Different network roaming charging method and system and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a different network roaming charging method and system and electronic equipment, and the method comprises the steps: receiving a first session establishment request, the first session establishment request carries indication information, the indication information represents satellite roaming access and indicates that UE does not belong to a satellite operator user, and the first session establishment request carries the indication information; a roaming protocol is established between an affiliation operator of the UE and a satellite operator; and generating a charging ticket based on the indication information in the first session establishment request. According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the charging of the access satellite of the user in different network roaming is completed, the supplement of the access charging process of the space-air-ground roaming scene is realized, and the space-air-ground integrated system is further perfected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of air-space-ground communication technology, and in particular to a method, system and electronic device for charging roaming in an inter-network. Background Art

[0002] Roaming means that when a mobile terminal (such as User Equipment (UE)) is out of coverage of its home network, it can still continue to use mobile communication services by accessing the network of the roaming area to maintain service continuity and thus improve user experience.

[0003] As a special form of roaming, inter-network roaming is a technology that allows users to seamlessly connect between networks of different operators, thus serving as the key to cross-operator network communication.

[0004] Although the existing 3rd Generation Partner Project (3GPP) protocol supports different types of billing methods for UEs, it has not yet provided a solution for the billing method of satellite roaming access to different networks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method, system, and electronic device for charging inter-network roaming, which aims to solve the problem that there is no solution for the current billing method for inter-network roaming access to satellites. The specific implementation scheme is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for charging roaming on an inter-network, the method comprising:

[0007] receiving a first session establishment request, wherein the first session establishment request carries indication information, the indication information representing satellite roaming access and indicating that the user equipment UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator;

[0008] Generate a billing call record based on the indication information in the first session establishment request.

[0009] Through the above-mentioned application embodiment, a billing call record is generated based on the information representing satellite roaming access carried in the received first session establishment request, as well as the indication information indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator. Based on this, even if the UE is not a satellite operator user, it can still use the satellite operator's network to complete the billing of the user's inter-network roaming access to the satellite, and realize the supplementation of the access billing process of the air-ground roaming scenario, further improving the air-ground integrated system.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the roaming agreement includes a roaming fee settlement policy between the network of the home operator and the network of the satellite operator.

[0011] Through the above application embodiment, based on the roaming fee settlement strategy between the home operator's network and the satellite operator's network contained in the roaming agreement, the generated billing call record can be combined to complete the billing for the user's inter-network roaming.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the generating a billing record based on the indication information in the first session establishment request includes:

[0013] determining the indication information based on the first session establishment request;

[0014] When triggering billing, adding the indication information to the billing request;

[0015] Generate the billing call record based on the indication information in the billing request.

[0016] Through the above-mentioned application embodiment, when billing is triggered, the indication information in the first session establishment request is added to the billing request, and then a billing call record is generated based on the indication information in the billing request, so as to better generate a billing call record for completing the user's inter-network roaming billing when billing is triggered.

[0017] In a possible implementation, generating the billing call record based on the indication information in the billing request includes:

[0018] Obtain satellite roaming billing policy;

[0019] The billing call record is generated based on the satellite roaming charging policy and the indication information in the charging request.

[0020] Through the above application embodiment, a billing call record is generated based on the obtained satellite roaming billing policy and the indication information in the billing request, so that the generated billing call record matches the satellite roaming billing policy, thereby better realizing the billing of the user's inter-network roaming.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, after obtaining the satellite roaming charging policy, the method further includes:

[0022] Send data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and the satellite roaming charging policy to the user plane function UPF.

[0023] Through the above-mentioned application embodiment, by sending data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and satellite roaming billing policies to UPF, when data packets are subsequently received through UPF, corresponding processing can be performed according to the data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and satellite roaming billing policies to obtain billing data for roaming on different networks.

[0024] In a possible implementation, generating a billing call record includes:

[0025] Acquiring user subscription information of the UE; wherein the user subscription information indicates that the roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator;

[0026] Generate the billing call record based on the user contract information.

[0027] Through the above-mentioned application embodiment, based on the user contract information of the UE obtained, it can be determined whether a roaming agreement is established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator, so that it can be verified whether the information carried in the received first session establishment request is correct, so as to ensure the correctness of the network element interaction process in the inter-network roaming scenario, so that the billing of inter-network roaming is secure.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, after receiving the first session establishment request, the method further includes:

[0029] Sending a second session establishment request to the home H-SMF through the roaming V-SMF; wherein the second session establishment request carries the first satellite roaming charging profile;

[0030] Sending a second session establishment response to the V-SMF through the H-SMF; wherein the second session establishment response carries a second satellite roaming charging profile;

[0031] Wherein, a connection is established between the roaming location and the home location via a secure edge protection proxy SEPP and an Internet protocol exchange IPX.

