WO2014036878A1

WO2014036878A1 - Charging control method and device

Info

Publication number: WO2014036878A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/081293
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雷小燕; 霍玉臻; 周娜
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2012-09-07
Filing date: 2013-08-12
Publication date: 2014-03-13
Also published as: CN103686655B; CN103686655A

Abstract

Disclosed are a charging control method and device, the method comprising: a packet data network gateway acquires from a home subscriber server a charging policy based on the type of an access network; the packet data network gateway charges, according to the charging policy, the UEs accessing from different access networks. The present invention solves the problem in the prior art that the charging policies cannot be differentiated when users access an EPC via different access networks, and provides technical support for the charging control of different types of access networks, thus improving the application scope and flexibility of the charging control.

Description

Billing control method and equipment

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a charging control method and apparatus. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an evolved packet system according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, an evolved packet system (Evolved Packet System, 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP for short) is referred to as The EPS includes the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), the Mobility Management Entity (MME), and the Serving Gateway (S-GW). ), Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), and Home Subscriber Server (HSS). The MME is responsible for control planes such as mobility management, non-access stratum signaling processing, and user mobility management context management; the S-GW is an access gateway device connected to the E-UTRAN, in the E-UTRAN and The P-GW forwards data and is responsible for buffering the paging waiting data. The P-GW is the border gateway of the EPS and Packet Data Network (PDN) network, which is responsible for PDN access and EPS. Functions such as forwarding data with the PDN. The UE may also access the upgraded service general packet radio service support node (SGSN) through the UTRAN, and the SGSN accesses the P-GW through the S-GW to perform packet service access. This upgraded SGSN is called the S4 SGSN. It performs control plane interaction with the MME through the S3 interface, and performs user plane interaction with the S-GW through the S4 interface. If the EPS system supports Policy and Charging Control (PCC), the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) entity performs policy and charging rules, and it receives the interface through the receiving interface. The Rx is connected to an Application Function (abbreviated as AF) entity in the service network protocol (IP), and obtains service information, which is used to generate service information of the PCC policy. When the S5 interface between the S-GW and the P-GW uses the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) protocol, the P-GW resides in the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (Policy and Charging Enforcement Function). For the PCEF) entity, the PCRF entity exchanges information with the P-GW through the Gx interface, and is responsible for initiating the establishment, modification, and release of the bearer, ensuring the quality of service (Quality of Service, QoS for short), and performing charging control. When S-GW and P-GW When the S5 interface adopts Proxy Mobile IP (PMIP), the S-GW hosts the Bearer Binding and Event Report Function (BBERF) entity, and the S-GW and the S-GW The PCRF entity exchanges information through the Gxc interface. The BBERF entity is responsible for initiating the establishment, modification, and release of the bearer to ensure the service quality of the service data. The PCEF entity performs charging control. The EPS system supports online charging and offline charging for the corresponding users. For online charging, the P-GW interacts with the Online Charging System (OCS) through the Gy interface to perform credit control and management. For offline charging, the P-GW passes the Gz interface and the offline charging system ( Offline Charging System (referred to as OFCS) interacts, reports information such as CDRs. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network structure of a 3GPP network and a non-3GPP network according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 2, the EPS supports interworking with a non-3GPP system, wherein interworking with a non-3GPP system is implemented through an S2a/b/c interface. The P-GW acts as an anchor between the 3GPP and the non-3GPP system. In the system architecture of EPS, non-3GPP system access is divided into untrusted non-3GPP access and trusted non-3GPP access; wherein untrusted non-3GPP access requires an evolved packet data gateway (Evolved Packet Data Gateway, Referred to as ePDG), it is connected to the P-GW. The interface between the ePDG and the P-GW is S2b. The trusted non-3GPP access can be directly connected to the P-GW through the S2a interface. In addition, the S2c interface provides the user equipment (User Equipment, referred to as UE) User interface-related control and mobility support between the P-GW and the supported mobility management protocol for Mobile IPv6 Support for Dual Stack Hosts and Routers (referred to as DSMIPv6), which can be set to untrusted non-3GPP and trusted non-3GPP access. In recent years, with the expansion of wireless local area network (WLAN) coverage and the rapid development of its security, more and more operators believe that WLAN can access EPS as a trusted non-3GPP access network. In particular, the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in the EPS, when the WLAN is considered to be trusted by the operator, the Trusted WLAN Access Network (TWAN) Through the STa interface and the Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server/proxy connection, the S2a interface and the P-GW can be connected to access the EPS network. 3 is a schematic diagram of a non-roaming architecture of a trusted WLAN access network accessing an EPC according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 3, the TWAN includes a WLAN access network (WLAN Access Network, WLAN AN for short), which is trusted. Trusted WLAN Access Gateway (TWAG), Trusted WLAN AAA Proxy (TWAP). The WLAN AN includes one or more WLAN access points (Access Point, AP for short) or an access control point (Access Controller, AC for short). The TWAG is connected to the P-GW through the S2a interface, and the TWAP is connected through the STA interface. AAA server/proxy connection. Both TWAG and TWAP are logical functional units that are physically separable and can be combined with other network elements. At present, there are some topics in the study of TWAN access to EPC, such as the SMO (Study on S2a Mobility based On GTP & WLAN access to EPC, referred to as SaMOG), which mainly studies the mobility of the S2a interface. However, there have been no related topics to study the billing related issues when users access EPC through TWAN. In this way, when the user accesses through the cellular network, he has his own charging mode, but when switching to the WLAN, accessing the EPC in the TWAN mode, or directly accessing from the WLAN, accessing the EPC in the TWAN mode, or the user simultaneously passing through the cellular network And accessing the EPC through the TWAN mode, how the charging gateway performs charging according to different access network types is unknown. An effective solution has not been proposed for the problem of how the charging policies are distinguished when users access the EPC through different access networks in the related art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a charging control scheme to solve at least the above problem, in view of the problem that the charging policy cannot be distinguished when the user accesses the EPC through different access networks. According to an aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a charging control method is provided, including: a packet data network gateway acquiring an access network type-based charging policy from a home subscriber server; The fee policy controls charging for UEs accessing from different access networks. Preferably, the packet data network gateway obtains the charging policy based on the access network type from the home subscriber server, where: the packet data network gateway acquires the charging policy from the TWAN; wherein the charging policy is AAA The UE that is accessed by the TWAN performs the network-side authentication process, and obtains the charging policy from the home server. If the network-side authentication succeeds, the charging policy is sent to the TWAN. Preferably, in the case that the TWAN includes TWAP and TWAG, the AAA sending the charging policy to the TWAN includes: the AAA sending an AAA message including an EAP success message to the TWAP, where The AAA message carries the charging policy; the TWAP sends a request to the TWAG, where the request carries the charging policy. Preferably, the packet data network gateway acquiring the charging policy from the TWAN includes: the TWAN sending a create session request message to the packet data network gateway, where the creating session request message carries the charging Strategy. Preferably, after the AAA sends the charging policy to the TWAN, the method further includes: the TWAN locally saving the charging policy. Preferably, the method further includes: the packet data network gateway acquiring a modified charging policy based on an access network type from the home subscriber server; the packet data network gateway according to the modified charging The policy controls charging for UEs accessing from different access networks. Preferably, the packet data network gateway acquires the modified charging policy based on the access network type from the home subscriber server, where the packet data network gateway acquires the modified charging policy from the TWAN; And the modified charging policy is obtained by the AAA in the received subscription information update request from the home subscriber server, and the charging policy is sent to the TWAN. Preferably, the obtaining, by the packet data network gateway, the modified charging policy from the TWAN includes:

