Terminal Data Association Across 5G Network Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in 5G communications networks is associating data of a terminal distributed across different network elements effectively, which is crucial for network policy formulation but currently unresolved.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method and apparatus that utilize a data analytics network element to associate terminal data across multiple network elements by using identifiers and association information, enabling the integration of data from access, mobility management, user plane, session management, and policy control functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If data from multiple network elements are collected separately, then data collection is simple and straightforward, but data association and integration become difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data analytics network element as an intermediary that receives data from multiple network elements (access network elements, mobility management function elements, session management function elements) and performs association operations. This intermediary consolidates the complexity of data association, allowing individual network elements to simply collect and forward data without needing to handle complex association logic themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The data analytics network element performs multiple functions: it collects data from various network elements, associates data using identifiers, performs big data analytics, and provides results to network elements for policy formulation. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for data collection, association, analytics, and policy management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data association is performed without standardized identifiers, then implementation is more flexible, but data association accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data identification by introducing standardized identifier types (access network element identifiers, mobility management function identifiers, session management function identifiers, terminal identifiers). These standardized parameters enable accurate matching and association of data across different network elements while maintaining flexibility in how the identifiers are implemented and transmitted.
3Reliability
If comprehensive data from multiple network elements is collected, then data analytics quality improves, but system complexity and data processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data collection and processing system into distinct functional components: access network elements that collect access data, mobility management function elements that collect mobility data, session management function elements that collect session data, and a central data analytics network element that performs association and analytics. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific tasks, reducing individual complexity while enabling comprehensive data collection through their coordinated operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a data processing method and apparatus, and a system, and relate to the field of communications technologies, to associate data of a terminal that is distributed on different network elements. The method includes: obtaining, by a data analytics network element, data of a terminal on a first network element, where the data of the terminal on the first network element includes a first identifier, and the first network element is an access network element; obtaining, by the data analytics network element, data on a second network element, where the data on the second network element includes data of the terminal on the second network element, the data of the terminal on the second network element includes the first identifier, and the first identifier includes any one or more of the following information: an identifier of the terminal, an identifier assigned by the first network element to the terminal, or an identifier assigned by the second network element to the terminal; and associating, by the data analytics network element, the data of the terminal on the first network element with the data of the terminal on the second network element based on the first identifier