WO2016180477A1

WO2016180477A1 - Policy and/or charging control in small cell systems

Info

Publication number: WO2016180477A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/060416
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiang Xu; Srinivasan Selvaganapathy; Tsunehiko Chiba
Original assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority date: 2015-05-12
Filing date: 2015-05-12
Publication date: 2016-11-17

Abstract

It is provided a method, comprising informing a core network on a capability, wherein the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control; receiving a policy and charging control information from the core network; controlling an activity performed by an apparatus performing the method according to the policy and charging control information.

Description

Policy and/or charging control in small cell systems

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product related to a at least one of policy control and charging control. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product related to at least one of policy control and charging control in small cell systems. The devices may operate in Dual Connectivity operation or single connectivity operation.

Abbreviations

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

CGI Cell Global Identifier

CN Core Network

CSG Closed Subscriber Group DL Downlink

ECGI E-UTRAN CGI eNB Evolved NodeB (base station)

ERAB Evolved RAB

E-UTRA Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

GPRS Generic Packet Radio Service ID Identifier

LTE Long Term Evolution

LTE-A LTE Advanced

MCG Master Cell Group

MeNB Master eNB

MME Mobility Management Entity

OCS Online Charging System

OFCS Offline Charging System

O&M Operation & Maintenance

PCC Policy and Charging Control

PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol

PGW Packet Gateway

PRA Presence Reporting Area

RAB Radio Access Bearer

RAI Routing Area Identity

RAN Radio Access Network

Rel Release

Reg Reguest

RRC Radio Resource Control

Rsp Response

SI Interface between RAN and CN

SAI Service Area Identification SCG Secondary Cell Group

SeNB Secondary eNB

SGW Serving Gateway

SI Study Item TAI Tracking Area information

TS Technical Specification

TR Technical Report

UE User Eguipment

UL Uplink UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

U-plane User plane

UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

Uu Interface between UE and eNB

WiFi Wireless Fidelity WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

X2 Interface between base stations

Background of the invention

Dual Connectivity

Dual Connectivity is developed in 3GPP RAN for Rel-12 (3GPP TR 36.300) . Different bearer options can be configured within the different user plane architectures. U-plane connectivity depends on the bearer option configured (see Fig. 1, based on Fig. 4.9.3.2-1 of 3GPP TR 36.300) :

For MCG bearers, the Sl-U connection 812 for the corresponding bearer (s) to the SGW 801 is terminated in the MeNB 802. The SeNB 803 is not involved in the transport of user plane data for this type of bearer (s) over the Uu interface.

For split bearers, the Sl-U connection 812 to the SGW 801 is terminated in the MeNB 802. PDCP data is transferred between the MeNB 802 and the SeNB 803 via X2-U interface 823. The SeNB 803 and MeNB 802 are involved in transmitting data of this bearer type over the Uu interface.

For SCG bearers, the SeNB 803 is directly connected with the SGW 801 via Sl-U interface 813. The MeNB 802 is not involved in the transport of user plane data for this type of bearer (s) over the Uu inteface.

Small Cell signalling load reduction

In a dense small cell deployment, the increased signalling load due to frequent handover is seen as a critical issue. 3GPP RAN#66 approved a new SI ([1]) to address this issue. The SI not just covers the dual-connectivity operation, but also covers single-connectivity operation, e.g. a "normal" overlay of macro cells and pico (femto) cells. Many contributions have been discussed in 3GPP RAN2 during Small Cell Higher Layer SI and the new SI in RAN3. Almost all contributions propose to introduce an Anchor Node function in RAN to hide the UE' s movement to the CN, thus reduce the signalling load to C . The Anchor Node function may be placed in the eNB, or as a separate physical entity.

The Anchor Node solution discussed in RAN2 and ([5] -[9]) do not discuss support of PCC.

Policy and charging control

As described in 3GPP TS 23.203,

• It shall be possible to apply different rates and charging models when a user is identified to be roaming from when the user is in the home network. Furthermore, it shall be possible to apply different rates and charging models based on the location of a user, beyond the granularity of roaming .

• It shall be possible to apply different rates and charging models when a user consuming network services via a CSG cell or a hybrid cell according to the user CSG information. User CSG information includes CSG ID, access mode and CSG membership indication.

• It shall be possible to apply a separate rate to a specific service, e.g. allow the user to download a certain volume of data, reserved for the purpose of one service for free, and then continue with a rate causing a charge .

• Both online charging and offline charging are defined.

• For offline charging, SGW performs accounting, and interface with Offline Charging System (OFCS) . • For online charging, PGW performs accounting, and interface with Online Charging System (OCS) .

