Method and device for handling packet data service

IS 2 172 965 T3

DESCRIPTION

Procedure and device for the treatment of a packet data service.

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the processing of a packet data service according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and patent claim 14.

As is known, for communication services aimed at connection in a communication network, it is possible to control the connection through an intelligent network (IN). Thus, for example, for mobile radio networks, according to the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) standard, a CAMEL (Costomized Applications for Mobile Network Enhanced Logic) platform is defined (Customized Applications for Enhanced Logic of Mobile Networks) according to the GSM Recommendation 03.78 , in order to enable a worldwide use of the features of the Smart Grid. The typical architecture of the Smart Grid provides for a Service Switching Function and a Service Control Function, which are connected to each other through a signaling path. As an application, a special protocol is used in this case, which for the mobile radio network consists of the CAP Protocol (CAMEL Application Part).

New data services are currently being introduced in mobile radio networks according to the GSM standard, such as the packet data service GPRS (General Packet Radio Service = General Packet Radio Service) according to the GSM Recommendation 03.60. The transmission in the mobile radio network is not carried out in this case oriented to the connection, but in the form of packet data. This type of transmission takes better advantage of the transmission resources given in the mobile radio network. For next-generation mobile radio networks (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems) preference is also given to packet-oriented transport services. In the case of connection-oriented services -this is generally known- the duration of the connection can be measured and the connection rate can be made according to the respective current rate -for example using an IN service-. In the case of packet-oriented services, where packet data streams prevail, it is not convenient to transmit one message per packet between the packet data network and the Smart Grid for the tariff, since this will lead to a considerable load of the signage.

Document W097 / 26739 describes the accumulation of quota information in a packet-switched mobile communication network through special nodes that support the calculation of quotas (Billing Gateway Support Node BGGSN) and the transmission to a quota calculation center, the determination of traffic quotas in each case being carried out by virtue of a count of the bytes or statistical methods with respect to the data traffic.

Document WO97 / 09814 describes a procedure for the control of traffic jams in an intelligent network.

The object of the present invention is to indicate a method and a mobile radio network, through which the packet data stream can be monitored, in terms of quantity, during the processing of a packet-oriented service by means of an Intelligent Network.

This task is solved, according to the invention, as regards the procedure by means of the characteristics of claim 1 of the patent and as regards the mobile radio network by means of the characteristics of claim 13 of The patent. The developments of the invention are deduced from the dependent claims.

Starting from the treatment of a packet data service through a network node serving a packet data network, with which communication terminals are connected for the transmission of packet data, according to the invention

- an interconnection of the packet data service is carried out with functions of the network of an Intelligent Network, of whose functions a service switching function is interconnected with the service network node and a service control function is connects at the utility network node with integrated utility switching function, and

- for the supervision of a packet data stream in the packet data network, at least one threshold value is set for the transmission of packet data from the service control function, which transmits this threshold value to the function switching of services.

Only through the combination of

- integration of the service switching function in the respective service network node,

- communication with the service control function,

- setting a threshold value, the packet data service can be treated and controlled in an advantageous way like other IN services as well as monitoring in a simple and economical way the packet data stream according to the packet-oriented service through of the Smart Grid functions. The expense of the signaling reduces to a mononym, since the control function IN only has to set and communicate the threshold value for the consecutive transmission of a plurality of packets.

The switching function IN waits for this threshold value to be reached or exceeded, and only then are signaling messages exchanged for the next action.

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The invention is explained in detail with the aid of an embodiment shown in the drawing. In particular;

Figure 1 shows network devices of a packet data network and of an Intelligent Network for the treatment of a packet data service according to the invention, and

Figure 2 shows the message flow for an interconnection between network devices for monitoring packet data streams.

