NWDAF Roaming Analytics for Cross-Network UE Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for automating network management in a roaming environment of a terminal in a wireless communication system, particularly in 5G networks, to efficiently manage and analyze network data for terminals in roaming states.
Innovation Solution
The use of a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to determine and collect network data for terminals in roaming states, employing indirect and direct data collection models to gather data from both roaming and home networks, and generate analytics results for consumer Network Functions (NFs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual network management methods are used for roaming terminals, then network operators can manage network data, but automation level is low and management efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The NWDAF system automatically collects network data from multiple sources (AMF, SMF, PCF, UDR) and performs analytics processing without manual intervention. The system subscribes to data events, receives notifications, and generates analytics results autonomously, enabling self-service network management for roaming terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management function is segmented into specialized network functions: AMF for access management, SMF for session management, PCF for policy control, UDR for data storage, and NWDAF for analytics. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently and contribute specific data to the automated management process.
2Reliability
If network data for roaming terminals is not collected and analyzed, then system complexity is reduced, but network performance optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The NWDAF acts as an intermediary that collects data from multiple network functions (AMF, SMF, PCF, UDR), processes it through analytics, and provides insights to optimize network performance. This mediator approach allows complex data collection and processing to be centralized, improving reliability while managing complexity through a dedicated analytics function.
Solution Approach 2:
The NWDAF performs multiple functions including collecting data from various sources, processing analytics, generating results, and supporting different network scenarios (roaming, handover, load balancing). This multi-functionality improves network performance across multiple operations without requiring separate systems for each function.
3Loss of information
If data is collected from both home and roaming networks, then data completeness for roaming terminals is improved, but data collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes subscription relationships with multiple data sources (AMF, SMF, PCF, UDR) before data is needed. When a roaming terminal generates relevant events, the NWDAF already has active subscriptions in place to automatically receive notifications and collect data from both home and roaming networks, ensuring data completeness without ad-hoc collection complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The disclosure is to analyze network data on a UE which is in a roaming state in a wireless communication system. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method for operating an apparatus for a network data analytics function (NWDAF) belonging to a first network in a core network of a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a first message requesting network data for a terminal to a core network device belonging to a second network; receiving a second message including the network data from the core network device; and transmitting a third message including an analytics result of the network data to a consumer network function (NF).