Prediction of 5G system latency contribution for 5GC network functions

Sammanfattning: End-to-end delay measurement is deemed crucial for network models at all times as it acts as a pivotal metric of the model’s effectiveness, assists in delineating its performance ceiling, and stimulates further refinement and enhancement. This premise holds true for 5G Core Network (5GC) models as well. Commercial 5G models, with their intricate topological structures and requirement for reduced latencies, necessitate an effective model to anticipate each server’s current latency and load levels. Consequently, the introduction of a model for estimating the present latency and load levels of each network element server would be advantageous. The central content of this article is to record and analyze the packet data and CPU load data of network functions running at different user counts as operational data, with the data from each successful operation of a service used as model data for analyzing the relationship between latency and CPU load. Particular emphasis is placed on the end-to-end latency of the PDU session establishment scenario on two core functions - the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the Session Management Function (SMF). Through this methodology, a more accurate model has been developed to review the latency of servers and nodes when used by up to 650, 000 end users. This approach has provided new insights for network level testing, paving the way for a comprehensive understanding of network performance under various conditions. These conditions include strategies such as "sluggish start" and "delayed TCP confirmation" for flow control, or overload situations where the load of network functions exceeds 80%. It also identifies the optimal performance range.