[0032] Through the above-mentioned application embodiment, the V-SMF and the H-SMF interact through a second session establishment request carrying a first satellite roaming billing profile and a second session establishment response carrying a second satellite roaming billing profile. Moreover, through the first satellite roaming billing profile and the second satellite roaming billing profile carried, the similarities and differences between the satellite roaming billing profiles between the V-SMF and the H-SMF can be learned, thereby avoiding repeated deductions for the user's inter-network roaming and making inter-network roaming billing more accurate.

[0033] In a second aspect, the present application provides a cross-network roaming charging system, the system comprising: a session management function SMF, a charging function CHF;

[0034] The SMF is configured to add indication information to a charging request when charging is triggered, and send the charging request to the CHF; wherein the indication information represents satellite roaming access and indicates that the user equipment UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator;

[0035] The CHF is used to generate a billing call record after receiving the billing request.

[0036] In a possible implementation manner, the roaming agreement includes a roaming fee settlement policy between the network of the home operator and the network of the satellite operator.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the system further includes: an access and mobility management function AMF;

[0038] The AMF is used to receive the first session establishment request sent by the UE, select the SMF, and send a third session establishment request to the SMF based on the first session establishment request; wherein the third session establishment request carries the indication information.

[0039] Through the above-mentioned application embodiment, the first session establishment request sent by the UE to the AMF and the second session establishment request sent by the AMF to the SMF both carry information representing satellite roaming access, as well as indication information indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator, so that the AMF and SMF can know that the current session establishment request is for satellite roaming, and that the corresponding UE is not a satellite operator user, and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator, so as to complete the billing of inter-network roaming. In addition, the SMF is selected through the AMF, thereby selecting the SMF that allows the UE to complete billing through inter-network roaming access, so as to complete the billing of the UE's inter-network roaming.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the system further includes: a policy control function PCF;

[0041] The SMF is further configured to obtain a satellite roaming charging policy from the PCF;

[0042] The CHF is further used to generate the billing call record based on the satellite roaming billing policy.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner, the system further includes: a user plane function UPF;

[0044] The SMF is also used to send data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and the satellite roaming charging policy to the UPF.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the system further includes: home-unified data management H-UDM;

[0046] The SMF is further configured to obtain user subscription information of the UE through the H-UDM; wherein the user subscription information indicates that the roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the system further includes: a home H-SMF and a roaming V-SMF;

[0048] The V-SMF is further configured to send a third session establishment request to the H-SMF; wherein the third session establishment request carries a first satellite roaming charging profile;

[0049] The H-SMF is further configured to send a third session establishment response to the V-SMF; wherein the third session establishment response carries a second satellite roaming charging profile;

[0050] Wherein, a connection is established between the roaming location and the home location via a secure edge protection proxy SEPP and an Internet protocol exchange IPX.

[0051] In a third aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, comprising:

[0052] Memory for storing computer programs;

[0053] The processor is configured to implement the above-mentioned steps of the inter-network roaming billing method when executing the computer program stored in the memory.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the above-mentioned steps of the inter-network roaming billing method are implemented.

[0055] For each of the above-mentioned aspects from the second to the fourth aspects and the technical effects that may be achieved by each of the aspects, please refer to the above-mentioned description of the technical effects that can be achieved by the first aspect or various possible solutions in the first aspect, and no further details will be given here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a scenario for terrestrial operator users to roam and access satellites, provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2 A flowchart of the inter-network roaming billing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the inter-network roaming billing process in the LBO roaming scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the inter-network roaming billing process in the HR roaming scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of establishing a connection between a roaming network and a home network via SEPP and IPX provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 6a Schematic diagram of the structure of the inter-network roaming billing system provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0062] Figure 6b Schematic diagram of the structure of the inter-network roaming billing system provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0063] Figure 6c Schematic diagram of the structure of the inter-network roaming billing system provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0064] Figure 6d Schematic diagram of the structure of the inter-network roaming billing system provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 4 ;

[0065] Figure 6e Schematic diagram of the structure of the inter-network roaming billing system provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 5 ;

[0066] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific operating methods in the method embodiments can also be applied to device embodiments or system embodiments. It should be noted that in the description of the present application, "multiple" is understood as "at least two". "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A is connected to B, which can represent the following two situations: A is directly connected to B and A is connected to B through C. In addition, in the description of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying order.

