Charging method and device for satellite communication

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a charging method and device for satellite communication, and relates to the technical field of satellite communication, service support and core networks, and the method comprises the following steps: deploying a first charging function network element in a first network, sending first charging information of the terminal equipment using the satellite service to a second charging function network element deployed in a second network; wherein the first charging information is used for creating or updating a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used for generating a charging bill. Therefore, the second charging function network element deployed in the second network can generate the first CDR for generating the charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem that the charging results of the second network and the first network are inconsistent, and improving the charging efficiency. And the accuracy of the charging result of the satellite communication is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical fields of satellite communication, service support, and core network, and particularly relates to a charging method and device for satellite communication. Background Art

[0002] In some remote areas and areas where the ground network cannot be covered, such as deserts, oceans far from the shore base, and flights in progress, users cannot use the ground network service. Satellite communication has the advantages of all-weather, wide-area coverage, and reliability, and can effectively solve the network connection problems in remote areas, aviation, oceans, deserts, etc. that cannot be solved by the ground network, and provide network connection services for users. In order to provide network connection services to users in remote areas, aviation, oceans, deserts, etc., ground operators usually rent satellites from satellite service providers or satellite network operators that own satellite networks. And how to accurately charge for satellite-based communication has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure propose a charging method and device for satellite communication, which can at least solve the problem of how to accurately charge for satellite-based communication in related technologies.

[0004] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging method for satellite communication is proposed. The method is applied to a first charging function network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes: sending first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging function network element deployed in the second network; wherein, the first charging information is used to create or update a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0005] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first charging information is charging information for satellite communication with respect to the first network.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0008] The identifier of the operator of the first network;

[0009] The identifier of the operator of the second network;

[0010] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation that provides the satellite service for the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network;

[0011] Provide the quality of service (QoS) of the satellite that provides the satellite service for the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network;

[0012] The satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network, which is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal devices access the first network through the satellite service;

[0013] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network, which is used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal devices is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0014] The satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite that provides the satellite service for the corresponding terminal devices;

[0015] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network;

[0016] At least one of the identification, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network;

[0017] The number of data connection sessions of the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network;

[0018] The identification of the terminal devices using the satellite service in the first network.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first billing information includes at least one of the following information:

[0020] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0021] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0022] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0023] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0024] The total PDU connection quantity and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0025] The total PDU connection quantity and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent in response to meeting a set of conditions, where the set of conditions includes at least one of the following:

[0027] The current time is the target sending time, and a preset time period elapses between the target sending time and the previous sending time;

[0028] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send the first charging information;

[0029] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, and the charging request message also carries first quota information, where the first quota information is for the first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota and / or first quota usage information for informing of the used quota.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0032] Sending a first charging mode indication to the second charging function network element;

[0033] where the first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0035] Receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element;

[0036] where the first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first charging information is charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service, and is sent by a charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network to the first charging function network element in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device, and is sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0039] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0040] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0041] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation that provides the satellite service for the single terminal device;

[0042] The QoS of the satellite that provides the satellite service for the single terminal device;

[0043] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0044] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0045] The satellite type indication corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite that provides the satellite service;

[0046] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the single terminal device;

[0047] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the single terminal device;

[0048] The identifier of the single terminal device;

[0049] QoS flow identifier.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in the charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0051] The charging request message further carries at least one of the following information:

[0052] First charging negotiation information, wherein the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0053] Second quota information, wherein the second quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the second quota information includes second quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0054] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0055] Determine the second charging function network element according to at least one of the following information:

[0056] At least one of the CHF address provided by the Policy Control Function (PCF) for the data connection session of the terminal device, the CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or the CHF set identifier;

[0057] Charging feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0058] The CHF instance discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0059] Charging feature information locally provided by the Session Management Function (SMF).

[0060] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0061] Create a second Call Detail Record (CDR) based on the first charging information received from the charging trigger function network element, where the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0062] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0063] Receive the charging information to be updated sent by the charging trigger function network element;

[0064] Update the second CDR based on the charging information to be updated;

[0065] Forward the charging information to be updated to the second charging function network element, where the charging information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

[0066] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0067] The charging update message further carries at least one of the following information:

[0068] Second charging negotiation information, where the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0069] Third quota information, where the third quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the third quota information includes third quota application information for applying for a quota and / or third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0070] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0071] The charging condition changes, where the charging condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identifier;

[0072] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0073] The quota limit is reached.

[0074] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0075] Receiving a charging termination indication sent by the charging trigger function network element;

[0076] Based on the charging termination indication, closing the second CDR;

[0077] Forwarding the charging termination indication to the second charging function network element, where the charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0078] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in the charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0079] The charging termination message further carries at least one of the following information:

[0080] The second charging information of the single terminal device, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0081] The fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes the fourth quota application information for applying for the quota, and / or the fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0082] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0083] Sending a second charging mode indication to the second charging function network element;

[0084] Among them, the second charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service. The charging information of the single terminal is sent to the first charging functional network element by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network being triggered in response to a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0086] Receiving a second charging mode indication sent by the second charging functional network element;

[0087] Among them, the second charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service. The charging information of the single terminal is sent to the first charging functional network element by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network being triggered in response to a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0089] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging method for satellite communication is proposed. The method is applied to a second charging functional network element deployed in a second network. The method includes: receiving first charging information of a terminal device using satellite service sent by a first charging functional network element deployed in the first network; creating or updating a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, where the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first charging information is charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0093] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0094] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0095] The identifier of the satellite providing the satellite service for the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network and / or the identifier of the constellation;

[0096] The quality of service QoS of the satellite providing the satellite service for the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network;

[0097] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, which is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0098] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, which is used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0099] The satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service for the corresponding terminal device;

[0100] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network;

[0101] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network;

[0102] The number of data connection sessions of the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network;

[0103] The identifier of the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first billing information includes at least one of the following information:

[0105] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0106] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0107] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0108] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0109] The total number of protocol data unit (PDU) connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the direct terminal service in the first network;

[0110] The total number of PDU connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent in response to meeting a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0112] The current time is the target sending time, and there is a preset duration between the target sending time and the previous sending time;

[0113] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the first charging information;

[0114] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging functional network element to the second charging functional network element, and the charging request message also carries first quota information, where the first quota information is for the first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota and / or first quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0116] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0117] Receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the first charging functional network element;

[0118] The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0119] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0120] Sending a first charging mode indication to the first charging functional network element;

[0121] The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service, and is sent by a charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network to the first charging function network element after being triggered in response to a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device, and is sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0124] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0125] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0126] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation providing the satellite service for the single terminal device;

[0127] The QoS of the satellite providing the satellite service for the single terminal device;

[0128] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0129] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0130] The satellite type indication corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0131] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the single terminal device;

[0132] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the single terminal device;

[0133] The identifier of the single terminal device;

[0134] QoS flow identifier.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0136] The charging request message also carries at least one of the following information:

[0137] The first charging negotiation information, wherein the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0138] The second quota information, wherein the second quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the second quota information includes second quota application information for applying for a quota and / or second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element is determined according to at least one of the following information:

[0140] At least one of the CHF address provided by the Policy Control Function (PCF) for the data connection session of the terminal device, the CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or the CHF set identifier;

[0141] The charging feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0142] The CHF instance discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0143] The charging feature information locally provided by the Session Management Function (SMF).

[0144] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0145] Receiving the charging information to be updated forwarded by the first charging function network element, wherein the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element;

[0146] Updating the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated.

[0147] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0148] The charging update message further carries at least one of the following information:

[0149] The second charging negotiation information, wherein the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0150] Third quota information, where the third quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the third quota information includes third quota application information for applying for a quota and / or third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0151] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0152] The charging condition changes, where the charging condition includes at least one of the type of the satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identifier;

[0153] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0154] The quota limit is reached.

[0155] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0156] Receiving a charging termination indication forwarded by the first charging function network element, where the charging termination indication is sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element;

[0157] Closing the first CDR based on the charging termination indication.

[0158] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element and / or carried in a charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0159] The charging termination message further carries at least one of the following information:

[0160] The second charging information of the single terminal device, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0161] Fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes fourth quota application information for applying for a quota and / or fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0162] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0163] Receiving a second charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element;

[0164] Among them, the second charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for the single terminal device using the satellite service. The charging information of the single terminal is sent to the first charging functional network element by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network being triggered in response to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0166] Sending a second charging mode indication to the first charging functional network element;

[0167] Among them, the second charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for the single terminal device using the satellite service. The charging information of the single terminal is sent to the first charging functional network element by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network being triggered in response to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0169] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging device for satellite communication is proposed. The device is applied to a first charging functional network element deployed in a first network. The device includes: a transceiver module, configured to send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite service to a second charging functional network element deployed in the second network; wherein, the first charging information is used to create or update a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0170] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging device for satellite communication is proposed. The device is applied to a second charging functional network element deployed in a second network. The device includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive first charging information of a terminal device using satellite service sent by a first charging functional network element deployed in the first network; a processing module, configured to create or update a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0171] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes: one or more processors; and one or more memories for storing instructions. The processor is configured to call the instructions to cause the electronic device to execute the satellite communication charging method described in the first aspect or the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, or execute the satellite communication charging method described in the second aspect or the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0172] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a satellite communication charging system is provided, which includes a first charging function network element deployed in a first network and a second charging function network element deployed in a second network. The first charging function network element is configured to implement the satellite communication charging method described in the first aspect or the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, and the second charging function network element is configured to implement the satellite communication charging method described in the second aspect or the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0173] In some embodiments, the system further includes a charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network. The charging trigger function network element is configured to:

[0174] in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of a single terminal device using satellite services being triggered, send the charging information of the single terminal device to the first charging function network element, where the charging information of the single terminal device is used for the first charging function network element to generate a second CDR and for forwarding to the second charging function network element to generate a first CDR.

[0175] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element is further configured to: send the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element, where the charging information to be updated is used for updating the second CDR and for forwarding to the second charging function network element to update the first CDR.

[0176] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element is further configured to: send a charging termination indication to the first charging function network element, where the charging termination indication is used for closing the second CDR and for forwarding to the second charging function network element to close the first CDR.

[0177] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions run on an electronic device, the electronic device is caused to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, or the optional implementation manners of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0178] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided. When the program product is executed by an electronic device, the electronic device is caused to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, or the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0179] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided. When it runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, or the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0180] In the solution proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first charging function network element deployed in a first network sends first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging function network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is used to create or update a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Thus, the second charging function network element deployed in the second network can generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results of satellite communication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0181] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art will be described below.

[0182] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of satellite backhaul;

[0183] Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of satellite backhaul;

[0184] Figure 3 is a schematic architecture diagram of a satellite communication charging system shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0185] Figure 4 is another schematic architecture diagram of a satellite communication charging system shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0186] Figure 5 is an interaction schematic diagram of a satellite communication charging method shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0187] Figure 6 is an interaction schematic diagram of a satellite communication charging method shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0188] Figure 7 is an interaction schematic diagram of a satellite communication charging method shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0189] Figure 8 It is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0190] Figure 9 It is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0191] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0192] Figure 11 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0193] Figure 12 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0194] Figure 13 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0195] Figure 14 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0196] Figure 15 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0197] Figure 16 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0198] Figure 17 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0199] Figure 18 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0200] Figure 19 It is a flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0201] Figure 20 It is a schematic structural diagram of the charging device for satellite communication proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0202] Figure 21 It is a schematic structural diagram of the charging device for satellite communication proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0203] Figure 22 It is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0204] Figure 23 It is a schematic structural diagram of a chip proposed by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0205] In some remote areas and regions where ground networks cannot be covered, such as deserts, oceans far from shore bases, and flights in progress, users cannot use ground network services. Satellite communication has advantages such as all-weather, wide-area coverage, and reliability, and can effectively solve the network connection problems in remote areas, aviation, oceans, deserts, etc. that cannot be solved by ground networks, and provide network connection services for users. By deploying independent base stations in areas where ground networks cannot reach, and then using satellites to provide data backhaul links between the base stations and core network elements, network connection services can be provided for users. Among them, satellites can provide satellite access services (or satellite direct connection services) for terminals for users in sparsely populated areas (such as oceans, forests, etc.), that is, the terminal is connected to the core network through the satellite and the gateway station in sequence, or provide backhaul services (also called backhaul services) for the base station, that is, the base station is connected to the core network through the satellite. In case of emergency or temporary measures (such as disaster areas), the above satellite access services or backhaul services can also be provided.

