Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for enhancing data analytics in multiple NWDAF deployments

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for enhancing data analytics in multiple network data analytics function (NWDAF) deployments in a communication system. A method can include receiving an analytics request from a network function consumer, the analytics request including an analytics identity and an area of interest; causing a determination of a data source in the communication system, the data source configured to serve a subset of the area of interest for the analytics identity. An analytics information request including an aggregation support indication can be sent to the data source to indicate that the data source should return analytics to a central NWDAF and include metadata to support aggregation of the analytics by the central NWDAF. A network repository function (NRF) can be caused to determine which of a plurality of NWDAFs in the communication system is the central NWDAF based on whether the NWDAFs have aggregation functionality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example implementations typically involve enhanced data analytics in the deployment of multiple Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF) in a communications network, such as a 3GPP 5G communications network. Background Technology

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as user equipment, base stations / access points, network functions (NFs), and / or other nodes) by providing connectivity between various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system may provide a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. With the continuous evolution of telecommunications networks, fifth-generation mobile networks (5G networks) are now expected to represent the next major phase of mobile telecommunications standards and bring numerous improvements to the mobile network user experience. For example, 5G networks should provide new technological solutions that allow for greater throughput, lower latency, higher reliability, greater connectivity, and greater mobility. In addition to these performance improvements, 5G networks are also expected to expand the flexibility of network use and provide users with a wider range of use cases and business models.

[0003] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a standards organization responsible for developing mobile phone protocols and is best known for developing and maintaining various standards, including second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and fifth-generation (5G) standards. 5G networks are designed as service-based architectures (SBAs), such as system architectures where system functionality is implemented by a set of functional areas (NFs) that provide services to other licensed NFs for access to their services. 5G networks allow for emergency service fallback registration between User Equipment (UE) and Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs).

[0004] As part of 3GPP Release-15 and Release-16, architectural enhancements to 5G Systems (5GS) have been proposed to support Network Data Analytics Services, such as those specified in 3GPP TS 23.288 Release 16.4.0. However, when deploying multiple Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF), such as in Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), retrieving analytics data for data consumers can often be inefficient, frequently resulting in data consumers missing data for some analytics identifiers or areas of interest, among other drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for enhancing data analytics in the deployment of multiple Network Data Analysis Functions (NWDAFs) in a communication system. One method may include receiving an analytics request from a network function consumer, the analytics request including an analytics identifier and a region of interest; causing a data source in the communication system to be determined, the data source being configured to serve a subset of the regions of interest for the analytics identifier. An analytics information request, including an aggregation support indication, may be sent to the data source to instruct the data source to return analytics to a central NWDAF, and may include metadata to support aggregation of the analytics by the central NWDAF. A network repository function (NRF) may be made to determine which of the multiple NWDAFs in the communication system is the central NWDAF based on whether the NWDAF has aggregation functionality.

[0006] According to a first embodiment, a method is provided, the method comprising: receiving an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; causing one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one analysis identifier; and sending an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provision indication. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: causing a network repository function of the communication system to determine one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one analysis identifier. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: sending a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0007] According to a second embodiment, a method is provided, the method comprising: in response to receiving an analysis information request and / or an aggregation analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within the communication system at a data source within the communication system; determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and if the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning indication, generating an analysis output, the analysis output including analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function; and if the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function, generating an analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest and the metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further include sending analysis output to a network data analysis function that initially sent the request for the analysis information. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured to be aggregated by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata used to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: the number of samples, the time period of the collected samples, a pointer to a data model, a pointer to a data lake, or a pointer to a storage function.

[0008] According to a third embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: receive an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; cause to determine one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest for at least one analysis identifier; and send an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: cause a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest for at least one analysis identifier. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, at least one memory and computer program code are further configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the means to: send a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0009] According to a fourth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: in response to receiving an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within the communication system at a data source within the communication system, determines whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning indication, generates analysis output, the analysis output including analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest. In some embodiments, at least one memory and computer program code are further configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the means to at least: determine whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function, generate analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, at least one memory and computer program code are further configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the means to at least: send the analysis output to the aforementioned network data analysis function that initially sent the analysis information request. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured for aggregation by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: number of samples, time period of the collected samples, pointer to a data model, pointer to a data lake, or pointer to a storage function.

[0010] According to a fifth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having thereon a portion of program code configured, when executed, to: receive an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; cause one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers; and transmit an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: cause a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: send a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0011] According to a sixth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to: in response to receiving an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within a communication system at a data source within the communication system, determine whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning indication, generate analysis output, the analysis output including analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: determine whether the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of the analysis by the network data analysis function; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of the analysis by the network data analysis function, generate analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support aggregation of the analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: send the analysis output to the network data analysis function that initially sent the analysis information request. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured to be aggregated by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata to support aggregation of the analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: number of samples, time period of the collected samples, pointer to a data model, pointer to a data lake, or pointer to a storage function.

[0012] According to a seventh embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for receiving an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; a module for causing one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest for at least one analysis identifier; and a module for transmitting an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for causing a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest for at least one analysis identifier. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for sending a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0013] According to an eighth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, in response to receiving an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within the communication system at a data source within the communication system, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and a module for generating analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning capability indication. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for determining whether an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by a network data analysis function; and a module for generating analysis output if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by a network data analysis function, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for sending the analysis output to the network data analysis function that initially sent the analysis information request. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured to be aggregated by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: the number of samples, the time period of the collected samples, a pointer to a data model, a pointer to a data lake, or a pointer to a storage function.

[0014] According to a ninth embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions, including an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, sending the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to the network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0015] According to a tenth embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions, including an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, sending the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning capability indication to the network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0016] According to the eleventh embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: maintaining a network feature profile associated with the network data analysis function, wherein the network feature profile includes an indication of the provisioning capability of analysis metadata, when a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis.

[0017] According to a twelfth embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: returning the analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer, provided that the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request, including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, to the network repository function or the network function consumer, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0018] According to a thirteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: includes an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: sends the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to a network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system, upon the network repository function receiving a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest.

[0019] According to a fourteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to include an analysis metadata provisioning indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, to send the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning indication to a network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system, upon the network repository function receiving a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest.

[0020] According to a fifteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured together with the at least one processor such that the apparatus at least: maintains a network feature profile associated with a network data analysis function, the network feature profile including an indication of analysis metadata provisioning capability, provided that a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis.

[0021] According to a sixteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: returns the analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer, provided that the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request to the network repository function including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0022] According to a seventeenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to include an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function, provided that a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured, when executed, to send the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to a network function consumer, provided that the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, the region of interest not being served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0023] According to an eighteenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having thereon stored program code portions, which, when executed, are configured to include an analysis metadata provisioning indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the program code portions are further configured, when executed, to send the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning indication to the network function consumer when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, the region of interest not being served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0024] According to a nineteenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to: maintain a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function, the network function profile including an indication of analysis metadata provisioning capability, provided that a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis.

[0025] According to a twentieth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having thereon stored a portion of program code that, when executed, is configured to: return the analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer, provided that the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request to the network repository function including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0026] According to a twenty-first embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for including an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with a network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: a module for sending the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to a network function consumer when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0027] According to a twenty-second embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for including an analysis metadata provisioning indication in a network function profile associated with a network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: a module for sending the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning indication to a network function consumer when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0028] According to the twenty-third embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for maintaining a network feature profile associated with a network data analysis function when a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis, the network feature profile including an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication.

[0029] According to the twenty-fourth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for returning an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer when the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request, including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, to the network repository function or the network function consumer, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Embodiments of this disclosure have been described in general terms. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 The illustration shows an example architecture of a communication network according to some embodiments;

[0032] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example architecture of a communication network according to some embodiments;

[0033] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example architecture of a communication network according to some embodiments;

[0034] Figure 4The illustration shows an example computing device for communicating with other network entities via a communication network, according to some embodiments;

[0035] Figure 5 The illustration shows an example system with a central NWDAF for distributed NWDAF deployment according to some embodiments;

[0036] Figure 6 The illustration depicts an example communication process for registering NWDAF and / or NWDAF-C with the Network Repository Function (NRF) according to some embodiments;

[0037] Figure 7 The illustration depicts an example communication process for registering an NWDAF with an NRF according to some embodiments;

[0038] Figure 8 The illustration depicts an example communication process for discovering an NWDAF with NRF for network consumer function discovery according to some embodiments;

[0039] Figure 9 The illustration depicts an example communication process, according to some embodiments, of a data consumer and / or analytics consumer requesting or subscribing to an analytics identifier that supports network data analytics;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by a communication device or other network function consumer according to some embodiments;

[0041] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by a network device such as an NRF, according to some embodiments;

[0042] Figure 12 The illustration shows an example system with a central NWDAF for distributed NWDAF deployment according to some embodiments;

[0043] Figure 13 The illustration depicts an example communication process for registering an NWDAF with an NRF according to some embodiments;

[0044] Figure 14 The illustration depicts an example communication process for discovering NWDAF using NRF for network consumer functions according to some embodiments; and

[0045] Figure 15 The illustration depicts an example communication process, according to some embodiments, of a data consumer and / or analytics consumer requesting or subscribing to an analytics identifier that supports network data analytics. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, of the embodiments of the invention. In fact, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Unless otherwise stated, the term “or” herein has both alternative and combined meanings. The terms “illustrative” and “exemplary” are used as examples without a quality rating indication. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to data that can be transmitted, received, and / or stored according to embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the use of any such terms should not be considered as limiting the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.

[0047] Furthermore, as used herein, the term "circuit" refers to (a) a hardware circuit implementation (e.g., an implementation in an analog circuit system and / or a digital circuit system), (b) a combination of circuitry and computer program products (one or more), including software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media, which work together to cause a device to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) a circuit, such as one or more microprocessors or a portion thereof, which requires software or firmware to operate, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. The definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit" also includes implementations that include one or more processors and / or portions thereof, along with accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term "circuit" as used herein also includes, for example, baseband integrated circuits or application processor integrated circuits for mobile phones, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, other network devices, and / or other computing devices.

