Application Function Credit Notifications for Service Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in managing credit-based services, where application functions (AFs) are unable to directly receive notifications about out-of-credit and reallocation-of-credit events, leading to difficulties in adapting service policies and user experiences when credit is refilled or reallocated.
Innovation Solution
Implementing methods for application functions (AFs) to request and receive direct notifications about out-of-credit and reallocation-of-credit events from network functions (NFs) within the communication network, allowing AFs to dynamically manage service policies and user experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If application functions (AFs) are unable to directly receive notifications about out-of-credit and reallocation-of-credit events, then the network architecture remains simple and centralized, but the ability to adapt service policies and user experiences in real-time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The notification distribution architecture is segmented into multiple pathways: a direct notification path from NF to AF for real-time credit events, and an indirect path through the service portal for non-critical notifications. This segmentation enables real-time service adaptation while maintaining architectural simplicity for non-time-sensitive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A service portal is introduced as an intermediary component that receives notifications from network functions and relays them to application functions. This intermediary enables AFs to adapt service policies based on credit events while maintaining a standardized notification interface and decoupling the direct NF-AF communication path.
2Reliability
If AFs receive direct real-time notifications about credit events, then service continuity and user satisfaction improve, but the network signaling load and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different notification handling mechanisms are applied to different types of credit events based on their urgency and impact. Critical out-of-credit events trigger immediate direct notifications to AFs for service continuity, while less critical reallocation events can be handled through the service portal. This local quality differentiation optimizes reliability for critical events while managing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
AFs are pre-configured with service policies and adaptation rules before receiving credit event notifications. When a notification is received, the AF can immediately execute pre-defined adaptation actions without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thereby improving service continuity while reducing processing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network implements comprehensive credit event notification to all AFs, then service adaptation capability improves, but the signaling overhead and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The notification distribution mechanism is made dynamic by enabling AFs to subscribe to specific credit event types based on their service requirements. AFs can dynamically adjust their notification preferences and receive only relevant credit events, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing unnecessary signaling traffic for unrelated events.
Solution Approach 2:
The service portal is designed as a universal notification distribution point that can handle multiple types of credit events and route them to appropriate AFs. This multi-functional portal consolidates notification routing logic, enabling comprehensive event distribution while reducing redundant signaling through centralized intelligent routing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by an application function, AF, for a communication network, wherein the AF has been informed, in a first notification, about an out-of-credit event associated with a user of a service provided by the AF, the method comprising sending subscription request, to a network function, NF, for requesting notifications about reallocation-of-credit events associated with one or more users of a service provided by the AF; receiving, from the NF, a second notification of a reallocation-of-credit event associated with the user of the service provided by the AF for which the AF has been informed about the out-of-credit event, such that the AF can perform one or more second actions with respect to the service.