[0206] In the satellite access scenario, there are mainly two types of satellite payloads, including transparent and regenerative. In the satellite transparent transmission mode, the satellite is equivalent to a radio frequency (RF) remote unit and is completely transparent to the base station protocol. In the satellite regeneration mode, the satellite can have some protocol layer functions of the base station or the core network. Refer to Figure 1 As shown in the schematic diagram of satellite backhaul, in the satellite backhaul scenario, the terminal device accesses the core network through the ground access network, and uses satellite backhaul to provide transmission for the N2 / N3 reference point between the core network and the ground access network. The satellite system transparently carries the payload of the communication of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) reference point. Among them, as Figure 2 shown, a base station can have multiple candidate satellite backhauls on the N2 and N3 interfaces, such as geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite backhaul, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite backhaul, and LEO satellite backhaul with inter-satellite link (ISL). The N2 and N3 interfaces of the base station use the same satellite backhaul at a specific time.

[0207] However, usually due to reasons such as high satellite network construction costs, most Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not have their own satellite networks. In order to provide network connection services to users in remote areas, aviation, oceans, deserts and other regions, they need to rent satellites from Satellite Service Providers (SSPs) or Satellite Network Operators (SNOs) that own satellite networks in order to provide satellite access services or satellite backhaul services to their users. At this time, the MNO is usually referred to as a terrestrial network operator. Among them, in addition to providing satellite services to MNOs, SNOs can also establish core network systems. In the scenario where the MNO rents a satellite, the MNO will count the satellite types and data volume used by users to charge users for phone bills, while the SSP or SNO will generate a bill according to the actual data volume used by the MNO or the data volume stipulated in the agreement to charge the MNO. Among them, due to different types of satellites, the service quality of the provided backhaul link is also different. For example, a geostationary satellite is as high as nearly 36,000 kilometers from the ground, with a long single-satellite service time and a long delay in the backhaul link, while a low-earth orbit satellite is 500 kilometers from the ground, with a short single-satellite service time and a short delay in the backhaul link. The SSP or SNO will also generate different bills according to different satellite types to distinguish the charging.

[0208] In related technologies, taking the SNO as an example, usually the SNO identifies and counts the usage traffic of the MNO based on its own satellite network and then generates a bill, while the MNO counts the usage traffic of users based on the User Plane Function (UPF) network element or Session Management Function (SMF) network element of its own core network, and then compares the bill provided by the SNO to pay the satellite rental fee. In this billing mode, due to reasons such as different network elements counted by both parties and different data packet formats, it is easy to cause the total data transmission volume counted by the SNO to be inconsistent with the total data transmission volume counted by the MNO, resulting in the problem of low accuracy of the billing result of the SNO. How to accurately bill for satellite-based communication has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0209] In view of the above problems, the embodiments of the present disclosure propose a billing method for satellite communication, a billing device for satellite communication, an electronic device, a billing system for satellite communication, a storage medium, a program product, and a computer program.

[0210] In order to better understand the billing method for satellite communication disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the billing system for satellite communication applicable to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described first below.

[0211] Figure 3 It is a schematic architecture diagram of a charging system for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0212] As Figure 3 shown, the charging system 300 for satellite communication may include, but is not limited to, a first charging function network element 301 deployed in a first network and a second charging function network element 302 deployed in a second network.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first network is a communication network provided by an operator MNO and may be referred to as a terrestrial network. The second network is a communication network provided for an SSP or an SNO and may be referred to as a satellite network. It should be noted that when the SSP has its own core network system and can independently operate satellite network services, the SSP is also an SNO at this time; when the SNO leases satellite resources to the MNO and provides satellite services to the MNO, the SNO is also an SSP at this time.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 is, for example, a charging function (CHF) network element or other network elements capable of implementing charging, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element 302 is, for example, a CHF network element or other network elements capable of implementing charging, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0216] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 4 , the charging system 300 for satellite communication may further include a charging trigger function network element 303 deployed in the first network.

[0217] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 is, for example, a SMF network element or other network elements with a charging trigger function, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0218] It can be understood that the charging system 300 for satellite communication described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0219] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Figure 3 or Figure 4 the charging system for satellite communication shown or a part of the main body thereof, but not limited thereto. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The main bodies shown are examples, and the charging system for satellite communication may include Figure 3 or Figure 4All or part of the main body therein may also include Figure 3 or Figure 4 Other main bodies other than, the quantity and form of each main body are arbitrary, each main body can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each main body is an example, each main body can be not connected or connected, and its connection can be in any way, it can be directly connected or indirectly connected, it can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0220] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, the fourth-generation mobile communication system (4G), the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems using other communication methods, next-generation systems extended based on them, etc. In addition, multiple systems can be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, etc.) and applied.

[0221] The billing method for satellite communication of the billing system 300 for satellite communication proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0222] Figure 5 It is an interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 5 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied toFigure 3 or Figure 4 The charging system 300 for satellite communication as shown, the method includes the following steps 501-502.

[0223] Step 501, the first charging functional network element 301 sends the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging functional network element 302.

[0224] Among them, the first charging information is the charging information used to generate the Charging Data Record (CDR), where the charging information is the information related to satellite charging. Among them, the CDR is the original data used to generate the charging bill. Among them, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the first charging information, which is, for example, "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc.

[0225] In some embodiments, the charging trigger functional network element 303 may send the charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the first charging functional network element 301, and the first charging functional network element 301 may directly forward the charging information sent by the charging trigger functional network element 303 one or more times to the second charging functional network element 302. Correspondingly, the first charging information in step 501 may include the charging information sent by the charging trigger functional network element 303 one or more times.

[0226] In some embodiments, the charging trigger functional network element 303 may send the charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the first charging functional network element 301, and the first charging functional network element 301 may integrate the charging information sent by the charging trigger functional network element 303 one or more times and send the integrated charging information to the second charging functional network element 302. Correspondingly, the first charging information in step 501 may include the integrated charging information, and the integrated charging information is obtained by integrating the charging information sent by the charging trigger functional network element 303 one or more times.

[0227] In some embodiments, the charging trigger functional network element 303 may send the charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the first charging functional network element 301, and the first charging functional network element 301 may generate a CDR according to the charging information sent by the charging trigger functional network element 303 one or more times, and send the CDR or the information in the CDR to the second charging functional network element 302. Correspondingly, the first charging information in step 501 may include the CDR or the information in the CDR, and the CDR is generated according to the charging information sent by the charging trigger functional network element 303 one or more times.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first charging information may be for some or all of the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network, and this application does not limit this. The number of some or all of these terminal devices may be one or more, and this application does not limit this. The satellite service may include at least one of terminal direct connection service and backhaul service.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 may first determine whether the terminal devices in the first network access the first network through satellite services. When it is determined that at least one terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services, the first charging information of some of the at least one terminal device may be sent to the second charging function network element 302, or the first charging information of all of the at least one terminal device may be sent to the second charging function network element 302.

[0230] In some embodiments, the following method may be used to determine that the satellite service used by the terminal device is a backhaul service: The Access and Mobility management function (AMF) network element determines that the terminal device is using satellite backhaul service to access the base station based on the configuration, then determines that the type of the satellite service is the type of satellite backhaul service, and sends the type of the satellite backhaul service to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element sends the type of the satellite backhaul service to the first charging function network element 301.

[0231] In some embodiments, the following method may be used to determine that the satellite service used by the terminal device is a terminal direct connection service: Specify radio access technologies (RATs) "NR(LEO)", "NR(MEO)", "NR(GEO)", and "NR(OTHERSAT)" to distinguish different New Radio (NR) satellite access types, and the AMF determines the RAT type based on the indication provided in the N2 interface. Among them, NR(LEO) represents New Radio (Low Earth Orbit), NR(MEO) represents New Radio (Medium Earth Orbit), NR(GEO) represents New Radio (Geostationary Orbit), and NR(OTHERSAT) represents New Radio (Other Satellites).

[0232] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 may send the first charging information of the terminal devices using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302 in response to meeting a set condition. The set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0233] The current moment is the target sending moment, and the preset duration is set between the target sending moment and the previous sending moment;

[0234] Receive an information sending instruction, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging function network element 301 to send first charging information;

[0235] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0236] Wherein, the preset duration can be obtained through negotiation between the first charging function network element 301 and the second charging function network element 302.

[0237] Step 502, the second charging function network element 302 creates or updates a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0238] In some embodiments, after receiving the first charging information, when the second charging function network element 302 has not created the first CDR, it can create the first CDR based on the first charging information, and when the first CDR has been created, it can update the created first CDR.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first CDR may include one or more of the first charging information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element 302 may send a charging response message to the first charging function network element 301.

[0241] In some embodiments, the charging response message may be sent in response to the generation of the first CDR, wherein the charging response message is used to indicate that the second charging function network element 302 has generated the first CDR.

[0242] In some embodiments, the charging response message may be sent in response to receiving the first charging information, wherein the charging response message is used to indicate that the second charging function network element 302 has received the first charging information.

[0243] Wherein, the second charging function network element 302 sending the charging response message to the first charging function network element 301 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 502, and this application does not limit this.

[0244] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 5 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0245] In the billing method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first charging function network element deployed in a first network can send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging function network element deployed in a second network. The first charging information is used to create or update a first charging data record (CDR), and the first CDR is used to generate a billing statement. Thus, the second charging function network element deployed in the second network can generate a first CDR for generating a billing statement based on the first charging information provided by the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent billing results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the billing results for satellite communication.

[0246] In addition, when the same SSP or SNO provides satellite services to different MNOs, the SSP or SNO needs to adapt to the billing methods of different MNOs. By adopting the billing method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present application, when the same SSP or SNO provides satellite services to different MNOs, the SSP or SNO can generate CDRs corresponding to different MNOs based on the same method, solving the problem that the same SSP or SNO needs to adapt to the billing methods of different MNOs and improving the generation efficiency of billing results.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 can send the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302 through different sending modes. One of the sending modes included can be, for example: the first charging function network element 301 sends the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302, where the first charging information is the billing information about satellite communication for the first network. The following is a detailed description of this mode.

[0248] Figure 6 It is an interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 6 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 3 or Figure 4 the satellite communication billing system 300 shown, and the method includes the following steps 601-602.

[0249] Step 601, the first charging function network element 301 sends the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302, where the first charging information is the billing information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0250] As a possible implementation manner, the first charging information may include at least one of the following information:

[0251] The operator identifier of the first network, which is used to uniquely identify the operator of the first network;

[0252] The operator identifier of the second network, which is used to uniquely identify the operator of the second network;

[0253] The identifier (SatelliteID) of the satellite and / or the identifier (Constellation ID) of the constellation that provides satellite services for the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network; wherein, the constellation can refer to a satellite constellation that belongs to the same SSP or SNO and forms a satellite network, or can also refer to a group of satellites that work together;

[0254] The quality of service (Satellite QoS) of the satellite that provides satellite services for the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network; wherein, the quality of service of the satellite can include the calculation results of at least one of the attributes such as throughput, latency, jitter, and error rate;

[0255] The satellite service indication (Satellite Service Information, SSI) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0256] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0257] The satellite type indication (Satellite Category) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite that provides satellite services for the corresponding terminal device;

[0258] The uplink data usage (Uplink Volume) and / or downlink data usage (Downlink Volume) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0259] At least one of the identifier, start time (Start Timestamp), end time (End Timestamp), and duration (Time duration) of the data connection session of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0260] The number of data connection sessions (Connection number) of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0261] The identifier of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to uniquely identify the corresponding terminal device.

[0262] Among them, the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network may include all terminal devices using satellite services in the first network or some terminal devices using satellite services in the first network. Among them, the number of all or some terminal devices may be one or more, and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation, the quality of service of the satellite, the satellite service indication, the satellite service type indication, the satellite type indication, the uplink data usage and / or the downlink data usage, the identifier of the data connection session, the start time, the end time and the duration, the number of data connection sessions, and the identifier of the terminal device may respectively correspond to a single terminal device or multiple terminal devices among all or some of the terminal devices.

[0263] Among them, the type of satellite providing satellite services may include medium-earth orbit satellites or medium Earth orbit satellite types, low-earth orbit satellites or low Earth orbit satellite types, geostationary orbit satellites or geostationary satellite types, other satellite types, etc.

[0264] Among them, the data connection session may be a protocol data unit session (PDU session) defined by the 3GPP standard specification, or may be other forms of sessions, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0265] In some embodiments, for any terminal device, when the first billing information includes the satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device, it indicates that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services; when the first billing information does not include the satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device, it indicates that the terminal device accesses the first network through non-satellite services. Among them, non-satellite services are, for example, terrestrial operator network services.

[0266] It can be understood that satellite services can include the following types: backhaul services and direct terminal connection services. Different types of satellite services may correspond to different charging rules. In some embodiments, the SSI can further indicate the type of satellite service. For example, the SSI includes a satellite service type indication for indicating whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a direct terminal connection service. For example, for any terminal device, when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the satellite service is a backhaul service; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the satellite service is a direct terminal connection service. Or, when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the satellite service is a backhaul service; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the satellite service is a direct terminal connection service.

[0267] It can be understood that different types of satellites providing satellite services may have different charging rules. In some embodiments, the SSI can further indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service. For example, the SSI includes a satellite type indication for indicating the type of the satellite providing the satellite service. For example, for any terminal device, when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "LEO", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the type of the satellite providing the satellite service is a low-earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "GEO", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the type of the satellite providing the satellite service is a geostationary orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "MEO", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the type of the satellite providing the satellite service is a medium-earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "OTHER_SAT", it can indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service and the type of the satellite providing the satellite service is other satellite types.

[0268] In some embodiments, the SSI may include a satellite service type indication and a satellite type indication. For example, for any terminal device, when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0" and the value of the satellite type indication is "LEO", it may be indicated that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a terminal direct connection service, and the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is a low earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0" and the value of the satellite type indication is "GEO", it may be indicated that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a terminal direct connection service, and the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is a geostationary orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite type indication is "LEO", it may be indicated that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a backhaul service, and the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is a low earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite type indication is "GEO", it may be indicated that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a backhaul service, and the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is a geostationary orbit satellite type.

[0269] In some embodiments, the satellite service type indication and the satellite type indication may be different from the satellite service indication SSI. For example, for any terminal device, the first charging information may include the SSI corresponding to the terminal device, the satellite service type indication, and the satellite type indication. Among them, taking the value of the SSI being "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication being "0" as an example, which indicates that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service and the satellite service is the terminal direct connection service. In the case where the value of the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication is "0", if the value of the satellite type indication is "LEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is the low-earth orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "GEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is the geostationary orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "MEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is the medium-earth orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "OTHER_SAT", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is other satellite types. Among them, taking the value of the SSI being "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication being "1" as an example, which indicates that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service and the satellite service is the backhaul service. In the case where the value of the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication is "1", if the value of the satellite type indication is "LEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the low-earth orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "GEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the geostationary orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "MEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the medium-earth orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "OTHER_SAT", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is other satellite types; if the value of the satellite type indication is "DYNAMIC_GEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the dynamic geostationary orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "DYNAMIC_MEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the dynamic medium-earth orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "DYNAMIC_LEO", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the dynamic low-earth orbit satellite type; if the value of the satellite type indication is "DYNAMIC_OTHER_SAT", it can indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is the dynamic other satellite types.

[0270] As another possible implementation, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0271] The total amount of uplink data used and / or the total amount of downlink data used corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0272] The total uplink data usage and / or the total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0273] The total uplink data usage and / or the total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network under each satellite category;

[0274] The total uplink data usage and / or the total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network under each satellite category;

[0275] The total number of protocol data unit (PDU) connections and / or the total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0276] The total number of PDU connections and / or the total PDU connection duration corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0277] As another possible implementation, the first billing information may include at least one of the following information:

[0278] The operator identifier of the first network, used to uniquely identify the operator of the first network;

[0279] The operator identifier of the second network, used to uniquely identify the operator of the second network;

[0280] The identifier (SatelliteID) of the satellite and / or the identifier (Constellation ID) of the constellation that provides satellite services for the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network; wherein, the constellation may refer to a satellite constellation that belongs to the same SSP or SNO and forms a satellite network, or may refer to a group of satellites that work together;

[0281] The quality of service (Satellite QoS) of the satellite that provides satellite services for the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network; wherein, the quality of service of the satellite may include the calculation results of at least one of the attributes such as throughput, latency, jitter, and error rate;

[0282] The satellite service indication (Satellite Service Information, SSI) corresponding to the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network, used to indicate that the corresponding terminal devices access the first network through satellite services;

[0283] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network, used to indicate that the satellite services used by the corresponding terminal devices are backhaul services or terminal direct connection services;

[0284] The satellite type indication (SatelliteCategory) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of satellite providing satellite services for the corresponding terminal device;

[0285] The uplink data volume (Uplink Volume) and / or downlink data volume (Downlink Volume) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0286] At least one of the identification, start time (StartTimestamp), end time (End Timestamp), and duration (Time duration) of the data connection session of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0287] The number of data connection sessions (Connectionnumber) of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0288] The identification of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to uniquely identify the corresponding terminal device;

[0289] The total uplink data usage amount and / or total downlink data usage amount corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0290] The total uplink data usage amount and / or total downlink data usage amount corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0291] The total uplink data usage amount and / or total downlink data usage amount under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0292] The total uplink data usage amount and / or total downlink data usage amount under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0293] The total PDU connection amount and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0294] The total PDU connection amount and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0295] Among them, for the description of the above information included in the first billing information, reference can be made to other associated parts, which will not be elaborated here.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first charging information may be carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302. The charging request message also carries first quota information. The first quota information is for the first network and includes first quota application information for applying for a quota and / or first quota usage information for informing of the used quota.

[0297] By sending the first quota information from the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302 to apply for a quota for the second network or inform of the used quota, refined control of traffic can be achieved.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 may, in response to meeting a set condition, send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element 302, or send a charging request message carrying the first charging information, or send a charging request message carrying the first charging information and the first quota information. The set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0299] The current moment is the target sending moment, and the preset duration is the interval between the target sending moment and the previous sending moment;

[0300] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging function network element 301 to send the first charging information;

[0301] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0302] The target sending moment and the previous sending moment are both moments when charging information needs to be sent to the second charging function network element 302. The previous sending moment is before the target sending moment and is separated from the target sending moment by a preset duration.

[0303] The preset duration may be obtained through negotiation between the first charging function network element 301 and the second charging function network element 302.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 and the second charging function network element 302 may determine the sending mode for the first charging function network element 301 to send the first charging information to the second charging function network element 302 through negotiation.

[0305] As a possible negotiation method, the first charging function network element 301 may send a first charging mode indication to the second charging function network element 302, where the first charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element 301 sends charging information about satellite communication for the first network. Further, the first charging function network element 301 may, based on the first charging mode indication, adopt the sending mode shown in step 601 or an alternative implementation of step 601 to send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element 302.

[0306] In some embodiments, the first charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302 may be carried in the charging mode request sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302, and the charging mode request may also carry information related to the set conditions. Thus, the first charging function network element 301 may, based on the information related to the set conditions, determine when to send the first charging information when the set conditions are met. Further, in response to meeting the set conditions, based on the first charging mode indication, the first charging function network element 301 adopts the sending mode shown in step 601 or an alternative implementation of step 601 to send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element 302. Among them, the information related to the set conditions may include, for example, at least one of the following: preset duration information of the interval between the target sending time and the previous sending time; indication information for indicating that the first charging function network element 301 sends charging information in response to receiving an information sending instruction; indication information for indicating that the first charging function network element 301 sends charging information in response to the occurrence of a trigger event, where the trigger event is used to trigger the sending of charging information.

[0307] As another possible negotiation method, the second charging function network element 302 may send a first charging mode indication to the first charging function network element 301. Correspondingly, the first charging function network element 301 may receive the first charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element 302. Wherein, the first charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element 301 sends charging information about satellite communication for the first network. Thus, the first charging function network element 301 may, based on the first charging mode indication, adopt the sending mode shown in step 601 or an alternative implementation of step 601 to send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element 302.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element 302 to the first charging function network element 301 may be carried in the charging mode response sent by the second charging function network element 302 to the first charging function network element 301. The charging mode response may also carry information related to the set conditions. Thus, the first charging function network element 301 may determine, based on the information related to the set conditions, under what set conditions to send the first charging information. Furthermore, in response to meeting the set conditions, based on the first charging mode indication, the first charging function network element 301 may use the sending mode shown in step 601 or the alternative implementation of step 601 to send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element 302. Among them, the information related to the set conditions may include, for example, at least one of the following: the preset duration information of the interval between the target sending time and the previous sending time; the indication information for instructing the first charging function network element 301 to send the charging information in response to receiving the information sending instruction; the indication information for instructing the first charging function network element 301 to send the charging information in response to the occurrence of a trigger event, where the trigger event is used to trigger the sending of the charging information.

[0309] As another possible negotiation method, the first charging function network element 301 may send the first charging mode indication to the second charging function network element 302, and the second charging function network element 302 may return the first charging mode indication to the first charging function network element 301. Among them, the first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element 301 to send the charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network. Thus, the first charging function network element 301 may use the sending mode shown in step 601 or the alternative implementation of step 601 to send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element 302 based on the first charging mode indication.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first charging mode indication sent by the first charging functional network element 301 to the second charging functional network element 302 may be carried in the charging mode request sent by the first charging functional network element 301 to the second charging functional network element 302. The first charging mode indication sent by the second charging functional network element 302 to the first charging functional network element 301 may be carried in the charging mode response returned by the second charging functional network element 302 to the first charging functional network element 301. Information related to the set conditions may also be carried in the charging mode request and / or the charging mode response. Thus, the first charging functional network element 301 may determine, based on the information related to the set conditions, under what set conditions to send the first charging information. Furthermore, in response to meeting the set conditions, based on the first charging mode indication, the first charging functional network element 301 may use the sending mode shown in step 601 or the alternative implementation of step 601 to send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging functional network element 302. Among them, the information related to the set conditions may include, for example, at least one of the following: preset duration information of the interval between the target sending time and the previous sending time; indication information for instructing the first charging functional network element 301 to send charging information in response to receiving an information sending instruction; indication information for instructing the first charging functional network element 301 to send charging information in response to the occurrence of a triggering event, where the triggering event is used to trigger the sending of charging information.

[0311] The alternative implementation of step 601 may refer to Figure 5 the alternative implementation of step 501 of Figure 5 and other related parts in the embodiments involved, which will not be elaborated here.

[0312] Step 602, the second charging functional network element 302 creates or updates the first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first CDR may include one or more of the first charging information.

[0314] In some embodiments, the second charging functional network element 302 may send a charging response message to the first charging functional network element 301. Among them, the second charging functional network element 302 sending a charging response message to the first charging functional network element 301 may be executed in an exchange order with step 602 or simultaneously, and this application does not limit this.

[0315] In some embodiments, the charging response message may include a first quota response message, where the first quota response message may be for the first network.

[0316] In some embodiments, the first quota response message may include at least one of the parameters shown in Table 1 below:

[0317] Parameters Included in the First Quota Response Message and Their Corresponding Meanings in Table 1

[0318] Parameter Meaning Quota Grant Information Authorized Quota Information Quota Holding Time Quota Retention Time Triggers Triggers for Reporting Quota Usage Reports

[0319] Among them, the permitted quota information (Quota Grant Information) may include at least one of the parameters shown in Table 2 below:

[0320] Parameters Included in the Permitted Quota Information and Their Corresponding Meanings in Table 2

[0321] Time Time Quota Information Total Volume Total Quantity of Quotas Granted in Uplink and Downlink Directions Uplink Volume Quantity of Quotas Granted in Uplink Direction Downlink Volume Quantity of Quotas Granted in Downlink Direction

[0322] For the optional implementation of step 602, reference can be made to Figure 5 the optional implementation of step 502 in Figure 5 and other related parts in the embodiments involved. Details are not described here.

[0323] In some embodiments, reference can be made to Figure 6 other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0324] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first charging function network element deployed in the first network can send the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second charging function network element deployed in the second network. Among them, the first charging information is the charging information for satellite communication regarding the first network, so that the second charging function network element deployed in the second network can generate the first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication. Moreover, by the first charging function network element sending the charging information for satellite communication regarding the first network to the second charging function network element, it avoids the first charging function network element sending the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging function network element multiple times, saving signaling and resource overhead and simplifying the process of sending charging information.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 can send the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302 through different sending modes. One of the sending modes included can be, for example: the first charging function network element 301 sends the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302, where the first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The following details this mode.

[0326] Figure 7It is an interaction diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 7 shown, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 4 the satellite communication billing system 300 shown, and this method includes the following steps 701-703.

[0327] Step 701, the charging trigger function network element 303 sends the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the first charging function network element 301, where the first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service.

[0328] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 may, in response to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of a single terminal device using the satellite service being triggered, send the charging information of this single terminal device to the first charging function network element 301.

