Apparatus and method for E2 interface configuration including cell information in a radio access network

Abstract

A method performed by an E2 node is provided. The method includes: sending a first message to a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) via an E2 interface to the RIC, and in response to the first message, receiving a second message from the RIC, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and wherein the first message includes at least one of first configuration information of one or more served New Radio (NR) cells or second configuration information of one or more served Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radio access network. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for E2 interface configuration, which includes cell information in a radio access network included in a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the growing demand for wireless data services after the commercialization of the fourth-generation (4G) communication system, efforts have been made to develop advanced fifth-generation (5G) communication systems or pre-5G communication systems. For this reason, 5G communication systems or pre-5G communication systems are referred to as ultra 4G network communication systems or post-long term evolution (LTE) systems.

[0003] To achieve high data rates, 5G communication systems consider implementation in extremely high frequency (millimeter wave) bands (e.g., 60 gigahertz (GHz) bands). To mitigate propagation path loss and extend the propagation distance in extremely high frequency bands, 5G communication systems are discussing beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional (FD)-MIMO, array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technologies.

[0004] In addition, for network enhancement of the system, 5G communication systems are developing technologies such as evolved small cells, advanced small cells, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and receive interference cancellation.

[0005] Furthermore, 5G systems are developing hybrid frequency shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superimposed coding (SWSC) as advanced coding modulation (ACM) schemes, and filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies.

[0006] 5G systems and new radio or next radio (NR) are commercialized to meet the demand for wireless data services, and high data rate services are provided to users through 5G systems with 4G, and it is also expected that wireless communication services for various purposes such as the Internet of Things and services requiring high reliability for specific purposes can be provided. In a current system that mixes 4G communication systems and 5G systems, the open radio access network (O-RAN) established by operators and device providers defines new network elements (NEs) and interface standards based on existing Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards and proposes an O-RAN architecture.

[0007] The above information is presented as background information only to assist in understanding the disclosure. As to whether any of the above can be applied as prior art to the disclosure, no determination is made herein, nor is any assertion made. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] Aspects of the disclosure at least solve the above problems and / or disadvantages and at least provide the advantages described below. Accordingly, one aspect of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for supporting operator-specific services in a radio access network (RAN).

[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for generating and interpreting messages related to a service model (SM) in a RAN.

[0011] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0012] Solution to the Problem

[0013] According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an operating method of an apparatus using an interface between a base station in a radio access network and a node constituting a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC). The operating method includes: generating a message including at least one serving cell or at least one neighboring cell information provided by the node, and sending the message to the RIC.

[0014] According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method performed by an E2 node. The method includes: sending a first message to the RIC via an E2 interface to the RIC, and in response to the first message, receiving a second message from the RIC, the first message may be an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and the first message may include at least one of first configuration information of one or more served new radio (NR) cells or second configuration information of one or more served evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) cells.

[0015] According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method performed by the RIC. The method includes: receiving a first message from the E2 node to the RIC via the E2 interface, and in response to the first message, sending a second message to the E2 node, the first message may be an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and the first message may include at least one of first configuration information of one or more served NR cells or second configuration information of one or more served E-UTRA cells.

[0016] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a device executed by an E2 node is provided. The device includes at least one transceiver and at least one processor, and the at least one processor may be configured to: send a first message to a RIC via an E2 interface to the RIC, and receive a second message from the RIC in response to the first message, where the first message may be an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and the first message may include at least one of first configuration information of one or more served NR cells or second configuration information of one or more served E-UTRA cells.

[0017] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a device executed by a RIC is provided. The device includes at least one transceiver and at least one processor, and the at least one processor may be configured to: receive a first message from an E2 node via an E2 interface to the RIC, and send a second message to the E2 node in response to the first message, where the first message may be an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and the first message may include at least one of first configuration information of one or more served NR cells or second configuration information of one or more served E-UTRA cells.

[0018]

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] The devices and methods according to various embodiments of the disclosure may support a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC) service model defined by an operator.