[0068] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Inter-network roaming is mainly achieved through two methods: core network roaming and access network sharing.

[0070] Taking core network roaming as an example, in the 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 32.255 protocol standard, the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) converged billing is implemented through protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment.

[0071] Specifically, when a user initiates a PDU session request, the UE sends the PDU session request to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The AMF selects the Session Management Function (SMF). The SMF obtains the subscription information from the Unified Data Management (UDM) and performs authentication. It then selects the Policy Control Function (PCF) to obtain the relevant Quality of Service (QoS) control and charging policies.

[0072] The SMF has a built-in charging trigger function (CTF). When the SMF detects network resource usage, it triggers the charging function (CHF) and sends a charging start request to the CHF. Upon receiving the charging start request from the SMF, the CHF begins generating billing records.

[0073] The SMF also establishes a session with the User Plane Function (UPF) to facilitate the issuance of rules for message detection, packet forwarding, and usage reporting. The UE then establishes a user plane connection with the UPF through the AMF. The UPF processes the data flow according to the rules. When a threshold is reached or a condition changes, the UPF reports the change to the SMF. The SMF then sends a billing update request to the CHF, which updates the billing records. This enables 5G converged billing.

[0074] In the classification of roaming, roaming can be divided into Local Break Out (LBO) roaming and Home Routed (HR) roaming according to whether data is backhauled to the home network.

[0075] Among them, the billing process of LBO roaming is consistent with the 5G converged billing process in the above-mentioned 3GPP TS 32.255 protocol standard, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] In HR roaming billing, interaction is added between the roaming SMF (i.e., V-SMF) and the home SMF (i.e., H-SMF). The billing policy is issued by the home PCF (i.e., H-PCF), and billing is performed by the roaming and home CHFs. Ultimately, billing and settlement are carried out according to the agreement between operators.

[0077] However, there is no solution in the prior art for the billing method of satellite roaming access to different networks.

[0078] Therefore, this application proposes a method for inter-network roaming billing, which receives a first session establishment request carrying indication information, which indicates satellite roaming access and indicates that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator. Then, based on the indication information, a billing call record is generated. Based on this, even if the UE is not a satellite operator user, it can use the satellite operator's network, thereby completing the billing of the user's inter-network roaming access to the satellite, and supplementing the access billing process for air-space-ground roaming scenarios, further improving the air-space-ground integrated system.

[0079] The inter-network roaming billing method proposed in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to scenarios where users of ground operators roam and access satellites, such as Figure 1 As shown, a satellite roaming access charging strategy can be designed for the scenario where terrestrial operator users roam and access satellites.

[0080] exist Figure 1 In the scenario shown for terrestrial operator users roaming to satellite access, the terrestrial operator and satellite operator independently deploy core networks. After the terrestrial operator and satellite operator sign a roaming agreement, when the terrestrial operator's user terminal detects that it cannot connect to the local terrestrial access network, the system automatically triggers the satellite roaming access mechanism.

[0081] The roaming agreement signed between the terrestrial operator and the satellite operator includes a roaming fee settlement policy between the two operator networks. Specifically, when a terrestrial operator user accesses a satellite via roaming, the CTF in the SMF triggers billing for both LBO roaming and HR roaming. The CTF adds information in the billing request indicating satellite roaming access, as well as information indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's terrestrial operator and the satellite operator. The SMF then sends the billing request to the CHF. Upon receiving the billing request, the CHF generates a billing call record, thereby completing the billing process for the user's inter-network roaming access to the satellite.

[0082] Reference Figure 2 The flowchart of a method for charging roaming on an inter-network provided by an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0083] S201: Receive a first session establishment request.

[0084] The first session establishment request carries indication information, which indicates satellite roaming access and indicates that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator.

[0085] The roaming agreement may include a roaming fee settlement policy between the UE's home operator's network and the satellite operator's network, so that the billing for the user's roaming access to the satellite can be completed based on the roaming settlement policy and the generated billing record.

[0086] The first session establishment request may be a PDU session establishment request initiated by the UE. In addition to carrying the indication information, the PDU session establishment request may also carry other information to facilitate better establishment of the PDU session. Other information carried by the PDU session may be flexibly adjusted according to specific application scenarios.

[0087] S202: Generate a billing call record based on the instruction information in the first session establishment request.

