NWDAF-TSCTSF Interface for TSN Slice Analytics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G systems lack a standardized interface to extract metrics from the Time Sensitive Communication Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) for network analytics, particularly when deploying Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) slices, hindering effective network performance monitoring and management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an interface for the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to collect events from the TSCTSF, enabling it to determine when to gather data based on network slice selection assistance information and generate analytics reports, thereby facilitating standardized data exchange and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a standardized interface is implemented for the NWDAF to collect events from the TSCTSF, then network analytics capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork analytics capabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized interface as an intermediary mechanism between the NWDAF and TSCTSF components. This interface acts as a mediator that enables structured data exchange without requiring complex direct integration between the analytics function and time synchronization function, thus improving analytics capability while managing interface complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If real-time data collection from TSCTSF is enabled, then network performance monitoring is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performance monitoringVSAvoiddata collection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic event collection mechanisms where the NWDAF collects data from the TSCTSF at defined intervals or triggered by specific events rather than continuously. This periodic approach enables effective network performance monitoring while minimizing time loss by only collecting data when necessary or at optimized intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If comprehensive TSN metrics are collected and analyzed, then network management capability is improved, but quantity of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork management capabilityVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses on collecting only the specific TSN metrics and events that are most relevant for network analytics and management purposes. Rather than collecting all possible data from the TSCTSF, the standardized interface enables selective extraction of critical performance indicators, thus improving network management capability while minimizing unnecessary data volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12574759B2Systems and methods for time-sensitive networking analytics

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Systems and methods described herein provide an interface for an Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to extract events from a Time Sensitive Communication Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) when operators deploy Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) for a given network slice. An NWDAF in a core network receives an information request for a TSN service and sends, to a TSCTSF, a data request based on the information request. The NWDAF receives event data responsive to the data request and generates an analytics report based on the event data.