NF Discovery Responses With NF Set Load Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G communications networks lack the ability to convey load control information for NF sets during network function discovery, leading to inefficient selection of overloaded producer NFs and subsequent connection failures.

Innovation Solution

The method involves the NF repository function (NRF) collecting or generating NF set load information by receiving NFUpdate messages from producer NF instances, calculating NF set load information, and including it in the NF discovery response to consumer NFs, allowing them to select less loaded NF sets and instances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NF discovery response includes NF set load information, then consumer NF can avoid overloaded NF sets and reduce connection failures, but NF profile data structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection success rateVSAvoidNF profile data structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NF profile data structure is segmented into existing fields (NF instance information) and new fields (NF set load information). The load information is separated as distinct parameters (currentLoad, maxLoad, loadRatio) that can be independently managed and transmitted, reducing the complexity impact on the core NF profile structure while enabling reliable load-aware selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The NRF acts as an intermediary that collects load information from producer NFs and incorporates it into NF profiles before returning them to consumer NFs. This intermediary function shields consumer NFs from the complexity of direct load monitoring while providing simplified load status indicators that enable reliable NF set selection without requiring consumer NFs to implement complex monitoring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If NRF collects load information from all producer NF instances, then accurate NF set load status is achieved, but signaling overhead and network traffic increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNF set load status accuracyVSAvoidnetwork signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial action by collecting load information selectively rather than continuously from all NF instances. Load information is collected through NFUpdate messages which are triggered by specific events (NF registration, status changes) rather than continuous polling, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient accuracy for load-aware discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Producer NF instances autonomously report their load status to the NRF through NFUpdate messages when their status changes. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the NRF to actively query each NF instance, significantly reducing signaling overhead while ensuring the NRF receives accurate, up-to-date load information for inclusion in NF profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If consumer NF performs load-aware NF selection, then load distribution across NF sets is optimized, but NF discovery process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distribution efficiencyVSAvoidNF discovery process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Load information is incorporated into NF profiles during the NF discovery process itself, before the consumer NF makes its selection decision. The NRF pre-calculates and includes load ratios and status indicators in the NF profile data returned to the consumer NF, enabling load-aware selection without requiring complex post-discovery analysis or additional signaling exchanges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The NF profile structure is extended with new parameters (currentLoad, maxLoad, loadRatio, overloadStatus) that provide quantitative load metrics. These parameter changes enable consumer NFs to perform simple threshold-based or ratio-based selection logic rather than complex multi-criteria optimization, improving load distribution efficiency while keeping the discovery process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4371292B1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for generating network function (NF) set load information aware NF discovery response

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ORACLE INT CORP

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AI summary

A method for generating network function (NF) set load information aware NF discovery responses includes, at an NF repository function (NRF), receiving NFUpdate messages from producer NF instances. The method further includes collecting or generating, from the NFUpdate messages, NF set load information for NF sets of which the producer NF instances are members. The method further includes receiving, from a consumer NF, an NF discovery request. The method further includes generating, using query parameters in the NF discovery request, an NF discovery response including NF profiles of producer NF instances corresponding to the query and, including, in the NF discovery response, NF set load information for NF sets of producer NF instances whose NF profiles are included in the NF discovery response. The method further includes forwarding the NF discovery response including the NF set load information to the consumer NF.