Methods and apparatuses to support mobility of collecting and analyzing network data in a wireless communication network

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting mobility of collection and analysis of network data in a wireless communication network are disclosed. The method can include the steps of identifying, by a first network function (NF) serving a terminal, that the terminal moves from the first NF to a second NF, identifying that the first NF subscribes to a network data collection and analysis function (NWDAF) such that the first NF uses analytics information related to the terminal, and transmitting a message including information about the subscription to the NWDAF to the second NF.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for supporting the collection and analysis of network data mobility to automate the management of wireless communication networks. Background Technology

[0002] To meet the increased demand for wireless data services since the deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G or near-5G communication system. Therefore, 5G or near-5G communication systems are also referred to as "super 4G networks" or "post-LTE systems".

[0003] 5G communication systems are considered to be implemented in higher frequency (millimeter wave) bands (e.g., the 60 GHz band) to achieve higher data rates. To reduce radio wave propagation loss and increase transmission distance, beamforming, massive MIMO, full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and large antenna technology are discussed in 5G communication systems.

[0004] In addition, in 5G communication systems, development of system network improvements is underway based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, cooperative communication, coordinated multipoint (CoMP), receiver interference cancellation, and more.

[0005] In 5G systems, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) have been developed as advanced coding and modulation (ACM), as well as filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies.

[0006] The internet, a human-centric network in which humans generate and consume information, has now evolved into the Internet of Things (IoT), in which distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE) has emerged, a product of combining IoT technology and big data processing technology through connections to cloud servers.

[0007] Since the implementation of IoT requires technical elements such as "sensing technology", "wired / wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology" and "security technology", research has recently been conducted on sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and machine-type communication (MTC).

[0008] This IoT environment can provide intelligent internet technology services that create new value for human life by collecting and analyzing the data generated between connected things. IoT can be applied to a variety of fields through the integration and combination of existing information technology (IT) with various industrial applications, including smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart or connected cars, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances, and advanced medical services.

[0009] Therefore, various efforts have been made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies such as sensor networks, machine-type communication (MTC), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication can be implemented using beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. The application of cloud radio access networks (RAN), as a big data processing technology as described above, can also be considered an example of the convergence between 5G and IoT technologies.

[0010] With the development of mobile communication systems as described above, various services can be provided, and as wireless communication networks become more complex and diverse, a technology for automatically managing wireless communication networks is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] This disclosure defines a method and apparatus for providing network data analysis and collection functions to automate the management of wireless communication networks.

[0013] This disclosure defines a method and apparatus for supporting the mobility of user equipment (UE) in a network entity that provides network data analysis and collection functions in a wireless communication network.

[0014] This disclosure defines a method and apparatus for controlling signal flow between network function (NF) entities during the mobility management process of a UE.

[0015] This disclosure defines a method and apparatus for controlling signal flow among entities in a source network management process that provides network data to support UE mobility.

[0016] Technical solutions

[0017] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for supporting the mobility of a user equipment (UE) with a network data analysis function (NWDAF) in a wireless communication network may include: identifying, by a first network function (NF), the movement of the UE from a first NF serving the UE to a second NF, identifying that the first NF has subscribed to NWDAF to consume analysis information related to the UE, and transmitting to the second NF a message including information about the subscription related to NWDAF.

[0018] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for supporting the mobility of a UE for NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include receiving a message including information about subscriptions related to NWDAF from a first NF serving the UE via a second NF, wherein, in response to the first NF recognizing UE movement from the first NF to the second NF and the first NF recognizing that the first NF has subscribed to NWDAF to consume analytics information related to the UE, the message is transmitted from the first NF to the second NF, and in response to the second NF receiving the message, a subscription request message for receiving analytics information related to the UE is transmitted to the NWDAF based on the subscription information included in the message.

[0019] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for an NF entity supporting the mobility of a UE for NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include a transceiver and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to recognize UE movement from a first NF serving the UE to a second NF, recognize that the first NF has subscribed to NWDAF to consume UE-related analytics information, and transmit a message to the second NF including information about the subscription related to NWDAF.

