Charging Schemes of Hybrid Networks
Meng Wu · ZTE communications · 2007
Hybrid networks that integrate the characteristics of cellular network, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) have received increasing attention, and the research on its key techniques, especially the charging schemes involved, is the crucial foundation for the development of hybrid networks. From the operators' point of view, charging the proper prices for the future services in mobile networks will play a key role in achieving the maximum revenue and utilization rate. While the most important issue to users is whether the acceptance of the pricing is directly related to the Quality of Service (QoS) offered to them. Based on the charging schemes of cellular networks and the integrating networks between WLAN and cellular networks, a new accounting scheme, which incorporates MANET characteristics in the cellular system, has been proposed. This scheme adopts the concepts of virtual monetary and node cooperation mechanism. In addition, the scheme also utilizes cryptographic key and digital signature to solve the security problem.