1   Introduction

1.1   Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the System Description is to provide the readers with a descriptive overview of Charging System 3.0. The document includes information about the following major areas:

System Overview Functions Account and Subscriber Concepts Charging Management Subscriber Communication Services Operation and Maintenance Procedures Statistics and Reports

The main target groups for this document are as follows:

Network Administrators System Administrators Application Administrators Operation and Maintenance personnel

For information regarding the target groups, see Customer Product Information - Overview, Reference [5].

1.2   Typographical Conventions

This document follows a set of typographic rules that make the document consistent and easy to read. The typographic conventions can be found in Customer Product Information - Overview, Reference [5].

In addition to the writing conventions mentioned above, the following will apply:

Charging System 3.0 will be referred to only as Charging System. The term Multi Mediation Solution will be used whenever a reference to the

associated products File Event Mediation, Online Mediation or Multi Mediation is needed.

Note:   Both Event Mediation, Online Mediation and Multi Mediation may appear either together or independently in other Charging System CPI, then used as example of the Multi Mediation solution needed.

The following applies to functions marked with (ID:xxxxx). The id-tag is placed in the beginning and end of the description, or included in the header where

the complete chapter is dedicated for this type of function. For more information about functions marked with (ID:xxxxx), see Section 4.2 Functions with Preconditions and Restrictions.

2   About Charging System

Charging System is a cost-efficient charging solution suitable for up to 32 million subscribers.

Charging System makes it possible for a network operator to charge in real-time for events and sessions in the mobile network. These events and sessions can for example be voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS), events using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or events using Diameter. It is also possible to allow service authorization and service-aware charging including session control.

Each subscriber is connected to an account, which can be refilled, for example, by using a voucher.

Charging System is constructed as a decoupled architecture. With the decoupling of the traffic flow from the administrative system, the operator is provided with a clean administration and provisioning interface, facilitating the integration with business-support systems.

Charging System gives the possibility of market segmentation with highlights like Subscriber Segmentation Service Offerings, Subscriber Segmentation Account Group Identity, Community Charging and Enhanced End of Call (EoC) USSD Notification.

Powerful tools for tariff management, market segmentation, bonus and loyalty programs, as well as for statistics generation are provided.

3   System Overview

This section gives an overview of Charging System with a description of all included network elements, interfaces and other aspects that are important to know.

3.1   General

The configuration of Charging System depends both on the chosen subscriber base, the selection of functions, and traffic requirements.

Charging System can consist of the following network elements:

Service Data Point (SDP Prepaid) Administrative System (ADMIN) - either Mobile IN Service Administration Tool

(MINSAT) or Administrative System Charging System (ASCS) Charging Control Node (CCN) Charging System IN PrePaid Service Logic (PSL) Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) - IN-IVR (SCP-T), HP-IVR or VXML-IVR Account Information and Refill System (AIR) (including UGW functions)

Account Finder (AF) Voucher Server (VS). Data Warehouse System (DWS)

The following associated network elements can be integrated with Charging System:

Service Control Point (SCP) Home Location Register (HLR) Service Control Function (SCF) gsmSCF Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC) Service Switching Function (SSF) gsmSSF Multi Mediation Solution Ericsson Multi Activation (EMA) Flexible Number Register (FNR) Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) gprsSSF SRF gsmSRF Service Aware Support Node (SASN) Zone Evaluation Location Server (ZELS)

See Section 3.4 Associated Network Elements for detailed information.

A graphic overview of Charging System is illustrated in Figure 1.

3.2   Overview of Charging System

In Charging System the account, tariff and subscriber data is held in the SDP. The refill interaction is placed in the AIR. AIR handles the account information and refills. For Policy and Rating Server (PRS) the tariff and additional subscriber data is held in CCN. The voucher database along with needed logic, is handled by the VS. MINSAT or ASCS handles the subscriber administration.

Call-control and control of circuit switched data is handled by CCN, Charging System IN or PSL. CCN is also used for control of packet and content data. Interactive customer services are handled by the IVR.

Figure 1   Charging System 3.0 architecture

Depending on the chosen capacity level, different hardware combinations may be needed. The system i scalable, see Section 3.7.6 Scalability.