[0020] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a device for a new NF entity supporting the mobility of a UE for NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include a transceiver and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to receive a message from a legacy NF serving the UE, including information about subscriptions related to NWDAF, wherein, in response to the legacy NF recognizing UE movement from the legacy NF to the new NF and recognizing that the legacy NF has subscribed to NWDAF to consume UE-related analytics information, the message is transmitted from the legacy NF to the new NF, and in response to the second NF receiving the message, a subscription request message for receiving UE-related analytics information is transmitted to the NWDAF. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless communication network including a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the signal flow of network data collection and analysis operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the overall structure of a network data collection and analysis system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating potential mobility-related problems in wireless communication networks, including NWDAF.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the source NF modification process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a consumer NF change process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the process of updating the NWDAF subscription when the source NF changes, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the process of updating the NWDAF subscription when the consumer's NF changes, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an NF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an NWDAF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Detailed descriptions of well-known functions or structures in this disclosure will be avoided to prevent obscuring the subject matter. While terms described below are defined in reference to the functions in this disclosure, these terms may vary depending on the intent or habit of the user or operator. Therefore, each term should be defined according to its meaning.

[0033] For the same reason, some components in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically. Furthermore, the drawn dimensions of each component do not perfectly reflect its actual dimensions. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or corresponding components.

[0034] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as methods of implementing them, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure can be implemented in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and thorough, and its scope will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art, and this disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

[0035] It will be understood that each box of a flowchart illustration, and combinations thereof, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be loaded onto a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart boxes. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium that can direct the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart boxes. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, thereby producing a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart boxes.

[0036] Furthermore, the corresponding box may represent a portion of a module, segment, or code that includes one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function. It should also be noted that in alternative implementations, the functions of these boxes may be executed in a different order. For example, two consecutive boxes may be executed substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on their functions.

[0037] As used herein, the term "unit" refers to, but is not limited to, a software or hardware component that performs certain tasks, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A "unit" can advantageously be configured to reside on an addressable memory medium and to execute on one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, a "unit" can include components (such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components), processes, functions, attributes, programs, subroutines, program code fragments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided in components and "units" can be combined into fewer components and "units," or further divided into additional components and "units." Additionally, components and "units" can be implemented to execute on one or more central processing units (CPUs) in a device or secure multimedia card. Further, in embodiments, a "unit" can include one or more processors and / or devices.

[0038] For ease of description, certain terms and names are defined in communication standards based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) (e.g., 5G, NR, LTE, or similar system standards). However, this disclosure is not limited to these terms and names and applies equally to systems conforming to other standards.

[0039] For ease of description, terms are provided to identify access nodes, network entities, messages, interfaces between network entities, and various types of identification information as used in the following description. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and these terms may be replaced by other technically equivalent terms.

[0040] Although embodiments of this disclosure are described primarily in the context of the new RAN (NR) radio access network and the packet core (5G system, 5G core network, or next-generation (NG) core) as the core network in the 5G mobile communication standard specified by the 3GPP (Mobile Communications Standards Organization), as those skilled in the art will judge that the subject matter of this disclosure can be applied, with minor modifications, to other communication systems with similar technical backgrounds without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] In 5G systems, Network Data Collection and Analysis Functions (NWDAFs) can be defined to support network automation. NWDAFs are network functions (NFs) that provide the ability to analyze and provide data collected from the 5G network. An NWDAF can collect / store / analyze information from the 5G network and provide the results to at least one NF, and the analysis results can be used independently within each NF.

[0042] 5G mobile communication systems support Network Components (NFs) to utilize the results of network-related data (hereinafter referred to as network data) collected and analyzed through the Network Data Provider Allocation AF (NWDAF). This is done to provide the necessary network data collection and analysis for each NF in order to efficiently deliver the functionality provided by the NF in a centralized manner. The NWDAF can use network slices as the basic unit to perform network data collection and analysis. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the unit of network slices, and the NWDAF can additionally analyze various information (e.g., quality of service) obtained from user equipment (UE), PDU sessions, NF status, and / or external service servers.

[0043] Analysis results from NWDAF can be delivered to each NF requesting analysis results and used to optimize network management functions such as Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees / improvements, traffic control, mobility management, and load balancing.