[0048] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "node," "entity," "mediator," "intermediary entity," "middleman," and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to a computer connected to or running on a network or networks capable of creating, modifying, deleting, transmitting, receiving, and / or storing data according to embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the use of any such terms should not be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "user equipment," "user device," "device," "apparatus," "mobile device," "personal computer," "laptop computer," "desktop computer," "desktop," "mobile phone," "tablet computer," "smartphone," "smart device," "phone," "communication device," "user communication device," "terminal," and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to a computer configured to access one or more networks for at least the purpose of wired or wireless transmission of communication signals according to the example embodiments. Therefore, the use of any such terms should not be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments.

[0050] As defined herein, “computer-readable storage medium” refers to a non-transitory physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory devices), distinguishing it from “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to electromagnetic signals. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media) and transmission media. Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as sound waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, light waves, and infrared waves. Signals include artificial transient changes in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization, or other physical characteristics transmitted through the transmission medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic computer-readable media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media), optical computer-readable media (e.g., optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, etc.), random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory EPROM, or any other non-transitory media from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium other than a transmission medium. However, it should be understood that while embodiments are described as using computer-readable storage media, in alternative embodiments, other types of computer-readable storage media may be used instead of computer-readable storage media.

[0051] In the following explanation, certain embodiments are described with reference to communication devices capable of communicating via wired and / or wireless networks and communication systems serving such communication devices. Before explaining the exemplary embodiments in detail, refer to... Figure 1-3 Briefly explain some general principles of wired and / or wireless communication systems, their access systems, and communication equipment to help understand the technology behind the described examples.

[0052] According to some embodiments, communication devices or terminals for wireless access can be provided via cells, base stations, access points, etc. (e.g., wireless transmitters and / or receiver nodes that provide access points for wireless access communication systems and / or other forms of wired and / or wireless networks). Such wired and / or wireless networks include, but are not limited to, networks configured to comply with 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, and any other similar or future communication network standards yet to be developed. This disclosure contemplates that any methods, apparatus, computer program code, and any part or combination thereof may also be implemented via communication networks and related standards that have not yet been developed, as those skilled in the art will develop and understand in the future based on this disclosure.

[0053] Access points and communications through them are typically controlled by at least one suitable control device to enable operation and management of mobile communication devices communicating with them. In some embodiments, the control device for a node may be integrated with, coupled to, and / or otherwise provided for controlling the access point. In some embodiments, the control device may be arranged to allow user equipment to communicate with the core network or a network entity of the core network. For this purpose, the control device may include at least one memory, at least one data processing unit (such as a processor), and an input / output interface. The control device may be coupled to other relevant components of the access point via the interface. The control device may be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functions. It should be understood that similar components may be provided in control devices provided elsewhere in the network system, such as in core network entities. The control device may interconnect with other control entities. Control devices and functions may be distributed among multiple control units. In some embodiments, each base station may include a control device. In alternative embodiments, two or more base stations may share a single control device.

[0054] Access points and associated controllers can communicate with each other via fixed-line connections and / or radio interfaces. Logical connections between base station nodes can be provided, for example, through X2, S1, and / or similar interfaces. These interfaces can be used, for example, to coordinate site operations and perform reselection or handover operations. Logical communication connections between the initial and final communication nodes on the network may include multiple intermediate nodes. Furthermore, any node can be added and removed from the logical communication connections as needed to establish and maintain network function communications.

[0055] Communication equipment or user gear may include any suitable device capable of receiving communication signals, including data. Communication signals may be transmitted via wired connections, wireless connections, or combinations thereof. For example, the device may be a handheld data processing device equipped with a radio receiver, a data processor, and a user interface. Non-limiting examples include mobile stations (MS) such as mobile phones or so-called "smartphones," portable computers such as laptops or tablets equipped with wireless interface cards or other wireless interface facilities, personal data assistants (PDAs) equipped with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination thereof. Further examples include wearable wireless devices, such as wireless devices integrated with watches or smartwatches, glasses, helmets, hats, clothing, wirelessly connected headphones, jewelry, etc., wirelessly capable Universal Serial Bus (USB) sticks, modem data cards, machine-type devices, or any combination thereof.

[0056] In some embodiments, a communication device, such as one configured to communicate with a wireless network or core network entity, may be exemplified by a handheld or other mobile communication device (or user equipment, UE). Wireless communication capabilities and suitable electronic control devices may be provided to the mobile communication device to enable its operation. Thus, the communication device may be provided with at least one data processing entity, such as a central processing unit and / or core processor, at least one memory, and other possible components, such as additional processors and memory for performing software and hardware-assisted tasks designed to be performed. Data processing, storage, and other related control devices may be disposed on suitable circuit boards and / or chipsets. The data processing and memory functions provided by the control devices of the communication device are configured to perform control and signaling operations according to certain embodiments described later in this specification. A user may control the operation of the communication device through a suitable user interface, such as a touch-sensitive display or touchpad and / or keypad, one or more actuator buttons, voice commands, combinations thereof, etc. A speaker and microphone are typically also provided. Furthermore, the mobile communication device may include suitable connectors (wired or wireless) for connecting external accessories (e.g., hands-free devices) to other devices.

[0057] In some embodiments, the communication device may wirelessly communicate via suitable means for receiving and transmitting signals. In some embodiments, a radio unit may be connected to the control device of the device. The radio unit may include a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be located inside or outside the communication device.

[0058] Figure 1-3Various example architectures of a communication network 100 are illustrated, in which various methods, apparatuses, and computer program products can be executed and / or used. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 may include any suitable configuration, number, orientation, location, and / or size of components and dedicated equipment configured to provide an air interface (e.g., New Radio (NR)) for communication or connection between a user equipment 102 (UE 102) and a data network 116 (DN 116) via a core network 101 (CN 101) of the communication network 100. The UE 102 may be associated with one or more devices that are associated with one or more NF service consumers. Figure 1 As shown, a communication network 100 may be provided, in which UE 102 is operable to communicate with a radio access network 104 (RAN 104), such as via a transmission tower, base station, access point, network node, etc. In some embodiments, RAN 104 may communicate with CN 101 or its components or entities. In some embodiments, CN 101 may facilitate communication between UE 102 and DN 116, such as for sending data, messages, requests, etc. In some embodiments, DN 116 or CN 101 may communicate with an application server (AS) or application function (AF) 112 (AS 112 or AF 112). RAN 104, CN 101, DN 116 and / or AS / AF 112 may be associated with a network repository function (NRF), a network function (NF) service producer, a secure replication protocol (SCP), a secure edge protection agent (SEPP), a policy charging function (PCF), etc., or any combination thereof.

[0059] In example Figure 2 and Figure 3In the illustrated 5G network environment, communication network 100 may include a series of connected network devices and dedicated hardware distributed throughout the service area, state, province, city, or country, as well as one or more network entities that may be stored on one or more connected network devices or dedicated hardware and / or hosted by one or more of the connected network devices or dedicated hardware. In some embodiments, UE 102 may be connected to RAN 104, which may then relay communication between UE 102 and CN 101, CN 101 being connected to DN 116, which may communicate with one or more AS / AF 112. In some embodiments, UE 102 may communicate with RAN 104, which may act as a relay between UE 102 and other components or services of CN 101. For example, in some embodiments, UE 102 may communicate with RAN 104, which in turn may communicate with Access and Mobility Management Function 108 (AMF 108). In other instances or embodiments, UE 102 may communicate directly with AMF 108. In some embodiments, AMF 108 may communicate with one or more network functions (NFs), such as Authentication Server Function 120 (AUSF 120), Network Slice Selection Function 122 (NSSF 122), Network Repository Function 124 (NRF 124), Policy Accounting Function 114 (PCF 114), Network Data Analysis Function 126 (NWDAF 126), Unified Data Management Function 118 (UDM 118), AS / AF 112, Session Management Function 110 (SMF 110), etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, SMF 110 may communicate with one or more user plane functions 106 (UPF 106, UPF 106a, UPF 106b, collectively referred to as "UPF 106"). By way of example only, in some embodiments, UPF 106 may communicate with RAN 104 and DN 116. In other embodiments, DN 116 may communicate with a first UPF 106a, and RAN 104 may communicate with a second UPF 106b, while SMF 110 communicates with both the first UPF 106a and the second UPF 106b, and the first UPF 106a and the second UPF 106b communicate with each other.

[0061] In some embodiments, UE 102 may include a single-mode or dual-mode device, enabling UE 102 to connect to one or more RAN 104s. In some embodiments, RAN 104 may be configured to implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs), such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), LTE, or 5G NR, etc., which can be used to connect UE 102 to CN 101. In some embodiments, RAN 104 may include or utilize a chip (such as a silicon chip) in UE 102, which may be paired with or otherwise identified by a similar chip in CN 101, enabling RAN 104 to establish a connection or communication line between UE 102 and CN 101 by identifying the chip within UE 102 and pairing it with a chip within CN 101. In some embodiments, RAN 104 may implement one or more base stations, towers, etc., to communicate between UE 102 and AMF 108 of CN 101.

[0062] In some embodiments, the communication network 100 or its components (e.g., base stations, towers, etc.) may be configured to communicate with communication devices such as cellular phones (e.g., UE 102) via multiple different frequency bands, such as FR1 (below 6 GHz), FR2 (millimeter wave), other suitable frequency bands, their sub-bands, etc. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 may include or employ massive MIMO antennas. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 may include multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) antennas. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 may employ edge computing, whereby the computing server is communicatively, physically, computationally, and / or temporally closer to the communication device (e.g., UE 102) to reduce latency and data traffic congestion. In some embodiments, the communication network 100 may employ other technologies, devices, or processes, such as small cells, low-power RAN, radio wave beamforming, Wi-Fi cellular aggregation, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), channel coding, etc.

[0063] like Figure 3As shown, UE 102 can be configured to communicate with RAN 104 in the N1 interface, for example, according to a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. In some embodiments, RAN 104 can be configured to communicate with CN 101 or its components (e.g., AMF 108) in the N2 interface (e.g., in the control plane between the base station of RAN 104 and AMF 108). In some embodiments, RAN 104 can be configured to communicate with UPF 106 in the N3 interface (e.g., in the user plane). In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with other services or network entities within CN 101 in various different interfaces and / or according to various different protocols. For example, in some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with AUSF 120 in the Nausf interface or the N12 interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with NSSF 122 in the Nnssf interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 may be configured to communicate with NRF 124 in an Nnrf interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 may be configured to communicate with PCF 114 in an Npcf interface or an N7 interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 may be configured to communicate with NWDAF 126 in an Nnwdaf interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 may be configured to communicate with UDM 118 in a Nudm interface, an N8 interface, or an N10 interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 may be configured to communicate with AS / AF 112 in a Naf interface. In some embodiments, SMF 110 may be configured to communicate with UPF 106 in an N4 interface, which may act as a bridge between the control plane and the user plane, such as acting as a conduit for Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions during which information is transmitted between, for example, UE 102 and CN 101 or their components / services.

