CN114302429A - NWDAF network element determination method, device, equipment and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a method, a device, equipment and a storage medium for determining a network data analysis function (NWDAF) network element, relates to the field of communication, and can accurately determine the NWDAF network element. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first indication message from an NWDAF service consumption network element, wherein the first indication message comprises an analysis Identification (ID) and analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used for identifying the type of network data to be analyzed, and the analysis expected time is the longest analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed; in a case that the analysis expected time is greater than or equal to an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first aggregated NWDAF network element transmits a first request message to a network database function network element NRF network element, the first request message being for requesting one or more lower NWDAF network elements, a sum of a maximum of times at which the one or more lower NWDAF network elements analyze the network data and a time at which the first aggregated NWDAF network element aggregates the one or more lower NWDAF network elements being less than or equal to a time at which the first aggregated NWDAF network element analyzes the network data.

Description

NWDAF network element determination method, device, equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium for determining an NWDAF network element.

Background

With the development of communication technology, network data analysis function (NWDAF) network elements are introduced by the third generation partnership project (3 GPP). An NWDAF network element may collect and analyze network data from various Network Function (NF), Application Function (AF), and Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) systems.

In general, an NWDAF service consuming network element determines an NWDAF network element for analyzing network data according to whether the NWDAF network element supports analyzing the network data. However, the network data analysis capabilities may be different due to different NWDAF network elements. For example, some NWDAF network elements may perform network data analysis by a lower level NWDAF network element, and some NWDAF network elements may perform network data network analysis separately. Therefore, the NWDAF network element cannot be accurately determined only based on whether the NWDAF network element can analyze the network data.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method, a device, equipment and a storage medium for determining an NWDAF network element so as to accurately determine the NWDAF.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme is as follows:

in a first aspect, the present application provides a method for determining a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, where the method is applied to a first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first aggregated NWDAF network element has a network data analysis capability and a capability of aggregating a lower NWDAF network element, and the method includes: receiving a first indication message from an NWDAF service consumption network element, wherein the first indication message comprises an analysis Identification (ID) and analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used for identifying the type of network data to be analyzed, and the analysis expected time is the longest analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed; the method includes that when analysis expected time of network data to be analyzed is greater than or equal to analysis delay supported by a first aggregation NWDAF network element, the first aggregation NWDAF network element sends a first request message to a network database function network element NRF network element, the first request message is used for requesting one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data, and sum of maximum time of the time of analyzing the network data by the one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements and time of aggregating the one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements by the first aggregation NWDAF network element is less than or equal to the time of analyzing the network data by the first aggregation NWDAF network element.

Optionally, in a case that the analysis expected time is less than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, sending a first reject message to the NWDAF service consuming network element; the first reject message comprises a cause value indicating that an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is greater than an analysis expected time.

Optionally, the first aggregated NWDAF network element receives first feedback information from the NRF network element, where the first feedback information includes information of one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements, the subordinate NWDAF network element has a capability of analyzing network data, and a coverage area of the subordinate NWDAF network element includes an area to be analyzed.

Optionally, a second indication message is sent to one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the second indication message is used to indicate that network data corresponding to the analysis ID is to be analyzed, and the second indication message includes the analysis ID; receiving analysis information from one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements, wherein the analysis information of the lower-level NWDAF network elements comprises network data analysis results of the lower-level NWDAF network elements.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for determining an NWDAF network element, which is applied to an NRF network element, and is characterized in that the method includes: receiving a first request message from a first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first request message being for requesting a subordinate NWDAF network element, the subordinate NWDAF network element being for analyzing network data; the first aggregation NWDAF network element has network data analysis capability and the capability of aggregating lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element is less than or equal to the analysis expected time of the network data; and sending first feedback information to the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first feedback information comprising information of one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements.

Optionally, a second request message of the NWDAF service consuming network element is received, where the second request message is in a request of aggregating the NWDAF network element; and sending a second feedback message to the NWDAF service consumption network element, wherein the second feedback message comprises an aggregated NWDAF network element list, and the aggregated NWDAF network element list comprises a plurality of aggregated NWDAF network elements.

Optionally, the second request message includes an analysis ID and an area to be analyzed, where the analysis ID is used to characterize a type of network data to be analyzed, and the method further includes: determining one or more lower NWDAF network elements according to the area to be analyzed; the coverage area of the lower NWDAF network element includes an area to be analyzed.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a device for determining a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, where the device is applied to a first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first aggregated NWDAF network element has a network data analysis capability and a capability of aggregating a lower NWDAF network element, and the device for determining a NWDAF network element includes: a receiving unit and a transmitting unit; a receiving unit, configured to receive a first indication message from an NWDAF service consuming network element, where the first indication message includes an analysis identifier ID and analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used to characterize a type of network data to be analyzed, and the analysis expected time is the analysis expected time of the network data, and the first indication message is used to indicate a first aggregated NWDAF network element to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID; in case the analysis expected time is greater than or equal to an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first aggregated NWDAF network element sends a first request message to a network database function network element NRF network element, the first request message being for requesting one or more lower NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data, the one or more lower NWDAF network elements being for analyzing the network data.

Optionally, the sending unit is further configured to send a first reject message to the NWDAF service consuming network element when the analysis expected time is less than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element; the first reject message comprises a cause value indicating that an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is greater than an analysis expected time. Optionally, the receiving unit is further configured to receive first feedback information from the NRF network element, where the first feedback information includes information of one or more lower NWDAF network elements, the lower NWDAF network elements have a capability of analyzing network data, and a coverage area of the lower NWDAF network elements includes an area to be analyzed.

