Network data analysis function selection

Abstract

A method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided for a network entity. The network entity receives an analysis request from a consumer, the analysis request indicating at least one analysis, and determines one or more network data analysis functions (NWDAFs) for the analysis request based on the at least one analysis indicated in the analysis request. The consumer sends an analysis request including one or more analysis identifiers to the network entity. The consumer receives a response to the analysis request from the network entity, the response including analysis outputs from one or more NWDAFs based on the analysis identifiers included in the analysis request. The NWDAF sends an analysis identifier registration to the network entity, the analysis identifier registration indicating one or more analyses supported by the NWDAF. Then, based on the NWDAF supporting the analysis in the analysis request, the NWDAF receives an analysis request from the consumer via the network entity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to communication systems that include one or more network data analysis functions (NWDAFs). Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0003] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at a city, country, region, or even global level. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continued mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., Internet of Things (IoT)) and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There is a need for further improvements to 5G NR technology. These improvements also apply to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the invention

[0004] A brief summary of one or more aspects is presented below in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects, nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description presented later.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In some aspects, the method may be performed by an apparatus at a network entity. The apparatus receives an analysis request from a consumer, the analysis request indicating at least one analysis; and based on the at least one analysis indicated in the analysis request, determines one or more network data analysis functions (NWDAFs) for the analysis request.

[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In some aspects, the method may be performed by an apparatus at a consumer. The apparatus transmits an analysis request to a network entity, the analysis request including at least one analysis identifier; and receives a response to the analysis request from the network entity, wherein the response includes an analysis output from one or more NWDAFs based on at least one analysis identifier included in the analysis request.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In some aspects, the method may be performed by an apparatus at a NWDAF. The apparatus transmits an analysis identifier registration from the NWDAF to a network entity, wherein the analysis identifier registration indicates one or more analyses supported by the NWDAF. Then, the apparatus receives an analysis request from a consumer via the network entity based on the NWDAF supporting the analysis in the analysis request.

[0008] To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects include features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative of only some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network in accordance with various aspects presented herein.

[0010] Figure 2 Aspects of data collection and delivery of analytical data in accordance with various aspects presented herein are shown.

[0011] Figure 3 An example communication flow between a consumer, a network entity, and a plurality of NWDAFs according to various aspects presented herein is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 An example communication flow between a consumer, a network entity, and multiple NWDAFs according to various aspects presented herein is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method at a network entity according to various aspects presented herein, the method including determining a NWDAF to perform an analysis request.

[0014] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method at a consumer according to various aspects presented herein, the method comprising an analysis request including an analysis identifier.

[0015] Figure 7is a flow chart of a wireless communication method at a NWDAF according to various aspects presented herein, the method including registering with a network entity indicating support for one or more analytics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, in order to avoid confusion with such concepts, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form.

[0017] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the detailed description below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0018] For example, an element or any part of an element or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system" including one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions described throughout the present disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can run software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other, software should be broadly interpreted as instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes, functions, etc.

[0019] Therefore, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, these functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium or encoded as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. As an example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, a combination of computer-readable media of the above types, or any other medium that may be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures accessible to a computer.

[0020] NWDAF is a core network entity that collects and analyzes data from network sources and outputs data analysis to consumers, such as Figure 2 Described in more detail. NWDAF provides data collection and data analysis in a centralized manner. The interaction between the consumer and the NWDAF can occur in the local PLMN (for example, the consumer network function (NF) and the NWDAF can belong to the same PLMN). The various aspects presented in this document implement support for multiple NWDAFs in the PLMN. Different NWDAFs can provide different types of analysis results. If multiple NWDAFs are deployed and support different data analysis, it may be challenging for consumers to select the appropriate NWDAF. The present disclosure provides a central entity that coordinates analysis requests from consumers, which can be executed by any of multiple NWDAFs, and enables consumers to obtain appropriate analysis information from various NWDAFs.