[0020] From the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure disclosed in conjunction with the drawings, other aspects, advantages, and significant features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Through the following description in conjunction with the drawings, the above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will become more apparent, where:

[0022] Figure 1 An example of a fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) core system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0023] Figure 2A An example of a fifth-generation (5G) non-standalone (NSA) system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0024] Figure 2B An example of the architecture of an open radio access network (O-RAN) according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 3 A protocol stack of E2 application protocol messages in a radio access network according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 4 Illustrates an example of the connection between a base station and a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) in a radio access network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5 Illustrates the configuration of devices in a RAN according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6 Illustrates the logical functions related to E2 messages between an E2 node and a RIC in a RAN according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] Figure 7 Illustrates the process of E2 I / F establishment, RIC subscription, and information provision between an E2 node and a RIC in a RAN according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0030] Figure 8 Illustrates the process of E2 interface configuration in a RAN according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] Figure 9 Illustrates the process of E2 RAN configuration update in a RAN according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] It should be noted that in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures. Detailed Description

[0033] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings helps to fully understand the various embodiments of the disclosure defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in understanding, but these are considered merely exemplary. Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0034] The terms and words used in the following specification and claims are not limited to their literal meanings, but are used by the inventors only to achieve a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0035] It should be understood that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more such surfaces.

[0036] In the various embodiments of the disclosure described below, hardware-based methods are described as examples. However, the various embodiments of the disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, and thus the various embodiments of the disclosure do not exclude software-based methods.

[0037] Hereinafter, the disclosure relates to operations between a device in a radio access network (hereinafter referred to as "RAN") of a wireless communication system and a device for controlling the RAN, such as E2 interface establishment, subscription, indication, control, etc. Specifically, the disclosure explains a technique for delivering serving cell / neighboring cell information in an E2 interface setup to a base station compliant with the Open RAN (O-RAN) standard using E2 messages of a wireless communication system.

[0038] For ease of description, signal terms, terms indicating channels, terms indicating control information, terms indicating network entities, and terms indicating device components used in the following explanations are illustrated. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the terms to be described, and other terms with the same technical meaning may be used.

[0039] In addition, the disclosure describes various embodiments using terms used in some communication standards (e.g., the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)), but this is merely for illustrative purposes. The various embodiments of the disclosure can be easily modified and applied to other communication systems.

[0040] With the commercialization of fourth-generation (4G) / fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., New Radio (NR)), users in virtualized networks require differentiated service support. Therefore, O-RAN newly defines 3GPP network entities (NEs) and nodes for constructing a base station, radio unit (RU), digital unit (DU), central unit (CU)-control plane (CP), and CU-user plane (UP) as O-RAN (O)-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP, and O-CU-UP, respectively, and additionally standardizes the near-real-time (NRT) radio access network intelligent controller (RIC). The NRT RIC is a device for standardizing and implementing some call processing functions of existing RAN functions and some radio resource management (RRM) functions with a central server. The disclosure supports an operator-specific service model in the E2 interface, where the RIC requests services from the O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP. Here, the O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP, and O-CU-UP can be understood as objects for constructing a RAN that can operate according to the O-RAN standard, and can be referred to as E2 nodes. The interface for constructing an object of a RAN that can operate between the RIC and the E2 node according to the O-RAN standard uses the E2 application protocol (AP).

[0041] The RIC is a logical node for collecting information about cell sites transmitted and received by the terminal and the O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP. The RIC can be implemented as a server centrally deployed at a physical location. The O-DU and the RIC, the O-CU-CP and the RIC, and the O-CU-UP and the RIC can be connected via Ethernet. For this, interface standards for communication between the O-DU and the RIC, between the O-CU-CP and the RIC, and between the O-CU-UP and the RIC are required, and message formats such as E2-DU, E2-CU-CP, E2-CU-UP and process definitions between the O-DU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, and the RIC are required. Specifically, for users in a virtualized network, differentiated service support is required, and functional definitions of the messages of E2-DU, E2-CU-CP, and E2-CU-UP are required to support services for wide cell coverage by centralizing call processing messages / function generation in the RIC.

[0042] Specifically, the RIC can communicate with the O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP using the E2 interface and set event occurrence conditions by generating and sending subscription messages. It can send through E2 indication / reporting. Use E2 control messages to provide control over the O-DU, O-CU-CP, and O-CU-UP.

[0043] Figure 1 An example of a 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) core system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 , the LTE core system includes a base station 110, a terminal 120, a Serving Gateway (S-GW) 130, a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) 140, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 150, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 160, and a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 170.

