Description
The UE Request Session (UERS) is a formalized procedure within the 3GPP management framework, specifically detailed in TS 28.307 and referenced in TS 28.404. It establishes a controlled session for a network operator to collect performance management (PM) and fault management (FM) data directly associated with a specific User Equipment (UE) or a group of UEs. This session is initiated upon a request, typically from a network management system (NMS) or operation support system (OSS), to gather granular data that is not part of the standard, periodic reporting.
Architecturally, UERS operates within the Management Data Analytics (MDA) and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) ecosystem, or more traditionally, the Trace Collection Entity (TCE) framework. The session involves several network functions. The initiating management system sends a session activation request to the relevant network node (e.g., a gNB in 5G NR or an eNB in LTE), which then configures the necessary probes and data collection points for the target UE(s). The collected data flows from the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network (CN) functions to a designated collection point.
The session defines parameters such as the duration, the types of measurements (e.g., radio link failures, handover success rates, application throughput), and the granularity of the trace data (e.g., signaling messages, user plane packets). It works by activating specific measurement jobs and trace recording on the involved network entities only for the duration and scope of the session. This targeted approach minimizes the overall network overhead compared to continuous, blanket tracing.
Its role is pivotal for in-depth network diagnostics, customer experience management, and service assurance. By enabling on-demand, detailed insight into UE-specific sessions, operators can isolate and resolve complex issues, validate network performance after changes, and gather data for capacity planning and optimization algorithms. It transforms reactive troubleshooting into a more proactive and precise management capability.
Purpose & Motivation
UERS was created to address the limitations of broad, network-wide performance monitoring and the inefficiency of permanent, high-volume trace activation. Prior to its formalization, collecting detailed UE-specific data often required activating extensive tracing across large network segments, generating massive data volumes that were costly to store and process, and potentially impacting network performance. This was a blunt instrument for solving specific, user-reported problems.
The technology solves the problem of targeted data acquisition. It allows network operators to surgically collect high-fidelity data related to a specific service issue, a problematic geographic area, or a particular UE model's behavior, without overwhelming the management systems with irrelevant information. This is especially critical in 5G and beyond, with network slicing, diverse service requirements (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC), and dynamic resource allocation, where understanding the end-to-end performance of a specific slice or service instance is paramount.
Historically, its introduction in Release 15 aligns with the 5G phase 1 standards, which emphasized network automation, data-driven operation, and enhanced management capabilities. UERS provides the foundational mechanism for closed-loop automation, where analytics (e.g., from an NWDAF) can trigger a data collection session to investigate an anomaly, and the results can feed back into the system to trigger corrective actions, enabling self-optimizing networks (SON) and AI-driven operations.
Key Features
- On-demand session activation and deactivation for targeted data collection
- Configurable scope targeting specific UEs, groups of UEs, or geographical areas
- Support for collecting both Performance Measurement (PM) data and detailed Trace data
- Defined session lifetime parameters including start time, duration, and stop conditions
- Integration with management systems (OSS/NMS) and analytics functions (NWDAF)
- Standardized interfaces and data formats for consistent collection across multi-vendor networks
Evolution Across Releases
Initially introduced in TS 28.307 as part of the 5G management framework. Defined the core concept of a request-based session for UE-specific measurement and trace collection, establishing the basic procedures, parameters, and architecture for integration with the 5G core network and NG-RAN.
Defining Specifications
| Specification | Title |
|---|---|
| TS 28.307 | 3GPP TS 28.307 |