Optionally, the sending unit is further configured to send a second indication message to one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the second indication message is used to indicate that network data corresponding to the analysis ID is to be analyzed, and the second indication message includes the analysis ID; the receiving unit is further configured to receive analysis information from one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the analysis information of the lower NWDAF network elements includes a result of analyzing network data by the lower NWDAF network elements.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an apparatus for determining an NWDAF network element, which is applied to an NRF network element, and includes: a receiving unit and a transmitting unit; a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request message from a first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first request message is used to request a lower NWDAF network element, and the lower NWDAF network element is used to analyze network data; the first aggregation NWDAF network element has network data analysis capability and the capability of aggregating lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element is less than or equal to the analysis expected time of the network data; a sending unit, configured to send first feedback information to the first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first feedback information includes information of one or more lower NWDAF network elements.

Optionally, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second request message of the NWDAF service consuming network element, where the second request message is in a request of aggregating the NWDAF network elements; and the sending unit is further configured to send a second feedback message to the NWDAF service consuming network element, where the second feedback message includes an aggregated NWDAF network element list, and the aggregated NWDAF network element list includes multiple aggregated NWDAF network elements.

Optionally, the second request message includes an analysis ID and an area to be analyzed, where the analysis ID is used to characterize a type of network data to be analyzed, and the NWDAF network element determining apparatus further includes: a determination unit; a determining unit, configured to determine one or more lower NWDAF network elements according to an area to be analyzed; the coverage area of the lower NWDAF network element includes an area to be analyzed.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising: a processor, a communication interface, and a memory. Wherein the memory is used to store one or more programs. The one or more programs include computer executable instructions which, when executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method of determining an NWDAF network element of the first aspect and any of its various alternative implementations.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, where the instructions are executed by a computer, and the computer executes the NWDAF network element determination method of the first aspect and any one of its various optional implementations.

The method for determining the NWDAF network element comprises the steps that a first indication message from an NWDAF service consumption network element is received, the first indication message comprises an analysis identification ID and analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used for identifying the type of network data to be analyzed, the analysis expected time is the longest analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed, and the first indication message is used for indicating a first aggregation NWDAF network element to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID; and under the condition that the analysis expected time is longer than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element, the first aggregation NWDAF network element sends a first request message to the NRF network element, wherein the first request message is used for acquiring one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the lower-level NWDAF network elements are used for analyzing network data. Therefore, the aggregation NWDAF network element can send the indication message to the NRF network element only when the analysis expected time is longer than the analysis time delay supported by the aggregation NWDAF network element, and the aggregation NWDAF network element is prevented from exceeding the analysis expected time of the NWDAF service consumption network element; in this way, the NRF network element may accurately select a suitable lower NWDAF network element for the aggregated NWDAF when the analysis delay supported by the aggregated NWDAF satisfies the analysis expected delay.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an NWDAF network element determination system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a NWDAF network element determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a NWDAF network element determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an NWDAF network element determination system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an NWDAF network element determining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a NWDAF network element determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another NWDAF network element determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another NWDAF network element determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another NWDAF network element determining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of an NWDAF network element determining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of an NWDAF network element determining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The following describes in detail a method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium for determining an NWDAF network element according to an embodiment of the present application with reference to the drawings.

The term "and/or" herein is merely an association describing an associated object, meaning that three relationships may exist, e.g., a and/or B, may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description and drawings of the present application are used for distinguishing different objects or for distinguishing different processes for the same object, and are not used for describing a specific order of the objects.

Furthermore, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, as referred to in the description of the present application, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements but may alternatively include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specified.

Within the framework of a 5G Core (5G Core, 5GC) 3GPP defines a 5G native large network data analysis and AI technology application framework based on NWDAF network element architecture. The NWDAF network element architecture can support mechanisms of corresponding network data acquisition, network data analysis, analysis result feedback and the like through a standardized communication network flow, and the automatic management, operation and optimization capabilities of the 5G network are further improved.

In one example, as shown in fig. 1, a network data analysis architecture of an NWDAF network element may include: NF, AF, NWDAF network elements, a network data storage library and OAM.

The NF has access and mobility management functions, session management functions, and the like, and may also provide network data for the MWDAF. The AF indicates the functionality of the application that may be used to provide network data for the NWDAF network elements. The network data storage library is used for storing network data. OAM is used to operate, manage and maintain networks and services.

It should be noted that the NWDAF network element may also obtain NF registration information from the NRF network element, and simultaneously support obtaining information such as network resource usage or NF load from OAM.

The NF service consuming network element and the NWDAF network element may also have a "quasi-real-time" interaction mechanism, that is, the NWDAF network element evaluates and calculates in its interior for a specific analysis type, obtains a "supported analysis delay" for the analysis type, and registers it as a part of NWDAF network element information (NF Profile) in the NRF network element.

When the NF service consuming network element performs NWDAF network element discovery, it may send a request message for requesting the NWDAF network element to the NRF network element for the type of network data to be analyzed, and indicate that the NRF network element needs to obtain a corresponding analysis result within a certain time delay.