[0044] The unit node that performs each function provided by the 5G network system can be defined as an NF (or NF entity or NF node). An NF may include at least one of the following: an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) that manages the UE's access to the Access Network (AN) and the UE's mobility; a Session Management Function (SMF) that performs session-related management; a User Plane Function (UPF) that manages the user data plane; or a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) that selects an available network slice instance for the UE.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless communication network including NWDAF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] refer to Figure 1 The NWDAF 105 can collect network data from at least one source NF (e.g., NFs in a 5G core network such as AMF 110, SMF 115, or UPF 125, 130, and 135, application functions (AFs) for effective service provisioning, network exposure functions (NEFs), or operations, management, and maintenance (OAM)) in various ways. The AMF 110 can connect to the UE 100 and the radio access network (RAN) 120, and the UPF 125, 130, and 135 can connect the user traffic of the UE 100 to at least one data network (DN) 140 via the RAN 120.

[0047] Furthermore, NWDAF 105 can provide analysis of network data collected from the network or external sources to at least one consumer NF. NWDAF 105 can collect and analyze the load levels of network slice instances and provide this information to the NSSF for selection of specific UEs to use. Service-based interfaces defined in the 5G network can be used to request analysis information or to transmit analysis information, including analysis results, between NF110 and 115 and NWDAF 105, and documents such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and / or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) documents can be used for delivery.

[0048] In the example, the data collected by NWDAF 105 may include at least one of the following: application identifier (ID) from the point coordination function (PCF), IP filter information or media / application bandwidth, UEID or location information from the AMF, destination data network name (DDN), UEIP, QoS stream bit rate, QoS stream ID (QFI), QoS stream error rate, or QoS stream latency from the SMF, or traffic usage report from the UPF.

[0049] In addition to the NFs in the core network, the NWDAF may collect at least one of the following: for example, NF resource status, NF throughput, or service level agreement (SLA) information from the OAM (which is an entity that can affect the connection between the UE and the service server), UE status, UE application information, or UE usage patterns collected from the UE, or service application IDs, service experience, or traffic patterns collected from the AF, and may use the additionally collected information for analysis.

[0050] Tables 1 through 3 below show examples of network data collected by NWDAF. For each entity, the period and time points used to collect NWDAF network data from that entity can be different. Furthermore, the association of the collected data can be identified by the association ID used to associate the data for each collection target and the timestamp used to record the collection time.

[0051] [Table 1]

[0052]

[0053] [Table 2]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056] [Table 3]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the overall structure for collecting and analyzing network data according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] refer to Figure 2 The NWDAF can collect network data from NFs such as RAN, AMF, SMF, and UPF in operation 210, service data from NEF or AF in operation 220, management data from OAM in operation 230, and UE data from UE in operation 240. Examples of the collected data are shown in Tables 1 through 3. In operation 250, the NWDAF can analyze the collected data and provide the analysis results to the corresponding NF upon request.

[0061] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the overall structure of a network data collection and analysis system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] refer to Figure 3Each network entity, including the AMF, SMF, OAM, or RAN within the core network, can operate as a consumer NF 310, as in Operation 1, requesting analysis information generated as a result of analysis in the NWDAF 305. As in Operation 2, the NWDAF 305 can collect data from a source NF 315, such as an NF, AF, or OAM, and analyze the collected data to generate the analysis information requested by the consumer NF 310. As in Operation 3, the NWDAF 305 can transmit the analysis information to the consumer NF 310 that has already transmitted the request. The consumer NF 310 can use the analysis information received from the NWDAF 305 in determining control parameters and operations for its own functions.

[0063] The NWDAF 305 can collect the necessary data from NF 315 in the network to provide analytical information requested by consumer NF 310. Data collection by the NWDAF 305 is performed based on subscriptions to the corresponding NF. The source NF 315 can receive subscription requests from the NWDAF 305 and provide the requested network data.

[0064] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the problems caused by mobility in wireless communication networks, including NWDAF.

[0065] refer to Figure 4 The NWDAF 405 can collect data from the source NF1 420 and transmit the analysis information to the consumer NF1 410.

[0066] In wireless communication networks, the network entity (NF) that processes UE signaling messages according to predetermined criteria (e.g., UE mobility and / or changes in network load) can change based on its location or time. During this process, the network entity associated with the UE can change from consumer NF1 410 to consumer NF2 415, or from source NF1 420 to source NF2 425. Then, the subscription information between NWDAF 405 and consumer NF1 410 becomes invalid, and for network automation, the new consumer NF2 415 may have to re-execute the subscription process of NWDAF 405 from scratch. Additionally, since the subscription information between NWDAF 405 and source NF1 420 is also invalid, NWDAF 405 should cancel the subscription information and re-execute the subscription process with source NF2 425. This additional process can increase the signaling message load in the network.