Presence Reporting Area ([3] [4])

A Presence Reporting Area denotes an area defined within 3GPP Packet Domain for the purposes of reporting an UE presence within that area due to policy control and/or charging reasons. In case of E-UTRAN, a Presence Reporting Area may consist of a set of neighbor or non-neighbor Tracking Areas and/or eNBs and/or cells. There are two types of Presence Reporting Areas: "UE-dedicated Presence Reporting Areas" that are UE-specific, and "Core Network pre-configured Presence Reporting Areas" that apply to all UEs. Currently, this feature is transparent to RAN, since eNB always reports to MME whenever there is a change of UE' s location.

R3-150171 ([9]) only mentions that "it may not be possible to enforce different charging scheme for open and CSG data when packets are split over open and CSG cells." However, no solution is proposed to address this issue.

R3-150208 ([10]) proposes "when split bearers are used, the volume of data sent over the SENB and/or duration of the split bearer need to additionally be included at the time of ERAB release by MeNB . " This does not work for online charging. Even for offline charging, the SGW is responsible for accounting. The information send to the MME is useless unless a big change is applied to the conventional charging architecture. There is no known method to support policy and charging control in small cell system.

References

1) 3GPP TS 36.300 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) ; Overall description; Stage 2

2) 3GPP RP-142283, New Study Item proposal: Study on further enhancements of small Cell high layer aspects for LTE

3) 3GPP TS 23.203 Policy and charging control architecture

4) 3GPP TS 23.401, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access

5) 3GPP R2-130572, Discussion on minimizing UE context

transfer and signalling to CN, Intel

6) 3GPP R2-130135, Mobility Enhancment for Small Cell, ZTE Corporation

7) 3GPP R3-101454, Discussion on necessity of Path Switch procedure, CATT

8) 3GPP R3-102369, Issues on intra-DeNB HO optimization, Nokia Siemens Networks

9) 3GPP R3-150171, Support of CSG/Hybrid for Dual

Connectivity

10) 3GPP R3-150208, Reguirements and solutions for supporting Hybrid HeNBs in dual connectivity Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art .

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising informing means adapted to inform a core network on a capability, wherein the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control; reception means adapted to receive a policy and charging control information from the core network; control means adapted to control an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information.

The informing means may be adapted to inform the core network on the capability by at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of CSG identities, a list of serving areas identifiers, and a flag indicating that the apparatus is adapted to hide mobility of a user terminal. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if a policy and charging control information is available, wherein the policy and charging control information is related to at least one of policy control and charging control; checking means adapted to check, if the policy and charging control information is available, if the policy and charging control information matches a capability of the apparatus; control means adapted to control, if the policy and charging control information matches the capability, an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information.

In the apparatus at least one of the policy and charging control information may be received from a core network, and the policy and charging control information may be predefined.

In the apparatus according to any of the first and second aspects, the policy and charging control information may comprise at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers. In the apparatus according to any of the first and second aspects, the policy and charging control information may be received from the core network or another base station at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the core network;

b) modifying the interface to the core network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure,

h) handover resource allocation procedure,

i) path switch reguest procedure from the core network; and j) handover preparation procedure. In the apparatus according to any of the first and second aspects, the control means may be adapted to control, based on the policy and charging control information, at least one of

a) determining whether or not to inform the core network about an activity;

b) determining a bearer configuration for a user terminal. In the apparatus according to any of the first and second aspects, the control means may be adapted to control whether or not to inform the core network on the activity, and the activity may be at least one of the mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising providing means adapted to provide a policy and charging control information to the radio network, wherein the policy and charging control information is based on a control information related to at least one of a policy control and a charging control received from a core network element.

The apparatus may further comprise monitoring means adapted to monitor if a capability information is received from a radio network, wherein the capability information informs about a capability of the radio network which is potentially relevant for at least one of a policy and charging control; triggering means adapted to trigger the providing means to provide the policy and charging control information if the capability information is received. The apparatus may further comprise checking means adapted to check if the received capability information matches the control information; inhibiting means adapted to inhibit the triggering means from triggering the providing means if the capability information does not match the control information .

The policy and charging control information may comprise at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers. The apparatus may further comprise performing means adapted to perform, if an information on an activity related to at least one of the policy control and the charging control is received from the radio network, at least one of a policy control action and a charging control action.

The activity may be at least one of a mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal.

The providing means may be adapted to provide the policy and charging control information at at least one of the following events :

a) setting up of an interface to the radio network;

b) modifying the interface to the radio network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure; f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure;

h) handover resource allocation procedure; and

i) path switch reguest procedure.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising informing circuitry configured to inform a core network on a capability, wherein the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control; reception circuitry configured to receive a policy and charging control information from the core network; control circuitry configured to control an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information.