The NRF network element may return a list to the NF service consuming network element, where the list may include the identities of the plurality of NWDAF network elements and the corresponding analysis delays. The analysis delay of the NWDAF network element refers to the delay of the NWDAF itself analyzing the network data. The NF service consuming network element may compare the analysis delay of each NWDAF network element in the list with the analysis expected time of the NF service consuming network element, and select one NWDAF network element whose analysis delay is smaller than the analysis expected time from the list to perform subsequent operations such as instructing, analyzing, and subscribing.

In one example, as shown in fig. 2, the NRF network element may determine the NWDAF network element by the following process.

S1, the NF service consuming network element sends a request message to the NRF network element. Correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the request message sent by the NF service consuming network element.

Wherein the request message may be for requesting an NWDAF network element. For example, the Request message may be an NRF network element _ NFDiscovery _ Request. The request message may include: an analysis ID, an analysis area, and a real-time communication indication. The analysis ID may be used to identify the type of network data to be analyzed. The real-time communication indication is used for instructing the NWDAF network element to feed back the analysis information within the analysis expected time.

In one example, the types of network data may include: one or more of load level information (load level information), Service Experience information (Service Experience), NF load information (NF load information), Network Performance information (Network Performance), terminal Mobility information (UE Mobility), terminal Communication information (UE Communication), terminal Abnormal behavior information (Abnormal behavior), User Network Data Congestion information (User Data Congestion), quality of Service Sustainability information (QoS persistence), conference Management Congestion Control information (Session Management Congestion Control Experience), Redundant Transmission information (Redundant Transmission Experience), wireless local area Network Performance information (WLAN Performance), terminal distribution information (UE distribution), and edge Network Performance information (DN Performance).

And S2, the NRF network element authorizes the NF service consuming network element to discover the service.

And S3, the NRF network element sends a request feedback message to the NF service consumption network element. Correspondingly, the NF service consumption network element receives the feedback message sent by the NRF network element

Wherein the request feedback message includes a NWDAF network element list. The NWDAF network element list includes an identification of one or more NWDAF network elements. The plurality of NWDAF network elements each support requested network data analysis and a specific analysis delay.

For example, the Request feedback message may specifically be an NRF network element _ NFDiscovery _ Request Response.

It should be noted that the 5GC network data analysis architecture based on the NWDAF network element supports analyzing the aggregation capability, that is, the instruction from the NWDAF service consumption network element may be completed by a plurality of lower NWDAF network elements together (for example, the area involved in the analysis is too large, and the plurality of NWDAF network elements are required to completely cover the area), the NWDAF service consumer finds one NWDAF network element (i.e., the aggregation NWDAF network element) having the analysis aggregation capability through the NRF network element, and sends the specific analysis requirement to the aggregation NWDAF network element, and the aggregation NWDAF network element finds another lower NWDAF network element providing the analysis network data information, and finally, the aggregation NWDAF network element may analyze the network data analysis information fed back by the aggregation lower NWDAF network element, and feeds back the analysis result to the NWDAF service consumption network element through an internal mechanism after aggregation.

When the NWDAF service consuming network element provides the area to be analyzed, a specific flow of the aggregated NWDAF network element analyzing the network data analysis information fed back by the aggregated lower NWDAF network element may be as shown in fig. 3:

s11, the NWDAF service consuming network element sends a message requesting to aggregate the NWDAF network element to the NRF network element. Correspondingly, the NRF network element receives a request aggregation NWDAF network element message sent by the NWDAF service consuming network element.

Wherein the request for aggregating the NWDAF network element message may further include: analysis ID, area to be analyzed. For example, the message may be an NRF network element _ NFDiscovery _ Request.

Wherein the aggregation NWDAF network element is an aggregation capable NWDAF network element. The aggregation capability of the aggregated NWDAF network element is a capability additionally supported on the basis of basic functions of the NWDAF network element.

And S12, the NRF network element finds the aggregated NWDAF network element according to the message requesting the aggregated NWDAF network element.

The NRF network element may determine a plurality of aggregated NWDAF network elements according to preconfigured NWDAF information.

S13, NR network element F feeds back the aggregated NWDAF network element information to the NWDAF service consumption network element. Correspondingly, the NWDAF service consuming network element receives aggregated NWDAF network element information from the NRF network element.

The NWDAF network element information includes identifiers of a plurality of aggregated NWDAF network elements. For example, the message may be NRF network element _ NFDiscovery _ Response.

Further, the NWDAF service consuming network element may determine a target aggregated NWDAF network element based on a preset criterion. The preset criteria may be pre-configured and may be used to determine an aggregated NWDAF network element. For example, the predetermined criterion may mean that the analysis time of the network data is less than or equal to the analysis expected delay.

S14, the NWDAF service consuming network element sends a first indication message to the aggregated NWDAF network element. Correspondingly, the aggregated NWDAF network element receives a first indication message of an NWDAF service consuming network element.

The first indication message is used for indicating the aggregation NWDAF network element to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID. For example, the first indication message includes: analysis ID, area to be analyzed. The first indication message may be any one of analytisslinfo/analytiscssubscription _ subscribe.

S15, the aggregated NWDAF network element sends a second indication message to the one or more lower NWDAF network elements. Accordingly, the one or more lower NWDAF network elements receive the second indication message sent by the aggregated NWDAF network element.

And the second indication message is used for indicating the lower-level NWDAF network element to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID. For example, the second indication message may be

_Analyticslinfo/_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscri Request。

Wherein the one or more lower level NWDAF network elements may be selected by the aggregation NWDAF network element based on the area to be analyzed.

In another example, when the request aggregated NWDAF network element message does not include an area to be analyzed, the aggregated NWDAF network element selects a lower NWDAF network element that covers a large area as much as possible when selecting the lower NWDAF network element.