[0067] To address this issue, this disclosure proposes embodiments for data collection and analysis result delivery that support NF mobility.

[0068] Figure 5This is a diagram illustrating a process for changing the source NF according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the following operations.

[0069] refer to Figure 5 The new source NF NF2 515 can receive subscription information from the old source NF NF1 510 regarding network data that the old source NF1 510 has already provided to the NWDAF 505 for the UE, as in operation 1). In an embodiment, the subscription information can be transmitted in at least one signaling message used in mobility management procedures (e.g., registration procedures and / or handover procedures) to reflect the UE's mobility. In an embodiment, the subscription information may include the NWDAF ID of the NWDAF 505, a list of analysis IDs identifying the types of analysis information that the NWDAF 505 can generate, a list of data that NF1 510 is providing to the NWDAF 505, subscription parameters, and at least one of a subscription association ID or notification ID.

[0070] NF2 515 can select at least one subscription message that needs to be updated from the received subscription messages and transmit information indicating the selected subscription message (e.g., a list of subscription association IDs or notification IDs corresponding to the subscription association IDs) to NF1 510, as in operation 2). NF1 510 can receive the list of subscription association IDs or notification IDs corresponding to the subscription association IDs from NF2 515 and report the mobility from NF1 510 to NF2 515 to NWDAF 505, while transmitting the received list of subscription association IDs or notification IDs corresponding to the subscription association IDs to NWDAF 505 in operation 3). NF2 515 can perform a subscription message update process on the selected subscription message together with NWDAF 505, as in operation 4). NWDAF 505 can maintain the received list of subscription association IDs until the subscription message update process of NF2 515 is performed. When the subscription information update process for NF2 515 is complete, the selected subscription information in NWDAF 505 can be updated to be relevant to NF2515.

[0071] In one embodiment, NF1 510 can receive a list of unselected subscription information from NF2 515 and unsubscribe from the unselected subscription information of NWDAF 505. In another embodiment, NF1 510 can identify unselected subscription information by receiving a list of selected subscription information from NF2 515 and unsubscribe from the unselected subscription information of NWDAF 505.

[0072] Based on updated subscription information, NWDAF 505 can collect network data from the new source NF NF2 515 and provide the analysis results of the collected data to the consumer NF 520.

[0073] In passing Figure 5 During the process of changing the source NF, the subscription information used for network automation can be updated. This can prevent network automation functions from stopping due to mobility and limit the generation of unnecessary signaling messages caused by invalid subscription information in NWDAF 505.

[0074] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the operational process when the consumer NF is changed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the following operations.

[0075] refer to Figure 6 The old consumer NF (i.e., consumer NF1 615) can detect that the UE has moved to the new consumer NF (i.e., consumer NF2 620). In an embodiment, consumer NF1 615 can determine the UE's mobility by processing (transmitting or receiving) at least one signaling message during a mobility management process (e.g., a registration process and / or a handover process) based on the UE's mobility. In operation 1), consumer NF1 615 can transmit a signaling message to NWDAF 605 indicating a mobility event related to a change in the UE's consumer NF. In operation 2), consumer NF1 615 can transmit subscription information about UE-related analytics information, which has been requested from NWDAF 605, to consumer NF2 620 via the signaling message transmitted during the UE's mobility management process. In an embodiment, the subscription information may include at least one of NWDAF ID of NWDAF 505, a list of analytics IDs identifying the types of analytics information that NWDAF 505 can generate, a list of data that NF1 510 is providing to NWDAF 505, subscription parameters, and a subscription association ID or notification ID.

[0076] In operation 5), consumer NF2 620 can select the subscription information to be updated from the received subscription information and perform the subscription information update process on the selected subscription information using NWDAF 605. Consumer NF2 620 can transmit a list of subscription information indicating the remaining subscription information (i.e., the subscription information not selected in operation 3) to consumer NF1 615, and consumer NF1 615 can unsubscribe from the unselected subscription information of NWDAF 605 in operation 4).

