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 steps that a first network element deployed in a first network sends first charging information of terminal equipment using satellite service to a second network element deployed in a second network, the first charging information is used for being forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used for generating a charging bill. Therefore, the third 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 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 accuracy of the charging result of satellite communication.

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 for 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 the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging method for satellite communication is proposed. The method is applied to a first 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 network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0005] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR include:

[0006] Satellite service indication SSI, which is used to indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service method.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further include at least one of the following information:

[0008] Satellite service type indication, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0009] Satellite type indication, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0010] Satellite service quality;

[0011] Satellite identifier and / or constellation identifier;

[0012] Operator identifier.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0014] Determining that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, where the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0018] Receiving a data connection session creation response sent by the second network element, where the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR is sent by the third network element to the second network element.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending first information to be updated to the second network element, where the first information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update the first CDR.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0021] 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;

[0022] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0023] The quota limit is reached.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending second charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to a fourth network element deployed in the first network, where the second charging information is used to generate a second CDR, and the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second charging response message sent by the fourth network element, where the second charging response message carries the second CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the second CDR.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first network element is a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, the fourth network element is a Charging Function (CHF) network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, and the third network element is a CHF network element.

[0027] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is determined by the first network element according to at least one of the following information:

[0028] 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 a CHF set identifier;

[0029] Charging feature information provided by a Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0030] A CHF instance discovered by a Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0031] Charging feature information locally provided by the first network element.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending second information to be updated to the second network element, where the second information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update the first CDR; sending the second information to be updated to the fourth network element, where the second information to be updated is used to update the second CDR.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a charging termination indication to the fourth network element, where the charging termination indication is used to close the second CDR.

[0034] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the first network element to the fourth network element, and the charging termination request message further carries third charging information of the terminal device, where the third charging information is used to update the second CDR.

[0035] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a billing method for satellite communication is proposed. The method is applied to a second network element deployed in a second network, and the method includes: receiving first billing information sent by a first network element deployed in a first network, where the first billing information includes billing information of a terminal device using satellite services; forwarding the first billing information to a third network element deployed in the second network, where the first billing information is used to generate a first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a billing statement.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first billing information and / or the first CDR include:

[0038] Satellite Service Indicator (SSI), which is used to indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first billing information and / or the first CDR further include at least one of the following information:

[0040] Satellite service type indicator, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0041] Satellite type indicator, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0042] Satellite service quality;

[0043] Satellite identifier and / or constellation identifier;

[0044] Operator identifier.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first billing information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network, and the second network is a satellite network.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first billing information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, where the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element.

[0048] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0049] Send a data connection session creation response to the first network element, where the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated based on the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated based on the first CDR are sent by the third network element to the second network element.

[0050] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0051] Receive a first charging response message sent by the third network element, where the first charging response message carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated based on the first CDR.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second network element is a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, the third network element is a Charging Function (CHF) network element, and the first network element is an SMF network element.

[0053] In some embodiments, the CHF network element is determined by the second network element based on at least one of the following information:

[0054] 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 and / or CHF set identifier associated with the data connection session;

[0055] Charging feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM) function;

[0056] CHF instances discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0057] Charging feature information locally provided by the second network element.

[0058] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving update information to be updated sent by the first network element; forwarding the update information to the third network element, where the update information is used to update the first CDR.

[0059] In some embodiments, the update information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0060] 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;

[0061] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0062] The quota limit is reached.

[0063] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a charging termination indication to the third network element, where the charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0064] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element, and the charging termination request message further carries fourth charging information of the terminal device, where the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR.

[0065] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0066] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging method for satellite communication is provided. The method is applied to a third network element deployed in a second network, and the method includes: receiving first charging information forwarded by a second network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is sent by a first network element deployed in the first network to the second network element, and the first charging information includes charging information of a terminal device using satellite services; generating a first CDR based on the first charging information, where the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR includes:

[0068] A satellite service indication (SSI) for indicating that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information:

[0070] A satellite service type indication for indicating that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0071] A satellite type indication for indicating the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0072] The satellite service quality;

[0073] A satellite identifier and / or a constellation identifier;

[0074] An operator identifier.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent by the first network element when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0077] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0078] Sending a first charging response message to the second network element, where the first charging response message carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR are used to be sent to the first network element.

[0079] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving the information to be updated forwarded by the second network element, where the information to be updated is sent from the first network element to the second network element; and updating the first CDR based on the information to be updated.

[0080] In some embodiments, the information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0081] 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;

[0082] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0083] The quota limit is reached.

[0084] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a charging termination indication sent by the second network element; and closing the first CDR based on the charging termination indication.

[0085] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element, and the charging termination request message further carries fourth charging information of the terminal device, and the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR.

[0086] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0087] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging device for satellite communication is provided. The device is applied to a first network element deployed in a first network, and the device includes: a transceiver module, configured to send first charging information of a terminal device using a satellite service to a second network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0088] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging device for satellite communication is provided. The device is applied to a second network element deployed in a second network, and the device includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive first charging information sent by a first network element deployed in a first network, where the first charging information includes charging information of a terminal device using satellite services; the transceiver module is further configured to forward the first charging information to a third network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is used to generate a first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0089] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging device for satellite communication is provided. The device is applied to a third network element deployed in a second network, and the device includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive first charging information forwarded by a second network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is sent by a first network element deployed in the first network to the second network element, and the first charging information includes charging information of a terminal device using satellite services; a processing module, configured to generate a first CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0090] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; where the processor is configured to call the instructions to cause the electronic device to execute the charging method for satellite communication described in the first aspect or the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, or execute the charging method for satellite communication described in the second aspect or the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, or execute the charging method for satellite communication described in the third aspect or the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0091] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging system for satellite communication is provided, which includes a first network element deployed in a first network, a second network element, and a third network element deployed in a second network; where the first network element is configured to implement the charging method for satellite communication described in the first aspect or the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second network element is configured to implement the charging method for satellite communication described in the second aspect or the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, and the third network element is configured to implement the charging method for satellite communication described in the third aspect or the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0092] In some embodiments, the system further includes a fourth network element deployed in the first network; the fourth network element is configured to: receive second charging information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by the first network element; create a second CDR for generating a charging bill based on the second charging information.

[0093] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is further configured to: receive the information to be updated sent by the first network element; and update the second CDR based on the information to be updated.

[0094] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is further configured to: receive the charging termination indication sent by the first network element; and close the second CDR based on the charging termination indication.

[0095] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores instructions that, when running on an electronic device, cause the electronic device to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, the optional implementation manners of the second aspect, or the optional implementation manners of the third aspect.

[0096] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided. When the program product is executed by an electronic device, it causes the electronic device to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, the optional implementation manners of the second aspect, or the optional implementation manners of the third aspect.

[0097] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided. When it runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, the optional implementation manners of the second aspect, or the optional implementation manners of the third aspect.

[0098] In the solution proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network element deployed in a first network sends first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second network element deployed in a second network. The first charging information is used to be forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first charging data record (CDR). The first CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Thus, the third 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 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

[0099] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art, the following will describe the drawings required to be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art.

[0100] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication charging system shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0101] Figure 2Another schematic diagram of the billing system for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0102] Figure 3 An interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0103] Figure 4 An interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0104] Figure 5 An interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0105] Figure 6 An interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0106] Figure 7 An interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0107] Figure 8 An interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0108] Figure 9 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0109] Figure 10 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0110] Figure 11 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0111] Figure 12 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0112] Figure 13 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0113] Figure 14 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0114] Figure 15 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0115] Figure 16 A flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0116] Figure 17 It is a schematic flow chart of a charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0117] Figure 18 It is a schematic flow chart of a charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0118] Figure 19 It is a schematic flow chart of a charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0119] Figure 20 It is a schematic structural diagram of a charging device for satellite communication proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0120] Figure 21 It is a schematic structural diagram of a charging device for satellite communication proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0121] Figure 22 It is a schematic structural diagram of a charging device for satellite communication proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0122] Figure 23 It is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0123] Figure 24 It is a schematic structural diagram of a chip proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0124] In some remote areas and regions where the ground network cannot be covered, such as deserts, the ocean 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, etc., and can effectively solve the network connection problems in remote areas, aviation, the ocean, deserts, etc. that cannot be solved by the ground network, and provide network connection services for users. By deploying independent base stations in areas where the ground network cannot reach, and then using satellites to provide the data backhaul link between the base stations and the core network elements, network connection services can be provided for users. However, usually due to reasons such as high satellite network construction costs, most ground operators do not have their own satellite networks. In order to provide network connection services for users in remote areas, aviation, the ocean, deserts, etc., they need to rent satellites from satellite service providers or satellite network operators that own satellite networks. Therefore, satellite service providers or satellite network operators need to generate bills based on information such as the traffic used by the users of ground operators, and charge the ground operators. At the same time, due to different types of satellites, the service quality of the provided backhaul links is also different. Satellite service providers or satellite network operators will also generate different bills according to different satellite types for differential billing. For example, geostationary satellites are nearly 36,000 kilometers above the ground, with a long single-satellite service time and a long delay in the backhaul link, while low-earth orbit satellites are 500 kilometers above the ground, with a short single-satellite service time and a short delay in the backhaul link.

