NRF-Based NF Profile Selection Using Latency and Throughput Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communication systems face challenges in avoiding conflicts between network functions due to resource oversubscription, rule conflicts, and feature interaction issues, leading to potential fines and suboptimal Service Level Agreement (SLA) guarantees, particularly in User Plane Function (UPF) selection during PDU session establishment.
Innovation Solution
A method for registering or updating Network Function (NF) profiles in the Network Repository Function (NRF) that includes hardware characteristics such as hardware acceleration, latency, and throughput information, enabling more accurate NF selection based on these parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network functions are implemented as separate network function virtualization infrastructure instances, then network function flexibility and scalability are improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to duplicate infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network function virtualization infrastructure instances into a single shared infrastructure. The system allows multiple network functions to be deployed on common compute, storage, and networking resources, eliminating duplicate infrastructure instances and improving resource utilization while maintaining network function flexibility through virtualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared network function virtualization infrastructure is designed to support multiple different network functions simultaneously. The universal infrastructure provides common resources that can be dynamically allocated to different network functions based on demand, allowing the system to serve multiple purposes with a single infrastructure instance.
2Reliability
If network functions are deployed across multiple distributed infrastructure instances, then system reliability is improved through redundancy, but operational complexity deteriorates due to distributed management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management of network functions from the underlying infrastructure. The orchestration system manages network function deployment and configuration at a higher level, while the shared infrastructure handles resource provisioning at a lower level. This segmentation allows reliability through distributed network functions while reducing operational complexity through automated orchestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the orchestration system monitors the state of network functions and infrastructure resources, automatically adjusting resource allocation and deployment decisions. This closed-loop control simplifies operations by automating management tasks while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and adaptive response.
3Quantity of substance
If network function virtualization is implemented with fine-grained resource allocation, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity deteriorates due to resource management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the shared infrastructure can dynamically adjust resource distribution to network functions based on current demand and priorities. The system automatically scales resource allocation up or down as needed, achieving high resource utilization efficiency while the underlying virtualization management handles the complexity of dynamic adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables network functions to self-manage their resource requirements through automated orchestration. The orchestration system automatically provisions and configures resources based on service level agreements and current system state, eliminating the need for manual resource management while achieving fine-grained allocation efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus and systems performed and configured to operate in a wireless communication network are presented. In example implementations, a request to register or update a Network Function, NF, profile of an NF in a Network Repository Function, NRF, is sent from the NF to the NRF. The NF profile signaled via the request comprises one or more parameters relating to one or more of a hardware characteristic of hardware comprised in the wireless communication network, a latency characteristic of the wireless communication network, and a throughput characteristic of the wireless communication network. An acknowledgement of the request may be sent from the NRF to the NF.