Unified Charging Mediation for Multi-Protocol Telecom Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications networks lack a cohesive and consistent mediation solution across different interfaces, leading to varying user experiences for subscribers using different network protocols.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an online charging system and Service Capability Interaction Manager (SCIM) with interworking charging modules that mediate between network interfaces, providing a unified charging structure and consistent charging behavior across multiple protocols, including CAP, Ro, SIP, and WIN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Online Mediation solutions are used to mediate between Ro and CAP interfaces, then support for multiple network protocols is achieved, but device complexity increases and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mediation framework where a single Online Mediation system handles multiple network protocols (Ro, CAP, WIN2, SIP/ISC, Camel) through a unified architecture. The system provides common charging mediation functions across all protocols, eliminating the need for separate mediation solutions for each protocol and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The Online Mediation system acts as an intermediary layer between the OCS and various network interfaces. It translates and mediates charging requests across different protocols, providing a standardized interface to the OCS while handling protocol-specific variations, thereby simplifying the integration of multiple protocols without increasing core system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different mediation solutions are used for different network interfaces, then protocol-specific requirements are met, but user experience consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mediation framework provides unified charging mediation across all network protocols through a single consistent system. This ensures that all subscribers, regardless of which protocol they use (Ro, CAP, WIN2, etc.), receive the same charging treatment and user experience, eliminating variations caused by protocol-specific mediation solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enforces homogeneous charging behavior across different network protocols by implementing a unified mediation logic. All charging requests are processed through the same mediation framework with consistent rules and parameters, ensuring uniform user experience while still supporting protocol-specific requirements through standardized translation layers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If OCS systems support multiple network protocols directly, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Online Mediation system serves as an intermediary that handles protocol-specific processing logic, allowing the OCS to maintain simple, efficient processing for standardized charging operations. The mediation layer translates various protocols into a unified format that the OCS can process efficiently, preventing protocol complexity from directly impacting OCS processing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the charging architecture into distinct functional layers: protocol-specific mediation handled by the Online Mediation system and universal charging processing handled by the OCS. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining high processing efficiency while supporting multiple protocols through the segmented architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with various embodiments, systems and methods that provide unified charging across different network interfaces are provided. A system can include an online charging system, executing on one or more microprocessors, a SCIM, which is operable to manage communication between a plurality of subscribers over a plurality of different network interfaces, and a set of interworking charging modules that use a unified charging structure to provide mappings between network protocol parameters and capabilities. The interworking charging modules can be configured to provide a same charging behavior to a plurality of different network protocols.