Generation of data session records for mobile data communications networks

1 . A method of assembling a transaction detail record for a mobile data service, provision of said service involving a communications path carrying at least one signalling channel and a plurality of data channels, and also involving a resource for providing at least one of authentication, authorisation and accounting, comprising:

de-multiplexing signalling sessions carried on said signalling channel and selecting a signalling session related to a mobile data service;

using information from the selected signalling session to identify data sessions associated with the mobile data service;

using information from the selected signalling session to obtain information related to the mobile data service from the resource; and

assembling information relating to the identified data sessions and information obtained from the resource to provide a transaction detail record.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the signalling sessions are de-multiplexed by reference to service specific extension information.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the information used to identify data sessions associated with the mobile data service is a combination of Packet Control Function node IP address, Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) protocol-type field and GRE protocol key.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the information used to obtain information related to the mobile data service from the resource is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein information relating to the identified data sessions and information obtained from the resource are assembled to provide a transaction detail record by reference to an association of Packet Control Function node IP address, Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) protocol-type field and GRE protocol key with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity and a connection counter.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile data service is provided in a CDMA 2000 system.

7 . Apparatus for assembling a transaction detail record for a mobile data service, provision of said service involving a communications path carrying at least one signalling channel and a plurality of data channels, and also involving a resource for providing at least one of authentication, authorisation and accounting, comprising:

a de-multiplexer for de-multiplexing signalling sessions carried on said signalling channel and selecting a signalling session related to a mobile data service;

a session identifier for using information from the selected signalling session to identify data sessions associated with the mobile data service;

a resource query means for using information from the selected signalling session to obtain information related to the mobile data service from the resource; and

an assembler for assembling information relating to the identified data sessions and information obtained from the resource to provide a transaction detail record.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the de-multiplexer de-multiplexes signalling sessions by reference to service specific extension information.

9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the information used to identify data sessions associated with the mobile data service is a combination of Packet Control Function node IP address, Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) protocol-type field and GRE protocol key.

10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the information used to obtain information related to the mobile data service from the resource is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the assembler assembles information relating to the identified data sessions and information obtained from the resource to provide a transaction detail record by reference to an association of Packet Control Function node IP address, Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) protocol-type field and GRE protocol key with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity and a connection counter.

12 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the mobile data service is provided in a CDMA 2000 system.