Diameter Session Segmentation for IP Flow Based Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPRS charging systems lack the ability to perform differentiated charging for multiple services born from a single PDP Context, leading to inefficient charging granularity and limited charging modes for operators.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a Diameter session between the Traffic Plane Function (TPF) and the Charging Rule Function (CRF) for each bearer, bearers with the same Access Point Name (APN), or all bearers of a subscriber, to enable IP Flow Based Charging, which allows for more precise and flexible charging based on individual services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single PDP Context is used to support multiple services, then device complexity is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but charging granularity becomes insufficient and operators cannot perform differentiated charging for individual services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging management by introducing service-specific Diameter sessions within a PDP Context. Each service receives a dedicated session identifier (e.g., APN-based or service-type-based segmentation), allowing operators to perform differentiated charging for individual services while maintaining resource sharing at the PDP Context level. This resolves the contradiction by enabling fine-grained charging without requiring separate PDP Contexts for each service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to session management by introducing service-level Diameter sessions as a nested layer within the PDP Context. Instead of managing charging at only the PDP Context level (single dimension), the system now operates at two dimensions: PDP Context level for resource management and service level for charging management. This enables differentiated charging while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
2Measurement precision
If separate PDP Contexts are established for each service, then charging granularity is improved and differentiated charging is enabled, but device complexity increases and resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple services into a single PDP Context for resource management purposes, while simultaneously maintaining separate Diameter sessions for each service's charging management. This combining approach allows the system to achieve both goals: efficient resource utilization through shared PDP Context and precise charging through service-specific sessions. The PDP Context serves as a container that holds multiple services, each with its own charging parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators use traditional charging methods for PDP Context, then system simplicity is maintained, but charging flexibility is limited and cannot meet diverse service requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic session establishment mechanisms where Diameter sessions are created or selected based on service requirements. The system can dynamically allocate session identifiers (such as APN-based identifiers or service-type-based identifiers) depending on the service being accessed. This dynamic approach provides charging flexibility for diverse services while managing complexity through standardized procedures for session establishment and identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for establishing a Diameter session between a TPF and a CRF is disclosed. The Diameter session between the TPF and CRF can be established for each bearer of each subscriber. The Diameter session can also be established for the bearers with a same APN of each subscriber. The Diameter session can also be established with respect for all the bearers of a subscriber. The method and system improves the mechanism for establishing Diameter sessions and makes the implementation of the charging flow more integrated. Moreover, the multiple ways for establishing Diameter sessions between the TPF and the CRF provided in the present invention can be flexibly selected according to the practical charging applications.