[0064] It should be understood that some of the example embodiments described herein occur in the context of telecommunications networks, including but not limited to telecommunications networks that conform to and / or otherwise incorporate aspects of the fifth-generation (5G) architecture. Although Figure 1-3 Various configurations and / or components of an exemplary architecture of communication network 100 are illustrated, but many other systems, system configurations, networks, network entities, and paths / protocols used for communication therein are also contemplated and considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0065] Although the methods, devices / apparatus, and computer program products / code described herein are described in the context of fifth-generation core networks (5GC) and systems, such as Figure 1-3 As shown and described above, the methods, apparatus, and computer program products described are still applicable to a wider range of suitable telecommunications systems, networks, standards, and / or protocols. It should be understood that the described methods, apparatus, and computer program products can be further applied to future networks and systems that have not yet been developed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure.

[0066] Now go to Figure 4 According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, examples of apparatus that may be embodied by user equipment or network entities, such as servers or other computing devices, e.g., user equipment (UE), network repository function (NRF), access and mobility management function (AMF), or session management function (SMF) are depicted. The following is in conjunction with... Figure 5-11 As described in the flowcharts, block diagrams, etc., the apparatus 200 of the example embodiment may be configured to perform some or all of the functions described herein. In any case, the apparatus 200 may more generally be implemented by a computing device, such as a server, personal computer, computer workstation, cloud computing entity, or any other type of computing device, including computing devices used as components of user equipment and / or wireless networks or wireless local area networks, such as AMF, NRF, PCF, SMF, etc. Regardless of how the apparatus 200 is embodied, the apparatus of the example embodiment may be as follows Figure 4 The device shown is configured to include, be associated with, or communicate with processor 202 and memory device 204 (and / or communication interface 206 in some embodiments). Although not shown, the apparatus of the example embodiments may optionally include a user interface, such as a touchscreen, display, keypad, etc.

[0067] Processor 202 (and / or coprocessor or auxiliary processor or any other circuitry system otherwise associated with the processor) may communicate with storage device 204 via a bus for transferring information between components of device 200. The storage device may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories, such as non-transitory memory devices. In other words, for example, the storage device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that can be retrieved by a machine (e.g., a computing device similar to a processor). According to an example embodiment, the storage device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, etc., for enabling the device to perform various functions. For example, the memory device may be configured to buffer input data for processor processing. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may be configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0068] In some embodiments, device 200 may be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the device may be embodied as a chip or chipset. In other words, the device may include one or more physical packages (e.g., chips), including materials, components, and / or wires on structural components (e.g., substrates). Structural components may provide physical strength, dimensional conservation, and / or electrical interaction constraints for the element circuitry included thereon. Thus, in some cases, the device may be configured to be implemented on a single chip or as a single "system-on-a-chip." Thus, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute a tool for performing one or more operations to provide the functionality described herein.

[0069] Processor 202 can be embodied in a variety of different ways. For example, a processor can be embodied as one or more of a variety of hardware processing tools, such as a coprocessor, microprocessor, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuit systems including integrated circuits, such as ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), microcontroller unit (MCU), hardware accelerator, application-specific computer chip, etc. Therefore, in some embodiments, the processor may include one or more processing cores configured to execute independently. Multi-core processors can implement multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may include one or more processors configured in series via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelines, and / or multiple threads.

[0070] In an example embodiment, processor 202 may be configured to execute instructions stored in memory device 204 or processor-accessible instructions. Alternatively or additionally, processor may be configured to perform hard-coded functionality. Thus, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in a circuit system) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of this disclosure simultaneously in a suitable configuration. Thus, for example, when processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, etc., processor may be hardware specifically configured to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when processor is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when executing the instructions. However, in some cases, processor may be a processor for a particular device (e.g., an encoder and / or decoder) configured to employ embodiments of this disclosure by further configuring the processor with instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. Processor may include, in addition to this, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), and logic gates configured to support processor operation.

[0071] In embodiments including communication interface 206, the communication interface can be any tool, such as a device or circuitry system embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software, configured to receive data from and / or transmit data to a network and / or any other device or module communicating with device 200, such as NF, NRF, base station, access point, SCP, UE 102, wireless access network, core network service, application server / function, database, or other storage device. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communication with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to transmit signals via the antenna(s) or for processing the reception of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. Thus, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Universal Serial Bus (USB), or other mechanisms. In some embodiments, the session management functionality may include 5GC session management functionality for any suitable control and user plane separation (CUPS) architecture, such as for Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support Node (GGSN-C), Trusted Wireless Access Gateway (TWAG-C), Broadband Network Gateway Control and User Plane Separation (BNG-CUPS), N4 interface, Sxa interface, Sxb interface, Sxc interface, Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Secure Web Gateway Control Plane Function (SWG-C), EPC Packet Data Network Gateway Control Plane Function (PGW-C), Control Plane EPC Traffic Detection Function (TDF-C), etc.

[0072] As shown, device 200 may include a processor 202 communicating with memory 204 and configured to provide signals to and receive signals from communication interface 206. In some embodiments, communication interface 206 may include a transmitter and a receiver. In some embodiments, processor 202 may be configured to at least partially control the functions of device 200. In some embodiments, processor 202 may be configured to control the functions of a transmitter and receiver by implementing control signaling via electrical wires to the transmitter and receiver. Similarly, processor 202 may be configured to control other elements of device 200 by implementing control signaling via electrical wires connecting processor 202 to other elements such as a display or memory 204.

[0073] Device 200 is capable of operating using one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, etc. Signals transmitted and received by processor 202 may include signaling information according to the air interface standard of the applicable cellular system, and / or any number of different wired or wireless networking technologies (including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) technologies such as IEEE 802.11, 802.16, 802.3, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Cable Data Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), etc.). Furthermore, these signals may include voice data, user-generated data, user-requested data, etc.

[0074] For example, device 200 and / or its cellular modem can operate according to various first-generation (1G) communication protocols, second-generation (2G or 2.5G) communication protocols, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols, and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols (e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), etc.). For example, device 200 can operate according to 2G wireless communication protocols such as Provisional Standard 136 (IS-136), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Provisional Standard 95 (IS-95), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc. Furthermore, for example, device 200 can operate according to 2.5G wireless communication protocols such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE). Furthermore, for example, device 200 can operate according to 3G wireless communication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), etc. NA200 can also operate according to 3.9G wireless communication protocols such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), etc. Furthermore, for example, device 200 can operate according to 4G wireless communication protocols (e.g., Advanced LTE), 5G, and similar wireless communication protocols that can be developed subsequently. In some embodiments, device 200 can operate according to or within the framework of any suitable CUPS architecture, such as for gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN-C), Trusted Radio Access Gateway (TWAG-C), Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), N4 interface, Sxa interface, Sxb interface, Sxc interface, Evolved Packet Core (EPC) SWG-C, EPC PGW-C, EPC TDF-C, etc. In fact, although this paper describes the operation in conjunction with a 5G system, the apparatus and method can be configured to operate in conjunction with many other types of systems, including those subsequently developed and implemented.

[0075] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. For example, the software, application logic, and / or hardware may reside on memory 204, processor 202, or electronic components. In some example embodiments, the application logic, software, or instruction set is maintained on any of a variety of conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, "computer-readable medium" can be any non-transitory medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit instructions for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer or data processor circuitry system). Figure 4 In the example shown, a computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which may be any medium that may contain or store instructions used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer).

[0076] Regarding systems, networks, devices, protocols, and methods, such as those mentioned above... Figure 1-4The embodiments described herein are numerous within the context of a 5G system (5GS). However, any other suitable network, communication system, and / or associated equipment and network entities may embody the disclosed invention (one or more), including but not limited to second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. According to some example embodiments, 5G networks designed as service-based architectures (SBAs) are provided, for example, where system functionality is implemented by a set of NFs providing services to other licensed NFs to access their services. As part of 3GPP Release-15 and Release-16, architectural enhancements to 5G systems (5GS) have been proposed to support network data analytics services, such as those specified in 3GPP TS 23.288 Release 16.4.0. As described herein, the inventors have recognized several problems and possible enhancements regarding the deployment of multiple Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAFs). For example, deploying multiple NWDAFs in, for example, Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) has been found to be inefficient, computationally overly complex, and / or potentially require overly complex signaling, among other drawbacks. Furthermore, there is no standard method for registering multiple NWDAFs (or NWDAF instances) in the NRF to optimize the analysis of input and output data in the case of multiple NWDAF deployments. Additionally, there are currently no standard procedures for network functions and / or other NWDAFs to discover suitable and available NWDAFs for analysis data, for example, if the region of interest spans multiple NWDAFs. Similarly, there are currently no standard procedures for, for example, combining or aggregating multiple different analysis outputs from multiple NWDAFs into a single result if requested by a data consumer or analysis consumer.

[0077] Therefore, according to various embodiments, this document describes example systems, apparatuses, methods, and solutions for enhancing the deployment and analysis of multiple NWDAFs, as well as other features and improvements. For example, in some embodiments, the described enhancements and methods can be used to deploy multiple NWDAFs, for example, within a specific Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). Some processes or methods may be performed by one or more Network Repository Functions (NRFs). In some embodiments, an NRF may be configured to allow network functions to discover services provided by other network functions within a communications network. In some embodiments, an NRF may be configured to support service discovery functionality by maintaining a set of NF profiles and a set of available NF instances.

[0078] Therefore, this document describes the overall framework and deployment architecture of multiple NWDAFs. In some embodiments, the deployment architecture may resemble a distributed NWDAF architecture and may include an aggregator function, which may also be referred to as a “central NWDAF.” In some embodiments, according to some implementations, one or more functionalities of the described aggregator function are proposed for use in the registration process, discovery process, and analysis process.

[0079] According to some embodiments, an enhanced process is provided for registering one or more NWDAF instances and aggregator functionality to an NRF. In some embodiments, such a registration process may include an enhanced NRF management process.

