CN107547212A

CN107547212A - A kind of charging method based on separation architecture, device and system

Info

Publication number: CN107547212A
Application number: CN201610474713.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴锦花; 郑芳庭; 吴瑟
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2016-06-24
Filing date: 2016-06-24
Publication date: 2018-01-05
Also published as: WO2017219905A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a kind of charging method based on separation architecture, device and system；This method is applied to the user plane functions in the separation architecture of chain of command function and user plane functions, and in the separation architecture, the user plane functions are connected with charge system, and report interface to interact by charging, and methods described includes：The user plane functions obtain charging regulation from the chain of command function；The user plane functions carry out billing statistics in conversation procedure, and report interface to report billing statistics information to the charge system by the charging according to the charging regulation.

Description

Charging method, device and system based on separation architecture

Technical Field

The present invention relates to wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a charging method, device, and system based on a separation architecture.

Background

With the rapid growth of Network services, some constraints are gradually generated by the Evolved Packet System (EPS) of the existing third generation partnership Project (3 GPP), and user Data stream processing is concentrated on the Packet Data Network (PDN) egress gateway, which results in complex gateway device functions and poor expandability. The control plane of the gateway is highly coupled with the forwarding plane, which is not favorable for the smooth evolution of the core network. The expansion demand frequency of the forwarding plane is higher than that of the control plane, the tight coupling leads to synchronous expansion of the forwarding plane of the control plane, and the updating period of the equipment is short, thus leading to composite cost increase. The data forwarding of the network layer is difficult to identify the characteristics of users and services, and can only be forwarded according to the QoS transmitted by the upper layer, so that the utilization efficiency of network resources is low, and the data flow is difficult to be finely controlled according to the characteristics of the users and the services.

In view of the above situation, currently, a control plane and a user plane of a GateWay (GW, GateWay) in an EPS structure are separated, so as to avoid problems occurring in an existing architecture, but various levels and various types of message interaction exist in an Sx interface between the control plane and the user plane, frequency is high, message amount is large, and reliability and low delay of the Sx interface between the control plane and the user plane need to be ensured. In addition, in the control plane and user plane separation architecture, since the peripheral interactive network element function interfaces are mainly and centrally connected to the control plane, control signaling and user plane data exist in the Sx interface at the same time. Therefore, messages of different levels (function node level, UE level, session level, service level, etc.) and different types (signaling message, data message, control management type data message, etc.) existing on the Sx interface all pose great challenges to performance guarantee and optimization of the Sx interface.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the foregoing technical problems, embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide a charging method, device, and system based on a separation architecture, which can improve reliability of an interface between a control plane and a user plane and ensure performance of the interface.

The technical scheme of the invention is realized as follows:

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a charging method based on a separation architecture, where the method is applied to a user plane function in a separation architecture of a control plane function and a user plane function, and in the separation architecture, the user plane function is connected to a charging system and interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface, and the method includes:

the user plane function obtains a charging rule from the control plane function;

and the user plane function carries out charging statistics in the session process and reports charging statistical information to the charging system through the charging reporting interface according to the charging rule.

In the above aspect, the method further includes:

after the user plane function finishes the session with the control plane function, the charging system sends a final charging report through the charging report interface item;

and the user plane function receives a charging final report response returned by the charging system through the charging report interface.

In the above scheme, the charging system includes an online charging system OCS and an offline charging system OFCS;

correspondingly, the user plane function interacts with the OCS through an online charging reporting interface;

and the user plane function interacts with the OFCS through an offline charging reporting interface.

In the foregoing solution, the obtaining, by the user plane function, the charging rule from the control plane function specifically includes:

the user plane function acquires a session updating request issued by the control plane function through an Sx interface; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

and the user plane function updates the charging rule according to the session updating request and returns an updating response to the control plane function through an Sx interface.

In the above solution, the performing, by the user plane function, charging statistics in a session process, and reporting charging statistics information to the charging system through the charging reporting interface according to the charging rule specifically includes:

in the service session process, the user plane function performs charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation, and monitors the reporting condition in the charging rule;

and when the reporting condition is satisfied, the user plane function sends a charging reporting request through the charging reporting interface; wherein, the charging report request includes charging statistical information.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a charging method based on a separation architecture, where the method is applied to a control plane function in a separation architecture of a control plane function and a user plane function, and in the separation architecture, the control plane function is connected to a charging system and interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the method includes:

the control surface function determines a charging method and carries out interaction to establish a session with a charging system corresponding to the charging method through the charging control interface;

the control plane function issues charging rules to the user plane function; the charging rules are used for indicating the user plane function to perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation in the service process, and monitoring the reporting conditions in the charging rules to report charging statistical information to a charging system.