The TWAN sends a modify bearer command to the packet data network gateway, where the modified bearer command carries the modified charging policy. Preferably, the access network type comprises at least one of the following: a 3GPP network, a trusted non-3GPP access network, and an untrusted non-3GPP access network. According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a charging control method is provided, including: a packet data network gateway acquiring an access network type-based charging policy from a policy and charging rule function; the packet data network gateway Charging control is performed on UEs accessing from different access networks according to the charging policy. Preferably, the access network type comprises at least one of the following: a 3GPP network, a trusted non-3GPP access network, and an untrusted non-3GPP access network. According to still another aspect of the present invention, a charging control apparatus is provided, which is located in a packet data network gateway, and includes: a first acquiring module, configured to acquire an access network type-based charging from a home subscriber server The first charging control module is configured to perform charging control on UEs accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy. Preferably, the first obtaining module includes: a first acquiring unit, configured to acquire the charging policy from a TWAN; wherein the charging policy is an AAA, performing network side-checking on a UE accessed by the TWAN And obtaining, in the process of the right, the home subscriber server, and sending the charging policy to the TWAN if the network side authentication succeeds. Preferably, the first obtaining unit includes: a first receiving unit, configured to receive a create session request message from the TWAN, where the create session request message carries the charging policy. Preferably, the first obtaining module is further configured to acquire a modified charging policy based on an access network type from the home subscriber server; the first charging control module is further configured to be according to the modified The charging policy controls charging for UEs accessing from different access networks. Preferably, the first obtaining module further includes: a second obtaining unit, configured to acquire the modified charging policy from the TWAN; wherein the modified charging policy is received by the AAA from the The subscription information update request of the home subscriber server is obtained, and the charging policy is sent to the TWAN. Preferably, the second obtaining unit includes: a second receiving unit, configured to receive a modified bearer command from the TWAN, where the modified bearer command carries the modified charging policy. According to still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a charging control apparatus, located in a packet data network gateway, comprising: a second obtaining module, configured to acquire an access network type based on a policy and charging rule function a charging policy; the second charging control module is configured to perform charging control on UEs accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy. According to the embodiment of the present invention, a packet data network gateway is used to obtain an access network type-based charging policy from a home subscriber server; the packet data network gateway performs charging control on UEs accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy. The method solves the problem that the charging policy cannot be distinguished when the user accesses the EPC through different access networks in the related art, and provides technical support for charging control according to different access network types, and improves charging. The scope of control and flexibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are set to illustrate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an evolved packet system according to the related art; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network structure of a 3GPP network interworking with a non-3GPP network according to the related art; FIG. 3 is a trusted WLAN connection according to the related art. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a structural block diagram of a charging control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; A preferred structural block diagram of the first acquisition module of the embodiment of the invention; 7 is a block diagram of a preferred structure of a first acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is another embodiment according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flow chart 1 of a method for obtaining a charging policy according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for implementing a charging policy according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart 3 of a method for obtaining a charging policy according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart 4 of a method for implementing a charging policy according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. In this embodiment, a charging control method is provided. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method includes the following steps: Step S402, a packet data network gateway (eg, PGW or GGSN) acquiring an access network type-based charging policy from a home subscriber server (HSS); step S404, the packet data network gateway calculates, according to the charging policy, UEs accessing from different access networks Fee control. In this embodiment, the packet data network gateway obtains a charging policy based on the access network type, and performs charging control on the UEs accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy, thereby solving the related technologies. The problem that the charging policy cannot be distinguished when accessing the EPC through different access networks provides technical support for charging control according to different access network types, and improves the applicable scope and flexibility of the charging control. Preferably, the access network type may be a 3GPP network, and/or a trusted non-3GPP access network, and/or an untrusted non-3GPP access network. In a case where the access network type is a trusted non-3GPP access network (for example, WLAN), as a preferred implementation manner, the manner in which the packet data network gateway obtains the foregoing charging policy may be from a trusted wireless local area network. Obtained at the network access (TWAN). The charging policy may be that the AAA learns from the serving user device in the discussion of the network access authentication of the UE accessed by the TWAN, and the authentication succeeds in the network. In the case, the charging policy is sent to the TWAN. That is, the charging policy may be obtained by the AAA from the HSS and sent to the TWAN, so that the TWAN may send the charging policy to the packet data network gateway in the UE access process. For example, the TWAN may send a create session request message to the packet data network gateway, where the create session request message carries a charging policy. Preferably, in the case that the TWAN includes TWAP and TWAG, if the two are physically separated,