[0080] According to some embodiments, enhancements to NRF functionality are provided. In some embodiments, the NRF functionality enhancements are operable to support efficient registration and discovery of NWDAFs by data consumers(one or more) / analysis consumers(one or more). In some embodiments, such NRF functionality enhancements may be dedicated to NRF logic to return aggregator functionality and to the discovery process for a central NWDAF.

[0081] According to some embodiments, solutions are provided for enabling an aggregator function (also known as a central NWDAF) to provide analytical outputs to data consumers (one or more) / analytics consumers (one or more) (e.g., network functions and / or other NWDAFs (one or more)). In some embodiments, such systems and processes can be used to collect data and / or analytical outputs from multiple NWDAF instances. In some embodiments, a system and process may be provided for aggregating multiple received analytical data into a requested analytical identifier (ID) via additional analytical metadata information provided to the aggregator function.

[0082] Figure 5 A system 300 for a distributed NWDAF deployment with a central NWDAF, according to an example embodiment, is illustrated. As shown, system 300 may include one or more data / analysis consumers 330 communicating with an NRF 324. In some embodiments, the NRF 324 may be part of a communication network such as a communication network 100. In some embodiments, the data / analysis consumer 330 may include network functions such as an AMF 108, an SMF 110, other NWDAFs 126, or other network entities.

[0083] In some embodiments, where system 300 is configured to allow the deployment of multiple NWDAF 126 (or NWDAF instances) in a specific PLMN, system 300 may include aggregator functionality (e.g., a central NWDAF (“NWDAF-C”)). In some embodiments, this architecture can provide various benefits and functionality regarding the deployment of NWDAF 126 and the aggregation of multiple deployed NWDAF 126 to multiple data outputs of data / analysis consumer 330.

[0084] For example, in some embodiments, each NWDAF 126 may be targeted at one or more specific subsets of a data source (e.g., NF instances in a specific geographic region, such as regions of interest represented by one or more Tracking Area Identifiers (TAIs), or NFs for one or more specific UE groups) and / or specific analytics IDs. In some embodiments, the data source may include: Application Functions (AFs), Network Functions (NFs), Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) systems, etc. In some embodiments, system 300 may be configured such that each NWDAF 126 may be configured to support and provide one or more analytics outputs or analytics IDs. In some embodiments, system 300 may be configured such that each NWDAF instance may be part of an “NWDAF set”. In some embodiments, system 300 may be configured such that NWDAF 126 is configured to provide additional information to support aggregation of data and / or analytics outputs provided by NWDAF 126. In some embodiments, the additional information provided by one or more NWDAF 126 may be referred to as an “aggregation support indication”. In some embodiments, NWDAF 126 may be configured to register with NRF 324 and indicate the same information in an associated NFProfile.

[0085] In some embodiments, system 300 may be configured such that certain NWDAFs 126 may be configured to register their profiles (e.g., NFProfiles) in NRF 324, thereby indicating that NWDAFs 126 can only be discovered by a central NWDAF or one or more other NWDAFs. For example, NWDAFs 126 may be invisible to data / analysis consumers 330 that are different from other NWDAFs. In some embodiments, such as when data / analysis consumer 330 is a 5G core network function such as AMF or SMF, NWDAFs 126 may be discoverable only by a central NWDAF or another NWDAF. In some embodiments, the profile of NWDAF 126 can be updated by including an "internal NWDAF" (or another similar indication) indicator in the NFProfile of a specific NWDAF 126, which is configured to be discovered only by a central NWDAF or another NWDAF (rather than via the data / analysis consumer 330), and / or by communicating with the NRF 324 or directly with the data / analysis consumer 330 when the NWDAF 126 is registered in the NRF 324.

[0086] In some embodiments, one or more aggregator functions (referred to herein as “central NWDAF”) may be deployed in system 300 (e.g., within a PLMN). In some embodiments, once deployed in system 300, the one or more aggregator functions (central NWDAF) provide “aggregator” functionality, which may include a combination of collected analytical data and / or analytical outputs. In some embodiments, the collected analytical data and / or analytical outputs may be collected from two or more NWDAFs 126 and / or from different network functions serving as data sources. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF may be deployed as a “central NWDAF set”.

[0087] In some embodiments, a central NWDAF (e.g., an NWDAF with aggregator functionality) may have various functionalities for supporting the aggregation or combination of analytics data and / or analytics outputs. For example, in some embodiments, a central NWDAF may be configured such that its service area includes multiple TAIs and covers most or all of the PLMN. In some embodiments, to support analytics for the entire PLMN, at least one NWDAF may be provided for each application ID covering the entire PLMN. In some embodiments, a central NWDAF may be configured to support one or more analytics IDs. In some embodiments, a central NWDAF may be configured to register itself with NRF 324. In some embodiments, a central NWDAF may indicate to NRF 324 during registration with NRF 324 that it is configured for additional functionality for the aggregation of analytics data / analysis outputs. In some embodiments, NRF 324 may be configured to indicate that a central NWDAF (NWDAF-C) has "aggregator" functionality by adding an indication of the central NWDAF (NWDAF-C) to, for example, an NFProfile for NWDAF-C. In some embodiments, such indications in the NFProfile may also be used during the NF discovery process and / or to return the “most suitable” NWDAF 126. In some embodiments, “aggregation” functionality support may be indicated by a new, dedicated “aggregator functionality indicator,” which may be, for example, part of the NFProfile provided to the NRF 324 during the registration process of a specific NWDAF 126. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to the aforementioned “aggregator functionality indicator” method for indicating the functionality of NWDAF 126 to the data / analysis consumer 330, the NRF 324 may include a “priority” value in the NFProfile. In some embodiments, a “priority” value may be included to indicate to the NRF 324 that it should return the “most suitable” NWDAF 126 to the data / analysis consumer 330 (e.g., the NF consumer). In some embodiments, the NRF 324 may assign higher priority to a central NWDAF and lower priority to other distributed NWDAFs 126. In some embodiments, the priority attribute may have been specified as part of the NFProfile, or may be added by the NRF 324 or another suitable entity.

[0088] In some embodiments, the central NWDAF may be configured to aggregate analytics data and / or analytics outputs collected from different data sources, such as analytics data and / or analytics outputs collected from two or more NWDAF instances and / or from different network functions that are data sources. In some embodiments, aggregation functionality may be an additional capability of the central NWDAF, for example, enabled when system 300 is configured for multiple NWDAF deployments, or it may be a permanent functionality of system 300 / central NWDAF. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF may also provide general analytics capabilities consistent with other NWDAFs 126, for example, by supporting the extraction of analytics outputs for covered analytics IDs(one or more) from raw data provided by data sources. In some embodiments where the central NWDAF may also provide general analytics capabilities, system 300 may be configured such that if analytics outputs are already available for a portion of a requested region, but another region is not covered by any distributed NWDAF, the central NWDAF may be deployed to provide analytics outputs for that region and aggregate the analytics outputs from said region with available information provided by other distributed NWDAFs within the requested region.

[0089] like Figure 5 As shown, system 300 may include multiple NWDAFs 126, and data / analysis consumer 330 may be configured to query NRF 324 for the appropriate NWDAF 126 designated as the central NWDAF. In some embodiments, requests for analytics data may be sent via distributed NWDAFs 126 and / or via the central NWDAF. In some embodiments, requests for analytics data may be sent from data / analysis consumer 330 to NRF 324 and / or from NRF 324 to data / analysis consumer 330.

[0090] Figure 6The illustration depicts a system 400 for registering one or more NWDAFs 426a, NWDAF 426b, and / or a central NWDAF 440 with an NRF 424, according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the NRF 424 may receive an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request. In some embodiments, the NRF 424 may receive the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request from NWDAF 426a or 426b. In some embodiments, the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request may include a list of supported analytics IDs, S-NSSAI(one or more), service areas(one or more), TAI(one or more), priority indicators, and / or aggregation support indicators. In some embodiments, the NRF 424 may store an NWDAF profile of NWDAF 426a or 426b, including aggregation support indicators (if supported). In some embodiments, the NRF 424 may then send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response to or toward NWDAF 426a or 426b. In some embodiments, NRF 424 may then receive an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request, for example, from central NWDAF 440. In some embodiments, the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request may include an aggregator function indication, supported analytics IDs (one or more), and / or TAI=PLMN. In some embodiments, NRF 424 may then store a central NWDAF profile, including the aggregator function indication. Additionally, NRF 424 may then send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response to or toward central NWDAF 440.

[0091] Figure 7The illustration depicts a system 500 for registering one or more NWDAFs 526a, NWDAF 526b, and / or a central NWDAF 540 with an NRF 524, according to an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may receive an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request, for example, from one or more NWDAFs 526a, NWDAF 526b. In some embodiments, the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request may include a list of supported analytics IDs, S-NSSAI(one or more), service areas(one or more), TAI(one or more), one or more priority indicators, and / or aggregation support indicators. In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may store the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request or components thereof. In some embodiments, if supported, the NRF 524 may store an NWDAF profile with an aggregation support indicator. In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response to or toward NWDAF 526a or NWDAF 526b. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 540 may then send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request to or toward the NRF 524. In some embodiments, the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request may include an aggregator function indication, supported analytics IDs (one or more), TAI=PLMN, etc. In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may then store a central NWDAF profile (NWDAF-C profile) including the aggregator function indication. In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may then send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response to or toward the central NWDAF 540. In some embodiments, NWDAF 526a or NWDAF 526b may then send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request to or toward the NRF 524. In some embodiments, the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request may include an internal NWDAF indication. In some embodiments, NRF 524 may then store a central NWDAF profile (NWDAF-C profile) including an internal NWDAF indication. In some embodiments, NRF 524 may then send an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response to or toward NWDAF 526a or NWDAF 526b.

[0092] like Figure 7As shown, for example, the NWDAF registration process may include a distributed NWDAF (e.g., 526a) registering its NFProfile with NRF 524. In some embodiments, the registration request message and / or NFProfile may include an indication of “aggregation support”, if supported by the specific NWDAF instance. In some embodiments, this indication may be operable for use by NF consumers (such as central NWDAF 540), for example, to request additional information including the analysis ID and analysis output, or additional information beyond the analysis ID and analysis output. For example, in some embodiments, the additional information that may be requested from NRF 524 may include metadata such as timestamps, where the data came from and / or where the data went (data from - to), number of samples, number of samples per group and / or category (if applicable), region of interest information (e.g., TAI(one or more)), analysis model ID(one or more), and / or analysis model pointer. In some embodiments, the analysis model pointer may be configured to retrieve the analysis model (if applicable), specific configuration of the analysis function, etc. In some embodiments, the additional information that may be requested from NRF 524 may include raw data, such as raw analysis data. In some embodiments, additional information that can be requested from NRF 524 may include other information that may be useful to the requesting entity, such as information that may be useful to requesting the central NWDAF 540 to aggregate the analysis outputs provided by two or more distributed NWDAFs (526a, 526b).

