireless access cell according to the method;

For example, each radio access cell reports the cell identifier and the traffic information of the cell to the load sensing function, and the load sensing function determines the congestion status of each radio access cell according to the traffic capability supported by each cell.

Or, each cell collects traffic information by itself, determines a congestion state of the cell, and each cell applies a congestion state to the load sensing function and a cell identity of the corresponding cell.

Steps 201 and 202 are processes in which the load sensing function obtains congestion determination information from the access network device. The congestion judgment information may be traffic information of a cell obtained by the load sensing function from the access network device, and the load sensing function determines the congestion state according to the traffic information, or may be a congestion state directly obtained from the access network device.

203: The user accesses the network, and establishes an IP-CAN session between the GGSN and the PCRF;

204: The user sends >3⁄4 user location information and user identifier to ^©8? The user location information is, for example, information such as a cell identifier (cell id), TAI, or GPS of a cell used by the user.

When the user initially establishes a session with the ANDSF, the user reports the user location information to the ANDSF. When the user's location information changes, the latest user location information needs to be reported to the ANDSF by updating the session with the ANDSF.

205: The ANDSF sends the collected user location information and the user identifier to the load sensing function. Note 1: The UE can also directly report the user location information and the user identifier to the load sensing function. Note 2: If the user location information reported by the UE is not in the form of a cell identity, but other information such as GPS, the load sensing function needs to determine the cell used by the user according to the user location information.

For example, the user location information uses the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, and the load sensing function stores the cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user; if the user location information does not use the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, load sensing The function determines the cell identifier of the cell used by the user according to the user location information of the user, and correspondingly stores the cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user.

206: The user conducts a business, such as a PUSH service;

207: The AF sends the negotiation information of the service to the PCRF, and requests the PCRF to use the network resource for authorization for the service.

208: After receiving the service authorization request, the PCRF performs session association, identifies an IP-CAN session used by the user who performs the service, and requests a congestion state of the cell used by the user to the load sensing function, where the request message includes the user identifier. ;

209: The load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the congestion status of the radio access cell in step 202 and the user location information and the user identifier in step 205, and returns to the PCRF.

210: If the information obtained by the PCRF is that the cell is in a congested state, the PCRF determines that the service is a non-real-time service according to the type of the service, and the PCRF decides to reject the service at this time;

211: The PCRF returns an authorization failure notification for the service to the AF, and notifies the current cell that the current state is in a congested state.

In the above manner, when the cell is in a congested state, the new service can be performed on the user. The way to reject, to reduce network traffic, to achieve the purpose of slowing down cell congestion.

The foregoing step 204 describes that the UE discovers the user location information and the user identifier to the ANDSF. In addition to the above implementation, the information acquisition of the steps of the embodiment of the present invention may also be implemented as follows:

When the UE accesses the network, the ANDSF may acquire the IP address of the UE and the user identity of the UE from the gateway (eg, S-GW, GGSN, P-GW) or from the PCRF. The subsequent UE transmits the user location information and the IP address of the UE to the ANDSF. The ANDSF can perceive the correspondence between the user location information and the user identity according to the information obtained from the gateway/PCRF and the information acquired from the UE.

Example 2:

This embodiment describes that each user sends the latest user location information to the load sensing function through the ANDSF when the user accesses the network or the access network is switched. When the PCRF authorizes the new service carried out by the user, it requests the congestion state from the load sensing function, and the load sensing function acquires the congestion state of the cell according to the result, and returns to the PCRF. If it is congested, it rejects new business development to alleviate network congestion. As shown in Figure 3, the process is described as follows:

301: The user accesses the network, and establishes an IP-CAN session between the P-GW and the PCRF;

302: The user sends >3⁄4 user location information and user identifier to the ANDSF;

The user location information is, for example, information such as cell id, TAI, or GPS of the cell used by the user.

When the user ANDSF initial session is established, the user location information to a user ANDSF ₀ when the user location information is changed, also need to update and conversation between ANDSF, will report the latest user location information to ANDSF.

303: The ANDSF sends the collected user location information and the user identifier to the load sensing function.

304: The user conducts a business, such as a PUSH service;

305: The AF sends the negotiation information of the service to the PCRF, and requests the PCRF to authorize the service by using the network resource.

306: After receiving the service authorization request, the PCRF performs session association to identify an IP-CAN session used by the user who performs the service, and the PCRF requests the cell used by the user to the load sensing function. Congestion status, the request message contains the user ID;

307: According to the user identifier of step 306 and the user location information of step 303, the load sensing function acquires the identifier of the cell used by the user, and obtains the traffic information of the cell used by the user according to the access network device, and determines that the user uses the traffic information. Congestion status of the cell;

In this embodiment, the congestion determination information is traffic information acquired by the load sensing function from the access network device.

