Dual-Connectivity Charging Using User-Plane Tunnel Switch Markers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face inefficiencies in differential charging for user equipment with dual connectivity capabilities between 4G and 5G networks due to increased control plane signaling and performance costs when devices frequently switch between 4G and 5G radio access technologies.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a new Tunnel Switch Marker packet on the S1-U interface to indicate tunnel switches between 4G and 5G bearers, enabling differential charging in the user plane without additional control plane signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If differential charging is implemented for data packet transfers over 5G NR, then charging accuracy for different network access types is improved, but control plane signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tunnel switch indication function from the control plane to the user plane by utilizing existing GTP-U protocol fields (TEID, Q-Flag, PRA) to carry tunnel switch markers. This removes the need for additional control plane signaling messages while maintaining the ability to detect bearer type changes for differential charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing GTP-U protocol elements multi-functional by using the TEID field to encode both tunnel identification and bearer type information, and the Q-Flag to indicate tunnel switch events. This allows the user plane protocol to simultaneously perform routing and charging indication functions without requiring separate signaling mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices frequently switch between 4G and 5G radio access technologies, then network adaptability is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to increased signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous differential charging by implementing a mechanism that detects tunnel switches in the user plane and maintains appropriate charging rules without interruption. The PRA field and Q-Flag ensure that charging continuity is preserved during RAT switching events, eliminating performance degradation from frequent signaling exchanges.
3Reliability
If tunnel switch detection is performed in the control plane, then detection reliability is improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the control plane signaling mechanism with a user plane data plane mechanism. Instead of using control plane messages to indicate tunnel switches, the invention embeds tunnel switch markers directly in the GTP-U data packets using existing fields (TEID encoding, Q-Flag, PRA), thereby eliminating the need for separate control plane detection procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable media for applying differential charging over user plane for DCNR capable UEs. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a session request at a control plane gateway in association with a dual connectivity attachment request by a user equipment to connect to a network, sending a request for tunnel binding IDs to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), wherein each of the tunnel binding IDs is associated with one of different types of network access for the user equipment, receiving the tunnel binding IDs from the PCRF, and programming a user plane with the tunnel binding IDs and corresponding charging rules for the different types of network access, the user equipment being charged for data usage using the charging rules and depending on which of the different types of network access is used by the user equipment to connect to the network.