In the above aspect, the method further includes:

the control plane function notifying the user plane function of session completion;

and after the control surface function finishes the session with the user surface function, the control surface function sends a session termination message to the charging system through the charging control interface.

correspondingly, the charging control interface comprises an online charging control interface and an offline charging control interface.

In the foregoing solution, the determining, by the control plane function, a charging method, and establishing a session through interaction between the charging control interface and a charging system corresponding to the charging method specifically include:

the control plane function determines that the charging method is online charging, sends a charging credit application request to the OCS through the online charging control interface, and receives a credit application response returned by the OCS through the online charging control interface;

or, when the control plane function determines that the charging method is offline charging, sending a charging session establishment and authentication request to the OFCS through the offline charging control interface, and receiving a session establishment and authentication response returned by the OFCS through the offline charging control interface.

In the above solution, the issuing, by the control plane function, a charging rule to the user plane function includes:

the control plane function issues a session update request to the user plane function through an Sx interface; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

and the control plane function receives an update response returned by the user plane function through an Sx interface after the charging rule is updated according to the session update request.

In the above scheme, when the charging method is online charging, the method further includes:

in the session process, the control plane function receives an active notification message sent by the OCS through the online charging control interface, performs corresponding processing according to the active notification message, and after the processing is finished, the online charging control interface returns a notification response to the OCS.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a user plane function device, where the device is connected to a charging system and interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface, and the device includes: the system comprises an acquisition module and a first interaction module; wherein,

the obtaining module is used for obtaining the charging rule from the control plane function;

and the first interactive module is used for carrying out charging statistics in a session process and reporting charging statistical information to the charging system through the charging reporting interface according to the charging rule.

In the above scheme, the first interaction module is further configured to send a final charging report through the charging reporting interface item and the charging system;

and receiving a charging final report response returned by the charging system through the charging report interface.

correspondingly, the first interaction module interacts with the OCS through an online charging reporting interface;

and the first interaction module interacts with the OFCS through an offline charging reporting interface.

In the above solution, the obtaining module is configured to obtain, through an Sx interface, a session update request issued by the control plane function; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

and updating the charging rule according to the session updating request, and returning an updating response to the control plane function through an Sx interface.

In the above scheme, the first interaction module is configured to, during a service session, perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation, and monitor a reporting condition in the charging rule;

when the reporting condition is met, sending a charging reporting request through the charging reporting interface; wherein, the charging report request includes charging statistical information.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control plane function device, where the device is connected to a charging system and interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the device includes: the second interaction module and the issuing module; wherein,

the second interactive module is used for determining a charging method and interactively establishing a session with a charging system corresponding to the charging method through the charging control interface;

the issuing module is used for issuing a charging rule to the user plane function; the charging rules are used for indicating the user plane function to perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation in the service process, and monitoring the reporting conditions in the charging rules to report charging statistical information to a charging system.

In the above scheme, the issuing module is further configured to notify the user plane function that the session is ended;

and the second interactive module is used for sending a session termination message to the charging system through the charging control interface.

In the above solution, the second interaction module is configured to

When the charging method is determined to be online charging, sending a charging credit application request to the OCS through the online charging control interface, and receiving a credit application response returned by the OCS through the online charging control interface;

or when the charging method is determined to be offline charging, sending a charging session establishment and authentication request to the OFCS through the offline charging control interface, and receiving a session establishment and authentication response returned by the OFCS through the offline charging control interface.

In the above scheme, the issuing module is configured to issue a session update request to the user plane function through an Sx interface; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

and receiving an update response returned by the user plane function through an Sx interface after the charging rule is updated according to the session update request.

In the foregoing solution, the second interaction module is further configured to: in the session process, the online charging control interface receives an active notification message sent by the OCS, performs corresponding processing according to the active notification message, and returns a notification response to the OCS after the processing is finished.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a charging method based on a separation architecture, where the method is applied to a separation architecture between a control plane function and a user plane function, both the control plane function and the user plane function are connected to a charging system, the control plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the user plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface, and the method includes:

the control surface function determines a charging mode and carries out interaction with a charging system corresponding to the charging mode to establish a session;

the control plane function issues charging rules to the user plane function;

the user plane function carries out charging statistics in the session process and reports charging statistical information to the charging system according to the charging rule;

after the session with the control plane function is ended, the user plane function sends a final charging report to the charging system;

the user plane function receives a charging final report response returned by the charging system;

and the control plane function sends a session termination message to the charging system.

