Distributed Charging Entities for Telecommunications Billing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital telecommunications networks face challenges in accurately and efficiently charging users for network usage, particularly during dynamic conditions such as handoffs, which can lead to overcharging, undercharging, or inconsistent billing due to the localized nature of charging configurations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed charging system with multiple metering points along the data path where network traffic flows are offloaded, rather than a single ingress point, to reduce the risk of overcharging and improve accuracy during mobility events, while also reducing bandwidth consumption and relocation overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single ingress point charging configuration is used, then the charging system is simple to configure, but it leads to overcharging, undercharging, or inconsistent billing during dynamic conditions such as handoffs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charging system into multiple distributed charging entities located at different offloading points along the data path. Each charging entity independently performs metering and charging for traffic flows passing through its location, replacing the single centralized charging point with multiple segmented charging points to eliminate handoff-related billing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a distributed charging entity that acts as an intermediary between the network operator and user equipment during mobility events. This intermediary continuously monitors traffic flows at multiple offloading points and enforces charging policies locally, ensuring consistent billing regardless of which base station or access point the user connects to during handoffs.
2Reliability
If multiple metering points are deployed along the data path, then charging accuracy during handoffs is improved, but the system complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different functions to different parts of the network infrastructure. Distributed charging entities are selectively deployed at strategic offloading points where traffic flows are terminated or redirected. Each entity is configured with local charging policies specific to its location, enabling reliable charging without requiring every network node to have full charging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures distributed charging entities with charging policies and authorization data before mobility events occur. When a user equipment moves between access points, the charging system has already established the necessary charging contexts at multiple offloading points, eliminating the need for complex real-time coordination during handoffs.
3Loss of energy
If centralized charging at ingress point is used, then bandwidth consumption is high during relocation, but distributed charging reduces bandwidth consumption and relocation overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized charging function into multiple distributed charging entities positioned at different offloading points. This segmentation allows charging operations to be performed locally at each segment rather than requiring all traffic to be redirected to a single centralized point, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption during mobility events and normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for distributed charging in digital telecommunications networks are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method that includes provisioning a data path that carries a plurality of network flows, receiving a shared usage quota associated with the plurality of network flows, and allocating the shared usage quota among the plurality of network flows. For each network flow among the plurality of network flows, the method includes providing the data path with data indicative of an amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow, configuring the data path to collect metering data associated with the network flow, and configuring the data path to enforce the shared usage quota based on the metering data associated with the network flow and the amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow.