WO2011124106A1

WO2011124106A1 - Method, system and device for policy charging control

Info

Publication number: WO2011124106A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/071798
Authority: WO
Inventors: 周晓云; 宗在峰; 刘霖
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2010-04-09
Filing date: 2011-03-15
Publication date: 2011-10-13
Also published as: CN102215469B; CN102215469A

Abstract

A method, system and device for policy charging control are provided by the present invention, said method includes that when the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) performs policy decision, the PCRF sets the maximum bitrate in the service quality information of the policy higher than the guarantee bitrate, or sets the maximum bitrate in the service quality information of the policy equal to the guarantee bitrate according to whether the wireless base station which the user equipment accesses currently supports Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) and whether said user equipment and the communication partner thereof support ECN; said PCRF sends said policy to a policy enforcement entity, and said policy enforcement entity enforces said policy.

Description

Policy charging control method, system and device

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a network charging based policy charging control method, system and apparatus.

Background technique

Since the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Phase 7 (3GPP Release7) standard system, policy and billing functions have been implemented by the Policy and Charging Control (PCC) framework. The PCC architecture is a functional framework that can be applied to multiple access technologies. For example, the PCC architecture can be applied to the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN, UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network). ), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) / GSM Data Enhanced Evolution (EDGE) radio access network, Interworking Wireless Local Area Network (I-WLAN), and Evolved Packet System (EPS).

PCC mainly implements two functions of policy control and billing. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an existing PCC component architecture. The following describes various logical functional entities and their interface functions in the PCC architecture shown in FIG. 1. As shown in Figure 1:

AF (Application Function) is used to provide access points for business applications. The network resources used by these business applications require dynamic policy control. When the parameter negotiation is performed on the service plane, the AF transmits the related service information to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF). If the service information is consistent with the policy of the PCRF, the PCRF accepts the negotiation; otherwise, the PCRF accepts the negotiation; The PCRF rejects the negotiation and gives the service parameters acceptable to the PCRF when the feedback is received. Then, the AF can return the parameters to the user equipment (UE, User Equipment), where the interface between the AF and the PCRF is the Rx interface. The Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) can be considered as an AF.

The PCRF is the core of the PCC and is responsible for policy decision making and billing rules. PCRF For network traffic control rules based on service data flows, these network control includes detection of traffic data flows, Gating Control, Quality of Service (QoS) control, and traffic flow based charging rules. The PCRF sends its policy and charging rules to the Policy and Control Enforcement Function (PCEF). At the same time, the PCRF also needs to ensure that these rules are consistent with the user's subscription information. The basis for formulating policies and charging rules by the PCRF includes: service-related information obtained from the AF, and user policy charging control related to policy control and charging obtained from the SPR (Spread Profile Repository) Information, and information about the bearer-related network obtained from the PCEF through the Gx interface.

The PCEF is usually located in the gateway (GW, Gate-Way) and performs the policy and charging rules established by the PCRF on the bearer plane. The PCEF detects the service data flow according to the service data flow filter in the rule sent by the PCRF, and then performs the policy and charging rule defined by the PCRF for the service data flow; when the bearer is established, the PCEF performs the rule according to the PCRF. QoS authorization, and performing gating control according to the execution of the AF; at the same time, the PCEF triggers reporting of events occurring on the bearer network according to the event subscribed by the PCRF; according to the charging rule sent by the PCRF, the PCEF performs corresponding service data flow charging operation, The fee can be either online or offline. In the case of online charging, the PCEF needs to perform credit management together with the Online Charging System (OCS); when offline charging, the related calculation between the PCEF and the Offline Charging System (OFCS) Fee information. 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. PCEFs are generally located on gateways of the network, such as EPS Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW), GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN) in General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and Interconnected Wireless LAN ( I-WLAN, Interworking WLAN, Packet Data Gateway (PDG), etc.

Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Entity (BBERF , Bearer Binding and Event

Reporting Function ) is usually located in the Access Network Gateway. ^ When the user equipment accesses the EPS through the E-UTRAN, and the proxy mobile internet protocol version 6 (ΡΜΙΡνό, Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol version 6) protocol is used between the S-GW and the P-GW, the S-GW There is a BBERF. When the user equipment is connected through a trusted non-3GPP access network On entry, BBERF is also present in trusted non-3GPP access gateways.

A User Contracting Database (SPR) stores user policy fee control subscription information related to policy control and charging. The interface between SPR and PCRF is the Sp interface.

OCS and PCEF jointly complete the control and management of user credit under online charging mode.

The OFCS and the PCEF jointly perform the charging operation in the offline charging mode.

The UE (User Equipment) establishes a PDN connection through a wireless communication system (such as GRPS, UMTS, EPS), which is also called an IP-CAN (IP-Connectivity Access Network) session to the operator or a third party. Provide access to IP services. The PCRF makes policy decisions based on the QoS requirements of the services accessed by the user, and initiates a resource reservation process in the wireless communication system to provide QoS guarantee for service access.

For some services, the wireless communication system provides a guaranteed rate (Guarantee BitRate, GBR for short) to meet the minimum bandwidth required to transmit such traffic. The Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) is also set to limit the maximum rate of traffic flow. In order to simplify the QoS guarantee mechanism, the value of GBR is usually set to be the same as the value of MBR. The disadvantage of this solution is that when the actual transmission rate of the service is smaller than the MBR, the resources allocated by the network to the service are still MBR, which is disadvantageous for saving network resources and reducing the operation cost of the operator.

Currently, the industry is studying how to implement the QoS guarantee mechanism of MBR>GBR. The guaranteed bandwidth provided by the network to the service transmission is less than the maximum transmission rate of the service. When the network load is light, the network can provide MBR rate transmission for the service to provide a better user experience, and when the network load is heavy, especially when congestion occurs (mainly refers to congestion on the wireless side), the service transmission is reduced. The rate, only provides GBR bandwidth guarantee. Ensure smooth business access by reducing bandwidth. Through the dynamic adjustment of the transmission rate, network resources can be saved and the operating costs of operators can be reduced.

In order to implement the above mechanism, the UE and the radio base station must first support an ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) mechanism. 2 is a schematic diagram of ECN detection of downlink data. UE B sends data to UE A at the rate of MBR, and the IP header ECN of the data is marked as ECT(O) (ie, no congestion). When the data packet passes through the radio base station A, the radio base station A will use the ECN of the data packet. The bit is set to ECN-CE (indicating congestion). When UE A detects ECN-CE After the value, it is judged that congestion occurs on its downlink path, and UE A sends a request message for reducing the rate to UE B. After receiving the request message, UE B sends the data at the rate of GBR. In this way, the data packet will not be lost due to congestion of the wireless base station, and the service can be accessed normally. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of ECN detection of uplink data. UE A sends data to UE B at the rate of MBR, and the IP header ECN of the data is marked as ECT(O) (ie, no congestion). When the data packet passes through the radio base station A, the radio base station A will use the ECN of the data packet. The bit is set to ECN-CE. When the UE B detects the ECN-CE value, it determines that congestion occurs on its uplink path, and the UE B sends a request message for reducing the rate to the UE A. After receiving the request message, UE A sends data at the rate of GBR. Since the communication between the two communicating parties (ie, UE A and UE B) requires a certain amount of time, in order to ensure that the communication parties have sufficient time for the rate adjustment when congestion occurs, the wireless base station needs to ensure that the congestion indication bit is set in it ( That is, within a default grace period (such as at least 300 milliseconds or at least 500 milliseconds) after ECN-CE), no packet loss. During this graceful period, the radio base station also needs to meet other QoS requirements of the current data packet (such as QoS Class Identifier (QCI) characteristics). At present, how to use PCC to implement policy control on the MBR>GBR scenario when transmitting traffic data flows, and finally implement policy charging control based on network load, there is no complete solution.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a network load based policy control method, system and apparatus.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a policy charging control method, including: when a policy and charging rule function entity (PCRF) performs policy decision, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports explicit congestion notification ( ECN) and whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate;

The PCRF sends the policy to a policy enforcement entity, and the policy enforcement entity executes the policy.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following feature: if the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN, the PCRF setting The maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is greater than the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following feature: if the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support the ECN, the PCRF sets the service of the policy. The maximum rate in the quality information is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features, the method further includes: the PCRF acquiring, from an application function entity (AF), whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when the PCRF receives from the AF When the communication party supports the indication of the ECN, the PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer end support the ECN; when the PCRF does not receive the indication that the communication parties support the ECN from the AF, the PCRF determines the user The device and its communication peers do not support ECN.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features, the method further comprising: obtaining, by the PCRF, a current access of the user equipment from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF) Whether the wireless base station supports the ECN; when the PCRF receives an indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, the PCEF determines that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN; when the PCRF does not receive an indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, or the PCRF receives the current access of the user equipment from the PECF or the BBERF. When the radio base station does not support the indication of the ECN, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or the PCRF determines, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN. .

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features. The method further includes: the PCEF obtaining, according to the following manner, an indication of whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN:

The mobile management entity (MME) or the serving GPRS support gateway (SGSN) receives an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or the MME or the SGSN determines according to the configuration information. After the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, the MME or the SGSN sends an indication of whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN to the gateway where the PCEF is located.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features. The method further includes: the BBERF obtaining, by using the following manner, an indication of whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN: The MME receives an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or the MME determines, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, The MME sends an indication of whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

The present invention also provides another policy charging control method, including:

When the policy and charging rule function entity (PCRF) performs policy decision, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports explicit congestion notification (ECN)-based congestion control and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN The maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate; the PCRF sends the policy to the policy enforcement entity, and the policy enforcement entity performs the Strategy.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following feature: if the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, the PCRF sets the policy The maximum rate in the quality of service information is greater than the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following feature: if the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN, the PCRF setting office The maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features, the method further comprising: obtaining, by the PCRF, a current access of the user equipment from a policy and charging execution function entity (PCEF) or a bearer binding and event reporting function entity (BBERF) Whether the wireless base station supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF receives the current access of the user equipment from the PCEF or the BBERF When the radio base station supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF does not receive the user from the PCEF or the BBERF The radio base station currently accessed by the device supports the ECN-based congestion control indication, or the PCRF receives from the PECF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN-based congestion control indication, The PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control; or the PCRF acquires, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control.

Preferably, the foregoing method may also have the following feature: the ECN-based congestion control supported by the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports the ECN and after the ECN is used to indicate that congestion occurs, in an elegant time period. Ensure that no packet loss and/or quality of service category identification QCI characteristics are met.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features. The method further includes: the PCEF obtaining, according to the following manner, whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports an indication of congestion control based on ECN:

a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving GPRS support gateway (SGSN) receives an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control from a radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or the MME or the SGSN After determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control capability, the MME or the SGSN sends an indication of whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control to the The gateway where the PCEF is located.

Preferably, the foregoing method may further have the following features. The method further includes: the BBERF obtaining, by using the following manner, whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control:

The MME receives, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, whether the radio base station supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, or the MME determines, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN based on the ECN. After the congestion control capability, the MME sends an indication of whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control to the gateway where the BBERF is located. The present invention further provides a policy charging control system, including a PCRF and a policy enforcement entity: the PCRF is configured to: when performing a policy decision, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN and the user equipment and the communication thereof Whether the peer end supports the ECN, the maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate, and the policy is delivered to the policy enforcement entity;

The policy enforcement entity is configured to: receive the policy from the PCRF, and execute the policy. Preferably, the foregoing system may further have the following feature: the PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an ECN, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, setting the policy The maximum rate in the quality of service information is greater than the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the above system may also have the following features: The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN, The maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the system may further have the following features: the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when receiving an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, determine The user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when the indication that the communication parties support the ECN is not received from the AF, it is determined that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

Preferably, the above system may further have the following features, and the system further includes a PCEF or a BBERF, wherein:

The PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an ECN; when receiving, from the PCEF or the BBERF, an indication that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN The PCEF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not receive the indication of the ECN from the PCEF or the BBERF, or from the PECF or The BBERF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN when receiving the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or

Determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN. . Preferably, the above system may also have the following features, and the system further includes an MME or an SGSN. among them:

The MME or the SGSN is configured to: receive an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or determine, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN After the capability, the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment is sent to support the indication of the ECN to the gateway where the PCEF is located.

Preferably, the system may further have the following features, the system further includes an MME, where: the MME is configured to: receive an indication from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment whether the radio base station supports ECN, or And determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, and whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

The present invention further provides another policy charging control system, including a PCRF and a policy enforcement entity: the PCRF is configured to: when performing a policy decision, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control and the Whether the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN, the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate, and the policy is delivered to the policy execution entity; The policy enforcement entity is configured to: receive the policy from the PCRF, and execute the policy. Preferably, the above system may also have the following features: The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, setting The maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is greater than the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the above system may also have the following features: The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support When the ECN is based on congestion control, setting a maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is equal to a guarantee rate.

Preferably, the above system may further have the following feature, the PCRF is further configured to: acquire, from the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when the PCRF receives an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN The PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when the PCRF does not receive an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, The PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support ECN.

The PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when receiving, from the PCEF or the BBERF, the wireless base station currently supported by the user equipment When the ECN-based congestion control is instructed, it is determined that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment is not received from the PCEF or the BBERF, the ECN is supported based on the ECN. The indication of the congestion control, or the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the indication of the ECN-based congestion control when the user equipment is not supported by the PECF or the BBERF. ECN-based congestion control; or

Determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control.

Preferably, the above system may also have the following feature: the ECN-based congestion control supported by the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports ECN and after using the ECN to indicate congestion occurs, during an elegant time period Ensure that no packet loss and/or quality of service category identification QCI characteristics are met.