correspondingly, the charging control interface comprises an online charging control interface and an offline charging control interface;

the charging reporting interface comprises an online charging control interface and an offline charging control interface.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a charging system based on a separation architecture, where the system includes a control plane function and a user plane function that are separated from each other, and both the control plane function and the user plane function are connected to the charging system, the control plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the user plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface;

the control plane function is used for determining a charging method and interactively establishing a session with a charging system corresponding to the charging method;

and issuing a charging rule to the user plane function;

and notifying the user plane function of the session completion;

and sending a session termination message to the charging system;

the user plane function is used for carrying out charging statistics in a session process and reporting charging statistical information to the charging system according to the charging rule;

after the session with the control plane function is ended, sending a final charging report to the charging system;

and receiving a charging final report response returned by the charging system.

The embodiment of the invention provides a charging method, a device and a system based on a separation architecture, wherein the charging method, the device and the system are connected through a user plane function and a charging system, charging statistics can be realized by the user plane function with larger service data flow in a session process, reported charging statistics data can be interacted through an interface between the user plane function and the charging system, and therefore the problem that under the existing separation architecture, an Sx interface between a control plane and the user plane needs to perform various levels and various types of message interaction because only the control plane is connected with the charging system is avoided. Compared with the existing separation architecture, the reliability, time delay and performance of the Sx interface are improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging system under a control plane and user plane separation architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a charging architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method based on a separation architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a detailed flowchart of a charging method based on a separation architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a detailed flowchart of another charging method based on a separation architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method applied to a user plane function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a charging session ending method applied to a user plane function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a charging method applied to a control plane function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a charging session termination method applied to a control plane function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a user plane function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a control plane function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging system based on a separation architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

To clearly describe the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, referring to fig. 1, an application scenario of the embodiment of the present invention is described, as shown in fig. 1, an Accounting system structure under a current control plane and user plane separation architecture includes an Evolved Universal mobile telecommunications system Terrestrial Radio access Network (E-UTRAN), a Mobility Management unit (MME), a serving Gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW, Packet Data Gateway), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), an Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA, Authorization and Accounting) Server of 3GPP, a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), and other support nodes.

In the system architecture shown in fig. 1, an MME is used for control plane related operations such as mobility management, processing of non-access stratum signaling, and management of user mobility management context; the S-GW is an access gateway device connected with the E-UTRAN, forwards data between the E-UTRAN and the P-GW, and is used for caching paging waiting data; the P-GW is a border gateway between the EPS and the PDN, and is used for accessing the PDN and forwarding data between the EPS and the PDN. The PCRF is responsible for making policy decision and charging rules, providing gate control, service quality control and charging rules based on the service data flow to the GW, and executing the policy and charging rules made by the PCRF on the bearing surface.

For GWs, including S-GW and P-GW, after separating a control plane and a user plane, based on the existing network architecture shown in fig. 1, a control plane (GwC, Gateway Controller) of a Gateway may perform a corresponding service data flow charging operation according to a charging rule sent by a PCRF, where the charging operation may be either online charging or offline charging. If the Charging is Online Charging, credit management is required to be carried out together with an Online Charging System (OCS); if the Charging is Offline Charging, the related Charging information needs to be exchanged with an Offline Charging System (OFCS). The interface between GW and PCRF is Gx interface, the interface between GW and OCS is Gy interface, and the interface between OFCS is Gz interface.

In the above-mentioned architecture, various levels and various types of message interaction are performed between the GWC and the User plane (SGwU) of the Serving Gateway and the User plane (PGwU) of the Packet Gateway through the Sx interface, which may affect reliability, delay, and performance of the Sx interface.

Based on the separated gateway structure in the network architecture shown in fig. 1 and the problem existing in the network architecture shown in fig. 1, referring to fig. 2, an embodiment of the present invention provides a charging architecture, which can replace the charging architecture outlined by a dashed line in fig. 1, and in the charging architecture shown in fig. 2, the S-GW, the P-GW, and the Traffic Detection Function (TDF) in the EPS architecture shown in fig. 1 are all split into two types of functions, namely, a Control Plane Function (CPF) and a User Plane Function (UPF); wherein, the SGW is correspondingly split into SGWUPF and SGW CPF; correspondingly splitting the PGW into a PGW UPF and a PGW CPF; the TDF is correspondingly split into a TDF UPF and a TDF CPF. Thus, the CPFs include SGW CPFs, PGW CPFs, and TDF CPFs; the UPFs include SGW UPF, PGW UPF, and TDF UPF.