[0329] Taking the charging trigger function network element 303 as the SMF network element, the first charging function network element 301 as the CHF network element, and the data connection session of a single terminal device using the satellite service as the PDU session as an example, the SMF network element and the CHF network element can interact with the AMF, UPF, Policy Control Function (PCF), and Access Network (AN) in the first network to implement the establishment of this PDU session, PDU session authentication / authorization, session management policy modification, etc. Furthermore, the SMF network element can, when determining that this single terminal device uses the satellite service, in response to the charging trigger event of the PDU session of this single terminal device being triggered, send the charging information of this single terminal device to the CHF network element to obtain authorization to charge based on the default charging trigger event.

[0330] In some embodiments, the first charging information may include at least one of the following information:

[0331] The operator identifier of the first network, which is used to uniquely identify the operator of the first network;

[0332] The operator identifier of the second network, which is used to uniquely identify the operator of the second network;

[0333] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation providing satellite services for a single terminal device, where the constellation may refer to a satellite constellation that belongs to the same SSP or SNO and forms a satellite network, or may refer to a group of satellites working together;

[0334] The quality of service (QoS) of the satellite providing satellite services for a single terminal device, where the QoS of the satellite may include the calculation result of at least one of attributes such as throughput, latency, jitter, and error rate;

[0335] The satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services;

[0336] The indication of the satellite service type corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0337] The indication of the satellite type corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0338] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to a single terminal device;

[0339] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of a single terminal device;

[0340] The identifier of a single terminal device;

[0341] QoS flow identifier.

[0342] Among them, the type of the satellite providing the satellite service may include medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellite type, low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite type, geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite type, other satellite types, etc.

[0343] Among them, the data connection session may be a PDU session defined by 3GPP standard specifications, or other forms of sessions, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0344] In some embodiments, when the first charging information includes the satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to a single terminal device, it indicates that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services; when the first charging information does not include the satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to the single terminal device, it indicates that the single terminal device accesses the first network through non-satellite services. Among them, non-satellite services, such as terrestrial operator network services.

[0345] It can be understood that satellite services may include the following types: backhaul services and device-to-device (D2D) services. Different types of satellite services may correspond to different charging rules. In some embodiments, the SSI corresponding to a single terminal device may further indicate the type of satellite service used by the single terminal device. For example, the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device includes a satellite service type indication for indicating that the satellite service used by the single terminal device is a backhaul service or a D2D service. For example, in the case where the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the satellite service is a backhaul service; in the case where the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the satellite service is a D2D service. Alternatively, in the case where the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the satellite service is a backhaul service; in the case where the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the satellite service is a D2D service.

[0346] It can be understood that the charging rules may vary depending on the type of satellite providing satellite services. In some embodiments, the SSI corresponding to a single terminal device may further indicate the type of satellite providing satellite services. For example, the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device includes a satellite type indication for indicating the type of satellite providing satellite services. For instance, when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "LEO", it can indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the type of satellite providing satellite services is a low-earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "GEO", it can indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the type of satellite providing satellite services is a geostationary orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "MEO", it can indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the type of satellite providing satellite services is a medium-earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device and the value of the satellite type indication included in the SSI is "OTHER_SAT", it can indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services and the type of satellite providing satellite services is other satellite types.

[0347] In some embodiments, the SSI corresponding to a single terminal device may include a satellite service type indication and a satellite type indication. For example, when the first billing information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0" and the value of the satellite type indication is "LEO", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a terminal direct connection service, and the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is a low earth orbit satellite type; when the first billing information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0" and the value of the satellite type indication is "GEO", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a terminal direct connection service, and the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service is a geostationary orbit satellite type; when the first billing information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite type indication is "LEO", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a backhaul service, and the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is a low earth orbit satellite type; when the first billing information includes the SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite type indication is "GEO", it may indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service, and the satellite service is a backhaul service, and the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service is a geostationary orbit satellite type.

[0348] In some embodiments, the satellite service type indication and satellite type indication corresponding to a single terminal device may be different from the satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to the single terminal device. For example, the first billing information may include the SSI, satellite service type indication, and satellite type indication corresponding to a single terminal device. Among them, taking the value of the SSI being "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication being "0", which indicates that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service and the satellite service is a terminal direct connection service as an example, when the value of the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication is "0", the value of the satellite type indication being "LEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service for the single terminal device is a low Earth orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "GEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service for the single terminal device is a geostationary orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "MEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service for the single terminal device is a medium Earth orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "OTHER_SAT" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the terminal direct connection service for the single terminal device is other satellite types. Among them, taking the value of the SSI being "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication being "1", which indicates that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite service and the satellite service is a backhaul service as an example, when the value of the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite service type indication is "1", the value of the satellite type indication being "LEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a low Earth orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "GEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a geostationary orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "MEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a medium Earth orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "OTHER_SAT" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is other satellite types; the value of the satellite type indication being "DYNAMIC_GEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a dynamic geostationary orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "DYNAMIC_MEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a dynamic medium Earth orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "DYNAMIC_LEO" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a dynamic low Earth orbit satellite type; the value of the satellite type indication being "DYNAMIC_OTHER_SAT" may indicate that the type of the satellite providing the backhaul service for the single terminal device is a dynamic other satellite type.

[0349] It should be noted that the single terminal device in step 701 and the optional implementation means refers to a single terminal device using satellite services.

[0350] Step 702, the first charging function network element 301 sends the first charging information to the second charging function network element 302 in response to receiving the first charging information.

[0351] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 can send the charging information of the single terminal device to the first charging function network element 301 in response to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device using satellite services being triggered. The first charging function network element 301 can immediately forward the first charging information to the second charging function network element 302 after receiving the first charging information.

[0352] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 can send a charging request message to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 can send a charging request message to the second charging function network element 302. In some embodiments, the first charging information can be carried in the charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and / or carried in the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302. In some embodiments, the charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and / or the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302, may also carry at least one of the following information:

[0353] The first charging negotiation information, where the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0354] The second quota information, where the second quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the second quota information includes the second quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or the second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0355] Among them, the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category between the MNO and the SNO or between the MNO and the SSP.

[0356] Among them, the charging trigger event is an event used to trigger charging, which may refer to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of the above single terminal device.

[0357] Among them, the meaning of immediate reporting is that for the current charging event, the current count is closed, the charging information is sent immediately, and a new count is established at the same time; the meaning of deferred reporting is that for the current charging event, the current count is closed and stored together with the charging information generated by the charging trigger function network element 303, and the stored count will be sent to the second charging function network element 302 in the next charging request message, and a new count will be started by the charging trigger function network element 303.

[0358] In some embodiments, the first charging negotiation information may include at least one of the parameters shown in Table 3 below:

[0359] Table 3 Parameters included in the first charging negotiation information and their corresponding meanings

[0360] In some embodiments, taking the data connection session as the PDU session as an example, the charging trigger event and the reporting category may include at least one of the charging trigger events and the corresponding reporting categories shown in Table 4:

[0361] Table 4 Charging trigger events and corresponding reporting categories

[0362]

[0363]

[0364] In some embodiments, the second quota information may be sent when at least one of the quota management conditions shown in Table 5 below is met:

[0365] Table 5 Quota management conditions and corresponding reporting categories

[0366]

[0367] By sending the second quota information from the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 forwarding the second quota information to the second charging function network element 302 to apply for a quota from the second network or inform the used quota, refined control of traffic can be achieved.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 may determine which specific CHF network element the second charging function network element 302 is according to at least one of the following information:

[0369] At least one of the CHF address provided by the policy control function PCF for the data connection session of the terminal device, the CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or the CHF set identifier; wherein, the terminal device may refer to a single terminal device using satellite services;

[0370] Billing feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM);

[0371] CHF instances discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0372] Billing feature information locally provided by the SMF.

[0373] In some embodiments, the SMF may be the charging trigger function network element in the foregoing embodiments.

[0374] In some embodiments, when using the NRF to discover CHF instances, in the case where the charging rule for the data connection session of a single terminal device using satellite services indicates that the data connection session is "offline only", the NRF may select a CHF instance that supports the "offline only" service instance of the CHF.

[0375] Among them, the charging rules include "offline only", "online only", and "converged charging", indicating whether the service data flow in the data connection session of the terminal device performs online charging, offline charging, or converged activation. The charging rules may be pre-configured in the SMF network element, and the SMF network element activates the charging rules for the data connection session of the terminal device. Alternatively, the PCF may also send and activate dynamic charging rules to the SMF, or the PCF may send and activate specified pre-configured charging rules to the SMF.

[0376] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 may determine the second charging function network element 302 in response to the start of establishment of the data connection session of a single terminal device using satellite services. For example, the first charging function network element 301 may determine the second charging function network element 302 during the establishment process of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0377] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 and the second charging function network element 302 may negotiate to determine the sending mode of the first charging information sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302.

[0378] As a possible negotiation method, the first charging function network element 301 may send a second charging mode indication to the second charging function network element 302. The second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element 301 sends the charging information of a single terminal device for using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302 in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device. The charging information of the single terminal is sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301 after being triggered by a charging trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device. Furthermore, the first charging function network element 301 may, based on the second charging mode indication, adopt the sending mode shown in the embodiments of the present application to send the first charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging function network element 302. Optionally, the second charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302 may be carried in a charging mode request sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302.

[0379] As another possible negotiation method, the second charging function network element 302 may send a second charging mode indication to the first charging function network element 301. The second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element 301 sends the charging information of a single terminal device for using satellite services to the second charging function network element 302 in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device. The charging information of the single terminal is sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301 after being triggered by a charging trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device. Correspondingly, the first charging function network element 301 may receive the second charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element 302. Thus, the first charging function network element 301 may, based on the second charging mode indication, adopt the sending mode shown in the embodiments of the present application to send the first charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging function network element 302. Optionally, the second charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element 302 to the first charging function network element 301 may be carried in a charging mode response sent by the second charging function network element 302 to the first charging function network element 301.

[0380] As another possible negotiation method, the first charging function network element 301 may send a second charging mode indication to the second charging function network element 302, and the second charging function network element 302 may return the second charging mode indication to the first charging function network element 301. The second charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element 301 to send the charging information of the single terminal device to the second charging function network element 302 in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service. The charging information of the single terminal is sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301 after being triggered by a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device. Thus, the first charging function network element 301 may, based on the second charging mode indication, adopt the sending mode shown in the embodiments of the present application to send the first charging information for the single terminal device to the second charging function network element 302. Optionally, the second charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302 may be carried in the charging mode request sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302, and the second charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element 302 to the first charging function network element 301 may be carried in the charging mode response returned by the second charging function network element 302 to the first charging function network element 301.

[0381] For the optional implementation of step 702, reference may be made to Figure 5 the optional implementation of step 501 in Figure 5 and other related parts in the involved embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0382] Step 703, the second charging function network element 302 creates a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0383] For the optional implementation of step 703, reference may be made to Figure 5 the optional implementation of step 502 in Figure 5 and other related parts in the involved embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first charging function network element 301 may also create a second CDR based on the first charging information received from the charging trigger function network element 303, and the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Among them, the step of the first charging function network element 301 creating the second CDR may be executed in an order exchanged with step 702 or simultaneously, and the present application does not limit this. In some embodiments, the second CDR may include one or more of the first charging information.

[0385] The first charging function network element 301 creates a second CDR based on the first charging information provided by the charging trigger function network element 303. The second charging function network element 302 creates a first CDR based on the first charging information forwarded by the first charging function network element, which can ensure that the first charging function network element 301 and the second charging function network element 302 perform charging based on the same data, avoid the problem of inconsistent charging results between the first network and the second network, and improve the accuracy of the charging results of satellite communication.

[0386] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element 302 may send a charging response message to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 may forward the charging response message to the charging trigger function network element 303.

[0387] Among them, the second charging function network element 302 sending the charging response message to the first charging function network element 301 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 703. The first charging function network element 301 forwarding the charging response message to the charging trigger function network element 303 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 702. This application does not limit this.

[0388] In some embodiments, the charging response message may include at least one of the following: first updated charging negotiation information, second quota response message. Among them, the second quota response message may be for the first network or a single terminal device. The parameters included in the second quota response message may refer to Table 1 and Table 2, which will not be elaborated here. Among them, the first updated charging negotiation information is used to negotiate charging trigger events and / or reporting categories. For the explanation of the first updated charging negotiation information, reference can be made to the first charging negotiation information, which will not be elaborated here. It can be understood that the charging trigger events and / or reporting categories included in the first updated charging negotiation information will replace the charging trigger events and / or reporting categories in the original default first charging negotiation information of the first charging function network element 301.

[0389] In some embodiments, reference can be made to Figure 7 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0390] In summary, for the charging method of satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network can send the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the first charging function network element deployed in the first network. The first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using the satellite service. The first charging function network element can, in response to receiving the first charging information, send the first charging information to the second charging function network element deployed in the second network, so that the second charging function network element can generate the first CDR for generating the charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the charging trigger function network element, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results of satellite communication.

