Network Slice Charging via Authentication Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack efficient mechanisms for charging and accounting in network slice-specific authentication and authorization processes, particularly in 5G networks, which complicates the tracking and billing of events such as authentication, reauthentication, and revocation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network slice-specific authentication and authorization function that interacts with a charging function to generate charging data records, using a charging profile to determine whether charging is active or inactive for these events, and sending charging data requests and responses to manage charging records effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slice-specific authentication and authorization procedures are implemented in 5G networks, then network security and service differentiation are improved, but the complexity of charging and accounting mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging mechanism is segmented into network-specific charging profiles that can be independently configured for different network slices. Each slice can have its own charging characteristics stored in a database, allowing security to be enhanced per-slice while keeping charging management modular and manageable through separate configuration units.
Solution Approach 2:
Charging profiles are pre-configured and stored in a database before authentication procedures begin. The system performs preliminary actions by storing charging characteristics in advance, so that when authentication occurs, the charging mechanism can immediately reference pre-established profiles without adding real-time complexity to the authentication flow.
2Measurement precision
If charging data requests are sent for each authentication event, then billing accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating entirely new charging records for each authentication event, the system copies and references pre-stored charging profile characteristics from the database. This allows billing accuracy to be maintained through detailed profile data while reducing processing time by reusing existing profile templates rather than generating complete charging records from scratch for each event.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network functions store and override charging characteristics, then charging flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity and configuration management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A database acts as an intermediary between the network functions and charging characteristics. The database stores and manages all charging profiles centrally, allowing network functions to simply reference profiles by identifier rather than managing complex configuration parameters directly. This maintains charging flexibility through diverse profile options while simplifying configuration management through centralized database control.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed an apparatus caused to perform: during or subsequent to performing at least part of an authentication and/or authorisation procedure for a user equipment to access a network slice: signalling. to a charging function, a charging data request, the charging data request comprising an identifier of the user equipment, an identifier of the network slice. and an indication of an event to which the charging data request relates; and receiving, from the charging function, a charging data response.