NRF Locality and Priority Data for 5G NF Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless telecommunications systems, Network Function (NF) devices face challenges in load balancing and latency due to limited information maintained by Network Repository Function (NRF) devices, which cannot identify preferred NF devices for specific localities, leading to inefficient communication and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
The NRF device is enhanced to obtain and store locality and priority information from NF devices, allowing it to provide querying NF devices with preferred and backup NF device information, enabling them to communicate with locally optimized NF devices and conserve resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the NRF device maintains limited information about NF devices, then the NRF device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide accurate locality-based discovery and load balancing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the NF device information into two parts: basic profile information maintained by the NRF, and locality/priority information obtained separately through queries to NF devices. This segmentation allows the NRF to maintain lightweight basic information while acquiring detailed locality data on-demand, resolving the contradiction between storage complexity and information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having NF devices proactively provide their locality and priority information to the NRF during registration or through periodic updates. This preliminary collection of information enables the NRF to maintain accurate locality data without complex real-time tracking, reducing ongoing system complexity while preserving information quality.
2Loss of energy
If the NRF device does not maintain locality information, then the information storage requirements are reduced, but communication latency increases due to distant NF device connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the NRF device as an intermediary that collects and maintains locality information from multiple NF devices. When a querying NF device needs to find a suitable NF instance, the NRF provides locality-based recommendations, enabling the system to optimize for local communication without requiring each NF device to maintain complex location awareness, thus reducing both energy consumption and latency.
3Productivity
If the NRF device provides only basic NF device information without priority rankings, then the information processing complexity is reduced, but load balancing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing priority order values as an additional dimension to NF device information. Instead of merely listing available NF devices, the NRF enriches the discovery response with priority rankings based on locality and load conditions. This parameter enhancement improves discovery efficiency by guiding queries to optimal targets while maintaining manageable processing complexity through standardized priority metrics.
Data Source
AI summary
A network repository function (NRF) device may receive first locality and priority information concerning a first network function device from the first network function device and may receive second locality and priority information concerning a second network function device from the second network function device. The NRF device may update a data structure based on the first locality and priority information and the second locality and priority information. The NRF device may receive a query concerning a locality from a third network function device and may search the data structure based on the query to identify network function device information associated with the locality. The NRF device may send the network function device information to the third network function device.