It is to be understood that different types of CPFs or UPFs may be deployed in a unified manner or may be deployed independently, and this is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. The CPF is responsible for control plane functions, including functions of load sharing, UPF selection, UE IP address allocation, policy and charging control and the like; optionally, it can also contain the assignment of the user plane address and tunnel identification of the UPF. The UPF is responsible for the related functions of the user plane, including the functions of data flow identification and deep packet analysis, QoS processing and bearing binding, downlink paging data caching and the like. The user interface and the control interface which are butted are respectively corresponding to the corresponding CPF and UPF, and the functions of the other corresponding interfaces are compared with the original EPS architecture.

In the charging architecture shown in fig. 2, the OCS and the CPF perform information interaction through an online charging control interface, for example, an Gyc/Gync interface; the OCS and the UPF carry out information interaction through an online charging reporting interface, such as a Gyr/Gynr interface; information interaction is carried out between the OFCS and the CPF through an offline charging control interface, such as an Gzc/Gznc interface; the OFCS and the UPF interact through an offline charging reporting interface, such as an Gzr/Gznr interface.

Based on the charging architecture shown in fig. 2, embodiments of the present invention are presented.

Example one

Referring to fig. 3, it shows a charging method based on a separation architecture provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where the method is applied to a separation architecture of a control plane function and a user plane function, and both the control plane function and the user plane function are connected to a charging system, the control plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the user plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface, where the method may include:

s301: the control surface function determines a charging method and interacts with a charging system corresponding to the charging method to establish a session;

s302: the control plane function issues charging rules to the user plane function;

s303: the user plane function carries out charging statistics in the session process and reports charging statistical information to a charging system according to the charging rule;

s304: the control plane function notifies the user plane function of the session completion;

s305: after the session with the control plane function is ended, the user plane function sends a final charging report to a charging system;

s306: the user plane function receives the final charging report response returned by the charging system;

s307: the control plane function sends a session termination message to the charging system.

By the scheme, the user plane function is connected with the charging system, so that in the session process, charging statistics can be realized by the user plane function with larger service data flow, and reported charging statistics data can be interacted with the charging system through the interface between the user plane function and the charging system. Therefore, the situation that under the existing separation architecture, the Sx interface between the control plane and the user plane needs to carry out various levels and various types of message interaction because only the control plane is connected with the charging system is avoided. Therefore, compared with the existing separation architecture, the technical scheme and the charging architecture improve the reliability, time delay and performance of the Sx interface.

For example, for step S301, the control plane function determines a charging method, and performs interaction with a charging system corresponding to the charging method to establish a session, including:

the control plane function determines that the charging method is online charging, sends a charging credit application request to the OCS and receives a credit application response returned by the OCS;

or, when the control plane function determines that the charging method is offline charging, the control plane function sends a charging session establishment and authentication request to the OFCS, and receives a session establishment and authentication response returned by the OFCS.

It should be noted that the charging method includes online charging and offline charging, so the charging system corresponding to online charging is OCS, and the charging system corresponding to offline charging is OFCS.

In the above specific implementation process, for the online charging method, the charging credit application request is used to apply for a credit quota from the OCS, and may specifically include information related to the service and charging, such as a user identifier, a service identifier, and a rate group identifier; optionally, in order to distinguish functions participating in a specific service, a control plane function identifier and a user plane function identifier may be further included, such as a PGWC identifier and a PGWU identifier, or a TDFC identifier and a tddu identifier; accordingly, the credit application response returned by the OCS may be a response message generated by the OCS after performing credit authorization according to the existing subscription information and the charging-related information carried in the charging credit application request, and may include a credit quota.

For the offline charging method, the charging session establishment and authentication request may also include information related to service and charging, such as user identifier, service identifier, rate group identifier, etc.; optionally, a control plane function identifier and a user plane function identifier may also be included; the session establishment and authentication response returned by the OFCS is a response generated by the OFCS after the initial authentication is completed according to the existing subscription information and the charging related information carried in the charging credit application request, and may include a charging statistics reporting condition.

It is to be understood that if the OCS rejects the credit application or the OFCS rejects the session establishment and authentication request, the session establishment between the control plane function and the charging system is unsuccessful, and then the OCS or OFCS returns a session establishment failure response including the reason for the session establishment failure.

