Traffic Steering Policy Management for Spectrum-Specific Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in charging users based on the specific air interfaces and radio spectrums used, limiting operators' ability to define flexible business models and charge subscribers effectively across different technologies and spectrums.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a traffic steering policy management system that allows radio network nodes to manage access resources, including licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum, and communicate this information to core network nodes for accurate charging, enabling separate charging for licensed and unlicensed access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traffic steering policy management is implemented to enable separate charging for licensed and unlicensed access, then charging flexibility and accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging system by introducing separate charging mechanisms for licensed and unlicensed access. The traffic steering policy is divided into specific rules that can be independently managed for different access types, allowing differentiated charging without requiring complete system redesign. This segmentation enables operators to apply different charging strategies to different spectrum types while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the charging system by introducing access type (licensed/unlicensed) as a distinguishing factor. This dimensional addition allows the system to differentiate charging based on spectrum type while maintaining the existing charging framework. The traffic steering policy is extended to include access-specific rules, enabling multi-dimensional charging control without fundamentally altering the core charging architecture.
2Measurement precision
If detailed access information is collected and managed for charging purposes, then charging accuracy is improved, but information processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential access information needed for charging purposes from the overall traffic data. Specifically, it identifies and extracts access type indicators (licensed/unlicensed) and relevant traffic steering decisions, discarding unnecessary detailed information. This selective extraction maintains charging accuracy by capturing key differentiating factors while reducing information processing complexity by eliminating redundant data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of access information at the traffic steering policy level before charging calculation. By pre-classifying traffic into licensed/unlicensed categories and pre-determining access types, the system prepares charging-relevant information in advance, reducing the processing burden on the charging system and improving overall efficiency without sacrificing accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a radio network node (110), a method and a core network node (120) as well as a method and a charging node (130) for enabling management of a traffic steering policy are disclosed. The radio network node (110) receives, from the core network node (120), an indication of the traffic steering policy indicating one or more access resources and at least one of a PDN connection, a packet flow and a bearer to use on the one or more access resources. Furthermore, the radio network node (110) determines (A030) to steer traffic. Then, the radio network node (110) transmits (A040) access information to the core network node (120). The access information indicates a currently used access resource for the PDN connection, the packet flow or the bearer. The core network node (120) transmits (A060) the access information. The charging node (130) determines (A080) an amount of traffic for the PDN connection, packet flow or bearer on the currently used access resource. Moreover, the charging node (130) manages (A090) charging with respect to the user equipment (115) based on the determined amount of traffic on the currently used access resource. Corresponding computer programs and computer program carriers are also disclosed.