5GC Network Function Performance Measurement Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current performance measurements for 5G Core Network (5GC) functions are limited and insufficient for effective network monitoring, authentication of User Equipment (UE) with gNBs, and registration processes, which can lead to service failures due to faults or performance issues in 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of mechanisms to generate performance measurements for 5GC network functions, including Access and Mobility Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and other 5GC NFs, which provide detailed network parameters and data for monitoring and registration processes, aligning with 3GPP standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If performance measurements are expanded to cover multiple 5GC network functions, then network monitoring capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the performance measurement system into independent modules for each 5GC network function (AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, NEF). Each network function has its own measurement collection mechanism, allowing granular monitoring without requiring a monolithic complex system. This segmentation enables the system to scale monitoring capabilities by adding individual function modules rather than redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal performance measurement framework that can collect, process, and report measurements across multiple different 5GC network functions using a common architecture. The measurement collection mechanism is designed to be function-agnostic, allowing the same system to monitor various network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, NEF) with diverse requirements through a unified multi-functional platform.
2Reliability
If real-time performance data collection is implemented across multiple network functions, then service reliability is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data processing into function-specific processing pipelines for each 5GC network function. Each network function's performance data is processed independently through dedicated processing logic tailored to its specific measurement types and requirements. This segmentation prevents the need to design a single complex processing system that must handle all possible measurement types from all network functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components (such as measurement collection entities and reporting entities) that act as mediators between the diverse network functions and the final analysis systems. These intermediaries standardize and normalize performance data from different network functions into a common format, simplifying downstream processing and reducing the complexity of handling heterogeneous data sources directly.
3Productivity
If comprehensive performance measurements are collected for all 5GC network functions, then network optimization capability is improved, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and collects only the specific performance measurement parameters that are relevant for network optimization of each 5GC network function, rather than collecting all possible data. The measurement collection mechanism is designed to identify and extract key performance indicators (KPIs) specific to each function's optimization needs, filtering out redundant information and reducing the overall information processing load while maintaining optimization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial measurement collection by focusing on the most critical performance parameters for each network function rather than attempting to measure every possible aspect. This selective approach collects sufficient information for effective network optimization without the excessive burden of comprehensive total monitoring, achieving the necessary optimization capability with reduced processing load.
Data Source
AI summary
A network management system can monitor and process raw measurements of network functions (NFs). The NFs are coupled to one another via service based interfaces in a 5G network core (5GC) of a 5G network system (5GS). A server producer generates performance measurements corresponding to the one or more NFs based on the raw measurements. The performance measurements are used to evaluate and optimize the performance related to network services enablement, mobility tracking and reachability with a user equipment (UE) or the gNB according to an Access Mobility Function (AMF) component, a Session Management Function (SMF) component, a Policy Control Function (PCF) component, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) component, or a Network Function Repository Function (NRF) component, as well as associated performance parameters or measurements disclosed.