[0125] In related technologies, taking satellite service providers as an example, usually satellite service providers identify and count the traffic used by ground operators based on their own satellite networks, and then generate bills. And ground operators will also count the traffic used by users based on their own core networks, and then compare the bills provided by satellite service providers and pay the satellite rental fees. 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 amount of data transmission counted by satellite service providers to be inconsistent with the total amount of data transmission counted by ground operators, resulting in the problem of low accuracy of the billing results of satellite service providers. How to accurately bill satellite-based communication has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the billing system for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0129] As shown Figure 1 in FIG. 1, the billing system 100 for satellite communication may include, but is not limited to, a first network element 101 deployed in a first network and a second network element 102 and a third network element 103 deployed in a second network.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first network is a communication network provided by a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) and may be referred to as a terrestrial network. The second network is a communication network provided by a Satellite Service Provider (SSP) or a Satellite Network Operator (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 the SNO at this time; when the SNO leases satellite resources to the MNO and provides satellite services to the MNO, the SNO is also the SSP at this time.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 is, for example, a network element with a billing trigger function such as a Session Management Function (SMF) network element or other network elements, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 is, for example, a network element with a billing trigger function such as an SMF network element or other network elements, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0133] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 is, for example, a Charging Function (CHF) network element or other network elements capable of implementing billing, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0134] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 2 FIG. 2, the billing system 100 for satellite communication may further include a fourth network element 104 deployed in the first network.

[0135] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 104 is, for example, a CHF network element or other network elements capable of implementing billing, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0136] It can be understood that the billing system 100 for satellite communication described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not constitute a limitation to 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.

[0137] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Figure 1 or Figure 2 the billing system for satellite communication shown or a partial main body thereof, but not limited thereto. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The main bodies shown are examples. The billing system for satellite communication can include Figure 1 or Figure 2 all or part of the main bodies, and can also include Figure 1 or Figure 2 other main bodies outside, the number 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, can be directly connected or indirectly connected, can be wired connected or wireless connected.

[0138] 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, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th 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.

[0139] The billing method for satellite communication of the billing system 100 for satellite communication proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0140] Figure 3 It is an interaction schematic diagram of the billing method for satellite communication according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 3 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied toFigure 1 Or Figure 2 The billing system 100 for satellite communication shown in Figure 2 . The method includes the following steps 301-303.

[0141] Step 301, the first network element 101 sends the first billing information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second network element 102.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may receive a first data connection session creation request sent by the terminal device, and in response to the request, determine whether the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service. If it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service, it is determined that the terminal device uses the satellite service, and then the first billing information of the terminal device is sent to the second network element 102. Among them, the first data connection session creation request is used to request the creation of a data connection session of the terminal device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may send a second data connection session creation request to the second network element 102, where the second data connection session creation request carries the first billing information of the terminal device using the satellite service. Among them, the second data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element 101 and the second network element 102.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may receive a first data connection session creation request sent by the terminal device, and in response to the request, determine whether the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service. If it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service, it is determined that the terminal device uses the satellite service, and then the above-mentioned second data connection session creation request is sent to the second network element 102 to request to establish a data connection session with the second network element 102 and request to bill the current data connection session of the terminal device.

[0145] In some embodiments, 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. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. The embodiments of the present disclosure are described by taking the data connection session as a PDU session as an example.

[0146] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an SMF network element, the satellite service used by the terminal device can be determined as a backhaul service in the following manner: The Access and Mobility management function (AMF) network element determines, based on the configuration, that the terminal device is accessing the base station using satellite backhaul service, then determines the type of the satellite service as the type of satellite backhaul service, and sends the type of the satellite backhaul service to the first network element. Among them, the backhaul service refers to the connection provided by the satellite between the base station and the core network, that is, the terminal device connects to the core network through the base station and the satellite in sequence.

[0147] In some embodiments, the satellite service used by the terminal device can be determined as a terminal direct connection service in the following manner: 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). Among them, the terminal direct connection service refers to the terminal device connecting to the core network through the satellite and the gateway station in sequence.

[0148] Among them, the first charging information is the charging information used to generate a Charging Data Record (CDR), where the charging information is information related to satellite charging. Among them, the CDR is the original data used to generate the charging bill. In the embodiments of the present application, the name of the first charging information is not limited, and it is, for example, "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first charging information may include a Satellite Service Indicator (SSI), where the SSI is used to indicate the way the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service. In some embodiments, when the first charging information does not include the SSI, it indicates that the terminal device accesses the first network through a non-satellite service. Among them, the non-satellite service is, for example, the ground operator network service.

[0150] It can be understood that satellite services can include the following types: backhaul services and terminal direct 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 terminal direct connection service. For example, when the first charging information includes the SSI 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 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 terminal direct connection service. Or, when the first charging information includes the SSI 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 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 terminal direct connection service.

[0151] It can be understood that different types of satellites providing satellite services may have different charging rules. In some embodiments, the SSI can include a satellite type indication for indicating the type of the satellite providing the satellite service. Among them, the types of satellites providing satellite services can include medium Earth orbit satellites, low Earth orbit satellites, geostationary orbit satellites or other satellite types. For example, when the first charging information includes the SSI and the value of the satellite 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 type of the satellite providing the satellite service is a low Earth orbit satellite type; when the first charging information includes the SSI and the value of the satellite 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 type of the satellite providing the satellite service is a geostationary orbit satellite type.

[0152] In some embodiments, the SSI may include a satellite service type indication and a satellite type indication. For example, when the first charging information includes the SSI, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0" and the value of the satellite type indication is "0", it may indicate 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, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "0" and the value of the satellite type indication is "1", it may indicate 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, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite type indication is "0", it may indicate 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, and the value of the satellite service type indication included in the SSI is "1" and the value of the satellite type indication is "1", it may indicate 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.

[0153] In some embodiments, the satellite service type indication and the satellite type indication may be different from the satellite service indication SSI. That is, in addition to the SSI, the first charging information may further include at least one of the satellite service type indication and the satellite type indication. For example, when the first charging information includes the SSI, the satellite service type indication, and the satellite type indication, and the value of the SSI is "1", the value of the satellite service type indication is "0", and the value of the satellite type indication is "0", it may indicate 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, the satellite service type indication, and the satellite type indication, and the value of the SSI is "1", the value of the satellite service type indication is "0", and the value of the satellite type indication is "1", it may indicate 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, the satellite service type indication, and the satellite type indication, and the value of the SSI is "1", the value of the satellite service type indication is "1", and the value of the satellite type indication is "0", it may indicate 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, the satellite service type indication, and the satellite type indication, and the value of the SSI is "1", the value of the satellite service type indication is "1", and the value of the satellite type indication is "1", it may indicate 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.

[0154] In some embodiments, taking the data connection session of the terminal device as a PDU session as an example, the first charging information may include one or more of the parameters shown in Table 1 below.

[0155] Table 1 First Charging Information and Corresponding Descriptions

[0156]

[0157] In some embodiments, the charging information of the PDU session (PDU Session Charging Information) may include at least one of the parameters shown in Table 2 below.

[0158] Table 2 Parameters Included in the Charging Information of the PDU Session and Corresponding Descriptions

[0159]

[0160] In some embodiments, the FBC Information may include the Usage Volume.

[0161] In some embodiments, the QBC Information may include at least one of the parameters shown in Table 3 below.

[0162] Table 3 Parameters Included in the QBC Information and Corresponding Descriptions

[0163]

[0164]

[0165] In some embodiments, the quota information may include at least one of the parameters shown in Table 4 below.

[0166] Table 4 Parameters Included in the Quota Information and Corresponding Descriptions

[0167] Parameter Name Description Quota Application Information Quota application information, used for quota application. Quota Usage Information Quota usage information, used to represent the used quota.

[0168] In some embodiments, what information is included in the first charging information and what form each type of information is in can be set as needed.

[0169] For example, in the case where the first charging information includes the charging information of the terminal device UE1 using satellite services, since the satellite service types are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, and since the types of satellites providing satellite services are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, the first charging information may include the SSI corresponding to UE1, indicating that UE1 accesses the first network through satellite services, and the SSI may include a satellite service type indication, indicating that the satellite service used by UE1 is a terminal direct connection service, and the SSI may include a satellite type indication, indicating that the type of satellite providing the terminal direct connection service for UE1 is a low-earth orbit satellite type; since the satellite service qualities are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, the first charging information may include the satellite service quality corresponding to UE1, indicating the service quality of the satellite providing satellite services for UE1; since the satellites providing satellite services are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, the first charging information may include the satellite identifier corresponding to UE1, indicating the identifier of the satellite providing satellite services for UE1; for the convenience of charging the operator, the first charging information may include an operator identifier, indicating the identifier of the operator providing the first network; for uniquely identifying the data connection session, the first charging information may include a charging identifier.

[0170] Step 302, the second network element 102 forwards the first charging information to the third network element 103.

[0171] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may send a first charging request message to the third network element 103, where the first charging request message carries the first charging information.

[0172] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 is an SMF network element, and the third network element 103 is a CHF network element.

[0173] In some embodiments, when the second network element 102 is an SMF network element and the third network element 103 is a CHF network element, the SMF network element may determine which specific CHF network element the third network element 103 is according to at least one of the following information:

[0174] 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;

[0175] The charging feature information provided by the Unified Data Management (UDM);

[0176] The CHF instance discovered by the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0177] The charging feature information locally provided by the SMF (here referring to the second network element 102).

[0178] In some embodiments, when using the NRF to discover a CHF instance, if the charging rule of the data connection session of the terminal device indicates that the data connection session is "offline only", the NRF may select a CHF instance that supports the CHF "offline only" service instance.

[0179] 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 (here referring to the second network element 102), and the SMF network element (here referring to the second network element 102) activates the charging rules of the data connection session of the terminal device. Alternatively, the PCF may also send and activate dynamic charging rules to the SMF (here referring to the second network element 102), or the PCF may send and activate specified pre-configured charging rules to the SMF (here referring to the second network element 102).