Preferably, the above system may also have the following features, the system further includes an MME or an SGSN, where:

The MME or the SGSN is configured to: receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control, or determine, according to the configuration information, the current wireless access of the user equipment Whether the base station supports the ECN-based congestion control capability, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control to the gateway where the PCEF is located.

Preferably, the system may further have the following feature: the MME is configured to: receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control, or determine, according to the configuration information, After the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control capability, the wireless base station currently sent by the user equipment is No support for indication of ECN based congestion control to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

The invention also provides a PCRF, wherein the PCRF is set to:

When the policy decision is made, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, the maximum rate of the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the service of the policy is set. The maximum rate in the quality information is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the PCRF may further have the following features: the PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an ECN, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, setting the policy The maximum rate in the quality of service information is greater than the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the PCRF may also have the following features: The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN, The maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the PCRF may further have the following features: the PCRF is further configured to: acquire, from the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when receiving an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, determine The user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when the indication that the communication parties support the ECN is not received from the AF, it is determined that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

Preferably, the PCRF may further have the following features: the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an ECN; when receiving the user equipment from the PCEF or the BBERF When the currently accessed wireless base station supports the indication of the ECN, it is determined that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not receive the indication of the ECN from the PCEF or the BBERF Or, when receiving, from the PECF or the BBERF, an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or

Determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN. The invention also provides another PCRF, the PCRF being set to:

When the policy decision is made, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN, the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or The maximum rate in the quality of service information for the set policy is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the PCRF may also have the following features: The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, setting The maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is greater than the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the PCRF may also have the following features: The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support When the congestion control is based on ECN, the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is set equal to the guarantee rate.

Preferably, the PCRF may further have the following features: the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when from the PCEF or the BBERF When receiving the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control, determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when not received from the PCEF or the BBERF The radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, or, when receiving from the PECF or the BBERF, the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, The wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control; or

Determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN based Congestion control.

Preferably, the foregoing PCRF may also have the following features: The ECN-based congestion control supported by the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports ECN and after using the ECN to indicate congestion occurs, during an elegant time period Ensure that no packet loss and/or quality of service category identification (QCI) characteristics are met.

The invention can implement the policy charging control based on the network load. When the load is light, the transmission rate of the service is allowed to reach the MBR. When the load is heavy, the service transmission rate is GBR.

BRIEF abstract

Figure 1 is a PCC architecture diagram;

2 is a schematic flowchart of the uplink data rate adjustment by using the ECN base station in the prior art; FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of the downlink data rate adjustment by using the ECN base station in the prior art; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flow chart of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a flow chart of the third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a flow chart of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

The present invention provides a network charging based policy charging control method, including:

When the PCRF performs policy decision, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, the maximum rate of the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the policy is set. The maximum rate in the quality of service information is equal to the guaranteed rate;

The PCRF sends the policy to a policy enforcement entity, and the policy enforcement entity executes the policy. The maximum rate of the service quality information of the policy is greater than the guarantee rate if the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN, and the PCRF sets the maximum rate of the service quality information of the policy to be greater than the guarantee rate; The radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support the ECN, and the PCRF sets the maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy to be equal to the guarantee rate.

The PCRF obtains, from the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when the PCRF receives an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines the user equipment and the communication thereof. The peer end supports the ECN. When the PCRF does not receive an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN. (Note: Obtaining whether the communication parties support ECN from AF)

The PCRF obtains, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the PCRF receives the indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN The PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the PCRF does not receive an indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, or When the PCRF receives from the PECF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or

The PCRF determines, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN.

The PCEF obtains an indication of whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN according to the following manner:

The MME or the SGSN receives an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or the MME or the SGSN determines, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment is After the ECN capability is supported, the MME or the SGSN sends an indication of whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN to the gateway where the PCEF is located.

The BBERF obtains an indication of whether the radio base station accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN by: The MME receives an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or the MME determines, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, The MME sends an indication of whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

The policy enforcement entity is a PCEF, or a PCEF and a BBERF, and the PCRF sends the policy to the PCEF, or sends the policy to the PCEF and the BBERF; the PCEF or the BBERF Execute the policy.

When the PCRF performs policy decision, it is based on whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports

The congestion control of the ECN and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate;

The maximum rate of the service quality information of the policy is greater than the guarantee, if the user equipment and the communication peer support the ECN, the PCR device is configured to support the ECN-based congestion control. rate.

The PCRF sets the maximum of the service quality information of the policy, if the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN. The rate is equal to the guaranteed rate.

The PCRF obtains, from the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when the PCRF receives an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines the user equipment and the communication thereof. The peer end supports the ECN. When the PCRF does not receive an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

The PCRF acquires, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF is from the PCEF or the When the BBERF receives the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF is not from the The PCEF or the BBERF receives the ECN-based congestion control indication that the user equipment currently accesses the user equipment, or the PCRF receives from the PECF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN-based When the congestion control indicates, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control; or

The PCRF acquires, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control.

The supporting the ECN-based congestion control of the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports the ECN and ensures that no packet loss and/or satisfaction is satisfied in an elegant time period after the ECN is used to indicate that congestion occurs. The Quality of Service category identifies the QCI feature.

The PCEF obtains an indication of whether the radio base station accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control according to the following manner:

The MME or the SGSN receives an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, or the MME or the SGSN determines that the user equipment is currently accessed according to the configuration information. After the wireless base station supports the ECN-based congestion control capability, the MME or the SGSN sends whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control to the gateway where the PCEF is located.

The BBERF obtains an indication of whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control by:

The MME receives, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, whether the radio base station supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, or the MME determines, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN based on the ECN. After the congestion control capability, the MME sends an indication of whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

Example 1

This embodiment describes the user to establish IP-CAN (IP-Connectivity Access Network, After the IP connection accesses the network) session, after the UE initiates a service access, the PCRF makes a policy decision. The IP-CAN session established by the UE does not have a BBERF. The specific process is shown in Figure 4, including the following steps:

Step 401: In the process of the UE requesting to establish an IP-CAN session, the PCEF receives a request to establish an IP-CAN session message, where the message carries the user identifier of the user and the PDN identifier of the PDN network that is requested to be accessed, in this embodiment. At this time, the PCEF will receive an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN from the lower layer network element (for example, the S-GW in the EPS system or the SGSN in the UMTS system, etc.);

In the EPS system, the specific process of the PCEF receiving the indication of the ECN supported by the UE from the lower layer network element is as follows:

In the attach procedure of the UE, the UE sends an attach request message to the eNodeB (Evolved Node B), and the eNodeB sends an attach request message to the MME (Mobility Management Entity), and in the attach request message. Carrying the eNodeB to support the ECN indication; the MME then sends a Create Session Request message to the S-GW (Serving Gateway), where the Create Session Request message carries an indication that the eNodeB supports the ECN, and the S-GW then goes to the P-GW (PDN Gateway, The packet data network gateway sends a create session request message, where the create session request message carries an indication that the eNodeB supports the ECN, so that the PCEF located in the P-GW obtains an indication that the eNodeB currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN;

Or, in the process of establishing another PDN connection by the UE (that is, after the UE is attached, another PDN connection is also established, where the selected P-GW and the selected P-GW may be different), and the UE sends a PDN connection to the MME. After the request, the MME sends a connection request message to the S-GW, where the connection request message carries an indication that the eNodeB currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN, and the S-GW sends a create session request message to the P-GW, where the session request message is created. The eNodeB carrying the UE access supports the indication of the ECN, so that the PCEF located in the P-GW obtains an indication that the eNodeB accessed by the UE supports the ECN.