[0391] Figure 8 is an interaction diagram of the charging method of satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 8 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 4 the satellite communication charging system 300 shown, and on the basis of the method shown in Figure 7 the following steps 801-804 are further included.

[0392] Step 801, the charging trigger function network element 303 sends the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element 301.

[0393] The charging information to be updated is the charging information that needs to be updated and can be used to update the second CDR and the first CDR. The charging information to be updated may include Figure 7 the updated information of one or more types of information included in the first charging information in the shown embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0394] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 can send the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element 301 in response to the establishment or modification of the data connection session of a single terminal device using the satellite service.

[0395] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 can send the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element 301 in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0396] The charging condition changes, where the charging condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identifier;

[0397] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0398] The quota limit is reached.

[0399] In some embodiments, in response to a change in the charging condition, the charging trigger function network element 303 sends the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element 301, which is applicable to the convergent charging scenario and the offline charging scenario.

[0400] In some embodiments, the limit per rating group may include at least one of the following: expiry of data time limit per RG, expiry of data volume limit per RG, and expiry of data event limit per RG. In some embodiments, in response to reaching the limit of the rating group, the charging trigger function network element 303 sends the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element 301, which is applicable to the convergent charging scenario and the offline charging scenario.

[0401] In some embodiments, reaching the quota limit triggers the quota management triggers. Optionally, triggering the quota management triggers may include at least one of the following: time threshold reached, volume threshold reached, unit threshold reached, time quota exhausted, volume quota exhausted, unit quota exhausted, expiry of quota validity time, and re-authorization request by CHF. In some embodiments, in response to reaching the quota limit, the charging trigger function network element 303 sends the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element 301, which is applicable to the convergent charging scenario.

[0402] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes a change in the charging condition, the charging information to be updated may include information related to the changed charging condition. For example, when the update trigger condition is a change in the satellite identifier, the charging information to be updated may include the satellite identifier of the latest satellite providing satellite services.

[0403] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes reaching the limit of a rate group, the charging information to be updated may include information related to the reached limit of the rate group.

[0404] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes reaching a quota limit, the charging information to be updated may include information related to the reached quota limit.

[0405] Step 802: The first charging function network element 301 updates the second CDR based on the charging information to be updated.

[0406] Step 803: The first charging function network element 301 forwards the charging information to be updated to the second charging function network element 302.

[0407] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 may send a charging update message to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 may send a charging update message to the second charging function network element 302. The charging update message is used to request an update to the generated CDR. In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated may be carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302. In some embodiments, at least one of the following information may also be carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and / or in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302:

[0408] Second charging negotiation information, where the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate a charging trigger event and / or a reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0409] Third quota information, where the third quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the third quota information includes third quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0410] The second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate a charging trigger event and / or a reporting category between the MNO and the SNO or between the MNO and the SSP.

[0411] For the explanations of the second charging negotiation information and the third quota information, reference may be made to the first charging negotiation information and the second quota information, which will not be elaborated here.

[0412] The charging trigger function network element 303 sends the third quota information to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 forwards the third quota information to the second charging function network element 302 to apply for a quota from the second network or inform the used quota, so as to achieve refined control of traffic.

[0413] Step 804, the second charging function network element 302 updates the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated.

[0414] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element 302 may send a charging update response message to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 may forward the charging update response message to the charging trigger function network element 303. The charging update response message is used to indicate the updated CDR or the received charging information to be updated.

[0415] Wherein, the second charging function network element 302 sending the charging update response message to the first charging function network element 301 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 804, and the first charging function network element 301 forwarding the charging update response message to the charging trigger function network element 303 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 802. This application does not limit this.

[0416] In some embodiments, the charging update response message may include at least one of the following: the second updated charging negotiation information, the third quota response message. The third quota response message may be for the first network or a single terminal device. The parameters included in the third quota response message may refer to Table 1 and Table 2, which will not be elaborated here. The second updated charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category. For the explanation of the second updated charging negotiation information, reference may be made to the first charging negotiation information, which will not be elaborated here. It can be understood that the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category included in the second updated charging negotiation information will replace the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category in the original default second charging negotiation information of the first charging function network element 301.

[0417] In some embodiments, steps 801-804 may be executed after step 703.

[0418] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 8 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0419] In summary, for the charging method of satellite communication provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the charging trigger function network element sends the charging information to be updated to the first charging function network element. The first charging function network element updates the second CDR based on the charging information to be updated, and the first charging function network element forwards the charging information to be updated to the second charging function network element. The second charging function network element updates the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated, which can ensure the timeliness and consistency of the charging results generated by the first network and the second network.

[0420] Figure 9 It is an interaction diagram of the charging method of satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 9 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 4 the satellite communication charging system 300 shown in Figure 7 or Figure 8 Based on the charging method of satellite communication shown in

[0421] Step 901, the charging trigger function network element 303 sends a charging termination instruction to the first charging function network element 301.

[0422] Among them, the charging termination instruction is used to indicate to close the generated CDR.

[0423] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 may send a charging termination instruction to the first charging function network element 301 in response to detecting the release of the data connection session of a single terminal device that has been established.

[0424] Step 902, the first charging function network element 301 closes the second CDR based on the charging termination instruction.

[0425] Step 903, the first charging function network element 301 forwards the charging termination instruction to the second charging function network element 302.

[0426] Step 904, the second charging function network element 302 closes the first CDR based on the charging termination instruction.

[0427] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function network element 303 may send a charging termination message to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 may send a charging termination message to the second charging function network element 302. The charging termination message is used to request to close the generated CDR. In some embodiments, the charging termination indication may be carried in the charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and / or carried in the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302. In some embodiments, the charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function network element 303 to the first charging function network element 301, and / or the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element 301 to the second charging function network element 302 may further carry at least one of the following information:

[0428] The second charging information of a single terminal device using satellite services, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0429] The fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes the fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or the fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0430] For the explanation of the fourth quota information, reference may be made to the second quota information, which will not be elaborated here.

[0431] The second charging information may be the charging information of the single terminal device generated when the data connection session of the single terminal device is released. The information included in the second charging information may be set as needed, and specifically, reference may be made to Figure 7 the first charging information in the illustrated embodiment, which will not be elaborated here. The name of the second charging information in the embodiments of the present application is not limited, and for example, it is "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc.

[0432] It can be understood that in the case where the charging termination message carries the second charging information of a single terminal device using satellite services, the first charging function network element 301 may close the second CDR based on the charging termination indication after updating the second CDR based on the second charging information, and the second charging function network element 302 may close the first CDR based on the charging termination indication after updating the first CDR based on the second charging information.

[0433] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element 302 may send a charging termination response message to the first charging function network element 301, and the first charging function network element 301 may forward the charging termination response message to the charging trigger function network element 303. The charging update termination message is used to indicate that the CDR has been closed, or a charging termination indication or a charging termination message has been received.

[0434] Wherein, the second charging function network element 302 sending the charging termination response message to the first charging function network element 301 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 904, and the first charging function network element 301 forwarding the charging termination response message to the charging trigger function network element 303 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 902. This application does not make any restrictions in this regard.

[0435] In some embodiments, steps 901-904 may be executed after step 703, or after step 804. This application does not make any restrictions in this regard.

[0436] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 9 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0437] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, through the charging termination indication sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, the first charging function network element closes the second CDR based on the charging termination indication, the first charging function network element forwards the charging termination indication to the second charging function network element, and the second charging function network element closes the first CDR based on the charging termination indication, so as to ensure that the second charging function network element and the first charging function network element stop charging in time, so as to ensure the consistency of the charging results generated by the first network and the second network.

[0438] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 10 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, and the method includes the following step 1001.

[0439] Step 1001, sending the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second charging function network element deployed in the second network; wherein, the first charging information is used to create or update the first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0440] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0441] Determine that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0442] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0443] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of step 1001, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0444] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first charging functional network element deployed in the first network sends first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging functional network element deployed in the second network. The first charging information is used to create or update a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Thus, the second charging functional network element deployed in the second network can generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the first charging functional network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication.

[0445] Figure 11 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 11 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a first charging functional network element deployed in the first network, and the method includes the following step 1101.

[0446] Step 1101: Send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging functional network element deployed in the second network; the first charging information is charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network, the first charging information is used to create or update a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0447] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of step 1101, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0448] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0449] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0450] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0451] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation that provides satellite services for the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0452] The quality of service QoS of the satellite that provides satellite services for the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0453] The satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services;

[0454] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0455] The satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing satellite services for the corresponding terminal device;

[0456] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0457] At least one of the identification, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0458] The number of data connection sessions of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0459] The identification of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network.

[0460] In some embodiments, the first billing information includes at least one of the following information:

[0461] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0462] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0463] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0464] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0465] The total PDU connection quantity and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0466] The total PDU connection quantity and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0467] In some embodiments, the first billing information is sent in response to meeting a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0468] The current moment is the target sending moment, and there is a preset time interval between the target sending moment and the previous sending moment;

[0469] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send first charging information;

[0470] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0471] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, and the charging request message also carries first quota information, where the first quota information is for the first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or first quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0472] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0473] Sending a first charging mode indication to the second charging function network element;

[0474] Wherein, the first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0475] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0476] Receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element;

[0477] Wherein, the first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0478] Wherein, the step of sending to the second charging function network element and / or receiving the first charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element can be executed before step 1101.

[0479] The charging method for satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is such that a first charging functional network element deployed in a first network can send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging functional network element deployed in a second network. Herein, the first charging information is charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network, enabling the second charging functional network element deployed in the second network to generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the first charging functional network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication. Moreover, by the first charging functional network element sending the charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network to the second charging functional network element, it is avoided that the first charging functional network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging functional network element multiple times, saving signaling and resource overheads and simplifying the process of sending charging information.

[0480] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 12 shown, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a first charging functional network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes the following step 1201.

[0481] Step 1201: Send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second charging functional network element deployed in a second network; wherein, the first charging information is charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services, which is sent to the first charging functional network element by a charging trigger functional network element in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of a single terminal device, and the first charging information is used to create a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0482] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent by the first charging functional network element to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information of a single terminal device.

[0483] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0484] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0485] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0486] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation providing satellite services for a single terminal device;

[0487] The QoS of the satellite providing satellite services for a single terminal device;

[0488] The satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services;

[0489] The satellite service type indication corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0490] The satellite type indication corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0491] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to a single terminal device;

[0492] At least one of the identification, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of a single terminal device;

[0493] The identification of a single terminal device;

[0494] The QoS flow identification.

[0495] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in the charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0496] The charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, also carry at least one of the following information:

[0497] The first charging negotiation information, where the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0498] The second quota information, where the second quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the second quota information includes the second quota application information for applying for the quota, and / or the second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0499] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0500] Determine the second charging function network element according to at least one of the following information:

[0501] At least one of the CHF address provided by the policy control function (PCF) for the data connection session of the terminal device, the CHF instance identification associated with the data connection session, and the CHF set identification;

[0502] The charging feature information provided by the unified data management function (UDM);

[0503] CHF instances discovered by the Network Storage Function NRF;

[0504] Billing feature information locally provided by the SMF.

[0505] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0506] Create a second CDR based on the first billing information received from the charging trigger function network element, where the second CDR is used to generate a billing statement.

[0507] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0508] Send a second billing mode indication to the second charging function network element;

[0509] Wherein, the second billing mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The charging information of a single terminal is sent to the first charging function network element by the charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network being triggered by a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0510] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0511] Receive the second billing mode indication sent by the second charging function network element;

[0512] Send a second billing mode indication to the second charging function network element;

[0513] Wherein, the second billing mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The charging information of a single terminal is sent to the first charging function network element by the charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network being triggered by a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0514] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of step 1201, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0515] The billing method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The first charging function network element deployed in the first network can forward the first charging information sent by the charging trigger function network element to the second charging function network element deployed in the second network. The first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services, enabling the second charging function network element to generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the charging trigger function network element, thus avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication.

[0516] Figure 13 It is a schematic flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 13 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the first charging function network element deployed in the first network. Based on what is shown in Figure 12 the following, the method further includes the following steps 1301-1303.

[0517] Step 1301, receive the charging information to be updated sent by the charging trigger function network element.

[0518] Step 1302, update the second CDR based on the charging information to be updated.

