Charging Key Segmentation for Multi-UPF Quota Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a network architecture with multiple user planes, the current online charging mechanism faces challenges in quota management efficiency and accuracy due to varying service quota usage across different user planes, leading to increased costs and reduced network efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A charging method where a session management function determines data flows and corresponding charging keys for each user plane, sends quota requests to an online charging system, receives and delivers granted quotas, and reports quota usage information to improve quota management and credit authorization control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single online charging system manages quotas for multiple user planes, then system complexity is reduced, but quota management accuracy and efficiency deteriorate due to varying service quota usage across different user planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging management by introducing user plane identifiers into the charging key structure. This allows the OCS to maintain a single centralized system while accurately tracking and managing quotas for each user plane separately, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and management accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If quotas are shared across multiple user planes without distinction, then quota distribution is simplified, but quota usage efficiency and cost control worsen due to varying service patterns on different user planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating user plane-specific identifiers into the charging key. This enables the system to apply differentiated quota management policies tailored to each user plane's service patterns while maintaining a unified quota distribution process through the OCS.
3Device complexity
If user plane identification is not included in charging keys, then charging information collection is simplified, but credit authorization control accuracy deteriorates due to inability to distinguish between user planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging key into multiple components including user plane identifier, service identifier, and other relevant parameters. This segmentation enables accurate credit authorization control for each user plane while keeping the information collection process systematic and manageable through structured data fields.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a charging method. The method includes that a session management function determines, a data flow within a protocol data unit, PDU, session and a charging key corresponding to the data flow within the PDU session, wherein a plurality of user plane functions are involved in the PDU session. For each of the plurality of user plane functions, the session management function sends to an online charging system, a quota request for a charging key without available quota for the UPF.