In the above two processes, the eNodeB may not report the ECN capability indication, but the MME determines that the eNodeB supports the ECN capability according to the configuration information, and reports the eNodeB support ECN capability indication to the S-GW.

In the UMTS system, the PCEF receives the NodeB support currently accessed by the UE from the lower layer network element. The indication process of the ECN is similar to that of the EPS system. The ECN capability indication of the NodeB currently accessed by the UE is sent by the NodeB to the RNC, and then sent by the RNC to the SGSN. The SGSN determines that the NodeB supports the ECN according to the configuration information, and then sends the SGSN to the GGSN. The PCEF located in the GGSN can obtain an indication that the NodeB currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN capability.

Step 402: The PCEF sends an IP-CAN session establishment indication message to the PCRF, where the IP-CAN session establishment indication message carries the user identifier, the PDN identifier, the IP address allocated for the UE, and the current UE received by the PCEF. The incoming radio base station supports the indication of the ECN; Step 403: After receiving the IP-CAN session establishment indication message, the PCRF sends a subscription document request message to the SPR, where the subscription document request message carries the user identifier and the PDN identifier;

Step 404: After receiving the foregoing contract document request message, the SPR according to the user identifier and

The PDN identifier returns the user's subscription information to the PCRF;

Step 405: The PCRF receives the subscription information, formulates a policy according to the returned subscription data, and sends the policy to the PCEF. The established policy includes a PCC rule and an event trigger. Optionally, the event trigger value includes ECN—CAPABILITY—CHANGE;

Step 406: The PCEF returns a response to the UE to establish an IP-CAN session message, where the response message carries the IP address of the UE;

Through the above steps, after the UE establishes an IP-CAN session, it initiates a service access. The UE will interact with the AF (such as Interactive Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling) to negotiate to determine the service information of the service access, such as media type, QoS parameters, coding type, and the like. In this process, the UE will notify the AF that it supports the ECN capability. The peer of the UE communication (such as another UE or AS (Application Server) will also notify the AF of its support for ECN capability.

Step 407: After the negotiation is completed, the AF sends a service/application information message to the PCRF, where the message carries the IP address of the UE, and the negotiated service information, such as the media type, the QoS parameter, and the coding type. The AF also carries instructions from both parties to support the ECN;

When either party of the communication (that is, the user equipment and its communication peer) does not support ECN, the AF does not send the communication party to support the ECN indication to the PCRF.

Step 408: The PCRF saves the service information and returns a confirmation message to the AF.

Step 409: The PCRF performs policy decision, according to the subscription information, the service information provided by the AF, The network policy and the like formulate the PCC rule, and the radio base station according to the PCEF supports the ECN indication, and the two communication parties that the AF sends support the indication of the ECN, and set the MBR>GBR in the QoS of the PCC rule;

Step 410: The PCRF sends a policy and charging rule providing message to the PCEF, and carries the PCC rule established in step 409.

Step 411: The PCEF installs the PCC rule, and returns a policy and charging rule to provide a confirmation message to the

PCRF;

Step 412: The PCEF executes the policy, and initiates a resource reservation process, in which resources are allocated according to the GBR, and the PCEF establishes a bearer for the service of the MBR>GBR to transmit the service.

In the EPS system, the PCEF initiates a resource reservation process for the lower layer network element: the P-GW where the PCEF is located sends a bearer request to the S-GW, and carries the QoS information (including GBR, MBR) in the PCC rule, S The GW sends a bearer setup request to the MME, and the MME further sends a bearer setup request to the eNodeB to carry the QoS information. The eNodeB allocates resources according to the GBR to provide the guaranteed bandwidth. At the same time, when the load is light, the eNodeB allows the transmission rate of the service to reach the MBR.

In the UMTS system, the PCEF initiates a resource reservation process for the lower layer network element to send: the GGSN where the PCEF is located sends an initial PDP context activation request message to the SGSN, and carries the QoS information (including GBR, MBR) in the PCC rule, and the SGSN further The UE sends a request for a second PDP context activation. Then, the UE will initiate a second PDP context activation process, and the NodeB, RNC, SGSN, and GGSN allocate resources for the bearer. The NodeB GBR allocates resources for the bearer and provides guaranteed bandwidth. At the same time, when the load is light, the NodeB allows the transmission rate of the service to reach the MBR.

Example 2

This embodiment describes that after the user establishes an IP-CAN session, the UE initiates a service access, and the PCRF makes a policy decision. The IP-CAN session established by the UE has a BBERF. The specific process is shown in Figure 5, including the following steps:

Step 501: In the process of the UE requesting to establish an IP-CAN session, the gateway where the BBERF resides receives a request to establish an IP-CAN session message, where the message carries the user identifier of the user and the PDN identifier of the PDN network requesting access. The BBERF receives an indication that the current radio base station supports the ECN from the lower layer network element (for example, the S-GW in the EPS system); In the EPS system, the specific process of the BBERF receiving the indication that the current radio base station supports the ECN from the lower layer network element is as follows:

In the attach procedure of the UE, the UE sends an attach request message to the eNodeB, and the eNodeB sends an attach request message to the MME, and carries an indication that the current radio base station supports the ECN in the attach request message. Then, the MME sends a create session request message to the S-GW, where the create session request message carries an indication that the current radio base station supports the ECN, so that the BBERF located in the S-GW obtains an indication that the current radio base station supports the ECN;

Or, in the process of establishing another PDN connection by the UE (that is, after the UE is attached, another PDN connection is established, where the selected P-GW may be different from the P-GW selected when attaching), and the UE sends a PDN connection to the MME. And the MME sends a connection request message to the S-GW, where the connection request message carries an indication that the current radio base station supports the ECN, so that the BBERF located in the S-GW obtains the ECN that the UE currently accesses the radio base station to support. Instructions.

Step 502: The BBERF sends a gateway control session setup message to the PCRF, where the gateway control session setup message carries the user identifier, the PDN identifier, and an indication that the UE currently accesses the radio base station to support the ECN.

Step 503: The PCRF receives the foregoing gateway control session establishment message, and sends a subscription document request message to the SPR, where the subscription document request message carries the user identifier and the PDN identifier.

Step 504: The SPR receives the subscription document request message, and returns the subscription information of the user to the PCRF according to the user identifier and the PDN identifier.

