Dual-Connectivity Bearer Measurement for Differentiated UE Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to distinguish between different radio access technologies (RATs) used by a user equipment (UE) in dual connectivity, leading to inadequate charging control and inability to apply different charging rates for various communications.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that uses different radio bearers for each communication device and a control device to determine whether to measure traffic on each radio bearer, enabling separate charging based on actual communication types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual connectivity is implemented using the same RAT type for both MeNB and SeNB communications, then communication throughput is improved, but the ability to distinguish and apply different charging rates for different communication types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging control by introducing radio bearer level identification within dual connectivity. Even though the same RAT type is used for both MeNB and SeNB, the system segments the data flow into different radio bearers (MBearer for MeNB, SCG bearer for SeNB) and applies different charging rates to each bearer based on its source, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining throughput and enabling differentiated charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism at the radio bearer level between the UE and the charging system. By having the eNB identify and report radio bearer information (including source cell ID and bearer type) to the charging system, an intermediary layer is created that enables differentiated charging without affecting the underlying dual connectivity throughput performance.
2Device complexity
If a single RAT type is used for dual connectivity communications, then system simplicity is maintained, but accurate charging control based on actual communication types becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension of identification at the radio bearer level. Instead of relying solely on RAT type (which is the same for both connections), the system introduces additional dimensions such as bearer ID, source cell ID, and bearer type (MBearer/SCG bearer) to distinguish between MeNB and SeNB communications. This dimensional expansion enables accurate charging control while maintaining the simplicity of using a single RAT type for dual connectivity.
3Measurement precision
If traffic measurement is performed for each radio bearer in dual connectivity, then accurate charging based on actual communication types is enabled, but measurement and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the eNB pre-configure and continuously track radio bearer information (source cell ID, bearer type, QoS parameters) as part of the dual connectivity setup. This preliminary tracking eliminates the need for complex real-time measurement and processing at the charging system, reducing the burden on the charging side while maintaining accurate traffic measurement for charging purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to provide a communication system capable of charging control in accordance with a bearer used by a UE even when the UE performs dual connectivity, a communication system according to the present disclosure includes a communication terminal (11) configured to communicate with a communication device (12) and a communication device (13) by using a different radio bearer for each of the communication device (12) and the communication device (13), and a control device (14) configured to determine whether to cause the communication device (12) to measure the traffic of each radio bearer.