For example, for step S302, the control plane function issues the charging rule to the user plane function, which may include S3021 and S3022:

s3021: the control plane function sends a session update request to the user plane function through the Sx interface;

the session update request may include charging rule information such as charging related information and reporting conditions; specifically, the charging-related information may include a session identifier, a rule identifier, a service identifier, a charging keyword, a credit threshold, and the like; the reporting condition may include: traffic threshold/time threshold/hour/rate change/update (location update, access type update, time zone update/relevant IP-CAN session modification), etc.

In a specific implementation process, when the control plane function obtains the charging policy and issues the charging rule information to the user plane function, the control plane function may perform local mapping processing on the charging rule information, so that the stream processing rule corresponding to the charging rule information obtained through mapping is issued to the user plane function.

S3022: the user plane function updates the charging rule according to the session updating request and returns an updating response to the control plane function through the Sx interface;

it should be noted that the update response may include the result of the update installation of the charging rule.

For example, in step S303, the performing, by the user plane function, charging statistics in the session process, and reporting charging statistics information to the charging system according to the charging rule may include:

and when the reporting condition is met, the user plane function sends a charging reporting request; the charging report request includes charging statistical information such as current usage (e.g., duration, traffic, event), service identifier, and user plane function identifier, which may be implemented by the user plane function generating Call Detail Records (CDRs).

It should be noted that, after the charging system receives the charging report request, the charging statistical information may be stored, and optionally, the user plane function may also receive a charging report response returned by the charging system.

It is understood that triggered by different reporting conditions, the user plane function may cyclically execute the charging reporting procedure described in the above example.

Exemplarily, when the charging method is online charging, the method further includes:

in the session process, the control plane function receives the active notification message sent by the OCS, performs corresponding processing according to the active notification message, and returns a notification response to the OCS after the processing is finished.

Specifically, the active notification message may include notification of reporting of usage quota, or re-authentication, or notification of insufficient credit to the user. The above example is used to illustrate the procedure for charging session modification.

Taking re-authentication as an example, after receiving an active notification message sent by the OCS to indicate re-authentication, the control plane function confirms re-authentication with the PCRF and sends a response of confirming re-authentication back to the OCS. The control plane function may then execute a new credit application in accordance with the process described in step S301.

This embodiment provides a charging method based on a separation architecture, in which, a user plane function is connected to a charging system, in a session process, charging statistics can be implemented by the user plane function with a large traffic data flow, and reporting charging statistics data can be interacted via an interface between the user plane function and the charging system, so as to avoid that, in the existing separation architecture, since only a control plane is connected to the charging system, an Sx interface between the control plane and the user plane needs to perform various levels and various types of message interaction. Compared with the existing separation architecture, the reliability, time delay and performance of the Sx interface are improved.

Based on the first embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention provides the following specific embodiments:

detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Referring to fig. 4, as a detailed flow of the first embodiment, the present embodiment describes a related processing flow of session creation, session modification, and session termination performed under the PGW online charging method, and as can be understood, a PGW may be divided into a PGWUPF and a PGW CPF, which are respectively represented by a PGWC and a PGWU in this embodiment, the detailed flow of the present embodiment may include:

s401: the terminal UE initiates an attachment flow to the network and completes activation flows such as session creation and the like.

The details of this step are the same as those in the prior art, and this embodiment is not described in detail.

S402: the PGWC judges that the charging method is online charging, and triggers to initiate charging credit application to the OCS;

s403: the PGWC sends a charging credit application request to the OCS;

the charging credit application request is used for applying the usage credit quota to the OCS, and may include service and charging related information such as a user identifier, a service identifier, a rate group identifier, and the like; optionally, a PGWC function identifier, a PGWU function identifier may also be included;

s404: the OCS executes credit authorization according to the subscription information and the charging information carried in the charging credit application request, and sends a credit application response to the PGWC;

specifically, the credit application response sent by the OCS may include a credit quota; or the OCS may reject the charging credit application; if the charging credit application is refused, the charging session is not established successfully, and a response message returned by the OCS can carry an authorization failure reason;

s405: the PGWC sends Sxb an interface session update request to the PGWU,

specifically, after receiving the credit application response from the OCS, the PGWC, if a credit quota is issued, performs localization processing on the credit application response, and then issues charging related information and charging rule information such as reporting conditions to the PGWU for execution. The session update request may include charging rule information such as charging related information and reporting conditions; specifically, the charging-related information may include a session identifier, a rule identifier, a service identifier, a charging keyword, a credit threshold, and the like; the reporting condition may include: traffic threshold/time threshold/hour/rate change/update (location update, access type update, time zone update/relevant IP-CAN session modification), etc.