Figure 1 shows in a block diagram the network devices of a PDN packet data network and of an INW Intelligent Network for the treatment of a packet data service, in which, according to the invention, threshold values ​​are adjusted for monitoring packet data streams. In this case, only the devices of the respective communication networks that are decisive for the invention are represented. The exemplary applications of the invention refer to the interconnection of the data service in packets GPRS (General Packet Radio Service = General Packet Radio Service) - in a mobile radio network according to the GSM Standard - with Smart Network functions or to the interconnection of a packet-oriented service - in a mobile radio network according to UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems = Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems) - with Network functions Smart.

In the PDN packet data network, the transmission of the packets in a node of the corresponding network is carried out in a packet-oriented manner, an SSF service switching function of the INW Intelligent Network being integrated in this node of the network. For the example of the GPRS service, this network node consists of the service network node SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node), which serves the telecommunication terminals located in its power supply region. The telecommunication terminals designated ETE in Figure 1, which are connected to the PDN packet data network for the transmission of packet data, are, for the above example, the mobile stations used by mobile subscribers. Through an interface from the SSF service switching function to the INW Intelligent Network SCF service control function, the two IN functionalities mutually exchange information and messages. It is assumed that the packet data stream extends from one ETE communication terminal to another ETE communication terminal, where both terminals can send and receive data packets through the PDN network. Following the invention, it was planned to carry out an interconnection between the PDN packet data network -which acted as a packet-oriented transport network- and the INW Intelligent Network, in order to monitor the packet data flow, in which refers to the quantity, through the INW Intelligent Network.

In the INW Intelligent Network there is a mechanism that enables the supervision of certain events in a basic network - in the present example in the packet data network.

PDN-. For this purpose, event points (Detection Points) are defined, and the INW Smart Grid can communicate to the basic network, which event points should be monitored. When an event occurs, for which an event point of this type was defined, then it is communicated to the INW Smart Grid. This can be done as a message (notification) or as a request (request), where the basic network waits for other instructions.

For packet data streams according to the packet data service, a new event point is defined, which indicates whether at least a certain threshold value has been reached or exceeded in the volume of packet data transmitted so far. The INW Smart Network SCF service control function establishes a threshold value for the measurement of packets transmitted in the packet data stream and transmits, as regards the packet data service, the following information to the node of the network - for example SGSN - with integrated function of switching of services SSF:

- The identification of the packet data stream in the form of the address of the packet sender and / or receiver. AND^orThis can be, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address in the case of packet data transmission over the Internet, or, instead, also another subscriber identification, which allows the PDN packet data network clearly associate the packages. In the case of the GPRS packet data service in a GSM network, the identification consists of the international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI).

- The height of the threshold value. If the number of transmitted packets measured in the PDN packet data network - for example by the network node - reaches this threshold value, then a message or warning is issued to the INW Intelligent Network.

- The property of the measurement of the transmitted packets. The measurement can be either absolute, that is, from the beginning of the packet data transmission, or relative, that is, since the last time the set threshold value has been exceeded.

- The property of the measured value. Either the number of the packets or the amount of the total data transmitted (for example in bytes) can be measured.

- The required reaction of the PDN packet data network or its network node - eg SGSN - when the threshold value is reached or exceeded. In this case, it is possible either only to announce that the threshold value has been exceeded or not to admit any further data transmission after the threshold value has been exceeded.

- The desired reaction of the PDN packet data network or its network node

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-for example SGSN- in the event that the threshold value is exceeded in relation to the subsequent measurement. According to a first variant, only the measurement has to be carried out, while in an alternative variant after each time the threshold value has been exceeded, the measurement is started again.

- The direction of the transmission of the data stream in packets to be measured. The measurement can be performed either only for the packets that arrive at the subscriber or at his ETE communication terminal or only for the packets that come from the subscriber or from his ETE communication terminal or for the incoming and outgoing packets in both directions.

- A time interval -supervised with preference by the SSF services switching function-, within which the excess of the threshold value can be established. In this case, the time interval is communicated to the service switching function SSF during the setting of the threshold value by the service control function SCF. After the expiration of the time interval, the measurement is started again by the SSF service switching function. In this type of measurement, in an alternative solution, the time interval can also be supervised by the service control function SCF, which starts again a measurement of the time after sending a message to the service switching function. SSF.

