5G Service Discovery Response Segmentation Under NRF Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The service discovery success rate in the 5G core network is relatively low due to network congestion when the Network Repository Function (NRF) is busy.

Innovation Solution

A method for service discovery processing that involves storing provider NF registration information in the NRF, sending tailored first information to the consumer NF for connection, and optionally providing additional second information for future reference, while adjusting the response based on network load and request parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the NRF sends complete registration information to the consumer NF during service discovery, then the consumer NF has sufficient information for connection, but the data transmission volume increases causing network congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the registration information into two parts: first information (basic parameters) and second information (additional parameters). The NRF sends only the first information during service discovery to reduce data volume, and provides the second information only when explicitly requested by the consumer NF, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and data transmission volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic information delivery where the amount of information sent is not fixed but adapts based on network conditions and consumer NF requests. The NRF can adjust whether to send only first information or both first and second information based on current network load and specific service discovery requirements, making the system flexible in balancing data completeness and transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the NRF processes service discovery requests with complete information, then the service discovery is thorough, but the processing time increases during network congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice discovery completenessVSAvoidservice discovery processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting registration information into mandatory first information and optional second information, the patent enables the NRF to perform basic service discovery quickly with minimal data transfer, and only retrieves additional information when necessary, thus reducing processing time while maintaining discovery completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by first filtering and matching consumer NF requirements against registered provider NFs using only the first information (basic parameters) before retrieving additional second information. This preliminary filtering step quickly identifies candidate provider NFs, reducing the overall processing time while ensuring completeness through subsequent detailed information retrieval only when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the NRF sends detailed registration information during service discovery, then the connection establishment is accurate, but the network congestion is exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment accuracyVSAvoidnetwork throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments registration information into essential first information for accurate connection establishment and supplementary second information for enhanced functionality. The NRF sends only the essential first information during service discovery to maintain connection accuracy while minimizing data transmission, thus preventing network congestion from excessive data transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by providing only the necessary first information for service discovery and connection establishment, rather than transmitting complete registration information. The second information is provided only when explicitly requested, avoiding excessive data transmission that would congest the network while still ensuring sufficient information for accurate connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4451734B1Service discovery processing method, device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP4451734B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4451734B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4451734B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and provide a service discovery processing method. The method comprises: receiving a service discovery request message of a consumer NF, the service discovery request message representing a service requirement of the consumer NF; determining a target provider NF according to the service discovery request message; and sending a service discovery response message to the consumer NF, wherein the service discovery response message comprises first information of the target provider NF, the first information at least comprises basic parameters of the target provider NF, the basic parameters comprise network interconnection protocol IP address information and port number information, and the field of the first information is smaller than the field of the registration information.