S406: the PGWU receives the update request message, executes rule update and sends an update response to the PGWC;

specifically, the update response may carry the update installation result of the charging rule;

s407: in the service process, the PGWU executes charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation, and monitors reporting conditions; and when the reporting condition is met, reporting the generated CDRs to the OCS.

S408: the PGWU is triggered by a reporting condition (e.g., a condition in S405) and sends a charging reporting request;

specifically, the PGWU performs a charging reporting procedure; and sending a charging report request to the OCS, wherein the charging report request can carry a charging ticket, and comprises information such as the current usage (duration, flow, event and the like), a service identifier, an GWU identifier and the like.

S409: the OCS stores the charging report information and returns a response message to the PGWU.

In the service process, triggered by different reporting conditions, S408 and S309 can be executed in a circulating manner to process the charging reporting flow. S401-309, executing the process of the charging session establishment and the charging information reporting flow after the interface separation.

S410: in the service process, the OCS actively sends a notification message to the PGWC;

for example, the OCS requests to report usage, re-authenticate, or inform the user that the credit line is insufficient, etc.);

s411: after receiving the notification message, the PGWC performs corresponding processing and sends a notification response message to the OCS;

it should be noted that, the PGWC determines that a new credit application needs to be executed according to the active notification message, or issues the PGWU to execute the charging reporting, and then repeats S403-309, executes the application issuing of the credit limit, and the reporting process of the current charging usage. It is to be understood that S410-S411, the process of the charging session modification procedure is performed.

S412: when the service is finished, the PGWC informs a PGWU session termination message through an Sxb interface;

the session termination message is used for informing the PGWU to terminate the current service processing, reporting the usage information such as the charging ticket and the like, and releasing the session resources.

S413: the PGWU performs processing of the session termination message and returns a session termination response message to the PGWC.

S414: the PGWU sends a charging final report to the OCS, reports information such as a charging bill which needs to be reported currently to the OCS, and terminates the charging session.

S415: the OCS stores the charging report, updates the charging credit limit and the like, releases the charging session, and returns a final charging report response message to the PGWU.

S416: the PGWC sends a charging session termination message to the OCS, and terminates the current charging session;

s417: the OCS releases the charging session resources and returns a charging session termination response message to the PGWC;

in step S417, the online charging process in the whole service flow is completed.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring to fig. 5, for a detailed flow of the second embodiment, the present embodiment describes a related processing flow of session creation, session modification, and session termination performed by a PGW in an offline charging method, and may include:

s501: the terminal UE initiates an attachment flow to the network and completes activation flows such as session creation and the like.

S502: PGWC judges the charging method is off-line charging, triggers to initiate charging session establishment and initial authentication request to OFCS;

s503: PGWC sends charging session establishment and initial authentication request message to OFCS;

the charging session establishment and initial authentication message may include service and charging related information such as a user identifier, a service identifier, a rate group identifier, and the like; optionally, a PGWC function identifier, a PGWU function identifier may also be included;

s504: the OFCS executes initial authentication according to the subscription information and the charging information carried by the request message, and sends a session establishment and authentication response message to the PGWC;

the session establishment and authentication response message can carry a charging reporting condition; if the charging session is rejected, the charging session is not established successfully, and the returned response message carries the failure reason;

s505: the PGWC sends Sxb an interface session update request to the PGWU;

specifically, after receiving the session establishment and authentication response message of the OFCS, the PGWC performs localization processing on the credit application response, and then issues information such as a charging rule and a statistical reporting condition to the PGWU for execution, and if the application is rejected, executes a service termination procedure. The session update request may include charging rule information such as charging related information and reporting conditions; specifically, the charging-related information may include a session identifier, a rule identifier, a service identifier, a charging keyword, a credit threshold, and the like; the reporting condition may include: traffic threshold/time threshold/hour/rate change/update (location update, access type update, time zone update/relevant IP-CAN session modification), etc.

S506: the PGWU receives the update request message, executes rule update and sends an update response to the PGWC;

s507: in the service process, the PGWU executes charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation, and monitors reporting conditions; and when the reporting condition is met, reporting the generated CDRs to the OFCS.

S508: the PGWU is triggered by the reporting condition, and sends a charging reporting request to the OFCS;

specifically, the PGWU performs a charging reporting procedure; sending a charging report request to the OFCS, where the charging report request may carry a charging ticket, including information such as current usage (duration, traffic, event, etc.), service identifier, and GWU identifier.

S509: and the OFCS stores the charging report information and returns a response message to the PGWU.