[0519] Step 1303, forward the charging information to be updated to the second charging function network element. The charging information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

[0520] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0521] The charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, also carry at least one of the following information:

[0522] Second charging negotiation information, where the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0523] Third quota information, where the third quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device. The third quota information includes the third quota application information for applying for the quota, and / or the third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0524] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is sent by a charging trigger function network element in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0525] The charging condition changes, where the charging condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing satellite services, the quality of satellite services, and the satellite identifier;

[0526] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0527] The quota limit is reached.

[0528] Among them, steps 1302 and 1303 can be executed in reverse order or simultaneously, and this application does not limit this.

[0529] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1301 - 1303, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0530] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, through the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, updates the second CDR based on the charging information to be updated sent by the charging trigger function network element, and forwards the charging information to be updated to the second charging function network element deployed in the second network, so that the second charging function network element can update the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated, thereby ensuring the timeliness and consistency of the charging results generated by the first network and the second network.

[0531] Figure 14 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 14 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the first charging function network element deployed in the first network. Based on this shown in Figure 12 or 13, the following steps 1401 - 1403 are further included.

[0532] Step 1401, receive a charging termination indication sent by the charging trigger function network element.

[0533] Step 1402, close the second CDR based on the charging termination indication.

[0534] Step 1403, forward the charging termination indication to the second charging function network element, and the charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0535] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in the charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0536] The charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, further carries at least one of the following information:

[0537] The second charging information of a single terminal device, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0538] The fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes the fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or the fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0539] Among them, steps 1402 and 1403 can be executed in an exchanged order or simultaneously, and the present application does not limit this.

[0540] For the specific implementation processes, principles, and optional implementation manners of steps 1401-1403, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0541] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, through the first charging function network element deployed in the first network, based on the charging termination indication sent by the charging trigger function network element, closes the second CDR, and forwards the charging termination indication to the second charging function network element deployed in the second network, so that the second charging function network element can close the first CDR based on the charging termination indication, thereby ensuring that the second charging function network element and the first charging function network element stop charging in a timely manner to ensure the consistency of the charging results generated by the first network and the second network.

[0542] Figure 15 It is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 15 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the second charging function network element deployed in the first network, and this method includes the following steps 1501-1502.

[0543] Step 1501, receive the first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service sent by the first charging function network element deployed in the first network.

[0544] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0545] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0546] Step 1502, based on the first charging information, create or update the first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0547] For the specific implementation process, principle, and alternative implementation methods of steps 1501-1502, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0548] The billing method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure receives, through a second charging functional network element deployed in a second network, first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by a first charging functional network element deployed in a first network. Based on the first charging information, a first charging data record CDR is created or updated. The first CDR is used to generate a billing statement, enabling the second charging functional network element deployed in the second network to generate a first CDR for generating a billing statement based on the first charging information provided by the first charging functional network element deployed in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent billing results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the billing results for satellite communication.

[0549] Figure 16 It is a schematic flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 16 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a second charging functional network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes the following steps 1601-1602.

[0550] Step 1601: Receive first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by a first charging functional network element deployed in a first network, where the first charging information is billing information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0551] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0552] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0553] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0554] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation providing satellite services for the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0555] The quality of service QoS of the satellite providing satellite services for the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0556] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services;

[0557] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0558] The satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of satellite providing satellite services for the corresponding terminal device;

[0559] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0560] At least one of the identification, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0561] The number of data connection sessions of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0562] The identification of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network.

[0563] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0564] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0565] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0566] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0567] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0568] The total PDU connection quantity and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0569] The total PDU connection quantity and / or total PDU connection duration corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0570] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent in response to meeting a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0571] The current moment is the target sending moment, and the interval between the target sending moment and the previous sending moment is a preset duration;

[0572] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the first charging information;

[0573] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0574] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by a first charging function network element to a second charging function network element, and the charging request message further carries first quota information. The first quota information is for a first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota and / or first quota usage information for indicating used quotas.

[0575] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0576] Receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element;

[0577] The first charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element sends charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0578] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0579] Sending a first charging mode indication to the first charging function network element;

[0580] The first charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element sends charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0581] Step 1602: Based on the first charging information, create or update a first charging data record CDR, where the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0582] For the specific implementation processes, principles, and optional implementation manners of steps 1601 - 1602, reference may be made to the related parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0583] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, through a second charging function network element deployed in a second network, receives first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by a first charging function network element deployed in a first network. The first charging information is charging information about satellite communication for the first network. Based on the first charging information, a first charging data record CDR is created or updated, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill, enabling the second charging function network element to generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the first charging function network element, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication. Moreover, by the second charging function network element receiving the charging information about satellite communication for the first network sent by the first charging function network element, it avoids the second charging function network element receiving the charging information of a single terminal device sent by the first charging function network element multiple times, saving signaling and resource overheads and simplifying the process of sending charging information.

[0584] Figure 17 It is a schematic flow diagram of a billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 17 shown, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a second charging function network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes the following steps 1701-1702.

[0585] Step 1701: Receive first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by a first charging function network element deployed in a first network, where the first charging information is charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services, and is sent by a charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network to the first charging function network element in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered.

[0586] In some embodiments, the first charging information may be sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device.

[0587] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0588] An operator identifier of the first network;

[0589] An operator identifier of the second network;

[0590] An identifier of a satellite and / or an identifier of a constellation providing satellite services for a single terminal device;

[0591] The QoS of the satellite providing satellite services for a single terminal device;

[0592] A satellite service indication SSI corresponding to a single terminal device, used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0593] A satellite service type indication corresponding to a single terminal device, used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0594] A satellite type indication corresponding to a single terminal device, used to indicate the type of the satellite providing satellite services;

[0595] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to a single terminal device;

[0596] At least one of an identifier, start time, end time, and duration of a data connection session of a single terminal device;

[0597] An identifier of a single terminal device;

[0598] A QoS flow identifier.

[0599] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by a charging trigger function network element to a first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to a second charging function network element;

[0600] The charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, further carries at least one of the following information:

[0601] First charging negotiation information, where the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate a charging trigger event and / or a reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0602] Second quota information, where the second quota information is for a first network or a single terminal device, and the second quota information includes second quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0603] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element determines based on at least one of the following information:

[0604] At least one of a CHF address provided by a Policy Control Function (PCF) for a data connection session of a terminal device, a CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and a CHF set identifier;

[0605] Charging feature information provided by a Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0606] A CHF instance discovered by a Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0607] Charging feature information locally provided by a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0608] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0609] Receiving a second charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element;

[0610] Wherein, the second charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging function network element in response to receiving charging information of a single terminal device using satellite services, and the charging information of the single terminal is sent by a charging trigger function network element deployed in a first network to the first charging function network element in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered.

[0611] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0612] Sending a second charging mode indication to the first charging function network element;

[0613] Among them, the second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging functional network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The charging information of a single terminal is sent by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network to the first charging functional network element after being triggered by the charging trigger event of the data connection session of a single terminal device.

[0614] Step 1702: Create a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information. The first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0615] For the specific implementation processes, principles, and optional implementation manners of steps 1701 - 1702, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0616] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure receives, by the second charging functional network element, the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services sent by the first charging functional network element. Among them, the first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services, which is sent by the charging trigger functional network element to the first charging functional network element after being triggered by the charging trigger event of the data connection session of a single terminal device. The second charging functional network element creates or updates a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information. The first CDR is used to generate a charging bill, enabling the second charging functional network element to generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information provided by the charging trigger functional network element, thereby avoiding the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network and improving the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication.

[0617] Figure 18 It is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown in the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 18 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the second charging functional network element deployed in the first network. On the basis shown in Figure 17 , the method further includes the following steps 1801 - 1802.

[0618] Step 1801: Receive the charging information to be updated forwarded by the first charging functional network element. Among them, the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger functional network element to the first charging functional network element.

[0619] Step 1802: Update the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated.

[0620] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0621] The charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, further carries at least one of the following information:

[0622] The second charging negotiation information, wherein the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0623] The third quota information, wherein the third quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the third quota information includes the third quota application information for applying for the quota, and / or the third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0624] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0625] The charging condition changes, wherein the charging condition includes at least one of the type of the satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identifier;

[0626] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0627] The quota limit is reached.

[0628] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1801 - 1802, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0629] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the second charging function network element receives the charging information to be updated forwarded by the first charging function network element, and updates the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated, wherein the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, so that the second charging function network element can update the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated, thereby ensuring the timeliness of the charging result generated by the second network.

[0630] Figure 19 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 19 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the second charging function network element deployed in the first network. This method is in Figure 17 or Figure 18Based on what is shown, it further includes the following steps 1901 - 1902.

[0631] Step 1901: Receive a charging termination indication forwarded by a first charging function network element, where the charging termination indication is sent by a charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element.

[0632] Step 1902: Based on the charging termination indication, close the first CDR.

[0633] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0634] The charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, also carry at least one of the following information:

[0635] The second charging information of a single terminal device, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0636] The fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0637] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1901 - 1902, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0638] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure receives, through a second charging function network element, a charging termination indication forwarded by a first charging function network element, and based on the charging termination indication, closes the first CDR, where the charging termination indication is sent by a charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, so that the second charging function network element can timely close the first CDR based on the charging termination indication, thereby ensuring that the second charging function network element stops charging in a timely manner.

[0639] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods. For example, a device is proposed, and the above device includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by the first charging function network element in any of the above methods. Another device is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the second charging function network element in any of the above methods.

[0640] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, it can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software. For example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and instructions are stored in the memory. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or the functions of each unit or module of the above device. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory inside or outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be implemented through the design of the hardware circuits. The above hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are implemented through the design of the logical relationship of the components in the circuit. Another example is that in another implementation, the above hardware circuit can be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured through a configuration file to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be fully implemented in the form of a processor calling software, or fully implemented in the form of hardware circuits, or partially implemented in the form of a processor calling software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuits.

[0641] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.; in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuits is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), a Deep learning Processing Unit (DPU), etc.

[0642] Figure 20 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a billing device for satellite communication proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Among them, the billing device for satellite communication can be applied to an electronic device, such as the first billing function network element in the foregoing embodiments. As Figure 20 shown, the billing device 2000 for satellite communication may include at least one of a transceiver module 2001, a processing module 2002, etc.

[0643] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to send first billing information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second billing function network element deployed in a second network; wherein, the first billing information is used to create or update a first Call Data Record (CDR), and the first CDR is used to generate a billing statement.

[0644] In some embodiments, the processing module 2002 is configured to: determine that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0645] In some embodiments, the first billing information is billing information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0646] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0647] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0648] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0649] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation that provides satellite services for the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0650] The quality of service (QoS) of the satellite that provides satellite services for the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0651] The satellite service indication (SSI) corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services;

[0652] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0653] The satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite that provides satellite services for the corresponding terminal device;

[0654] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0655] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0656] The number of data connection sessions of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0657] The identifier of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network.

[0658] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0659] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0660] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0661] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0662] The total uplink data usage and / or the total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the fronthaul service in the first network;

[0663] The total number of protocol data unit (PDU) connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the device-to-device service in the first network;

[0664] The total number of PDU connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the fronthaul service in the first network.

[0665] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent in response to meeting a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0666] The current time is the target sending time, and a preset duration is set between the target sending time and the previous sending time;

[0667] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the first charging information;

[0668] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0669] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging functional network element to the second charging functional network element, and the charging request message also carries first quota information. The first quota information is for the first network and includes first quota application information for applying for a quota and / or first quota usage information for informing of the used quota.

[0670] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is used for:

[0671] Sending a first charging mode indication to the second charging functional network element;

[0672] The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0673] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is used for:

[0674] Receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the second charging functional network element;

[0675] The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0676] In some embodiments, the first charging information is the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services, which is sent by a charging trigger function network element deployed in a first network to a first charging function network element in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device, and is sent by the first charging function network element to a second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device.

[0677] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0678] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0679] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0680] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation providing satellite services for the single terminal device;

[0681] The QoS of the satellite providing satellite services for the single terminal device;

[0682] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0683] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0684] The satellite type indication corresponding to the single terminal device, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing satellite services;

[0685] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the single terminal device;

[0686] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the single terminal device;

[0687] The identifier of the single terminal device;

[0688] The QoS flow identifier.

[0689] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0690] The charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, also carry at least one of the following information:

[0691] The first charging negotiation information, where the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate charging trigger events and / or reporting categories, and the reporting categories include immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0692] The second quota information, where the second quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the second quota information includes second quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0693] In some embodiments, the processing module 2002 is configured to determine a second charging function network element according to at least one of the following information:

[0694] At least one of the CHF address provided by the Policy Control Function (PCF) for the data connection session of the terminal device, the CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or the CHF set identifier;

[0695] The charging feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0696] The CHF instance discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0697] The charging feature information locally provided by the Session Management Function (SMF).