The AAA first sends an AAA message containing the EAP success message to the TWAP, and the AAA message further carries the charging policy. Then, the TWAP sends a request to the TWAG, and carries the charging policy in the request. In this way, the TWAN can easily obtain the charging policy from the HSS, which is easy to implement. Preferably, the AAA message including the EAP success message may be a radius message, or may also be a diameter message. Preferably, in order to facilitate the charging control of the ETCs of other UEs in the TWAN, the obtained charging policies corresponding to the TWAN may be saved locally. In this way, when other UEs in the TWAN need to access the EPC, the charging policy can be directly notified to the packet data network gateway for charging control without repeated acquisition from the HSS. As a preferred implementation manner, if the charging policy in the HSS changes, the packet data network gateway may acquire the modified charging policy based on the access network type from the HSS, and according to the modified charging policy, The UEs accessing different access networks perform charging control. In this way, the packet data network gateway can quickly update the charging policy for charging control in the case where the charging policy in the HSS is changed, which improves the speed and flexibility. Preferably, before the packet data network gateway performs charging control on the UE according to the modified charging policy, the update bearer request message may also be sent to the access network that has already accessed. However, it should be noted that this modification to the access network is optional. In a case where the access network type is a trusted non-3GPP access network (for example, a WLAN), as a preferred implementation manner, the packet data network gateway obtains the foregoing charging policy by acquiring the modified meter from the TWAN. The fee policy may be obtained by the AAA in the received subscription information update request from the home subscriber server, and the charging policy is sent to the TWAN. That is, the charging policy may be that after the HSS detects that the charging policy is changed, the HSS sends a subscription information update request to the AAA, where the request carries the modified charging policy; The policy is sent to the TWAN so that the TWAN can send the modified charging policy to the packet data network gateway. Preferably, the TWAN sends the modified charging policy to the packet data network gateway, which can be implemented by sending a modify bearer command, where the modified bearer command carries the modified charging policy. Corresponding to the foregoing charging control method, in the embodiment, a charging control device is also provided, which is located in a packet data network gateway, and the device is configured to implement the foregoing embodiment and a preferred embodiment, and has been described again. Narration. As used hereinafter, the term "module" may implement a combination of software and/or hardware of a predetermined function. Although the apparatus described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and conceivable. FIG. 5 is a structural block diagram of a charging control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus includes: a first obtaining module 52 and a first charging control module 54, and each module is described in detail below. The first obtaining module 52 is configured to obtain an access network type-based charging policy from the home subscriber server. The first charging control module 54 is connected to the first obtaining module 52, and is configured to be obtained according to the first obtaining module 52. The charging policy controls the charging of UEs accessing from different access networks. In this embodiment, the first obtaining module 52 in the packet data network gateway obtains the charging policy based on the access network type, and the first charging control module 54 accesses the access network from different access networks according to the charging policy. The UE performs charging control, which solves the problem that the charging policy cannot be distinguished when the user accesses the EPC through different access networks in the related art, and provides technical support for charging control according to different access network types. Increased range and flexibility of billing control. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a preferred structure of the first obtaining module 52 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the first obtaining module 52 may include: a first obtaining unit 522, configured to acquire a charging policy from the TWAN; The charging policy is obtained by the AAA server or the proxy in the process of performing network-side authentication on the UE accessed by the TWAN, and is sent to the home subscriber server, and if the network side authentication succeeds, the charging policy is sent. Give TWAN. Preferably, the first obtaining unit 522 may include: a first receiving unit, configured to receive a create session request message from the TWAN, where the create session request message carries the foregoing charging policy. Preferably, in a case that the charging policy in the HSS is changed, the first obtaining module 52 may be further configured to obtain a modified charging policy based on the access network type from the home subscriber server; the first charging control module 54 may also be configured to perform charging control on UEs accessing from different access networks according to the modified charging policy. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a preferred structure of the first obtaining module 52 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the first obtaining module 52 may further include: a second obtaining unit 524, configured to acquire the modified meter from the TWAN. The fee policy is obtained by the AAA in the received subscription information update request from the home subscriber server, and the charging policy is sent to the TWAN. Preferably, the second obtaining unit 524 may include: a second receiving unit, configured to receive a modified bearer command from the TWAN, where the modified bearer command carries the modified charging policy. Another charging control method is also provided in this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes the following steps: Step S802 a packet data network gateway (for example, a PGW or a GGSN) acquiring an access network type-based charging policy from a policy and charging rule function (PCRF); and step S804, the packet data network gateway is different according to the charging policy pair The UE accessing the network performs charging control. In this embodiment, the packet data network gateway obtains an access network type-based charging policy from the policy and charging rule function, and performs charging on the UE accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy. The control solves the problem that the charging policy cannot be distinguished when the user accesses the EPC through different access networks in the related art, provides technical support for charging control according to different access network types, and improves charging control. Scope and flexibility. Preferably, the access network type may be a 3GPP network, and/or a trusted non-3GPP access network, and/or an untrusted non-3GPP access network. Corresponding to the foregoing other charging control method, another charging control device is further provided in the embodiment, which is located in a packet data network gateway, and the device is configured to implement the foregoing embodiment and the preferred embodiment, and has been performed. The description will not be repeated. As used hereinafter, the term "module" may implement a combination of software and/or hardware of a predetermined function. Although the apparatus described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and conceivable. FIG. 9 is a structural block diagram of another charging control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus includes: a second obtaining module 92 and a second charging control module 94. Detailed description. The second obtaining module 92 is configured to obtain an access network type-based charging policy from the policy and the charging rule function. The second charging control module 94 is connected to the second obtaining module 92 and configured to be configured according to the second acquiring module. The charging policy obtained by 92 performs charging control on UEs accessing from different access networks. In this embodiment, the second obtaining module 92 in the packet data network gateway obtains the charging policy based on the access network type from the policy and charging rule function, and the second charging control module 94 is configured according to the charging policy. The charging control is performed on the UEs accessing from different access networks, and the related technologies are solved by users in different technologies. The problem that the charging policy cannot be distinguished when the network accesses the EPC provides technical support for charging control according to different access network types, and improves the applicable scope and flexibility of the charging control. The following description will be made in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, and the following preferred embodiments incorporate the above-described embodiments and preferred embodiments thereof. In the following preferred embodiments, a method and a system for obtaining a charging policy are provided. In the following preferred embodiment, the packet data network gateway is a P-GW, and the access network type is TWAN as an example. The GW obtains the charging policy when the user accesses the EPC in the TWAN mode by accessing the WLAN from the HSS, and the P-GW performs charging control according to the charging policy. For example, the charging policy based on the access network is signed on the HSS, and then the subscribed charging policy is sent to the TWAN, and the TWAP in the TWAN transmits the charging policy to the P-GW through the TWAG. The method for obtaining a charging policy in the following preferred embodiment includes the following steps: Step 1: Signing an accounting policy on the HSS: When the user accesses the EPC through the TWAN mode, the time is measured by time duration or by traffic or by other similar methods. fee. That is, a charging policy based on the access network type is formulated. Step 2: The HSS sends the subscribed access network-based charging policy to the TWAN, and the TWAN transmits the charging policy to the P-GW. Step 3: The P-GW performs charging control according to the obtained user charging policy. In the above manner, the charging problem when the user accesses the EPC through different access networks is solved. Embodiment 1 FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart 1 of a method for implementing a charging policy according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, when a user attaches from a WLAN for the first time and accesses an EPC with a trusted WLAN access network, In the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) access authentication process, the charging policy signed by the user in the HSS is sent to the TWAN, and the TWAP in the TWAN is used in the subsequent GTP establishment process by the TWAG. The charging policy is passed to the P-GW. Step S1002: The UE and the WLAN AN perform a non-3GPP-specific access procedure to establish an L2 connection. Step S1004: The WLAN AN sends an EAP request identity (identity) message to the UE, requesting to acquire the identifier of the terminal. Start the EAP authentication process. Step SI 006: The UE returns an EAP response/identity to the WLAN AN, and carries the identifier of the terminal (the identifier of the user may be a permanent identity or a pseudoonym identity). At the same time, the WLAN AN transfers the received user ID to the AAA server through TWAP.

