Network management service architecture and service method for realizing digital twin service, and storage medium

By building a network management service architecture for the communication network management system and digital twin control system, the problem that the existing network digital twin platform is not suitable for 3GPP network management is solved, the virtual-reality interaction between the digital twin service and the physical communication network is realized, the management needs of network operation and maintenance solution verification are met, and the efficiency of network optimization and fault prediction is improved.

WO2025194755A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-09-25ZTE CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2024/125323
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-20
Filing Date
2024-10-16
Publication Date
2025-09-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing network digital twin platforms are not applicable to 3GPP network management technology, making it difficult to achieve flexible management and orchestration of physical networks and unable to meet the needs of digital twin applications.

Method used

A network management service architecture is provided, including a communication network management system and a digital twin control system. By obtaining network management service demand information, the digital twin management service demand is determined, and the physical communication network is managed under the management of the digital twin control system, thereby realizing the virtual-reality interaction between the digital twin service and the physical communication network.

Benefits of technology

It enables flexible management and orchestration of physical communication networks, meets the management needs of digital twin technology in network operation and maintenance solution verification, and improves the efficiency of applications such as network optimization and fault prediction.

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Abstract

The present application provides a network management service architecture and service method for realizing a digital twin service, and a storage medium. The network management service architecture for realizing a digital twin service comprises a communication network management system and a digital twin control system; the communication network management system is configured to acquire network management service requirement information, determine a digital twin management service requirement on a digital twin object of a physical communication network on the basis of the network management service requirement information, and send the digital twin management service requirement to the digital twin control system, so as to manage the digital twin object by means of the digital twin management service provided by the digital twin control system; and the digital twin control system is configured to execute the management of the digital twin object of the physical communication network on the basis of the digital twin management service requirement of the communication network management system on the digital twin object.
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Description

Network management service architecture, service methods, and storage media for implementing digital twin services Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication networks, and specifically to a network management service architecture, service method, and storage medium for implementing digital twin services. Background Art

[0002] Digital Twins (DTs) are a technology that is gaining increasing attention in relation to system automation. A digital twin object is a virtual replica of a real-world system—a “physical” system—on which operations can be performed.

[0003] In the field of telecommunications standards research, the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) has defined a digital twin network reference architecture and related requirements that can be used for physical network simulation. However, there is no solution for how to build a network digital twin instance consisting of available components, topologies, and capabilities as a flexible virtual mirror of the physical network.

[0004] In the communications industry, digital twin-based technologies are used for data collection and element model creation. Fixed network digital twin platforms can be designed to meet digital twin applications, such as simulation. However, these platforms have fixed network elements, topologies, and functions, making them difficult to orchestrate and manage, making them difficult to adapt to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network management technologies.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a network management service architecture, service method and storage medium for implementing digital twin services, realizing the virtual-reality interaction between digital twin services and physical communication networks, and better meeting the management needs of verifying network operation and maintenance solutions for digital twin technology.

[0007] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services, including: a communication network management system and a digital twin control system; the communication network management system is configured to obtain network management service demand information, determine the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network based on the network management service demand information, and send the digital twin management service demand to the digital twin control system to manage the digital twin object through the digital twin management service provided by the digital twin control system; the digital twin control system is configured to perform management of the digital twin object of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service demand of the communication network management system for the digital twin object.

[0008] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network management service method for implementing a digital twin service, which is applied to the network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service in the first aspect, and the method includes:

[0009] The communication network management system obtains network management service demand information, and determines the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network based on the network management service demand information; the communication network management system sends the digital twin management service demand to the digital twin control system; the digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin object of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network.

[0010] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a non-volatile storage medium, which includes a stored program. When the program is running, it executes a network management service method for implementing a digital twin service in any implementation method of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the "three-layer, three-domain, dual-closed-loop" architecture of the digital twin network;

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the classification of digital twin network models;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the classification of digital twin network function models;

[0014] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] FIG5 is a flowchart of a network management service method for implementing a digital twin service provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG6 is an interactive flow chart for creating a digital twin object instance in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] FIG7 is an interactive flow chart for updating a digital twin object instance in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] FIG8 is an interactive flowchart of a digital twin management service and an instance deactivation process in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG9 is an interactive flowchart of a digital twin management service and an instance deletion process in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] FIG10 is an interactive flow chart for selecting a created digital twin object instance to perform a digital twin management service task in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG11 is an interactive flow chart of performing strategy optimization through a digital twin control system when a network strategy fails to perform as expected in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 12 is an interactive flowchart of the network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which the network strategy does not run as expected in the network, and the strategy optimization is performed through the 3GPP management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the absence of conflict, the embodiments in this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

[0024] A digital twin network (DTN) is a network system that digitally creates virtual twins of physical network entities and can interact with them in real time. A digital twin network can be designed as shown in Figure 1, which shows the "three-layer, three-domain, dual-closed-loop" architecture of a digital twin network. The three layers refer to the physical network layer, the twin network layer, and the network application layer that make up the digital twin network system. The three domains refer to the twin network layer's data domain, model domain, and management domain, corresponding to the data sharing warehouse, service mapping model, and network twin management subsystems, respectively. The "dual closed-loop" refers to the "inner closed-loop" simulation and optimization based on the service mapping model within the twin network layer, and the "outer closed-loop" control, feedback, and optimization of network applications based on the three-layer architecture.

[0025] The following three types of interfaces are required to build a DTN system:

[0026] (1) Twin Southbound Interface: This includes the data acquisition interface and control delivery interface between the twin network layer and the physical network layer. The data acquisition interface is responsible for completing data acquisition in the twin network layer data sharing warehouse, and the control delivery interface is responsible for delivering control instructions after service mapping model simulation verification to the network elements of the physical network layer.

[0027] (2) Twin northbound interface: This includes the intent translation interface and capability call interface between the network application layer and the twin network layer. The network application layer can pass the application layer intent to the twin network layer through the intent translation interface, providing abstract demand input for the functional model.

[0028] (3) Twin internal interface: including a cluster of interfaces such as the interface between the internal data warehouse and the functional model of the twin network layer, the interface between the functional model and the digital twin management, and the interface between functional models.

[0029] To virtually map the physical network to the digital twin network, it's necessary to first define the digital twin network model that maps the physical network. The DTN service mapping model consists of two categories: basic models and functional models, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the digital twin network model classification.

[0030] (1) Basic model

[0031] The foundational model is a virtual twin of the physical network, built based on information such as network element functional configuration, operating status, network topology, network traffic, and network performance. It is used to accurately describe the physical network. The foundational model includes the network element model and the network topology model.

[0032] The network element model is a model of physical network devices, such as server models, switch models, and firewall models, to achieve twinning of physical network elements. The network topology model is used to represent the physical network topology and the network traffic and performance status based on the topology.

[0033] (2) Functional model

[0034] A functional model is a model that implements specific functions for a specific application scenario. Functional models can be constructed and extended across multiple dimensions. Combining these dimensions creates data models tailored to specific scenarios. For example, a traffic balancing optimization model can be built on core switches in a data center network. Functional models are instantiated and applied to the base model.

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the classification of digital twin network functional models.

[0036] Figure 4 is a structural diagram of a network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in this embodiment includes: a communication network management system 41 and a digital twin control system 42.

[0037] The communication network management system 41 is configured to obtain network management service demand information and manage the digital twin objects of the physical communication network 43 through the digital twin management service provided by the digital twin control system 42; the digital twin control system 42 is configured to perform management of the digital twin object instances of the physical communication network 43 based on the digital twin management service requirements of the communication network management system 41 for the digital twin objects.

[0038] Communication network management system 41 can obtain network management service demand information from communication service provider (or operator) 44. Physical communication network 43 is deployed and operated by communication service provider 44, so communication service provider 44 manages physical communication network 43 through communication network management system 41. Communication network management system 41 can be, for example, a 3GPP management system. Digital twin control system 42 is the management entity of the digital twin object and is responsible for executing management of the digital twin object of physical communication network 43 under the control of communication network management system 41.

[0039] Alternatively, the communication service provider 44, the communication network management system 41, the digital twin control system 42, and the physical communication network 43 can be used as functional modules of the network management service architecture for implementing the digital twin service. Among them, the communication network management system 41 serves as the management service consumer (Management Service Consumer, Mns Consumer) of the digital twin service architecture, and the digital twin control system 42 serves as the management service producer (Management Service Producer, Mns Producer) of the digital twin service architecture. The interface between the communication network management system 41 and the digital twin control system 42 is the digital twin management service interface (DT MnS), the interface between the digital twin control system 42 and the physical communication network 43 is the digital twin virtual-reality interaction interface, and the interface between the communication network management system 41 and the physical communication network 43 is the operation administration and maintenance (OAM) interface.

[0040] As a user of digital twin services, communications service provider 44 can, based on the simulation, prediction, and decision-making capabilities of the digital twin network, propose digital twin service requirements for scenarios such as network planning, network design, network maintenance, network optimization, and business operations. These requirements can be used for applications such as network optimization, new business deployment, network fault and risk prediction, and root cause analysis of network faults.

[0041] The communication network management system 41 is configured to parse the requirements from the communication service provider 44 into digital twin capability service task descriptions and digital twin object instance requirements. As a consumer of the digital twin management service, the communication network management system 41 calls the digital twin management service interface to perform lifecycle management of digital twin object instances and provides services such as digital twin-related simulation evaluation. Digital twin management services include twin object instance lifecycle management services, digital twin object instance selection services, digital twin capability services (including network visualization, network optimization, fault and risk prediction, fault location and avoidance, new business deployment and other simulation evaluation tasks), virtual-reality interactive optimization services, etc.

[0042] The digital twin control system 43 creates and configures a digital twin object instance according to the digital twin network object management requirements and configuration description, and then runs the digital twin capability service task on the instance, performs simulation and evaluation operations, and outputs the simulation and evaluation results, which are not limited to simulation and evaluation reports, network optimization strategies, promoted network solutions, etc.

[0043] In one embodiment, the digital twin control system 42 is specifically configured to perform management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network on the digital twin object instances of the physical communication network 43 according to the digital twin management service requirements, and to feedback the management results to the communication network management system 41.

[0044] The network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services can also include a digital twin platform 45, which is configured to carry digital twin object instances, a digital twin control system 42, which is specifically configured to be described according to the digital twin object instance of the physical communication network 43, and to instantiate the digital twin object on the digital twin platform 45 to obtain the digital twin object instance.

[0045] In one embodiment, the digital twin control system 42 is further configured to collect network data of the physical communication network 43 before creating a digital twin object instance of the physical communication network 43, create a digital twin entity model of the physical communication network 43, and create a digital twin object instance of the physical communication network 43 based on the digital twin entity model of the physical communication network 43.

[0046] In one embodiment, the communication network management system 41 is specifically configured to parse the acquired digital twin service demand information into a digital twin capability service task description, a digital twin object instance demand description, or a digital twin object instance configuration description.

[0047] In one embodiment, the communication network management system 41 is specifically configured to perform simulation evaluation operations of digital twin object instances according to the digital twin capability service task description, or to perform creation and update operations of digital twin object instances according to the digital twin object instance requirement description or the digital twin object instance configuration description.

[0048] In one embodiment, the communication network management system 41 is further configured to query the digital twin object instance created by the digital twin control system 42, and select the created digital twin object instance to perform management of the digital twin object.

[0049] The communication network management system 41 is also configured to issue network operation and maintenance strategies to the physical communication network 43 and receive network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network 43. If the network operation and maintenance feedback fails to meet the expected goals, the digital twin management system 42 interacts with the physical communication network 43 to simulate and iterate the network operation and maintenance strategies until the expected goals are met.

[0050] The communication network management system 41 is also configured to issue network operation and maintenance strategies to the digital twin management system 42; the digital twin management system 42 is also configured to request the physical communication network 43 to execute the network operation and maintenance strategies, and receive network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network 43. If the network operation and maintenance feedback does not meet the expected goals, it interacts with the physical communication network 43, simulates and iterates the network operation and maintenance strategies until the expected goals are met, and sends the updated network operation and maintenance strategies to the communication network management system 41.

[0051] The digital twin management service for the digital twin object of the physical communication network 43 includes any of the following management services for the digital twin object: creating a digital twin object instance, updating a digital twin object instance, activating a digital twin object instance, deactivating a digital twin object instance, deleting a digital twin object instance, and performing simulation evaluation operations on a digital twin object instance.

[0052] The network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in the embodiments of the present application, by configuring a network management service architecture composed of a communication network management system and a digital twin control system, enables communication service providers to implement digital twin management services through the communication network management system, realize the virtual-reality interaction between digital twin services and physical communication networks, and better meet the management needs of verifying network operation and maintenance solutions for digital twin technology.

[0053] FIG5 is a flow chart of a network management service method for implementing a digital twin service provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG5 , the network management service method for implementing a digital twin service provided in this embodiment includes:

[0054] S110, the communication network management system obtains network management service demand information.

[0055] The network management service method for implementing a digital twin service provided in this embodiment is applied to the network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service as shown in Figure 4. Based on the network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service as shown in Figure 4, a digital twin service is provided for a physical communication network. The communication network management system can obtain network management service demand information from the communication service provider. Before the digital twin service is introduced, the communication network management system will manage the physical communication network based on the network management service demand.

[0056] S120, the communication network management system sends a digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network to the digital twin control system.

[0057] After the introduction of the digital twin service, the communication network management system sends a request for digital twin management services for the physical communication network's digital twin object to the digital twin control system, effectively assisting in the management of the physical communication network through the digital twin service. Based on this network management service request information, the communication network management system determines the need to manage the digital twin object corresponding to the physical communication network. This means parsing the network management service request information to enable management of the physical communication network through the digital twin object.

[0058] S130, the digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network according to the digital twin management service requirements for the digital twin objects of the physical communication network.

[0059] The digital twin control system is responsible for the comprehensive management of digital twin objects, including creating and configuring digital twin object instances based on the digital twin network object requirements and configuration descriptions, then running digital twin capability service tasks on the instances, performing simulation and evaluation operations, and outputting simulation and evaluation results, including but not limited to simulation and evaluation reports, network optimization strategies, and promoted network solutions.

[0060] In one embodiment, the digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network on the digital twin object instances of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service requirements for the digital twin objects of the physical communication network, and feeds back the management results to the communication network management system.

[0061] In one embodiment, the digital twin control system instantiates the digital twin object on the digital twin platform according to the digital twin object instance description of the physical communication network to obtain the digital twin object instance.

[0062] In one embodiment, before creating a digital twin instance of the physical communication network, the digital twin control system collects network data of the physical communication network, creates a digital twin entity model of the physical communication network, and creates a digital twin object instance of the physical communication network based on the digital twin entity model of the physical communication network.

[0063] In one embodiment, the communication network management system obtains network management service demand information and parses the network management service demand information into a digital twin capability service task description, a digital twin object instance demand description, or a digital twin object instance configuration description.

[0064] In one embodiment, the digital twin control system performs simulation evaluation operations of the digital twin object instance according to the digital twin capability service task description, or performs creation and update operations of the digital twin object instance according to the digital twin object instance requirement description or the digital twin object instance configuration description.

[0065] In one embodiment, the communication network management system queries the digital twin object instances created by the digital twin control system, and selects the created digital twin object instances to perform management of the digital twin objects.

[0066] In one embodiment, the communication network management system issues a network operation and maintenance strategy to the physical communication network and receives network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network. If the network operation and maintenance feedback does not meet the expected goals, the digital twin management system interacts with the physical communication network to simulate and iterate the network operation and maintenance strategy until the expected goals are met.

[0067] In one embodiment, the communication network management system issues a network operation and maintenance strategy to the digital twin management system; the digital twin management system requests the physical communication network to execute the network operation and maintenance strategy, and receives network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network. If the network operation and maintenance feedback does not meet the expected goals, it interacts with the physical communication network, simulates and iterates the network operation and maintenance strategy until the expected goals are met, and sends the updated network operation and maintenance strategy to the communication network management system.

[0068] In one embodiment, the digital twin object management service includes any of the following: creating a digital twin object instance, updating a digital twin object instance, activating a digital twin object instance, deactivating a digital twin object instance, deleting a digital twin object instance, and performing simulation evaluation operations on a digital twin object instance.

[0069] The network management service method for implementing digital twin services provided in the embodiment of the present application is based on a network management service architecture composed of a communication network management system and a digital twin control system. The communication network management system obtains network management service demand information; the communication network management system sends the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network to the digital twin control system; the digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin object instance of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network, so that the communication service provider can implement digital twin management services through the communication network management system, realize virtual and real interaction between digital twin services and physical communication networks, and better meet the management needs of verifying network operation and maintenance solutions for digital twin technology.

[0070] The following describes in detail the specific process of implementing various digital twin service management on the network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in the embodiments of the present application. In the following embodiments, the communication network management system is described as a 3GPP management system.

[0071] Figure 6 is an interactive flow chart for creating a digital twin object instance in a network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, this embodiment describes how the 3GPP management system invokes the digital twin management service of the digital twin control system, using digital twin instances to simulate and evaluate related digital twin services. These services may include network visualization, network optimization, fault and risk prediction, root cause analysis and resolution strategies, and new service deployment evaluation. The digital twin control system creates the digital twin instances required for these services, simulates and evaluates these services on these instances, and then feeds the results back to the 3GPP management system. These results include, but are not limited to, simulation and evaluation reports, network optimization strategies, and recommended network solutions.

[0073] S201: Before officially deploying services on the physical network, communications service providers need to simulate and evaluate various digital twin applications using digital twin instances to mitigate the risks of direct deployment on the physical network. Digital twin services may include network visualization, network optimization, fault and risk prediction, root cause analysis and resolution strategies, and new service deployment assessment. The communications service provider requests a digital twin service from the 3GPP management system. The request message includes a service identifier, service type, service parameters, and a description of service requirements. Services may include network visualization, network optimization, fault and risk prediction, root cause analysis and resolution strategies, and new service deployment assessment. Service parameters include network configuration parameters and required performance parameters, and the service requirements description includes a description of the network's functional requirements.

[0074] S202: The 3GPP management system parses the digital twin application service requirements from the communication service provider, and parses the service type, service parameters and requirement description into three parts: digital twin capability service task description, twin object instance requirement description and instance configuration description. The digital twin capability service task description includes the simulation evaluation capabilities of various network optimization solutions provided by the digital twin platform, such as network visualization related to network operation and maintenance, network fault location and fault avoidance, network fault and risk prediction, network optimization, and digital twin simulation evaluation operations for new business deployment. The twin object instance requirement description includes the twin object model requirements, the user scale of the twin object instance, the environment and other constraints. The twin object instance configuration description includes the resources and applications of each network element in the twin object instance.

[0075] S203: First, the 3GPP management system requests the digital twin control system to create a digital twin object instance, and sends the twin object instance requirement description to the digital twin control system.

[0076] S204: The digital twin control system interacts with the physical system, collects data to create twin entity models such as twin entities mapped to each physical entity in the model, twin functions mapped to each network function, and twin topologies mapped to the physical entity topology.

[0077] S205: The digital twin control system creates a digital twin object instance based on the twin object instance requirement description and the created twin entity models. The instance corresponds to part or all of the required physical network, or part or all of the network element entity.

[0078] S206: The digital twin control system sends a digital twin object instance creation success message to the 3GPP management system, and the message carries an instance identification indication.

[0079] S207: The 3GPP management system sends the digital twin object instance configuration description file to the digital twin control system to perform resource configuration and application loading for the instance.

[0080] S208: After the configuration is completed, the 3GPP management system creates the required digital twin capability service tasks based on the service analysis.

[0081] S209: The 3GPP management system issues the required digital twin capability service task to the digital twin control system, requesting the execution of simulation and evaluation operations for various network strategies and solutions, such as network optimization, within the management service task. This message carries the service task information, a task identifier, and the corresponding instance identifier.

[0082] S210: The digital twin control system inputs historical and current data collected from the physical network, such as live RAN and CN network data, into the instance, simulates actual network operation scenarios, and performs simulation evaluations and other required operations. After the operations are completed, the generated results are returned to the 3GPP management system. These results include, but are not limited to, simulation and evaluation reports, network optimization strategies, and recommended solutions.

[0083] S211: The 3GPP management system creates a service report and feeds back the simulation evaluation results to the communication service provider through the service report.

[0084] Figure 7 is an interactive flowchart for updating digital twin object instances in the network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0085] As shown in Figure 7, this embodiment describes the 3GPP management system updating the created twin object instance, providing digital twin management services for the updated digital twin services, and updating the digital twin capability service tasks to re-simulate and evaluate the updated digital twin services.

[0086] S301: The communications service provider updates part or all of the service type, service parameters, and service requirements description of the digital twin service based on feedback from the digital twin service report. The communications service provider requests the 3GPP management system to update the digital twin service. The request message includes the service identifier, the updated service type, service parameters, and service requirements description.

[0087] S302: The 3GPP management system re-parses the updated digital twin service requirements from the communication service provider, and updates the created digital twin capability service task description, twin object instance requirement description and twin object instance configuration description based on the updated service type, service parameters and requirement description.

[0088] S303: The 3GPP management system requests the digital twin control system to update the digital twin object instance, and sends it to the digital twin control system with the updated twin object requirements and the created instance ID.

[0089] S304: According to the updated twin object instance requirements, if it is necessary to update or add a twin entity model, the digital twin control system needs to interact with the physical system, collect data to create twin entity models such as the twin entities mapped by each physical entity in the model, the twin functions mapped by each network function, and the twin topology mapped by the physical entity topology.

[0090] S305: The digital twin control system updates the digital twin object instance according to the updated twin object instance requirement description and the newly created or updated twin entity models, which corresponds to part or all of the required physical network or part or all of the network element entity.

[0091] S306: The digital twin control system sends a digital twin object instance update success message to the 3GPP management system, and the message carries an instance identification indication.

[0092] S307: The 3GPP management system sends the updated digital twin object instance configuration description file to the digital twin control system to update the resource configuration of the instance and the loading of the application.

[0093] S308: After the configuration is completed, the 3GPP management system updates the created digital twin service task according to the service analysis results.

[0094] S309: The 3GPP management system issues the required digital twin management capability service task to the digital twin control system, requesting the execution of simulation and evaluation operations for various network strategies and solutions, such as network optimization, within the service task. This message carries the service task information, a task identifier, and the corresponding instance identifier.

[0095] S310: The digital twin control system inputs historical and current data collected from the physical network, such as live RAN and CN network data, into the instance, simulates the actual network operation scenario, and re-runs simulation and evaluation operations. After the operation is completed, the generated results are returned to the 3GPP management system. The results include but are not limited to simulation and evaluation reports, network optimization strategies, and recommended network solutions.

[0096] S311: The 3GPP management system creates a service report and feeds back the simulation evaluation results to the communication service provider through the service report.

[0097] Figure 8 is an interactive flowchart of the digital twin management service and instance deactivation process in the network management service architecture for implementing the digital twin service provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0098] As shown in Figure 8, this embodiment describes that for a twin object instance that has not executed a digital twin service task for a long time, because it occupies simulation resources, the 3GPP management system needs to deactivate the instance and release the occupied service resources.

[0099] S401a: The communication service provider no longer needs to request the digital twin service within a period of time based on the demand for the digital twin service, so it stops the digital twin service to the 3GPP management system, carrying the service id indication. After receiving the stop service request, the 3GPP management system decides to release the resources occupied by the instance. Or,

[0100] S401b: The 3GPP management system starts the service task timer after the service task simulation is completed. If the server overflows, it means that the instance has not executed the service task for a long time and the resources occupied by the instance need to be released.

[0101] S402: The 3GPP management system requests the digital twin control system to deactivate the created twin object instance, carrying the instance identifier.

[0102] S403: The digital twin control system releases the resources occupied by the instance, marks the instance as being in a deactivated state, and then returns a message indicating that the instance has been deactivated to the 3GPP management system.

[0103] S404: The 3GPP management system returns to the communications service provider that the digital twin service has been stopped.

[0104] Figure 9 is an interactive flowchart of the digital twin management service and instance deletion process in the network management service architecture for implementing the digital twin service provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0105] As shown in FIG9 , this embodiment describes the operation of deleting a twin object instance that is no longer needed to execute a digital twin service task, thereby completely releasing the instance.

[0106] S501: The communications service provider no longer needs to execute the digital twin service and requests the 3GPP management system to delete the digital twin service, carrying the service identifier.

[0107] S502: After receiving the digital twin service deletion request, the 3GPP management system requests the digital twin control system to delete the created twin object instance, carrying the corresponding instance identifier.

[0108] S503: The digital twin control system deletes the instance, releases the resources of the instance, deletes the entity model, object model and related data corresponding to the instance, and then returns the deletion of the instance to the 3GPP management system.

[0109] S504: The 3GPP management system deletes all relevant information of the instance, and then returns to the communication service provider that the digital twin service has been deleted.

[0110] Figure 10 is an interactive flowchart for selecting a created digital twin object instance to execute a digital twin management service task in the network management service architecture for implementing the digital twin service provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0111] As shown in Figure 10, this embodiment describes how the 3GPP management system receives a digital twin service request from a communications service provider and converts the service request into a twin object requirement and configuration file, as well as a digital twin capability service task. In scenarios where multiple twin object instances already exist, there is no need to create a new instance. The 3GPP management system selects an existing twin object instance based on similar twin object requirements and updates the instance and configuration to meet the requirements for running the new digital twin capability service task.

[0112] S601: The communication service provider requests a digital twin service from the 3GPP management system. The request message includes a service identifier, service type, service parameters, and a description of service requirements. (Same as S201)

[0113] S602: The 3GPP management system parses the digital twin service requirements from the communication service provider, and parses the service type, service parameters and requirement description into a digital twin capability service task description file, a twin object requirement description and an instance configuration description file.

[0114] S603: In a scenario where there are multiple idle twin object instances in the digital twin control system (such as multiple deactivated twin object instances), the 3GPP management system queries the digital twin control system for information on idle twin object instances, including twin object models and configurations.

[0115] S604: The digital twin control system returns information of multiple idle twin object instances, including the twin object model and configuration information of the instance, instance ID, etc.

[0116] S605: The 3GPP management system compares the twin object model a parsed by the service with the twin object model b of the created instance, and selects the twin object instance. The selection principle is: preferred - model b and model a have related twin entities and twin topology, suboptimal - the twin entity and twin topology of model b can cover model a. The 3GPP management system selects an optimal twin object instance and updates the configuration file of the object instance according to the digital twin service requirements. If no selection is possible, the process of the above instance is used to create a new twin object instance.

[0117] S606: The 3GPP management system requests the digital twin control system to update the configuration of the twin object instance, carrying the configuration file of the updated object instance and the instance identifier.

[0118] S607: The digital twin control system performs resource configuration and application updates on each twin entity of the instance based on the updated twin object configuration information.

[0119] S608: After the configuration update of the twin object instance is completed, the digital twin control system notifies the instance that the update has been successful, carrying the instance identifier.

[0120] S609: The 3GPP management system creates the required digital twin capability service tasks based on the service analysis.

[0121] S610: The 3GPP management system sends the required digital twin service task to the digital twin control system, requesting simulation and evaluation operations. This message carries service task information, task identification indication, and instance identification.

[0122] The S611 digital twin control system inputs historical and current data collected from the physical network, such as live RAN and CN network data, into the instance, simulates actual network operation scenarios, and performs simulation evaluations and other required operations. After completion, the generated results are returned to the 3GPP management system. These results include, but are not limited to, simulation and evaluation reports, network optimization strategies, and recommended network solutions.

[0123] S612: The 3GPP management system creates a service report and feeds back the simulation evaluation result to the communication service provider through the service report.

[0124] Figure 11 is an interactive flowchart of the network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which the network strategy does not run as expected in the network, and the strategy optimization is performed through the digital twin control system.

[0125] As shown in Figure 11, this embodiment describes a network operation and maintenance solution that has been verified by the digital twin service, such as a network optimization strategy or new business deployment. The communication service provider deploys this strategy or new business on the physical network. The physical network feeds back the operation results to the digital twin control system for evaluation. If the evaluation does not meet expectations, the digital twin control system decides to start the virtual-real interactive optimization service, re-simulates and evaluates by collecting live network data, and modifies the network operation and maintenance solution, such as modifying the network optimization strategy to achieve better network performance. The digital twin network sends the optimized network strategy to the physical network for trial operation, and cyclically executes the evaluation and optimization simulation iterations until the network operation and maintenance solution meets expectations on the physical network.

[0126] S701: The communications service provider decides to deploy a network operation and maintenance solution verified by the digital twin service on the physical network, such as a network optimization strategy or new service deployment. The communications service provider requests the 3GPP management system to run the network operation and maintenance solution verified by the digital twin service on the physical network, carrying the service ID.

[0127] S702: The 3GPP management system requests the digital twin control system to issue a network operation and maintenance plan corresponding to the service ID.

[0128] S703: The digital twin control system sends a network operation and maintenance plan, such as a network optimization strategy, to the physical network, and requires the physical network to run the network optimization strategy.

[0129] S704: The physical network runs the network operation and maintenance solution, such as the network optimization strategy, and feeds back the actual network status after the operation to the digital twin network, such as the actual network performance parameters.

[0130] S705: The digital twin control system evaluates whether the network operation and maintenance plan meets expectations based on the actual network status reported by the physical network. If so, it reports this to the 3GPP management system. If not, the digital twin control system initiates a virtual interactive optimization operation. Through virtual-real interaction with the physical network, data is exchanged and verified. After network policies are revised, they are re-simulated and iterated on the twin instance until they meet expectations.

[0131] S706: The digital twin control system requests to roll back the executed network policy.

[0132] S707: The digital twin control system interacts with the physical network. The digital twin control system collects actual operational data from the live network, modifies the network policy, and re-simulates the digital twin object instance. The updated network policy, which optimizes network performance, is then distributed to the physical network for verification. The physical network then provides feedback on the post-operation network status. The digital twin control system then updates the network policy and iterates through simulation optimization until the expected performance on the physical network is achieved.

[0133] S708: The digital twin control system provides feedback to the 3GPP network that the network operation and maintenance plan has met expectations in the physical network operation, and carries the updated network operation and maintenance plan, such as the updated network optimization strategy.

[0134] S709: The 3GPP management system notifies the communication provider that the network operation and maintenance solution has met expectations in the physical network.

[0135] Figure 12 is an interactive flowchart of the network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which the network strategy does not run as expected in the network, and the strategy optimization is performed through the 3GPP management system.

[0136] As shown in Figure 12, this embodiment describes a network operation and maintenance solution that has been verified by the digital twin service, such as a network optimization strategy or new service deployment. The communication service provider deploys the strategy or new service on the physical network through the 3GPP management system. The physical network will feed back the operation results to the 3GPP management system for evaluation. If the evaluation does not meet expectations, the 3GPP management system decides to start a virtual interactive optimization service. The 3GPP management system updates the service task description, improves the network function and performance parameter expectations in the service task description, and the digital twin control system re-collects the existing network data and re-optimizes according to the updated service tasks to obtain a better network strategy. The digital twin network sends the updated network strategy to the physical network for trial operation, and starts the simulation iteration of evaluation and optimization until the network operation and maintenance solution meets expectations on the physical network.

[0137] S801: The communications service provider decides to deploy a network operation and maintenance solution verified by the digital twin service on the physical network, such as a network optimization strategy or new service deployment. The communications service provider requests the 3GPP management system to run the network operation and maintenance solution verified by the digital twin service on the physical network, carrying the service ID.

[0138] S802: The 3GPP management system sends a network operation and maintenance plan corresponding to the service ID to the physical network, such as a network optimization strategy, and requires the physical network to run the network optimization strategy.

[0139] S803: The physical network runs the network operation and maintenance solution, such as the network optimization strategy, and feeds back the state of the network after the operation to the 3GPP management network, such as the actual network performance parameters.

[0140] S804: The 3GPP management system evaluates whether the network operation and maintenance plan meets expectations based on the actual status of the physical network feedback.

[0141] S805a: If the evaluation meets expectations, the 3GPP management system provides feedback to the communications service provider that the network operation and maintenance plan has met expectations.

[0142] S805b: If the evaluation does not meet expectations, the 3GPP management system requests the physical network to roll back the executed network policy.

[0143] S806: The 3GPP management system decides to initiate a virtual interactive optimization service: The 3GPP management system updates the digital twin capability service task (such as improving the expected network functions and performance in the task description). The digital twin control system interacts with the physical network in a virtual-reality manner. The digital twin control system collects actual data from the existing network and performs simulations. A new network operation and maintenance plan is generated based on the simulation results. The 3GPP management system then re-issues the new operation and maintenance plan to the physical network for verification until it meets expectations.

[0144] S807: After the 3GPP management system updates the digital twin capability service task, it sends the updated service task to the digital twin control system, requesting the execution of simulation iterations. The message carries the updated service task, the task ID, and the corresponding instance ID.

[0145] S808: The digital twin control system interacts with the physical network. The digital twin control system collects actual operational data from the live network, re-simulates the digital twin object instance based on the updated service tasks, and generates a new network operation and maintenance plan. The digital twin control system uploads the new network operation and maintenance plan to the 3GPP network system, which then re-distributes the new network operation and maintenance plan to the physical network for verification. The physical network then provides feedback on the post-operation network status. The iterative process from S804 to S807 continues until the expected operation on the physical network is achieved.

[0146] S809: The 3GPP management system notifies the communications provider that the network operation and maintenance solution has met expectations in the physical network.

[0147] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer processor, are used to execute a network management service method for implementing digital twin services. The method includes: the communication network management system obtains network management service demand information; the communication network management system sends a demand for managing the digital twin objects of the physical communication network to the digital twin control system; and the digital twin control system manages the digital twin object instances of the physical communication network based on the demand for managing the digital twin objects of the physical communication network.

Claims

1. A network management service architecture for implementing digital twin services, including: Communication network management systems and digital twin control systems; The communication network management system is configured to obtain network management service demand information, determine the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network according to the network management service demand information, and send the digital twin management service demand to the digital twin control system, so as to manage the digital twin object through the digital twin management service provided by the digital twin control system; The digital twin control system is configured to perform management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service requirements of the communication network management system for the digital twin objects.

2. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The digital twin management service includes any of the following: Create digital twin object instances, update digital twin object instances, activate digital twin object instances, deactivate digital twin object instances, delete digital twin object instances, and perform simulation evaluation operations on digital twin object instances.

3. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The communication network management system is configured to determine the digital twin management service requirements for the digital twin objects of the physical communication network based on the network management service requirement information in the following manner: parsing the acquired network management service requirement information into a digital twin capability service task description, a digital twin object instance requirement description or a digital twin object instance configuration description.

4. The network management service architecture according to claim 3, wherein: The digital twin control system is configured to perform simulation evaluation operations of digital twin object instances according to the digital twin capability service task description, or to perform creation and update operations of digital twin object instances according to the digital twin object instance requirement description or the digital twin object instance configuration description.

5. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The digital twin control system is configured to perform management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network on the digital twin object instances of the physical communication network according to the digital twin management service requirements, and to feed back management results to the communication network management system.

6. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The digital twin control system is configured to manage the digital twin object of the physical communication network in the following manner: instantiating the digital twin object on the digital twin platform to create a digital twin object instance based on the digital twin object instance description of the physical communication network.

7. The network management service architecture according to claim 6, wherein: The digital twin control system is also configured to collect network data of the physical communication network and create a digital twin entity model of the physical communication network before creating the digital twin object instance, so as to create a digital twin object instance of the physical communication network based on the digital twin entity model of the physical communication network.

8. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The communication network management system is also configured to query the digital twin object instance created by the digital twin control system, and select the created digital twin object instance to perform management of the digital twin object.

9. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The communication network management system is also configured to issue network operation and maintenance strategies to the physical communication network, receive network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network, and in response to the network operation and maintenance feedback failing to meet the expected goals, interact with the physical communication network through the digital twin management system to simulate and iterate the network operation and maintenance strategies until the expected goals are met.

10. The network management service architecture according to claim 1, wherein: The communication network management system is further configured to issue a network operation and maintenance strategy to the digital twin management system; The digital twin management system is also configured to request the physical communication network to execute the network operation and maintenance strategy, and receive network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network. In response to the network operation and maintenance feedback failing to achieve the expected goal, it interacts with the physical communication network, simulates and iterates the network operation and maintenance strategy until the expected goal is met, and sends an updated network operation and maintenance strategy to the communication network management system.

11. A network management service method for implementing a digital twin service, applied to the network management service architecture for implementing a digital twin service according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: The communication network management system obtains network management service demand information, and determines the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network according to the network management service demand information; The communication network management system sends the digital twin management service demand to the digital twin control system; The digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service requirements for the digital twin objects of the physical communication network.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The digital twin management service includes any of the following: Create digital twin object instances, update digital twin object instances, activate digital twin object instances, deactivate digital twin object instances, delete digital twin object instances, and perform simulation evaluation operations on digital twin object instances.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein Determining the digital twin management service requirements for the digital twin objects of the physical communication network according to the network management service requirement information includes: The communication network management system parses the network management service demand information into a digital twin capability service task description, a digital twin object instance demand description, or a digital twin object instance configuration description.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin object of the physical communication network according to the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network, including: The digital twin control system performs simulation evaluation operations of the digital twin object instance according to the digital twin capability service task description, or performs creation and update operations of the digital twin object instance according to the digital twin object instance requirement description or the digital twin object instance configuration description.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein The digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin object of the physical communication network according to the digital twin management service demand for the digital twin object of the physical communication network, including: The digital twin control system performs management of the digital twin objects of the physical communication network on the digital twin object instances of the physical communication network based on the digital twin management service requirements for the digital twin objects of the physical communication network, and feeds back the management results to the communication network management system.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein The executing management of the digital twin object of the physical communication network includes: The digital twin control system instantiates the digital twin object on the digital twin platform to create a digital twin object instance based on the digital twin object instance description of the physical communication network.

17. The method according to claim 16, before creating the digital twin object instance, further comprising: Collect network data of the physical communication network, create a digital twin entity model of the physical communication network, and create a digital twin object instance of the physical communication network based on the digital twin entity model of the physical communication network.

18. The method according to claim 11, after the communication network management system obtains the network management service demand information, further comprising: The communication network management system queries the digital twin object instance created by the digital twin control system, and selects the created digital twin object instance to perform management of the digital twin object.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: The communication network management system issues a network operation and maintenance strategy to the physical communication network, receives network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network, and in response to the network operation and maintenance feedback failing to meet the expected goals, interacts with the physical communication network through the digital twin management system to simulate and iterate the network operation and maintenance strategy until the expected goals are met.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The communication network management system issues a network operation and maintenance strategy to the digital twin management system; The digital twin management system requests the physical communication network to execute the network operation and maintenance strategy, and receives network operation and maintenance feedback from the physical communication network. In response to the network operation and maintenance feedback failing to achieve the expected goal, the digital twin management system interacts with the physical communication network, simulates and iterates the network operation and maintenance strategy until the expected goal is met, and sends the updated network operation and maintenance strategy to the communication network management system.

21. A non-volatile storage medium, comprising a stored program, which, when running, executes the network management service method for implementing digital twin services as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

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