The SCF service control function according to the IN principle has means for setting the threshold value and for conditioning and setting the other information, as well as means transmitting this information to the switching function of the SSF service. These means can be common transmitting / receiving devices and processing devices, such as processors. Also, in the SSF service switching function according to the IN principle, processing and transmission / reception devices of this type are provided for communication with other functions and network devices, respectively, and for carrying out the steps of the procedure according to the present example of realization.

Figure 2 shows the flow of messages between network devices and communication terminals for monitoring packet data streams. First of all, an initial message SN is generated from the communication terminal ET and is routed - through devices of the network not represented - towards the switching function of services SSF integrated in the node of the network SGSN and from there between the SSF service switching function and the SCF service control function in the INW Smart Grid. The initial message SN may be a signaling message, with which a packet transmission is initiated - for example in the GPRS packet data service the activation of a packet data protocol. But it can also already be part of a first packet transmission. Setting a threshold value in the next step can be done independently of the initial SN message. In the same way, an initial message to the Intelligent Network INW can be dispensed with, namely, when the service control function SCF has already set a threshold value. The initial message SN to the service control function SCF contains, in addition to other information, an identification of the subscriber, which allows the packet data network PDN to clearly associate the packets. In the case of the GPRS packet data service in a GSM network, the identification consists of the international identification of the IMSI mobile subscriber.

The SCF service control function sets a threshold value THV (threshold value). In addition, it preferably sets one or more parameters - such as, for example, the height VA (value) of the threshold value, the property TVA (type of value) of the threshold value as a measurement value, the property TM (type of measurement) of the measurement and a time interval TI (time interval), within which the range or the excess of the threshold value can be set. In a SET PTV (setup package threshold value) message, it communicates the THV threshold value and, if applicable, the additional parameters VA, TVA, TM to the SSF services switching function. The SSF service switching function waits for instructions - and, if necessary, it can reject or accumulate incoming packets until a threshold value has been set - or it can immediately continue with the packet transfer and service treatment.

Between the communication terminal ETE and the service switching function SSF, a transmission of the PACK packets is carried out. As soon as the SSF service switching function determines that the adjusted threshold value THV has been reached or exceeded, it notifies the SCF service control function by issuing a NOTIF (notification) message. The next transmission of PACK packets is interrupted. Depending on the type of measurement, the SSF service switching function waits for instructions. If the service control function SCF sets a packet threshold value again - by sending another SET PTV message with at least the THV threshold value, completed, if necessary, by means of one or more of the parameters VA, TVA, TM-, then the packet data stream is received again with the packet transmissions between the ETE communication terminal and the SSF service switching function. This procedure can be repeated several times until the packet data transmission is finally terminated in a definitive way by the service control function SCF, sending an interrupt message INTERR PACK (interruption of the packet transmission) to the function of switching of SSF services.

The above mechanism can be used in the

ES 2 172 965 T3 follows for an online pricing of packet data services. In the GPRS network, a packet data transmission is requested through the user by means of the mobile terminal. To this end, the packet data protocol is activated. During this activation, the Intelligent Network is connected, which first decides if the user was authorized to use the packet data protocol with the required quality of service (Quality of Service), and if sufficient account coverage was present to the use of the service. If so, activation is allowed and a first threshold value is set for monitoring the packet data stream. Next, the transmission in the base network starts. As soon as the threshold value has been reached, the base network sends a message to the Smart Grid. AND^orThis determines the accrued rates based on the volume, the current rate at that time, the quality of service (Quality of Service), etc. The accrued amount is then subtracted from the account. In the event that the account does not yet have sufficient coverage, the threshold value is set again, otherwise the base network is instructed not to authorize more packet transmissions. The method can also be used for monitoring individual packet data streams in order to recognize and prevent, for example, individual users from overloading the network to an excessive extent or beyond their authorization.