[0088] The billing call record may be a call detail record (English: Call Detail Record, abbreviated as CDR).

[0089] Through the above method, even if the UE is not a satellite operator user, it can also use the satellite operator's network, thereby completing the billing of the user's inter-network roaming access to the satellite, and supplementing the access billing process of the air-space-ground roaming scenario, further improving the air-space-ground integrated system.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the specific process of generating a billing record based on the instruction information in the first session establishment request in step S202 may be as follows:

[0091] First, based on the first session establishment request, the indication information is determined; then, when charging is triggered, the indication information is added to the charging request; and finally, a charging call record is generated based on the indication information in the charging request.

[0092] The inter-network roaming billing method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an inter-network roaming billing system. Therefore, the inter-network roaming billing method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be executed by the inter-network roaming billing system, i.e., the inter-network roaming billing system serves as the execution entity. The inter-network roaming billing system may include: SMF, CHF, AMF, PCF, UPF, etc.

[0093] Therefore, when charging is triggered, the indication information is added to the charging request. The SMF in the inter-network roaming charging system can trigger the charging, add indication information representing satellite roaming access, and indicate that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator in the charging request, and then send the charging request to the CHF in the inter-network roaming charging system. In other words, when the SMF in the inter-network roaming charging system triggers charging, the indication information is added to the charging request through the SMF. The charging request is then sent to the CHF through the SMF.

[0094] In the embodiment of the present application, CTF is built into SMF, so that billing can be triggered by the CTF in SMF.

[0095] In addition, the timing for triggering billing can be that after the use of network resources is detected through SMF, the CTF built into SMF triggers billing, so that when billing is triggered, information representing satellite roaming access is added to the billing request, as well as information indicating that the UE does not belong to a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator. However, this is not limited to this, and the specific timing for triggering billing can be determined based on the specific application scenario.

[0096] The above-mentioned charging request may be a charging start request. In addition to carrying the indication information, the charging request may also carry other information to facilitate better generation of the charging call record. The other information carried in the charging request may be flexibly adjusted according to the specific application scenario.

[0097] The billing record generated based on the indication information in the billing request can be generated by the CHF in the inter-network roaming billing system based on the indication information in the billing request after receiving the billing request sent by the SMF. In other words, the billing record is generated based on the indication information in the billing request by the CHF.

[0098] In one possible implementation, before adding the indication information to the charging request, that is, before adding the indication information to the charging request through the SMF, the inter-network roaming charging system needs to select a required SMF from multiple SMFs so that the UE can complete charging through inter-network roaming access. However, it should be noted that the selected SMF may be different in different application scenarios (such as LBO roaming scenario and HR roaming scenario), and the required SMF can be selected based on the specific application scenario.

[0099] The selection of the above-mentioned SMF can be performed by the AMF in the inter-network roaming billing system. Specifically, a first session establishment request is first received. The first session establishment request is sent by the UE. The first session establishment request can be received by the AMF, so that the AMF can know that the current request is for satellite roaming access, that the corresponding UE does not belong to a satellite operator user, and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator, so as to better complete the user's inter-network roaming billing.

[0100] Then, the required SMF is selected from multiple SMFs through the AMF, thereby selecting the required SMF.

[0101] In addition, after the SMF is selected through the AMF, a third session establishment request can also be sent to the SMF through the AMF. The third session establishment request also carries indication information. In addition to carrying indication information, the third session establishment request can also carry other information. The other information carried can be flexibly adjusted according to the specific application scenario to facilitate better session establishment.

[0102] In an embodiment of the present application, since the interface and transmission protocol between the UE and the AMF are different from the interface and transmission protocol between the AMF and the SMF, the packaged first session establishment request and the packaged third session establishment request cannot be exactly the same (such as the formats of the two are different), but both carry indication information representing satellite roaming access, and indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator.

[0103] Furthermore, the aforementioned generation of a billing call record based on the instruction information in the billing request may be:

[0104] First, a satellite roaming charging policy is obtained, and then a billing call record is generated based on the satellite roaming charging policy and the indication information in the charging request.

[0105] In this embodiment of the present application, the satellite roaming charging policy can be obtained by obtaining the UE's satellite roaming charging policy from the PCF through the SMF in the inter-network roaming charging system. Furthermore, the satellite roaming charging policy is sent to the CHF through the SMF, so that the CHF can generate a billing record based on the satellite roaming charging policy and the indication information in the charging request.