The informing circuitry may be configured to inform the core network on the capability by at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of CSG identities, a list of serving areas identifiers, and a flag indicating that the apparatus is configured to hide mobility of a user terminal.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor if a policy and charging control information is available, wherein the policy and charging control information is related to at least one of policy control and charging control; checking circuitry configured to check, if the policy and charging control information is available, if the policy and charging control information matches a capability of the apparatus; control circuitry configured to control, if the policy and charging control information matches the capability, an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information . In the apparatus at least one of the policy and charging control information may be received from a core network, and the policy and charging control information may be predefined . In the apparatus according to any of the fourth and fifth aspects, the policy and charging control information may comprise at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

In the apparatus according to any of the fourth and fifth aspects, the policy and charging control information may be received from the core network or another base station at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the core network;

b) modifying the interface to the core network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure,

h) handover resource allocation procedure,

i) path switch reguest procedure from the core network; and j) handover preparation procedure. In the apparatus according to any of the fourth and fifth aspects, the control circuitry may be configured to control, based on the policy and charging control information, at least one of

a) determining whether or not to inform the core network about an activity;

b) determining a bearer configuration for a user terminal.

In the apparatus according to any of the fourth and fifth aspects, the control circuitry may be configured to control whether or not to inform the core network on the activity, and the activity may be at least one of the mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising providing circuitry configured to provide a policy and charging control information to the radio network, wherein the policy and charging control information is based on a control information related to at least one of a policy control and a charging control received from a core network element . The apparatus may further comprise monitoring circuitry configured to monitor if a capability information is received from a radio network, wherein the capability information informs about a capability of the radio network which is potentially relevant for at least one of a policy and charging control; triggering circuitry configured to trigger the providing circuitry to provide the policy and charging control information if the capability information is received . The apparatus may further comprise checking circuitry configured to check if the received capability information matches the control information; inhibiting circuitry configured to inhibit the triggering circuitry from triggering the providing circuitry if the capability information does not match the control information.

The policy and charging control information may comprise at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers. The apparatus may further comprise performing circuitry configured to perform, if an information on an activity related to at least one of the policy control and the charging control is received from the radio network, at least one of a policy control action and a charging control action.

The providing circuitry may be configured to provide the policy and charging control information at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the radio network;

b) modifying the interface to the radio network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure; f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure;

h) handover resource allocation procedure; and

i) path switch reguest procedure.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising informing a core network on a capability, wherein the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control; receiving a policy and charging control information from the core network; controlling an activity performed by an apparatus performing the method according to the policy and charging control information. The informing may comprise informing the core network on the capability by at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of CSG identities, a list of serving areas identifiers, and a flag indicating that the apparatus is adapted to hide mobility of a user terminal.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising monitoring if a policy and charging control information is available, wherein the policy and charging control information is related to at least one of policy control and charging control; checking, if the policy and charging control information is available, if the policy and charging control information matches a capability of an apparatus performing the method; controlling, if the policy and charging control information matches the capability, an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information. In the method, at least one of the policy and charging control information may be received from a core network, and the policy and charging control information may be predefined.

In the method according to any of the seventh and eighth aspects, the policy and charging control information may comprise at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

In the method according to any of the seventh and eighth aspects, the policy and charging control information may be received from the core network or another base station at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the core network;

b) modifying the interface to the core network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure,

h) handover resource allocation procedure,

i) path switch reguest procedure from the core network; and j) handover preparation procedure. In the method according to any of the seventh and eighth aspects, the controlling may comprise controlling, based on the policy and charging control information, at least one of a) determining whether or not to inform the core network about an activity;

b) determining a bearer configuration for a user terminal. In the method according to any of the seventh and eighth aspects, the controlling may comprise controlling whether or not to inform the core network on the activity, and the activity may be at least one of the mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising providing a policy and charging control information to the radio network, wherein the policy and charging control information is based on a control information related to at least one of a policy control and a charging control received from a core network element . The method may further comprise monitoring if a capability information is received from a radio network, wherein the capability information informs about a capability of the radio network which is potentially relevant for at least one of a policy and charging control; triggering the providing of the policy and charging control information if the capability information is received.

The method may further comprise checking if the received capability information matches the control information; inhibiting from triggering the providing of the policy and charging control information if the capability information does not match the control information. The policy and charging control information may comprise at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

The method may further comprise performing, if an information on an activity related to at least one of the policy control and the charging control is received from the radio network, at least one of a policy control action and a charging control action.

The policy and charging control information may be provided at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the radio network;

b) modifying the interface to the radio network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure;

h) handover resource allocation procedure; and

i) path switch reguest procedure.

Each of the methods of the seventh to ninth aspects may be a method for policy control, or a method for charging control, or a method for policy and charging control. According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any of the methods according to the seventh to ninth aspects. The computer program product may be embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into a computer .

According to some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the following advantages is provided: reduced signaling load to core network;

relevant information for policy and/or charging control is available in core network;

none or only small impact on small cell;

no impact on UE .

