Single Discovery Request for Multiple NF Types in 5G Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G network architecture does not allow consumer network functions to discover multiple producer network function types using a single discovery request message, requiring multiple separate requests for each type.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enable a consumer NF to send a single discovery request message with an indication of multiple NF discovery requests, allowing the NF repository function to provide NF profile objects for multiple producer NF types in a single response message, using custom headers or search URIs to specify the requested NF types and attributes like PLMN, network slice, and locality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If multiple separate discovery request messages are used to query different producer NF types, then each request can be processed independently with simple NRF logic, but the number of messages increases and control plane latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol plane latencyVSAvoidNRF processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate NF discovery requests into a single unified request message that can query for multiple producer NF types simultaneously. The consumer NF includes an indication of multiple requested NF types in the single discovery request, and the NRF processes all requests by obtaining NF profile objects for each requested type and providing them in a single response message, thereby reducing control plane latency and message count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The discovery request message is enhanced to serve multiple functions by including an indication of multiple NF types that can be queried in a single message. The NRF is configured to handle this multi-functional request by identifying the indicated NF types, obtaining corresponding profile objects, and returning them in a single response, making the system more versatile without requiring multiple separate requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple separate discovery request messages are used to query different producer NF types, then each request maintains simple message structure, but the number of request and response messages increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery operation efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of messages

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate discovery requests and responses into a single request-response cycle. The consumer NF includes an indication of multiple NF types in one discovery request message, and the NRF responds with a single message containing NF profile objects for all requested types, thereby reducing the total quantity of messages and improving discovery operation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by processing multiple NF type queries within a single request-response cycle rather than requiring sequential separate requests. The NRF continuously obtains NF profile objects for all indicated NF types and provides them in one response message, eliminating the interruption and overhead of multiple separate communication cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the NRF provides NF profiles for multiple producer NF types in a single response message, then the number of messages is reduced, but the NRF must handle more complex query processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage structure complexityVSAvoiddiscovery request processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The NRF is configured to perform preliminary actions by proactively obtaining NF profile objects for multiple producer NF types in advance when a single discovery request is received with an indication of multiple NF types. This preliminary action allows the NRF to prepare and assemble the response efficiently, reducing the complexity of handling multiple separate queries and improving processing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11589298B2Methods, systems, and computer readable media for selecting multiple network function types using a single discovery request

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A method for selecting multiple network function (NF) types using a single discovery request includes receiving, by a NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a single discovery request message that requests discovery of a plurality of producer NF types in a fifth generation (5G) core network and includes an indication of multiple NF discovery requests, obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to each of the plurality of producer NF types included in the single discovery request message, and providing, to the consumer NF via a single discovery response message generated by the NRF, NF profile objects that correspond to one or more of the plurality of producer NF types.