[0106] For example, in addition to adding indication information to the billing request via the SMF, a satellite roaming billing policy can also be added. Thus, when the billing request is sent to the CHF via the SMF, the satellite roaming billing policy is also sent to the CHF. For another example, the satellite roaming billing policy can be sent to the CHF via the SMF using a separate method. In the embodiments of the present application, the specific method for sending the satellite roaming billing policy to the CHF via the SMF is not limited and can be adjusted according to specific application scenarios.

[0107] Therefore, a billing call record can be generated through CHF based on the satellite roaming charging policy and the indication information in the charging request.

[0108] In one possible implementation, after obtaining the satellite roaming billing policy, data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and satellite roaming billing policy can also be sent to the UPF in the inter-network roaming billing system, so that after receiving the data packet through the UPF, data can be written to the generated billing call according to the rules and the satellite roaming billing policy, thereby generating a complete billing call containing data, so as to facilitate the billing of users' roaming access to satellites based on the complete billing call and the roaming fee settlement policy between the UE's home operator network and the satellite operator network contained in the roaming agreement, thereby further improving the integrated air-space-ground system.

[0109] In an embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and satellite roaming billing strategy sent to UPF can be sent to UPF through SMF.

[0110] The technical solution of this application is further explained below in conjunction with specific application scenarios.

[0111] For example, using LBO roaming access to a satellite as an example, the inter-network roaming billing method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an inter-network roaming billing system. In the LBO roaming access to a satellite scenario, the inter-network roaming billing system may include an AMF, UPF, SMF, home UDM (i.e., H-UDM), home PCF (i.e., H-PCF), and roaming CHF (i.e., V-CHF).

[0112] like Figure 3 As shown, the inter-network roaming billing process in the LBO roaming scenario can be as follows:

[0113] 301: AMF receives the PDU session establishment request initiated by the UE.

[0114] The above session establishment request may carry information indicating satellite roaming access and indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator. The PDU session establishment request may be the above-mentioned first session establishment request.

[0115] 302: AMF selects SMF.

[0116] 303: AMF sends a session establishment request message to SMF.

[0117] The session establishment request message may carry information indicating satellite roaming access, indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator.

[0118] 304: SMF obtains the user subscription information of the UE through H-UDM.

[0119] Among them, the user contract information may include the following information: the operator network to which the UE belongs (i.e., the UE's home operator network) has established a roaming agreement with the satellite operator network. Therefore, through this contract information, it is possible to verify whether a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator network and the satellite operator network. At the same time, it is also possible to verify whether the information carried in the session establishment request message received by the SMF from the AMF is correct, thereby ensuring the correctness of the network element interaction process in the LBO roaming scenario, making the billing of inter-network roaming in the LBO roaming scenario secure and more accurate. Furthermore, based on the user contract information, a billing call record can be generated to ensure the correctness of the network element interaction process during the billing call record generation process, making the generated billing call record more accurate.

[0120] 305: In the roaming network, the SMF selects the UPF.

[0121] 306: The SMF obtains the UE's session policy and satellite roaming charging policy through the H-PCF.

[0122] 307a: SMF triggers the “PDU session start” charging request and sends the charging request with added indication information to V-CHF.

[0123] The above indication information represents satellite roaming access, and also indicates that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator.

[0124] The above-mentioned billing request may be a billing data request [initial].

[0125] In addition, the SMF and CHF may be in a one-to-many correspondence relationship. Therefore, before the SMF sends the charging request with the indication information added to the V-CHF, it also needs to select the required V-CHF from the multiple V-CHFs.

[0126] In addition, CTF is built into SMF, so that billing can be triggered through CTF.

[0127] 307b: V-CHF generates CDRs.

[0128] When V-CHF receives the charging data request [initial] with indication information added from SMF, it starts to generate CDR to indicate "satellite roaming access".

[0129] In an embodiment of the present application, V-CHF can generate a CDR based on the satellite roaming billing policy obtained by SMF from H-PCF, so that the generated CDR matches the satellite roaming billing policy, so as to better complete the billing of inter-network roaming in the LBO roaming scenario.

[0130] 307c: V-CHF sends a session response to SMF for confirmation.

[0131] The session response [initial] is sent to SMF via V-CHF to confirm, indicating "satellite roaming access".

[0132] 308: SMF establishes an N4 session with UPF, provides data packet detection, execution, and reporting rules to UPF, and issues satellite roaming charging rules.

