NWDAF Selection via NRF Mediator for 5G Analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, there is a challenge in selecting the appropriate Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) among multiple deployed NWDAFs that support different data analytics, making it difficult for consumers to obtain the required analytics information.
Innovation Solution
A central entity, referred to as the NWDAF selection entity, is introduced to coordinate analytics requests from consumers. This entity receives analytics requests indicating specific analytics and determines the appropriate NWDAFs based on the indicated analytics, facilitating the selection and utilization of the correct NWDAFs for data analytics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple NWDAFs are deployed to support different data analytics, then the diversity and capability of analytics services are improved, but the complexity of selecting the appropriate NWDAF increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Network Repository Function (NRF) as an intermediary entity that maintains information about multiple NWDAFs and their supported analytics types. When a consumer needs analytics, the NRF acts as a mediator to match the analytics request with the appropriate NWDAF based on registered capabilities, thereby resolving the selection complexity while preserving service diversity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary registration of NWDAFs with the NRF, where each NWDAF pre-declares the types of analytics it supports. This preliminary action creates a ready-to-query capability database, allowing consumers to quickly find suitable NWDAFs without performing complex real-time analysis of each NWDAF's capabilities
2Ease of operation
If consumers directly select NWDAFs without coordination, then the selection process is simplified, but the reliability of obtaining required analytics information decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The NRF serves as a coordinating intermediary that consumers query to find suitable NWDAFs. This maintains operational simplicity for consumers (who only need to query the NRF) while ensuring reliability through the NRF's centralized knowledge of NWDAF capabilities and current availability status
3Reliability
If a central NWDAF selection entity is introduced to coordinate analytics requests, then the reliability of analytics delivery is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing NRF's multi-functionality in the 5G core network. Rather than creating a completely new selection entity, the solution repurposes the NRF's existing registration and discovery functions to also handle NWDAF selection, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided for a network entity. The network entity receives an analytics request from a consumer, the analytics request indicating at least one analytic and determines one or more network data analytics functions (NWDAFs) for the analytics request based on the at least one analytic indicated in the analytics request. A consumer sends an analytics request to a network entity including one or more analytics identifiers. The consumer receives, from the network entity, a response to the analytics request including an analytics output from one or more NWDAFs based on the analytics identifier(s) included in the analytics request. An NWDAF sends an analytics identifier registration to a network entity indicating one or more analytics supported by the NWDAF. Then, the NWDAF receives an analytics request(s) from consumer(s) via the network entity based on the NWDAF supporting an analytic in the analytics request.