S16, each lower NWDAF network element sends network data analysis information to the aggregated NWDAF network element. Correspondingly, the aggregated NWDAF network element receives network data analysis information sent by a plurality of lower-level NWDAF network elements.

For example, the network data analysis information may be _ analytics Response or _ analytics description _ Notify. The network data analysis information may refer to an analysis result of the network data by the lower NWDAF.

S17, the aggregate NWDAF network element aggregates the analysis information of the plurality of lower NWDAF network elements.

And S18, the aggregation NWDAF network element feeds back the aggregated analysis information to the NWDAF service consumption network element. Correspondingly, the NWDAF service consuming network element receives the aggregated analysis information sent by the aggregated NWDAF network element.

It should be noted that an NWDAF network element with a specific aggregation capability may or may not apply the aggregation capability when performing network data analysis. When the NWDAF service consuming network element selects the aggregated NWDAF network element for analyzing the ID, it only considers the analysis delay when the aggregated NWDAF network element independently completes the network data analysis. When the aggregated NWDAF applies the aggregation capability, its analysis latency becomes: a maximum value of an analysis delay of the plurality of lower NWDAF network elements for the specific analysis ID, and a sum of time required for the aggregation NWDAF network elements to aggregate the network data analysis information of the lower NWDAF network elements. When the time for aggregating the network data analysis information of the lower NWDAF network element by the NWDAF network element exceeds the expected analysis time delay of the NWDAF service consuming network element, the aggregated NWDAF network element cannot meet the time delay requirement of the NWDAF service consuming network element.

In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining an NWDAF network element, where the method may include: receiving a first indication message from an NWDAF service consumption network element, wherein the first indication message comprises an analysis identification ID and analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used for representing the type of network data to be analyzed, the analysis expected time is the analysis expected time of the network data, and the first indication message is used for indicating a first aggregation NWDAF network element to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID; and under the condition that the analysis expected time is greater than or equal to the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element, the first aggregation NWDAF network element sends a first request message to the NRF network element, wherein the first request message is used for requesting one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements to analyze network data.

The method provided by the embodiment of the application is explained in the following with the accompanying drawings of the specification.

The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 4, and as shown in fig. 4, the communication system 10 may include an aggregation NWDAF network element 11, a lower NWDAF network element 12, a network repository function network element (NRF network element) 13, an NWDAF service consumption network element 14, and a network data source 15. One or more aggregated NWDAF network elements 11, a plurality of lower NWDAF network elements 12, a Network Repository Function (NRF) network element 13, an NWDAF service consuming network element 14, and a network data source 15 may be communicatively connected

Wherein the aggregation NWDAF network element 11 has an analysis capability and an aggregation capability. The analysis capability is a capability of analyzing network data, and the aggregation capability is a capability of aggregating network data analysis information of a plurality of lower-level NWDAF network elements. When the aggregated NWDAF network element receives the indication message of the NWDAF service consuming network element, the network data analysis process may be completed by the plurality of lower-level NWDAF network elements together.

The lower NWDAF network element 12 is configured to analyze the network data and feed back a result of analyzing the network data to the aggregation NWDAF network element.

The network repository function network element NRF network element 13 is configured to maintain real-time information of all network function services in the network. In future communication systems, the network repository function network element may still be an NRF network element, or may also have another name, which is not limited in this application.

Wherein the NWDAF service consuming network element 14 is configured to analyze the service by requesting network data from the NRF network element.

Wherein the network data source network element 15 is used to provide the network data to be analyzed.

It should be noted that fig. 4 is only an exemplary architecture diagram, and the communication system may include other functional units besides the functional units shown in fig. 4, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In a specific implementation, each device in fig. 1 may adopt the composition structure shown in fig. 5, or include the components shown in fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic composition diagram of a communication device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the communication device 20 includes a processor 201, a communication interface 202, a communication line 203, and a memory 204.

The processor 201 may be a CPU, a general purpose processor Network (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 201 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as, without limitation, a circuit, a device, or a software module. In one example, processor 201 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 2.

A communication interface 202 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a radio access network (RAN device), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. The communication interface may be a module, a circuit, a communication interface, or any device capable of enabling communication.

A communication link 203 for transmitting messages between the components comprised in the determination system of the NWDAF network element.

A memory 204 for storing instructions. Wherein the instructions may be a computer program.

The memory 204 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that can store static messages and/or instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that can store messages and/or instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or another optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or another magnetic storage device, and the like, without limitation.

It is noted that the memory 204 may exist separately from the processor 201 or may be integrated with the processor 201. The memory 204 may be used for storing instructions or program code or some network data or the like. Memory 302 may be located within network device 20 or external to network device 20, without limitation. A processor 201, configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 204 to implement the method for determining an NWDAF network element according to the following embodiments of the present application.

As an alternative implementation, the network device 20 may include multiple processors, for example, the processor 207 may be included in addition to the processor 201 in fig. 5.

As an alternative implementation, the network device 20 further includes an output device 205 and an input device 206. Illustratively, the input device 206 is a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, among other devices, and the output device 205 is a display screen, speaker (spaker), among other devices.

In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

In addition, acts, terms, and the like referred to between the embodiments of the present application may be mutually referenced and are not limited. In the embodiment of the present application, the name of the message exchanged between the devices or the name of the parameter in the message, etc. are only an example, and other names may also be used in the specific implementation, which is not limited.

The embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining an NWDAF network element having a network data analysis function, which may be applied to the above-mentioned aggregated NWDAF network element, and may also be applied to a determining device included in the aggregated NWDAF network element.

The embodiment of the present application takes an example that the method for determining the NWDAF network element is adapted to the aggregated NWDAF network element. As shown in fig. 6, the method may include S301-S304:

s301, the NWDAF service consuming network element sends a first indication message to the first aggregated NWDAF network element. Accordingly, the first aggregated NWDAF network element receives the first indication message from the NWDAF service consuming network element.

The NWDAF network element service consuming network element may be an NWDAF service consuming network element 14 in fig. 4, or may be a device, such as a chip, in the NWDAF service consuming network element 14. The first aggregated NWDAF network element may be the aggregated NWDAF network element 11 in fig. 4, or may also be a device, such as a chip, in the aggregated NWDAF network element 11.

Wherein the first aggregated NWDAF network element has network data analysis capability and a capability of aggregating a subordinate NWDAF network element. The network data analysis capability of the first aggregated NWDAF network element means that the first aggregated NWDAF network element is capable of analyzing network data. The capability of the first aggregated NWDAF network element to aggregate lower NWDAF network elements refers to the first aggregated NWDAF network element being capable of aggregating analytical information of one or more lower NWDAFs.

Wherein the first indication message may be used to indicate that the network data is analyzed. For example, the first indication message may include an analysis ID, an analysis expected time. The analysis ID can refer to the above description, and is not described in detail. The analysis expected time (also referred to as time required to analyze information, near real-time communication indication) refers to a maximum analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed.

Wherein the first aggregated NWDAF network element may be confirmed by: and correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the aggregated NWDAF network element request message and then sends an aggregated NWDAF network element list to the NWDAF service consumption network element. After receiving the aggregated NWDAF network element list, the NWDAF service consuming network element may determine, based on a preset rule, a first aggregated NWDAF network element from the aggregated NWDAF network element list.

The preset rule may be configured in advance by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, or may be set in response to a setting operation of a developer, which is not limited.

S302, the first aggregated NWDAF network element determines whether the analysis expected time is greater than an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

Wherein the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is an analysis delay of the first aggregated NWDAF network element for the analysis ID. The analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is a sum of a maximum of times for the one or more lower NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data and a time for the first aggregated NWDAF to aggregate the one or more lower NWDAF network elements.

In one example, the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element may be determined by a simulated evaluation of the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

For example, a method of simulated evaluation of a first aggregated NWDAF network element may comprise: the first aggregation NWDAF is simulated based on a preset internal algorithm model, and a lower-level NWDAF network element is found through simulation; and the first aggregation NWDAF determines the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element according to the number of the lower-level NWDAF network elements found by simulation and the size of the area to be analyzed.

For example, when the number of next-level NWDAF network elements is 1 and the area to be analyzed is TAI1/TAI2/TAI3, the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is 5 ms.

For another example, when the number of the next-stage NWDAF network elements is 2 and the area to be analyzed is TAI1/TAI2/TAI3, the time required for analyzing aggregation is 2.5 ms.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned process of determining the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is implemented only inside the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

Thus, the first aggregated NWDAF network element may pre-evaluate the analysis delay supported by the aggregated NWDAF network element, thereby comparing the analysis expected time with the size of the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

S303, in case that the analysis expected time is greater than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first aggregated NWDAF network element sends a first request message to the NRF network element. Accordingly, the NRF network element receives a first request message from a first aggregated NWDAF network element.

Wherein the first request message is used to acquire one or more lower NWDAF network elements. Illustratively, when the analysis expected time is 3 milliseconds (ms) and the analysis latency supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is 2ms, then it is determined that the analysis expected time is greater than the analysis latency supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

The method comprises the steps that a first indication message from an NWDAF service consumption network element is received, the first indication message comprises an analysis identification ID and analysis expected time, network data analysis is used for representing the type of network data to be analyzed, and the time required by analysis ID is the time for analyzing the network data; the method includes the steps that under the condition that analysis expected time is longer than analysis time delay supported by a first aggregation NWDAF network element, the first aggregation NWDAF network element sends a first request message to an NRF network element, the first request message is used for obtaining one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements, the lower-level NWDAF network elements are used for analyzing network data, and the first analysis time delay is the sum of the maximum time length of network data analysis of the plurality of lower-level NWDAF network elements of the first aggregation NWDAF network element and the aggregation time length of the first aggregation NWDAF network element. Therefore, in the present application, only when the analysis expected time is greater than the analysis delay supported by the aggregation NWDAF network element, the aggregation NWDAF network element may send a request message to the NRF network element to request a lower NWDAF network element. In this way, the NRF network element may accurately select a suitable lower NWDAF network element for the aggregated NWDAF when the analysis delay supported by the aggregated NWDAF satisfies the analysis expected delay.

In a possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the NWDAF network element determining method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes the following step S304:

s304, in case that the analysis expected time is less than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first aggregated NWDAF network element sends a first reject message to the NWDAF service consuming network element. Accordingly, the NWDAF service consuming network element receives the first rejection message.

The first rejection message is used for indicating that the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is greater than the analysis expected time.

Illustratively, when the analysis expected time is 2 milliseconds (ms) and the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is 3ms, the first aggregated NWDAF network element determines that the expected analysis time of the first aggregated NWDAF network element is less than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

Therefore, the method and the device send the first rejection message to the NWDAF service consumption network element by judging that the analysis expected time is less than the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element, and further avoid the analysis time delay of the aggregation NWDAF network element exceeding the analysis ID support.