[0077] In this embodiment, even after a handover caused by UE mobility in operation 3), consumer NF2 620 can select the desired subscription information to retain. In this case, the list of selected subscription information can be transmitted to consumer NF1 615. Then, in operation 4), consumer NF1 615 can use NWDAF 605 to perform a process to cancel subscriptions to the remaining subscription information (i.e., unselected subscription information other than the subscription information with the selected receive list in the subscription information about analysis information related to the UE).

[0078] Based on updated subscription information, NWDAF 605 can provide new consumers NF2 620 with the analysis results of data collected from source NF 610.

[0079] In passing Figure 6 During the process of changing the consumer's NF, the subscription information used for network automation can be updated. This can prevent the network automation function from stopping due to mobility and limit the generation of unnecessary signaling messages caused by invalid subscription information in NWDAF 605.

[0080] Figure 7 The process of updating the NWDAF subscription when the source NF changes, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, is illustrated. Various embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of the following operations.

[0081] refer to Figure 7 In operation 711, consumer NF 702 may send a subscription request message “Nnwdaf_Analytics_Subscription Request” to NWDAF 704 requesting the provision of analytics information. The subscription request message may include at least one of the following: an analytics ID indicating the type of analytics information consumer NF 702 wants to receive, a reporting target specifying the target for which it requests analytics information (e.g., a UE, a group of UEs, or all UEs), and an event reporting message specifying the reporting period and / or reporting method for the analytics information. In an embodiment, the subscription request message may include a notification ID used when reporting the analytics information requested based on the subscription request message. NWDAF 704 may select at least one source NF, i.e., source NF#1 706, capable of providing the data collected for calculating analytics information, by examining the subscription request of consumer NF 702, and in operation 712 transmits an event subscription request message “Nnf_Event_Subscription Request” requesting data provision to the selected source NF#1 706. The event subscription request message may include the notification ID, event ID, and reporting information to be used in the report message in which the source NF#1 706 transmits data to NWDAF 704.

[0082] In operation 713, source NF#1 706 can inspect the subscription request according to the event subscription request message of NWDAF 704 and transmit the approval result in the event subscription response message "Nnf_Event_Subscription Response" to NWDAF 704. In an embodiment, the event subscription response message may include a subscription ID (or subscription association ID) identifying the subscription request and an event ID.

[0083] In operation 714, NWDAF 704 transmits a subscription response message “Nnwdaf_Analytics_Subscription Response” to consumer NF 702, which includes acceptance of the subscription request from operation 711. The subscription response message may include a subscription ID (or subscription association ID) that identifies the subscription request.

[0084] In Operation 715, Source NF#1 706 can determine the need for NF change or NF relocation based on predetermined criteria (e.g., UE mobility and / or network load balancing).

[0085] In operation 716, source NF#1 706 may transmit to the new source NF, source NF#2 708, the NWDAF ID of the NWDAF 704 related to network automation that source NF#1 706 has already subscribed to, as well as information about the subscription related to NWDAF 704 in a mobility management-related signaling message (e.g., a handover request message requesting UE handover), which is transmitted to source NF#2 708 for the UE. For example, for each subscription, the information about the subscription may include at least one of a subscription ID, subscription-specific data, and a notification ID for data reporting. In an embodiment, subscription-specific data may include information required to report network data to NWDAF 704, such as an event ID specified for the corresponding subscription or reporting information.

[0086] In operation 717, source NF#2 708 may transmit a handover response message to source NF#1 706 in response to the handover request message. The handover response message may include an NWDAF ID and information about the selected subscription that source NF#2 708 wishes to use after the handover, such as a subscription ID and / or a list of subscription-specific data for each selected subscription. In an embodiment, the subscription-specific data in the information about the selected subscription may include at least some subscription-specific data with modified parameter values ​​from the subscription-specific data received from source NF#1 706. In an embodiment, the subscription-specific data may be related to at least some subscription-specific data selected or modified as needed by source NF#2 708 from the subscription-specific data received from source NF#1 706, or to at least some parameters.