[0698] In some embodiments, the processing module 2002 is configured to:

[0699] Create a second Call Detail Record (CDR) based on the first charging information received from the charging trigger function network element, and the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0700] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to receive the charging information to be updated sent by the charging trigger function network element;

[0701] The processing module 2002 is configured to update the second CDR based on the charging information to be updated;

[0702] The transceiver module 2001 is configured to forward the charging information to be updated to the second charging function network element, and the charging information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

[0703] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0704] The charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, also carry at least one of the following information:

[0705] Second charging negotiation information, where the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate charging trigger events and / or reporting categories, and the reporting categories include immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0706] Third quota information, where the third quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the third quota information includes third quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0707] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is sent by a charging trigger function network element in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0708] The charging condition changes, where the charging condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing satellite services, satellite service quality, and satellite identifier;

[0709] Reaching the limit of the rate group;

[0710] Reaching the quota limit.

[0711] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to receive a charging termination indication sent by a charging trigger function network element;

[0712] The processing module 2002 is configured to close the second CDR based on the charging termination indication;

[0713] The transceiver module 2001 is configured to forward the charging termination indication to the second charging function network element, and the charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0714] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0715] The charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, further carries at least one of the following information:

[0716] The second charging information of a single terminal device, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0717] Fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0718] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to:

[0719] Send a second charging mode indication to the second charging functional network element;

[0720] The second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging functional network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The charging information of a single terminal is sent to the first charging functional network element by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network being triggered in response to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0721] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to:

[0722] Receive the second charging mode indication sent by the second charging functional network element;

[0723] The second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging functional network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The charging information of a single terminal is sent to the first charging functional network element by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network being triggered in response to the charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0724] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0725] Figure 21 It is a schematic structural diagram of a charging device for satellite communication proposed by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Among them, the charging device for satellite communication can be applied to an electronic device, such as the second charging functional network element in the foregoing embodiment. As Figure 21 shown, the charging device 2100 for satellite communication may include at least one of a transceiver module 2101, a processing module 2102, etc.

[0726] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to receive the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services sent by the first charging functional network element deployed in the first network; the processing module 2102 is configured to create or update a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0727] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0728] In some embodiments, the first charging information is charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

[0729] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0730] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0731] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0732] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation that provides satellite services for the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network;

[0733] The quality of service QoS of the satellite that provides satellite services for the terminal devices using satellite services in the first network;

[0734] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0735] The satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0736] The satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite that provides satellite services for the corresponding terminal device;

[0737] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0738] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0739] The number of data connection sessions of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network;

[0740] The identifier of the terminal device using satellite services in the first network.

[0741] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0742] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0743] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0744] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network;

[0745] The total uplink data usage and / or total downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network;

[0746] The total number of protocol data unit (PDU) connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the direct terminal service in the first network;

[0747] The total number of PDU connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

[0748] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent in response to meeting a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following:

[0749] The current time is the target sending time, and the preset duration is interposed between the target sending time and the previous sending time;

[0750] An information sending instruction is received, where the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send the first charging information;

[0751] A trigger event for triggering the sending of charging information occurs.

[0752] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging functional network element to the second charging functional network element, and the charging request message also carries first quota information. The first quota information is for the first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota and / or first quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0753] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to:

[0754] Receive a first charging mode indication sent by the first charging functional network element;

[0755] The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0756] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to:

[0757] Send a first charging mode indication to the first charging functional network element;

[0758] The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging functional network element to send charging information regarding satellite communication for the first network.

[0759] In some embodiments, the first charging information is charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. It is sent by a charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network to the first charging functional network element in response to a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device, and is sent by the first charging functional network element to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information of the single terminal device.

[0760] In some embodiments, the first charging information includes at least one of the following information:

[0761] The operator identifier of the first network;

[0762] The operator identifier of the second network;

[0763] The identifier of the satellite and / or the identifier of the constellation that provides satellite services for a single terminal device;

[0764] The QoS of the satellite that provides satellite services for a single terminal device;

[0765] The satellite service indication SSI corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the single terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service;

[0766] The satellite service type indication corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0767] The satellite type indication corresponding to a single terminal device, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite that provides satellite services;

[0768] The uplink data usage and / or downlink data usage corresponding to a single terminal device;

[0769] At least one of the identifier, start time, end time, and duration of the data connection session of a single terminal device;

[0770] The identifier of a single terminal device;

[0771] The QoS flow identifier.

[0772] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in the charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0773] The charging request message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, also carry at least one of the following information:

[0774] The first charging negotiation information, where the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0775] The second quota information, where the second quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the second quota information includes the second quota application information for applying for the quota, and / or the second quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0776] In some embodiments, the second charging function network element determines based on at least one of the following information:

[0777] At least one of the CHF address provided by the Policy Control Function (PCF) for the data connection session of the terminal device, the CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or the CHF set identifier;

[0778] Charging feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0779] CHF instances discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0780] Charging feature information locally provided by the Session Management Function (SMF).

[0781] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to receive the charging information to be updated forwarded by the first charging function network element, where the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element;

[0782] The processing module 2102 is configured to update the first CDR based on the charging information to be updated.

[0783] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is carried in the charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0784] The charging update message sent by the charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, further carries at least one of the following information:

[0785] Second charging negotiation information, where the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or the reporting category, and the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting;

[0786] Third quota information, where the third quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the third quota information includes third quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or third quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0787] In some embodiments, the charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element in response to meeting at least one of the following update trigger conditions:

[0788] The charging condition changes, where the charging condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing satellite services, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identifier;

[0789] Reaching the limit of the rate group;

[0790] Reach the quota limit.

[0791] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to receive a charging termination indication forwarded by a first charging function network element, where the charging termination indication is sent by a charging trigger function network element to the first charging function network element;

[0792] The processing module 2102 is configured to close the first CDR based on the charging termination indication.

[0793] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element;

[0794] The charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or the charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element, further carries at least one of the following information:

[0795] The second charging information of a single terminal device, which is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR;

[0796] The fourth quota information, where the fourth quota information is for the first network or a single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or fourth quota usage information for informing the used quota.

[0797] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to:

[0798] Receive a second charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element;

[0799] Wherein, the second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging function network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging function network element in response to receiving the charging information of a single terminal device using satellite services, and the charging information of a single terminal is sent by a charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network to the first charging function network element in response to a charging trigger event of a data connection session of a single terminal device being triggered.

[0800] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to:

[0801] Send a second charging mode indication to the first charging function network element;

[0802] Among them, the second charging mode indication is used to indicate that the first charging functional network element sends the charging information of a single terminal device to the second charging functional network element in response to receiving the charging information for a single terminal device using satellite services. The charging information of a single terminal is sent by the charging trigger functional network element deployed in the first network to the first charging functional network element when it is triggered by a charging trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device.

[0803] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0804] Figure 22 It is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 2200 proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device 2200 may be the above-mentioned first charging functional network element, or the above-mentioned second charging functional network element, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first charging functional network element to implement any of the above methods, and may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the second charging functional network element to implement any of the above methods. The electronic device 2200 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and for details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0805] As Figure 22 shown, the electronic device 2200 includes one or more processors 2201. The processor 2201 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control communication devices (such as base stations, baseband chips, terminals, terminal chips, distributed units (DU) or central units (CU), etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 2201 is used to call instructions to cause the electronic device 2200 to execute any of the above methods.

[0806] In some embodiments, the electronic device 2200 further includes one or more memories 2202 for storing instructions. In some embodiments, all or part of the memories 2202 may also be outside the electronic device 2200.

[0807] In some embodiments, the electronic device 2200 further includes one or more transceivers 2203. When the electronic device 2200 includes one or more transceivers 2203, communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above methods are executed by the transceivers 2203, and other steps are executed by the processor 2201.

[0808] In some embodiments, the transceiver 2203 may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. In some embodiments, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver machine, transceiver circuit, etc. may be used interchangeably, terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter machine, transmitter circuit, etc. may be used interchangeably, and terms such as receiver, receiver unit, receiver machine, receiver circuit, etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0809] In some embodiments, the electronic device 2200 further includes one or more interface circuits 2204. The interface circuit 2204 is connected to the memory 2202. The interface circuit 2204 can be used to receive signals from the memory 2202 or other devices and can be used to send signals to the memory 2202 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 2204 can read the instructions stored in the memory 2202 and send the instructions to the processor 2201.

[0810] The electronic device 2200 described in the above embodiments can be the first charging function network element or the second charging function network element, but the scope of the electronic device 2200 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the electronic device 2200 may not be subject to Figure 22 restrictions. The electronic device can be an independent device or can be a part of a larger device. For example, the electronic device can be: (1) an independent integrated circuit (IC), or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, and in some embodiments, the above IC set may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal, a smart terminal, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0811] Figure 23 is a schematic structural diagram of the chip 2300 proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the case where the electronic device 2200 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to Figure 23 the schematic structural diagram of the chip 2300 shown, but it is not limited thereto.

[0812] The chip 2300 includes one or more processors 2301, and the processors 2301 are used to call instructions to cause the chip 2300 to execute any of the above methods.

[0813] In some embodiments, the chip 2300 further includes one or more interface circuits 2302. The interface circuit 2302 is connected to the memory 2303. The interface circuit 2302 can be used to receive signals from the memory 2303 or other devices, and the interface circuit 2302 can be used to send signals to the memory 2303 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 2302 can read the instructions stored in the memory 2303 and send the instructions to the processor 2301. In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0814] In some embodiments, the chip 2300 further includes one or more memories 2303 for storing instructions. In some embodiments, all or part of the memory 2303 can be outside the chip 2300.

[0815] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium. Instructions are stored on the storage medium. When the instructions are run on the electronic device 2200, the electronic device 2200 is caused to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. In some embodiments, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it can also be other device-readable storage mediums. In some embodiments, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0816] The present disclosure also provides a program product. When the program product is executed by the electronic device 2200, the electronic device 2200 is caused to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the program product is a computer program product.

[0817] The present disclosure also provides a computer program. When it runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute any of the above methods.

[0818] It can be understood that the above-mentioned satellite communication charging device, electronic device, satellite communication charging system, storage medium, program product, and computer program are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be elaborated here.

[0819] In some embodiments, terms such as satellite communication charging method, information processing method, communication method, etc. can be used interchangeably, terms such as satellite communication charging device, information processing device, communication device, etc. can be used interchangeably, and terms such as information processing system, communication system, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0820] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive. They are only illustrations of some embodiments and do not constitute specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. Without contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily. For example, the solution obtained by removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily. Additionally, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; moreover, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For example, some or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0821] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified and there is no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions among the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0822] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended as limitations on the present disclosure.

[0823] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "aforementioned", "this", etc., can mean "one and only one", or can also mean "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in the translation, the noun following the article can be understood as a singular expression form or a plural expression form.

[0824] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0825] In some embodiments, terms such as "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0826] In some embodiments, notations such as "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "in one case A, in another case B", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc. may, according to the circumstances, include the following technical solutions: in some embodiments, A (performing A independently of B); in some embodiments, B (performing B independently of A); in some embodiments, selecting to perform from A and B (A and B are selectively performed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0827] In some embodiments, notations such as "A or B" may, according to the circumstances, include the following technical solutions: in some embodiments, A (performing A independently of B); in some embodiments, B (performing B independently of A); in some embodiments, selecting to perform from A and B (A and B are selectively performed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0828] The prefix words such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different described objects, and do not constitute limitations on the position, order, priority, quantity, content, etc. of the described objects. For the statements of the described objects, refer to the description in the claims or the context of the embodiments. There should be no redundant limitations due to the use of prefix words. For example, if the described object is "field", the ordinal numbers before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between the "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". Another example, if the described object is "level", the ordinal numbers before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between the "levels". Another example, the quantity of the described object is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different. For example, if the described object is "device", "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; another example, if the described object is "information", "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0829] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0830] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "when...", "while...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0831] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not fewer than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above", etc. may be interchangeable, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "fewer than", "fewer than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", etc. may be interchangeable.

[0832] In some embodiments, "network" may be interpreted as the devices included in the network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0833] In some embodiments, devices, etc. may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc. may be interchangeable.

[0834] In some embodiments, terms such as "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", "client", etc. may be interchangeable.

[0835] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0836] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where it is located.

[0837] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0838] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the tables of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, and any column may also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0839] In some embodiments, terms such as "obtain", "acquire", "get", "receive", "transmit", "two-way transmission", "send and / or receive" may be used interchangeably, and it may be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from a protocol, obtaining from a higher layer, self-processing to obtain, self-implementing, etc.