Step 505: The PCRF formulates a policy according to the returned subscription data, where the policy formulated by the PCRF includes a PCC rule, a corresponding QoS rule, and an event trigger, where the event trigger value includes a cell change. The PCRF returns a gateway session establishment confirmation message to the BBERF, the gateway session establishment confirmation message includes the formulated QoS rules and event triggers, and the BBERF receives the QoS rules and event triggers, and performs installation and execution;

Step 506: The gateway where the BBERF resides sends a request to the gateway where the PCEF resides.

An IP-CAN session message, where the request establishes an IP-CAN session message carrying a user identifier and a PDN identifier;

Step 507: After receiving the request to establish an IP-CAN session message, the PCEF sends an IP-CAN to the PCRF. a session establishment indication message, where the IP-CAN session establishment indication message carries a user identifier, a PDN identifier, and an IP address allocated by the gateway for the UE;

Step 508: After receiving the IP-CAN session establishment indication message, the PCRF associates the gateway control session established in step 502 with the IP-CAN session established in step 507 according to the user identifier, and returns an IP-CAN session establishment to the PCEF. A confirmation message, the IP-CAN session establishment confirmation message carries the PCC rules and event triggers established in step 505, and the PCEF receives the PCC rules and event triggers, and then installs and executes them;

Step 509: The PCEF resident gateway returns a response to the BBERF resident gateway to establish an IP-CAN session message, where the response establishes an IP-CAN session message carrying an IP Address;

Step 510: The BBERF resident gateway receives the foregoing response to establish an IP-CAN session message, and returns a response to the UE to establish an IP-CAN session message, where the response establishes an IP-CAN session message carrying an IP Address;

Through the above steps, after the UE establishes an IP-CAN session, it initiates a service access. The UE will interact with the AF (such as SIP signaling) to determine the service information of the service access, such as media type, QoS parameters, coding type, and so on. In this process, the UE notifies the AF that it supports the ECN capability, and the peer of the UE communication (such as another UE or AS (Application Server)) also informs the AF that it supports the ECN capability.

Step 511: After the negotiation is completed, the AF sends a service/application information message to the PCRF, where the message carries the IP address of the UE, and the negotiated service information, such as the media type, the QoS parameter, the coding type, etc., and the AF also carries the communication parties. Support for ECN instructions;

Step 512: The PCRF saves the service information and returns a confirmation message to the AF.

Step 513: The PCRF performs policy decision, and formulates the PCC and the corresponding QoS rule according to the subscription information, the service information provided by the AF, and the network policy. And the radio base station according to the BBERF supports the ECN indication, and the two sides of the communication sent by the AF support the indication of the ECN, and set the QoS MBR>GBR of the PCC rule and the QoS rule;

Step 514: The PCRF sends a policy and charging rule providing message to the PCEF, and carries the PCC rule defined in step 513.

Step 515: The PCEF installs the PCC rule, and returns a policy and charging rule to provide a confirmation message to the PCRF;

Step 516: The PCRF sends a gateway control and QoS rule providing message to the BBERF, where the message carries the QoS rule defined by the PCRF in step 513.

Step 517: The BBERF returns a gateway control and QoS rule to provide an acknowledgement message to the PCRF. Step 518: The BBERF executes the policy, initiates a resource reservation process, where the resource is allocated according to the GBR, and the BBERF establishes a bearer for the service of the MBR>GBR to transmit the bearer. business.

In the EPS system, the BBERF initiates the resource reservation process to the lower layer network element: the S-GW where the BBERF is located sends a create bearer request to the MME, and carries the QoS information (including GBR, MBR) in the PCC rule, and the MME further The eNodeB sends a bearer setup request and carries QoS information. The eNodeB allocates resources for the bearer according to the GBR to provide guaranteed bandwidth. At the same time, when the load is light, the eNodeB allows the transmission rate of the service to reach the MBR.

Example 3

This embodiment describes the flow of the PCRF update policy caused by the UE establishing an IP-CAN session and accessing the service according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, and switching to a wireless base station that does not support the ECN due to the UE's movement. The UE's IP-CAN session does not have a BBERF. The specific process is shown in Figure 6, which includes the following steps:

Step 601: Accessing to another wireless base station due to the UE moving. In this process, the PCEF receives a request to modify the IP-CAN session message, and the radio bearer in the message does not support the ECN indication. In this embodiment, at this time, the PCEF will be from the lower layer network element (for example, S- in the EPS system). An indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN in the GW or the SGSN in the UMTS system;

In the EPS system, the specific process of the PCEF receiving the indication of the ECN that the UE accesses from the lower layer network element does not support the ECN is as follows:

During the handover process of the UE, the request message sent by the target eNodeB to the MME does not carry the support ECN indication. Therefore, the MME determines that the eNodeB does not support the ECN. Therefore, the MME sends a request message to the S-GW that does not support the ECN indication. The S-GW carries the ECN indication not supported by the radio base station in the request message sent to the P-GW. So PCEF located in the P-GW gets The eNodeB currently accessed by the UE does not support the indication of the ECN;

In the UMTS system, the specific process of the PCEF receiving the indication of the ECN from the lower-layer network element that the UE accesses the radio base station does not support the ECN is as follows:

During the handover process of the UE, the request message sent by the target NodeB to the SGSN by the RNC does not carry the ECN indication. Therefore, the SGSN determines that the NodeB does not support the ECN. Therefore, the SGSN carries the ECN indication in the request message sent to the GGSN. Thus, the PCEF located in the GGSN obtains an indication that the eNodeB currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN;

In other embodiments, the MME/SGSN may also determine that the target eNodeB/NodeB does not support the ECN according to the configuration. Therefore, the SGSN does not support the ECN indication in the request message sent to the GGSN, so that the PCEF located in the GGSN obtains the UE. The currently accessed eNodeB does not support the indication of the ECN;

In other embodiments, the MME/SGSN may also not carry any indication that the radio base station supports the ECN. In this way, the PCEF determines that the base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN according to the fact that no radio base station supports the ECN indication.

Step 602: The PCEF sends an IP-CAN session modification indication message to the PCRF, where the IP-CAN session modification indication message carries an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN, or does not carry the radio base station currently accessed by the UE to support the ECN. Instruction

Step 603: The PCRF receives the foregoing IP-CAN session modification indication message, and updates the policy according to the radio base station not supporting the ECN indication. Where the QoS part of the PCC rule sets the GBR value to the MBR value;

Step 604: The PCRF sends the updated PCC rule to the PCEF.

Step 605: The PCEF executes the policy and initiates a resource reservation process.

In the EPS system, the PCEF initiates the resource reservation process to the lower layer network element: the P-GW where the PCEF is located sends a bearer modification request to the S-GW, and carries the QoS information (including GBR, MBR) in the PCC rule, S The GW sends a bearer modification request to the MME, and the MME further sends a bearer modification request to the eNodeB to carry the QoS information, and the eNodeB allocates resources according to the GBR to provide the guaranteed bandwidth. But at this time GBR and MBR are equal.

