LTE Charging Identifier for Correlating Billing Messages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging architecture for LTE/EPC communication networks lacks detailed definitions for online and offline charging, making it unclear for network operators and designers how to implement these functions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A new LTE/EPC charging architecture is introduced, which includes a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) that stores charging rules and assigns a unique LTE charging identifier for sessions, allowing network elements to correlate charging messages with the Online Charging System (OCS) or Offline Charging System (OFCS) based on this identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the existing charging architecture is used without detailed definitions, then the network can maintain simplicity in architecture, but the implementation clarity and operational effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The charging architecture is segmented into distinct functional components: PCRF for policy and rule management, OCS for online charging decisions, and OFCS for offline charging processing. Each component has clearly defined responsibilities and interfaces, making the system easier to implement while maintaining architectural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCRF acts as an intermediary function that receives charging requests from network elements, applies policy rules, and forwards requests to OCS/OFCS. This mediator role provides clear implementation guidance by centralizing the charging decision logic and establishing standardized interaction protocols between different system components.
2Loss of information
If network elements collect charging information without a unified identifier, then the system can maintain flexibility in handling different network access types, but the ability to correlate charging messages across different access types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The LTE charging identifier serves as a universal correlation key that works across multiple network access types (wireless, fixed broadband, mobile broadband). This single identifier structure enables unified charging message correlation regardless of the access type, eliminating information loss while avoiding the complexity of maintaining separate identification systems for each access type.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging architecture merges different charging information streams from various network access types into a unified correlation framework using the LTE charging identifier. This combining approach allows OCS and OFCS to correlate charging messages across different access types through a single identifier mechanism, improving correlation capability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If online charging is implemented with real-time authorization, then service quality and resource management improve, but the system response time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Charging rules and policies are pre-configured and stored in the PCRF before actual charging events occur. When a charging request arrives, the PCRF can quickly retrieve and apply the appropriate pre-defined rules, reducing processing time while maintaining accurate real-time authorization. This preliminary preparation of charging logic enables fast response without sacrificing management accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing charging in LTE/EPC communication networks. In an LTE/EPC communication network, a PCRF stores charging rules for online and offline charging. To perform charging for a session, LTE network elements that are serving the session request charging rules from the PCRF. The PCRF identifies the charging rules, and assigns a unique LTE charging identifier for the session across all network elements in the LTE/EPC communication network. The LTE network elements receive the charging rules from the PCRF along with the LTE charging identifier for the session. The LTE network elements generate charging messages for the session, and insert the LTE charging identifier in the charging messages. The LTE network elements then transmit the charging messages to a charging system, such as an OCS or an OFCS. The OCS/OFCS may then correlate the charging messages for the session based on the LTE charging identifier.