For information regarding the Multi Mediation Solution and CDR-generation, see Section 6.5 CDR Generation and Data Record Handling.

3.3   Charging System Products

The following network elements are a part of the Charging System.

3.3.1   SDP

The SDP network element contains the database with subscriber and account information.

Traffical

The traffical functions of the SDP include rating of sessions and events, post-processing of Call Detail Records (CDR), and initiation of USSD- and SMS-notifications. The SDP also provides the evaluation logic required for the call-control performed by

the Charging System IN, PSL or CCN. SDP is also used to trigger the setup of a USSD Call-back Call.

Administrative

The SDP holds and administers the following data:

Subscriber and Account data Service Class data Announcement Class data Usage Accumulators data Tariff and Charging Analysis data Subscriber Life-Cycle data Dedicated Accounts data Family and Friends data USSD and SMS Notification data Promotion Plan data HLR blocking data Community data Segmentation data

3.3.2   ADMIN

Charging System offers two options of administrative systems; MINSAT or ASCS. ADMIN is responsible for subscriber administration in Charging System. No traffic is handled, but interaction in real-time with other systems for provisioning and updates is possible through the external interfaces provided.

Traffical

-

Administrative

ADMIN hosts all Charging System-specific administrative functions, such as:

Customer Care Subscriber Provisioning and Removal Statistics Individual Voucher State changes (limited support at roll-back) Business configurations

At subscriber provisioning and removal, ADMIN may interact both with the AF and SDP. There is an option to connect external systems, for example HLR through EMA, to ADMIN for the subscriber administration support.

3.3.3   IVR

There are three options of IVRs in Charging System; the IN-IVR, which is located in the SCP-T, the HP-IVR and the VXML-IVR which are standalone IVRs .

For the IN-IVR the call-flow logic is located in the SCP-T and the announcement equipment in the MSC or the MGw is used for playing the voice announcements. For the HP-IVR and VXML-IVR the MSC forwards an IVR call to the IVRs over an ISUP channel.

The IVR interacts with the AIR to implement the services it provides to the subscribers. The subscriber can use the IVR to enquire account information and to make refills. The IVR can also be used for getting in contact with the customer care.

Traffical

By sending announcements and voice prompts to the subscriber and receiving Dual Tone Multi Frequency tones (DTMF) in response, the IVR interacts with the subscriber to update accounts and make enquiries about account balance and expiry dates.

Administrative

The IVR is responsible for the following:

Configuration of call-flow parameters.

For information about IN-IVR, see IN-IVR Network Element Description Reference [35] .

3.3.4   AIR

In Charging System, all refill functions and refill configuration for promotions, division of promotions to accounts from the administrative system and the Bonus manager are handled by the AIR. AIR also supports a number of file based batch-jobs for making bulk adjustments, promotions and refills.

AIR is able to handle multiple Voucher Servers. This is applicable for Charging System Voucher Servers, external voucher databases or a mix of both. Selection of destination is done in AIR based on length of voucher activation code or on a value at a given position of the voucher activation code.

Traffical

All refill operations go through the AIR. For details, see Section 5.5.6 Refill

The AIR is used by the IVR for balance enquiries and refills. AIR accesses the AF and the SDP for account information.

It is also possible for the subscriber to refill the account using a specific USSD service code together with an activation code. The activation code is used for identification of the unique refill voucher in the VS.

AIR supports the following Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) functions:

USSD Voucher Refill USSD Enquiry

Administrative

The AIR is responsible for the following:

Administration of Promotions Refill configurations Administration of USSD-communication

This includes administration of text-messages and signalling configuration

3.3.5   AF

The AF enables usage of multiple SDPs.

Traffical

The AF supports the following functions:

Provide SDP identity for a certain account

Administrative

The AF is responsible for the following:

Storing account identity to SDP Domain Name mapping table

3.3.6   VS

The VS is responsible for the administration of vouchers.

Traffical

The VS supports the following functions:

Providing AIR with voucher information during refill State handling of vouchers.