The EAP message between the WLAN AN TWAP and the AAA server is encapsulated in an AAA message, and the AAA message may be a Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (referred to as radius) message or a diameter message. Step S1008: After receiving the identifier of the UE, the AAA considers that the received identifier is invalid or cannot be mapped to a valid International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) according to the pseudoonym identity, or the AAA server considers that the indirect point is modified or If the identity of the user is replaced, the AAA obtains the identity again from the UE, and the UE returns the user identity that meets the AAA requirements. Step S1010: After the AAA considers that the identity of the UE is valid, it checks whether there is an unused authentication vector locally, and if so, uses the local authentication vector for EAP authentication; otherwise, the AAA requests an authentication vector from the HSS, HSS Returns the authentication vector. Step S1012: The AAA confirms whether there is a user's EPS subscription information in the local area. If not, the user obtains the subscription information of the user from the HSS, and the HSS returns the user subscription information, where the subscription information includes the charging policy based on the access network type subscribed by the user.

The access network type-based charging policy that the user subscribes to at the HSS may adopt the following manner: If the user accesses the 3GPP, the traffic-based charging mode is adopted, and the user adopts the long-term charging mode when accessing from the non-3GPP. When a user accesses an EPC from a TWAN, it can be charged on a per-time basis or by traffic or in other ways. Step S1014: The AKA' challenge process is completed between the AAA and the UE, and the user is authenticated to the network side. Step S1016: The AKA' notification process is completed between the AAA and the UE. Step S1018: After the EAP authentication succeeds, the AAA sends an EAP success message to the TWAP. The subscription data is included in the AAA message for transmitting the EAP success message, and the subscription data includes the charging policy. Step S1020: The AAA performs a registration process to the HSS. Step S1022: After the TWAP intercepts the EAP success message sent by the AAA, the TWAP saves the received user subscription data and saves the charging policy. Trigger TWAG to establish a GTP tunnel. Step S1024: The TWAP sends an L2 attach trigger request (eg, WLAN attach request) message to the TWAG, and triggers the TWAG to establish an S2a tunnel. At the same time, the user's subscription data (including the charging policy) is transmitted to TWAG. If the TWAP and TWAG are physically separated, the message is an external message. If the TWAP and TWAG are logically separated and physically unified, the message is an internal trigger message. Step S1026: The TWAG sends a session request message to the P-GW to request to establish a GTP tunnel. At the same time, the charging policy is passed to the P-GW. Step S1028: The P-GW updates the address information of the P-GW to the AAA, and the AAA transmits the address information to the HSS. Step S1030: The P-GW returns a session response message. Step S1032: After the GTP tunnel is established, the TWAG returns the L2 attach completion (eg, WLAN attach accept) message to the TWAP. Step S1034: The TWAP transmits the EAP success message sent by the AAA to the UE, and ends the EAP authentication process. When the P-GW receives uplink user data from the TWAN or downlink user data to the TWAN,