It is to be understood that any of the above modifications can be applied singly or in combination to the respective aspects to which they refer, unless they are explicitly stated as excluding alternatives.

Brief description of the drawings

Further details, features, objects, and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 shows U-plane connectivity of eNB involved in dual connectivity;

Fig. 2 shows a message flow according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 9 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention .

Detailed description of certain embodiments

Herein below, certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. However, it is to be expressly understood that the description of certain embodiments is given for by way of example only, and that it is by no way intended to be understood as limiting the invention to the disclosed details .

Moreover, it is to be understood that the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method are described .

In conventional PCC, the PCC policy is enforced in the core network, and is transparent to the RAN. The RAN reports to CN whenever the UE changes location, so the CN can take correct PCC actions. With the introduction of small cell and dual connectivity, some issues as regards support of PCC rose :

1. The operator may apply different rates and/or charging models when the UE uses small cell. But RAN does not know this. For example,

o Scenario 1: in Dual-Connectivity case, the MeNB may dynamically switch between MCG bearer and split bearer. If different rates and/or charging rates apply, incorrect accounting in SGW/PGW may result.

2. The operator may define policy and/or charging control policy based on the UE' s location (e.g. cells, eNBs, tracking areas, a combination thereof, etc) . With the introduction of the Dual-Connectivity, and small cell signalling load reduction, the CN may take incorrect PCC action because the RAN may hide the UE's movement to C . For example,

o Scenario 2 : In Dual Connectivity, the CN only knows the MeNB, but may not know the SeNB that is serving the UE.

o Scenario 3 : If signalling load reduction is implemented in the small cell system, the CN only knows the anchor node, but may not know the accurate information about the UE's serving eNB(s) .

In order to support the correct PCC actions in the core network, according to some embodiments of the invention, a method is defined such that RAN knows when RAN shall notify CN in order to trigger the necessary PCC action.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a method and a corresponding apparatus are provided to support policy and charging control which is particularly useful in a small cell system. However, the method and the apparatus may be adopted in macro cell systems, too. Nevertheless, in view of its particular usefulness, the following description focuses on a small cell system without restricting the invention thereto .

The small cell may be operated e.g. in dual-connectivit mode, or in single connectivity mode, and with or without a anchor node (mobility anchor) . According to some embodiments of the invention, the RAN informs the core network whether the RAN has a capability related to Policy and Charging Control, e.g. whether the RAN will hide the UE's mobility from the core network. That is, RAN informs CN that RAN may perform some action which might be relevant for PCC and on which RAN will not inform CN unless otherwise instructed by CN .

Note that, at that occasion, RAN need not to be aware which actions of RAN are indeed relevant to PCC, but only needs to be aware which actions RAN is capable of might be relevant for PCC (potentially PCC relevant action) . Such a list of actions may be derived e.g. from the standard documents, as outlined hereinabove. The list may be preconfigured in the RAN. For example, if DC capability is added to RAN, adding, modifying or releasing a SCG may be indicated in the RAN as a potentially PCC relevant action.

After receipt of information on the potentially PCC relevant capability of RAN (e.g. in response thereto), according to some embodiments of the invention, the core network transfers Policy and Charging Control information to the RAN.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the PCC information may comprise information under which condition RAN should inform CN to take PCC actions regarding the UE' s mobility, or add/modify/remove a SeNB, or any other scenarios reguiring the CN to take PCC actions. According to some embodiments of the invention, the RAN acts according to the received Policy and Charging Control information. For example, when there is a change of the UE' s position, the RAN determines whether the condition derived from the received PCC information is met. I.e., RAN determines if PCC information indicates that CN would like to be informed on the change of the UE' s position. If the condition is not met, RAN does not inform CN . For example, the PCC information may comprise a list of cells, and/or eNBs, and/or TAIs, and/or CSG IDs, etc. If the UE enters into one of the listed cells etc. or leaves the same, RAN informs CN thereon. Otherwise, RAN does not inform CN on the mobility change.

As another example, RAN may inform CN on adding/modifying/removing a SeNB, e.g. with split bearer or CSG, if a corresponding indication is comprised in the PCC information and may not inform CN thereon if the corresponding indication is not comprised in the PCC information .

This is different to conventional systems according to which RAN always informs MME whenever there is a mobility change to the UE, or a SeNB is added/modified/removed or a CSG action .

Upon receipt of this notification from the RAN (information on UE mobility, and/or SeNB adding or removal, and/or CSG action, etc.), CN may perform a relevant PCC activity. For example, MME may inform other CN nodes such as SGW and/or PGW on the activity of the UE such that SGW and/or PGW may update accounting information.

According to some embodiments of the invention, MME receives from SGW and/or PGW which activities are considered as PCC relevant. For example, such information may be provided to MME during the establishment or modification of a session or a bearer. As another example, MME may receive such information from source MME.