[0180] In some embodiments, the SMF network element (herein referring to the second network element 102) may determine which CHF network element the third network element 103 specifically is in response to the start of the establishment of a data connection session of the terminal device. For example, the SMF network element (herein referring to the second network element 102) may determine which CHF network element the third network element 103 specifically is during the establishment process of the data connection session of the terminal device.

[0181] Step 303, the third network element 103 generates a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first CDR may include one or more of the parameters shown in Table 5 below.

[0183] Table 5 Parameters Included in the First CDR and Corresponding Descriptions

[0184]

[0185] In some embodiments, the first CDR may include a satellite service type indication and / or a satellite type indication. Among them, the satellite service type indication is used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service; the satellite type indication is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first CDR may include one or more of the first charging information. For example, since the satellite service types are different, and / or the types of the satellites providing the satellite services are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, then the first charging information may include SSI, and the first CDR may also include SSI; since the satellite service qualities are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, then the first charging information may include satellite service quality, and the first CDR may also include satellite service quality; since the satellites providing the satellite services are different, the corresponding charging rules may be different, then the first charging information may include satellite identification, and the first CDR may also include satellite identification; for the convenience of charging the operator, the first charging information may include operator identification, and the first CDR may also include operator identification; for uniquely identifying the data connection session, the first charging information may include a charging identification, and the first CDR may also include a charging identification. It should be noted that the rule for generating the first CDR based on the first charging information can be set as needed, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0187] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send a first charging response message to the second network element 102.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first charging response message may be sent in response to the generation of the first CDR, wherein the first charging response message is used to indicate that the third network element 103 has generated the first CDR.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first charging response message may be sent in response to receiving the first charging information, where the first charging response message is used to indicate that the third network element 103 has received the first charging information.

[0190] Wherein, the third network element 103 sending the first charging response message to the second network element 102 may be executed in an exchangeable order or simultaneously with step 303, and the present application does not limit this.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may send a data connection session creation response to the first network element 101.

[0192] In some embodiments, the data connection session creation response may be sent in response to receiving a second data connection session creation request, where the data connection session creation response is used to indicate that the data connection session between the first network element 101 and the second network element 102 has been created and / or the second network element 102 has received the second data connection session creation request.

[0193] In some embodiments, the data connection session creation response may be sent in response to receiving the first charging response message, and the first charging response message is sent in response to generating the first CDR, where the data connection session creation response is used to indicate that the third network element 103 has generated the first CDR.

[0194] In some embodiments, the data connection session creation response may carry the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR, where the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR are sent by the third network element 103 to the second network element 102 to implement sending the first CDR generated by the third network element 103 and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR to the first network element 101. Optionally, the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR may be carried in the first charging response message sent by the third network element 103 to the second network element 102 to implement the third network element 103 sending the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR to the second network element 102.

[0195] Wherein, the present application embodiment does not limit the execution timing of the step of the second network element 102 sending the data connection session creation response to the first network element 101.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first charging response message and / or the data connection session creation response may carry one or more of the parameters shown in Table 6 below.

[0197] Table 6 Parameters carried in the first charging response message and corresponding descriptions

[0198]

[0199] In some embodiments, the Quota Management parameters may include one or more of the parameters shown in Table 7 below.

[0200] Table 7 Parameters included in the Quota Management parameters and corresponding descriptions

[0201] Parameter Name Description Time Quota Threshold Time threshold Volume Quota Threshold Quantitative quota threshold Quota Holding Time Quota duration

[0202] In some embodiments, the charging configuration parameters may include one or more of the parameters shown in Table 8 below. Among them, the parameters shown in Table 8 also apply to the charging configuration parameters shown in Table 2.

[0203] Table 8 Parameters included in the charging configuration parameters and corresponding descriptions

[0204]

[0205] It should be noted that taking the charging configuration parameters as an example, when both the first charging request message and the first charging response message carry the charging configuration parameters, the values of the charging configuration parameters carried in the first charging request message and the first charging response message may be the same or different.

[0206] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 3 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0207] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network element deployed in a first network may send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Thus, the third 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 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.

[0208] Figure 4 is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 4 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 1 or Figure 2 the satellite communication charging system 100 shown, and based on the method shown in Figure 3 it further includes the following steps 401-403.

[0209] Step 401, the first network element 101 sends the first information to be updated to the second network element 102.

[0210] The first information to be updated is the information that needs to be updated and is used to update the first CDR.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may send a first data connection session update request to the second network element 102. The first data connection session update request is used to update the data connection session between the first network element 101 and the second network element 102, and the first data connection session update request carries the first information to be updated.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first information to be updated may include charging configuration parameters.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first information to be updated may include QBC information and / or FBC information. Optionally, the QBC information may include quota information, and / or the FBC information may include quota information. The quota information may include quota application information for applying for a quota and / or quota usage information for indicating the used quota.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first information to be updated may be sent when an update trigger condition is met. The update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0215] 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;

[0216] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0217] The quota limit is reached.

[0218] In some embodiments, in response to the change of the charging condition, the first network element 101 sends the first information to be updated to the second network element 102, which is applicable to the convergent charging scenario and the offline charging scenario.

[0219] 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, expiry of data event limit per RG. In some embodiments, in response to reaching the limit of the rating group, the first network element 101 sends information to be updated to the second network element 102, which is applicable to the convergent charging scenario and the offline charging scenario.

[0220] 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, re-authorization request by CHF. In some embodiments, in response to reaching the quota limit, the first network element 101 sends the first information to be updated to the second network element 102, which is applicable to the convergent charging scenario.

[0221] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes a change in the charging condition, the first 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 first information to be updated may include the satellite identifier of the latest satellite providing satellite services.

[0222] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes reaching the limit of the rating group, the first information to be updated may include information related to the reached limit of the rating group.

[0223] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes reaching the quota limit, the first information to be updated may include information related to the reached quota limit.

[0224] Step 402: The second network element 102 forwards the first information to be updated to the third network element 103.

[0225] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may send a first charging update request message to the third network element 103, where the first charging update request message carries the first information to be updated.

[0226] Among them, the first charging update request message is used to request an update to the generated CDR.

[0227] Step 403: The third network element 103 updates the first CDR based on the first information to be updated.

[0228] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send a first charging update response message to the second network element 102.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first charging update response message may be sent in response to the update of the first CDR, where the first charging update response message is used to indicate that the first CDR has been updated.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first charging update response message may be sent in response to receiving the first information to be updated, where the first charging update response message is used to indicate that the third network element 103 has received the first information to be updated.

[0231] Among them, the third network element 103 sending the first charging update response message to the second network element 102 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with Step 403, and this application does not limit this.

[0232] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 4 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0233] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is that the first network element deployed in the first network sends the first information to be updated to the second network element deployed in the second network, and the second network element forwards the first information to be updated to the third network element deployed in the second network. The third network element updates the first CDR based on the first information to be updated, so that the third network element can update the first CDR in a timely manner according to the first information to be updated sent by the first network element, thereby ensuring the timeliness of the charging result generated by the third network element.

[0234] Figure 5 is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 5 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 1 or Figure 2 shown in the satellite communication charging system 100, and this method isFigure 3 or Figure 4 Based on the method shown above, the following steps 501-502 are further included.

[0235] Step 501, the second network element 102 sends a first charging termination indication to the third network element 103.

[0236] Among them, the first charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0237] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may send a first charging termination request message to the third network element 103, where the first charging termination indication is carried in the message.

[0238] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may, in response to detecting the release of the data connection session of the established terminal device, send a first charging termination indication or a first charging termination request message carrying the first charging termination indication to the third network element 103.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first charging termination request message may further carry the fourth charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service. Among them, the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR. Among them, the fourth charging information may be the charging information of the terminal device generated when the data connection session of the terminal device is released. The information included in the fourth charging information may be set as needed, and specifically, reference may be made to the first charging information, which will not be elaborated here. In the embodiments of the present application, the name of the fourth charging information is not limited, and it is, for example, "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first charging termination request message may further carry a UsageReport. Among them, the UsageReport includes detailed information on the usage of data traffic and can be used to update the first CDR.

[0241] Step 502, the third network element 103 closes the first CDR based on the first charging termination indication.

[0242] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send a first charging termination response message to the second network element 102.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first charging termination response message may be sent in response to closing the first CDR, where the first charging termination response message is used to indicate that the first CDR generated previously has been closed.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first charging termination response message may be sent in response to receiving the first charging termination indication, where the first charging termination response message is used to indicate that the first charging termination indication has been received.

[0245] Among them, the third network element 103 sends a first charging termination response message to the second network element 102, which can be executed in an exchange order with step 502 or simultaneously, and the present application does not limit this.

[0246] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 5 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0247] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the second network element sends a first charging termination indication to the third network element, and the third network element closes the first CDR based on the first charging termination indication, so that the third network element can close the first CDR in a timely manner according to the first charging termination indication sent by the second network element, thereby ensuring that the third network element stops charging in a timely manner.

[0248] Figure 6 It is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging 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 2 the satellite communication charging system 100 shown, and the method includes the following steps 601-605.

[0249] Step 601, the first network element 101 sends first charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service to the second network element 102.

[0250] The optional implementation manner of step 601 can refer to Figure 3 the optional implementation manner of step 301 of Figure 3 and other related parts in the involved embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0251] Step 602, the second network element 102 forwards the first charging information to the third network element 103.