In the UMTS system, the PCEF initiates a resource reservation process for the lower layer network element: PCEF The GGSN sends an initial PDP context modification request message to the SGSN, and carries QoS information (including GBR, MBR) in the PCC rule, and the SGSN further sends a request for the second PDP context modification to the UE. Then, the UE will initiate a second PDP context modification process, and the NodeB, SGSN, and GGSN reallocate resources for the bearer. The NodeB allocates resources for the bearer according to the GBR to provide guaranteed bandwidth. But at this time GBR and MBR are equal.

Example 4

This embodiment describes the flow of the PCRF update policy caused by the UE establishing an IP-CAN session and accessing the service according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, and switching to a wireless base station that does not support the ECN due to the UE's movement. The IP-CAN session after the UE handover has a BBERF. The specific process is shown in Figure 7, including the following steps:

Step 701: Accessing to another wireless base station due to the UE moving. In this process, the destination BBERF receives the request to modify the IP-CAN session message, and the radio bearer in the message does not support the ECN indication. In this embodiment, the destination BBERF will be from the lower layer network element (for example, in the EPS system). An indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN in the S-GW);

In the EPS system, the specific process of the destination BBERF receiving the indication of the ECN from the lower-layer network element that the UE accesses the wireless base station does not support the ECN is as follows:

During the handover process of the UE, the request message sent by the target eNodeB to the MME does not carry the ECN indication. Therefore, the MME determines that the eNodeB does not support the ECN. Therefore, the MME that sends the request message to the S-GW does not support the ECN indication. Thus, the BBERF located in the S-GW obtains an indication that the eNodeB currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN;

In other embodiments, the MME may also determine, according to the configuration, that the target eNodeB does not support the ECN.

The carrying message sent by the MME to the S-GW does not support the ECN indication. Thus, the BBERF located in the S-GW obtains an indication that the eNodeB currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN;

In other embodiments, the request message sent by the MME to the BBERF may not carry any indication that the radio base station supports the ECN. In this way, the BBERF determines that the base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN according to the absence of the radio base station supporting the ECN indication.

Step 702: The destination BBERF sends a gateway control session establishment indication message to the PCRF, where the The information carries the user identifier, the PDN identifier, and the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN, or carries the user identifier and the PDN identifier, and does not carry the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN;

Step 703: The PCRF associates the gateway control session with the IP-CAN session established in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 according to the user identifier and the PDN identifier. The PCRF updates the policy according to the radio base station not supporting the ECN indication. The QoS part of the PCC rule is updated, the GBR value is set to the MBR value, and the QoS rule is formulated according to the updated PCC rule. The PCRF sends a QoS rule to the destination BBERF; Step 704: Destination BBERF executes the policy.

In the EPS system, the destination BBERF initiates the resource reservation process to the lower layer network element: the S-GW where the destination BBERF is located sends a bearer modification request to the MME, and carries the QoS information (including GBR, MBR) in the QoS rule, and the MME The eNodeB further sends a bearer modification request to the eNodeB to carry the QoS information, and the eNodeB allocates resources according to the GBR to provide the guaranteed bandwidth. But at this time GBR and MBR are equal.

Step 705: The gateway where the BBERF is located sends a request to modify the IP-CAN session message to the gateway where the PCEF is located, where the message carries the user identifier and the PDN identifier.

Step 706: The PCEF sends an IP-CAN session modification indication message to the PCRF.

Step 707: The PCRF returns the PCC rule updated in step 704 to the PCEF.

Step 708: The gateway where the PCEF is located returns the IP address before the handover to the gateway where the destination BBERF is located.

Step 709: Purpose The gateway where the BBERF is located returns a response to modify the IP-CAN session message, carrying

IP address.

If the radio base station that the UE accesses when establishing the PDN connection does not support the ECN, in the present invention, the BBERF/PCEF will receive an indication that the radio base station does not support the ECN or does not receive the indication that the radio base station supports the ECN. The message sent by the PCF to the PCRF does not carry the indication that the radio base station supports the ECN or the indication that the radio base station does not support the ECN, so that the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user does not support the ECN, even if the AFF received by the PCRF The service information carries the indication that the communication parties support the ECN. In the QoS of the PCRF authorization, the value of the GBR is the value of the MBR. At this time, if the UE moves, and the destination radio base station supports the ECN, the BBERF/PCEF will receive the indication that the radio base station supports the ECN. At this time, the BBERF/PCEF carries the indication that the radio base station supports the ECN in the message sent to the PCRF, thereby The PCRF determines that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user supports the ECN. At this time, if the service information of the AF received by the PCRF carries the indication that the communication parties support the ECN, the value of the GBR in the QoS that the PCRF will re-authorize is smaller than the value of the MBR.

In all the foregoing implementations, the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN may also be an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE supports ECN-based congestion control, and indicates that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE supports ECN-based congestion control. Features. This function includes at least setting a congestion indication bit when congestion occurs to indicate congestion (ie, supporting the ECN mechanism defined in RFC 3168). This feature may also include ensuring no packet loss and/or meeting other QoS requirements (such as QCI characteristics) during grace periods after using the ECN mechanism to indicate congestion. Similarly, the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the ECN may also be that the radio base station currently accessed by the UE does not support the indication of ECN-based congestion control. The PCRF determines, according to the above indication, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the UE supports ECN-based congestion control.

In other embodiments, the PCRF determines, based on the configuration information thereon, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN or supports ECN-based congestion control. E.g:

1) If all radio base stations in a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) support or do not support ECN or ECN-based congestion control (ie, there is no partial support). Configure whether the PLMN supports the ECN or whether it supports the ECN-based congestion control correspondence on the PCRF. Then, when the PCRF acquires the PLMN currently located by the UE (this can be obtained according to the prior art), it can determine whether the radio base station currently accessed by the UE supports ECN or supports ECN-based congestion control.

2) If all radio base stations in a Track Area or Routing Area support or do not support ECN or ECN-based congestion control (ie, there is no partial support). Configure the correspondence between TA or RA on the PCRF and whether to support ECN or support ECN-based congestion control. Then, when the PCRF obtains the TA or RA where the UE is currently located, it can determine whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN or supports ECN-based congestion control.

3) Whether the cell (cell) on the PCRF and the radio base station to which the cell belongs support ECN or Whether to support the correspondence of ECN-based congestion control. When the PCRF acquires the cell where the UE is currently located, it can determine whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the UE supports the ECN or whether the ECN-based congestion control is supported.

The invention also provides a network charging based policy charging control system, comprising a PCRF and a policy enforcement entity:

The PCRF is configured to determine, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and whether the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN, and the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate. Or, the maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate, and the policy is delivered to the policy enforcement entity;

The policy enforcement entity is configured to receive the policy from the PCRF, and execute the policy. The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN, setting a maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy is greater than a guarantee rate. When the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support the ECN, setting the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is equal to the guaranteed rate.