According to some embodiments, information on PCC relevant activities may be preconfigured in MME, e.g. by O&M. The information may be provided generally (i.e., for all UEs) and/or UE specific.

Upon receipt of the capability information from RAN, MME compares the indicated capabilities with its information on PCC relevant activities. If one or more of the indicated capabilities match with the PCC relevant activities, a corresponding indication is included in the PCC information which MME provides to RAN.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the RAN may consider the received PCC information when performing actions related to the radio network itself, e.g. adding/modifying/releasing small cells, and/or determining a bearer type, and/or determining traffic routing etc. As regards the last of these options, for example, upon receipt of corresponding PCC information, RAN may use SeNB with SCG bearer, instead to use SeNB with split bearer.

The PCC information may comprise one or both of · General PCC information that applies to all UEs.

The general information may be sent to RAN via enhanced SI procedures, e.g. Enhancing SI Setup Response message and/or MME Configuration Update message with PCC information.

· UE specific PCC information that applies to a specific

UE .

The UE specific PCC information may be sent to RAN via enhanced SI procedures, e.g. Enhancing SI Initial Context Setup Reg message and/or E-RAB Setup/Modification Reg message with PCC information.

According to some embodiments, the notification (information on certain actions) may be implemented by enhancing existing SI procedures .

Alternatively, one or both of the PCC information and the notification may be provided by respective new SI procedures, e.g. SI procedures dedicated to PCC information and notification, respectively.

Fig. 2 shows an implementation according to an embodiment of the invention. RAN may be represented e.g. by an eNB or by an Anchor Node. The following actions are performed: Action 1: The RAN initiates SI Setup with MME . The SI Setup Request message may include the additional information indicating the RAN' s capability related to the Policy and Charging Control. For example, the SI Setup Request message may include a list of eNB ID, and/or cell ID(s) of one or more SeNBs . This list indicates to CN that the MeNB will hide the user terminal' s mobility when the UE' s serving SeNB is changed among the indicated SeNBs. In another scenario where the Anchor Node initiates the SI setup, the SI Setup Request message may include an additional flag indicating the Anchor Node will hide the terminal' s mobility when the UE' s serving eNB is changed to another eNB under the same Anchor Node. According to some embodiments of the invention, RAN indicates, e.g. by a flag, that it has a capability to hide some potentially PCC relevant activity.

Action 2: In case the RAN indicates a capability related to Policy and Charging Control, the MME responds with a SI Setup Response message including the general PCC information, in case the operator uses general PCC information (PCC information relevant for all UEs) . The general PCC information will be used later by the RAN to determine when there is a need to inform the MME to take PCC action, for example when there is a change to UE' s position, e.g. cells, or eNBs, TAIs, or CSG, or when add/modify/remove a SeNB requiring PCC action. According to some embodiments of the invention, RAN only needs to inform the CN when a condition indicated in the PCC information is met. Otherwise, RAN does not inform CN . Tables 1 and 2 show one example for the Policy and Charging Control information provided by the MME to RAN:

Bits

Octets 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1 Type = 177

2 to 3 Length = n

4 Spare Instance

5 Spare Action

6 to 8 Presence Reporting Area

Identifier

9 Number of TAI Number of RAI

10 Spare Num er of Macro eNodeB

11 Spare Number of Home eNodeB

12 Spare Number of ECGI

13 Spare Number Of SAI

14 Spare Number Of CGI

5 to k TAIs [1..15]

(k+1) Macro eNB IDs 1..63] to m

(m+1) Home eNB IDs [1..63] to p

⁽p+1⁾ ECGIs [1..63]

to q

(q+1) RAIs [ 1..15 ]

to r

(r+1) SAIs [1..63]

to s

(s+1) CGIs [1..63]

to t

u to These octet ( s ) is/are present

(n+4) only if explicitly specified

Table 1 : Presence Reporting Area Action Action Value

(Decimal)

Start Reporting 1

changes of UE

presence in the PRA

Stop Reporting 2

changes of UE

presence in the PRA

<spare> 0, 3-7

Table 2 : Action values

Table 1 indicates an internal structure of a PRA. The structure may be reflect the full internal structure of the PRA as received from RAN, or it may comprise a subset thereof in case CN wants to get informed on certain actions within PRA only. In the example of Table 1, the TAIs, Macro eNB IDs, Home eNB IDs, ECGIs, RAI, SAIs, and CGIs included in the PRA are indicated. According to some embodiments of the invention, the table may comprise CSG IDs (not shown) .

In some embodiments of the invention, the table may comprise a subset of these IDs only. For example, if CN wants to be informed on updates of TAI but not on updates of the other IDs, Table 1 may comprise only TAI. If all mobility actions within the PRA are to be indicated to CN, according to some embodiments of the invention, Table 1 may comprise the Identifier of the PRA only.