In a possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, after S303, the method for determining an NWDAF network element according to the embodiment of the present application may further include the following S401:

s401, the NRF network element sends a first feedback message to the first aggregation NWDAF network element. Correspondingly, the first aggregated NWDAF network element receives the first feedback message of the NRF network element.

Wherein the first feedback information is used to indicate one or more lower level NWDAF network elements. The one or more lower NWDAF network elements may be to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID, and a sum of a maximum of times at which the one or more lower NWDAF network elements analyze the network data and a time at which the first aggregated NWDAF network element aggregates the one or more lower NWDAF network elements is less than or equal to a time at which the first aggregated NWDAF network element analyzes the network data.

If the first indication message may further include an area to be analyzed, the service area of each lower NWDAF network element of the one or more lower NWDAF network elements may cover the area to be analyzed.

In some embodiments, if the NWDAF service consuming network element does not provide the area to be analyzed, the NRF network element may select a lower NWDAF network element having a service area coverage larger than a preset range from among the plurality of lower NWDAFs.

Therefore, the service areas of one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements in the method cover the area to be analyzed, and the network data of the area to be analyzed can be completely analyzed.

In one possible implementation, as shown in fig. 8, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

s501, the first aggregated NWDAF network element sends a second indication message to one or more lower NWDAF network elements. Accordingly, the one or more lower NWDAF network elements receive the second indication message sent by the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

The second indication message is used for indicating one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID. For example, the second indication message includes the analysis ID.

In a possible implementation manner, after one or more lower NWDAF network elements receive the second indication message sent by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the lower NWDAF network element analyzes the network data corresponding to the analysis ID to obtain analysis information.

The analysis information of the lower-level NWDAF network element includes a network data analysis result of the lower-level NWDAF network element.

For example, server quality (QoS) can be analyzed to derive QoS analysis information, which can be used to characterize a quality level of QoS.

In one example, a lower NWDAF network element may extract network data to be analyzed from a data source

S502, the lower NWDAF sends analysis information to the first aggregated NWDAF network element. Accordingly, the first aggregated NWDAF receives analytics information from one or more lower level NWDAF network elements.

An embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining an NWDAF network element of a network data analysis function, as shown in fig. 9, the method may further include S601-S602.

S601, the NWDAF service consuming network element sends a second request message to the NRF network element. Correspondingly, the NRF network element receives a second request message of the NWDAF service consuming network element.

Wherein the second request message is used for requesting to aggregate the NWDAF network elements. For example, the second request message may include an analysis ID, an analysis expected time.

And S602, the NRF network element sends a second feedback message to the NWDAF service consumption network element. Correspondingly, the NWDAF service consuming network element receives the second feedback message sent by the NRF network element.

The second feedback message includes an aggregated NWDAF network element list, and the aggregated NWDAF network element list includes identifiers of a plurality of aggregated NWDAF network elements. Each aggregated NWDAF network element in the aggregated NWDAF network element list supports an analysis ID and has the capability of aggregating lower NWDAF network elements.

It should be noted that the second feedback information may further include an analysis delay of each aggregated NWDAF network element in the list for the analysis ID.

Further, the NWDAF service consumer network element may select the first aggregated NWDAF network element from the aggregated NWDAF network element list based on a preset rule.

It should be noted that the preset rule may be to select an aggregated NWDAF network element in the aggregated NWDAF network element list, where an analysis delay for the analysis ID is shortest.

Receiving a second request message of the NWDAF service consumption network element through the NRF network element, wherein the second request message is used for requesting to aggregate the NWDAF network elements; and sending a second feedback message to the NWDAF service consumption network element, wherein the second feedback message comprises an aggregated NWDAF network element list, and the aggregated NWDAF network element list comprises the identifications of the multiple aggregated NWDAF network elements. The NWDAF service consumer network element may select a first aggregated NWDAF network element from the list of aggregated NWDAF network elements based on a preset rule. Thus, the aggregate NEDAF can be accurately determined.

In a possible implementation, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

and the lower-level NWDAF network element sends the multiple pieces of network data analysis information to the first aggregation NWDAF network element. The first aggregation NWDAF network element aggregates the network data information to obtain analysis information; and the aggregation NWDAF network element sends the analysis information to the NWDAF service consumption network element.

In the embodiment of the present application, the server may be divided into the functional modules or the functional units according to the above method example, for example, each functional module or functional unit may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into two modules. The integrated module may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional module or a functional unit. The division of the modules or units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the NWDAF network element determining apparatus in the foregoing embodiment. As shown in fig. 10, the NWDAF network element determining apparatus 90 includes a receiving unit 901 and a transmitting unit 902.

A receiving unit 901, configured to receive a first indication message from an NWDAF service consuming network element, where the first indication message includes an analysis identifier ID and an analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used to identify a type of network data to be analyzed, and the analysis expected time is a longest analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the receiving unit 901 may be configured to perform S301.

A sending unit 902, configured to, when an expected time for analysis of the network data to be analyzed is greater than or equal to an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, send a first request message to a network database function network element NRF network element by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first request message is used to request one or more lower NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data, and a sum of a maximum value of times for which the one or more lower NWDAF network elements analyze the network data and a time for which the first aggregated NWDAF network element aggregates the one or more lower NWDAF network elements is less than or equal to a time for which the first aggregated NWDAF network element analyzes the network data. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the sending unit 902 may be configured to execute S302.