[0045] The base station 110 is a network infrastructure for providing radio access to the terminal 120. For example, the base station 110 is a device that performs scheduling by collecting status information such as the buffer status, available transmission power, and channel status of the terminal 120. The base station 110 has a coverage area defined as a specific geographical area based on the signal transmission distance. The base station 110 is connected to the MME 150 via the S1-MME interface. In addition to the base station, the base station 11 can also be referred to as an "Access Point (AP)", "eNodeB (eNB)", "Radio Point", and "Transmit / Receive Point (TRP)" or other terms with equivalent technical meanings.

[0046] The terminal 120 is a device used by a user and communicates with the base station 110 via a radio channel. In some cases, the terminal 120 can operate without user participation. That is, at least one of the terminals 120 is a device that performs machine type communication (MTC) and may not be carried by a user. In addition to the terminal, the terminal 120 can also be referred to as a "user equipment (UE)", "mobile station", "user station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal" or other terms with equivalent technical meanings.

[0047] The S-GW 130 provides data bearers and generates or controls data bearers under the control of the MME 150. For example, the S-GW 130 processes packets arriving from the base station 110 or packets to be forwarded to the base station 110. In addition, the S-GW 130 can perform an anchoring role in the handover of the terminal 120 between base stations. The P-GW 140 can be used as a connection point to an external network (e.g., the Internet). In addition, the P-GW 140 assigns an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the terminal 120 and acts as an anchor point for the S-GW 130. In addition, the P-GW 140 can apply the quality of service (QoS) policy of the terminal 120 and manage charging data.

[0048] The MME 150 manages the mobility of the terminal 120. In addition, the MME 150 can perform authentication, bearer management, etc. on the terminal 120. That is, the MME 150 is responsible for the mobility management and various control functions of the terminal. The MME 150 can interact with the serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN).

[0049] The HSS 160 stores key information and user profiles for the authentication of the terminal 120. If the terminal 120 accesses the network, the key information and user profiles are sent from the HSS 160 to the MME 150.

[0050] The PCRF 170 defines policies and charging rules. The stored information is sent from the PCRF 170 to the P-GW 140, and the P-GW 140 can control the terminal 120 (e.g., QoS management, charging, etc.) based on the information provided by the PCRF 170.

[0051] Carrier Aggregation (hereinafter referred to as "CA") technology is a technology that combines multiple component carriers and uses the signals of multiple component carriers for transmission and reception at a terminal simultaneously, thereby improving the frequency utilization efficiency of the terminal or the base station. Specifically, according to the CA technology, the terminal and the base station can transmit and receive signals using a wideband of multiple component carriers in the uplink (UL) and the downlink (DL), where the component carriers are located in different frequency bands respectively. Hereinafter, UL indicates the communication link through which the terminal transmits signals to the base station, and DL indicates the communication link through which the base station transmits signals to the terminal. At this time, the number of uplink component carriers and downlink component carriers may be different from each other.

[0052] Dual connectivity or multi-connectivity is a technology for increasing the frequency utilization efficiency of a terminal or a base station, in which a terminal is connected to multiple different base stations and uses carriers in multiple base stations located in different frequency bands for simultaneous transmission and reception of signals. The terminal can be simultaneously connected to a first base station (e.g., a base station providing services using LTE technology or 4G mobile communication technology) and a second base station (e.g., a base station providing services using NR technology or 5G mobile communication technology) to transmit and receive traffic. In this case, the frequency resources used by each base station may be located in different frequency bands. In this way, the operation scheme of the dual-connectivity scheme based on LTE and NR can be referred to as 5G non-standalone (NSA).

[0053] Figure 2A The figure illustrates an example of a 5G NSA system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0054] Refer to Figure 2A , the 5G NSA system includes an NR RAN 210a, an LTE RAN 210b, a terminal 220, and an evolved packet core network (EPC) 250. The NR RAN 210a and the LTE RAN 210b are connected to the EPC 250, and the terminal 220 can be served by any one or both of the NR RAN 210a and the LTE RAN 210b simultaneously. The NR RAN 210a includes at least one NR base station, and the LTE RAN 210b includes at least one LTE base station. Here, the NR base station can be referred to as a "5G node", a "next-generation node B (gNB)", or other terms with equivalent technical meanings. In addition, the NR base station may have a structure divided into a CU and a DU, and the CU may also have a structure divided into a CU-CP unit and a CU-UP unit.