The capability indication from RAN to CN may have a format corresponding to that of Table 1. The action field may not be present. In this case, the table may comprise the full structure of the PRA such that CN is informed about all capabilities of RAN to hide a potentially PCC relevant activity .

Table 2 is provided from CN to RAN as part of the PCC information, too. In Table 2, the Action value 1 (Start Reporting change) shall be used to request to start reporting changes of UE presence in the Presence Reporting Area identified by the Presence Reporting Area Identifier and, if present, the Presence Reporting Area elements composing the Presence Reporting Area.

The Action value 2 (Stop Reporting change) shall be used to request to stop reporting changes or UE presence in a Presence Reporting Area.

The Presence Reporting Area Identifier shall be present if the Action value requests to start or to stop reporting changes of UE presence in a Presence Reporting Area. If so, for example, the Presence Reporting Area Identifier shall contain an identifier of the Presence Reporting Area and be encoded using full hexadecimal representation.

Note that the indicated values and representations are example embodiments of the invention only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Instead of or in addition to the setup procedure, general PCC information may also be provided in MME Configuration Update message.

Action 3 : A UE attaches to the RAN. The RAN sends Initial UE Message to the MME.

Action 4 : The MME sends Initial Context Setup Request message to the RAN. The Initial Context Setup Request message from CN to RAN includes the UE-specific PCC information, in case the operator uses UE-specific PCC information. The UE-specific PCC information will be used later by the RAN to determine when there is a need to inform the MME to take PCC action, for example, when there is a change to UE' s position, e.g. cells, or eNBs, TAIs, or CSG, or when add/modify/remove a SeNB requiring PCC action.

Instead of or in addition to the Initial Context Setup procedure, the UE-specific PCC information may also be provided in E-RAB Setup procedure, E-RAB Modify procedure, E-RAB Modification Indication procedure, UE Context Modification procedure, Handover Resource Allocation procedure, and Path Switch Request procedure from MME to NB . The eNB may also receive the UE-specific PCC information from another eNB during the handover preparation procedure.

Action 5: The RAN acts according to the received Policy and Charging Control information. For example, the RAN uses the received PCC information to determine whether RAN needs to inform core network about a UE activity in order for core network to take PCC actions. The activities can be a mobility event for a user terminal, or a change to the serving base station for the user terminal, or any other condition requiring the core network to take PCC actions. The mobility event for a user terminal is usually caused by a change of the user terminal's position. The change of the serving base station for the user terminal can be the add/release/modify SeNB for the user terminal.

The RAN may also use the received PCC information to determine the bearer configuration for a user terminal when adding/modifying/releasing a SeNB, e.g. in deciding whether or not to configure a split bearer for a user terminal. The PCC information may explicitly or implicitly indicate whether there are different charging policies and/or rates for MeNB and SeNB. An example of an implicit indication is that the PCC information includes SeNB in the Presence Reporting Area by its TAI, eNB ID, ECGI, and/or CSG ID, but MeNB ID is not included in the Presence Reporting Area. In this case, it is likely the MeNB and SeNB may use different charging policy and rate. That is, in the example, RAN interprets the absence of MeNB ID that configuring the SeNB with split bearer should be avoided.

The RAN may also use the received information any other scenarios which require the network to PCC actions . Action 6: When certain PCC condition (i.e. a condition implied by the PCC information) is met, the RAN informs the MME that PCC action is needed. The MME may then inform SGW (and SGW informs PGW) to start related PCC actions, for example, SGW generates accounting information for offline charging or PGW initiates credit guery for online charging.

In some embodiments of the invention, MME provides PCC information to RAN even if it has not received capability information. For example, MME may provide PCC information at the occasions listed above. In some embodiments, MME provides PCC information at regular intervals.

For example, if RAN receives PCC information without having provided capability information, it discards the PCC information .

On the other hand, in some embodiments of the invention, RAN considers the received PCC information (which may be received without having sent capability information) and compares it with its capability. I.e., in these embodiments, the matching between PCC information and capability is done in RAN instead of MME. MME may be agnostic of the capability of RAN. Thus, signaling on SI interface is reduced at the expense of higher computational load in RAN. If there is a match, RAN acts according to the received Policy and Charging Control information .

As an example of such an embodiment, although MME has not received capability information from RAN, MME informs RAN that CN would like to be informed on any movement of an UE from one TA to another TA. Then RAN, even if an Anchor Node is employed, will take this PCC information into account in controlling the communication to C . I.e., RAN will inform CN on movement of a UE from one TA to another TA even if the movement is within the eNBs associated to the Anchor Node.

According to some embodiments of the invention, RAN acts correspondingly, if PCC information is preconfigured in RAN, e.g. by O&M.

