LIPA Charging Policy Distribution for Dynamic Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the LIPA architecture, there is a lack of a technical scheme to realize charging for data streams flowing into the radio side network element and the H(e)NB gateway, necessitating a method to issue charging policy information to access network elements for dynamic charging.
Innovation Solution
A charging method and system that involves a mobility management network element obtaining charging policy information from a user subscription data network element and an access network element storing and applying this information for charging services, including authentication, updating, and deletion of charging policy information as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging function is added to radio side network element in LIPA architecture, then charging capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local gateway as an intermediary component between the radio side network element and the core network. The local gateway contains the charging function and interacts with the radio side network element through a simplified interface, thereby adding charging capability without increasing the complexity of the radio side network element itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging function is segmented from the radio side network element and placed in a separate local gateway component. This segmentation allows the radio side network element to remain simple while the charging capability resides in a dedicated module that can be independently managed and configured.
2Ease of operation
If charging policy information is distributed to access network element, then charging control is improved, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the local gateway receives charging policy information from the core network, distributes it to the radio side network element, and receives usage information in return. This feedback loop enables dynamic charging control while maintaining centralized policy management, thus improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing information management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Charging policy information is obtained and configured in advance from the core network before actual charging operations begin. This preliminary action allows the local gateway to be pre-configured with necessary charging parameters, simplifying real-time charging control and reducing the complexity of dynamic information management during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charging method is provided by the present invention, which includes the following steps: a mobility management network element obtains the charging policy information of a terminal from a subscription data network element; an access network element obtains the charging policy information of said terminal from the mobility management network element; the access network element stores the charging policy information of said terminal, and charges for the service of said terminal according to said charging policy information. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a charging system, an access network element and a mobility management network element. The technical solution of the present invention can send the charging policy information to the radio-side network element in the LIPA structure to realize the dynamic charging based on the user or the service; and it can cover the LTE network and the 3G network at the same time.