[0055] In Figure 2AIn the structure shown, the terminal 220 can perform radio resource control (RRC) access through a first base station (e.g., a base station belonging to the LTE RAN 210b), and can utilize the functions provided in the control plane (e.g., connection management, mobility management, etc.) to provide services to it. In addition, the terminal 220 can receive additional radio resources for transmitting and receiving data via a second base station (e.g., a base station belonging to the NR RAN 210a). This dual-connectivity technology using LTE and NR can be referred to as evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA)-NR (EN)-dual connectivity (DC). Similarly, the dual-connectivity technology where the first base station uses NR technology and the second base station uses LTE technology is referred to as NR-E-UTRA (NE)-DC. In addition, various embodiments can be applied to multi-connectivity and various types of CA technologies. Furthermore, various embodiments are also applicable if a first system using a first communication technology and a second system using a second communication technology are implemented in one device, or if the first base station and the second base station are located in the same geographical location.

[0056] Figure 2B An example architecture of O-RAN is shown. For E2 service model E2-SM-KPI monitoring (KPIMON), according to the disclosed embodiments, in the O-RAN non-standalone of multi-connectivity operations using E-UTRA and NR radio access technologies, the E2 node can be assumed to be in the O-RAN standalone mode.

[0057] Reference Figure 2B , in the deployment of the O-RAN non-standalone mode, the eNB is connected to the EPC through the S1-C / S1-U interface and to the O-CU-CP through the X2 interface. The O-CU-CP for deploying the O-RAN standalone mode can be connected to the 5G core (5GC) through the N2 / N3 interface.

[0058] Figure 3 The protocol stack of the E2 application protocol message in the radio access network according to the disclosed embodiments is illustrated.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 , the control plane includes a transport network layer and a radio network layer. The transport network layer includes a physical layer 310, a data link layer 320, an IP 330, and a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) 340.

[0060] The radio network layer includes an E2AP 350. The E2AP 350 is used to deliver subscription messages, indication messages, control messages, service update messages, and service query messages, and is sent at a higher layer of the SCTP 340 and the IP 330.

[0061] Figure 4Illustrates an example of the connection between a base station and a RIC in a radio access network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0062] Referring to Figure 4 , the RIC 440 is connected to the O-CU-CP 420, O-CU-UP 410, and O-DU 430. The RIC 440 is a device that customizes RAN functions for new services or regional resource optimization. The RIC 440 can provide functions such as network intelligence (e.g., policy enforcement, handover optimization), resource assurance (e.g., radio link management, advanced self-organizing network (SON)), and resource control (e.g., load balancing, slicing policy). The RIC 440 can communicate with the O-CU-CP 420, O-CU-UP 410, and O-DU 430. The RIC 440 can be connected to each node through the E2-CP, E2-UP, and E2-DU interfaces. Additionally, the interfaces between the O-CU-CP and the DU, and between the O-CU-UP and the DU can be referred to as the F1 interface. In the following description, the DU and the O-DU, the CU-CP and the O-CU-CP, and the CU-UP and the O-CU-UP can be used interchangeably.

[0063] Although Figure 4 illustrates one RIC 440, according to various embodiments, there can be multiple RICs. The multiple RICs can be implemented with multiple hardware located at the same physical location, or can be implemented through virtualization using a single hardware.

[0064] Figure 5 Illustrates the configuration of a device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The Figure 5 illustrated structure can be understood as the configuration of a device having at least one function of the Figure 5 RIC, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, and O-DU. Terms such as “… unit” or “… device” used hereinafter indicate a unit for processing at least one function or operation, and can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0065] Referring to Figure 5 , the core network device includes a communication unit 510, a storage unit 520, and a control unit 530.

[0066] The communication unit 510 provides an interface for communicating with other devices in the network. That is, the communication unit 510 converts the bit string sent from the core network device to another device into a physical signal and converts the physical signal received from other devices into a bit string. That is, the communication unit 510 can send and receive signals. Therefore, the communication unit 510 can be referred to as a modem, a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver. In this case, the communication unit 510 enables the core network device to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection (e.g., a wired backhaul or a wireless backhaul) or through the network.

[0067] The storage unit 520 stores data such as basic programs, application programs, and setting information for the operation of the core network device. The storage unit 520 may include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 520 provides the stored data according to the request of the control unit 530.