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a base station or a base station controller such as an eNB or an element thereof. Fig. 4 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 3 may perform the method of Fig. 4 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 4 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 3 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises informing means 10, reception means 20, and control means 30. The informing means 10, reception means 20, and control means 30 may be an informing circuitry, a reception circuitry, and a control circuitry, respectively.

The informing means 10 informs a core network on a capability (S10) . Namely, the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control .

The reception means 20 receives a policy and charging control information from the core network (S20) . The control means 30 controls an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information (S30) . The activity may be e.g. informing the core network on another activity such as a change of a location of a UE .

Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a base station or a base station controller such as an eNB or an element thereof. Fig. 6 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 5 may perform the method of Fig. 6 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 6 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 5 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises monitoring means 50, checking means 60, and control means 70. The monitoring means 50, checking means 60, and control means 70 may be a monitoring circuitry, a checking circuitry, and a control circuitry, respectively.

The monitoring means 50 monitors if a policy and charging control information is available (S50) . For example, the policy and charging control information may be received from a core network, or may be preconfigured . The policy and charging control information is related to at least one of policy control and charging control.

If the policy and charging control information is available (S50 = "yes"), the checking means 60 checks if the received policy and charging control information matches a capability of the apparatus (S60) . If the policy and charging control information matches the capability (S60 = "yes"), the control means 70 controls an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information (S70) .

Fig. 7 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a core network element interacting with a RAN such as a MME or an element thereof. Fig. 8 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 7 may perform the method of Fig. 8 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 8 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 7 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises providing means 110. The providing means 110 may be a providing circuitry.

The providing means 110 provides a policy and charging control information to a radio network (S110) . The policy and charging control information is based on a control information received from a core network element different from the apparatus. The control information is related to at least one of a policy control and a charging control.

Fig. 9 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 610, at least one memory 620 including computer program code, and the at least one processor 610, with the at least one memory 620 and the computer program code, being arranged to cause the apparatus to at least perform at least one of the methods according to Figs. 4, 6, and 8 and related description .

In some embodiments of the invention, PCC information is provided to the RAN by another device than the core network, e.g. a dedicated device or by O&M. In some embodiments of the invention, PCC information is preconfigured in RAN. These options may be useful in particular for providing general PCC information applicable to all UEs. In some embodiments, a combination of these options to provide PCC information to RAN may be employed.

In some embodiments of the invention, as described hereinabove, CN is represented by MME .

Some embodiments of the invention may be employed in a 3GPP network. They may be employed also in other 3GPP and non-3GPP mobile and fixed networks such as CDMA, EDGE, LTE, LTE-A, UTRAN, WiFi, WLAN networks, PSTN, etc.

A terminal may be a user eguipment (UE) or another eguipment which may attach to the radio access network of the respective technology. For example, a terminal may be a laptop, a PDA, a tablet, a machine-to-machine communication device, etc.

In the present description, reference is made to policy and charging control (PCC) . However, embodiment of the invention may be employed for one or both of policy control and charging control. Thus, the term PCC in the present specification may be interpreted as "policy control", or "charging control", or "policy and charging control".

Note that MME, SGW and PGW belong to the CN, while eNB belongs to RAN. In some embodiments of the invention, RAN may be represented by eNB, and/or CN may be represented by MME .

One piece of information may be transmitted in one or plural messages from one entity to another entity. Each of these messages may comprise further (different) pieces of information .

Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and/or protocols and/or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality.

If not otherwise stated or otherwise made clear from the context, the statement that two entities are different means that they perform different functions. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on a different hardware, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same hardware. It does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each of the entities described in the present description may be based on different software, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same software .

According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example a radio network apparatus such as a base station (e.g. eNB) or a controller of the radio network such as a RNC, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program(s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program (s) and forming computer program product (s) . According to the above description, it should thus be apparent that example embodiments of the present invention provide, for example a core network apparatus such as a MME, or a component thereof, an apparatus embodying the same, a method for controlling and/or operating the same, and computer program (s) controlling and/or operating the same as well as mediums carrying such computer program (s) and forming computer program product (s) .

Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, technigues, means, entities, units, devices, or methods include, as non-limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, a virtual machine, or some combination thereof. It is to be understood that what is described above is what is presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims .

Claims

Claims :

1. Apparatus, comprising

informing means adapted to inform a core network on a capability, wherein the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control;

reception means adapted to receive a policy and charging control information from the core network;

control means adapted to control an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information .

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the informing means is adapted to inform the core network on the capability by at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of CSG identities, a list of serving areas identifiers, and a flag indicating that the apparatus is adapted to hide mobility of a user terminal.

3. Apparatus, comprising

monitoring means adapted to monitor if a policy and charging control information is available, wherein the policy and charging control information is related to at least one of policy control and charging control;

checking means adapted to check, if the policy and charging control information is available, if the policy and charging control information matches a capability of the apparatus ;

control means adapted to control, if the policy and charging control information matches the capability, an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of

the policy and charging control information is received from a core network, and

the policy and charging control information is predefined .