[0093] In some embodiments, NRF 524 may store the NFProfile of the NWDAF instance upon receiving a registration request from NWDAF 526a. NRF 524 may also store an "aggregation support indication" in the NFProfile of the NWDAF instance, if indicated by the NWDAF instance. In some embodiments, NRF 524 may respond to NWDAF 526a with an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response message. In some embodiments, the aggregator function (e.g., the central NWDAF 540; also referred to herein as NWDAF-C) may then register with NRF 524 and send an Nnrf_NFmanagement_NFRegister request to NRF 524. In some embodiments, the request provided to NRF may include a supported analytics ID(s), a service area or TAI(s) = PLMN, an aggregator function indicator, etc. In some embodiments, the aggregator function indicator may include an indication that the central NWDAF 540 is configured for additional functionality (e.g., compared to other distributed NWDAFs(s),) such as "aggregator" functionality.

[0094] In some embodiments, the indication may optionally include an appropriate "priority" value for the NRF 524, such as a lower priority value, which the NRF 524 may then use, along with other criteria, to select and return one or more suitable NWDAFs (e.g., 526a, 526b) to the NF consumer, such as "one or more most suitable NWDAFs".

[0095] In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may then store the NFProfile of the central NWDAF 540 (NWDAF-C) and an "aggregator function indication". In some embodiments, the aggregator function indication may include or indicate that the central NWDAF 540 is available as an "aggregation" function or a central NWDAF. In some embodiments, if the central NWDAF 540 belongs to a set, the NFProfile of the central NWDAF 540 may also indicate a corresponding "Set_ID". In some embodiments, the NRF 540 may maintain a "priority" value based on indications received from the central NWDAF 540 and other criteria. In some embodiments, the NRF 524 may then confirm successful registration with the central NWDAF 540.

[0096] In some embodiments, NWDAF 526a may be one of a distributed NWDAF that is part of system 500. In some embodiments, NWDAF 526a may then register its NFProfile with NRF 540. In some embodiments, if the NWDAF instance supports it, the NFProfile may include an additional indication of “internal NWDAF”. In some embodiments, for example, where the analytics consumer is a 5G core network function (such as AMF, SMF, etc.), the “internal NWDAF” indication may indicate that NWDAF 526a can only be discovered by the central NWDAF 540 or other NWDAFs (one or more), for example, these NWDAFs are not visible to analytics consumers outside of NWDAFs.

[0097] In some embodiments, upon receiving a registration request from NWDAF 526a, NRF 524 may be configured to store the NFProfile of the NWDAF instance. In some embodiments, if indicated by the NWDAF instance, NRF 524 may also store an "internal NWDAF" indication in the NFProfile for that NWDAF instance. In some embodiments, NRF 524 may then confirm successful registration to NWDAF 526b.

[0098] Figure 8The illustration depicts a system 600 according to an example embodiment, configured to discover one or more NWDAFs using one or more NF consumers via NRF 624. In some embodiments, system 600 may include multiple NF consumers 650a, 650b, and 650c. In some embodiments, NF consumer 650a may be interested in Analytics ID-1 on Region of Interest TAI-1, and therefore may send a request for it to NRF 624. In some embodiments, in response to NF consumer 650a's request for Analytics ID-1 on Region of Interest TAI-1, NF consumer 650a may receive a corresponding response including an NFProfile of the distributed NWDAF (e.g., distributed NWDAF-1). Continuing with the same example, in some embodiments, NWDAF-1 may provide NF consumer 650a with Analytics ID-1 and analytics of Service Region TAI-1. In some embodiments, the method of providing said analytics to the NF consumer may conform to TS 23.502 Rel-16.

[0099] In some embodiments, NF consumer 650b may be interested in Analytics ID-2 and Analytics ID-3 on Region of Interest (TAI-2), and therefore may send a request for them to NRF 624. In some embodiments, in response to NF consumer 650b's request for Analytics ID-2 and Analytics ID-3 on TAI-2, NF consumer 650b may receive a corresponding response, for example, from a central NWDAF. In some embodiments, such requests may be served by one of the distributed NWDAFs (e.g., NWDAF2), which may be configured to provide analytics and / or clustering analytics associated with multiple IDs or Regions of Interest, such as analytics and / or clustering analytics associated with Analytics ID-2 and Analytics ID-3 for Service Region TAI-2. In some embodiments, where the central NWDAF (e.g., NWDAF2) is configured to provide one or more clustering support functionalities, these functionalities may be indicated in an NFProfile returned by NRF 624 to one or more of NF consumers 650a, 650b, and 650c. In some embodiments, the NWDAF is configured to use an aggregate support functionality indicator, which may be used, for example, by an NRF 624, to indicate to NF consumers 650a, 650b, 650c that the NWDAF is designated as the central NWDAF. In some embodiments, in addition to the analysis output for the requested analysis ID, the NWDAF-C (aggregator NWDAF) may use such an aggregate support functionality indicator to request additional information, such as metadata, pointers to analysis models, sample counts, etc.

[0100] In some embodiments, NF consumer 650c may be interested in analytics ID-4 and analytics ID-6, as well as regions of interest including TAI-1 and TAI-2 through TAI-n. In some embodiments, NF consumer 650c may send a request for it to or toward NRF 624. In some embodiments, upon receiving such a request, NRF 624 may discover that there is no single distributed NWDAF serving the requested region of interest, and then NRF 624 may reply to NF consumer 650c and send an NWDAF-C profile. In some embodiments, by responding to NF consumer 650c with an NWDAF-C profile, NRF 624 may specify which NWDAF is configured for the “aggregator function” (or central NWDAF) for the requested analytics ID. In some embodiments, to serve such requests, NRF 624 may implement new functionality to return the “most suitable” NWDAF, rather than returning a relatively less suitable NWDAF to be used as the central NWDAF.

[0101] In some embodiments, if the requested TAI is not covered by any registered distributed NWDAF, NRF 624 may return an NFProfile or NWDAF-C covering the entire PLMN region. In some embodiments, the process for returning an NFProfile or NWDAF-C covering the entire PLMN region may be similar to the process described in TS 23.502 Rel-16. In some embodiments, if multiple analytics IDs are requested and all analytics IDs can be served by a specific distributed NWDAF, NRF 624 may return that specific distributed NWDAF. In some embodiments, NRF 624 may return: option a) an NWDAF-C with aggregation capabilities, and / or option b) a distributed NWDAF and NWDAF-C along with some "aggregator capability indication," allowing NF consumers 650a, 650b, 650c to select the NWDAF to contact. In some embodiments, option a) may enhance the functionality of NRF 624 and allow NRF 624 to return only the central NWDAF if the central NWDAF is configured to serve all requested analytics IDs for all regions of interest. In some embodiments, among other benefits, one of the benefits of option a) is that it is transparent to NF consumers; for example, NF consumers do not need to select one of two or more NWDAFS and do not need to investigate or consider which NWDAFS is configured for aggregation support.

[0102] In some embodiments, NRF 624 can be configured to return the "most suitable" NWDAF based on the "priority" indication in the NFProfile of the corresponding NWDAF instance. In some embodiments, the priority indication (which may be similar in form to that described in 3GPP TS23.510 Release V16-3-0, but not in usage) may be a special "priority" setting standard created specifically for specifying NWDAF-C. In some embodiments, NWDAF-C may be indicated by a lower priority, for example, a lower priority compared to other distributed NWDAFs, so that NF consumers will generally choose a higher-priority distributed NWDAF.

[0103] In some embodiments, when multiple NWDAF instances are identified that match a combination of a requested analysis ID (one or more) and a region of interest (one or more) (e.g., TAI (one or more)), NRF 624 may return the NFProfiles of these multiple matching NWDAFs, as described in the NRF functionality described in 3GPP TS 23.510 Release V16-3-0.

[0104] In some embodiments, the NRF 624 may, for example, use a flag such as an “isAggregator” flag, signaled in the response message or indicated in the specific NFProfile of the specific NWDAF having the aforementioned functionality, to indicate in the response message that the specific NWDAF supports the “aggregator functionality”.

[0105] In some embodiments, NRF 624 may alternatively or additionally send back a list of one or more NWDAFs that can serve one or more subsets of the requested data to NR consumers 650a, 650b, 650c, leaving this to NF consumers 650a, 650b, 650c to individually contact those NWDAFs and aggregate the results on the NF consumer 650a, 650b, 650c (data consumer / analysis consumer) side. In some embodiments, this approach may be particularly relevant for NWDAF-C to identify those distributed NWDAFs it needs to contact in order to be able to aggregate the analytics output provided by those NWDAFs to satisfy requests from NF consumers 650a, 650b, 650c to NWDAF-C. In this regard, in some embodiments, a method may be required whereby a central NWDAF can communicate with NRF 624 to discover from NRF 624 NWDAFs serving a subset of the region of interest requested for one or more specific analytics IDs. Similarly, in some embodiments, it is important to configure the central NWDAF to determine which data source (e.g., NF, NWDAF) to contact. Therefore, examples of such further enhanced procedures for supporting network data analysis are provided below.

[0106] Figure 9 The illustration shows a system 700 configured for an NF consumer 750 to discover, request, and / or subscribe via an NRF 724 to obtain analytics IDs for its regions of interest from a central NWDAF 726 or one or more of various data sources 760a, 760b (e.g., NFs, other NWDAFs). In some embodiments, the NF consumer 750 may be configured to send discovery requests to or toward the NRF 724. In some embodiments, the discovery request may be a message including one or more analytics IDs (e.g., analytics ID4) for one or more regions of interest (e.g., TAI-3, TAI-4, TAI-n). In some embodiments, in response to a discovery request received from the NF consumer 750, the NRF 724 may send a discovery response to or toward the NF consumer 750. In some embodiments, the discovery response may include an NWDAF-C profile, for example, in the absence of a single distributed NWDAF that can cover the request. In some embodiments, the NRF 724 may also consider other NRF logic, such as a "priority" value, as described elsewhere in this document, when determining whether an NDWAF profile is included in the discovery response and which NDWAF profile is included.