[0068] The control unit 530 controls the general operation of the core network device. For example, the control unit 530 sends and receives signals through the communication unit 510. In addition, the control unit 530 records data in the storage unit 520 and reads data from the storage unit 520. To this end, the control unit 530 may include at least one processor. According to various embodiments, the control unit 530 may control the device to perform operations according to the various embodiments explained in this disclosure.

[0069] Figure 6 Illustrated is a logical function related to E2 messages between an E2 node and a RIC in a radio access network according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0070] Refer to Figure 6 , the RIC 640 and the E2 node 610 can send or receive E2 messages to each other. For example, the E2 node 610 can be an O-CU-CP, an O-CU-UP, an O-DU, or a base station. The communication interface of the E2 node can be determined according to the type of the E2 node 610. For example, the E2 node 610 can communicate with another E2 node 616 through an E1 interface or an F1 interface. Alternatively, for example, the E2 node 610 can communicate with the E2 node 616 through an X2 interface or an XN interface. Alternatively, for example, the E2 node 610 can perform communication through an S1 interface or a next-generation application protocol (NGAP) interface (i.e., an interface between a next-generation (NG) RAN node and an AMF).

[0071] The E2 node 610 may include an E2 node function 612. The E2 node function 612 is a function corresponding to a specific xApp (application S / W) 646 installed in the RIC 640. For example, in a KPI monitor, the KPI monitor set S / W may be installed in the RIC 640, and the E2 node 610 may include an E2 node function 612 that generates KPI parameters and then forwards an E2 message including the KPI parameters to the E2 termination function 642 located at the RIC 640. The E2 node 610 may include an RRM 614. The E2 node 610 may provide resources of the radio network for terminal management.

[0072] The E2 termination 624 located in the RIC 640 (which is the termination of the RIC 640 for E2 messages) may perform the function of interpreting the E2 message forwarded by the E2 node 610 and then forwarding it to the xApp 646. The database (DB) 644 located in the RIC 640 may be used by the E2 termination 624 or the xApp 646. Figure 6 The E2 node 610 shown is the termination of at least one interface and may be understood as the termination of messages sent to the terminal, neighboring base stations, and the core network.

[0073] The E2 node sends an E2 establishment request message to the RIC for service initialization, and the RIC forwards an E2 establishment response message as a response. Next, the E2 node forwards the call processing functions of the RAN supported by itself to the RIC using a service update message, and the RIC forwards a service update acknowledgment (ACK) message as a response. Next, the RIC generates an E2 subscription request message, sets call processing events by forwarding it to the E2 node (e.g., O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU), and forwards the subscription request response message forwarded by the E2 node to the RIC after setting the events.

[0074] To perform some call processing functions and RRM functions, the RIC needs serving cell information and neighboring cell information while initiating a service set from the E2. This disclosure presents embodiments for delivering the serving / neighboring cell information of the E2 node by using messages exchanged between a newly defined RIC and E2 nodes (e.g., O-DU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP).

[0075] To solve the above problems, in the method of the first node in a wireless communication system, the disclosure includes generating an E2 setup request message at an E2 node and generating an E2 setup response message at a RIC, including an NR serving cell list, a neighboring cell information element (IE), an E-UTRA serving cell list, and a neighboring cell IE. In addition, the E2 setup message for delivering the serving cell / neighboring cell information of the E2 node can be identified based on the cell-related detailed information elements of the E2 setup request message sent from the E2 node and the E2 setup response message sent from the RIC, and the information element information can include identifier information such as serving cell information NR, DU ID, gNB ID, PLMN ID, and network slice ID.

[0076] Figure 7 Illustrates the process of E2 I / F establishment, RIC subscription, and information provision between an E2 node and a RIC in a radio access network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0077] Refer to Figure 7 , at operation 701, the E2 node 610 can send an E2 setup request message to the RIC 640. The E2 node function located in the E2 node 610 can find the RIC using the IP address of the RIC 640 that is set to operation - control - management (OAM) and send the E2 setup request message.

[0078] In operation 703, the RIC 640 can send an E2 setup response message to the E2 node 610. That is, if the E2 setup request message sent by the E2 node 610 is accepted, the RIC 640 sends an E2 setup response message.

[0079] In operation 705, the E2 node 610 sends a RIC service update message. The E2 node 610 sets the function capabilities supported in the E2 node 610 to the value of the E2 function ID, generates a list in the RIC service update ID, and sends an E2 service update message including them to the RIC 640.