It should be noted that, in the service process, triggered by different charging conditions, S508 and S509 may be executed in a loop to process the charging reporting flow.

S510: when the service is finished, the PGWC informs a PGWU session termination message through an Sxb interface;

S511: the PGWU performs processing of the session termination message and returns a session termination response message to the PGWC.

S512: the PGWU sends a final charging report to the OFCS, reports the information such as the charging bill and the like which needs to be reported to the OFCS, and terminates the charging session.

S513: the OFCS stores the charging report, updates the charging credit limit and the like, releases the charging session, and returns a final charging report response message to the PGWU.

S514: the PGWC sends a charging session termination message to the OFCS to terminate the current charging session;

s515: OFCS releases the charging session resource and returns a charging session termination response message to PGWC;

in step S515, the online charging process in the whole service flow is completed.

For the above two embodiments, it should be noted that, for the TDF, the TDF may be divided into a TDF UPF and a TDF CPF, which are denoted as TDFU and TDFC, respectively. When the TDF is in the online charging method and the offline charging method, the session creation, the session modification, and the session termination related processing flow are specifically performed as in the foregoing specific embodiment, that is, the PGWC in the foregoing specific embodiment is changed to the TDFC, and the PGWU is changed to the TDFU, so that the session creation, the session modification, and the session termination related processing flow are specifically performed when the TDF is in the online charging method and the offline charging method. This embodiment is not described in detail herein.

Example two

Based on the same technical concept as the foregoing embodiment, referring to fig. 6, it shows a charging method based on a separation architecture, which is provided in an embodiment of the present invention and is applied to a user plane function in the separation architecture, and the method may include:

s601: the user plane function obtains the charging rule from the control plane function;

s602: and the user plane function carries out charging statistics in the session process and reports charging statistical information to a charging system through the charging reporting interface according to the charging rule.

In the foregoing solution, as shown in fig. 7, the method further includes:

s603: after the user plane function finishes the session with the control plane function, sending a final charging report through the charging reporting interface item charging system;

s604: and the user plane function receives the charging final report response returned by the charging system through the charging report interface.

EXAMPLE III

Based on the same technical concept as the foregoing embodiment, referring to fig. 8, which illustrates a charging method based on a split architecture provided in an embodiment of the present invention, the method is applied to a control plane function in the split architecture, and the method may include:

s801: the control surface function determines a charging method and carries out interaction to establish a session with a charging system corresponding to the charging method through the charging control interface;

s802: the control plane function issues charging rules to the user plane function;

the charging rules are used for indicating the user plane function to perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation in the service process, and monitoring the reporting conditions in the charging rules to report charging statistical information to a charging system.

In the above scheme, referring to fig. 9, the method further includes:

s803: the control plane function notifies the user plane function of the session completion;

s804: and after the control surface function finishes the session with the user surface function, the control surface function sends a session termination message to the charging system through the charging control interface.

Example four

Based on the same technical concept as the foregoing embodiment, referring to fig. 10, which illustrates a user plane function device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 is connected to a charging system and interacts through a charging reporting interface, and the device 100 includes: an acquisition module 1001 and a first interaction module 1002; wherein,

the obtaining module 1001 is configured to obtain a charging rule from the control plane function;

the first interaction module 1002 is configured to perform charging statistics in a session process, and report charging statistics information to the charging system through the charging reporting interface according to the charging rule.

In the above solution, the first interaction module 1002 is further configured to send a final charging report through the charging reporting interface item, where the final charging report is sent by the charging system;

correspondingly, the first interaction module 1002 interacts with the OCS through an online charging reporting interface;

the first interaction module 1002 interacts with the OFCS through an offline charging reporting interface.

In the foregoing solution, the obtaining module 1001 is configured to obtain, through an Sx interface, a session update request issued by the control plane function; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

In the above scheme, the first interaction module 1002 is configured to perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics, and ticket generation in a service session process, and monitor a reporting condition in the charging rule;

EXAMPLE five

Based on the same technical concept as the foregoing embodiment, referring to fig. 11, it shows a control plane function device 110 provided by an embodiment of the present invention, where the device 110 is connected to a charging system and interacts through a charging control interface, and the device 110 includes: a second interaction module 1101 and a distribution module 1102; wherein,

the second interaction module 1101 is configured to determine a charging method, and perform interaction to establish a session with a charging system corresponding to the charging method through the charging control interface;

the issuing module 1102 is configured to issue a charging rule to the user plane function; the charging rules are used for indicating the user plane function to perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics and ticket generation in the service process, and monitoring the reporting conditions in the charging rules to report charging statistical information to a charging system.