The P-GW performs charging control according to the charging policy received in the embodiment. In this embodiment, the EAP-AKA' authentication method is adopted for convenience of description, but it is not limited to the authentication mode, and other authentication methods can also be implemented. In this embodiment, the L2 triggers the TWAG to establish a GTP tunnel. If the L3 triggers the TWAG to establish a GTP tunnel, the above procedure is slightly modified. After the TWAP receives the EAP success message sent by the S1018 AAA, the AAA will be AAA. The charging policy in the message is saved, and the EAP success message is sent to the UE to end the EAP authentication process. After the EAP authentication process such as TWAP ends, a request message is sent to the TWAG, and the request message includes a charging policy. After receiving the L3 triggered request message and the TWAP request message, the TWAG establishes a GTP tunnel with the PGW. The GTP tunnel is established in the same way as S1026-1030. Embodiment 2 FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart 2 of a method for implementing a charging policy according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, after a user accesses from 3GPP, the user switches to a WLAN coverage area, and the trusted WLAN is used. Access When the network accesses the EPC, in the EAP access authentication process, the charging policy based on the access network type signed by the user in the HSS is sent to the TWAN, and the TWAP in the TWAN is charged by the TWAG in the subsequent GTP establishment process. The policy is passed to the P-GW. Step SI 102: The UE accesses from the 3GPP, and the GTP tunnel exists on the S5 interface. Step S1104: The UE discovers a trusted WLAN access system and decides to switch from the attached 3GPP access to the discovered trusted non-3GPP access system. Step S1106: The UE performs an access authentication and authorization process of the trusted non-3GPP access system. The 3GPP AAA server authenticates and authorizes the UE to access a trusted non-3GPP access system. In this process, the 3GPP AAA server queries the HSS, and returns the subscription information when the 3GPP accesses, and the subscription information includes the charging policy. The charging policy that the user signs at the HSS may be based on the duration of time or by traffic or by other means. Step S1108: After the access authentication succeeds in the previous step, the AAA sends an EAP success message to the TWAP. The subscription data is included in the AAA message for transmitting the EAP success message, and the subscription data includes the charging policy. The AAA message containing the EAP success message may be a radius message or a diameter message. Step S1110: After the TWAP intercepts the EAP success message sent by the AAA server, the TWAP saves the received user subscription data and saves the charging policy. At the same time, an L2 attach trigger request (eg, WLAN attach request) message is sent to the TWAG, and the TWAG is triggered to establish an S2a tunnel. At the same time, the user's subscription data (including the charging policy) is transmitted to TWAG. If the TWAP and TWAG are physically separated, the message is an external message. If the TWAP and TWAG are logically separated and physically unified, the message is an internal trigger message. Step S1112: The TWAG sends a session request message to the P-GW to request to establish a GTP tunnel. At the same time, the charging policy is passed to the P-GW. The P-GW performs charging control according to the received charging policy. Step S1114: The P-GW updates the address information of the P-GW to the AAA, and the AAA transmits the address information to the HSS. Step S1116: The P-GW returns a create session response message. Step S1118: After the GTP tunnel is established, the TWAG returns a L2 attach completion (eg, WLAN attach accept) message to the TWAP. Step S1120: The TWAP transmits the EAP success message sent by the AAA to the UE, and ends the EAP authentication process. Step S1122: The P-GW triggers the PDN deactivation process to release the 3GPP EPS bearer. In this way, when the user accesses from the 3GPP, the P-GW adopts the method defined by the 3GPP, and after the user switches to the non-3GPP, the P-GW sends the received uplink user data from the TWAG or the downlink user data to the TWAG. The P-GW performs charging control according to the charging policy received in the embodiment. Similarly, when the user migrates from 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses simultaneously, the user performs charging according to the 3GPP charging policy in the 3GPP, and the user performs charging in the non-3GPP traffic according to the charging policy in the non-3GPP. . The final billing bill is the merger of the two. In this embodiment, the EAP-AKA' authentication method is adopted for convenience of description, but it is not limited to the authentication mode, and other authentication methods can also be implemented. In this embodiment, the L2 triggers the TWAG to establish a GTP tunnel. If the L3 triggers the TWAG to establish a GTP tunnel, the above procedure is slightly modified. After the TWAP receives the EAP success message sent by the AAA in S1108, the AAA is AAA. The charging policy in the message is saved, and the EAP success message is sent to the UE to end the EAP authentication process. After the EAP authentication process such as TWAP ends, a request message is sent to the TWAG, and the request message includes a charging policy. After receiving the L3 triggered request message and the TWAP request message, the TWAG establishes a GTP tunnel with the PGW. GTP tunnels are established in a manner similar to S1112-1116. Embodiment 3 FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart 3 of a method for implementing a charging policy according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