[0080] In operation 707, the RIC 640 sends a service updater confirmation message to the E2 node 610. That is, if the E2 node 610 function ID value in the E2 service update message sent by the E2 node 610 is accepted, the RIC 640 sends an E2 service updater ACK message.

[0081] In operation 709, the RIC 640 sends a RIC subscription request message to the E2 node 610. In other words, a specific xApp located in the RIC640 requests the RIC E2 termination function to subscribe to the function defined by a specific E2 RAN function supported by the E2.

[0082] In operation 711, the E2 node 610 may send a RIC subscription request message to the RIC 640. That is, the E2 node function of the E2 node 610 decodes the RIC subscription request message and configures, from the E2 node function, the event conditions requested by the RIC 640. Here, the event conditions may be a service model with operator-specific definitions having RAN function definitions, and whether the operator is specific may be specified by the RIC style ID. After successfully configuring the event conditions, the E2 node 610 may notify the RIC 640 that the event trigger conditions have been successfully configured by sending a RIC subscription response message.

[0083] In the signaling procedure between the above-mentioned RIC and the E2 node, the serving cell or neighboring cell information of the E2 node may be provided to the RIC. The serving cell or neighboring cell information of the E2 node may be delivered by Figure 7 one of the illustrated messages, or may be delivered by a message different from the Figure 7 illustrated messages. The corresponding message may be a message defined specifically for delivering the serving cell or neighboring cell information of the E2 node, or may be a message defined for other purposes. For example, the serving / neighboring cell information may be delivered in an E2 setup or an E2 RAN configuration update.

[0084] Figure 8 illustrates a process for configuring an E2 interface in a radio access network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0085] Referring to Figure 8 , in operation 801, the E2 node 610 sends an E2 setup request message to the RIC 640. To establish an E2 connection with the RIC 640, the E2 node 610 may identify the RIC IP address set as OAM and send the E2 setup request message using the identified RIC IP address. If the E2 setup request message is sent, the E2 node 610 may send information on at least one serving cell or at least one neighboring cell associated with the corresponding E2 node 610. According to an embodiment, the E2 node 610 may add and send a "served cell NR list" and a "served cell E-UTRA information element list" defined in the 3GPP standard. According to another embodiment, the E2 node 610 adds and sends cell information generated in a format different from the 3GPP standard. For example, the details of the "served cell NR list" and the "served cell E-UTRA information element list" are described below with reference to Table 2.

[0086] In operation 803, the RIC 640 sends an E2 setup response message to the E2 node 610. If the E2 setup request message is a complete message, the RIC E2 termination function in the RIC 640 sets up the E2 connection, stores the serving / neighboring cell information (e.g., the list of NR cells in the serving cell and the list of E-UTRA information element information in the serving cell) in the database, generates an E2 setup response message, and sends it to the E2 node 610. Next, in operation 805, the E2 node 610 may send a RIC subscription response message to the RIC 640.

[0087] Figure 9 The figure illustrates the process of E2 RAN configuration update in a radio access network according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0088] Reference Figure 9 , in operation 901, the E2 node 610 sends an E2 RAN configuration update message to the RIC 640. According to an embodiment, the E2 node 610 may add and send the "list of NR cells in the serving cell" and the "list of E-UTRA information elements in the serving cell" defined in the 3GPP standard to the E2 RAN configuration update message. According to another embodiment, the E2 node 610 adds and sends cell information generated in a format different from the 3GPP standard to the E2 RAN configuration update message. For example, the details of the "list of NR cells in the serving cell" and the "list of E-UTRA information elements in the serving cell" are described below with reference to Table 4. In operation 903, the RIC 640 sends an E2 RAN configuration confirmation message to the E2 node 610.

[0089] Table 1 below is an example of the IEs of the E2 setup message defined in the O-RAN standard.

[0090] Table 1

[0091]

[0092] In Table 1, the first IE has a unique value as the message type for each E2 message. The second IE designates the global eNB ID or global gNB ID of the E2 node as the E2 node ID. The third IE is the RAN function ID. The RAN function ID can specify a specific RAN function in a specific E2 node. The fourth IE is the RAN function definition, which defines the call processing functions supported by the E2 node.

[0093] Table 2 below is an example of the list of NR cells in the serving cell and the list of E-UTRA I IEs in the serving cell of the E2 setup message proposed in this disclosure.

