Enhanced NWDAF-Assisted Application Detection based on External Input

A method, in a network data analytics function (NWDAF), for discovering and/or updating packet flow descriptions (PFDs) for network analytics in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a network analytics consumer, a request related to assisted application detection;
• triggering data collection by an application function (AF) from one or more entities external to the wireless communication network, responsive to the request, by sending traffic characteristics related to at least one packet data flow;
• receiving, from the AF, data obtained by the AF from the one or more entities and corresponding to the traffic characteristics;
• based on the data, deriving one or more new and/or updated packet flow descriptions;
• and
• responding to the request with analytics results including an indication of the new and/or updated packet flow descriptions.

A method, in an application function (AF), for supporting the discovery of and/or updating of packet flow descriptions (PFDs) for network analytics in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a request for data collection by the AF from one or more entities external to the wireless communication network, the request including traffic characteristics related to at least one packet data flow;
• selecting one or more entities external to the wireless communication network, based on the traffic characteristics;
• sending a query for data corresponding to the traffic characteristics to each selected entity;
• and
• sending data retrieved from each selected entity to the NWDAF.

A network data analytics function (NWDAF) of a communication network, wherein:

• the NWDAF is implemented by communication interface circuitry and processing circuitry that are operably coupled and configured to communicate with other nodes and functions of the communication network;
• and
• the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are further configured to
• receive, from a network analytics consumer, a request related to assisted application detection;
• trigger data collection by an application function (AF), from one or more entities external to the wireless communication network, responsive to the request, by sending traffic characteristics related to at least one packet data flow;
• receive, from the AF, data obtained by the AF from the one or more entities and corresponding to the traffic characteristics;
• based on the data, deriving one or more new and/or updated packet flow descriptions;
• and
• respond to the request with analytics results including an indication of the new and/or updated packet flow descriptions.

An application function (AF) of a communication network, wherein:

• the AF is implemented by communication interface circuitry and processing circuitry that are operably coupled and configured to communicate with other nodes and functions of the communication network;
• and
• the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are further configured to
• receive, from a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a request for data collection by the AF from one or more entities external to the wireless communication network, the request including traffic characteristics related to at least one packet data flow;
• select one or more entities external to the wireless communication network, based on the traffic characteristics;
• send a query for data corresponding to the traffic characteristics to each selected entity;
• and
• send data retrieved from each selected entity to the NWDAF.