Per-Service Energy Profiles for Network Function Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network function (NF) selection methods do not adequately consider energy consumption information for specific service operations, limiting the ability to optimize energy usage in network function interactions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first NF node transmits a discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) with service operation information, receives energy consumption data for discovered NFs, and selects an NF based on this data, optionally updating or subscribing to changes in energy consumption information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If total energy consumption information is provided for NF selection, then NFs can select less loaded NFs or those using renewable energy, but this information is not useful for selecting NFs that will consume less energy when executing specific service operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy consumption information into two distinct types: total energy consumption information and per-service operation energy consumption information. This segmentation allows the system to provide both aggregate energy data for general NF selection and specific per-service energy data for optimized service execution, resolving the contradiction by making both types of information available simultaneously through the NF profile.
2Productivity
If per-service operation energy consumption information is added to NF profiles, then NFs can optimize service selection for energy efficiency, but the complexity of energy information management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing NF profile structure to serve multiple functions: it continues to provide total energy consumption information for general NF selection while simultaneously incorporating per-service operation energy consumption information for service-specific optimization. This multi-functional approach allows a single data structure to support both selection strategies without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The NF profile acts as an intermediary data structure that mediates between the NF repository function and NF consumers. It consolidates both total energy consumption information and per-service operation energy consumption information in a standardized format, simplifying the management complexity by providing a single point of access rather than requiring separate information channels.
3Reliability
If NFs use total energy consumption information for selection, then they can prefer NFs with lower overall energy usage, but they cannot identify NFs that are energy efficient for specific services they need to invoke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy consumption information into total energy consumption and per-service operation energy consumption within the NF profile. This segmentation preserves the aggregate energy data for general selection reliability while simultaneously providing service-specific energy data, eliminating the information loss and enabling both selection strategies to work effectively together.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method implemented in a first network function (NF) node, comprises transmitting, to a network repository function (NRF) node, a discovery request message comprising first information indicating one or more service operations related to NFs to be discovered; receiving, from the NRF node, a discovery response message comprising second information indicating one or more discovered NFs, and energy consumption information respectively associated with the one or more service operations of each of the one or more discovered NFs; determining a discovered NF among the one or more discovered NFs based on the energy consumption information respectively associated with the one or more service operations of each of the one or more discovered NFs; and transmitting, to a second NF node of the determined discovered NF, a first request message for the one or more service operations.