[0252] The optional implementation manner of step 602 can refer to Figure 3 the optional implementation manner of step 302 of Figure 3 and other related parts in the involved embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0253] Step 603, the third network element 103 generates a first charging data record CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0254] The optional implementation manner of step 603 can refer to Figure 3 the optional implementation manner of step 303 of Figure 3 and other related parts in the involved embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0255] Step 604: The first network element 101 sends the second charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the fourth network element 104.

[0256] Among them, the terminal device using satellite services in step 604 and the terminal device using satellite services in step 601 may be the same terminal device.

[0257] Among them, the second charging information is the charging information used for the fourth network element 104 to generate the second CDR. Here, the name of the second charging information is not limited in the embodiments of the present application, and it may be, for example, "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc. The information included in the second charging information can be set as needed, and specifically, reference can be made to the first charging information, which will not be elaborated here.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may receive a first data connection session creation request sent by the terminal device, and in response to the creation request, determine whether the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services. If it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services, it is determined that the terminal device uses satellite services, and then the second charging information is sent to the fourth network element 104.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may send a second charging request message to the fourth network element 104, where the second charging request message carries the second charging information. The second charging request message is used to request the fourth network element 104 to generate a CDR.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may receive a first data connection session creation request sent by the terminal device, and in response to the creation request, determine whether the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services. If it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services, it is determined that the terminal device uses satellite services, and then the above-mentioned second charging request message is sent to the fourth network element 104 to request the fourth network element 104 to start establishing a CDR to charge for this data connection session.

[0261] In some embodiments, the data connection session may be a 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. The embodiments of the present disclosure take the data connection session as a PDU session as an example for illustration.

[0262] In some embodiments, when the first charging information includes an operator identifier, since the operator identifier is used to charge the operator and is irrelevant to the charging rules when the operator charges the user to whom the terminal device belongs, the second charging information may not include the operator identifier. To facilitate the operator to charge the user to whom the terminal device belongs, the second charging information may include the subscriber identifier of the user to whom the terminal device belongs. In addition, the information included in the second charging information may be the same as that included in the first charging information. That is, the first charging information may include the operator identifier but not the user identifier, and the second charging information may include the user identifier but not the operator identifier. Except for this, the other information included in the first charging information and the second charging information may be the same.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first network element is an SMF network element, and the fourth network element 104 is a CHF network element.

[0264] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an SMF network element and the fourth network element 104 is a CHF network element, the SMF network element may determine which specific CHF network element the fourth network element 104 is according to at least one of the following information:

[0265] 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;

[0266] The charging feature information provided by the unified data management function UDM;

[0267] The CHF instance discovered by the network storage function NRF;

[0268] The charging feature information locally provided by the SMF (here referring to the first network element 101).

[0269] In some embodiments, when using the NRF to discover a CHF instance, when the charging rule of the data connection session of the terminal device indicates that the data connection session is "offline only", the NRF may select a CHF instance that supports the CHF "offline only" service instance.

[0270] 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 can be pre-configured in the SMF network element (herein referring to the first network element 101), and the SMF network element (herein referring to the first network element 101) activates the charging rules for the data connection session of the terminal device. Alternatively, the PCF can also send and activate dynamic charging rules to the SMF (herein referring to the first network element 101), or the PCF can also send and activate the specified pre-configured charging rules to the SMF (herein referring to the first network element 101).

[0271] In some embodiments, the SMF network element (herein referring to the first network element 101) can determine which specific CHF network element the fourth network element is in response to the start of the establishment of the data connection session of the terminal device. For example, the SMF network element (herein referring to the first network element 101) can determine which specific CHF network element the fourth network element is during the establishment process of the data connection session of the terminal device.

[0272] Step 605, the fourth network element 104 generates a second CDR based on the second charging information, and the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0273] In some embodiments, the second CDR may include one or more of the second charging information. For example, due to different satellite service types and / or different types of satellites providing satellite services, the corresponding charging rules may be different, so the second charging information may include SSI, and the second CDR may also include SSI; due to different satellite service qualities, the corresponding charging rules may be different, so the second charging information may include satellite service quality, and the second CDR may also include satellite service quality; due to different satellites providing satellite services, the corresponding charging rules may be different, so the second charging information may include satellite identification, and the second CDR may also include satellite identification; for the convenience of charging the user to whom the terminal device belongs, the second charging information may include user identification, and the second CDR may also include user identification; for uniquely identifying the data connection session, the second charging information may include a charging identifier, and the second CDR may also include a charging identifier. It should be noted that the rules for generating the second CDR based on the second charging information can be set as needed, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0274] It should be noted that the information included in the second CDR can refer to the information included in the first CDR, which will not be elaborated here.

[0275] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 104 can send a second charging response message to the first network element 101.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second charging response message may be sent in response to generating a second CDR, wherein the second charging response message is used to indicate that the second CDR has been established.

[0277] In some embodiments, the second charging response message may carry the second CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the second CDR, so as to implement sending the second CDR generated by the fourth network element 104 and / or the charging bill generated according to the second CDR to the first network element 101.

[0278] In some embodiments, the second charging response message may be sent in response to receiving second charging information, wherein the second charging response message is used to indicate that the second charging information has been received.

[0279] Wherein, the fourth network element 104 sending the second charging response message to the first network element 101 may be executed in an exchange order with step 605 or simultaneously, and the present application does not limit this.

[0280] In some embodiments, the second charging response message may carry one or more of the parameters shown in Table 6.

[0281] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send the charging bill generated according to the first CDR to the second network element 102, and the second network element 102 forwards it to the first network element 101. The fourth network element 104 may send the charging bill generated according to the second CDR to the first network element 101, so that the first network element 101 can compare the two charging bills and, in the case where the two charging bills are inconsistent, perform further dispute handling.

[0282] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send the first CDR to the second network element 102, and the second network element 102 forwards it to the first network element 101. The fourth network element 104 may send the second CDR to the first network element 101, so that the first network element 101 can compare the two CDRs and, in the case where the two CDRs are inconsistent, perform further dispute handling.

[0283] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send the first CDR and the charging bill generated according to the first CDR to the second network element 102, and the second network element 102 forwards it to the first network element 101. The fourth network element 104 may send the second CDR and the charging bill generated according to the second CDR to the first network element 101, so that the first network element 101 can compare the two charging bills, and / or compare the two CDRs, and in the case where the two charging bills and / or the two CDRs are inconsistent, perform further dispute handling.

[0284] Among them, the dispute handling may include, for example: modifying the charging bill generated according to the second CDR according to the charging bill generated according to the first CDR; or modifying the charging bill generated according to the first CDR according to the charging bill generated according to the second CDR, or modifying the two charging bills through negotiation; or modifying the second CDR according to the first CDR; or modifying the first CDR according to the second CDR; or modifying the first CDR and the second CDR through negotiation, etc. The present application does not limit this.

[0285] It should be noted that steps 601-603 may be executed before step 604, or after step 605, or executed simultaneously with steps 604-605. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0286] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 6 other optional implementation manners recorded before or after the corresponding specification.

[0287] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure enables a third network element to generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services provided by a first network element, and a fourth network element can generate a second CDR for generating a charging bill based on the second charging information of the terminal device using satellite services provided by the first network element. Since the third network element and the fourth network element perform charging based on the same data source, the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network can be avoided, and the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication is improved.

[0288] Figure 7 is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 7 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to Figure 2 the satellite communication charging system 100 shown in Figure 6 Based on the charging method for satellite communication shown in

[0289] Step 701, the first network element 101 sends second information to be updated to the second network element 102.

[0290] Among them, the second information to be updated is the information that needs to be updated. Among them, the second information to be updated and the first information to be updated may be the same or different. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may send a second data connection session update request to the second network element 102, where the second data connection session update request is used to update the data connection session between the first network element 101 and the second network element 102, and the second data connection session update request carries second information to be updated.

[0292] In some embodiments, the second information to be updated may include charging configuration parameters.

[0293] In some embodiments, the second information to be updated may include QBC information and / or FBC information. Optionally, the QBC information may include quota information, and / or the FBC information may include quota information. The quota information may include quota application information for applying for a quota and / or quota usage information for informing of the used quota.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second information to be updated may be sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0295] 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;

[0296] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0297] The quota limit is reached.

[0298] For the description of the update trigger condition, reference may be made to other embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0299] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes a change in the charging condition, the second 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 second information to be updated may include the satellite identifier of the latest satellite providing satellite services.

[0300] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes reaching the limit of the rate group, the second information to be updated may include information related to the reached limit of the rate group.

[0301] In some embodiments, when the update trigger condition includes reaching the quota limit, the second information to be updated may include information related to the reached quota limit.

[0302] Step 702, the second network element 102 forwards the second information to be updated to the third network element 103.

[0303] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may send a second charging update request message to the third network element 103, where the second charging update request message carries second information to be updated.

[0304] Wherein, the second charging update request message is used to request an update to the generated CDR.

[0305] Step 703, the third network element 103 updates the first CDR based on the second information to be updated.

[0306] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send a second charging update response message to the second network element 102.

[0307] In some embodiments, the second charging update response message may be sent in response to the update of the first CDR, wherein the second charging update response message is used to indicate that the first CDR has been updated.

[0308] In some embodiments, the second charging update response message may be sent in response to receiving the second information to be updated, wherein the second charging update response message is used to indicate that the third network element 103 has received the second information to be updated.

[0309] Wherein, the third network element 103 sending the second charging update response message to the second network element 102 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 703, and this application does not limit this.

[0310] Step 704, the first network element 101 sends the second information to be updated to the fourth network element 104.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may send a third charging update request message to the fourth network element 104, where the third charging update request message carries the second information to be updated.