[0133] In addition, in LBO roaming, user data flows into the data network through the roaming location, and the user transmits data through the user plane path. The user plane path is UE→satellite access network→UPF→external data network (English: Data Network, abbreviated as DN).

[0134] Therefore, after data is transmitted through the user plane path, the required data can be written into the CDR generated by V-CHF. Based on the CDR with the written data, the user can be charged for roaming on different networks in the LBO roaming scenario in accordance with the roaming fee settlement policy between the UE's home operator network and the satellite operator network.

[0135] For example, take the HR roaming access satellite scenario as an example. The inter-network roaming billing method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an inter-network roaming billing system. The inter-network roaming billing system in the HR roaming access satellite scenario may include UE, AMF, intermediate UPF (i.e., I-UPF), roaming SMF (i.e., V-SMF), roaming CHF (i.e., V-CHF), roaming network storage function (English: Network Repository Function, abbreviated as NRF) (i.e., V-NRF), roaming security edge protection agent (English: Security Edge Protection Proxies, abbreviated as SEPP) (i.e., V-SEPP), home SEPP (i.e., H-SEPP), home NRF (i.e., H-NRF), home UPF (i.e., H-UPF), home SMF (i.e., H-SMF), home PCF (i.e., H-PCF), and home CHF (i.e., H-CHF).

[0136] like Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the inter-network roaming billing process in the HR roaming scenario can be as follows:

[0137] 401: AMF receives the PDU session establishment request initiated by the UE.

[0138] The above session establishment request may carry information indicating satellite roaming access and indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator. The PDU session establishment request may be the above-mentioned first session establishment request.

[0139] 402: AMF sends a session establishment request message to V-SMF.

[0140] The AMF first selects a V-SMF and then sends a session establishment request message to the V-SMF. The session establishment request message may carry information indicating satellite roaming access, indicating that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and that a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator. In addition, the session establishment request message may be the aforementioned third session establishment request.

[0141] 403a: The V-SMF selects the corresponding V-CHF.

[0142] In the embodiment of the present application, the V-SMF and the V-CHF may be in a one-to-many correspondence relationship, so that the V-SMF may select a required V-CHF from multiple V-CHFs.

[0143] 403b: The V-SMF triggers a “PDU session start” charging request and sends a charging request with indication information added to the V-CHF.

[0144] The above indication information represents satellite roaming access, and also indicates that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator.

[0145] The above-mentioned billing request may be a billing data request [initial].

[0146] In addition, CTF is built into V-SMF, so that billing can be triggered through CTF.

[0147] 403c: V-CHF generates CDRs.

[0148] When the V-CHF receives the charging data request [initial] with indication information added thereto from the V-SMF, it starts generating a CDR to indicate "satellite roaming access". This CDR may be the first CDR.

[0149] 403d: V-CHF sends a session response to V-SMF for confirmation.

[0150] The V-CHF sends a session response [initial] to the V-SMF for confirmation to indicate "satellite roaming access".

[0151] 404: V-SMF establishes N4 session with I-UPF.

[0152] Therefore, after the V-SMF establishes an N4 session with the I-UPF, the V-SMF can provide the I-UPF with information such as packet detection, execution, and reporting rules.

[0153] The above-mentioned I-UPF may also be a roaming UPF (ie, V-UPF).

[0154] 405: The V-SMF discovers the H-SMF of the home network.

[0155] Specifically, the V-SMF can discover the H-SMF of the home network through the NRF service discovery process and SEPP based on the user's home network information and the information carried by the UE.

[0156] 406: The V-SMF sends a second session establishment request to the H-SMF.

[0157] The second session establishment request includes the first satellite roaming charging profile.

[0158] 407: The H-SMF obtains the satellite roaming charging policy from the H-PCF.

[0159] 408a: The H-SMF selects the corresponding H-CHF.

[0160] In the embodiment of the present application, the H-SMF and the H-CHF may have a one-to-many correspondence relationship, so that the H-SMF may select the required H-CHF from multiple H-CHFs.

[0161] 408b: The H-SMF triggers a “PDU session start” charging request and sends the charging request with added indication information to the H-CHF.

[0162] The above indication information represents satellite roaming access, and also indicates that the UE is not a satellite operator user, and a roaming agreement has been established between the UE's home operator and the satellite operator.

[0163] The above-mentioned billing request may be a billing data request [initial].

[0164] 408c: H-CHF generates CDRs.

[0165] After receiving the charging data request [initial] with indication information added from the H-SMF, the H-CHF starts to generate a CDR to indicate "satellite roaming access". This CDR may be the second CDR.