In a possible design, as shown in fig. 6, the sending unit 902 provided in this embodiment of the present application is further configured to: sending a first rejection message to the NWDAF service consumption network element under the condition that the analysis expected time is less than the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element; the first reject message comprises a cause value indicating that an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is greater than an analysis expected time. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the sending unit 902 may be configured to execute S304.

In one possible design, the receiving unit 901 provided in this embodiment of the present application is further configured to: receiving first feedback information from the NRF network element, the first feedback information comprising information of one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements, the subordinate NWDAF network elements having the capability of analyzing network data and a coverage area of the subordinate NWDAF network elements comprising an area to be analyzed. For example, as shown in fig. 7, the receiving unit 901 may be configured to perform S401.

In a possible design, the receiving unit 901 provided in this embodiment is further configured to send a second indication message to one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the second indication message is used to indicate that network data corresponding to the analysis ID is to be analyzed, and the second indication message includes the analysis ID. For example, as shown in fig. 8, the sending unit 902 may be configured to perform S501.

The receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive analysis information from one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the analysis information of the lower NWDAF network elements includes a result of analyzing network data by the lower NWDAF network elements. For example, as shown in fig. 8, the receiving unit 901 may be configured to perform S502.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic structural diagram of another possible NWDAF network element determining apparatus in the above embodiment. As shown in fig. 11, the NWDAF network element determining apparatus 100 includes a receiving unit 1001, a transmitting unit 1002, and a determining unit 1003.

A receiving unit 1001, configured to receive a first request message from a first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first request message is used to request a lower NWDAF network element, and the lower NWDAF network element is used to analyze network data; the first aggregation NWDAF network element has network data analysis capability and the capability of aggregating lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element is less than or equal to the analysis expected time of the network data; for example, as shown in fig. 9, the receiving unit 1001 may be configured to perform S601.

A sending unit 1002, configured to send first feedback information to a first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first feedback information includes information of one or more lower NWDAF network elements. For example, as shown in fig. 9, the sending unit 1002 may be configured to execute S602.

In a possible design, the receiving unit 1001 is further configured to receive a second request message of the NWDAF service consuming network element, where the second request message requests to aggregate the NWDAF network element; for example, as shown in fig. 9, the receiving unit 1001 may be configured to perform S601.

The sending unit 1002 is further configured to send a second feedback message to an NWDAF service consuming network element, where the second feedback message includes an aggregated NWDAF network element list, and the aggregated NWDAF network element list includes multiple aggregated NWDAF network elements. For example, as shown in fig. 9, the sending unit 1002 may be configured to execute S602.

In one possible design, the second request message includes an analysis ID and an area to be analyzed, where the analysis ID is used to characterize a type of network data to be analyzed, and the NWDAF network element determining apparatus further includes: a determination unit 1003. A determining unit 1003, configured to determine one or more lower NWDAF network elements according to the area to be analyzed; the coverage area of the lower NWDAF network element includes an area to be analyzed.

The method for determining the NWDAF network element comprises the steps that a first indication message from an NWDAF service consumption network element is received, the first indication message comprises an analysis identification ID and analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used for representing the type of network data to be analyzed, the analysis expected time is the analysis expected time of the network data, and the first indication message is used for indicating a first aggregation NWDAF network element to analyze the network data corresponding to the analysis ID; and under the condition that the analysis expected time is longer than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregation NWDAF network element, the first aggregation NWDAF network element sends a first request message to the NRF network element, wherein the first request message is used for acquiring one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the lower-level NWDAF network elements are used for analyzing network data. Therefore, only when the analysis expected time is longer than the analysis time delay supported by the aggregation NWDAF network element, the aggregation NWDAF network element sends the indication message to the NRF network element, and the situation that the first aggregation NWDAF network element exceeds the analysis expected time of the NWDAF service consumption network element is avoided. The aggregated NWDAF network element may be more accurately determined.

Through the above description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and simplicity of description, the foregoing division of the functional modules is merely used as an example, and in practical applications, the above function distribution may be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the above described functions. For the specific working processes of the system, the apparatus and the unit described above, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described here again.

Embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method for determining an NWDAF network element of the above method embodiments.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the determining apparatus of the NWDAF network element executes the instructions, the determining apparatus of the NWDAF network element executes each step executed by the determining apparatus of the NWDAF network element in the method flow shown in the foregoing method embodiment.

The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), a register, a hard disk, an optical fiber, a portable Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, any suitable combination of the above, or any other form of computer readable storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In embodiments of the present application, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (16)

1. A method of determining a network data analysis function, NWDAF, network element, for application to a first aggregated NWDAF network element having network data analysis capabilities and capabilities to aggregate subordinate NWDAF network elements, the method comprising:

receiving a first indication message from an NWDAF service consuming network element, where the first indication message includes an analysis identification ID and an analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used to identify a type of network data to be analyzed, the analysis expected time is a longest analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed, and the first indication message is used to indicate the first aggregated NWDAF network element to analyze the network data;

when the expected time for analysis of the network data to be analyzed is greater than or equal to the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first aggregated NWDAF network element sends a first request message to a network database function network element NRF network element, where the first request message is used to request one or more lower NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data, and a sum of a maximum value of times for the one or more lower NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data and a time for the first aggregated NWDAF network element to aggregate the one or more lower NWDAF network elements is less than or equal to a time for the first aggregated NWDAF network element to analyze the network data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a first rejection message to the NWDAF service consuming network element when the analysis expected time of the network data to be analyzed is less than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element; the first reject message is used to indicate that the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is greater than the analysis expected time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication message further comprises an area to be analyzed, and wherein the method further comprises:

the first aggregated NWDAF network element receives first feedback information from an NRF network element, the first feedback information being used to indicate one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements that have a capability of analyzing the network data and whose coverage areas include the area to be analyzed.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising:

sending a second indication message to the one or more lower NWDAF network elements, the second indication message being used to indicate that the network data is analyzed;

receiving analysis information from the one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements, the analysis information of the subordinate NWDAF network elements including a result of the network data analysis by the subordinate NWDAF network elements.

