EDAF: An End-to-End Delay Analytics Framework for 5G-and-Beyond Networks

Abstract: Supporting applications in emerging domains like cyber-physical systems and human-in-the-loop scenarios typically requires adherence to strict end-to-end delay guarantees. Contributions of many tandem processes unfolding layer by layer within the wireless network result in violations of delay constraints, thereby severely degrading application performance. Meeting the application's stringent requirements necessitates coordinated optimization of the end-to-end delay by fine-tuning all contributing processes. To achieve this task, we designed and implemented EDAF, a framework to decompose packets' end-to-end delays and determine each component's significance for 5G network. We showcase EDAF on OpenAirInterface 5G uplink, modified to report timestamps across the data plane. By applying the obtained insights, we optimized end-to-end uplink delay by eliminating segmentation and frame-alignment delays, decreasing average delay from 12ms to 4ms.