12, when the charging policy based on the access network type changes at the HSS, the HSS informs the P-GW of the changed charging policy. Step S1202: The charging policy based on the access network changes at the HSS, and the HSS signs the contract. The information update request message tells the AAA user that the charging policy based on the access network has changed, and the AAA notifies the change to the TWAP in the TWAN. Step S1204: After the TWAP in the TWAN receives the charging policy change request based on the access network, Go back to the update response. Step S1206: At the same time, the TWAP in the TWAN sends a modify bearer command through the TWAG to inform the P-GW of the changed charging policy. Step S1208: The PGW performs new charging on the users accessing the different access networks according to the received access network-based charging policy, and sends an update bearer request message to the TWAG in the TWAN. Step S1208 to step S1212 are optional. If the PGW considers that it is necessary to modify the bearer when accessing from the TWAN, the process is initiated. Step S1210: After receiving the update bearer request message, the TWAN performs a resource allocation or modification mechanism unique to the TWAN. Step S1212: The TWAN returns an update bearer response message. After receiving the changed charging policy, the P-GW can perform charging control according to the received new charging policy. This embodiment assumes the case when the user accesses from the TWAN. If the PGW receives the changed access network type-based charging policy when the user accesses from within the 3GPP, the network element in the 3GPP can also be selectively notified. Bearer modifications. Embodiment 4 FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a method for implementing a charging policy according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the PCRF performs charging policy based on an access network type, and then accesses through an IP connection. The network (IP Connectivity Access Network, IP-CAN for short) session sends a charging policy based on the access network type. This embodiment can be applied when the IP-CAN session between the PCEF and the PCRF does not trigger an event. Step S1302: The PCEF function module in the P-GW instructs the IP-CAN session establishment to request to establish an IP-CAN session. Step S1304: If the PCRF does not have the information related to the user subscription, the user attribute is stored (Subscription)

Profile Repository (SPR) sends a subscription information request message requesting to obtain user subscription information related to the IP-CAN session. Step S1306: The SPR returns a subscription information response to the PCRF, and carries the user subscription information related to the IP-CAN session. The PCRF saves the relevant information received. Step S1308: The PCRF makes authorization and processing decisions according to the request of the PCEF and the related information about the IP-CAN session obtained from the SPR. Step S1310: The PCRF sends the decision in the previous step to the PCEF by means of an IP-CAN session response. At the same time, according to the type of the access network, the locally established access network-based charging policy is sent to the PCEF by means of an IP-CAN session response. End the IP-CAN session establishment process.

The IPG-based charging policy based on the access network type can be adopted in the following manner. For example, when the user accesses from 3GPP, the traffic is charged according to the traffic. When the user accesses the non-3GPP, the time-based method is used. fee. Of course, other methods can also be used for billing.

The IPF-based local access network type-based charging policy may be charged on a per-time basis or by traffic or in other manners. The charging policy on the PCRF may be configured on the PCRF or may be obtained by the PCRF in some manner. In this way, when the user accesses from different access networks, the P-GW can perform charging control according to the received charging policy based on the access network type. The foregoing preferred embodiment only describes the flow when the user accesses the EPC from the trusted non-3GPP. It should be noted that the solution is not limited to the access EPS system and the trusted non-3GPP access mode. The solution is also applicable. The terminal accesses the EPC network or the GPRS network from the GERAN/UTRAN. The same can be applied to untrusted non-3GPP access networks, as well as S2c interfaces. If the UE accesses from GERAN/UTRAN, the mobility management unit is the SGSN, the packet data network gateway is the GGSN, and there is no SGW. The related process will not be described here. In another embodiment, software is also provided for performing the technical solutions described in the above embodiments and preferred embodiments. In another embodiment, a storage medium is also provided, the software being stored, including but not limited to an optical disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a rewritable memory, and the like. Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed over a network composed of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device and, in some cases, may be different from the order herein. The steps shown or described are performed, or they are separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or a plurality of modules or steps are fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