[0312] Wherein, the third charging update request message is used to request an update to the generated CDR.

[0313] In some embodiments, the second information to be updated may be sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0314] 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;

[0315] Reaching the limit of the rate group;

[0316] Reaching the quota limit.

[0317] Among them, for the description of the update trigger condition, reference can be made to other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0318] Step 705: The fourth network element 104 updates the second CDR based on the second information to be updated.

[0319] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 104 may send a third charging update response message to the first network element 101.

[0320] In some embodiments, the third charging update response message may be sent in response to the update of the second CDR, where the third charging update response message is used to indicate that the second CDR has been updated.

[0321] In some embodiments, the third charging update response message may be sent in response to receiving the second information to be updated, where the third charging update response message is used to indicate that the second information to be updated has been received.

[0322] Among them, the fourth network element 104 sending the third charging update response message to the first network element 101 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 705, and the present application does not limit this.

[0323] It should be noted that steps 701-703 and steps 704-705 may be executed simultaneously, or steps 701-703 may be executed before step 704, or steps 701-703 may be executed after step 705, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0324] In some embodiments, reference can be made to Figure 7 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0325] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure sends the second information to be updated from the first network element to the second network element and the fourth network element. The second network element forwards the second information to be updated to the third network element. The fourth network element and the third network element update the CDRs they have generated according to the second information to be updated provided by the first network element, which can ensure the timeliness and consistency of the charging results generated by the third network element and the fourth network element.

[0326] Figure 8 is an interaction schematic diagram of the charging method for 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 2 the charging system 100 for satellite communication shown, and on the basis of the charging method for satellite communication shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7 shown, this method further includes the following steps 801-805.

[0327] Step 801, the data connection session of the terminal device is continuously released.

[0328] Step 802, the second network element 102 sends a second charging termination indication to the third network element 103.

[0329] Among them, the second charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0330] In some embodiments, the second network element 102 may send a second charging termination request message to the third network element 103, where the second charging termination indication is carried in the message.

[0331] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may, in response to detecting the release of the data connection session of the established terminal device, send a second charging termination indication or a second charging termination request message carrying the second charging termination indication to the third network element 103.

[0332] In some embodiments, the second charging termination request message may further carry the fourth charging information of the above-mentioned terminal device using the satellite service. Among them, the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR. Among them, the fourth charging information may be the charging information of the terminal device generated when the data connection session of the terminal device is released. Among them, the information included in the fourth charging information can be set as needed, and specifically, reference can be made to the first charging information, which will not be elaborated here. Among them, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the name of the fourth charging information, and it is, for example, "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc.

[0333] In some embodiments, the second charging termination request message may further carry a UsageReport. Among them, the UsageReport includes detailed information on the usage of data traffic and can be used to update the first CDR.

[0334] Step 803, the third network element 103 closes the first CDR based on the second charging termination indication.

[0335] In some embodiments, the third network element 103 may send a second charging termination response message to the second network element 102.

[0336] In some embodiments, the second charging termination response message may be sent in response to closing the first CDR, where the second charging termination response message is used to indicate that the first CDR generated previously has been closed.

[0337] In some embodiments, the second charging termination response message may be sent in response to receiving the second charging termination indication, where the second charging termination response message is used to indicate that the third network element 103 has received the second charging termination indication.

[0338] Among them, the third network element 103 sends a second charging termination response message to the second network element 102, which can be executed in an exchange order with step 803 or simultaneously, and this application does not limit this.

[0339] Step 804, the first network element 101 sends a third charging termination indication to the fourth network element 104.

[0340] Among them, the third charging termination indication is used to close the second CDR.

[0341] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may send a third charging termination request message to the fourth network element 104, where the third charging termination indication is carried in the message.

[0342] In some embodiments, the first network element 101 may, in response to detecting the release of the data connection session of the established terminal device, send a third charging termination indication or a third charging termination request message carrying the third charging termination indication to the fourth network element 104.

[0343] In some embodiments, the third charging termination request message may also carry the third charging information of the above-mentioned terminal device using satellite services. Among them, the third charging information is used to update the second CDR. Among them, the third charging information may be the charging information of the terminal device generated when the data connection session of the terminal device is released. Among them, the information included in the third charging information can be set as needed, and specifically, reference can be made to the first charging information, which will not be elaborated here. Among them, the embodiments of this application do not limit the name of the third charging information, and it is, for example, "charging-related information", "information for charging", etc. In some embodiments, the third charging information and the fourth charging information may include the same charging information.

[0344] In some embodiments, the third charging termination request message may also carry a UsageReport. Among them, the UsageReport includes detailed information on the usage of data traffic and can be used to update the second CDR.

[0345] Step 805, the fourth network element 104 closes the second CDR based on the third charging termination indication.

[0346] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 104 may send a third charging termination response message to the first network element 101.

[0347] In some embodiments, the third charging termination response message may be sent in response to closing the second CDR, where the third charging termination response message is used to indicate that the previously generated second CDR has been closed.

[0348] In some embodiments, the third charging termination response message may be sent in response to receiving a third charging termination indication, where the third charging termination response message is used to indicate that the third charging termination indication has been received.

[0349] Wherein, the fourth network element 104 sending the third charging termination response message to the first network element 101 may be executed in an exchange order or simultaneously with step 805, and the present application does not limit this.

[0350] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 8 other optional implementation manners described before or after the corresponding specification.

[0351] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure enables the third network element and the fourth network element to close the CDRs they have generated in a timely manner according to the received charging termination indications by sending a second charging termination indication from the second network element to the third network element and a third charging termination indication from the first network element to the fourth network element, so as to ensure that the third network element and the fourth network element stop charging in a timely manner and ensure the consistency of the charging results generated by the third network element and the fourth network element.

[0352] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for 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 a first network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes the following step 901.

[0353] Step 901: Send first charging information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0354] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR include:

[0355] A satellite service indication SSI, which is used to indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0356] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further include at least one of the following information:

[0357] A satellite service type indication, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0358] A satellite type indication, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0359] The satellite service quality;

[0360] Satellite identifier and / or constellation identifier;

[0361] Operator identifier.

[0362] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0363] Determine that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0364] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0365] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, where the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element. Among them, the data connection session creation request may be the second data connection session creation request in the foregoing embodiments.

[0366] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0367] Receive a data connection session creation response sent by the second network element, where the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR are sent by the third network element to the second network element.

[0368] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of step 901, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0369] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first network element deployed in the first network sends the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to the third network element deployed in the second network to generate the first charging data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Thus, the third 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 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.

[0370] Figure 10 It is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown in 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 network element deployed in the first network, and the method includes the following steps 1001-1002.

[0371] Step 1001: Send the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to the third network element deployed in the second network to generate the first charging data record (CDR), and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0372] Step 1002: Send the first information to be updated to the second network element, where the first information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update the first CDR.

[0373] In some embodiments, the first information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0374] 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;

[0375] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0376] The quota limit is reached.

[0377] For the specific implementation processes, principles, and alternative implementation manners of steps 1001 - 1002, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0378] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first network element deployed in the first network sends the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to the third network element deployed in the second network to generate the first charging data record (CDR), and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill. Thus, the third 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 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. Additionally, the first network element sends the first information to be updated to the second network element, where the first information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update the first CDR, enabling the third network element to update the first CDR in a timely manner according to the first information to be updated sent by the first network element, thereby ensuring the timeliness of the charging results generated by the third network element.

[0379] Figure 11 It 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 the first network element deployed in the first network, and this method includes the following steps 1101 - 1102.

[0380] Step 1101: Send the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the second network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is used to be forwarded to the third network element deployed in the second network to generate the first charging data record (CDR), and the first CDR is used to generate the charging bill.

[0381] Step 1102: Send the second charging information of the terminal device using satellite services to the fourth network element deployed in the first network, where the second charging information is used to generate the second CDR, and the second CDR is used to generate the charging bill.

[0382] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0383] Receive the second charging response message sent by the fourth network element, where the second charging response message carries the second CDR and / or the charging bill generated based on the second CDR.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first network element is a session management function (SMF) network element, the fourth network element is a charging function (CHF) network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, and the third network element is a CHF network element.

[0385] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an SMF network element and the fourth network element is a CHF network element, the fourth network element is determined by the first network element based on at least one of the following information:

[0386] 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;

[0387] The charging feature information provided by the unified data management function (UDM);

[0388] The CHF instance discovered by the network repository function (NRF);

[0389] The charging feature information provided locally by the first network element.

[0390] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1101 - 1102, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0391] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure enables a third network element to generate a first CDR for generating a charging bill based on the first charging information of the terminal device using satellite services provided by the first network element, and a fourth network element to generate a second CDR for generating a charging bill based on the second charging information of the terminal device using satellite services provided by the first network element. Since the third network element and the fourth network element perform charging based on the same data source, the problem of inconsistent charging results between the second network and the first network can be avoided, and the accuracy of the charging results for satellite communication can be improved.

[0392] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 12 shown, the method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a first network element deployed in a first network. Based on what is shown in Figure 11 the following, the method further includes the following steps 1201 - 1202.

[0393] Step 1201: Send second information to be updated to a second network element, where the second information to be updated is used to be forwarded to a third network element to update the first CDR.

[0394] Step 1202: Send second information to be updated to a fourth network element, where the second information to be updated is used to update the second CDR.

[0395] Among them, steps 1201 and 1202 can be executed in an exchanged order or simultaneously, and the present application does not limit this.

