Satellite Backhaul Charging via Delay-Indicating Data Requests
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in accurately charging for data transfer over satellite backhaul due to variable delays, which affect quality of service and hinder network operators' ability to differentiate tariffs based on true delay classes, leading to inadequate customer billing and network statistics analysis.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that include a session management function and a charging function within a core network, which send and receive charging data requests and responses, incorporating information on non-terrestrial network backhaul usage, orbit altitude, and average delay to determine quotas for consumed services, enabling precise charging and network statistics collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If satellite backhaul is used for data transfer, then network coverage and service availability are improved, but variable delays occur which hinder accurate charging and quality of service differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of backhaul delay characteristics before charging operations. The session management function collects delay information from the radio access network node about the satellite backhaul path, and uses this pre-measured delay data to determine appropriate charging parameters and quota settings, enabling accurate charging despite the inherent variability of satellite backhaul delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the session management function continuously monitors backhaul delay characteristics and adjusts charging parameters accordingly. The charging function receives feedback about actual delay experienced, and uses this information to refine quota allocations and charging decisions, ensuring accurate billing that reflects true service quality
2Measurement precision
If detailed charging information is collected for satellite backhaul, then billing accuracy is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The session management function serves multiple purposes: it manages PDU sessions, collects backhaul delay information, determines charging parameters, and interfaces with the charging function. By consolidating these functions in a single network element, the system achieves accurate satellite backhaul charging without adding separate complex subsystems, thus maintaining network simplicity while improving billing accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for providing charging information related to a satellite backhaul over an interface to a charging function are disclosed. For example, a method may include sending a charging data request to a charging function of a core network. The charging data request can include an identifier configured to indicate that a non-terrestrial network backhaul has been used for sending data traffic from a radio access network to a core network. The method may also include receiving a charging data response from the charging function in response to the charging data request.