Central NWDAF Aggregation for PLMN Data Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of multiple network data analytics functions (NWDAFs) in a public land mobile network (PLMN) is inefficient, leading to delayed or incomplete data retrieval for consumers, and lacks a standardized approach for registration, discovery, and aggregation of analytics data.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a central NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) that acts as an aggregator, capable of registering with the Network Repository Function (NRF), discovering suitable NWDAFs, and aggregating analytics data from multiple sources into a single result, addressing the inefficiencies and standardization gaps in existing NWDAF deployments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple NWDAFs are deployed in a PLMN, then network data analytics coverage is improved, but data retrieval efficiency deteriorates and consumers receive delayed or incomplete data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central NWDAF as an intermediary aggregator that coordinates multiple distributed NWDAFs. This central entity receives analytics requests, identifies relevant distributed NWDAFs, retrieves their analytics data, and aggregates the results before delivering them to consumers. This mediator approach maintains comprehensive analytics coverage while improving retrieval efficiency by centralizing the coordination and aggregation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple NWDAFs are deployed in a PLMN, then analytics data diversity is improved, but the complexity of registration and discovery processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central NWDAF acts as an intermediary that simplifies registration and discovery processes. Distributed NWDAFs register with the central NWDAF rather than directly with consumers, and the central entity maintains knowledge of which NWDAFs provide which analytics. This intermediary approach preserves analytics data diversity while reducing process complexity by centralizing registration management and discovery coordination.
3Device complexity
If distributed NWDAFs are used without a central aggregator, then system simplicity is maintained, but data aggregation from multiple sources becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central NWDAF as an intermediary aggregator that receives analytics requests, identifies relevant distributed NWDAFs, retrieves their analytics data, and aggregates the results before delivering them to consumers. This mediator approach maintains distributed architecture benefits while significantly improving aggregation efficiency by centralizing the coordination and result consolidation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for enhanced data analytics in multiple network data analytics function (NWDAF) deployments in a communications system. A method can include receiving, from a network function consumer, an analytics request, said analytics request comprising analytics identifications and areas of interest; causing determination of data sources in the communications system that are configured to serve a subset of the areas of interest for the analytics identifications. An analytics information request that includes an aggregation-support indication can be sent to data sources to indicate that the data source should return analytics to the central NWDAF and include metadata to support aggregation of analytics by the central NWDAF. A network repository function (NRF) can be caused to determine which of the multiple NWDAFs in the communications system is the central NWDAF based upon whether NWDAFs have aggregation functionality.