Roaming Charging Trigger Device for 5G Local Breakout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G roaming accounting methods, such as TAP and BCE, face challenges in supporting real-time data requirements and service diversification, particularly in 5G local breakout scenarios, leading to difficulties in reconciliation, accounting, and conflict resolution between visited and home networks.
Innovation Solution
A charging method and apparatus that involves a charging trigger device in the visited network, which separately requests charging resource creation and sends charging information to both the visited and home networks, enabling both networks to perform charging processing and support reconciliation and conflict resolution through usage data reports and billing statements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TAP procedure is used for roaming accounting, then detailed data records are generated based on each transfer record, but the data volume becomes extremely large and real-time requirement cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the accounting process into two parts: the visited network generates detailed data records (DDR) for local accounting, while the home network receives aggregated usage data for reconciliation. This segmentation allows each network to perform accounting at appropriate granularity without generating excessive data volume across the entire roaming system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detailed accounting function from the home network and places it in the visited network. The home network only needs to receive usage data and perform reconciliation, while the visited network handles detailed record generation and local accounting, reducing the data burden on the home network.
2Productivity
If BCE procedure is used for roaming accounting, then charging is based on aggregated usage data, but detailed data record generation cannot support reconciliation and conflict resolution between visited and home networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different accounting qualities to different networks: the visited network generates detailed data records with fine granularity for local accounting and conflict resolution, while the home network receives usage data at appropriate aggregation levels. This local quality differentiation allows both detailed accounting and efficient reconciliation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric accounting architecture where the visited network and home network perform different accounting functions with different levels of detail. The visited network generates comprehensive DDRs while the home network focuses on reconciliation, allowing each network to optimize its accounting approach for its specific role.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate charging resources are created for visited and home networks, then both networks can perform charging processing independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the charging trigger device universal by enabling it to interact with both visited network charging systems and home network charging systems through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single device to support independent charging processing in both networks without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging trigger device acts as an intermediary between the visited network and home network charging systems. It receives usage data, creates charging resources in both networks, and coordinates charging processing, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to perform independent charging in each network.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a roaming charging method, applied to the field of local breakout roaming charging. The method includes: A charging trigger device of a visited network receives a creation request of a data connection session, determines that a user of the data connection session is a roaming user, and sends a first charging resource creation request to a roaming charging system of the visited network, receives a first charging resource creation response message, sends a second charging resource creation request to a charging function of a home network of the roaming user, and receives a second charging resource creation response message. Then, the charging trigger device of the visited network sends a first charging request to the roaming charging system of the visited network and sends a second charging request to a roaming charging system of the home network. This method can implement local breakout roaming charging.