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EP-4740612-A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REPORTING SLICE-SPECIFIC LOAD INFORMATION

EP4740612A1EP 4740612 A1EP4740612 A1EP 4740612A1EP-4740612-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for reporting slice-specific load information The method includes receiving, by a receiver [302] via a network repository function (NRF) [310], a registration request from network function (NF) [312]. Further, the method includes updating, by a processing unit [304] via the NF, a profile with load attribute associated with a network slice identifier and a corresponding load value. Next, the method includes transmitting a heartbeat message to the NRF [310]. Further, the method includes storing, by a storage unit [306] via the NRF [310], the load attribute in database. Next, the method includes subscribing, by the processing unit [304], to the load attribute for the at least one network slice. Also, the method includes sending, by the transmitter [308] via the NRF [310], a notification to NDAE comprising load attribute upon detecting change in load value for network slice.

Inventors

  • Shetty, Mukta
  • BHATNAGAR, AAYUSH
  • GUPTA, ADITYA
  • Joshi, Yugandhara
  • Kumar, Pritam

Assignees

  • Jio Platforms Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240612

Claims (18)

  1. 1. A method for reporting slice-specific load information in a 5G network, the method comprising: - receiving, by a receiver [302] via a network repository function (NRF) [310], a registration request from a network function (NF) [312], wherein the registration request comprises a load attribute indicative of a load level for at least one network slice; - updating, by a processing unit [304] via the NF, a profile with the load attribute associated with a respective network slice identifier and a corresponding load value; - transmitting, by a transmitter [308] via the NF [312], a heartbeat message to the NRF [310], wherein the heartbeat message comprises the load attribute for the at least one network slice; - storing, by a storage unit [306] via the NRF [310], the load attribute in a database; - subscribing, by the processing unit [304] via a network data analytics entity [314], to the load attribute for the at least one network slice; and - sending, by the transmitter [308] via the NRF [310], a notification to the network data analytics entity comprising the load attribute upon detecting a change in the load value for the at least one network slice.
  2. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load attribute is defined as a map data type with the network slice identifier as a key and the load value as a value, with the load value ranging from 0 to 100.
  3. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notification comprising the load attribute is sent within a configuration interval to prevent unnecessary data transmission to the network data analytics entity [314], wherein the configuration interval is a predefined time period that that corresponds to a frequency of updates to the network data analytics entity.
  4. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the load attribute is stored at a profile level within the NF [312] to determine the load level for each network slice serviced by the NF [312],
  5. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load attribute is stored at a service level within the NF [312] to determine the load level for each network slice specific to a NF service.
  6. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load attribute is transmitted within the heartbeat message at a pre-defined time interval.
  7. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notification to the network data analytics entity [314] is triggered by a predetermined threshold of load value change for the network slice.
  8. 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network data analytics entity [314] is a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) node.
  9. 9. A system for reporting slice-specific load information in a 5G network, the system comprising: - a receiver [302], configured to receive, via a network repository function (NRF) [310], a registration request from a network function (NF) [312], wherein the registration request comprises a load attribute indicative of a load level for at least one network slice; - a processing unit [304], configured to update, via the NF [312], a profile with the load attribute associated with a respective network slice identifier and a corresponding load value; - a transmitter [308], configured to transmit via the NF [312], a heartbeat message to the NRF, wherein the heartbeat message comprises the load attribute for the at least one network slice; - a storage unit [306], configured to store, via the NRF [310], the load attribute in a database; - the processing unit [304], configured to subscribe, via a network data analytics entity [314], to the load attribute for the at least one network slice; and - the transmitter [308], configured to send, via the NRF [310] to the network data analytics entity [314], a notification comprising the load attribute upon detecting a change in the load value for the at least one network slice.
  10. 10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the load attribute is defined as a map data type with the network slice identifier as a key and the load value as a value, with the load value ranging from 0 to 100.
  11. 11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the notification comprising the load attribute is sent within a configuration interval to prevent unnecessary data transmission to the network data analytics entity wherein the configuration interval is a predefined time period that corresponds to a frequency of updates to the network data analytics entity.
  12. 12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the load attribute is stored at a profile level within the NF [312] to determine the load level for each network slice serviced by the NF [312],
  13. 13. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the load attribute is stored at a service level within the NF [312] to determine the load level for each network slice specific to a NF service.
