Abstract: Techniques discussed herein can facilitate edge computing in connection with a variety of deployment scenarios. Various embodiments can facilitate one or more of: deploying UPF(s) (User Plane Function(s)) to support edge computing; removing UPF(s) not needed for edge computing; deploying local DN(s) (Data Network(s)); E2E (Edge-to-Edge) OSS (Operations Support System) deployment scenarios; and providing RAN (Radio Access Network) condition data to support various applications (e.g., autonomous driving).

Abstract: An apparatus and system of collecting and reporting measurements for an Edge Application Server and 5th generation core network (5GC) network functions (NFs) that impact EAS performance are described. An application service provider (ASP) receives EAS performance measurements from edge computing service provider (ECSP) management system. The ECSP management system receives from the PLMN management system performance measurements from the 5GC NF that impact edge computing applications. The measurements are used to evaluate the end-to-end EAS performance, and determine actions to mitigate any issues based thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus of a management service equipment includes processing circuitry. To configure the management service equipment for E2E performance measurements in a 5G network with a plurality of network functions (NFs), the processing circuitry is to decode RAN latency received from a RAN within the 5G network. The RAN latency is associated with transmission of an Internet protocol (IP) packet between a UE and a data network (DN) via the RAN. A user plane function (UPF) latency associated with communication of the IP packet between the RAN and a UPF within the 5G network is determined. A DN latency associated with communication of the IP packet between the UPF and the DN is determined. An E2E performance measurement calculation is performed to determine an E2E latency associated with communicating the IP packet between the UE and the DN based on the RAN latency, the UPF latency, and the DN latency.

Abstract: Techniques discussed herein can facilitate SON (Self Organizing Network) functions for 5G (Fifth Generation) NR (New Radio) systems. One example embodiment comprises an apparatus configured to be employed in a SON (Self Organizing Network) function, comprising: a memory interface; and processing circuitry configured to: collect one or more performance measurements associated with at least one of a RAN (Radio Access Network) or CN (Core Network); analyze the one or more performance measurements; and generate one or more actions to control the behavior of at least one of the RAN or the CN, based on the analyzing of the one or more performance measurements.

Abstract: A wireless communication management system is disclosed for use in a Third Generation Partnership Program (3GPP) wireless communication environment. The management system supports edge computing by assisting with the locating and/or deployment of a satisfactory user plane function near the requesting device. Specifically, the management system receives a request from an edge computing management system to provide information of a user plane function to which the edge computing related resources in a local data network can be connected. The management system then selects a satisfactory user plane function, or if none can be found, deploys a new user plane function. The management system then provides the information of the selected or deployed user plane function for use in edge computing to the edge computing management system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing PNF connectivity are provided. A NM determines to add to or remove external connectivity from a PNF and transmits a NS update request to a NFVO that contains an identifier of the NS instance to be updated, an indication of a type of update operation requested, and information of the PNF connectivity to be changed. A NS update response contains a lifecycle operation occurrence identifier identifying a NS lifecycle operation occurrence. Separate NS lifecycle change notification from the NFVO indicate that a NS update to change the connectivity of the PNF has started and a result of the change. The notifications include the lifecycle operation occurrence identifier.

Abstract: Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) abstracts network functions, allowing them to be installed, controlled, and manipulated by software running on standardized compute nodes such as cloud computing platform rather than on dedicated hardware. In a 5G mobile communications network, the base station or gNB may be split into virtualized and non-virtualized network functions (NFs). Described herein are systems and methods for managing such gNBs within the NFV framework.

Abstract: A service device (e.g., a user equipment (UE), a new radio NB (gNB), or other network component or network management component) as a service provider or a service consumer can process or generate performance data streaming in response to a request to create a performance data stream. Information overhead related to the performance data stream can be provided that enables use of the performance data stream in and through data stream units to support performance measurement collection activities.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying and remedying performance issues of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) are discussed. An example method includes outputting a request to a network Element Manager (EM) to create a Virtualized Network Function (VNF) Performance Measurement (PM) job to collect VNF PM data from a VNF and receiving a set of VNF PM data associated with the VNF from the EM. The set of VNF PM data is processed associated with the VNF. A request to the EM is output to create a Virtualization Resource (VR) PM job to collect, through a VNF Manager (VNFM) and a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), VR PM data from a VR used by the VNF. Then a set of VR PM data is received from the EM and processed.

