NWDAF Dynamic Event Subscription for UE-Level Network Analytics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network data analytics in 5G mobile communication networks are limited to slice-level data and cannot effectively monitor and analyze data related to specific User Equipment (UE), restricting the network's ability to provide tailored control policies and optimize network performance.

Innovation Solution

The Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) determines the UE and type of data analytics required, identifies the provider network function, and transmits monitoring events to collect and report specific UE data, such as location or traffic information, from functions like AMF, SMF, or UPF, enhancing data collection and analytics capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the NWDAF collects load data of network slices according to static configuration, then the analytics result can be provided for network optimization, but the NWDAF is incapable of supporting the monitoring and analytics of data except for loads of the network slices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata analytics capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static configuration-based data collection into a dynamic event-driven mechanism. The NWDAF subscribes to monitoring events from network functions, which dynamically trigger data collection based on actual network conditions. This allows the system to adapt to different analytics requirements without reconfiguration, enabling both slice-level and UE-level analytics through the same dynamic event subscription mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal monitoring framework where the same event subscription mechanism serves multiple analytics purposes. The NWDAF can subscribe to different types of events (slice load events, UE-specific events, service-level events) from different network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF) using a unified approach. This multi-functional event-driven architecture eliminates the need for separate static configuration mechanisms for different analytics types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If the NWDAF acquires information through the network management system, then the slice-level load data can be obtained, but the NWDAF is incapable of collecting and counting network relevant data of specific UE

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE-specific data completenessVSAvoiddata collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF) as intermediaries between the NWDAF and UE-specific data sources. These network functions subscribe to monitoring events on behalf of the NWDAF and collect UE-specific data from their respective domains. This intermediary mechanism enables the NWDAF to obtain comprehensive UE-specific information without directly interacting with each data source, maintaining collection efficiency while improving data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data collection process into specialized network function components. Each network function (AMF for mobility, SMF for session, UPF for user plane, PCF for policy) handles specific types of UE data collection according to its domain expertise. This segmentation allows parallel data collection from multiple sources simultaneously, improving overall productivity while ensuring comprehensive UE-specific data coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the monitoring event is transmitted to the provider network function, then the source data can be detected and reported, but the range of network data monitored needs to be widened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring scopeVSAvoidevent management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the monitoring scope by adding a new dimension to the event subscription mechanism. Instead of only slice-level event monitoring, the system now supports UE-specific event monitoring, service-level event monitoring, and policy-level event monitoring as additional dimensions. The NWDAF can subscribe to events across multiple dimensions simultaneously, widening the monitoring scope while using the same event-driven framework, thus avoiding proportional increase in complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3780702B1Method and device for monitoring network data
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3780702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780702B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP3780702B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a method and device for monitoring network data, which are used to solve the technical problem of a mobile communication network system having limitations in performing network data analysis. The method comprises: a NWDAF determines a terminal UE to be monitored that requires network data analysis and the type of data analysis for the UE to be monitored; the NWDAF determines a provider network function network element and a monitoring event which correspond to the UE to be monitored according to the type of data analysis for the UE to be monitored, the provider network function network element being used to provide source data for the UE to be monitored which is related to the data analysis type, and the monitoring event being used to indicate to the provider network function network element to monitor the source data; and the NWDAF sends the monitoring event to the provider network function network element.