In the above scheme, the issuing module 1102 is further configured to notify the user plane function that the session is ended;

the second interaction module 1101 is configured to send a session termination message to the charging system through the charging control interface.

In the above solution, the second interaction module 1101 is configured to

In the above solution, the issuing module 1102 is configured to issue a session update request to the user plane function through an Sx interface; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

In the above scheme, the second interaction module 1101 is further configured to: in the session process, the online charging control interface receives an active notification message sent by the OCS, performs corresponding processing according to the active notification message, and returns a notification response to the OCS after the processing is finished.

EXAMPLE six

Referring to fig. 12, it shows a charging system 120 based on a split architecture provided in the embodiment of the present invention, where the system 120 includes a control plane function 110 and a user plane function 100 that are separated, and both the control plane function 110 and the user plane function 100 are connected to a charging system 130;

the control plane function 110 is configured to determine a charging method, and perform interaction with a charging system 130 corresponding to the charging method to establish a session;

and, issuing a charging rule to the user plane function 100;

and, notify the user plane function 100 of the session end;

and, sending a session termination message to the charging system 130;

the user plane function 100 is configured to perform charging statistics in a session process, and report charging statistics information to the charging system 130 according to the charging rule;

and, after ending the session with the control plane function 110, sending a charging final report to the charging system 130;

and receiving a charging final report response returned by the charging system 130.

In the above solution, the charging system 130 includes an online charging system OCS and an offline charging system OFCS;

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging method based on a separation architecture, wherein the method is applied to a user plane function in a separation architecture of a control plane function and a user plane function, in the separation architecture, the user plane function is connected with a charging system and interacts through a charging reporting interface, and the method comprises:

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging system comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an offline charging system (OFCS);

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining, by the user plane function, the charging rule from the control plane function specifically comprises:

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user plane function performs charging statistics in a session process, and reports charging statistics information to the charging system through the charging reporting interface according to the charging rules, specifically comprising:

6. A charging method based on a separation architecture, wherein the method is applied to a control plane function in the separation architecture of the control plane function and a user plane function, in the separation architecture, the control plane function is connected with a charging system and interacts through a charging control interface, and the method comprises:

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the charging system comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an offline charging system (OFCS);

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the control plane function determines a charging method, and performs interaction with a charging system corresponding to the charging method through the charging control interface to establish a session, specifically including:

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the control plane function issues charging rules to the user plane function, comprising:

11. The method of claim 8, wherein when the charging method is online charging, the method further comprises:

12. A user plane functionality apparatus, wherein the apparatus is connected to a charging system and interacts through a charging reporting interface, the apparatus comprising: the system comprises an acquisition module and a first interaction module; wherein,

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first interaction module is further configured to send a charging final report through the charging reporting interface;

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the charging system comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an offline charging system (OFCS);

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the obtaining module is configured to obtain, through an Sx interface, the session update request issued by the control plane function; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first interaction module is configured to perform charging rule matching, data flow statistics, and ticket generation during a service session, and monitor a reporting condition in the charging rule;

17. A control plane function apparatus, wherein the apparatus is connected to a charging system and interacts through a charging control interface, the apparatus comprising: the second interaction module and the issuing module; wherein,

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the issuing module is further configured to notify the user plane function of the session completion;

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the charging system comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an offline charging system (OFCS);

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second interaction module is configured to interact with the first interaction module

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the issuing module is configured to issue a session update request to the user plane function through an Sx interface; wherein the session update request includes charging rule information;

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second interaction module is further configured to: in the session process, the online charging control interface receives an active notification message sent by the OCS, performs corresponding processing according to the active notification message, and returns a notification response to the OCS after the processing is finished.

23. A charging method based on a separation architecture, wherein the method is applied to a separation architecture of a control plane function and a user plane function, and the control plane function and the user plane function are both connected to a charging system, the control plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the user plane function interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface, and the method includes:

the control plane function issues charging rules to the user plane function;

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the charging system comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an offline charging system (OFCS);

25. A charging system based on a separation architecture is characterized in that the system comprises a control surface function and a user surface function which are separated, the control surface function and the user surface function are both connected with the charging system, the control surface function interacts with the charging system through a charging control interface, and the user surface function interacts with the charging system through a charging reporting interface;

and issuing a charging rule to the user plane function;

and notifying the user plane function of the session completion;

and sending a session termination message to the charging system;

and receiving a charging final report response returned by the charging system.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the charging system comprises an Online Charging System (OCS) and an offline charging system (OFCS);