[0166] It should be noted that the CDR generated by H-CHF (ie, the second CDR) is not the same CDR as the CDR generated by V-CHF in step 403c (ie, the first CDR).

[0167] 408d: H-CHF sends a session response to H-SMF for confirmation.

[0168] The H-CHF sends a session response [initial] to the H-SMF for confirmation, indicating "satellite roaming access".

[0169] 409: H-SMF selects H-UPF and establishes N4 session.

[0170] After the H-SMF and H-UPF establish an N4 session, the H-SMF can provide the H-UPF with information such as packet detection, execution, and reporting rules. It can also send satellite roaming charging policies to the H-UPF, and the information sent can be selected based on the specific application scenario.

[0171] 410: The H-SMF sends a second session establishment response to the V-SMF.

[0172] The second session establishment response includes a second satellite roaming charging profile. The second satellite roaming charging profile in the second session establishment response may contain the same information as or different from the first satellite roaming charging profile in the second session establishment request in step 506. Therefore, the first and second satellite roaming charging profiles carried by the roaming service can be used to determine the similarities and differences between the satellite roaming charging profiles between the V-SMF and the H-SMF, thereby avoiding duplicate charges for inter-network roaming and making inter-network roaming charging more accurate in HR roaming scenarios.

[0173] In addition, in the satellite roaming billing scenario, data transmission across networks is achieved by connecting to the home network through the access network, such as Figure 5 As shown in the figure, during roaming, the roaming network and the home network establish a connection via SEPP and Internet Protocol Packet Exchange (IPX). In the 3GPP TS 33.501 protocol standard, SEPP is primarily responsible for providing secure communication channels between different public land mobile networks (PLMNs), ensuring the security and integrity of data transmission. IPX primarily provides connectivity and data routing between different networks.

[0174] Therefore, in HR roaming, a user plane connection channel can be established between the roaming network and the home network through V-SEPP, H-SEPP, and roaming IPX. User plane data is transmitted along the user plane path: UE → satellite access network → I-UPF → H-UPF (i.e., home UPF) → DN.

[0175] Therefore, after data is transmitted through the user plane path, the required data can be written into the CDR generated by H-CHF (i.e., the second CDR). Based on the CDR after the data is written, the user can be charged for roaming on different networks in the HR roaming scenario in accordance with the roaming fee settlement policy between the UE's home operator network and the satellite operator network.

[0176] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides a different network roaming billing system. Figure 6a As shown, the system includes: SMF602, CHF603;

[0177] SMF 602 is configured to, when charging is triggered, add indication information to a charging request and send the charging request to the CHF; wherein the indication information indicates satellite roaming access and indicates that the user equipment UE 601 is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator;

[0178] CHF603 is used to generate a billing call record after receiving the billing request.

[0179] In a possible implementation manner, the roaming agreement includes a roaming fee settlement policy between the network of the home operator and the network of the satellite operator.

[0180] In one possible implementation, see Figure 6b As shown, the system further includes: AMF604;

[0181] AMF604 is used to receive the first session establishment request sent by UE601, select SMF602, and send a third session establishment request to SMF602 based on the first session establishment request; wherein the first session establishment request carries the indication information, and the third session establishment request carries the indication information.

[0182] In one possible implementation, see Figure 6c As shown, the system further includes: PCF605;

[0183] SMF602 is also used to obtain satellite roaming charging policy from PCF605;

[0184] CHF603 is further configured to generate the billing call record based on the satellite roaming billing policy.

[0185] In one possible implementation, see Figure 6d As shown, the system further includes: UPF606;

[0186] SMF602 is also used to send data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and the satellite roaming charging policy to UPF606.

[0187] In a possible implementation, SMF 602 is further configured to obtain user subscription information of UE 601 , wherein the user subscription information indicates that the roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of UE 601 and the satellite operator.

[0188] In one possible implementation, see Figure 6e As shown, the system further includes a roaming V-SMF 602a and a home H-SMF 602b;

[0189] The V-SMF 602a is further configured to send a second session establishment request to the H-SMF 602b; wherein the second session establishment request carries the first satellite roaming charging profile;

[0190] H-SMF602b is further configured to send a second session establishment response to SMF602a; wherein the second session establishment response carries a second satellite roaming charging profile;

[0191] Wherein, a connection is established between the roaming location and the home location via a secure edge protection proxy SEPP and an Internet protocol exchange IPX.

