Control Plane User Plane Correlation Function for Charging Event Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP SDN architecture lacks specifications for integrating the Charging Trigger Function (CTF) with the split network functions between the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP), affecting resource usage data collection and charging event generation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of the CTF with the CP/UP split is achieved by providing three configuration options: CTF-CP, CTF-UP, and CTF-UP/CP connected with the SDN controller, which interact with the Charging System (CHS) through modified OpenFlow protocols, allowing direct communication and data exchange between the control and user planes to generate charging events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CTF is implemented in both CP and UP with separate ADF instances, then charging event generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases and single points of failure are eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The CTF is segmented into two independent instances: CTF-CP in the control plane and CTF-UP in the user plane. Each instance has its own ADF (Accounting Data Forwarding) component. This segmentation allows independent operation and failure isolation, where if one instance fails, the other can continue to generate charging events, thereby eliminating single points of failure while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (correlation function) that coordinates between CTF-CP and CTF-UP instances. This intermediary manages the interaction between the two planes, ensuring proper charging event generation and data forwarding without requiring complex direct integration, thus managing device complexity while achieving high reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the network function is split into CP and UP, then adaptability is improved, but the specification completeness for CTF integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides dynamic configuration options for CTF integration: CTF can be implemented only in CP, only in UP, or in both planes. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different deployment scenarios and requirements. The flexible architecture enables operators to choose the configuration that best suits their specific needs, improving adaptability while managing specification complexity through standardized interfaces.
3Productivity
If ADF in both CP and UP generate charging events, then charging coverage is improved, but network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different ADF instances (ADF-CP and ADF-UP) to generate charging events based on local conditions in their respective planes. Each ADF monitors and generates charging events independently based on local accounting data, improving charging coverage and efficiency. The local generation approach reduces the need for constant centralized coordination, thereby reducing network traffic overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for use in a communication network are provided. First protocol elements are acquired from a user plane of a first network entity of the communication network, the first network entity having a split network function into the user plane and a control plane. Second protocol elements are acquired from the control plane of the first network entity, and third protocol elements are generated from the first and second protocol elements for a second network entity of the communication network, the second network entity being separate from the first network entity.