308: The load sensing function returns the congestion status of the cell to the PCRF.

309: If the information obtained by the PCRF is that the cell is in a congested state, the PCRF determines that the service is a non-real-time service according to the type of the service, and the PCRF decides to reject the service at this time;

310: The PCRF returns an authorization failure notification for the service to the AF, and notifies the current cell that the current cell is in a congested state.

In the above manner, when the cell is in a congested state, the network traffic can be alleviated by means of rejecting the new service performed by the user, thereby achieving the purpose of slowing down the congestion of the cell.

Example 3:

In this embodiment, when the load sensing function determines that the cell is congested according to the collected traffic information, the PCRF is notified that the PCRF is required to perform congestion policy adjustment for the user in the cell. As shown in FIG. 4, the process is as follows:

401: The load sensing function periodically collects traffic information of all cells and a cell identifier of the corresponding cell from an access network device (for example, an eNB).

402: The load sensing function determines the congestion state of the wireless access cell according to the method;

403: The user accesses the network, and establishes an IP-CAN session between the P-GW and the PCRF;

404: The user sends the user location information and the user identifier to the ANDSF;

When the user initially establishes a session with the ANDSF, the user reports the user location information to the ANDSF. When the user location information changes, it also needs to be updated by the session between ANDSF. The user location information is reported to the ANDSF.

405: The ANDSF sends the collected user location information and the user identifier to the load sensing function; 406: the user accessing the network performs the service;

407: The load sensing function periodically collects the traffic information of the cell, determines the congestion state of the radio access cell (that is, performs steps 401 and 402 periodically), and combines the user location information and the user identifier reported by the UE in step 405 to determine the cell in which the congestion occurs. The next user, and notifying the corresponding PCRF of the congestion status of the cell used by the user;

Note: The load sensing function found that the PCRF process can be found by PCRF through DRA, which is a related technique.

408: After the PCRF receives the congestion status of the cell, if the cell used by the user is congested, the congestion management policy is started, and the service that is being performed by the user is used according to the subscription information and/or the operator policy. Start bandwidth limit;

409: The PCRF sends a bandwidth limiting policy to limit the rate of certain services to reduce the congestion of the access network.

Example 4:

In this embodiment, when the load sensing function determines that the cell is congested according to the collected cell traffic, the UE is notified that the UE is required to offload (unload) the service, and the service is performed through other access networks, as shown in FIG. The process is described as follows:

501: The load sensing function periodically collects traffic information of all cells and a cell identifier of the corresponding cell from an access network device (for example, an eNB).

502: The load sensing function determines a congestion state of the radio access cell according to the method;

503: The user accesses the network;

504: The user sends >3⁄4 user location information and user identifier to ^©8?

When the user initially establishes a session with the ANDSF, the user reports the user location information to the ANDSF. When the user location information changes, the latest user location information needs to be reported to the ANDSF through the session between the update and the ANDSF.

505: The ANDSF sends the collected user location information and the user identifier to the load sensing function;

506: A user accessing the network conducts a service;

507: The load sensing function periodically collects the traffic information of the cell, determines the congestion state of the radio access cell (that is, periodically performs steps 501 and 502), and combines the location information reported by the UE in step 505 and the identification information of the UE to determine that congestion occurs. a user under the cell, and sending a congestion status to the ANDSF;

508: The ANDSF notifies the UE of the congestion status;

If the optional access network information is not pushed to the UE, the ANDSF simultaneously sends the network information of other networks that the UE can access to the UE.

509: According to the information received from the ANDSF, the UE performs access network selection, selects other network access, and conducts the ongoing service through other access networks.

In the foregoing implementation manner, when the UE accesses the network to perform the service, if the access network is congested, the ANDSF notifies the UE of the congestion information, and the UE selects another access network to perform the service manner, so as to achieve cell congestion. The purpose of slowing down.

In summary, the embodiment of the present invention determines the congestion status of the cell through the load sensing function, and collects the user location information and the user identifier through the ANDSF. When the cell is congested, congestion management is performed on the services of the users in the cell to achieve the purpose of network congestion mitigation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment further provides a load sensing function, which is applied to a wireless communication network, and includes: a first information unit and a congestion determining unit, where:

a first information unit, configured to obtain user location information and a user identifier from an access network discovery and selection function ANDSF or a user equipment;

The congestion determining unit is configured to determine a congestion state of the cell used by the user according to the user location information, the user identity, and the congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device.