[0396] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1201 - 1202, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0397] The charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, by the first network element sending second information to be updated to the second network element, where the second information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update the first CDR, and the first network element sending second information to be updated to the fourth network element, where the second information to be updated is used to update the second CDR, enables the fourth network element and the third network element to update the CDRs they have generated according to the second information to be updated provided by the first network element, which can ensure the timeliness and consistency of the charging results generated by the third network element and the fourth network element.

[0398] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of the charging 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 a first network element deployed in a first network. Based on what is shown in Figure 11Based on what is shown in FIG. 12, the following step 1301 is further included.

[0399] Step 1301: Send a charging termination indication to the fourth network element, where the charging termination indication is used to close the second CDR.

[0400] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the first network element to the fourth network element. The charging termination request message also carries third charging information of the terminal device using satellite services, and the third charging information is used to update the second CDR.

[0401] Wherein, the charging termination indication may be the third charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiments, and the charging termination request message may be the third charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiments.

[0402] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0403] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of step 1301, reference may be made to the related parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0404] In the charging method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, by sending a third charging termination indication from the first network element to the fourth network element, the fourth network element can timely close the generated CDR according to the received charging termination indication, so as to ensure that the fourth network element stops charging in a timely manner.

[0405] Figure 14 It 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 second network element deployed in the first network. The method includes the following steps 1401-1402.

[0406] Step 1401: Receive first charging information sent by the first network element deployed in the first network, where the first charging information includes the charging information of the terminal device using satellite services.

[0407] Step 1402: Forward the first charging information to the third network element deployed in the second network, where the first charging information is used to generate a first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0408] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR include:

[0409] A satellite service indication (SSI) for indicating that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information:

[0411] Satellite service type indication, used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0412] Satellite type indication, used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0413] Satellite service quality;

[0414] Satellite identifier and / or constellation identifier;

[0415] Operator identifier.

[0416] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0417] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0418] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, where the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element. The data connection session creation request may be the second data connection session creation request in the foregoing embodiments.

[0419] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a data connection session creation response to the first network element, where the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated based on the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated based on the first CDR is sent by the third network element to the second network element.

[0420] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first charging response message sent by the third network element, where the first charging response message carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated based on the first CDR.

[0421] In some embodiments, the second network element is a session management function (SMF) network element, the third network element is a charging function (CHF) network element, and the first network element is an SMF network element.

[0422] In some embodiments, when the second network element is an SMF network element and the third network element is a CHF network element, the CHF network element is determined by the second network element based on at least one of the following information:

[0423] 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;

[0424] Billing feature information provided by the unified data management function UDM;

[0425] CHF instances discovered by the network storage function NRF;

[0426] Billing feature information locally provided by the second network element.

[0427] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation methods of steps 1401 - 1402, reference can be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0428] The billing method for satellite communication provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The second network element deployed in the second network receives the first billing information sent by the first network element deployed in the first network. The first billing information includes the billing information of the terminal device using the satellite service, and forwards the first billing information to the third network element deployed in the second network. The first billing information is used to generate the first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate the billing bill. Thus, the third network element deployed in the second network can generate the first CDR for generating the billing bill based on the first billing information provided by the first 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.

[0429] Figure 15 It is a schematic flowchart of the billing 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 network element deployed in the first network. Based on what is shown in Figure 14 the following, the method further includes the following steps 1501 - 1502.

[0430] Step 1501, receive the information to be updated sent by the first network element.

[0431] The information to be updated can be the first information to be updated or the second information to be updated in the foregoing embodiments.

[0432] Step 1502, forward the information to be updated to the third network element, where the information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

[0433] In some embodiments, the information to be updated is sent when the update trigger condition is met. The update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0434] The billing condition changes, where the billing condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing the satellite service, the satellite service quality, and the satellite identifier;

[0435] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0436] Reach the quota limit.

[0437] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1501-1502, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0438] In the billing method for satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element deployed in a second network receives update information to be updated sent by a first network element deployed in a first network, and forwards the update information to be updated to a third network element deployed in the second network, so that the third network element can update the first CDR in a timely manner according to the update information to be updated, thereby ensuring the timeliness of the billing result generated by the third network element.

[0439] Figure 16 It is a schematic flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 16 shown, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a second network element deployed in a first network. On the basis shown in Figure 14 or 15, the method further includes the following step 1601.

[0440] Step 1601: Send a billing termination instruction to the third network element, where the billing termination instruction is used to close the first CDR.

[0441] In some embodiments, the billing termination instruction is carried in a billing termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element. The billing termination request message further carries fourth billing information of a terminal device using satellite services, and the fourth billing information is used to update the first CDR.

[0442] Wherein, the billing termination instruction may be the first billing termination instruction in the foregoing embodiment, and the billing termination request message may be the first billing termination request message in the foregoing embodiment; or, the billing termination instruction may be the second billing termination instruction in the foregoing embodiment, and the billing termination request message may be the second billing termination request message in the foregoing embodiment.

[0443] In some embodiments, the billing termination instruction is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0444] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of step 1601, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0445] In the billing method for satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element sends a billing termination instruction to the third network element, so that the third network element can close the first CDR in a timely manner according to the billing termination instruction sent by the second network element, thereby ensuring that the third network element stops billing in a timely manner.

[0446] Figure 17 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 17 shown, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a third network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes the following steps 1701-1702.

[0447] Step 1701: Receive first charging information forwarded by a second network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is sent by a first network element deployed in the first network to the second network element, and the first charging information includes charging information of a terminal device using satellite services.

[0448] Step 1702: Generate a first CDR based on the first charging information, where the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0449] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR include:

[0450] A satellite service indication (SSI) for indicating that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0451] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further include at least one of the following information:

[0452] A satellite service type indication for indicating whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0453] A satellite type indication for indicating the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0454] The quality of satellite services;

[0455] A satellite identifier and / or a constellation identifier;

[0456] An operator identifier.

[0457] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent by the first network element when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0458] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0459] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a first charging response message to the second network element, where the first charging response message carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated based on the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated based on the first CDR are used to be sent to the first network element.

[0460] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1701-1702, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0461] The billing method for satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a third network element deployed in a second network. The third network element receives first billing information forwarded by a second network element deployed in the second network. The first billing information is sent by a first network element deployed in a first network to the second network element. The first billing information includes the billing information of a terminal device using satellite services. Based on the first billing information, a first CDR is generated, and the first CDR is used to generate a billing statement. Thus, the third network element deployed in the second network can generate a first CDR for generating a billing statement based on the first billing information provided by the first 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.

[0462] Figure 18 It is a schematic flowchart of the billing method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 18 shown, the method involved in an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a third network element deployed in a first network. Based on what is shown in Figure 17 the above, the method further includes the following steps 1801-1802.

[0463] Step 1801: Receive the information to be updated forwarded by the second network element, where the information to be updated is sent by the first network element to the second network element.

[0464] Step 1802: Update the first CDR based on the information to be updated.

[0465] Among them, the information to be updated may be the first information to be updated or the second information to be updated in the foregoing embodiments.

[0466] In some embodiments, the information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met. The update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0467] The billing condition changes, where the billing condition includes at least one of the type of satellite providing satellite services, satellite service quality, and satellite identifier;

[0468] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0469] The quota limit is reached.

[0470] For the specific implementation process, principle, and optional implementation manners of steps 1801-1802, reference may be made to the relevant parts in other embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0471] The charging method for satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a third network element deployed in a second network. The third network element receives the information to be updated forwarded by a second network element, where the information to be updated is sent by a first network element to the second network element. Based on the information to be updated, a first CDR is updated. Thus, the third network element can update the first CDR in a timely manner according to the information to be updated sent by the first network element, thereby ensuring the timeliness of the charging result generated by the third network element.

[0472] Figure 19 is a schematic flowchart of the charging method for satellite communication shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 19 shown, the method involved in an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a third network element deployed in a first network. Based on the method shown in Figure 17 or 18, the following steps 1901 - 1902 are further included.

[0473] Step 1901: Receive a charging termination indication sent by the second network element.

[0474] Step 1902: Based on the charging termination indication, close the first CDR.

[0475] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element. The charging termination request message also carries fourth charging information of the terminal device using the satellite service, and the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR.

[0476] Among them, the charging termination indication can be the first charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiment, and the charging termination request message can be the first charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiment; or, the charging termination indication can be the second charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiment, and the charging termination request message can be the second charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiment.

[0477] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0478] 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.

[0479] The charging method for satellite communication provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented in a third network element deployed in a second network. The third network element receives a charging termination indication sent by the second network element and closes the first CDR based on the charging termination indication. Thus, the third network element can close the first CDR in a timely manner according to the charging termination indication sent by the second network element, thereby ensuring that the third network element stops charging in a timely manner.

[0480] Embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed, and the above apparatus includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the first network element in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the second network element in any of the above methods. For yet another example, another apparatus is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the third network element in any of the above methods.

[0481] It should be understood that the division of the units or modules in the above apparatus is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software. For example, the apparatus 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 the units or modules of the above apparatus. 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 apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of a hardware circuit, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be implemented through the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit 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 between the components in the circuit. For another example, 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 the units or modules of the above apparatus can be implemented entirely in the form of a processor calling software, or entirely in the form of a hardware circuit, or partially in the form of a processor calling software, and the remaining part in the form of a hardware circuit.

[0482] 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 running 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 achieve 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.

[0483] Figure 20 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 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.

[0484] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to send first billing information of a terminal device using satellite services to a second network element deployed in a second network, where the first billing information is used to be forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first Call Detail Record (CDR), and the first CDR is used to generate a billing statement.

