NWDAF-Assisted UPF Selection for Accurate QoS Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing QoS monitoring methods in communication networks require active PDU sessions for measurement message interactions, leading to significant resource overhead and long waiting times, and are inadequate for accurate path delay measurement.
Innovation Solution
The SMF node receives path information from the NWDAF node, allowing it to determine a UPF node that meets service requirements without exchanging measurement messages, thereby reducing resource overhead and improving accuracy by obtaining diverse QoS information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement messages are exchanged between UPF node and access network node to obtain path delay, then transmission delay can be measured, but resource overhead increases significantly and waiting time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces NWDAF as an intermediary node that collects QoS information from multiple sources including UPF nodes, access network nodes, and network data analytics functions. Instead of requiring SMF to directly exchange measurement messages with each candidate UPF node, NWDAF acts as a mediator that aggregates path delay information and other QoS metrics, thereby reducing the measurement overhead and waiting time while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary collection of QoS information by NWDAF before the SMF needs to select a UPF node. The NWDAF proactively gathers path delay data, packet loss rates, and other QoS parameters from network elements in advance, so that when SMF needs to establish a PDU session, the information is already ready for immediate use, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time measurements
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurement messages are exchanged to obtain accurate path delay, then measurement accuracy improves, but resource overhead and waiting time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
NWDAF serves as a centralized intermediary that collects QoS information from multiple network elements including UPF nodes, access network nodes, and other network functions. This single intermediary collects path delay information, packet loss rates, and other QoS metrics that would otherwise require multiple separate measurement message exchanges between SMF and each candidate UPF node, thereby reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The NWDAF node performs multiple functions: it collects QoS information from various network elements, analyzes path delay data, evaluates candidate UPF nodes, and provides assessment results to SMF. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate measurement and evaluation processes into a single coordinated operation, reducing redundant resource consumption
3Measurement precision
If measurement messages are exchanged with candidate UPF nodes to select appropriate UPF, then UPF selection accuracy improves, but time resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NWDAF node performs preliminary collection and analysis of QoS information for multiple candidate UPF nodes before the SMF makes its selection decision. Path delay measurements, packet loss rate data, and other QoS parameters are gathered in advance from network elements, processed and analyzed by NWDAF, and made ready for immediate use by SMF, thereby eliminating time-consuming real-time measurement waits during the UPF selection process
Solution Approach 2:
NWDAF acts as an intermediary that accelerates the UPF selection process by pre-collecting and pre-processing QoS information from candidate UPF nodes and network elements. Instead of SMF directly conducting time-consuming measurement exchanges with each candidate UPF node, NWDAF mediates by providing pre-analyzed QoS assessment results, thereby reducing the time resource overhead while maintaining accurate UPF selection capability
4Measurement precision
If traditional QoS monitoring method is used, then data packet transmission delay can be measured, but only single type of QoS information is obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The NWDAF node is designed as a universal QoS information collection and analysis platform that gathers multiple types of QoS parameters including path delay, packet loss rate, throughput, jitter, and other network performance metrics from various network elements. This multi-functional QoS monitoring capability provides comprehensive information about different aspects of network service quality, enabling SMF to make more informed UPF selection decisions based on diverse QoS dimensions rather than relying on a single measurement type
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: receiving first information from a network data analysis function (NWDAF) node, where the first information includes path information of at least one user plane transmission path, and the path information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information and a path type; and determining a first user plane function (UPF) node that provides a service for a protocol data unit (PDU) session based on the first information and service requirements of the PDU session, where the first UPF node meets the service requirements, and the at least one user plane transmission path includes a user plane transmission path associated with the first UPF node.