[0021] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100, which includes a core network 190 and a NWDAF selection entity 198, which is a central entity that coordinates requests for analysis information from one or more consumers 199 and multiple NWDAFs 191. The NWDAF selection entity 198 may be configured to receive an analysis request from a consumer, the analysis request indicating at least one analysis (e.g., an analysis ID and a location), and determine one or more NWDAFs 191 for the analysis request based on the at least one analysis indicated in the analysis request. The consumer 199 may be configured to transmit an analysis request including at least one analysis ID. The request may also include a location corresponding to the requested analysis ID. The consumer 199 may receive a response to the analysis request from the NWDAF selection entity 198, the response including an analysis output from one or more NWDAFs 191 based on at least one analysis identifier included in the analysis request. The NWDAF 191 may be configured to register with the NWDAF selection entity 198 and provide supported analysis IDs and corresponding regions.

[0022] The wireless communication system 100 (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a UE 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include a macro cell (a high-power cellular base station) and / or a small cell (a low-power cellular base station). A macro cell includes a base station. A small cell includes a femto cell, a pico cell, and a micro cell.

[0023] The base station 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). The base station 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with the core network 190 via a second backhaul link 184. Among other functions, the base station 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: delivery of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (eg, through the EPC 160 or the core network 190) via a third backhaul link 134 (eg, an X2 interface). The third backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0024] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which may provide services to a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include an uplink (UL) (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may be through one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 may use a spectrum of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation for transmission in each direction with a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers). The carriers may be adjacent to each other or not. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL ​​than for UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell), and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0025] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0026] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 in a 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum via a communication link 154. When communicating in an unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0027] The small cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' can adopt NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' adopting NR in the unlicensed spectrum can expand the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0028] The base station 102, whether a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), can include and / or be referred to as an eNB, a gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations (such as gNB 180) can operate in the traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and / or near millimeter wave frequencies for communicating with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates at or near millimeter wave frequencies, the gNB 180 can be referred to as a millimeter wave base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in the frequency band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near millimeter waves can extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz, where the wavelength is 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and is also called centimeter waves. Communications using millimeter wave / near millimeter wave radio frequency (RF) bands (e.g., 3 GHz–300 GHz) have extremely high path loss and short range. The millimeter wave base station 180 can utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. The base station 180 and the UE 104 can each include multiple antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays, to facilitate beamforming.

[0029] The base station 180 may transmit beamformed signals in one or more transmit directions 182' to the UE 104. The UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from the base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182". The UE 104 may also transmit beamformed signals to the base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. The base station 180 may receive beamformed signals from the UE 104 in one or more receive directions. The base station 180 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of the base station 180 may be the same, or may be different. The transmit and receive directions of the UE 104 may be the same, or may be different.

[0030] The EPC 160 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172. The MME 162 may communicate with a home subscriber server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Typically, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through the serving gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN gateway 172. The PDN gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to IP services 176. The IP services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area that broadcasts a specific service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting charging information related to eMBMS.

[0031] The core network 190 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a session management function (SMF) 194, and a user plane function (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with a unified data management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and the core network 190. Typically, AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 is connected to IP services 197. IP services 197 may include the Internet, intranet, IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), packet switching (PS) stream (PSS) services, and / or other IP services.

[0032] Base stations may include and / or be referred to as gNBs, Node Bs, eNBs, access points, base transceiver stations, radio base stations, radio transceivers, transceiver functions, basic service sets (BSSs), extended service sets (ESSs), transmission reception points (TRPs), or some other suitable terminology. Base stations 102 provide access points to EPC 160 or core network 190 for UEs 104. Examples of UEs 104 include cellular phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0033] Although the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0034] Figure 2An example system 200 is shown that includes a NWDAF 204 that collects and analyzes data from network sources and outputs data analysis to consumers. The NWDAF is a core network function that provides data collection and data analysis in a centralized manner. For example, the NWDAF may be a Figure 1 The NWDAF may be a network entity associated with the core network 190 in the network. The NWDAF may provide network analysis information based on requests from users (such as network functions, application functions, operations and management (OAM), PCF, NSSF, etc.). As an example, the PCF may use the analysis data in policy decisions. As another example, the NSSF may use the load level analysis information provided by the NWDAF for slice selection. As an example, the NWDAF may be used for analysis of one or more network slices.