[0485] In some embodiments, the first billing information and / or the first CDR include:

[0486] a Satellite Service Indicator (SSI) for indicating that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0487] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further include at least one of the following information:

[0488] Satellite service type indication, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0489] Satellite type indication, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0490] Satellite service quality;

[0491] Satellite identifier and / or constellation identifier;

[0492] Operator identifier.

[0493] In some embodiments, the processing module 2002 is used to determine that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0494] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0495] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, where the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element. Among them, the data connection session creation request may be the second data connection session creation request in the foregoing embodiments.

[0496] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is used to receive a data connection session creation response sent by the second network element, where the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR are sent by the third network element to the second network element.

[0497] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is used to: send first information to be updated to the second network element, where the first information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update the first CDR.

[0498] In some embodiments, the first information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0499] 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;

[0500] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0501] The quota limit is reached.

[0502] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to: send, to a fourth network element deployed in a first network, second charging information of a terminal device using satellite services, where the second charging information is used to generate a second CDR, and the second CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0503] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to receive a second charging response message sent by the fourth network element, where the second charging response message carries the second CDR and / or a charging bill generated based on the second CDR.

[0504] In some embodiments, the first network element is a session management function (SMF) network element, the fourth network element is a charging function (CHF) network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, and the third network element is a CHF network element.

[0505] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is determined by the first network element based on at least one of the following information:

[0506] 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;

[0507] Charging feature information provided by a unified data management function (UDM);

[0508] A CHF instance discovered by a network repository function (NRF);

[0509] Charging feature information locally provided by the first network element.

[0510] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to: send second information to be updated to the second network element, where the second information to be updated is used to be forwarded to the third network element to update a first CDR;

[0511] Send second information to be updated to the fourth network element, where the second information to be updated is used to update the second CDR.

[0512] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2001 is configured to: send a charging termination indication to the fourth network element, where the charging termination indication is used to close the second CDR. The charging termination indication may be the third charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiments.

[0513] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the first network element to the fourth network element. The charging termination request message further carries third charging information of the terminal device using satellite services, and the third charging information is used to update the second CDR. The charging termination request message may be the third charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiments.

[0514] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0515] Figure 21 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a charging device for satellite communication according to 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 network element in the foregoing embodiment. As Figure 21 shown, the satellite communication charging device 2100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 2101, a processing module 2102, etc.

[0516] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to receive first charging information sent by a first network element deployed in a first network, where the first charging information includes charging information of a terminal device using satellite services; and forward the first charging information to a third network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is used to generate a first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0517] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR includes:

[0518] A satellite service indication SSI, which is used to indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0519] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information:

[0520] A satellite service type indication, which is used to indicate that the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0521] A satellite type indication, which is used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0522] The satellite service quality;

[0523] A satellite identifier and / or a constellation identifier;

[0524] An operator identifier.

[0525] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent by the first network element when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0526] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0527] In some embodiments, the first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by a first network element to a second network element, where the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element. The data connection session creation request may be the second data connection session creation request in the foregoing embodiments.

[0528] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to send a data connection session creation response to the first network element, where the data connection session creation response carries a first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR are sent by a third network element to the second network element.

[0529] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to receive a first charging response message sent by a third network element, where the first charging response message carries a first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR.

[0530] In some embodiments, the second network element is a session management function (SMF) network element, the third network element is a charging function (CHF) network element, and the first network element is an SMF network element.

[0531] In some embodiments, the CHF network element is determined by the second network element according to at least one of the following information:

[0532] At least one of the CHF address provided by a policy control function (PCF) for a data connection session of a terminal device, the CHF instance identifier associated with the data connection session, and / or the CHF set identifier;

[0533] The charging feature information provided by a unified data management function (UDM);

[0534] The CHF instance discovered by a network repository function (NRF);

[0535] The charging feature information locally provided by the second network element.

[0536] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to:

[0537] Receive the information to be updated sent by the first network element;

[0538] Forward the information to be updated to the third network element, where the information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

[0539] The information to be updated may be the first information to be updated or the second information to be updated in the foregoing embodiments.

[0540] In some embodiments, the information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is satisfied, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0541] 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.

[0542] Reach the limit of the rate group.

[0543] Reach the quota limit.

[0544] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2101 is configured to send a charging termination indication to a third network element, where the charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

[0545] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element. The charging termination request message also carries fourth charging information of the terminal device using satellite services, and the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR.

[0546] Wherein, the charging termination indication may be the first charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiments, and the charging termination request message may be the first charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiments; or, the charging termination indication may be the second charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiments, and the charging termination request message may be the second charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiments.

[0547] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0548] Figure 22 It is a schematic structural diagram of a charging device for satellite communication proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Among them, the charging device for satellite communication can be applied to an electronic device, such as the third network element in the foregoing embodiments. As Figure 22 shown, the charging device 2200 for satellite communication may include at least one of a transceiver module 2201, a processing module 2202, etc.

[0549] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2201 is configured to receive first charging information forwarded by a second network element deployed in a second network, where the first charging information is sent by a first network element deployed in a first network to the second network element, and the first charging information includes charging information of a terminal device using satellite services; the processing module 2202 is configured to generate a first CDR based on the first charging information, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

[0550] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR include:

[0551] A satellite service indication SSI, which is used to indicate that the terminal device accesses the first network through satellite services.

[0552] In some embodiments, the first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information:

[0553] Satellite service type indication, used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service;

[0554] Satellite type indication, used to indicate the type of the satellite providing the satellite service;

[0555] Satellite service quality;

[0556] Satellite identifier and / or constellation identifier;

[0557] Operator identifier.

[0558] In some embodiments, the first charging information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the terminal device accesses the first network through the satellite service.

[0559] In some embodiments, the first network is a terrestrial network and the second network is a satellite network.

[0560] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2201 is used to send a first charging response message to the second network element, where the first charging response message carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the charging bill generated according to the first CDR are used to be sent to the first network element.

[0561] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2201 is used to receive the information to be updated forwarded by the second network element, where the information to be updated is sent by the first network element to the second network element; the processing module 2202 is used to update the first CDR based on the information to be updated. Wherein, the information to be updated may be the first information to be updated or the second information to be updated in the foregoing embodiments.

[0562] In some embodiments, the information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, where the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions:

[0563] 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;

[0564] The limit of the rate group is reached;

[0565] The quota limit is reached.

[0566] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2201 is used to receive a charging termination indication sent by the second network element; the processing module 2202 is used to close the first CDR based on the charging termination indication.

[0567] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is carried in a charging termination request message sent by a second network element to a third network element. The charging termination request message also carries fourth charging information of a terminal device using satellite services, and the fourth charging information is used to update the first CDR.

[0568] Wherein, the charging termination indication may be the first charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiments, and the charging termination request message may be the first charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiments; or, the charging termination indication may be the second charging termination indication in the foregoing embodiments, and the charging termination request message may be the second charging termination request message in the foregoing embodiments.

[0569] In some embodiments, the charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

[0570] Figure 23 It is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device 2300 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device 2300 may be the foregoing first network element, or the foregoing second network element, or the foregoing third network element, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first network element to implement any of the above methods, or may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the second network element to implement any of the above methods, or may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the third network element to implement any of the above methods. The electronic device 2300 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and for details, reference may be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0571] As Figure 23 shown, the electronic device 2300 includes one or more processors 2301. The processor 2301 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc., for example, it may 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 2301 is used to call instructions to cause the electronic device 2300 to execute any of the above methods.

[0572] In some embodiments, the electronic device 2300 further includes one or more memories 2302 for storing instructions. In some embodiments, all or part of the memories 2302 may also be outside the electronic device 2300.

[0573] In some embodiments, the electronic device 2300 further includes one or more transceivers 2303. When the electronic device 2300 includes one or more transceivers 2303, communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceivers 2303, and other steps are performed by the processor 2301.

[0574] In some embodiments, the transceiver 2303 may include a receiver and a transmitter, and the receiver and the transmitter 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.

[0575] In some embodiments, the electronic device 2300 further includes one or more interface circuits 2304. The interface circuit 2304 is connected to the memory 2302. The interface circuit 2304 can be used to receive signals from the memory 2302 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 2302 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 2304 can read the instructions stored in the memory 2302 and send the instructions to the processor 2301.

[0576] The electronic device 2300 described in the above embodiments may be the first network element, or the second network element, or the third network element, but the scope of the electronic device 2300 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the electronic device 2300 may not be subject to Figure 23 restrictions. The electronic device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the electronic device may 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 storage components 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.

[0577] Figure 24 is a schematic structural diagram of the chip 2400 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the electronic device 2300 may be a chip or a chip system, reference may be made to Figure 24 the schematic structural diagram of the chip 2400 shown, but not limited thereto.

[0578] The chip 2400 includes one or more processors 2401, and the processors 2401 are used to call instructions to cause the chip 2400 to execute any of the above methods.

[0579] In some embodiments, the chip 2400 further includes one or more interface circuits 2402. The interface circuit 2402 is connected to the memory 2403. The interface circuit 2402 can be used to receive signals from the memory 2403 or other devices, and the interface circuit 2402 can be used to send signals to the memory 2403 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 2402 can read the instructions stored in the memory 2403 and send the instructions to the processor 2401. In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0580] In some embodiments, the chip 2400 further includes one or more memories 2403 for storing instructions. In some embodiments, all or part of the memory 2403 can be outside the chip 2400.

[0581] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium. Instructions are stored on the storage medium. When the instructions are run on the electronic device 2300, the electronic device 2300 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 a storage medium readable by other devices. 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.

