4 Architecture considerations

32.2703GPPCharging managementMultimedia Messaging Service (MMS) chargingRelease 18Telecommunication managementTS

4.1 High-level MMS architecture

Figure 4.1.1 depicts the MMS reference architecture, as described in TS 23.140 [201].

Figure 4.1.1: MMS reference architecture

As can be seen in figure 4.1.1, the following MMS elements are relevant for charging:

– MMS Relay/Server (MMS R/S),

– "Foreign" MMS Relay/Server (MMS R/S).

4.2 MMS offline charging architecture

As described in TS 32.240 [1], the CTF (an integrated component in each charging relevant NE) generates charging events and forwards them to the CDF. The CDF, in turn, generates CDRs which are then transferred to the CGF.
Finally, the CGF creates CDR files and forwards them to the Billing Domain (BD).

In MMS, all charging functions (CTF, CDF and CGF) reside within the MMS R/S. I.e. the MMS R/S is connected directly to the BD via the Bm interface. Bm is the MMS specific variant of the common Bx interface and is functionally equivalent to MM8. This architecture implies that there exists no separate CDF and CGF for MMS, i.e. no corresponding open interfaces between any such functions, within the 3GPP standards.

Figure 4.2.1 depicts the mapping of the 3GPP common charging architecture, as laid down in TS 32.240 [1], onto the MMS.

BD

MMS R/S

Bm

CDF/CGF

CDF/CGF

Figure 4.2.1: MMS offline charging architecture

In addition to the standard approach depicted in figure 4.2.1, vendors may choose to implement separate CDF and CGF for MMS. In that case, the interfaces between these functions should comply with the definition of the Rf and Ga interfaces (TS 32.299 [50] and TS 32.295 [54], respectively) as much as possible.

4.3 MMS online charging architecture

MMS online charging is based on MMS R/S functionality that is further specified in the present document. For online charging, the MMS R/S utilizes the Ro interface and application towards the OCS as specified in TS 32.299 [50].
The Ro reference point covers all online charging functionality required for MMS, i.e. it is functionally equivalent to the MM9 reference point.

The MMS online charging architecture is depicted in figure 4.3.1.

MMS Relay/Server

Online Charging System

Ro

Figure 4.3.1: MMS online charging architecture

Details on the interfaces and functions can be found in TS 32.240 [1] for the general architecture components,
TS 32.296 [53] for the OCS, and 32.299 [50] for the Ro application.

4.4 MMS converged charging architecture

The architectural options for MMS converged charging are depicted in figure 4.4.1 in service-based representation for CHF:

Figure 4.4.1: MMS converged charging architecture

Architectural options of figure 4.4.1 apply to any MMS converged charging architecture of this clause. The MMS Node correspond to MMS relay/server as defined in TS 23.140 [201].

The general architecture components can be found in TS 32.240 [1].

Bm in clause 5.2.5 of this document, and Nchf is described in TS 32.290 [2].

Figure 4.4.2 depicts the MMS converged charging architecture for non-roaming in reference point representation:

Figure 4.4.2: MMS converged charging architecture non-roaming reference point representation

Editor’s Note: Which reference point to use is FFS.