4 Architecture considerations

32.2753GPPCharging managementMultiMedia Telephony (MMTel) chargingRelease 17Telecommunication managementTS

4.1 High level MMTel architecture

Figure 4.1.1 depicts the IMS reference architecture, as described in TS 23.002 [103], with "colorized" AS as entity involved in MMTel service and supplementary services charging described in the present document.

Figure 4.1.1: Entities involved in MMTel service charging in IMS logical architecture

The AS provides the application level network functionality for MMTel service and supplementary services, whereas the overall IMS Network provides the basic IMS capabilities supporting MMTel service.

4.2 MMTel offline charging architecture

Figure 4.2.1 depicts the MMTel offline charging architecture.

Figure 4.2.1: MMTel offline charging architecture

This MMtel offline charging architecture is based on the IMS offline charging architecture described in TS 32.260 [20], with service CTFs supporting MMtel specific service charging, interfacing the CDF through the Rf reference point.

The CTFs considered in the MMTel offline charging architecture reside in the Application level network functionality providing MMTel service and supplementary services.

The CTFs related to charging for the IMS basic capabilities supporting MMTel service, are described in TS 32.260 [20], and reside in the set of IMS Nodes (S-CSCF, MRFC…) reflected in IMS offline architecture.

4.3 MMTel online charging architecture

The architecture for MMTel online charging is described in figure 4.3.1..

Figure 4.3.1: MMTel online charging architecture

This MMtel online charging architecture is based on the IMS online charging architecture described in TS 32.260 [20], with service CTFs supporting MMtel specific service charging, interfacing the OCS through the Ro reference point.

The CTFs considered in the MMTel online charging architecture reside in the Application level network functionality providing MMTel service and supplementary services.

The CTFs related to charging for the IMS basic capabilities supporting MMTel service, are described in TS 32.260 [20], and reside in the set of IMS Nodes (S-CSCF, MRFC…) reflected in IMS online architecture.

4.4 MMTel converged charging architecture

The architectural options for MMTel converged charging are depicted in figure 4.4.1

Figure 4.4.1: MMTel converged charging architecture

This MMTel converged charging architecture is based on the IMS converged charging architecture described in TS 32.260 [20], with service CTFs supporting MMTel specific service charging, using the Nchf service. This architecture is also applicable to offline only charging.

The CTFs considered in the MMTel converged charging architecture reside in the Application level network functionality providing MMTel service and supplementary services, other CTFs related to charging for the IMS basic capabilities (supporting MMTel service), are described in TS 32.260 [20].

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

Ga is described in clause 5.2.3 and Bi in clause 5.2.4 of this document, and Nchf is described in TS 32.290 [57].