Administrative

The VS is responsible for the following administration:

Voucher Generation Import of voucher-batches generated by a third-party source Purging of Vouchers and Voucher history Batch State Changes Individual Voucher State Changes Reporting Enquiries of Voucher Information

3.3.7   Charging System IN and PSL

Call control of circuit switched calls and data are handled by Charging System IN, PSL and CCN. CCN is further described in Section 3.3.8 Charging Control Node (CCN). Charging System IN uses the SCF, SCP and gsmSCF-functions in the SCP-T to perform the operations, while PSL uses the SCF, SCP and gsmSCF-functions in INS. For information about the SCP-T and INS, see Section 3.4.1 Service Control Point (SCP).

Traffical

The IN logic is able to handle both CS1+ as well as CAPv1 and CAPv2 access. It initiates interaction with the SDP to retrieve data necessary for Charging System chargeable sessions and events and sends operations to the SDP for updating of the subscriber account.

Charging System IN and PSL support the following functions:

Interrogation of the SDP Call Control Interrogation to FNR for number portability information Interrogation to HLR for Location information (only Charging System IN) CDR-generation Access for SMS IN-triggered Charging (CS1+) Call Control of USSD call-back Control for Call Related Announcements

The SCP controls the announcement equipment indirectly through SRF.

See Traffic Cases, Reference [31] for information about the IN service and call control.

Administrative

Charging System IN and PSL are, for example, responsible for the administration of the following lists and information:

List of barred Location Numbers and MSC-addresses (only for CAPv1) List of VLR numbers and Location Numbers that belong to the HPLMN Configuration data for number conversions (for example country codes,

national/international prefixes) A- and B-number White lists Configuration data for SDP selection Configuration data for CDR generation Configuration data for call control

Charging System IN is administered through Service Management System (SMAS).

For information about the PSL Administration, see PSL Service System Administrator Guide, Reference [23].

For information about Charging System IN, see Charging System IN Network Element Description Reference [34].

Charging System IN and PSL are being phased out from Charging System. For information about phased-out products, see Section 3.3.10 Phased-out products.

3.3.8   Charging Control Node (CCN)

CCN is responsible for call control of circuit switched calls and data, GPRS, SMS and content based services communications.

CCN acts as a Policy and Rating Server (PRS).

Traffical

The CCN logic is able to handle Circuit Switched calls and data for CS1+ as well as CAPv1, CAPv2 and ERTC accesses.

Handling of SMS over CS1+, CAP v3 (originating SMS) and ERTC is supported. CCN also handles GPRS over CAPv3.

In addition, CCN contains service logic for the Diameter Service Charging Application to support Content based services. Other protocols for content based charging can be supported by connecting the On-line Mediation to CCN. On-Line Mediation converts a number of different protocols to Diameter SCAP. For information regarding content based services using Diameter Service Charging Application, see Section 6.3.1 On-line Charging.

CCN performs service authorization and rating and returns information used for Service Aware Charging and Control (SACC 2.0). For information regarding PRS and SACC, see Section 6.2.4 Policy and Rating Server.

For real-time service charging, CCN converts the incoming messages (SCAP, CAPv1, CAPv2, CAPv3 or ERTC) to CS1+ messages in order to enable communication with the SDP. It initiates the interaction with the SDP where the account using the service is stored in. CCN retrieves data necessary for Charging System chargeable sessions and events and sends operations to the SDP for updating of the subscriber account.

The CCN provides the following functions:

Acting as SCF and SCP for CS1+ access Acting as gsmSCF for CAPv1, CAPv2 and CAPv3 accesses Acting as gprsSCF for CAPv3 access Interrogation of the SDP Call Control Call Session Control Interrogation to FNR for number portability information Interrogation to HLR for Location information Access for SMS IN-triggered Charging (CS1+) Call Control of USSD call-back Control for Call Related Announcements. The (gsm)SCF function in CCN

controls the announcement equipment indirectly through SRF. CDR generation

For PRS:

Rating

Administrative

The CCN is responsible for the following lists and administration:

Barred Location Numbers List of MSC-addresses (only for CAPv1) List of VLR numbers and Location Numbers that belong to the HPLMN List of subscriber number series and MSC addresses and the corresponding

PLMN to which it belongs. Each number series corresponds to one PLMN and each PLMN consists of a group of MSCs in order to support Multiple HPLMNs.

