Telecom Charging Cache for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current policy and charging control systems in telecommunications face latency issues due to frequent database queries for authorization and charging information, particularly in real-time credit control scenarios, which can degrade user experience and system performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cache system that pre-emptively populates subscriber charging information retrieved from the database, reducing the need for repeated database queries by storing essential data, such as account balances and service costs, to facilitate faster authorization and reduce latency in online charging control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If database queries are performed for each authorization request, then charging information accuracy is maintained, but system latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-emptively populates a cache with subscriber charging information before authorization requests are made. When a subscriber connects or a service is activated, the system proactively retrieves and stores charging data in the cache, so that subsequent authorization requests can be processed quickly without immediate database queries.
Solution Approach 2:
A cache system is introduced as an intermediary layer between the authorization system and the charging database. The cache stores copies of charging information and serves authorization requests from this intermediate storage, reducing direct database access while maintaining information availability.
2Productivity
If a cache system is implemented to reduce latency, then authorization speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache system is designed to self-manage by automatically expiring entries after a predetermined time period. The cache autonomously determines when to retain or discard charging information based on time-based expiration, eliminating the need for complex manual management mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on system conditions. It can be configured with different expiration times and update policies, allowing the system to adapt the caching strategy to varying operational requirements without fundamental architectural changes.
3Loss of time
If cache is used for charging information, then real-time credit control latency is reduced, but data consistency between cache and database may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic updates to the cache by re-querying the database at predetermined intervals or upon specific events. This ensures that cached charging information is refreshed regularly, maintaining consistency between the cache and the source database while allowing most operations to proceed using the faster cache.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging control in a communications network comprises, at a policy manager, responsive to a request for policy regulations for a subscriber, a stimulus is provided to a control system to trigger pre-emptive retrieval of subscriber information. At the control system, responsive to the stimulus, subscriber information is retrieved, information is stored in a cache, and responsive to receiving a request from a party, the information in cache is consulted and a response is provided to the party based on the consultation.