Abstract: Techniques for instantiation and termination of virtualized network functions are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise processing circuitry and computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions for execution by the processing circuitry to identify, based on a first message received from an integration reference point manager (IRPManager), a virtualized network function (VNF) instance to be terminated, send a VNF termination request to a virtualized network functions manager (VNFM) to request termination of the VNF instance, determine a VNF instance termination result for the VNF termination request based on a notification received from the VNFM, and send a second message to the IRPManager, the second message to indicate the VNF instance termination result. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) abstracts network functions, allowing them to be installed, controlled, and manipulated by software running on standardized compute nodes such as cloud computing platform rather than on dedicated hardware. In a 5G mobile communications network, the base station or gNB may be split into virtualized and non-virtualized network functions (NFs). Described herein are systems and methods for managing such gNBs within the NFV framework.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing PNF connectivity are provided. A NM determines to add to or remove external connectivity from a PNF and transmits a NS update request to a NFVO that contains an identifier of the NS instance to be updated, an indication of a type of update operation requested, and information of the PNF connectivity to be changed. A NS update response contains a lifecycle operation occurrence identifier identifying a NS lifecycle operation occurrence. Separate NS lifecycle change notification from the NFVO indicate that a NS update to change the connectivity of the PNF has started and a result of the change. The notifications include the lifecycle operation occurrence identifier.

Abstract: Techniques for performance measurements related to application triggering and short message service (SMS) over non-access stratum (NAS) including obtaining raw performance measurements from one or more network functions in a wireless communication network, the one or more network functions including at least one of a network exposure function (NEF) or an access and mobility management function (AMF), and generating performance measurements for the one or more network functions based on the raw performance measurements.

Abstract: In an example method, a management service (MnS) producer sends a first request to establish a connection for streaming performance data regarding a wireless communications network to a MnS consumer. The MnS producer receives a first response from the MnS consumer confirming establishment of the connection, and streams one or more units of performance data to the MnS consumer sequentially using the connection. The one or more units include one or more performance metrics regarding the wireless communications network. The MnS producer sends a second request to the MnS consumer to terminate the connection, and receives a second response from the MnS consumer confirming termination of the connection.

Abstract: Techniques discussed herein can facilitate one or more of improvements to Automatic Neighbor Relation(s) (ANR(s)) for cell(s) of a Radio Access Network (RAN), configuration of Physical-layer Cell Identifier(s) for cell(s) of the RAN, and/or end-to-end performance assurance for the RAN based on 5G QoS Identifier (5QI) targets and/or requirements. Various embodiments can employ one or more of the techniques discussed herein, for example, at a component or service of a Fifth Generation (5G) Core Network (5GC), a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Management System, or a node of a Radio Access Network (RAN).

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques for self-organizing networks (SON) including automatic neighbor relation (ANR) management and physical cell identifier (PCI) configuration aspects are described. A described ANR technique includes enabling, by an ANR management function, a distributed ANR function at a node such as a gNB; receiving, by the ANR management function, a notification from the distributed ANR function indicating a change of a neighbor cell relation in a cell; and performing, by the ANR management function, an action based on the notification. Performing the action can include setting a blacklist of one or more neighbor cell relations, setting a whitelist of one or more neighbor cell relations, or changing one or more attributes of one or more neighbor cell relations.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying and remedying performance issues of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) are discussed. An example system includes processor(s) configured to: process VNF Performance Measurement (PM) data received from a network Element Manager (EM) for a VNF; determine whether the VNF has a negative performance issue based on the VNF PM data; request that the EM create a Virtualization Resource (VR) PM job associated with a VR of the VNF when the VNF has the negative performance issue; process VR PM data received from the EM; determine whether to restart the VNF based on the VR PM data and the VNF PM data; and request a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) to restart the VNF based on a determination to restart the VR.

Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for deploying User Plane Function (UPF) and edge computing virtualized network functions (VNF). For example, some embodiments are directed to a network management system. The network management system includes processor circuitry. The processor circuitry can be configured to transmit a request to an edge computing management system to instantiate an edge computing virtualized network function (VNF). The request can include an identifier of a Network Service (NS) where a User Plane Function (UPF) VNF supporting the edge computing VNF is located. The processor circuitry can be further configured to receive, from the edge computing management system, a response indicating that the edge computing VNF is instantiated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for configuring a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO). In one aspect, a method can include actions of generating, by one or more computers, a message that includes data representing a request to upload a virtual network function (VNF) package, encoding, by the one or more computers, the generated message that includes the VNF package for transmission to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), and transmitting, by the one or more computers, the encoded message to the NFVO.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for load balancing and mobility robustness in cellular systems. A network entity such as a near-RT RIC may receive ranges of handover (HO) parameters and/or performance targets for a mobility robustness optimization (MRO) function and/or a load balancing optimization (LBO) function from a service management and orchestration framework (SMOFW) and receive and analyze HO related performance measurements and/or cell load measurements from an open RAN (O-RAN) distributed unit (O-DU) or centralized unit (O-CU). The near-RTI RIC, based on the analysis, may request the SMOFW to change virtualized resources, request the O-DU update HO parameters, and/or request the O-DU/O-CU update UE selection, cell selection and/or handover parameters.