[0582] The present disclosure also provides a program product. When the program product is executed by the electronic device 2300, the electronic device 2300 is caused to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the program product is a computer program product.

[0583] 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.

[0584] 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.

[0585] 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.

[0586] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrative of some embodiments, and do not specifically limit 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 after 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 arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; furthermore, 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.

[0587] 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.

[0588] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0589] 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 after the article can be understood as a singular expression form or a plural expression form.

[0590] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0591] In some embodiments, terms such as "at least one of (at least one item, at least one)", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0592] 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.

[0593] 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.

[0594] Prefix words such as "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different described objects, and do not constitute a limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content 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". Again, for 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". Again, for 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; again, for 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.

[0595] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "used to indicate A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0596] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "when...", "when...", "if...", "if..." can be replaced with each other.

[0597] 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 replaced with each other, 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 replaced with each other.

[0598] In some embodiments, a "network" may be interpreted as the devices included in the network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0599] In some embodiments, a device, etc. may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and its name is not limited to the names described 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 replaced with each other.

[0600] 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 replaced with each other.

[0601] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. 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", "chip", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", etc. may be replaced with each other.

[0602] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where it is located.

[0603] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0604] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column may also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0605] In some embodiments, "obtain", "acquire", "get", "receive", "transmit", "two-way transmission", "send and / or receive" may be replaced with each other, and it may be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from a protocol, obtaining from a higher layer, self-processing to obtain, self-implementation, etc.

[0606] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "send down", "transmit", "two-way transmission", "send and / or receive" may be replaced with each other.

[0607] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preseted", "preset", "set", "indicated", "a certain", "any", "first", etc. may be replaced with each other, and "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, etc., or may be interpreted as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or may be interpreted as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0608] 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 one 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-definition digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0609] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples 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. Professional technicians 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.

[0610] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity 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.

[0611] As described above, the above are only specific embodiments 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 all 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 network element deployed in a first network, and the method includes: First billing information of a terminal device using satellite service is sent to a second network element deployed in a second network, wherein the first billing information is used to forward to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate 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 first charging information and / or the first CDR includes: The satellite service indication SSI is used to instruct the terminal device to access the first network via the satellite service.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information: A satellite service type indication, used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service; a satellite type indication, used to indicate the type of satellite providing the satellite service; Satellite service quality; Satellite identification and / or constellation identification; Operator ID.

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

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network is a terrestrial network, and the second network is a satellite network.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, wherein the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a data connection session creation response sent by the second network element, wherein the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or a billing bill generated based on the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the billing bill generated based on the first CDR are sent by the third network element to the second network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first information to be updated to the second network element, wherein the first information to be updated is used to forward to the third network element to update the first CDR.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first to-be-updated information is sent when an update triggering condition is met, wherein the update triggering condition includes at least one of the following 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.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second billing information of the terminal device using satellite service to a fourth network element deployed in the first network, wherein the second billing information is used to generate a second CDR, and the second CDR is used to generate a billing bill.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a second charging response message sent by the fourth network element, wherein the second charging response message carries the second CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the second CDR.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first network element is a session management function SMF network element, the fourth network element is a charging function CHF network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, and the third network element is a CHF network element.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The fourth network element is determined by the first network element 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 first network element locally provides charging characteristic information.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information to be updated to the second network element, wherein the second information to be updated is used to forward to the third network element to update the first CDR; The second information to be updated is sent to the fourth network element, wherein the second information to be updated is used to update the second CDR.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a charging termination indication to the fourth network element, wherein the charging termination indication is used to close the second CDR.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The billing termination indication is carried in a billing termination request message sent by the first network element to the fourth network element. The billing termination request message also carries third billing information of the terminal device. The third billing information is used to update the second CDR.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

18. A satellite communication charging method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a second network element deployed in a second network, and the method includes: Receiving first billing information sent by a first network element deployed in a first network, wherein the first billing information includes billing information of a terminal device using a satellite service; The first charging information is forwarded to a third network element deployed in the second network, wherein the first charging information is used to generate a first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first charging information and / or the first CDR includes: The satellite service indication SSI is used to instruct the terminal device to access the first network via the satellite service.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information: A satellite service type indication, used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service; a satellite type indication, used to indicate the type of satellite providing the satellite service; Satellite service quality; Satellite identification and / or constellation identification; Operator ID.

21. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first billing information is sent by the first network element when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network via the satellite service.

22. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first network is a terrestrial network, and the second network is a satellite network.

23. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first charging information is carried in a data connection session creation request sent by the first network element to the second network element, wherein the data connection session creation request is used to establish a data connection session between the first network element and the second network element.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a data connection session creation response to the first network element, wherein the data connection session creation response carries the first CDR and / or the billing bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the billing bill generated according to the first CDR are sent by the third network element to the second network element.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a first charging response message sent by the third network element, wherein the first charging response message carries the first CDR and / or a charging bill generated according to the first CDR.

26. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second network element is a session management function SMF network element, the third network element is a charging function CHF network element, and the first network element is an SMF network element.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The CHF network element is determined by the second network element 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 second network element locally provides charging characteristic information.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving the information to be updated sent by the first network element; The information to be updated is forwarded to the third network element, wherein the information to be updated is used to update the first CDR.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, wherein the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following 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.

30. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a charging termination indication to the third network element, wherein the charging termination indication is used to close the first CDR.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that The billing termination indication is carried in a billing termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element. The billing termination request message also carries fourth billing information of the terminal device. The fourth billing information is used to update the first CDR.

32. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that The charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

33. A satellite communication charging method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a third network element deployed in a second network, and the method includes: receiving first billing information forwarded by a second network element deployed in a second network, wherein the first billing information is sent by the first network element deployed in the first network to the second network element, and the first billing information includes billing information of a terminal device using a satellite service; A first CDR is generated based on the first charging information, where the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The first charging information and / or the first CDR includes: The satellite service indication SSI is used to instruct the terminal device to access the first network via the satellite service.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The first charging information and / or the first CDR further includes at least one of the following information: A satellite service type indication, used to indicate whether the satellite service is a backhaul service or a terminal direct connection service; a satellite type indication, used to indicate the type of satellite providing the satellite service; Satellite service quality; Satellite identification and / or constellation identification; Operator ID.

36. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The first billing information is sent by the first network element when it is determined that the terminal device accesses the first network via the satellite service.

37. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The first network is a terrestrial network, and the second network is a satellite network.

38. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first billing response message is sent to the second network element, wherein the first billing response message carries the first CDR and / or a billing bill generated according to the first CDR, and the first CDR and / or the billing bill generated according to the first CDR is used to be sent to the first network element.

39. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 38, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving the information to be updated forwarded by the second network element, wherein the information to be updated is sent by the first network element to the second network element; Based on the information to be updated, the first CDR is updated.

40. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that The information to be updated is sent when an update trigger condition is met, wherein the update trigger condition includes at least one of the following 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.

41. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 38, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a charging termination indication sent by the second network element; Based on the charging termination indication, the first CDR is closed.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that The billing termination indication is carried in a billing termination request message sent by the second network element to the third network element. The billing termination request message also carries fourth billing information of the terminal device. The fourth billing information is used to update the first CDR.

43. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that The charging termination indication is sent when it is detected that the data connection session of the terminal device is released.

44. A satellite communication charging device, characterized in that: The device is applied to a first 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 network element deployed in a second network, wherein the first billing information is used to forward to a third network element deployed in the second network to generate a first billing data record CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a billing bill.

45. A satellite communication charging device, characterized in that: The device is applied to a second network element deployed in a second network, and the device includes: A transceiver module, configured to receive first billing information sent by a first network element deployed in a first network, wherein the first billing information includes billing information of a terminal device using a satellite service; The transceiver module is further used to forward the first charging information to a third network element deployed in the second network, wherein the first charging information is used to generate a first CDR, and the first CDR is used to generate a charging bill.

46. ​​A satellite communication charging device, characterized in that: The device is applied to a third network element deployed in a second network, and the device includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive first billing information forwarded by a second network element deployed in a second network, wherein the first billing information is sent by the first network element deployed in the first network to the second network element, and the first billing information includes billing information of a terminal device using a satellite service; The processing module is used to generate a first CDR based on the first billing information, and the first CDR is used to generate a billing bill.

47. An electronic device, characterized in that: 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 billing method for satellite communication described in any one of claims 1-17, or executes the billing method for satellite communication described in any one of claims 18-32, or executes the billing method for satellite communication described in any one of claims 33-43.

48. A satellite communication billing system, characterized in that: comprising a first network element deployed in a first network and a second network element and a third network element deployed in a second network; Wherein, the first network element is configured to implement the satellite communication charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 17; The second network element is configured to implement the satellite communication charging method according to any one of claims 18 to 32; The third network element is configured to implement the satellite communication charging method according to any one of claims 33-43.

49. The billing system according to claim 48, characterized in that The system further includes a fourth network element deployed in the first network; the fourth network element is used for: receiving second charging information of a terminal device using satellite services sent by the first network element; Based on the second charging information, a second CDR for generating a charging bill is created.

50. The billing system according to claim 49, characterized in that: The fourth network element is further used for: Receiving the information to be updated sent by the first network element; The second CDR is updated based on the information to be updated.

51. The billing system according to claim 49, characterized in that: The fourth network element is further used for: receiving a charging termination instruction sent by the first network element; The second CDR is closed based on the charging termination indication.

52. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the billing method for satellite communication as described in any one of claims 1-17, or executes the billing method for satellite communication as described in any one of claims 18-32, or executes the billing method for satellite communication as described in any one of claims 33-43.

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