NWDAF Slice Analytics for Service Continuity in NPN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in ensuring seamless service continuity for user equipment (UE) when moving between public and non-public networks, particularly in maintaining uninterrupted 3GPP access.
Innovation Solution
The method involves requesting slice analytics from the network data analytics function (NWDAF) of the first network before the UE moves to the second network, and selecting a suitable slice in the second network based on the received analytics to ensure continuous service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slice analytics are requested from NWDAF before terminal moves between networks, then service continuity is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requesting slice analytics from NWDAF before the terminal actually moves between networks. The source network proactively obtains analytics information about the target network's slice status, capacity, and suitability in advance, allowing the terminal to be redirected to an appropriate network before service interruption occurs. This preemptive approach ensures service continuity while managing network complexity through automated analytics-based decision-making.
2Reliability
If slice selection is performed based on analytics from first network, then service interruption is reduced, but information processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs slice selection and analytics gathering in advance, before the terminal needs to move networks. The source network obtains analytics information about target network slices beforehand, so when terminal movement is required, the selection decision can be made quickly based on pre-analyzed data, reducing actual service interruption time despite the initial processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous analytics updates and slice selection readiness through the network infrastructure. The NWDAF continuously monitors network conditions and slice availability, ensuring that when terminal movement is triggered, the analytics information is already current and actionable, minimizing the time loss associated with information processing during the actual handover.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for supporting service continuity between a first network and a second network are provided, which include: requesting slice analytics for selection of a slice from a network data analytics function (NWDAF) of the first network before a terminal moves from the first network to the second network; and selecting a slice to be used in the second network to provide a service to the terminal based on the slice analytics received from the NWDAF of the first network.