The PCRF is configured to acquire, by the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when the PCRF receives an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines the user equipment. And the communication peer supports the ECN; when the PCRF does not receive the indication that the communication parties support the ECN from the AF, the PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

The system further includes a PCEF or a BBERF, wherein:

The PCRF is configured to acquire, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an ECN; when the PCRF receives from the PCEF or the BBERF, the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN. In the case of the indication, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the PCRF does not receive the indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, or Receiving, by the PCRF, the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment from the PECF or the BBERF When the indication of the ECN is supported, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or

The PCRF is configured to determine, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN. .

The system further includes an MME or an SGSN, where the MME or the SGSN is configured to receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN, or determine, according to the configuration information, Whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, and whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN to the gateway where the PCEF is located.

The system further includes an MME, where the MME is configured to receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN, or determine, according to the configuration information, that the user equipment is currently accessed. After the radio base station supports the ECN capability, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

The policy enforcement entity is a PCEF, or is a PCEF and a BBERF, and the PCRF sends the policy to the PCEF, or sends the policy to the PCEF and the BBERF, the PCEF, or the PCEF and the BBERF execute the policy.

The present invention also provides another network load-based policy charging control system, including a PCRF and a policy enforcement entity:

The PCRF is configured to perform policy decision according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN, and the maximum of the set service quality information is set. The rate is greater than the guaranteed rate, or the maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is equal to the guaranteed rate, and the policy is delivered to the policy enforcement entity;

The policy enforcement entity is configured to receive the policy from the PCRF, and execute the policy. The PCRF is configured to be used when the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment is supported.

The congestion control of the ECN, and the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, and the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is set to be greater than the guarantee rate.

The PCRF is configured to be used when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support Congestion control of the ECN, or when the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN-based congestion control, setting a maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is equal to a guarantee rate.

The system further includes a PCEF or a BBERF, wherein:

The PCRF is configured to acquire, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF receives the wireless access currently accessed by the user equipment from the PCEF or the BBERF When the base station supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF does not receive the current user equipment from the PCEF or the BBERF The accessing radio base station supports an indication of ECN-based congestion control, or the PCRF receives, from the PECF or the BBERF, an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, The PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control; or

The PCRF is configured to determine, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control.

The system further includes an MME or an SGSN, where:

The MME or the SGSN, configured to receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control, or determine, according to the configuration information, the wireless access currently accessed by the user equipment. Whether the base station supports the ECN-based congestion control capability, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control to the gateway where the PCEF is located. The system further includes an MME, where:

The MME is configured to receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control, or determine, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports After the ECN-based congestion control capability, the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment is sent to support the indication of the ECN-based congestion control to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

The PCRF of the present invention is used for:

Preferably, the PCRF is used to support the ECN when the user equipment is currently connected to the radio base station, and the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, and the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is set to be greater than the guarantee rate.

Preferably, the PCRF is configured to set a maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or the communication peer does not support the ECN. Equal to the guarantee rate.

Preferably, the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, by the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when receiving an indication that the communication parties support the ECN from the AF, determine that the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when the indication that the communication parties support the ECN is not received from the AF, it is determined that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

Preferably, the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; and receive an indication that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN from the PCEF or the BBERF Determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment is not received from the PCEF or the BBERF, the indication of the ECN is supported, or from the PECF or the When the BBERF receives an indication that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, the BBERF determines that the user equipment is The previously accessed wireless base station does not support ECN.

Another PCRF of the invention is used to:

Preferably, the above PCRF is used for:

When the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, setting a maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy is greater than a guarantee rate.

Preferably, the above PCRF is used for:

When the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN-based congestion control, set the maximum of the service quality information of the policy. The rate is equal to the guaranteed rate.

Preferably, the above PCRF is also used to:

Obtaining, by the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when receiving an indication from the AF that the communication parties support the ECN, determining that the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when not from the AF When receiving the indication that the communication parties support the ECN, it is determined that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

Preferably, the above PCRF is also used to:

Obtaining, by the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; receiving an indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control Determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when receiving from the PCEF or the BBERF, the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an indication of ECN-based congestion control, or And determining, by the PECF or the BBERF, that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN-based congestion control; or Determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control.

Preferably, the ECN-based congestion control supported by the user equipment currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports the ECN and ensures that no packet loss and/or is performed within an elegant time period after the ECN is used to indicate that congestion occurs. Meet the Quality of Service Category Identifier (QCI) feature.

Industrial Applicability The present invention can implement policy charging control based on network load. When the load is light, the transmission rate of the service is allowed to reach the MBR. When the load is heavy, the service transmission rate is GBR.

Claims

Claim

1. A policy charging control method, comprising:

When the policy and charging rule function entity (PCRF) performs policy decision, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an explicit congestion notification (ECN) and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN, the policy is set. The maximum rate in the quality of service information is greater than the guaranteed rate, or the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the set policy is equal to the guaranteed rate;

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

If the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, the PCRF sets the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy to be greater than the guaranteed rate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein

If the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support the ECN, the PCRF sets the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the policy to be equal to the guaranteed rate.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, the method further comprising: the PCRF acquiring, from an application function entity (AF), whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when the PCRF is When the AF receives the indication that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN; when the PCRF does not receive the indication that the communication parties support the ECN from the AF, The PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support ECN.

5. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, the method further comprising:

The PCRF acquires, from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF), whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN; when the PCRF is from the PCEF or When the BBERF receives the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when the PCRF is not received from the PCEF or the BBERF To the user equipment The pre-accessed radio base station supports the indication of the ECN, or the PCRF determines, from the PECF or the BBERF, that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the indication of the ECN, the PCRF determines that the user equipment is currently The accessed wireless base station does not support ECN; or

The method of claim 5, the method further comprising: the PCEF obtaining an indication of whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN according to the following manner:

The method according to claim 5, the method further includes: the BBERF obtaining, by using the following manner, whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN:

The MME receives, from the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment, whether the wireless base station supports

The indication of the ECN, or the MME sends, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, and the MME sends an indication of whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN. The gateway where BBERF is located.

8. A policy charging control method, comprising:

9. The method of claim 8 wherein

If the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, the PCRF sets the service quality information of the policy. The maximum rate in the interest is greater than the guaranteed rate.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein

If the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN, the PCRF sets the maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy to be equal to Guaranteed rate.

The method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, the method further comprising: the PCRF acquiring, from an application function entity (AF), whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when the PCRF is When the AF receives the indication that the communication parties support the ECN, the PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN; when the PCRF does not receive the indication that the communication parties support the ECN from the AF, The PCRF determines that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support ECN.

12. The method of claim 8, 9 or 10, the method further comprising:

The PCRF acquires, from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF), whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when the PCRF is When the PCEF or the BBERF receives an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; The PCRF does not receive the ECN-based congestion control indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the user equipment is currently accessing, or the PCRF receives the user equipment from the PECF or the BBERF. When the radio base station does not support the ECN-based congestion control indication, the PCRF determines that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control; or

The method according to claim 8, 9, 10 or 12, wherein the ECN-based congestion control supported by the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports ECN and uses the ECN indication After congestion occurs, ensure that no packet loss and/or Quality of Service Class Identifier (QCI) characteristics are met during graceful time periods.