  14. 14. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the load attribute is transmitted within the heartbeat message at a pre-defined time interval.
  15. 15. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the notification to the network data analytics entity is triggered by a predetermined threshold of load value change for the network slice.
  16. 16. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the network data analytics entity [314] is a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) node.
  17. 17. A user equipment (UE) for reporting slice-specific load information in a 5G network, said UE comprising: - a processor [1004] configured to: o transmit a registration request from a network function (NF) [312], wherein the registration request comprises a load attribute indicative of a load level for at least one network slice; o update a profile with the load attribute associated with a respective network slice identifier and a corresponding load value; o transmit a heartbeat message to a NRF [310], wherein the heartbeat message comprises the load attribute for the at least one network slice; o store the load attribute in a database; o subscribe to the load attribute for the at least one network slice; and o send a notification to a network data analytics entity comprising the load attribute upon detecting a change in the load value for the at least one network slice.
  18. 18. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium for reporting slice-specific load information in a 5G network, the storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: - a receiver [302] , to receive, via a network repository function (NRF) [310] , a registration request from a network function (NF) [312], wherein the registration request comprises a load attribute indicative of a load level for at least one network slice; - a processing unit [304], to update, via the NF [312], a profile with the load attribute associated with a respective network slice identifier and a corresponding load value; - a transmitter [308], to transmit via the NF [312], a heartbeat message to the NRF, wherein the heartbeat message comprises the load attribute for the at least one network slice; - a storage unit [306], configured to store, via the NRF [310], the load attribute in a database; - the processing unit [304], to subscribe, via a network data analytics entity [314], to the load attribute for the at least one network slice; and - the transmitter [308], to send, via the NRF [310] to the network data analytics entity [314], a notification comprising the load attribute upon detecting a change in the load value for the at least one network slice.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REPORTING SLICE-SPECIFIC LOAD INFORMATION TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of network performance management. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to method and system for reporting slice -specific load information. BACKGROUND [0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art. [0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users. [0004] Moreover, 5G core networks are based on service-based architecture (SBA) that is centered around network function (NF) services. Each NF can register itself and its supported services to a Network Repository Function (NRF), which is used by other NFs for the discovery of NF instances and their services. The NRF therefore supports functions related to 1) maintaining the profiles of the available network function (NF) instances and their supported services in the 5G core network, 2) allowing NF instances to discover other NF instances in the 5G core network, and 3) allowing the NF instances to track the status of other NF instances. [0005] Also, as defined in 3gpp TS 29.510, NFs may report the NF Level or Service Level load information to NRF in Heartbeat messages. Further, each NF can provide service for one or many slices. Currently, there is no method defined in standard or in the existing solutions for reporting full NF Level load on a per slice basis. Similarly, an individual service within NF may also require reporting load on per slice basis. [0006] Both the above-mentioned problems are not currently addressed by 3gpp TS 29.510 and/or any other existing solutions in the art, therefore the present disclosure aims to address these limitations. SUMMARY [0007] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter. [0008] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for reporting slicespecific load information in a 5G network. The method includes receiving, by a receiver via a network repository function (NRF), a registration request from a network function (NF). The registration request comprises a load attribute indicative of a load level for at least one network slice. The method further includes updating, by a processing unit via the NF, a profile with the load attribute associated with a respective network slice identifier and a corresponding load value. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting, by a transmitter via the NF, a heartbeat message to the NRF. The heartbeat message comprises the load attribute for the at least one network slice. Further, the method encompasses storing, by a storage unit via the NRF, the load attribute in database. The method further includes subscribing, by the processing unit via a network data analytics entity, to the load attribute for the at least one network slice. Also, the method encompasses sending, by the transmitter via the NRF, a notification to the network data analytics entity comprising the load attribute, upon detecting a change in the load value for the at least one network slice. [0009] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the load attribute is defined as a map data type with the network slice identifier as a key and the load value as a value, with the load value ranging from 0 to 100. [0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the notification comprising the load attribute is sent within a configuration interv