[0107] In some embodiments, in response to NF consumer 750 receiving a discovery response from NRF 724, NF consumer 750 may send an analysis information request to or toward NWDAF-C 726 (central NWDAF 726). In the analysis information request, NF consumer 750 may provide one or more requested analysis IDs, such as UE mobility analysis with analysis ID4, and one or more requested regions of interest, such as TAI-1, TAI-2, TAI-n.

[0108] In some embodiments, once the central NWDAF 726 receives an analytics information request from the NF consumer 750, the central NWDAF 726 can be configured to discover a list of distributed NWDAFs (one or more) from the NRF 724, which can provide the analytics output required to generate the requested analytics ID for the requested region of interest (one or more) (e.g., TAI-1, TAI-2, TAI-n). In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 can be configured for new functionality to make such determinations and generate the requested analytics.

[0109] In some embodiments, in response to a received request, the central NWDAF 726 may send (e.g., "on demand") one or more discovery requests to the NRF 724. In some embodiments, each of the one or more discovery requests may cause the return of a specific NWDAF instance corresponding to the requested analytics ID for a particular region of interest. For example, in some embodiments, the return of a specific NWDAF instance corresponding to a requested analytics ID for a particular region of interest may be achieved by the central NWDAF 726 reordering the requested regions of interest into multiple TAIs or TAI groups corresponding to different NWDAF instances supporting that analytics ID. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 may already have information enabling it to reorder the regions of interest(s) for the purpose of generating discovery requests from the NRF 724. In some embodiments, such discovery requests may use complex queries if supported by the NRF 724.

[0110] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central NWDAF 724 may have prior knowledge of / collected a set of NWDAF instances available in the PLMN, along with their supported analytics IDs and regions of interest, or such information may be provided / configured to the central NWDAF 726 in different ways. In some embodiments, based on this information, the central NWDAF 726 may identify the appropriate NWDAF requesting the required data, enabling the central NWDAF 726 to aggregate data to satisfy a request received from the NF consumer 750.

[0111] In some embodiments, a discovery request sent from the central NWDAF 726 to the NRF 724 may include a "Gathering Support" instruction, requesting the NRF 724 to respond with one or more NWDAF instances (if available) that also support the "Gathering Support" functionality. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 may also need to collect raw data from one or more data sources 760a, 760b other than the NWDAF, for example, if no distributed NWDAF covers a specific region of interest, which is part of the region of interest requested by the NF consumer 750. In some embodiments, when the central NWDAF 726 needs to collect raw data from one or more data sources 760a, 760b, the central NWDAF 726 may collect the raw data and generate the analytical output required for that region of interest itself.

[0112] In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 may then complete the request to generate analytical information and send it to each of the data sources 760a, 760b that have been discovered / identified as described above, for example, to such... Figure 9 The NWDAF 3 and NWDAF 4 are shown.

[0113] In some embodiments, the analysis information request may instruct data sources 760a and 760b (e.g., NWDAF3 and NWDAF4) to "aggregate support indication," thereby indicating that the output provided by data sources 760a and 760b is being requested to be aggregated by the central NWDAF 726. In some embodiments, the "aggregate support indication" in the analysis information request may cause data sources 760a and 760b (e.g., NWDAF3 and NWDAF4) to provide additional information beyond the analysis output, and to provide the analysis output and any additional information to the central NWDAF 726 instead of directly to the NF consumer 750.

[0114] In some embodiments, the “aggregation support” instruction may trigger the reception of data sources 760a, 760b (e.g., NWDAF 3, NWDAF 4) to provide the central NWDAF 724 with one or more of the following, in addition to responding to the central NWDAF 724 with analysis output: multiple samples, the time period of the collected samples, pointers to a data model (e.g., a pointer to a data lake) or storage functions, and / or any other information that the central NWDAF 726 may use / require when aggregating analysis output to support the aggregation of analysis by the central NWDAF 724.

[0115] For example, in order for the central NWDAF 726 to aggregate the average load (TAI-1) with the average load (TAI-2), the central NWDAF 726 needs to know the number of samples for each TAI, for example, average load (TAI1 + TAI2) = (number of samples (TAI-1) * average load (TAI-1) + number of samples (TAI-2) * average load (TAI-2)) / (number of samples (TAI-1) + number of samples (TAI-2)). Thus, the central NWDAF 726 can instruct data sources 760a, 760b to provide additional information to support the aggregation of the analysis output, or the central NWDAF 726 can instruct one or more of the data sources 760a, 760b, or NRF 724 to provide the additional information.

[0116] In some embodiments, data sources 760a, 760b (e.g., NWDAF3, NWDAF4) may respond to the central NWDAF 726 with the requested analytics output and other information required for aggregation. In response to receiving the analytics output and other information required for aggregation, the central NWDAF 726 may aggregate the received analytics data. In some embodiments, a single analytics output is typically based on multiple analytics messages received from data sources 760a, 760b (e.g., NWDAF3 and NWDAF4). Optionally, in some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 may simultaneously process and / or aggregate any raw data received with respect to the analytics request from the NF consumer 750. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 may implement different logical functions and aggregation methods to generate the single analytics output. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF 726 may then respond to the NF consumer 750 to provide analytics output for the requested analytics ID.

[0117] Figure 10 The illustration shows an operational flowchart of example method 10 performed by example device 200. In one embodiment, example device 200 may be embodied by a computer program product including computer program code executed by processor 202. As shown in block 11, device 200 of this example embodiment includes modules such as processor 202, memory 204, communication interface 206, etc., for causing an analysis request to be received from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest. As shown in block 12, device 200 may further include modules such as processor 202, for causing one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers. As shown in block 13, device 200 may further include modules such as processor 202, for causing an analysis information request to be sent to one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provision indication. As shown in box 14, the apparatus 200 may optionally include modules such as processor 202 for sending a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to enable the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0118] Figure 11Another flowchart illustrating the operation of exemplary method 20 performed by exemplary device 200 is shown. In one embodiment, exemplary device 200 may be embodied by a computer program product including computer program code executed by processor 202. As shown in block 21, the device 200 of this example embodiment includes modules such as processor 202, memory 204, communication interface 206, etc., for determining whether the analysis information request or aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication in response to receiving an analysis information request and / or aggregated analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within the communication system at a data source within the communication system, wherein the analysis information request or aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest. As shown in block 22, the device 200 of this example embodiment includes modules such as processor 202, for generating analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, if the analysis information request or aggregated analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or analysis metadata provisioning indication. As shown in box 23, the apparatus 200 of this example embodiment may optionally include modules such as processor 202 for determining whether the analysis information request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analyses by the central network data analysis function. As shown in box 24, the apparatus 200 of this example embodiment may optionally include modules such as processor 202 for generating analysis output if the analysis information request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analyses by the central network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the analysis output includes analyses associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support the aggregation of analyses by the central network data analysis function. As shown in box 25, the apparatus 200 of this example embodiment may optionally include modules such as processor 202 for sending the analysis output toward the central network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured for aggregation by the central network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata used to support the aggregation of analyses by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: the number of samples, the time period of the collected samples, a pointer to the data model, a pointer to the data lake, or a pointer to the storage function.

[0119] According to other embodiments, when deploying multiple NWDAF instances, different architectures can be employed, such as layered architectures, distributed architectures, and / or co-located architectures. In some embodiments, such as Figure 12-15As shown, in a distributed NWDAF architecture, aggregation functionality may be co-located with one or more NWDAFs (also referred to as a central NWDAF) that group multiple output analyses received from multiple distributed NWDAFs to form a single output analysis using "aggregation functions" (e.g., average, count, maximum, minimum, range, standard deviation, etc.). In some embodiments, analysis metadata is exchanged between the distributed NWDAFs and the central NWDAF to allow the central NWDAF to perform appropriate aggregation. In some embodiments, NWDAF instances (distributed NWDAFs and central NWDAFs) may belong to one or more NWDAF sets. In some embodiments, each NWDAF may provide one or more output analyses or analysis IDs. In some embodiments, each NWDAF may serve one or more specific geographic areas, such as regions of interest or TAIs (one or more). In some embodiments, at least one central NWDAF may cover the entire PLMN to be able to handle any analysis request that cannot be covered by any distributed NWDAF. In some embodiments, the NWDAF instance registration and discovery process may be enhanced to facilitate signaling such as aggregation functionality. Similarly, in some embodiments, data collection and analysis exposure may be enhanced to facilitate signaling such as aggregation functionality.

[0120] In some embodiments, in order for the central NWDAF to properly aggregate different output analyses from one or more distributed NWDAFs, the central NWDAF may need to receive additional analysis metadata related to the received output analyses, such as: timestamps of analysis generation, the number of samples used to generate the analysis, the application model used to generate the analysis, and the specific configuration of the application analysis function or model. This metadata is necessary for the central NWDAF to create a single output analysis using "aggregation functions" (such as average, count, maximum, minimum, range, standard deviation, etc.). For example, to derive the "mobility performance" of the entire PLMN, the central NWDAF may need to calculate a weighted average based on mobility performance statistics provided by distributed NWDAFs. For instance, to derive the success rate of handovers across the entire PLMN, the number of handovers for each regional subset provided by distributed NWDAFs may need to be considered when calculating the overall rate.

[0121] In some embodiments, in a network or system where multiple distributed NWDAFs are deployed and one or more central NWDAFs provide aggregation functionality to cover the entire PLMN, the aggregation of analytics data may be performed at least in part by the central NWDAF, rather than by network repository functionality or network function consumers.

[0122] In some embodiments, in a multi-NWDAF deployment scenario, an NWDAF instance may be dedicated to providing analytics for one or more analytics IDs, and each NWDAF instance may serve a specific Region of Interest (ROI) (one or more) or TAI (one or more). Furthermore, these NWDAF instances may belong to one (or more) NWDAF sets. In some embodiments, these distributed NWDAFs are configured to enable enhanced registration and discovery processes, as well as enhanced data collection and analytics exposure processes, as explained herein.

[0123] In some embodiments, it may be necessary to address situations where an NF consumer may require output analytics for regions of interest not covered by any single distributed NWDAF instance, thus requiring more than one NWDAF to collectively serve the requested region of interest for a specific analytics ID. In some embodiments, to support such requests, an NWDAF with aggregation functionality is used. In some embodiments, an NWDAF with aggregation functionality is also referred to as a “central NWDAF.” In some embodiments, this aggregation functionality may be configured to aggregate output analytics and / or output data specific to one or more analytics IDs from multiple data sources (e.g., from one or more distributed NWDAFs and / or from NF).