5. A method for determining a network data analysis function (NWDAF) network element is applied to an NRF network element and is characterized by comprising the following steps:

receiving a first request message from a first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first request message for requesting one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data; the first aggregated NWDAF network element has network data analysis capability and capability of aggregating lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is less than or equal to the analysis expected time; the analysis expected time is the longest analysis time corresponding to the network data to be analyzed;

sending first feedback information to the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first feedback information being used to indicate one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements, the one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements having the capability of analyzing the network data, a sum of a maximum value of times at which the one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements analyze the network data and a time at which the first aggregated NWDAF network element aggregates the one or more lower-level NWDAF network elements being less than or equal to a time at which the first aggregated NWDAF network element analyzes the network data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein prior to the receiving the first request message from the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the method further comprises:

receiving a second request message of the NWDAF service consumption network element, wherein the second request message is used for requesting to aggregate the NWDAF network elements;

and sending a second feedback message to the NWDAF service consumption network element, where the NWDAF network element is configured to indicate a plurality of aggregated NWDAF network elements, and the plurality of aggregated NWDAF network elements include the first aggregated NWDAF network element.

7. The method of claim 6,

in a case that the second request message includes an area to be analyzed, a coverage area of the one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements of an NWDAF network element includes the area to be analyzed;

and in case that the second request message does not include an area to be analyzed, the coverage area of the one or more lower NWDAF network elements is greater than a preset range.

8. A determination apparatus of a network data analysis function, NWDAF, network element, applied to a first aggregated NWDAF network element having a network data analysis capability and a capability of aggregating a lower level NWDAF network element, the NWDAF network element determination apparatus comprising: a receiving unit and a transmitting unit;

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first indication message from an NWDAF service consuming network element, where the first indication message includes an analysis identifier ID and an analysis expected time, the analysis ID is used to characterize a type of network data to be analyzed, the analysis expected time is the analysis expected time of the network data, and the first indication message is used to indicate a first aggregated NWDAF network element to analyze the network data;

in a case that the analysis expected time is greater than or equal to an analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element, the first aggregated NWDAF network element sends a first request message to a network database function network element NRF network element, the first request message being for requesting one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements to analyze the network data, the one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements being for analyzing the network data.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sending unit is further configured to:

sending a first reject message to the NWDAF service consuming network element when the analysis expected time is less than the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element; the first reject message is used to indicate that the analysis delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is greater than the analysis expected time.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

receiving first feedback information from an NRF network element, the first feedback information including information of the one or more subordinate NWDAF network elements, the subordinate NWDAF network elements having a capability of analyzing the network data and a coverage area of the subordinate NWDAF network elements including the area to be analyzed.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10,

the sending unit is further configured to send a second indication message to the one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the second indication message is used to indicate that network data corresponding to the analysis ID is to be analyzed, and the second indication message includes the analysis ID;

the receiving unit is further configured to receive analysis information from the one or more lower NWDAF network elements, where the analysis information of the lower NWDAF network elements includes a result of analyzing the network data by the lower NWDAF network elements.

12. A device for determining a network data analysis function (NWDAF) network element is applied to an NRF network element and is characterized by comprising the following components: a receiving unit and a transmitting unit;

the receiving unit is configured to receive a first request message from a first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first request message is used to request a lower NWDAF network element, and the lower NWDAF network element is used to analyze network data; the first aggregated NWDAF network element has network data analysis capability and capability of aggregating lower-level NWDAF network elements, and the analysis time delay supported by the first aggregated NWDAF network element is less than or equal to the analysis expected time of the network data;

the sending unit is configured to send first feedback information to the first aggregated NWDAF network element, where the first feedback information includes information of one or more lower NWDAF network elements.

13. The apparatus of claim 12,

the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second request message of the NWDAF service consuming network element, where the second request message is for requesting to aggregate the NWDAF network elements;

the sending unit is further configured to send a second feedback message to the NWDAF service consuming network element, where the second feedback message includes an aggregated NWDAF network element list, and the aggregated NWDAF network element list includes multiple aggregated NWDAF network elements.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second request message comprises an analysis ID and an area to be analyzed, the analysis ID being used to characterize a type of network data to be analyzed, the NWDAF network element determining apparatus further comprising a determining unit;

the determining unit is configured to determine the one or more lower NWDAF network elements according to the area to be analyzed; the coverage area of the lower NWDAF network element includes the area to be analyzed.

15. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device comprises: a processor, a communication interface, and a memory; wherein the memory is configured to store one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by the communication device, the processor executes the computer executable instructions stored by the memory to cause the communication device to perform the NWDAF network element determination method of any one of claims 1-4 or claims 5-7.

16. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the NWDAF network element determination method of any of claims 1-4, or claims 5-7.

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