Gateway Rate Group Detection for Accurate Data Service Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems fail to accurately process rate group changes, leading to inaccurate charging and partial traffic undercharging or overcharging in data service scenarios, particularly in 3GPP Policy and Charging Control (PCC) mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Implement deep packet inspection (DPI) at the gateway device to identify service data streams, re-determine rate groups, and trigger charging procedures when changes occur, with the gateway device reporting charging data to the system, which then re-determines rates based on priority attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the existing charging system processes rate group changes without deep packet inspection, then the charging system operates with simpler architecture, but charging accuracy deteriorates leading to undercharging or overcharging
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs deep packet inspection in advance to identify service data streams and determine rate groups before charging processing occurs. This preliminary identification enables the charging system to accurately track rate group changes and apply correct charging rates, resolving the accuracy issue without requiring complex real-time analysis during charging processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the gateway device acts as a mediator between the service data stream and the charging system. The gateway performs DPI, identifies rate group changes, and reports these changes to the charging system, enabling accurate charging without making the charging system itself complex
2Measurement precision
If the gateway device performs deep packet inspection to identify service data streams and detect rate group changes, then charging accuracy improves, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs deep packet inspection and service identification in advance, building a cache of service data stream information before charging processing is needed. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly detect rate group changes without time-consuming real-time analysis, reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device continuously monitors service data streams, compares actual rate groups with cached information, and provides feedback when changes are detected. This feedback mechanism enables timely detection of rate group changes without requiring continuous full-depth packet inspection, reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If the charging system uses static charging control policies without dynamic rate group adjustment, then system operation is simpler and more stable, but adaptability to service changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging control where the gateway device continuously performs deep packet inspection to identify service data streams and detect rate group changes. The charging system dynamically adjusts charging rates based on detected changes, enabling adaptability to service variations while maintaining stable operation through automated detection and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the gateway device monitors service data streams, detects rate group changes, and reports these changes to the charging system. The charging system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust charging control policies, achieving adaptability without requiring complex manual reconfiguration
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for processing a rate group, a method for charging for a data service, and a related device and system, so as to enable a charging system to accurately charge for the data service when the rate group changes. The method includes: determining, by a gateway device, whether a rate group of a service data stream changes; and if the rate group of the service data stream changes, reporting, by the gateway device, charging data to the charging system, so that the charging system performs charging according to the charging data, where the charging data includes service usage information and a reporting reason for reporting the charging data, and the reporting reason indicates a change of the rate group. Compared with the prior art, the method for processing a rate group that is provided by the embodiments of the present invention can enable the charging system to know a change of the rate group, thereby reducing impacts of the change of the rate group on charging accuracy and making the charging more accurate.