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the policy and charging control information comprises at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the policy and charging control information is received from the core network or another base station at at least one of the following events:

setting up of an interface to the core network;

modifying the interface to the core network;

initial context setup procedure;

context modification procedure;

bearer setup procedure;

bearer modify procedure;

bearer modification indication procedure,

handover resource allocation procedure,

path switch reguest procedure from the core network; and handover preparation procedure .

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control means is adapted to control, based on the policy and charging control information, at least one of

a) determining whether or not to inform the core network about an activity;

b) determining a bearer configuration for a user terminal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means is adapted to control whether or not to inform the core network on the activity, and the activity is at least one of the mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal .

9. Apparatus, comprising

providing means adapted to provide a policy and charging control information to the radio network, wherein the policy and charging control information is based on a control information related to at least one of a policy control and a charging control received from a core network element.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising monitoring means adapted to monitor if a capability information is received from a radio network, wherein the capability information informs about a capability of the radio network which is potentially relevant for at least one of a policy and charging control;

triggering means adapted to trigger the providing means to provide the policy and charging control information if the capability information is received.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising checking means adapted to check if the received capability information matches the control information;

inhibiting means adapted to inhibit the triggering means from triggering the providing means if the capability information does not match the control information.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the policy and charging control information comprises at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, further comprising

performing means adapted to perform, if an information on an activity related to at least one of the policy control and the charging control is received from the radio network, at least one of a policy control action and a charging control action.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the activity is at least one of a mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the providing means is adapted to provide the policy and charging control information at at least one of the following events :

a) setting up of an interface to the radio network;

b) modifying the interface to the radio network; c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure;

h) handover resource allocation procedure; and

i) path switch reguest procedure.

16. Method, comprising

informing a core network on a capability, wherein the capability is considered to be potentially relevant to at least one of policy control and charging control;

receiving a policy and charging control information from the core network;

controlling an activity performed by an apparatus performing the method according to the policy and charging control information.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein

the informing comprises informing the core network on the capability by at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of CSG identities, a list of serving areas identifiers, and a flag indicating that the apparatus is adapted to hide mobility of a user terminal.

18. Method, comprising

monitoring if a policy and charging control information is available, wherein the policy and charging control information is related to at least one of policy control and charging control; checking, if the policy and charging control information is available, if the policy and charging control information matches a capability of an apparatus performing the method; controlling, if the policy and charging control information matches the capability, an activity performed by the apparatus according to the policy and charging control information .

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the policy and charging control information is received from a core network, and

the policy and charging control information is predefined .

20. The method according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the policy and charging control information comprises at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

21. The method according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the policy and charging control information is received from the core network or another base station at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the core network;

b) modifying the interface to the core network;

c) initial context setup procedure;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure,

h) handover resource allocation procedure, i) path switch request procedure from the core network; and j) handover preparation procedure.

22. The method according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the controlling comprises controlling, based on the policy and charging control information, at least one of

a) determining whether or not to inform the core network about an activity;

b) determining a bearer configuration for a user terminal.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the controlling comprises controlling whether or not to inform the core network on the activity, and the activity is at least one of the mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal .

24. Method, comprising

providing a policy and charging control information to the radio network, wherein the policy and charging control information is based on a control information related to at least one of a policy control and a charging control received from a core network element.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising

monitoring if a capability information is received from a radio network, wherein the capability information informs about a capability of the radio network which is potentially relevant for at least one of a policy and charging control; triggering the providing of the policy and charging control information if the capability information is received .

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising checking if the received capability information matches the control information;

inhibiting from triggering the providing of the policy and charging control information if the capability information does not match the control information.

27. The method according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the policy and charging control information comprises at least one of a list of cell identifiers, a list of base station identifiers, a list of tracking area identifiers, a list of routing area identifiers, a list of closed subscriber group identities, and a list of serving areas identifiers.

28. The method according to any of claims 24 to 27, further comprising

performing, if an information on an activity related to at least one of the policy control and the charging control is received from the radio network, at least one of a policy control action and a charging control action.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the activity is at least one of a mobility event of a user terminal, adding a base station to serve a user terminal, modifying a base station serving the user terminal, and releasing a base station serving the user terminal.

30. The method according to any of claims 24 to 29, wherein the policy and charging control information is provided at at least one of the following events:

a) setting up of an interface to the radio network;

d) context modification procedure;

e) bearer setup procedure;

f) bearer modify procedure;

g) bearer modification indication procedure;

h) handover resource allocation procedure; and

i) path switch reguest procedure.

31. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any of claims 16 to 30.

32. The computer program product according to claim 31, embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into a computer .