1. A charging control method, comprising:

The packet data network gateway acquires an access network type based charging policy from the home subscriber server;

The packet data network gateway performs charging control on user equipment UEs accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packet data network gateway acquires an access network type-based charging policy from the home subscriber server, including:

The packet data network gateway obtains the charging policy from a trusted wireless local area network access network TWAN;

The charging policy is that the authentication, authorization, and accounting AAA is obtained from the home user server in the process of performing network side authentication on the UE accessed by the TWAN, and the authentication is successful on the network side. In case, the charging policy is sent to the TWAN.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, in case the TWAN comprises a trusted wireless local area network AAA proxy TWAP and a trusted wireless local area network access gateway TWAG, the AAA sends the charging policy Giving the TWAN includes:

The AAA sends an AAA message including an extensible authentication protocol EAP success message to the TWAP, where the AAA message carries the charging policy;

The TWAP sends a request to the TWAG, where the request carries the charging policy.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the obtaining, by the packet data network gateway, the charging policy from the TWAN comprises:

The TWAN sends a create session request message to the packet data network gateway, where the create session request message carries the charging policy.

The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein after the AAA sends the charging policy to the TWAN, the method further includes:

The TWAN saves the charging policy locally.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method further comprises: the packet data network gateway acquiring a modified charging based on an access network type from the home subscriber server Strategy

The packet data network gateway performs charging control on UEs accessed from different access networks according to the modified charging policy.

The method according to claim 6, wherein the packet data network gateway acquires the modified charging policy based on the access network type from the home subscriber server, including:

Obtaining, by the packet data network gateway, the modified charging policy from the TWAN, where the modified charging policy is obtained by the AAA in the received subscription information update request from the home subscriber server, and The charging policy is sent to the TWAN.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the obtaining, by the packet data network gateway, the modified charging policy from the TWAN comprises:

The TWAN sends a modify bearer command to the packet data network gateway, where the modified bearer command carries the modified charging policy.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the access network type comprises at least one of: a third generation partnership plan 3GPP network, a trusted non-3GPP access network, not Trusted non-3GPP access network.

10. A charging control method, comprising:

The packet data network gateway acquires a charging policy based on the access network type from the policy and charging rule functions;

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the access network type comprises at least one of: a third generation partnership plan 3GPP network, a trusted non-3GPP access network, an untrusted non-3GPP access The internet.

12. A charging control device, located in a packet data network gateway, comprising:

The first obtaining module is configured to obtain an access network type-based charging policy from the home subscriber server; The first charging control module is configured to perform charging control on the user equipment UE accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy.

The device according to claim 12, wherein the first acquiring module comprises:

a first obtaining unit, configured to acquire the charging policy from a trusted wireless local area network access network TWAN; wherein the charging policy is an authentication, authorization, and charging AAA in a UE accessed by the TWAN And performing the network side authentication process, acquiring the charging policy to the home server, and sending the charging policy to the TWAN if the network side authentication succeeds.

The device according to claim 13, wherein the first acquiring unit comprises:

The first receiving unit is configured to receive a create session request message from the TWAN, where the create session request message carries the charging policy.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein

The first obtaining module is further configured to acquire a modified charging policy based on an access network type from the home subscriber server;

The first charging control module is further configured to perform charging control on UEs accessed from different access networks according to the modified charging policy.

The device according to claim 15, wherein the first obtaining module further comprises:

a second obtaining unit, configured to acquire the modified charging policy from the TWAN, where the modified charging policy is obtained by the AAA in the received subscription information update request from the home subscriber server, and Sending the charging policy to the TWAN.

The device according to claim 16, wherein the second obtaining unit comprises:

The second receiving unit is configured to receive the modified bearer command from the TWAN, where the modified bearer command carries the modified charging policy.

18. A charging control device, located in a packet data network gateway, comprising:

a second obtaining module, configured to obtain an access network type-based charging policy from a policy and a charging rule function;

The second charging control module is configured to perform charging control on the user equipment UEs accessed from different access networks according to the charging policy.