[0094] Table 2

[0095]

[0096]

[0097] In Table 2, the first to fourth IEs are the same as those defined in the standard, and in addition, the list of serving cells NR and the list of serving cell E-UTRA IEs defined in 3GPP TS 36.423 are added.

[0098] Table 3 below shows the list of serving cells NR and the list of serving cell E-UTRA IEs of the E2 RAN configuration update message proposed in this disclosure.

[0099] Table 3

[0100]

[0101]

[0102] In Table 3, the first to fourth IEs are the same as those defined in the standard, and in addition, the list of serving cells NR and the list of serving cell E-UTRA IEs defined in 3GPP TS 36.423 are added.

[0103] Table 4

[0104]

[0105]

[0106] In Table 4, the first to fourth IEs are the same as those defined in the standard, and in addition, the list of serving cells NR and the list of serving cell E-UTRA IEs defined in 3GPP TS 38.423 are added.

[0107] According to the above embodiments, the E2 configuration process for performing the E2 establishment operation for the RIC and the serving cell and neighboring cell identification process supported by the E2 node can be combined. That is, the E2 establishment request message may optionally include the list of serving cells NR and the list of serving cell E-UTRA information element list defined in 3GPP TS36.423. According to another embodiment, the RIC can obtain the list of serving cells NR and the list of serving cell E-UTRA IEs.

[0108] In various embodiments of this disclosure, the E2 establishment message can combine the serving cell and neighboring cell identification processes supported by the E2 node, thereby effectively providing call processing request services such as the DC usage, service-oriented usage, and carrier aggregation usage of the RIC.

[0109] According to various embodiments, a method performed by an E2 node, the method comprising: sending a first message to a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) via an E2 interface to the RIC; and in response to the first message, receiving a second message from the RIC, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and wherein the first message includes at least one of first configuration information of one or more served New Radio (NR) cells or second configuration information of one or more served evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells.

[0110] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more NR cells, the first configuration information includes serving cell information related to NR.

[0111] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more NR cells, the first configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to NR or neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA.

[0112] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more E-UTRA cells, the second configuration information includes serving cell information related to E-UTRA.

[0113] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more E-UTRA cells, the second configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA and neighbor cell information related to NR.

[0114] In some embodiments, wherein the first message further includes list information for adding one or more RAN functions, wherein the list information includes a RAN function identifier (ID) and a RAN function definition for each of the one or more RAN functions, wherein the RIC is a near-real-time RIC, and wherein the E2 node includes an Open (O)-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), an O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN Central Unit User Plane (O-CU-UP), or an O-eNodeB (eNB).

[0115] According to various embodiments, a method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) includes: sending, by an E2 interface, a first message from an E2 node to the RIC; and in response to the first message, sending a second message to the E2 node, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and wherein the first message includes at least one of first configuration information of one or more served New Radio (NR) cells or second configuration information of one or more served Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells.

[0116] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more NR cells, the first configuration information includes serving cell information related to NR.

[0117] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more NR cells, the first configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to NR or neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA.

[0118] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more E-UTRA cells, the second configuration information includes serving cell information related to E-UTRA.

[0119] In some embodiments, wherein, for each of the one or more E-UTRA cells, the second configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA and neighbor cell information related to NR.

[0120] In some embodiments, wherein the first message further includes list information for adding one or more RAN functions, wherein the list information includes a RAN function identifier (ID) and a RAN function definition for each of the one or more RAN functions, wherein the RIC is a near-real-time RIC, and wherein the E2 node includes an Open (O)-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), an O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN Central Unit User Plane (O-CU-UP), or an O-eNodeB (eNB).

[0121] According to various embodiments, an apparatus for an E2 node, the apparatus comprising: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: send a first message to a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) via an E2 interface; and in response to the first message, receive a second message from the RIC, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and wherein the first message includes at least one of first configuration information of one or more served New Radio (NR) cells or second configuration information of one or more served Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells.

[0122] According to various embodiments, an apparatus for a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC), the apparatus comprising: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive a first message from an E2 node via the E2 interface, and in response to the first message, send a second message to the E2 node, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, and wherein the first message includes at least one of first configuration information of one or more served New Radio (NR) cells or second configuration information of one or more served Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells.

[0123] The method according to the embodiments described in the claims or the specification of this disclosure can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0124] As for software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (software modules) can be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium can be configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device. The one or more programs can include instructions for controlling the electronic device to execute the method according to the embodiments described in the claims or the specification of this disclosure.