The congestion determining unit is further configured to use after determining the congestion state of the cell used by the user The corresponding policy and charging rule function PCRF sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user. For example, the cell used by the user is congested, and the PCRF decides to send a congestion management policy to the policy enforcement device; or sends the user to the user equipment corresponding to the user. The congestion state of the cell is used. If the cell used by the user is congested, the user equipment initiates local offloading for the ongoing service.

The first information unit is configured to receive the user location information and the user identifier reported by the ANDSF, and the user location information and the user identifier are reported to the ANDSF by the user equipment; or the ANDSF obtains the IP address and the user identifier of the user from the gateway or the PCRF, and the user equipment The user location information and the user's IP address are received, and the correspondence between the user location information of the user and the user identifier is obtained.

The first information unit is further configured to: when the user location information uses the cell identifier of the cell used by the user, the corresponding cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user are saved; and the user location information is not used by the user. When the cell identifier is used, the cell identifier of the cell used by the user is determined according to the user location information of the user, and the cell identifier of the cell used by the user and the user identifier of the user are saved correspondingly.

The congestion determination information is traffic information of a cell or a congestion state of a cell.

The load awareness function also includes a second information element, wherein:

The second information unit is configured to periodically receive the traffic information of all the cells and the cell identifier of the corresponding cell from the access network device, determine the congestion state of the wireless access cell according to the traffic information, or receive the access network device from the access network device. The congestion status of the obtained radio access cell and the cell identifier of the corresponding cell are determined according to the traffic information.

The congestion determining unit is configured to determine, after the second information unit obtains the congestion status of the radio access cell, determine the cell in which the congestion occurs, and determine the user under the congested cell according to the user location information and the user identifier, for example, the user is in congestion Under the cell, the congestion status of the cell used by the user is sent to the PCRF or the user equipment corresponding to the user.

The congestion determining unit is configured to receive the request message sent by the PCRF, and determine the user according to the user identifier carried in the request message, the user identifier and the user location information on the first information unit, and the congestion status of the radio access cell on the second information unit. The congestion status of the used cell is returned to the PCRF.

a congestion determining unit, configured to receive a request message sent by the PCRF, and carry the request message according to the request The user identifier of the band determines the cell identity of the cell used by the user, obtains the traffic information of the cell used by the user from the access network device according to the cell identity, determines the congestion state of the cell used by the user according to the traffic information, and returns the congestion status to the PCRF.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a general computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed over a network composed of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device and, in some cases, may be different from the order herein. The steps shown or described are performed, or they are separately fabricated into one or more integrated circuit modules, or a plurality of modules or steps thereof are fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. Various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments of the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability The load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user according to the congestion determination information, the user location information, and the user identifier, so as to notify the PCRF to congest the service carried by the user in the cell when the cell is congested. Management, or notify the user equipment in the cell to uninstall the ongoing service, thereby reducing network load and reducing network congestion.

Claims

Rights demand letter

K A method for controlling network congestion, applied in wireless communication networks, the method includes: the load sensing function obtains user location information and user identification from the access network discovery and selection function ANDSF or user equipment;

The load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user based on the user location information, user identification and congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein after the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user, the method further includes:

The load sensing function sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user to the policy and charging rule function PCRF corresponding to the user. If congestion occurs in the cell used by the user, the PCRF makes a decision and issues a congestion management policy to the policy execution device; or

The load sensing function sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user to the user equipment corresponding to the user. If congestion occurs in the cell used by the user, the user equipment starts local offloading of the ongoing service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the load sensing function obtains user location information and user identification from ANDSF, including:

The ANDSF receives the user location information and user identification reported by the user equipment, and uploads the user location information and user identification to the load sensing function; or,

The ANDSF obtains the user's IP address and user identification from the gateway or PCRF, receives the user location information and the user's IP address from the user equipment, obtains the corresponding relationship between the user's user location information and the user identification, and combines the user location information and the user identification. This provides the load sensing function.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

For example, the user location information uses the cell identity of the cell used by the user, and the load sensing function correspondingly stores the cell identity of the cell used by the user and the user identity of the user;

If the user location information does not use the cell identity of the cell used by the user, the load sensing function determines based on the user's user location information to obtain the cell identity of the cell used by the user, corresponding to Save the cell ID of the cell used by the user and the user ID of the user.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the congestion judgment information is the traffic information of the cell or the congestion status of the cell.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the load sensing function obtains the congestion judgment information from the access network device, including:

The load sensing function regularly receives the traffic information of all cells and the cell identifier of the corresponding cell from the access network device, and determines the congestion status of the wireless access cell based on the traffic information; or, receives the access network device from the access network device The congestion status of the wireless access cell and the cell identity of the corresponding cell are determined based on the traffic information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user based on the user location information, user identification and congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device, and responds to the user The PCRF or user equipment sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user, including:

After obtaining the congestion status of the wireless access cell, the load sensing function determines the cell where congestion occurs, and determines the users in the cell where congestion occurs based on user location information and user identification. If the user is in the cell where congestion occurs, the user The PCRF or user equipment corresponding to the user sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user based on the user location information, user identification and congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device, and responds to the user. The PCRF sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user, including: the load sensing function receives the request message sent by the PCRF, and uses the user identification carried in the request message and the user identification, user location information and wireless access in the load sensing function. The congestion status of the incoming cell determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user and is returned to the PCRF.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the load sensing function determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user based on the user location information, user identification and congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device, and responds to the user. The PCRF sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user, including: The load sensing function receives the request message sent by the PCRF, determines the cell identity of the cell used by the user based on the user identity carried in the request message, obtains the traffic information of the cell used by the user from the access network device based on the cell identity, and makes a judgment based on the traffic information. The congestion status of the cell used by the user is returned to the PCRF.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the PCRF decides and issues the congestion management policy to the policy execution device, including:

When the PCRF determines that the service is a non-real-time service based on the type of service carried out by the user, the PCRF refuses the development of the service; or, based on the user's contract information and/or the operator's policy, initiates bandwidth restrictions on the service.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein,

The load sensing function is to send the congestion status of the cell used by the user to the user equipment corresponding to the user through the ANDSF, and the ANDSF sends network information of other networks that the user can access to the user equipment;

The user equipment initiates local offloading of ongoing services, including: the user equipment performs access network selection based on network information of other networks that the user can access, selects other networks for access, and conducts services through the selected network.

12. A load sensing function, applied in a wireless communication network, including: a first information unit and a congestion determination unit, wherein:

The first information unit is configured to obtain user location information and user identification from the access network discovery and selection function ANDSF or user equipment;

The congestion determination unit is configured to determine the congestion status of the cell used by the user based on the user location information, user identification and congestion judgment information obtained from the access network device.

13. The load sensing function as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

The congestion determination unit is also configured to, after determining the congestion status of the cell used by the user, send the congestion status of the cell used by the user to the policy and charging rule function PCRF corresponding to the user. If congestion occurs in the cell used by the user, The PCRF makes a decision and delivers a congestion management policy to the policy execution device; or sends the congestion status of the cell used by the user to the user equipment corresponding to the user. state, if the cell used by the user is congested, the user equipment starts local offloading of the ongoing service.

14. The load sensing function as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

The first information unit is also configured to receive user location information and user identification reported by ANDSF, which are reported to the ANDSF by the user equipment; or, the ANDSF obtains the user's location information and user identification from the gateway or PCRF. IP address and user identification: receiving the user location information and the user's IP address from the user device, and obtaining the corresponding relationship between the user's user location information and the user identification.

15. The load sensing function as claimed in claim 14, wherein,

The first information unit is also configured to correspondingly store the cell identity of the cell used by the user and the user identity of the user when the user location information uses the cell identity of the cell used by the user; When using the cell identity of the cell used by the user, the cell identity of the cell used by the user is determined based on the user's user location information, and the cell identity of the cell used by the user and the user identity are stored correspondingly.

16. The load sensing function according to claim 13, wherein the congestion judgment information is the traffic information of the cell or the congestion status of the cell.

17. The load sensing function according to claim 16, further comprising a second information unit, wherein: the second information unit is configured to regularly receive the traffic information of all cells and the cell identifier of the corresponding cell from the access network device, Determine the congestion status of the wireless access cell according to the traffic information; or, receive from the access network device the congestion status of the wireless access cell and the cell identifier of the corresponding cell determined by the access network device based on the traffic information.

18. The load sensing function as claimed in claim 17, wherein,

The congestion determination unit is also configured to determine the cell where congestion occurs after the second information unit obtains the congestion status of the wireless access cell, and determine the users in the cell where congestion occurs based on the user location information and user identification. If the user is in a cell where congestion occurs, the congestion status of the cell used by the user is sent to the user's corresponding PCRF or user equipment.

19. The load sensing function as claimed in claim 17, wherein,

The congestion determination unit is also configured to receive a request message sent by the PCRF, and determine the congestion of the wireless access cell according to the user identification carried in the request message, the user identification and user location information on the first information unit and the second information unit. The status determines the congestion status of the cell used by the user and is returned to the PCRF.

20. The load sensing function as claimed in claim 16, wherein,

The congestion determination unit is further configured to receive a request message sent by the PCRF, determine the cell identity of the cell used by the user based on the user identity carried in the request message, and obtain the traffic information of the cell used by the user from the access network device based on the cell identity, The congestion status of the cell used by the user is determined based on the traffic information and returned to the PCRF.