BNG to PCRF mediation entity for BBF and 3GPP access interworking

In a method of policy interworking between a broadband fixed network domain and a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Evolved Packet Core (EPC) mobile network domain using a Broadband Policy Control Function (BPCF) as a first policy server in the fixed network domain and using a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) as a second policy server in the mobile network domain, an improvement comprising:

• providing a network element in the mobile network domain that is coupled to the PCRF and to a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) in the fixed network domain;
• and
• using the PCRF coupled to the network element as a common policy server for both the fixed and the mobile network domains;
• whereby the use of the BPCF is eliminated from the fixed network domain.

A method of facilitating policy convergence of a mobile network domain with a broadband fixed network domain, wherein the mobile network domain comprises a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Evolved Packet Core, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• providing a network element in the mobile network domain;
• coupling the network element to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) in the mobile network domain and to a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) in the broadband fixed network domain;
• and
• using the PCRF coupled to the network element as a common policy server for both the fixed and the mobile network domains by:
• configuring the network element to function as a Policy Decision Point (PDP) for the BNG in the broadband fixed network domain;
• and
• configuring the network element to function as a Policy Enforcing Point (PEP) for the PCRF in the mobile network domain;
• whereby the use of a separate PDP in the broadband fixed network domain is eliminated.

A method in a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) in a broadband fixed network domain, the method comprising:

• sending a policy query from the BNG in the broadband fixed network domain to a network element in a mobile network domain, wherein the network element is configured to function as a common policy server for both the fixed and the mobile network domains by functioning as a Policy Enforcing Point (PEP) function in the mobile network domain and as a Policy Decision Point (PDP) function for the BNG in the broadband fixed network domain;
• and
• receiving a policy decision at the BNG from the network element;
• whereby the use of a separate PDP function in the broadband fixed network domain is eliminated.

A method comprising:

• using a network element in a mobile network domain as a common policy server for both a fixed network domain and the mobile network domain, wherein the mobile network domain comprises a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Evolved Packet Core and wherein the network element is coupled to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) in the mobile network domain and to a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) in a broadband fixed network domain, the using step comprising:
• receiving a policy query from the BNG in the fixed network domain using the network element as a Policy Decision Point (PDP) for the BNG, wherein the query is received from the BNG in a first protocol format associated with the fixed network domain;
• translating the query from the first protocol format into a message in a second protocol format associated with the mobile network domain;
• and
• transmitting the message to the PCRF using the network element as a Policy Enforcing Point (PEP) for the PCRF in the mobile network domain;
• whereby the use of a separate PDP in the broadband fixed network domain is eliminated.