[0125] Such a program (software module, software) can be stored in a random access memory, a non-volatile memory including flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a magnetic disk storage device, a compact disc (CD)-ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage device, and a magnetic tape cartridge. Alternatively, it can be stored in a memory combining some or all of these recording media. Multiple memories can be included.

[0126] In addition, the program can be stored in an attachable storage device that can be accessed via a communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WLAN), or a storage area network (SAN), or by a communication network that combines these networks. Such a storage device can access the device that executes the disclosed embodiments through an external port. In addition, a separate storage device on the communication network can access the device that executes the disclosed embodiments.

[0127] Although the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method performed by an E2 node in a wireless communication system, the method comprises: sending a first message to a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) via an E2 interface to the RIC; and receiving a second message from the RIC in response to the first message, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, wherein the first message includes a value of the message type of the first message, an identifier (ID) of the E2 node, and a list for adding one or more RAN functions, wherein the first message further includes configuration information of one or more serving cells associated with the E2 node, wherein the one or more serving cells include New Radio (NR) cells or Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells, wherein the configuration information includes serving cell information of each of the one or more serving cells, and wherein the serving cell information includes a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier associated with the one or more serving cells.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the NR cells, the serving cell information is related to NR.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, for each of the NR cells, the configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to NR or neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the E-UTRA cells, the serving cell information is related to E-UTRA.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, for each of the E-UTRA cells, the configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA and neighbor cell information related to NR.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the one or more RAN functions, the list includes a RAN function identifier (ID) and a RAN function definition, wherein the RIC is a near real-time RIC, and wherein the E2 node includes an Open (O)-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), an O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN Central Unit User Plane (O-CU-UP), or an O-evolved NodeB (eNB).

7. A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) in a wireless communication system, the method comprises: receiving a first message from an E2 node to the RIC via the E2 interface; and sending a second message to the E2 node in response to the first message, wherein the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, wherein the first message includes a value of the message type of the first message, an identifier (ID) of the E2 node, and a list for adding one or more RAN functions, wherein the first message further includes configuration information of one or more serving cells associated with the E2 node, wherein the one or more serving cells include New Radio (NR) cells or Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells, wherein the configuration information includes serving cell information for each of one or more served cells, and wherein the serving cell information includes a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier associated with one or more served cells.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, for each of the NR cells, the serving cell information is related to NR.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, for each of the NR cells, the configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to NR or neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein, for each of the E-UTRA cells, the serving cell information is related to E-UTRA.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, for each of the E-UTRA cells, the configuration information further includes at least one of neighbor cell information related to E-UTRA or neighbor cell information related to NR.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein, for each of one or more RAN functions, the list includes a RAN function identifier ID and a RAN function definition, wherein the RIC is a near real-time RIC, wherein the E2 node includes an Open (O)-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), an O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN Central Unit User Plane (O-CU-UP), or an O-eNodeB (eNB).

13. An E2 node in a wireless communication system, the E2 node comprising: a transceiver; and a controller configured to: send a first message to the RIC via an E2 interface to a Radio Access Network RAN Intelligent Controller RIC, and in response to the first message, receive a second message from the RIC, where the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, wherein the first message includes a value of the message type of the first message, an identifier (ID) of the E2 node, and a list for adding one or more RAN functions, wherein the first message further includes configuration information of one or more served cells associated with the E2 node, wherein the one or more served cells include New Radio NR cells or Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access E-UTRA cells, wherein the configuration information includes serving cell information for each of one or more served cells, and wherein the serving cell information includes a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier associated with one or more served cells.

14. A Radio Access Network RAN Intelligent Controller RIC in a wireless communication system, the RIC comprising: a transceiver; and a controller configured to: receive a first message from the E2 node to the RIC via the E2 interface, and in response to the first message, send a second message to the E2 node, where the first message is an E2 establishment request message or a configuration update message, wherein the first message includes a value of the message type of the first message, an identifier (ID) of the E2 node, and a list for adding one or more RAN functions, Wherein, the first message further includes configuration information of one or more serving cells associated with the E2 node, Wherein, the one or more serving cells include New Radio (NR) cells or evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cells, Wherein, the configuration information includes serving cell information of each of the one or more serving cells, and Wherein, the serving cell information includes a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier associated with the one or more serving cells.

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