[0124] In some embodiments, the described system is configured for deployments with multiple NWDAFs (also known as “distributed NWDAFs” or “split NWDAFs”), whereby some of the NWDAFs are enhanced through “aggregation functionality” (also known as “centralized NWDAF”).

[0125] In some embodiments, a “standard” NWDAF has the functionality specified in 3GPP TS 23.288 Release 16.4.0. Furthermore, in some embodiments, some or all of the distributed NWDAFs (one or more) may support providing additional information called “aggregated analytics metadata,” which is related to the output analytics generated by the distributed NWDAF and is required by the aggregation functionality of the central NWDAF to aggregate output analytics from different NWDAFs, for example, not simply by adding together output analytics received from multiple NWDAF instances to generate a single requested output analytics. In some embodiments, support for providing aggregated analytics metadata is indicated by the “analysis metadata provisioning capability” indicator in the NF profile when an NWDAF instance registers with the NRF. In some embodiments, a distributed NWDAF may belong to one or more NWDAF sets and have NF set functionality.

[0126] In some embodiments, a central NWDAF may be an NWDAF instance with the additional capability to aggregate output analyses provided by other data sources. In some embodiments, a central NWDAF may belong to one or more NWDAF sets and have NF set functionality. In some embodiments, similar to other NWDAFs, a central NWDAF may also be able to generate output analyses based on input data from one or more data sources. In some embodiments, a central NWDAF includes an "aggregator functionality" indication when registering with the NRF. In some embodiments, a central NWDAF includes an "aggregate analysis metadata request" indication in an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe request message sent to other NWDAFs, requesting additional aggregate analysis metadata related to the generated output analyses. In some embodiments, for each analysis ID, at least one central NWDAF may exist covering the entire PLMN. In some embodiments, the system may be configured in such a way that at least one NWDAF in the deployment can provide output analyses for analysis IDs of any requested region of interest.

[0127] In some embodiments, the NRF may store the NFProfile of an NWDAF instance. In some embodiments, this is stored in the corresponding NF profile when the NWDAF registers itself with an indication of "analysis metadata provisioning capability". In some embodiments, the NRF may return one or more NWDAFs that match the attributes in the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. However, if no registered distributed NWDAF instance matches the requested parameters, the NRF may then return the central NWDAF.

[0128] In some embodiments, an analytics consumer may be configured to request or subscribe to receive analytics for one or more analytics IDs in a given region of interest.

[0129] In some embodiments, NWDAF can be registered according to the following NWDAF registration process, such as... Figure 13 As shown.

[0130] 1. NWDAF 1 is one of the distributed NWDAFs that registers its NFProfile with the NRF. This is similar to existing procedures, such as those defined in 3GPP TS 23.502, but with an additional indication of "analysis metadata provisioning capability" if the NWDAF instance supports it. NWDAF service consumers (such as the central NWDAF) use this indication to request output analytics and, if necessary, to request aggregated analytics metadata by including the indication "aggregate analytics metadata request" in the request message.

[0131] 2. When NRF receives the registration request in step 1 above, it stores the NFProfile of the NWDAF instance.

[0132] 3. NRF confirms successful registration with NWDAF 2.

[0133] 4. The aggregator function, namely the central NWDAF 1, registers with the NRF and sends an Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request to the NRF. In the request, the central NWDAF 1 provides the supported analytics ID (one or more), the service area or TAI (one or more) = PLMN, and the "aggregator functionality indication" (i.e., it also provides an indication of aggregator functionality).

[0134] 5. The NRF stores the NFProfile of the central NWDAF 1 and the "Aggregator Functionality Indicator," indicating whether the NWDAF-C can be used for "Aggregation" function or as the central NWDAF 1. If the central NWDAF belongs to a set, the NFProfile of the central NWDAF 1 also indicates the corresponding "Set ID."

[0135] 6. NRF confirms successful registration with the central NWDAF 1.

[0136] 7. NWDAF 2 is one of the distributed NWDAFs that registers its NFProfile with the NRF. This is similar to existing protocols, such as those defined in 3GPP TS 23.502, but with an additional indication of “analysis metadata provisioning capability” if the NWDAF instance supports it. NWDAF service consumers (such as the central NWDAF) use this indication to request output analytics and, if necessary, to request aggregated analytics metadata by including the indication “aggregate analytics metadata request” in the request message.

[0137] 8. Upon receiving the registration request from step 7 above, NRF stores the NFProfile of the NWDAF instance. If indicated by the NWDAF instance, NRF will also store "analysis metadata provisioning capability" in the NFProfile of the NWDAF instance.

[0138] 9. NRF responds to NWDAF 2 with the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister response message.

[0139] In some embodiments, the process by which an NF consumer discovers an NWDAF using an NRF may follow the NWDAF discovery process outlined below, and as follows: Figure 14 As shown.

[0140] 1-3. NF Consumer 1 is interested in Analytics ID 1 on Region of Interest (TAI-1), so it sends an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request to the NRF. Once the request is authorized, the NRF determines that NWDAF 1 can provide analytics for the requested Analytics ID 1 and the service region TAI-1. The NRF then returns the NFProfile of distributed NWDAF 1 in the corresponding response. This follows the existing procedure defined in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0141] 4-6. NF Consumer 2 is interested in Analytics ID 3 on Region of Interest (TAI-2), so it sends an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request to the NRF. Once the request is authorized, the NRF determines that NWDAF 2 can provide analytics for the requested Analytics ID 3 and the service region TAI-2. The NRF then returns the NFProfile of distributed NWDAF 2 in the corresponding response. This also follows the existing procedure defined in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0142] 7-9. NF Consumer 3 is interested in Analysis ID 1 and Regions of Interest such as TAI-1, TAI-2, TAI-n, etc. Upon receiving this request, the NRF finds that no single distributed NWDAF serves the requested Region of Interest, so it responds using the central NWDAF 1 profile, which is configured for "aggregator functionality" for the requested Analysis ID 1.

[0143] In some implementations, NF consumers / analysis consumers can request and / or subscribe to obtain the analytics IDs of interest according to the analytics exposure process described below, and as... Figure 15 As shown.

[0144] 1. This is the discovery process. In this example, NRF will return the central NWDAF 1 profile because there is no single distributed NWDAF that can override the request.

[0145] 2. The NWDAF service consumer sends an analysis information request to the central NWDAF 1. In this request, the NF consumer provides the requested analysis ID (one or more), such as the UE mobility analysis with analysis ID 1, and the requested region of interest, such as TAI-1, TAI-2, TAI-n.

[0146] 3. Upon receiving a request in step 2, the central NWDAF 1, based on previous queries or configurations, determines which other NWDAF instances are requesting the relevant output analytics. Alternatively, the central NWDAF 1 discovers a list of distributed NWDAFs (one or more) from the NRF, which can provide the output analytics needed to generate the requested analytics ID for the requested regions TAI-1, TAI-2, and TAI-n. In some embodiments, the central NWDAF may indicate "Analysis Metadata Provisioning Capability" in the discovery request sent to the NRF, thereby requesting a response from one or more NWDAF instances (if available) that also support the "Analysis Metadata Provisioning Capability" functionality, as indicated by the NRF during the specific NWDAF instance registration process.

[0147] 4-5. The central NWDAF sends an analysis information request to each data source discovered / identified in step 3, i.e., to NWDAF 1 and NWDAF 2 in the example. This request instructs the data sources (one or more) (i.e., NWDAF 1 and NWDAF 2) to "aggregate metadata request", indicating that the output they provide needs to be aggregated by the central NWDAF, and therefore aggregated analysis metadata is also requested along with commonly used analysis output data.

[0148] 6-7. NWDAF responds with the requested output analysis and the aggregation analysis metadata information required for aggregation.

[0149] 8. The central NWDAF aggregates the received data, generating a single output analysis based on multiple analysis messages received from NWDAF 1 and NWDAF 2. In this example, the central NWDAF also considers its own analysis of TAI-n for aggregation.

[0150] 9. The central NWDAF responds to the NWDAF service consumer with the output analysis for the requested analysis ID.

[0151] In some embodiments, the enhancements described herein can provide improvements to the services, entities, and interfaces of a system (e.g., a 5G system). For example, in some embodiments, the described NWDAF can be enhanced by introducing an NWDAF that provides aggregated output analytics capabilities (referred to as a central NWDAF). Similarly, in some embodiments, the distributed NWDAF described herein can be configured to provide analytics metadata related to output analytics, which may be supported only by a subset of the distributed NWDAF.

[0152] In some embodiments, the NRF can be extended to the NFProfile of the central NWDAF to indicate "aggregator functionality," which improves analytics coverage and ensures that appropriate analytics are returned from data sources such as NFs, distributed NWDAFs, or central NWDAFs to NF consumers. In some embodiments, the NFProfile of the NWDAF is extended to indicate the "analysis metadata provisioning capability" of those NWDAFs that support such additional functionality.

[0153] As described above, a method, apparatus 200, and computer program product are disclosed to enhance data analysis methods for multiple NWDAF deployments.

[0154] As described above, a reference flowchart illustrates a method that can be executed by an apparatus according to a related computer program product including computer program code. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by various modules, such as hardware, firmware, processors, circuit systems, and / or other devices associated with the execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the processes described above can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, computer program instructions embodying the processes described above can be stored by a memory device (e.g., 204) of an apparatus employing embodiments of the present invention (e.g., 200) and executed by a processor (e.g., 202) of that apparatus. It is understood that any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine that causes the final computer or other programmable apparatus to perform the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can instruct the computer or other programmable apparatus to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of art, the execution of which performs the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. Computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable device, thereby producing a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable device, provide operations for performing the functions specified in the flowchart box.

[0155] Therefore, in those cases, a computer program product is defined in which computer program instructions (such as computer-readable program code portions) are stored by at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer program instructions (such as computer-readable program code portions) are configured to perform the aforementioned functions when executed. In other embodiments, the computer program instructions (such as computer-readable program code portions) do not need to be stored by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or otherwise embodied, but may be embodied by a transient medium, wherein the computer program instructions (such as computer-readable program code portions) are still configured to perform the aforementioned functions when executed.

