Aggregate UPF Data Usage Reporting for Accurate 5G Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, data usage statistics collection is inaccurate when a UL CL UPF or BP UPF network element is inserted, leading to potential charging errors.
Innovation Solution
An aggregate UPF network element collects discarded data usage and transport data usage to determine actual data usage, enabling accurate statistics collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UL CL UPF network element or a BP UPF network element is inserted into a PDU session, then the network can support selective routing and session continuity, but data usage statistics collection becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aggregate UPF network element as an intermediary between the UL CL/BP UPF elements and the A-UPF elements. This aggregate UPF collects discarded data usage information and transport data usage information, acting as a mediator to ensure accurate statistics collection while maintaining the selective routing and session continuity functions provided by the UL CL/BP UPF elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the collection of discarded data usage information and transport data usage information at the aggregate UPF network element. By combining these two separate data streams and determining actual data usage through their relationship, the system achieves accurate statistics collection without compromising the network flexibility provided by UL CL/BP UPF elements.
2Measurement precision
If an aggregate UPF network element is introduced to collect discarded data usage and transport data usage, then actual data usage can be accurately determined, but network element complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregate UPF network element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a collection point for discarded data usage information and transport data usage information, and as a determination point for actual data usage. This universal approach allows a single network element to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for additional separate components and thereby limiting the increase in network element complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for reporting data usage, so that for a PDU session into which a UL CL user plane network element or a BP user plane network element is inserted, statistics can be accurately collected on data usage. The method includes: An aggregate user plane network element determines discarded data usage of the aggregate user plane network element, and sends the discarded data usage to a session management network element. The first session management network element receives the discarded data usage of the aggregate user plane network element, and receives transport data usage of one or a plurality of anchor user plane network elements. The one or plurality of anchor user plane network elements are anchor user plane network elements connected to the aggregate user plane network element. The first session management network element determines actual data usage of a terminal device based on the discarded data usage and the transport data usage.