[0035] For example, a network function (NF) can request specific analytical information about the load level of a specific network slice. Alternatively, the NF can be notified by the NWDAF using a subscription service if the load level of a network slice changes or reaches a specific threshold. NF and OAM can request and use the data analysis provided by NWDAF to improve network performance. NWDAF can provide analysis of, for example, QoS, traffic steering, dimensioning, security, etc.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, NWDAF can collect data from multiple sources including, for example, NF 206 and application function (AF) 208, OAM 212, unified data repository (UDR) 210, etc. Examples of NFs that can provide data include AMFs (such as Figure 1 AMF192 in), SMF (such as Figure 1 The NWDAF 204 performs analysis on the collected data and outputs the analysis data in response to a consumer request. The consumers of the data may include, for example, NF 206, AF 208, OAM 212, PCF, NSSF, etc. The NWDAF may be controlled by a network operator. The interaction between the consumer and the NWDAF may occur in a local PLMN (e.g., NF and NWDAF belong to the same PLMN).

[0037] Various aspects presented herein enable support for multiple NWDAFs in a PLMN. Different NWDAFs may provide different types of analysis results. If multiple NWDAFs are deployed and support different data analysis, it may be challenging for consumers to select the appropriate NWDAF. Figure 3An example system is shown that includes a central entity 304 that coordinates analysis requests from consumers, which can be performed by any of multiple NWDAFs in, for example, a PLMN. The central entity can be a network entity of the core network. The central entity may include a network reporting function (NRF). The AMF may use the NRF to query the SMF for information about the slice. The NRF can assist in network selection. As presented herein, the NRF may also act as a central entity to coordinate the direction of analysis requests from consumers 302 to one or more NWDAFs 306, 308, 310, and provide analysis outputs from each NWDAF back to the consumer 302. In another example, the central entity 304 may include a centralized NWDAF that coordinates the direction of analysis requests from consumers to other NWDAFs 306, 308, and 310, and provides corresponding outputs back to the consumer 302.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, each of the NWDAF2 306, 308, 310 can be registered with the central entity 304. The registration can include information about supported analytics. Figure 3 In the first message (1) of , NWDAF sends an analysis ID registration to central entity 304. The analysis ID registration may indicate one or more analysis identifiers (IDs) supported by NWDAF 306 and supported areas. For example, the supported areas may indicate a list of network areas, tracking areas, or a list of cells supported by NWDAF 306. In some examples, NWDAF 306 may provide central entity 304 with a list of analysis IDs supported by NWDAF 306. Central entity 304 may store information about which analysis IDs are supported by different NWDAFs. Central entity 304 may also store the corresponding supported areas for the supported analysis IDs.

[0039] Consumer 302 sends an analysis request (e.g., the analysis request in message (2)) to central entity 304. The analysis request from the consumer may include an analysis ID and a corresponding location. In addition to including a single analysis ID, the analysis request from the consumer may include multiple analysis IDs and corresponding locations.

[0040] The central entity performs an internal query to determine an NWDAF that supports the requested analysis ID for the indicated location (e.g., within a supported region). The central entity then sends an analysis request to the determined NWDAF. The request message may indicate the analysis IDs supported by the NWDAF, e.g., without additional information about the consumer. The central entity 304 may determine an NWDAF served by the central entity (e.g., which has registered with the central entity) that is associated with the analysis ID included in the analysis request message (e.g., which has registered support for a particular analysis ID).

[0041] If the analysis request from the consumer includes more than one analysis ID, the central entity 304 may send corresponding requests to different NWDAFs for different analysis IDs. Figure 3 As shown, central entity 304 sends a first analysis request to NWDAF 308 (e.g., based on the consumer including a first analysis ID and a location in the analysis request). Central entity 304 also sends a second analysis request to NWDAF 310 (e.g., based on the consumer including a second analysis ID and a location in the analysis request). NWDAF 308 and NWDAF 310 return analysis responses with output analyses based on the corresponding requests to central entity 304. Central entity 304 collects each response from NWDAF and sends the response to consumer 302. The responses may be sent by central entity 304 in a combined output, or may be provided separately by central entity 304 to consumer 302. Although in Figure 3 A single consumer 302 is shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate the concept, but the central entity may receive analysis requests from any number of consumers. A consumer may correspond to a combination of Figure 2 Examples for discussion.

[0042] Figure 4 is another example communication flow diagram 400 of communications between a consumer 402, an NWDAF selection entity 404, and a plurality of NWDAFs 406 and 408. The consumer 402 may be a combination of Figure 2 or Figure 3 Any example of a consumer of analytical data described. The NWDAF selection entity 404 may correspond to Figure 3 The NWDAF 406 and 408 send the analysis ID registration information to the NWDAF selection entity 404. Registration may include combining Figure 3 The consumer 402 sends a message to the NWDAF selection entity 404 including, for example, the information described in message (1) in FIG. 4 (e.g., one or more supported analysis IDs and supported regions). Figure 3407 and an analysis request 407 for one or more analysis IDs and location information as discussed. NWDAF selection entity 404 uses the received registration information (e.g., received in 403 and 405) to match the analysis ID in request 407 with one or more NWDAFs. For example, if request 407 includes a single analysis ID, NWDAF selection entity 404 may identify NWDAF 406 as supporting analysis IDs for the region including the location identified in request 407. NWDAF selection entity 404 may send analysis request 409 indicating the analysis ID to NWDAF 406. If request 407 includes more than one analysis ID, at least one of which is not supported by NWDAF 406, NWDAF selection entity 404 may match the analysis ID with NWDAF 408 and may send a second analysis request 411 indicating a second analysis ID. As shown at 413, NWDAF 406 may respond with the requested analysis information corresponding to the first analysis ID. As shown at 415, NWDAF 408 may respond with the requested analytics information corresponding to the second analytics ID. NWDAF selection entity 404 may collect analytics information for different analytics IDs received from NWDAFs 406 and 408 and provide analytics output to consumer 402 in response 417. Although shown as a single response 417, in other examples, NWDAF selection entity 404 may provide analytics output for different analytics IDs and / or from different NWDAFs separately. Figure 4 A single consumer 402 and two NWDAFs are shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate the present concept, but according to aspects presented herein, a central entity may receive analysis requests from any number of consumers and may coordinate analysis information from any number of NWDAFs.

[0043] Figure 5 5 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network entity or a component of a network entity (e.g., NWDAF selection entity 198 or 404, central entity 304; or a processing system, which may include a memory and may be an entire network entity or a component of a network entity, such as a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and / or a controller / processor). Optional aspects are shown with dashed lines.

[0044] At 504, the network entity receives an analysis request from a consumer, the analysis request indicating at least one analysis. A consumer may include a core network entity, an application function, an original equipment manufacturer, etc. A consumer may correspond to Figure 3 or 402 in the analysis request. The analysis in the request may be indicated by at least one analysis identifier included in the analysis request. The request may also include location information. The analysis request may include combining Figure 3Consumer 302 and / or Figure 4 The aspects described in the analysis request of consumer 402.

[0045] At 506, the network entity determines one or more NWDAFs for the analysis request based on at least one analysis indicated in the analysis request. The network entity may determine one or more NWDAFs for the analysis request based on a combination of Figure 3 The network entity may identify or otherwise determine the NWDAF to perform the analysis request according to the aspects described in or 4. The analysis request may include multiple analysis identifiers, for example, a first analysis identifier and a second analysis identifier. The network entity may determine the first NWDAF based on the first analysis identifier and determine the second NWDAF based on the second analysis identifier.

[0046] At 504, the network entity forwards the analysis request to the determined NWDAF. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As described, a network entity may identify a NWDAF that supports an analysis identifier included in a request, and may forward a request to the NWDAF. The request may include multiple analysis identifiers, and the network entity may forward the analysis request to a single NWDAF that supports multiple analysis identifiers. Alternatively or additionally, the network entity may forward a first analysis request to a first NWDAF based on a first NWDAF that supports a first analysis identifier that is the basis for the first request, and may forward a second analysis request to a second NWDAF that supports a second analysis identifier that is the basis for the second request.

[0047] At 506, the network entity may receive an analysis response from each of the one or more NWDAFs. For example, a single NWDAF may return a single analysis response. A single NWDAF may return multiple analysis responses, for example, if the NWDAF supports multiple analysis identifiers. The network entity may receive analysis responses from multiple NWDAFs. For example, the network entity may receive a first analysis response from a first NWDAF and a second analysis response from a second NWDAF. The exchange of requests and / or responses between the network entity and the NWDAFs may include combining Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 Any aspects of any one of the descriptions.

[0048] The network entity may provide the analysis response to the consumer, as shown at 506. For example, the network entity may provide the consumer with a first analysis response from a first NWDAF and a second analysis response from a second NWDAF.

[0049] As shown at 502, the network entity may receive analysis identifier registrations from one or more NWDAFs prior to receiving an analysis request from a consumer at 604. The network entity may also determine one or more NWDAFs for the analysis request based on the analysis identifier registrations from the one or more NWDAFs at 506. For example, the network entity may receive multiple analysis identifier registrations from multiple NWDAFs, for example at 502, and may determine one or more NWDAFs from the multiple NWDAFs based on matching corresponding analysis identifiers in the analysis request with supported analysis identifiers of one or more NWDAFs from the analysis identifier registrations of the one or more NWDAFs at 506. Each analysis identifier registration from the NWDAF may include one or more analysis identifiers for analyses supported by the NWDAF.

[0050] The analysis identifier registration received from the NWDAF at 502 may also include support areas of one or more NWDAFs. The analysis request received from the consumer at 504 may also include a location. At 506, the network entity may also determine one or more NWDAFs for the analysis request based on the location included in the analysis request and the support areas of the one or more NWDAFs.

[0051] The foregoing Figure 5 Each box in the flowchart and / or Figure 3 The central entity 304 and / or Figure 4 The various aspects performed by the NWDAF selection entity 404 in the embodiment may be performed by components of a network device, which may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, the stated process / algorithm is implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0052] In one configuration, a network entity for wireless communication includes a Figure 5 The aforementioned means may be a device configured to perform the functions listed in the aforementioned means and / or one or more aforementioned components of a processing system of such a device. The processing system may include a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and a controller / processor. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be a memory and a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and a controller / processor configured to perform the functions listed in the aforementioned means.

[0053] Figure 6600 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a consumer or a component of a consumer (e.g., consumer 199, 302, or 402; or a processing system, which may include a memory and may be the entire consumer or a component of a consumer, such as a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and / or a controller / processor). A consumer may include a core network entity, an application function, or an original equipment manufacturer. Optional aspects are shown with dashed lines.

[0054] At 602, a consumer sends an analysis request to a network entity, the analysis request including at least one analysis identifier. The network entity may correspond to Figure 3 The central entity 304 or NWDAF in the selection entity 404. The analysis request may also include a location. The network entity may include a central NWDAF. The network entity may include a network reporting function.

[0055] At 604, the consumer receives a response to the analysis request from the network entity, wherein the response includes analysis output from one or more NWDAFs based on at least one analysis identifier included in the analysis request. For example, the response received from the network entity may include results from an NWDAF selected by the network entity to perform, for example, Figures 4 to 6 Any of the analyses described in .

[0056] The analysis request sent at 602 may include a first analysis identifier and a second analysis identifier. At 604, the consumer may receive from the network entity a first analysis output from a first NWDAF supporting the first analysis identifier and a second analysis output from a second NWDAF supporting the second analysis identifier.

[0057] The analysis request sent at 602 may also include a location, and analysis outputs may be received based on results from one or more NWDAFs selected by the network entity further based on the location and the regions supported by the one or more NWDAFs.

[0058] The foregoing Figure 6 Each box in the flowchart and / or Figure 3 Consumer 302 and / or Figure 4 The various aspects performed by the consumer 402 in the embodiment may be performed by components of a network device, which may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the claimed process / algorithm, the claimed process / algorithm is implemented by a processor configured to perform the claimed process / algorithm, stored in a computer readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0059] In one configuration, a network entity for wireless communication includes a Figure 6 The aforementioned components may be one or more of the aforementioned components of a device and / or a processing system of such a device configured to perform the functions listed in the aforementioned components. The processing system may include a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and a controller / processor. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned components may be a memory and a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and a controller / processor configured to perform the functions listed in the aforementioned components.

[0060] Figure 7 700 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a NWDAF or a component of the NWDAF (e.g., NWDAF 191, 306, 308, 310, 406, 408 or a processing system, which may include a memory and may be the entire NWDAF or a component of the NWDAF, such as a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and / or a controller / processor). Optional aspects are shown in dashed lines.

[0061] At 702, the NWDAF sends an analysis identifier registration from the NWDAF to a network entity, wherein the analysis identifier registration indicates one or more analyses supported by the NWDAF. The analyses supported by the NWDAF are indicated by one or more analysis IDs. The analysis identifier registration may also indicate a region supported by the NWDAF. In some examples, the network entity may include a central NWDAF. In some examples, the network entity may include a network reporting function. The network entity may correspond to Figure 3 The central entity 304 or the NWDAF selection entity 404 in.

[0062] At 704, based on the NWDAF supporting the analysis in the analysis request, the NWDAF receives an analysis request from a consumer via a network entity. The consumer may include a core network entity, an application function, or an original equipment manufacturer. The consumer may correspond to Figure 3 Or the consumer 302 or 402 in 4. The analysis request from the consumer may also be received via the network entity based on the NWDAF supporting an area corresponding to the location in the analysis request.

[0063] As shown at 706, in response to the analysis request, the NWDAF may provide the network entity with an analysis response for the consumer. The request and report in blocks 704 and 706 may be included in Figure 3 or Figure 4 Aspects of the communications exchanged between the NWDAF and central entities in the.

[0064] Figure 7 Each of the blocks in the foregoing flowchart and / or by Figure 3 NWDAF 306, 308, or 310 and / or Figure 4 Various aspects of the NWDAF 406 or 408 execution in the network device may be performed by components of the network device, which may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, the stated process / algorithm is implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0065] In one configuration, a network entity for wireless communication includes a Figure 7 The aforementioned components may be one or more of the aforementioned components of a device and / or a processing system of such a device configured to perform the functions listed in the aforementioned components. The processing system may include a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and a controller / processor. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned components may be a memory and a transmitting processor, a receiving processor, and a controller / processor configured to perform the functions listed in the aforementioned components.

[0066] The following examples are merely illustrative, and aspects thereof may be combined with other embodiments or aspects of the teachings described herein without limitation.

[0067] Example 1 is a method of wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: receiving an analysis request from a consumer, the analysis request indicating at least one analysis; and determining one or more network data analysis functions (NWDAFs) for the analysis request based on the at least one analysis indicated in the analysis request.

[0068] In Example 2, the method of Example 1 further includes: at least one analysis is indicated by at least one analysis identifier included in the analysis request.

[0069] In Example 3, the method of Example 1 or Example 2 further includes: forwarding the analysis request to the determined one or more NWDAFs; receiving an analysis response from each of the one or more NWDAFs; and providing the analysis response to the consumer.

[0070] In Example 4, the method of any one of Examples 1-3 further includes: the analysis request including a first analysis identifier and a second analysis identifier, and wherein the network entity determines the first NWDAF based on the first analysis identifier and determines the second NWDAF based on the second analysis identifier.

[0071] In Example 5, the method of any of Examples 1-4 further includes: the network entity receiving a first analysis response from the first NWDAF and a second analysis response from the second NWDAF, and wherein the network entity provides the first analysis response and the second analysis response to the consumer.

[0072] In Example 6, the method of any one of Examples 1-5 further includes receiving an analysis identifier registration from one or more NWDAFs before receiving the analysis request from the consumer, wherein determining the one or more NWDAFs for the analysis request is further based on the analysis identifier registration from the one or more NWDAFs.

[0073] In Example 7, the method of any one of Examples 1-6 also includes: the network entity receives multiple analysis identifier registrations from multiple NWDAFs, and wherein the network entity determines one or more NWDAFs from the multiple NWDAFs based on matching the corresponding analysis identifier in the analysis request with the supported analysis identifiers of one or more NWDAFs from the analysis identifier registrations of the one or more NWDAFs.

[0074] In Example 8, the method of any one of Examples 1-7 further includes each analysis identifier registration from the NWDAF including one or more analysis identifiers of analyses supported by the NWDAF.

[0075] In Example 9, the method of any one of Examples 1-8 further includes analyzing the identifier registration to further include one or more supported regions of the NWDAF.

[0076] In Example 10, the method of any one of Examples 1-9 further includes: the analysis request further including a location, and wherein the network entity further determines the one or more NWDAFs for the analysis request based on the location included in the analysis request and the supported areas of the one or more NWDAFs.

[0077] In Example 11, the method of any one of Examples 1-10 further includes the network entity comprising a central NWDAF.

[0078] In Example 12, the method of any one of Examples 1-11 further includes: the network entity includes a network reporting function.

[0079] In Example 13, the method of any of Examples 1-12 further includes: the consumer includes one of: a core network entity, an application function, or an original equipment manufacturer.

[0080] Example 14 is a device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the one or more memories storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the device to implement the method of any of Examples 1-13.

[0081] Example 15 is a system or apparatus including components for implementing a method as in any of Examples 1-13 or implementing an apparatus as in any of Examples 1-13.

[0082] Example 16 is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of Examples 1-13.

[0083] Example 17 is a method of wireless communication at a consumer location, comprising: sending an analysis request to a network entity, the analysis request including at least one analysis identifier; and receiving a response to the analysis request from the network entity, wherein the response includes analysis output from one or more network data analysis functions (NWDAFs) based on at least one analysis identifier included in the analysis request.

[0084] In Example 18, the method of Example 17 further includes: the analysis request includes a first analysis identifier and a second analysis identifier, and wherein the consumer receives, from the network entity, a first analysis output from a first NWDAF supporting the first analysis identifier and a second analysis output from a second NWDAF supporting the second analysis identifier.

[0085] In Example 19, the method of Example 17 or Example 18 further comprises: the analysis request further comprises a location, and wherein the analysis output is further from the one or more NWDAFs based on the location and the regions supported by the one or more NWDAFs.

[0086] In Example 20, the method of any one of Examples 17-19 further includes: the network entity includes a central NWDAF.

[0087] In Example 21, the method of any one of Examples 17-20 further includes: the network entity includes a network reporting function.

[0088] In Example 22, the method of any of Examples 17-21 further includes: the consumer includes one of: a core network entity, an application function, or an original equipment manufacturer.

[0089] Example 23 is a device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the one or more memories storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the device to implement the method of any of Examples 17-22.

[0090] Example 24 is a system or apparatus including components for implementing a method as in any of Examples 17-22 or implementing an apparatus as in any of Examples 17-22.

[0091] Example 25 is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of Examples 17-22.

[0092] Example 26 is a method of wireless communication at a network data analysis function NWDAF, comprising: sending an analysis identifier registration from the NWDAF to a network entity, wherein the analysis identifier registration indicates one or more analyses supported by the NWDAF; and receiving an analysis request from a consumer via the network entity based on the analysis in the analysis request supported by the NWDAF.

[0093] In Example 27, the method of Example 26 further includes indicating, by one or more analysis identifiers (IDs), one or more analyses supported by the NWDAF.

[0094] In Example 28, the method of Example 26 or Example 27 further includes providing an analysis response for the consumer to the network entity in response to the analysis request.

[0095] In Example 29, the method of any one of Examples 26-28 further comprises analyzing the identifier registration to further indicate a region supported by the NWDAF.

[0096] In Example 30, the method of any one of Examples 26-29 further includes receiving, via the network entity, the analysis request from the consumer further based on the NWDAF supporting a region corresponding to the location in the analysis request.

[0097] In Example 31, the method of any one of Examples 26-30 further includes: the network entity includes a central NWDAF.

[0098] In Example 32, the method of any one of Examples 26-31 further includes: the network entity includes a network reporting function.

[0099] In Example 33, the method of any of Examples 26-32 further includes: the consumer includes one of: a core network entity, an application function, or an original equipment manufacturer.

[0100] Example 34 is a device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the one or more memories storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the device to implement the method of any of Examples 26-33.

[0101] Example 35 is a system or apparatus including components for implementing a method as in any of Examples 26-33 or implementing an apparatus as in any of Examples 26-33.

[0102] Example 36 is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of Examples 26-33.

[0103] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is an illustration of an example method. Based on design preferences, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the process / flowchart can be rearranged. In addition, some blocks can be combined or omitted. The attached method claims present the elements of the various blocks in an example order, but are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0104] The preceding description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the various modifications to these aspects, and the general principles defined herein may be applicable to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but to conform to the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein, unless otherwise stated, references to singular elements are not intended to represent "one and only one", but to represent "one or more". The term "exemplary" used herein means "used as an example, instance or illustration". Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other aspects. Unless otherwise stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B and C" and "A, B, C or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure that are known or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly stated in the claims. The words "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," and the like are not intended to replace the word "component." Therefore, no claim element is to be interpreted as a component plus function unless the element is expressly stated using the phrase "component for..."

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication at a network entity included in a wireless network, comprising: receiving, at the network entity, an analysis request from a consumer of the wireless network, the analysis request including a first analysis identifier and a second analysis identifier; determining a first network data analysis function NWDAF based on the first analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request, and determining a second NWDAF based on the second analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request; forwarding requests from the network entity to a plurality of NWDAFs, wherein the network entity forwards a first request to the first NWDAF based on the first analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request and forwards a second request to the second NWDAF based on the second analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request; receiving a plurality of analysis responses including an analysis response from each of the plurality of NWDAFs, including receiving a first analysis response from the first NWDAF and receiving a second analysis response from the second NWDAF; combining the plurality of analysis responses into a combined analysis response, wherein the network entity provides the combined analysis response to the consumer based on a combination of the first analysis response received by the network entity from the first NWDAF and the second analysis response received by the network entity from the second NWDAF; as well as The combined analytical response based on a combination of the first analytical response received from the first NWDAF and the second analytical response received from the second NWDAF is provided to the consumer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Prior to receiving the analytics request from the consumer, an analytics identifier registration is received from one or more NWDAFs, wherein the plurality of NWDAFs are determined for the analytics request further based on the analytics identifier registrations from the one or more NWDAFs.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: The network entity receives a plurality of analysis identifier registrations from the plurality of NWDAFs, and wherein the network entity determines the plurality of NWDAFs from the plurality of NWDAFs based on matching corresponding analysis identifiers in analysis requests with supported analysis identifiers of corresponding NWDAFs from the plurality of NWDAFs.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein: Each analysis identifier registration from the NWDAF includes one or more analysis identifiers of analyses supported by the NWDAF.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein: The analysis identifier registry also includes supported regions for each of the plurality of NWDAFs.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: The analysis request further includes a location, and wherein the network entity determines the plurality of NWDAFs for the analysis request further based on the location included in the analysis request and supported regions of the plurality of NWDAFs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: The network entities include a central NWDAF.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein: The network entity comprises a network reporting function.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: The consumer of the wireless network includes one of the following: Core network entities, Application functionality, or Original Equipment Manufacturer.

10. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity included in a wireless network, comprising: means for receiving, at the network entity, an analysis request from a consumer of the wireless network, the analysis request comprising a first analysis identifier and a second analysis identifier; means for determining a first network data analysis function NWDAF based on the first analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request, and determining a second NWDAF based on the second analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request; means for forwarding requests from the network entity to a plurality of NWDAFs, wherein the network entity forwards a first request to the first NWDAF based on the first analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request and forwards a second request to the second NWDAF based on the second analysis identifier indicated in the analysis request; means for receiving a plurality of analysis responses including an analysis response from each of the plurality of NWDAFs, including receiving a first analysis response from the first NWDAF and receiving a second analysis response from the second NWDAF; means for combining the plurality of analysis responses into a combined analysis response, wherein the network entity provides the combined analysis response to the consumer based on a combination of the first analysis response received by the network entity from the first NWDAF and the second analysis response received by the network entity from the second NWDAF; as well as Means for providing the consumer with the combined analytical response based on a combination of the first analytical response received from the first NWDAF and the second analytical response received from the second NWDAF.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for performing the method of any one of claims 2-9.

12. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity included in a wireless network, comprising: Memory; and At least one processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1-9.

13. A computer-readable medium storing computer executable codes, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

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