[0156] Therefore, the boxes in a flowchart support combinations of modules for performing a specified function and combinations of operations for performing a specified function. It should also be understood that one or more boxes in a flowchart, as well as combinations of boxes in a flowchart, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based computer system or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions to perform the specified function.

[0157] In some embodiments, certain aspects of the above-described operations, methods, steps, processes, etc., may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations, methods, steps, processes, etc., may be included. Modifications, additions, subtractions, inverse operations, correlations, proportional relationships, disproportionate relationships, attenuations, and / or amplifications of the above-described operations can be performed in any order and in any combination. It should also be understood that in cases where specific hardware is required for a particular operation, method, step, process, etc., such hardware should be considered part of device 200 for any such embodiment. For example, as described above, when using GPS to determine the location of device 200, such suitable GPS modules and hardware should be considered part of device 200.

[0158] A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for enhancing data analytics in the deployment of multiple Network Data Analysis Functions (NWDAFs) in a communication system. One method may include receiving an analytics request from a network function consumer, the analytics request including an analytics identifier and a region of interest; causing a data source in the communication system to be determined, the data source being configured to serve a subset of the regions of interest for the analytics identifier. An analytics information request including an aggregation support indication may be sent to the data source to instruct the data source to return analytics to a central NWDAF, and metadata to support aggregation of analytics by the central NWDAF may be included. A network repository function (NRF) may be made to determine which of the multiple NWDAFs in the communication system is the central NWDAF based on whether the NWDAF has aggregation functionality.

[0159] According to a first embodiment, a method is provided, the method comprising: receiving an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; causing one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers; and sending an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning indication. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: causing a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: sending a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0160] According to a second embodiment, a method is provided, the method comprising: in response to receiving an analysis information request and / or an aggregation analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within the communication system at a data source within the communication system; determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and if the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning indication, generating an analysis output, the analysis output including analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function; and if the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for aggregation metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function, generating an analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further include sending the analysis output to a network data analysis function that initially sent the request for the analysis information. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured to be aggregated by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata used to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: the number of samples, the time period of the collected samples, a pointer to a data model, a pointer to a data lake, or a pointer to a storage function.

[0161] According to a third embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: receive an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; cause one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers; and send an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: cause a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, at least one memory and computer program code are further configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the means to: transmit a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0162] According to a fourth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: in response to receiving an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within a communication system at a data source within the communication system, determines whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning indication, generates analysis output, the analysis output including analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest. In some embodiments, at least one memory and computer program code are further configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: determine whether the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the aforementioned network data analysis function; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregation analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function, generate analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, at least one memory and computer program code are further configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: send the analysis output to the network data analysis function that initially sent the analysis information request. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured for aggregation by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata to support aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: number of samples, time period of the collected samples, pointer to a data model, pointer to a data lake, or pointer to a storage function.

[0163] According to a fifth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having thereon a portion of program code configured, when executed, to: receive an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; cause one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers; and send an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: cause a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: send a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0164] According to a sixth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to: in response to receiving an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request from a network data analysis function within a communication system at a data source within the communication system, determine whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning indication, generate analysis output, the analysis output including analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: determine whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function; and, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function, generate analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured to: send the analysis output to the network data analysis function that initially sent the analysis information request. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured to be aggregated by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: number of samples, time period of the collected samples, pointer to a data model, pointer to a data lake, or pointer to a storage function.

[0165] According to a seventh embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for receiving an analysis request from a network function consumer in a communication system, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; a module for causing one or more data sources in the communication system to be determined, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers; and a module for sending an analysis information request to the one or more data sources, the analysis information request including an aggregation support indication. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for causing a network repository function of the communication system to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of one or more regions of interest for at least one of the analysis identifiers. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network function. In some embodiments, the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for sending a discovery request to a network repository function, the discovery request being operable to cause the network repository function to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0166] According to an eighth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes an aggregation support indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, in response to receiving an analysis information request or an aggregated analysis metadata request at a data source within a communication system from a network data analysis function within the communication system, wherein the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for analysis or analysis metadata associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; and a module for generating analysis output, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes the aggregation support indication or the analysis metadata provisioning capability indication. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for determining whether the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function; and a module for generating analysis output if the analysis information request or the aggregated analysis metadata request includes a request for metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function, wherein the analysis output includes analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and the one or more regions of interest, and the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a module for sending the analysis output to the network data analysis function that initially sent the analysis information request. In some embodiments, the analysis output is configured to be aggregated by the network data analysis function with one or more other analysis outputs from one or more other data sources. In some embodiments, the metadata to support the aggregation of analysis by the network data analysis function includes one or more of the following: number of samples, time period of the collected samples, pointer to a data model, pointer to a data lake, or pointer to a storage function.

[0167] According to a ninth embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions, including an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, sending the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to the network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0168] According to a tenth embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions, including an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, sending the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning capability indication to the network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0169] According to the eleventh embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: maintaining a network feature profile associated with the network data analysis function, wherein the network feature profile includes an indication of the provisioning capability of analysis metadata, when a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis.

[0170] According to a twelfth embodiment, a method is provided, comprising: returning the analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer, provided that the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request, including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, to the network repository function or the network function consumer, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0171] According to a thirteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: includes an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: sends the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to a network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system, upon the network repository function receiving a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest.

[0172] According to a fourteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to include an analysis metadata provisioning indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, to send the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning indication to a network function consumer, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system, upon the network repository function receiving a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest.

[0173] According to a fifteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured together with the at least one processor such that the apparatus at least: maintains a network feature profile associated with a network data analysis function, the network feature profile including an indication of analysis metadata provisioning capability, provided that a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis.

[0174] According to a sixteenth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, such that the apparatus at least: returns the analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer, provided that the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request to the network repository function including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0175] According to a seventeenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to include an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function, provided that a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured, when executed, to send the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to a network function consumer, provided that the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, the region of interest not being served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0176] According to an eighteenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to include an analysis metadata provisioning indication in a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function, provided that a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the program code portion is further configured, when executed, to send the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning indication to a network function consumer, provided that the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, the region of interest not being served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system, upon the network repository function receiving such a request.

[0177] According to a nineteenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a portion of program code stored thereon, the program code portion being configured, when executed, to: maintain a network function profile associated with the network data analysis function, the network function profile including an indication of analysis metadata provisioning capability, provided that a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis.

[0178] According to a twentieth embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having thereon stored a portion of program code that, when executed, is configured to: return the analysis associated with the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer, provided that the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request to the network repository function including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0179] According to a twenty-first embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for including an aggregator function indication in a network function profile associated with a network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: a module for sending the network function profile including the aggregator function indication to a network function consumer when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0180] According to a twenty-second embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for including an analysis metadata provisioning indication in a network function profile associated with a network data analysis function when a network repository function in a communication system determines that a network data analysis function in the communication system is configured to aggregate analysis data from one or more network functions or one or more other network data analysis functions. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: a module for sending the network function profile including the analysis metadata provisioning indication to a network function consumer when the network repository function receives a request from a network function consumer for analysis data having a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is not served by one of a plurality of distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system.

[0181] According to the twenty-third embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for maintaining a network feature profile associated with a network data analysis function when a network repository function receives a registration request from a network data analysis function and the network repository function determines that the network data analysis function is configured to provide analysis metadata in addition to analysis, the network feature profile including an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication.

[0182] According to the twenty-fourth embodiment, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a module for returning an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest to the network repository function or the network function consumer when the network data analysis function has previously provided a registration request, including an aggregator function indication or an analysis metadata provisioning capability indication, to the network repository function or the network function consumer, and the network data analysis function receives an analysis request from the network repository function or the network function consumer for an analysis associated with one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

[0183] Benefiting from the teachings given in the foregoing description and related drawings, those skilled in the art will conceive of many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although the foregoing description and related drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of specific example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also contemplated, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes.

Claims

1. A method comprising: In a communication system, an analysis request is received from a network function consumer, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; For at least one of the analysis identifiers, one or more data sources in the communication system are discovered by determining them at the Network Repository Function (NRF) in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest; For each of the one or more data sources, a request for analysis information is sent for the analysis identifiers, the analysis information being associated with a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest, the request for analysis information including an analysis metadata request for requesting the provision of analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information; Receive analysis output from each of the one or more data sources, the analysis output including the requested analysis information and the analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information; as well as Based on each analysis output from the one or more data sources and each analysis metadata from the one or more data sources, generate analysis outputs for the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the discovery further comprises: This enables the NRF to identify one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of causing the NRF to determine the one or more data sources in the communication system further comprises: A discovery request is sent to the NRF, the discovery request being operable to enable the NRF to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more regions of interest.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more data sources include at least one network function.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function.

6. A method comprising: In response to a data source within the communication system, a request for analytical information is received from the network data analysis function within the communication system. This analytical information is associated with one or more regions of interest and one or more analytical identifiers. Determine whether the request for analysis information includes an analysis metadata request, the analysis metadata request being used to request the supply of analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information; If the request for analysis information includes the analysis metadata request, an analysis output is generated, the analysis output including the requested analysis information and the analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information; as well as The analysis output is sent to the network data analysis function, the analysis output including the requested analysis information and the analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the analytical metadata includes one or more of the following: number of samples, time period of the collected samples, pointer to the data model, pointer to the data lake, or pointer to the storage function.

8. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, said at least one memory and said computer program code being configured together with said at least one processor such that the device at least: In a communication system, an analysis request is received from a network function consumer, the analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest; For at least one of the analysis identifiers, one or more data sources in the communication system are discovered by determining them at the Network Repository Function (NRF) in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest; For each of the one or more data sources, a request for analysis information is sent for the analysis identifiers, the analysis information being associated with a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest, the request for analysis information including an analysis metadata request for requesting the provision of analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information; Receive analysis output from each of the one or more data sources, the analysis output including the requested analysis information and the analysis metadata related to the requested analysis information; as well as Based on each analysis output from the one or more data sources and each analysis metadata from the one or more data sources, generate analysis outputs for the one or more analysis identifiers and one or more regions of interest.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: This enables the NRF to identify one or more data sources in the communication system, the one or more data sources being configured to serve a specific subset of the one or more regions of interest.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: A discovery request is sent to the NRF, the discovery request being operable to enable the NRF to identify one or more distributed network data analysis functions in the communication system corresponding to the one or more regions of interest.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the one or more data sources include at least one network function.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the one or more data sources include at least one network data analysis function.

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