Producer Network Function Dynamic Serving Scope Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G telecommunications networks, producer network functions (NFs) experiencing overload lead to increased latency, throughput, and network utilization due to rejected traffic, as consumer NFs retry at alternate producers, causing congestion and performance issues.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where producer NFs dynamically update their network function profiles with a Network Function Repository Function (NRF) to adjust their serving scope based on load thresholds, excluding themselves from discovery responses during overload to reduce congestion and rejections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a producer NF maintains a full serving scope to maximize service availability, then service coverage is improved, but network congestion and latency increase during overload conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the serving scope based on real-time load conditions. The producer NF monitors its load level and dynamically modifies the serving scope parameters in its network function profile, expanding the scope when under capacity and contracting it during overload conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize between service coverage and latency based on current operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the serving scope parameters (such as geographic regions, service types, or priority levels) of the network function profile based on load thresholds. When load exceeds predefined thresholds, the system modifies these parameters to reduce the effective serving scope, thereby directing traffic to alternate producer NFs and reducing latency for critical services while maintaining overall service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a producer NF accepts all traffic to maximize throughput, then network utilization is improved, but performance and reliability deteriorate during overload states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork utilizationVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the producer NF accept only a portion of the incoming traffic based on its current load capacity. Instead of accepting all traffic or none, the system dynamically adjusts the acceptance threshold, allowing throughput optimization while preventing overload-induced performance degradation. This is achieved by monitoring load metrics and selectively accepting or rejecting traffic based on predefined thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the producer NF continuously monitors its load level and uses this information to adjust its traffic acceptance behavior. The load monitoring component provides real-time feedback to the traffic management logic, which then modifies the serving scope and traffic acceptance decisions accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that network utilization is maximized without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If consumer NFs retry at alternate producer NFs during overload, then service continuity is improved, but overall network congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having consumer NFs proactively discover and select alternate producer NFs before overload occurs. The system pre-configures multiple producer NFs with overlapping serving scopes and enables consumer NFs to identify backup options in advance. When a producer NF enters overload state, the consumer NF can immediately switch to the pre-identified alternate without causing retry storms, thereby maintaining service continuity while avoiding additional network congestion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11825349B2Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamic network function discovery responses

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A method for updating network function profiles in a telecommunications network includes registering, by a producer network function, a network function profile with a network function repository function (NRF), the network function profile specifying at least one serving scope or discoverable parameters by consumer NFs. The method includes determining that a load level of the producer network function has exceeded a first threshold. The method includes, in response to determining that the load level of the producer network function has exceeded the first threshold, updating the network function profile at the NRF to reduce the serving scope.