Depending on the 5G system, it may be possible to access or export network-centric key performance indicators (KPIs) and alarms of the 5G system. Examples of such KPIs include radio attenuation, the number of connected user equipment (UEs), the quality of service (QoS) for specific flows, and the disconnection of specific mobile UEs. Access to these metrics may not be available in all systems, but it is generally beneficial for the end user.
The KPIs and alarms of the system can be used to monitor system performance. When specific KPIs fall below expected levels, actions can be taken to improve performance, analyze the root cause of the performance degradation, and adapt applications and use cases to operate under the lower performance conditions.
Limitations of network-centric KPIs: While network-centric KPIs provide valuable insights, they typically exclude essential end-to-end metrics specific to the user equipment (UE), such as downlink/uplink data throughput, latency, etc. Furthermore, they may not reflect performance differences across the full network coverage area, such as different zones on a factory floor. To address these limitations, advanced performance monitoring solutions can be implemented. These tools integrate additional metrics to allow for proactive identification of negative performance trends and enable preventive measures to ensure optimal network operation.
Given the wide variety of 5G networks on the market, the KPIs and alarms available can differ between network suppliers, as their operation and management systems vary. Therefore, it is important to identify the KPIs that are critical for the specific use cases and the network to be deployed, so that a suitable 5G system that provides access to these parameters can be selected. Similarly, the required alarms must be identified in advance, and a system that supports them should be chosen. The integration of these alarms into the factory system will also vary depending on the system vendor. Most importantly, a detailed discussion with the vendor about available metrics and alarms is essential and should be a key factor in deciding which 5G system to invest in.
It is also important to analyze KPIs and alarms at the level of specific UEs to ensure that any issues can be addressed from the application side of the use case as well. The availability of such KPIs and alarms will depend on the UE being used in the application.