[0840] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "send down", "transmit", "two-way transmission", "send and / or receive", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0841] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preseted", "preset", "set", "indicated", "a certain", "any", "first", etc. may be used interchangeably. "Specific A", "preseted A", "preset A", "set A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", "first A" may be interpreted as A predefined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0842] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more integrated available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0843] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A professional technician can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present disclosure.

[0844] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and conciseness of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0845] As mentioned above, the above is only the specific implementation manner of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure and should be covered by the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication charging method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first charging function network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes: Sending first billing information of a terminal device using satellite service to a second billing function network element deployed in the second network; wherein the first billing information is used to create or update a first billing data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a billing bill.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine that the terminal device accesses the first network via satellite service.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first charging information is charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first billing information includes at least one of the following information: an operator identifier of the first network; an operator identifier of the second network; Providing the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network with the identification of the satellite and / or the identification of the constellation of the satellite service; Providing the satellite quality of service QoS of the satellite provided by the satellite to the terminal equipment using the satellite service in the first network; a satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network by means of the satellite service; a satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service; A satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, used to indicate the type of satellite providing the satellite service for the corresponding terminal device; an uplink data usage amount and / or a downlink data usage amount corresponding to a terminal device in the first network using the satellite service; at least one of an identifier, a start time, an end time and a duration of a data connection session of a terminal device in the first network using the satellite service; the number of data connection sessions of terminal devices in the first network using the satellite service; An identifier of a terminal device in the first network that uses the satellite service.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first billing information includes at least one of the following information: a total amount of uplink data usage and / or a total amount of downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network; a total uplink data usage and / or a total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network; a total amount of uplink data usage and / or a total amount of downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network; a total amount of uplink data usage and / or a total amount of downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network; The total number of protocol data unit PDU connections and / or the total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network; The total number of PDU connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first charging information is sent in response to satisfying a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following: The current time is the target sending time, and the target sending time is separated from the previous sending time by a preset time length; receiving an information sending instruction, wherein the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send the first charging information; The trigger event used to trigger the sending of billing information occurs.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The first billing information is carried in a billing request message sent by the first billing function network element to the second billing function network element, and the billing request message also carries first quota information, wherein the first quota information is for the first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or first quota usage information for informing that a quota has been used.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a first charging mode indication to the second charging function network element; The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

9. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element; The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first billing information is billing information for a single terminal device using the satellite service, and is sent to the first billing function network element by a billing trigger function network element deployed in the first network in response to a billing trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered, and is sent to the second billing function network element by the first billing function network element in response to receiving the billing information of the single terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the charging triggering function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element; The charging request message also carries at least one of the following information: first charging negotiation information, wherein the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or reporting category, wherein the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting; Second quota information, wherein the second quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the second quota information includes second quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or second quota usage information for notifying a used quota.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second charging function network element is determined according to at least one of the following information: at least one of a CHF address provided by a policy control function PCF for a data connection session of the terminal device, a CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or a CHF set identifier; Unified data management (UDM) provides billing feature information; CHF instance discovered by the network storage function NRF; The session management function SMF provides local billing feature information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Based on the first charging information received from the charging trigger function network element, a second CDR is created, where the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving the billing information to be updated sent by the billing trigger function network element; Based on the billing information to be updated, updating the second CDR; The billing information to be updated is forwarded to the second billing function network element, where the billing information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The to-be-updated charging information is carried in a charging update message sent by the charging triggering function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element; The charging update message also carries at least one of the following information: Second charging negotiation information, wherein the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or reporting category, wherein the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting; The third quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and includes third quota application information for applying for a quota and / or third quota usage information for notifying the used quota.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element in response to satisfying at least one of the following update trigger conditions: The charging conditions are changed, wherein the charging conditions include at least one of the type of satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identification; The rate group limit is reached; The quota limit was reached.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a charging termination indication sent by the charging trigger function network element; Based on the charging termination indication, closing the second CDR; The charging termination instruction is forwarded to the second charging function network element, where the charging termination instruction is used to close the first CDR.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element; The charging termination message also carries at least one of the following information: The second charging information of the single terminal device is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR; Fourth quota information, wherein the fourth quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or fourth quota usage information for notifying a used quota.

19. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a second charging mode indication to the second charging function network element; Among them, the second billing mode indication is used to instruct the first billing function network element to send the billing information of the single terminal device using the satellite service to the second billing function network element in response to receiving the billing information for the single terminal device using the satellite service, and the billing information of the single terminal is sent to the first billing function network element by the billing trigger function network element deployed in the first network in response to a billing trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered.

20. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a second charging mode indication sent by the second charging function network element; Among them, the second billing mode indication is used to instruct the first billing function network element to send the billing information of the single terminal device using the satellite service to the second billing function network element in response to receiving the billing information for the single terminal device using the satellite service, and the billing information of the single terminal is sent to the first billing function network element by the billing trigger function network element deployed in the first network in response to a billing trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, 10-12, characterized in that: The first network is a terrestrial network, and the second network is a satellite network.

22. A satellite communication charging method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a second charging function network element deployed in a second network, and the method includes: Receiving first billing information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by a first billing function network element deployed in the first network; Based on the first charging information, a first charging data record CDR is created or updated, where the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The first billing information is sent when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network via a satellite service.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The first charging information is charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first billing information includes at least one of the following information: an operator identifier of the first network; an operator identifier of the second network; Providing the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network with the identification of the satellite and / or the identification of the constellation of the satellite service; Providing the satellite quality of service QoS of the satellite provided by the satellite to the terminal equipment using the satellite service in the first network; a satellite service indication SSI corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device accesses the first network by means of the satellite service; a satellite service type indication corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, used to indicate that the satellite service used by the corresponding terminal device is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service; A satellite type indication corresponding to the terminal device using the satellite service in the first network, used to indicate the type of satellite providing the satellite service for the corresponding terminal device; an uplink data usage amount and / or a downlink data usage amount corresponding to a terminal device in the first network using the satellite service; at least one of an identifier, a start time, an end time and a duration of a data connection session of a terminal device in the first network using the satellite service; the number of data connection sessions of terminal devices in the first network using the satellite service; An identifier of a terminal device in the first network that uses the satellite service.

26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first billing information includes at least one of the following information: a total amount of uplink data usage and / or a total amount of downlink data usage corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network; a total uplink data usage and / or a total downlink data usage corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network; a total amount of uplink data usage and / or a total amount of downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network; a total amount of uplink data usage and / or a total amount of downlink data usage under each satellite category corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network; The total number of protocol data unit PDU connections and / or the total PDU connection duration corresponding to the terminal direct connection service in the first network; The total number of PDU connections and / or the total duration of PDU connections corresponding to the backhaul service in the first network.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that The first charging information is sent in response to satisfying a set condition, and the set condition includes at least one of the following: The current time is the target sending time, and the target sending time is separated from the previous sending time by a preset time length; receiving an information sending instruction, wherein the information sending instruction is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send the first charging information; The trigger event used to trigger the sending of billing information occurs.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that The first billing information is carried in a billing request message sent by the first billing function network element to the second billing function network element, and the billing request message also carries first quota information, wherein the first quota information is for the first network, and the first quota information includes first quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or first quota usage information for informing that a quota has been used.

29. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a first charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element; The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

30. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a first billing mode indication to the first billing function network element; The first charging mode indication is used to instruct the first charging function network element to send charging information about satellite communication for the first network.

31. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The first billing information is billing information for a single terminal device using the satellite service, and is sent to the first billing function network element by a billing trigger function network element deployed in the first network in response to a billing trigger event of a data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered, and is sent to the second billing function network element by the first billing function network element in response to receiving the billing information of the single terminal device.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The first charging information is carried in a charging request message sent by the charging triggering function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging request message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element; The charging request message also carries at least one of the following information: first charging negotiation information, wherein the first charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or reporting category, wherein the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting; Second quota information, wherein the second quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the second quota information includes second quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or second quota usage information for notifying a used quota.

33. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The second charging function network element is determined according to at least one of the following information: at least one of a CHF address provided by a policy control function PCF for a data connection session of the terminal device, a CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or a CHF set identifier; Unified data management (UDM) provides billing feature information; CHF instance discovered by the network storage function NRF; The billing feature information provided locally by the SMF.

34. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving the to-be-updated billing information forwarded by the first billing function network element, wherein the to-be-updated billing information is sent by the billing triggering function network element to the first billing function network element; Based on the billing information to be updated, the first CDR is updated.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The to-be-updated charging information is carried in a charging update message sent by the charging triggering function network element to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging update message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element; The charging update message also carries at least one of the following information: Second charging negotiation information, wherein the second charging negotiation information is used to negotiate the charging trigger event and / or reporting category, wherein the reporting category includes immediate reporting and / or deferred reporting; The third quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and includes third quota application information for applying for a quota and / or third quota usage information for notifying the used quota.

36. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The charging information to be updated is sent by the charging trigger function network element in response to satisfying at least one of the following update trigger conditions: The charging conditions are changed, wherein the charging conditions include at least one of the type of satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identification; The rate group limit is reached; The quota limit was reached.

37. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a charging termination indication forwarded by the first charging function network element, wherein the charging termination indication is sent by the charging triggering function network element to the first charging function network element; Based on the charging termination indication, the first CDR is closed.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination message sent by the charging trigger function to the first charging function network element, and / or carried in a charging termination message sent by the first charging function network element to the second charging function network element; The charging termination message also carries at least one of the following information: The second charging information of the single terminal device is used to update the first CDR and the second CDR; Fourth quota information, wherein the fourth quota information is for the first network or the single terminal device, and the fourth quota information includes fourth quota application information for applying for a quota, and / or fourth quota usage information for notifying a used quota.

39. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a second charging mode indication sent by the first charging function network element; Among them, the second billing mode indication is used to instruct the first billing function network element to send the billing information of the single terminal device using the satellite service to the second billing function network element in response to receiving the billing information for the single terminal device using the satellite service, and the billing information of the single terminal is sent to the first billing function network element by the billing trigger function network element deployed in the first network in response to a billing trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered.

40. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a second billing mode indication to the first billing function network element; Among them, the second billing mode indication is used to instruct the first billing function network element to send the billing information of the single terminal device using the satellite service to the second billing function network element in response to receiving the billing information for the single terminal device using the satellite service, and the billing information of the single terminal is sent to the first billing function network element by the billing trigger function network element deployed in the first network in response to a billing trigger event of the data connection session of the single terminal device being triggered.

41. The method according to any one of claims 22-26, 31-33, characterized in that: The first network is a terrestrial network, and the second network is a satellite network.

42. A satellite communication charging device, wherein: The device is applied to a first charging function network element deployed in a first network, and the device includes: A transceiver module is used to send first billing information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second billing function network element deployed in the second network; wherein the first billing information is used to create or update a first billing data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a billing bill.

43. A satellite communication charging device, wherein: The device is applied to a second charging function network element deployed in a second network, and the device includes: A transceiver module, configured to receive first billing information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by a first billing function network element deployed in the first network; The processing module is used to create or update a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

44. An electronic device, wherein: include: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; The processor is used to call the instruction so that the electronic device executes the satellite communication billing method described in any one of claims 1-21, or executes the satellite communication billing method described in any one of claims 22-41.

45. A satellite communication billing system, characterized in that: comprising a first charging function network element deployed in a first network and a second charging function network element deployed in a second network; The first billing function network element is configured to implement the billing method for satellite communication described in any one of claims 1-21, and the second billing function network element is configured to implement the billing method for satellite communication described in any one of claims 22-41.

46. ​​The billing system according to claim 45, characterized in that The system further includes a charging trigger function network element deployed in the first network; the charging trigger function network element is used to: In response to a billing trigger event for a data connection session of a single terminal device using satellite service being triggered, the billing information of the single terminal device is sent to the first billing function network element, wherein the billing information of the single terminal device is used by the first billing function network element to generate a second CDR, and is forwarded to the second billing function network element to generate a first CDR.

47. The billing system according to claim 46, characterized in that The charging trigger function network element is also used for: Sending the billing information to be updated to the first billing function network element; The billing information to be updated is used to update the second CDR, and is forwarded to the second billing function network element to update the first CDR.

48. The billing system according to claim 46, characterized in that The charging trigger function network element is also used for: A charging termination indication is sent to the first charging function network element, wherein the charging termination indication is used to close the second CDR and is forwarded to the second charging function network element to close the first CDR.

49. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the electronic device, the electronic device executes the satellite communication charging method as described in any one of claims 1-21, or executes the satellite communication charging method as described in any one of claims 22-41.

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