5G Slice Performance Measurement Through PCF-UPF Log Correlation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The lack of a comprehensive performance measurement framework for 5G slicing hinders telecommunications operators from guaranteeing promised service levels, leading to customer dissatisfaction and operational inefficiencies due to limited visibility into network slice utilization and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

Deriving insights from signaling transaction logs of the PCF and UPF in 5G SA Core Platforms to cross-map data using timestamp information, enabling the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) for network slices and dynamic resource reallocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If operators implement 5G slicing for customized services, then service differentiation and subscriber satisfaction improve, but the complexity of performance measurement and resource management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice differentiationVSAvoidperformance measurement framework
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that correlates PCF policy data with UPF traffic data to measure 5G slicing performance. This intermediary correlation mechanism bridges the gap between policy enforcement and actual traffic handling, enabling performance measurement without requiring direct modifications to the core network elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex manual performance measurement mechanisms with automated data correlation using timestamp-based matching. Instead of manual monitoring and analysis, the system automatically correlates policy and traffic data through timestamp alignment, substituting mechanical measurement processes with automated computational methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If operators lack performance measurement framework, then operational simplicity is maintained, but service level guarantee and customer satisfaction deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidservice level guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the network to self-measure its own performance by automatically correlating PCF and UPF data. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-monitoring of slicing performance without requiring external measurement tools or complex manual intervention, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring service level guarantees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where performance data derived from correlating PCF and UPF logs provides insights back to the network operators. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and improvement of service levels, allowing operators to respond to performance issues and guarantee service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If operators implement comprehensive performance monitoring, then visibility into network slice utilization improves, but data processing complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility into network slice utilizationVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential data elements needed for performance measurement from the PCF and UPF logs - specifically timestamp, slice identifier, and relevant performance metrics. By extracting only the necessary information rather than processing complete log files, the system reduces data processing complexity while maintaining comprehensive visibility into network slice utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the performance measurement process into distinct components: PCF data extraction, UPF data extraction, timestamp-based correlation, and KPI calculation. This segmentation allows each component to be processed independently and efficiently, reducing overall data processing complexity while achieving comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250294385A15g slice performance indicator
Publication Date: 2025.09.18 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
  • US20250294385A1 patent drawing
  • US20250294385A1 patent drawing
  • US20250294385A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for deriving insights of customer key performance indicators (KPI's) (e.g., throughput, latency, connection reliability, etc.) in 5G slicing. By using signaling transaction logs from 5G SA Core Platforms, such as the PCF and UPF, full visibility can be provided to ensure customer satisfaction. The data on these KPIs can allow the mobile operator to derive the subscriber's experience metrics based on their specific location to make real-time dynamic changes based on this visibility data.