[0192] Based on the same inventive concept, an electronic device is also provided in the embodiment of the present application. The electronic device can realize the functions of the aforementioned inter-network roaming billing system. Figure 7 , the above-mentioned electronic equipment includes:

[0193] At least one processor 701, and a memory 702 connected to the at least one processor 701. The specific connection medium between the processor 701 and the memory 702 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 In the example, the processor 701 and the memory 702 are connected via a bus 700. Figure 7 The bus 700 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 7The diagram is represented by only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. Alternatively, the processor 701 may also be referred to as a controller, without limitation to the name.

[0194] In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 702 stores instructions that can be executed by at least one processor 701. The at least one processor 701 can execute the above-mentioned inter-network roaming billing method by executing the instructions stored in the memory 702. The processor 701 can implement Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b 、 Figure 6c 、 Figure 6d 、 Figure 6e The functions of each module in the system are shown.

[0195] Among them, the processor 701 is the control center of the system, which can use various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire control device, and monitor the system as a whole by running or executing instructions stored in the memory 702 and calling data stored in the memory 702, various functions of the system and processing data.

[0196] In one possible design, processor 701 may include one or more processing units. Processor 701 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor. The application processor primarily processes the operating system, user interface, and application programs, while the modem processor primarily processes wireless communications. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into processor 701. In some embodiments, processor 701 and memory 702 may be implemented on the same chip. In some embodiments, they may also be implemented on separate chips.

[0197] The processor 701 can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the inter-network roaming billing method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented as a hardware processor, or can be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0198] The memory 702 is a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium that can be used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer executable programs and modules. The memory 702 may include at least one type of storage medium, such as a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card, a card-type memory, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic memory, a disk, an optical disk, etc. The memory 702 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 702 in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device that can realize a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0199] By designing and programming the processor 701, the code corresponding to the inter-network roaming billing method described in the above embodiment can be fixed into the chip, so that the chip can execute the Figure 2 The steps of the inter-network roaming billing method of the embodiment shown are as follows: How to design and program the processor 701 is a technique well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0200] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium storing computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the inter-network roaming billing method discussed above.

[0201] In some possible implementations, various aspects of the inter-network roaming billing method provided in the present application can also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes program code. When the program product is run on the device, the program code is used to enable the control device to execute the steps of the inter-network roaming billing method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application described above in this specification.

[0202] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0203] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the steps in the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0204] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0205] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0206] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A roaming billing method for different networks, characterized in that: include: receiving a first session establishment request, wherein the first session establishment request carries indication information, the indication information representing satellite roaming access and indicating that the user equipment UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator; Generate a billing call record based on the indication information in the first session establishment request.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The roaming agreement includes a roaming fee settlement policy between the network of the home operator and the network of the satellite operator.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The generating a billing call record based on the indication information in the first session establishment request includes: determining the indication information based on the first session establishment request; When triggering billing, adding the indication information to the billing request; Generate the billing call record based on the indication information in the billing request.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The generating the billing call record based on the indication information in the billing request includes: Obtain satellite roaming billing policy; The billing call record is generated based on the satellite roaming charging policy and the indication information in the charging request.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein After obtaining the satellite roaming charging strategy, the method further includes: Send data packet detection, execution, reporting rules and the satellite roaming charging policy to the user plane function UPF.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein Generating a billing call record includes: Acquiring user subscription information of the UE; wherein the user subscription information indicates that the roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator; Generate the billing call record based on the user contract information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: After receiving the first session establishment request, the method further includes: Sending a second session establishment request to the home H-SMF through the roaming V-SMF; wherein the second session establishment request carries the first satellite roaming charging profile; Sending a second session establishment response to the V-SMF through the H-SMF; wherein the second session establishment response carries a second satellite roaming charging profile; Wherein, a connection is established between the roaming location and the home location via a secure edge protection proxy SEPP and an Internet protocol exchange IPX.

8. A roaming billing system for different networks, characterized in that: include: Session management function SMF, charging function CHF; The SMF is configured to add indication information to a charging request when charging is triggered, and send the charging request to the CHF; wherein the indication information represents satellite roaming access and indicates that the user equipment UE is not a satellite operator user and that a roaming agreement has been established between the home operator of the UE and the satellite operator; The CHF is used to generate a billing call record after receiving the billing request.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: Memory for storing computer programs; A processor, configured to implement the method steps described in any one of claims 1 to 7 when executing the computer program stored in the memory.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method steps according to any one of claims 1 to 7 are implemented.

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