Distributed NWDAF Discovery for UE-Specific 5GC Analytics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing procedures in 5G networks fail to enable consumer Network Functions (NFs) to discover and efficiently access distributed Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAFs) co-located with producer NFs, such as UPF, AMF, or SMF, for generating analytic reports.

Innovation Solution

Methods and apparatus are developed to expose and discover distributed NWDAFs co-located with producer NFs by leveraging existing communication procedures between NFs, allowing consumer NFs to build databases associating co-located NWDAFs with served UEs, and using UE identifiers to look up and subscribe to these NWDAFs for analytic data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If distributed NWDAFs are deployed co-located with producer NFs to improve analytics efficiency, then network efficiency is improved, but consumer NFs cannot discover the co-located NWDAF instances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalytics efficiencyVSAvoiddiscovery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the NWDAF discovery process by introducing a separate discovery mechanism that operates independently from the existing NRF-based service registration. Consumer NFs can now discover co-located NWDAFs through direct indication from producer NFs during communication procedures, rather than relying on centralized NRF registration. This segmentation allows distributed NWDAFs to maintain their location-based advantage while becoming discoverable through alternative pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the communication procedure between producer NF and consumer NF as an intermediary mechanism for NWDAF discovery. During established communication procedures (such as session management or mobility management), the producer NF indirectly mediates the discovery process by including NWDAF instance information in its responses. This intermediary approach leverages existing trusted communication channels to convey discovery information without requiring a completely new discovery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If consumer NFs access centralized NWDAFs using existing NRF procedures, then discovery is possible, but network efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery capabilityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having producer NFs pre-identify and indicate their co-located NWDAF instances during initial communication procedures with consumer NFs. This preliminary indication occurs before the consumer NF needs to access analytics services, allowing the consumer NF to directly contact the appropriate distributed NWDAF without subsequent centralized NRF lookups. The producer NF performs the discovery preparation work in advance, eliminating inefficient centralized access later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If distributed NWDAFs are not pre-allocated to specific UEs, then flexibility is improved, but consumer NFs cannot determine which NWDAF serves which UE

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic allocationVSAvoidUE-NWDAF association

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having producer NFs provide information about which distributed NWDAF instances are currently serving specific UEs during communication procedures. This feedback mechanism allows consumer NFs to dynamically learn the current UE-NWDAF associations without requiring pre-configuration or static allocation tables. The producer NF continuously feedbacks the state of its co-located NWDAFs, enabling flexible dynamic discovery while maintaining accurate UE-NWDAF mapping information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12556616B2Exposure and discovery of distributed network functions serving a user equipment or PPDU session

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are provided to enable a consumer network function (consumer NF) to discover instances of a NWDAF 90 co-located with NFs in the 5GC 30 of a communication network 10. Existing procedures and messages between NFs are leveraged to distribute lists of NWDAFs 90 co-located with a NF, such as a UPF 35, AMF 40 or SMF 45. A NF can provide a list of NWDAF instances for a particular UE 15 that are co-located with either the same NF or a separate producer NF when the communication procedure for the UE 15 is invoked. Over time, the consumer NFs build a database associating the co-located NWDAFs in other NFs with corresponding UEs 15 served by the consumer NF. When the consumer NF needs analytic data for one or more UEs 15 served by the consumer NF, the consumer NF can use a UE ID to look up the co-located NWDAFs for the UE 15 and subscribe with the co-located NWDAF instances to receive analytics data for the UE 15.