Number normalization Mapping of Number Portability Information A- and B-number White lists Configuration data for SDP selection Configuration data for CDR generation Configuration data for number conversions (for example country codes,

national/international prefixes) Configuration data for call control

For PRS:

Subscriber and Account data Usage accumulator data Tariff Administration

For information about CCN, see Network Element Description CCN 5, Reference [15].

3.3.9   Data Warehouse System (DWS)

Data Warehouse System (DWS) is a system for correlating information from many different sources to reconcile provisioning and usage information, answer customer enquiries in near real-time, and better manage the complex tasks of a Charging System business. DWS collects data from various network sources, then filters, correlates, and transforms this information to provide business critical reports for customer care, financial and audit departments.

Traffical

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Administrative

The DWS is responsible for the following administration:

Account History Report

This report provides details on account status, account financial summary, call and service usage, and account provisioning details of a Charging System subscriber account and its sub accounts in a single report.

Call and Service History Report

This report helps Customer Care personnel to track the Call and Service History of Charging System subscribers in near real-time.

Call Data Export

Call Data Export makes it possible to customize what data to export based on customers needs.

Data marts for financial reporting

By providing data marts adapted for different types of financial requests it is possible to build customer specific financial reports. The financial reports are used to reconcile provisioning and usage activities of Charging System subscribers from one financial period to another.

API for development of usage based applications

3.3.10   Phased-out products

Some products will be replaced by others in the Charging System solution. The replaced products will continuously be compatible with Charging System, but only support functions up to a certain release of Charging System.

Concerned products are:

Charging System IN on SCP-T (functional level is Charging System 3.0 CP3) PSL on INS (functional level is Charging System 3.0 CP3)

3.4   Associated Network Elements

The following associated network elements can be integrated with Charging System.

3.4.1   Service Control Point (SCP)

The Service Control Point provides the Service Control Function (SCF) which executes CS1+ related processes initiated from, Charging System IN , PSL and IN-IVR. The SCP interacts with the SDP to retrieve data necessary for call handling. It also interacts with AIR to retrieve data needed for IN-IVR calls.

SCP can be based on SCP-T or INS. SCP-function is also provided by CCN, where CCN acts as an SCP for CS 1+ accesses. For information about CCN, see Network Element Description CCN 5, Reference [15].

Note:   The functions mentioned in this chapter are only supported with an Ericsson SCP.

The SCP controls the call by interaction with the SCF.

3.4.1.1   Ericsson Intelligent Network Server (INS)

INS is the Intelligent Network Server on Telecom Server Platform (TSP) on which the PSL application is built.

INS provides platform functions for the PSL, such as:

Protocol handling support Fault Management support (for example alarms) Performance management support (for example statistics) CDR output functions

3.4.1.2   Service Control Point on Telecom purpose computer (SCP-T)

SCP-T is an AXE-based network element on which Charging System IN and IN-IVR applications are built.

SCP-T provides platform functions for the Charging System IN application, such as:

Fault Management support (for example report generation) Performance management support (for example statistics) CDR output functions Call Control Communication between SDP and SSF

And for the IN-IVR application, such as:

Provide user communication mainly for refill and enquiry through an IVR system

3.4.2   Multi Mediation Solution

Multi Mediation is a flexible interface used for handling of the Call Detail Records (CDRs) for further processing in other network elements.

A Multi Mediation solution is necessary for the processing of Call History.

A Multi Mediation solution is necessary for Off-line Cost and Credit Control. The Multi Mediation Solution filters CDRs to be handled for Off-line Cost and Credit Control and re-formatted copies of the selected CDRs are sent to the SDP where charging takes place.

3.4.3   Ericsson Multi Activation (EMA)

Ericsson Multi Activation provides the operators with a uniform machine-to-machine interface between business system and network elements that store subscription-related information. It may be used for service control barring and for ADMIN provisioning.