Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function for Mobile Network Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems face challenges in monitoring and charging traffic that is offloaded from the Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway, particularly in dynamic scenarios where traffic routing changes, as the existing architecture does not support dynamic changes in traffic routing and increases complexity by requiring new interfaces between breakout gateways and the Online Charging System (OCS) or Charging Data Function (CDF).
Innovation Solution
Introducing a Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function (D-CEMF) on additional network elements, such as the Serving Gateway (SGW) or eNodeB, to monitor chargeable events on a data flow level, allowing the Charging Function to report information back to the original Charging Function, enabling reliable charging of breakout and localized traffic without adding new interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the Charging Function is located only on the PDN Gateway, then the existing architecture is simple, but it cannot support charging of breakout traffic that is offloaded from the PDN Gateway
Solution Approach 1:
The Charging Function is segmented into two parts: the original Charging Function remaining on the PDN Gateway, and a new Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function (D-CEMF) placed on the breakout gateway. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific charging scenarios, enabling breakout traffic charging while maintaining architectural simplicity for traditional traffic flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The D-CEMF acts as an intermediary between the breakout gateway and the original Charging Function. It monitors chargeable events on breakout traffic and reports them to the Charging Function, which then processes the charging. This intermediary approach enables charging support for breakout traffic without requiring direct integration between the breakout gateway and the Charging Function, thus avoiding increased complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new interfaces are added between breakout gateways and OCS/CDF, then charging of breakout traffic is enabled, but system complexity and security issues in roaming scenarios increase
Solution Approach 1:
The D-CEMF is designed with multi-functionality: it can monitor chargeable events on breakout traffic, report to the Charging Function, and work across different network scenarios including roaming. By making this function universal, the system avoids creating multiple specialized interfaces for different scenarios, thereby reducing overall interface complexity while maintaining broad charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The D-CEMF implements a feedback mechanism where it monitors chargeable events on breakout traffic and reports this information back to the original Charging Function. This feedback loop enables the Charging Function to process charging for breakout traffic using existing interfaces and procedures, avoiding the need for new direct interfaces between breakout gateways and OCS/CDF.
3Duration of action of moving object
If traffic routing is made dynamic, then flexibility in traffic offloading is improved, but the charging system's ability to track and charge traffic is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The D-CEMF is established in advance on the breakout gateway before traffic offloading occurs. It is pre-configured to monitor chargeable events on traffic flows that may be dynamically routed through the breakout gateway. This preliminary setup ensures that regardless of how traffic routing changes dynamically, the D-CEMF is already in position to capture and report chargeable events, maintaining charging tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The D-CEMF serves as a stable intermediary between the dynamically changing traffic routing and the charging system. While traffic routes may change dynamically between different gateways, the D-CEMF on the breakout gateway consistently monitors and reports chargeable events, providing reliable charging tracking independent of routing changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a mobile network, especially for charging traffic within the mobile network, wherein monitoring of chargeable events regarding traffic from and/or to a mobile node will be performed by a Charging Function for collecting charging data. The method is characterized in that a Charging Function's sub-function for monitoring of chargeable events on a data flow level or IP (Internet Protocol) flow level will be additionally located—as an additional sub-function D-CEMF (Delegated Chargeable Event Monitoring Function)—on at least one further network element, which is different from the Charging Function and which allows to traverse breakout and/or localized traffic of the mobile node, so that the Charging Function and the further network element each are including such a sub-function, and that the additional sub-function D-CEMF will report information regarding monitored chargeable events to the Charging Function. A mobile network for carrying out the method is described.