NWDAF in 3GPP 5G Advanced: A Survey

NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) is a network function defined by 3GPP that enables network data analysis for mobile core network. After R17 was frozen as the last version of the 5G phase, 3GPP continued to promote the evolution of the NWDAF standard and will release R18 as the first version of the 5G Advanced phase. As 5G is entering a new stage of 5G Advanced, this article provides an overview of the NWDAF of 5G Advanced. Firstly, this article introduces the basic concepts of NWDAF. Then, this article reviews and analyzes the standardization progress of NWDAF in 3GPP, including key universal capabilities in the 5G and 5G Advanced stages, as well as the evolution of analysis type specific capabilities. Finally, this article looks forward to the possible future standardization development direction of NWDAF.