Distributed Charging Function for Cross-Area Signaling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G converged charging architecture requires frequent transmission of charging information across areas, leading to high network resource consumption and increased operation costs due to network reliability demands when a user's location changes.
Innovation Solution
Implement a charging method where the nearest charging function network element performs charging processing, reducing cross-area transmission of charging information by using local storage and dedicated charging systems to maintain and update charging data efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging information is frequently transmitted across areas when user location changes, then charging processing can be performed accurately, but network resource consumption increases and operation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into multiple charging function network elements distributed across different areas. Each charging function network element handles charging for users in its local area, eliminating the need for centralized cross-area information transmission. This segmentation allows charging processing to be performed locally while maintaining accuracy, thus reducing network resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Charging function network elements perform preliminary charging processing locally before users potentially move to other areas. By pre-processing charging information in the current area and maintaining local charging records, the system reduces the need for frequent cross-area transmissions when location changes occur, thereby conserving network resources while ensuring charging accuracy.
2Reliability
If charging information is frequently transmitted across areas when user location changes, then charging processing can be performed accurately, but operation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into multiple independent charging function network elements, each responsible for a specific geographic area. This segmentation enables local charging processing without requiring costly cross-area information transmission, thereby reducing operation costs while maintaining charging accuracy through distributed processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Each charging function network element autonomously performs charging processing for users in its local area without requiring constant communication with other areas. This self-service capability reduces the operational costs associated with frequent inter-area data transmission while ensuring accurate charging through local decision-making.
3Ease of operation
If a home charging system is used to charge the terminal device, then charging can be performed centrally, but network resource transmission increases and operation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized home charging system is segmented into multiple distributed charging function network elements. Each element handles charging independently in its local area, eliminating the need for extensive network resource transmission to a central location. This segmentation maintains ease of operation through standardized interfaces while dramatically reducing network transmission requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging architecture transitions from a single-dimensional centralized model to a multi-dimensional distributed model. By deploying charging function network elements across multiple geographic dimensions, the system reduces the need for long-distance network transmission while maintaining centralized-like management capabilities through coordinated operation of distributed elements.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a charging method, an apparatus, and a system, and is applied to the field of converged charging. The method includes: After receiving a charging request message from a charging trigger function network element, a charging function network element charges a terminal device based on charging data of the terminal device, where the charging request message is for requesting to charge the terminal device, the charging data is received by the charging function network element from a dedicated charging function network element, and the dedicated charging function network element is a charging system that persistently stores user data of the terminal device. According to the foregoing solution, cross-area transmission of a large amount of charging information generated in a charging process can be reduced, to reduce signaling network load and improve cyber resilience.