5G Service Request Routing for API Version Retry

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G networks, Network Function (NF) nodes with non-backward-compatible (NBC) API versions face issues where NF service consumers are unaware of failure reasons during service requests, leading to unsuccessful retries due to delegated discovery in model D communication.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting a service request with an indication of a required API version different from the URI, allowing the SCP to search for and provide additional API versions, enabling NF service consumers to retry requests with supported versions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If service requests are processed sequentially by a single processor, then system complexity is reduced, but service level agreements cannot be met due to insufficient processing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice request processing capacityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides service request processing into multiple independent processor instances (first processor, second processor, etc.), each capable of handling specific requests. This segmentation increases overall processing capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple processor instances perform the same universal function of processing service requests. Each processor can handle various types of service requests (data retrieval, data modification, etc.), providing multi-functionality that meets diverse service level agreements without requiring specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple processors are introduced to increase processing capacity, then service level agreements can be met, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice request processing capacityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service gateway acts as an intermediary component that receives service requests and distributes them to appropriate processor instances. This mediator simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the coordination logic, allowing multiple processors to work together without requiring complex peer-to-peer communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple processor instances with the service gateway into a unified processing architecture. By combining the request distribution function of the gateway with the processing functions of multiple processors, the system achieves high capacity while managing complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If service requests are routed through multiple components (service gateway, processors), then processing capacity and flexibility increase, but request processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice request handling flexibilityVSAvoidservice request processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The service gateway performs preliminary routing actions by analyzing incoming service requests and determining the most appropriate processor instance before full processing begins. This preliminary classification reduces subsequent processing delays by ensuring requests are directed to optimally suited processors from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4487552B1Service request processing
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4487552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4487552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4487552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods for processing a service request in a network comprising a set of Network Function (NF) nodes, and corresponding NF nodes. The method performed at a first NF node includes transmitting (S710) a request for the service to a Service Communication Proxy (SCP), the request comprising at least an indication indicating a required Application Program Interface (API) version for the service, wherein the requires API version is other than an API version included in a Resource Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) in the request. The present disclosure further discloses a corresponding method implemented at an SCP. The present disclosure further provides a corresponding computer readable medium.