The method of claim 12, the method further comprising: the PCEF obtaining, according to the manner, whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control indication:

The method of claim 12, the method further comprising: the BBERF obtaining, by the following manner, whether the wireless base station accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control:

16. A policy charging control system, comprising a Policy and Charging Rules Function Entity (PCRF) and a Policy Execution Entity:

The PCRF is configured to: when the policy decision is made, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and whether the user equipment and the communication peer end support the explicit congestion notification (ECN), set the policy quality of service information. The maximum rate is greater than the guaranteed rate, or the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the set policy is equal to the guaranteed rate, and the policy is delivered to the policy enforcement entity;

The policy enforcement entity is configured to: receive the policy from the PCRF, and execute the policy.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein

The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN, setting a maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy is greater than a guarantee rate.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein

The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or the communication peer does not support the ECN, set the maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy. Equal to the guarantee rate.

19. The system of claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein

The PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from the AF, whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN; when receiving an indication that the communication parties support the ECN from the AF, determine that the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN When the indication that the communication parties support the ECN is not received from the AF, it is determined that the user equipment and its communication peer do not support the ECN.

20. The system of claim 16, 17 or 18, the system further comprising a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or an Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF), wherein the PCRF is further configured to:

Obtaining, by the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; when receiving, from the PCEF or the BBERF, an indication that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, determining that the user equipment is currently The accessing wireless base station supports the ECN; when the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment is not received from the PCEF or the BBERF, the indication of the ECN is supported, or the user equipment is currently accessed from the PECF or the BBERF. When the wireless base station does not support the indication of the ECN, it is determined that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or

Determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN.

21. The system of claim 20, the system further comprising a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS Support Gateway (SGSN), wherein:

22. The system of claim 20, the system further comprising a mobility management entity (MME), wherein: The MME is configured to: receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of whether the radio base station supports the ECN, or determine, according to the configuration information, whether the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN capability, Sending, by the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment, an indication of the ECN to the gateway where the BBERF is located.

23. A policy charging control system, including a Policy and Charging Rules Function Entity (PCRF) and a Policy Execution Entity:

The PCRF is configured to: when performing a policy decision, according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports explicit congestion notification (ECN)-based congestion control, and whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN, setting a policy The maximum rate in the QoS information is greater than the guaranteed rate, or the maximum rate in the QoS information of the set policy is equal to the guaranteed rate, and the policy is delivered to the policy enforcement entity;

24. The system of claim 23, wherein

The PCRF is configured to: when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, setting a maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy Greater than the guaranteed rate.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein

The PCRF is configured to: set the policy when the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support ECN-based congestion control The maximum rate in the quality of service information is equal to the guaranteed rate.

26. The system of claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein

27. The system of claim 23, 24 or 25, the system further comprising a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or an Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF), wherein the PCRF is further configured to: Obtaining, by the PCEF or the BBERF, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; receiving an indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control Determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control; when receiving from the PCEF or the BBERF, the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an indication of ECN-based congestion control, or And determining, by the PECF or the BBERF, that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN-based congestion control; or

The system according to claim 23, 24, 25 or 27, wherein the ECN-based congestion control supported by the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment means that the radio base station supports ECN and uses the ECN indication After congestion occurs, ensure that no packet loss and/or Quality of Service Class Identifier (QCI) characteristics are met during graceful time periods.

29. The system of claim 27, the system further comprising a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS Support Gateway (SGSN), wherein:

The system of claim 29, the system further comprising an MME, wherein: the MME is configured to: receive, from the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment, whether the radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control Instructing, or determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN-based congestion control capability, and whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control to The gateway where the BBERF is located.

A policy and charging rule function entity (PCRF), wherein the PCRF is configured to: according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports explicit congestion notification (ECN) and the user equipment and Whether the communication peer supports ECN, set the policy service The maximum rate in the quality information is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the quality of service information of the set policy is equal to the guaranteed rate.

32. The PCRF of claim 31, wherein the PCRF is set to:

When the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, and the user equipment and its communication peer support the ECN, the maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy is set to be greater than the guarantee rate.

33. The PCRF of claim 31, wherein the PCRF is set to:

When the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN, or the user equipment or its communication peer does not support the ECN, setting the maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy is equal to the guarantee rate.

34. The PCRF according to claim 31, 32 or 33, wherein the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from an application function entity (AF), whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when receiving from the AF When the communication party supports the indication of the ECN, it is determined that the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN; when the indication that the communication parties support the ECN is not received from the AF, it is determined that the user equipment and the communication peer thereof do not support the ECN. .

35. The PCRF according to claim 31, 32 or 33, wherein the PCRF is further configured to: acquire the user equipment from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF) Whether the currently accessed wireless base station supports the ECN; when receiving the indication from the PCEF or the BBERF that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, determining that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN; Receiving, from the PCEF or the BBERF, an indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN, or receiving an indication from the PECF or the BBERF that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN And determining that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN; or determining, according to the configuration information, whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the ECN.

36. A policy and charging rule function entity (PCRF), wherein the PCRF is configured to: according to whether the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports congestion control based on explicit congestion notification (ECN) and Whether the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is greater than the guarantee rate, or the maximum rate in the service quality information of the set policy is equal to the guarantee rate.

37. The PCRF of claim 36, wherein the PCRF is set to: When the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, and the user equipment and its communication peer end support ECN, setting a maximum rate in the service quality information of the policy is greater than a guarantee rate.

38. The PCRF of claim 36, wherein the PCRF is set to:

39. The PCRF according to claim 36, 37 or 38, wherein the PCRF is further configured to: obtain, from an application function entity (AF), whether the user equipment and its communication peer support ECN; when receiving from the AF When the communication party supports the indication of the ECN, it is determined that the user equipment and the communication peer end support the ECN; when the indication that the communication parties support the ECN is not received from the AF, it is determined that the user equipment and the communication peer thereof do not support the ECN. .

40. The PCRF according to claim 36, 37 or 38, wherein the PCRF is further configured to: acquire the user equipment from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function Entity (PCEF) or a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function Entity (BBERF) Whether the currently accessed wireless base station supports ECN-based congestion control; when receiving from the PCEF or the BBERF that the wireless base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports the indication of the ECN-based congestion control, determining that the user equipment is currently connected The incoming radio base station supports ECN-based congestion control; when receiving from the PCEF or the BBERF, the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports an indication of ECN-based congestion control, or from the PECF or the BBERF When receiving the indication that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support the ECN-based congestion control, determining that the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment does not support ECN-based congestion control; or

The RCPF according to claim 36, 37, 38 or 40, wherein the radio base station currently accessed by the user equipment supports ECN-based congestion control, wherein the radio base station supports ECN and uses the ECN indication After congestion occurs, ensure that no packet loss and/or Quality of Service Class Identifier (QCI) characteristics are met during graceful time periods.