Traffic Plane Function Charging Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPRS charging systems, particularly the Traffic Plane Function (TPF) in Flow Based Charging (FBC) systems, face inefficiencies due to the need to process and generate charging information for all service data flows, even when not required, leading to increased load and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
The TPF determines whether to perform charging based on an indication from the Charging Rule Function (CRF), filtering service data flows without generating charging information when no charge is applicable, thereby optimizing operations and reducing network load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the TPF processes and generates charging information for all service data flows, then charging accuracy and completeness are improved, but the operational load and network resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different service data flows based on their charging characteristics. Instead of uniformly processing all flows, the system identifies and processes only those flows that require charging (e.g., paid services, specific APN types), while allowing others to pass through without charging processing. This selective approach maintains charging accuracy for relevant flows while reducing overall TPF load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by having the TPF process charging information only for a subset of service data flows rather than all flows. The system uses charging rules to determine which flows require charging processing and applies charging mechanisms only to those specific flows, avoiding unnecessary processing for free or non-charged services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the TPF performs charging operations for all service data flows, then charging coverage is improved, but network resource wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by tailoring charging processing to specific local characteristics of service data flows. Charging operations are performed only on flows matching specific criteria (e.g., paid services, specific destination APN types), while other flows are excluded from charging processing. This maintains comprehensive charging coverage for relevant services while avoiding resource wastage on non-charged flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing charging coverage only where necessary and applicable. The TPF uses charging rules to determine the scope of charging operations and applies them selectively to flows that require charging, rather than attempting to process all possible flows. This approach ensures adequate charging coverage for paid services while minimizing network resource consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the TPF processes charging information for all service data flows, then charging completeness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by processing charging information only for service data flows with specific characteristics (e.g., paid services, specific APN types). The TPF identifies and processes only the subset of flows requiring charging, while allowing other flows to pass through without charging processing delays. This maintains charging completeness for relevant flows while significantly reducing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by processing charging information only for a partial set of service data flows rather than all flows. The TPF uses charging rules to determine which flows require processing and applies charging mechanisms only to those flows, reducing the total processing volume and thereby decreasing overall processing time while maintaining completeness for charged services.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for reducing the load of Traffic Plane Function (TPF). According to the obtained indication on whether to perform charging, the TPF determines whether to perform charging operation for the service data flow using appropriate charging rules, if yes, the TPF performs the charging operation for the counting result of the service data flow and submits the charging information to the charging associated entities; otherwise, the TPF does not perform the charging operation for the counting result of the service data flow. Operation in the TPF is optimized such that the TPF only needs to perform necessary charging instead of performing charging operation for the service data flow not needing to be charged. As a result, the load of the TPF and network devices are reduced, system efficiency is improved, and waste of network resources from various operator charging policies, e.g., free of charge policy, is avoided.