[0087] In operation 718, source NF#1 706 may transmit the message "Nnf_Event_Subscription Response" to NWDAF 704, which includes the event ID of the selected subscription received from source NF#2 708, the subscription ID of the selected subscription, subscription-specific data updated by source NF#2 708, and the ID of the new source (i.e., source NF#2 708) (new NF ID = NF#2). NWDAF 704 may store the received information about the selected subscription and delete unselected subscriptions (and information about the corresponding subscriptions). In an embodiment, source NF#1 706 or source NF#2 708 may perform a separate unsubscription process to unsubscribe from unselected subscriptions of NWDAF 704, instead of NWDAF 704 automatically unsubscribing from unselected subscriptions.

[0088] In this embodiment, operation 719 can be performed selectively. In operation 719, source NF#2 708 can select subscriptions to maintain based on information received from source NF#1 706 regarding existing subscriptions, and perform a subscription update process on the selected subscriptions using NWDAF 704. In this embodiment, operation 718 can be omitted when operation 719 is performed.

[0089] In operation 720, NWDAF 704 can collect data from the new source NF, NF#2 708 based on the subscription updated through the above operation, and transmit the analysis information generated based on the collected data to the consumer NF 702.

[0090] Figure 8 The process of updating the NWDAF subscription when the consumer's NF changes, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is illustrated. Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the following operations.

[0091] refer to Figure 8 In operation 811, the consumer NF (i.e., consumer NF#1 802) may transmit a subscription request message “Nnwdaf_Analytics_Subscription Request” to NWDAF 806 requesting analytics information. The subscription request message may include at least one of the following: an analytics ID indicating the type of analytics information that consumer NF#1 802 wants to receive, a reporting target specifying the target of the requested analytics information (e.g., a UE, a group of UEs, or all UEs), and event reporting information specifying the reporting period and / or reporting method for the analytics information. In embodiments, the subscription request message may include a notification ID used when reporting the analytics information requested for subscription based on the subscription request message.

[0092] In operation 812, NWDAF 806 can select at least one source NF 808 capable of providing the data collected for computational analysis by examining the subscription request of consumer NF#1 802, and transmit an event subscription request message "Nnf_Event_Subscription Request" providing the requested data to the selected source NF 808. In an embodiment, the event subscription request message may include a notification ID to be used in a report message, in which the source NF 808 transmits data, along with the event ID and report information, to NWDAF 806.

[0093] In operation 813, the source NF 808 can check the subscription request based on the event subscription request message from NWDAF 806 and transmit the approval result in the event subscription response message "Nnf_Event_Subscription Response" to NWDAF 806. In an embodiment, the event subscription response message may include a subscription ID (or subscription association ID) identifying the subscription request and an event ID.

[0094] In operation 814, NWDAF 806 may transmit a subscription response message “Nnwdaf_Analytics_Subscription Response” to consumer NF#1 802, which includes acceptance of the subscription request from operation 811. The subscription response message may include a subscription ID (or subscription association ID) that identifies the subscription request.

[0095] In operation 815, consumer NF#1 802 can determine the need for NF change or NF relocation based on predetermined criteria (e.g., UE mobility and / or network load balancing).

[0096] In operation 816, consumer NF#1 802 may transmit, in a signaling message related to the mobility management of the UE (e.g., a relocation request message requesting a change in UE functionality), the NWDAF ID of the network automation-related NWDAF 806 that consumer NF#1 802 has subscribed to, along with information about the subscription (related to analytics information received from NWDAF 806), to consumer NF#2 804. This signaling message is then transmitted to the new consumer NF (i.e., consumer NF#2 804 for the UE). For example, for each subscription, the information about the subscription may include at least one of a subscription ID, subscription-specific data, and a notification ID for data reporting. In an embodiment, subscription-specific data may include information required to specify the requested analytics information to NWDAF 806, such as analytics IDs accepted by NWDAF 806 for the corresponding subscription, reporting targets, or event reporting information.

[0097] In operation 817, consumer NF#2 804 may transmit a relocation response message to consumer NF#1 802 in response to the relocation request message. The relocation response message may include an NWDAF ID and information about the selected subscription that consumer NF#2 804 wants to use after relocation, such as, for each selected subscription, a subscription ID and a list of subscription-specific data that needs to be modified. In an embodiment, the subscription-specific data in the information about the selected subscription may include at least some of the subscription-specific data received from consumer NF#1 802, or at least some of the received subscription-specific data with modified parameter values. In an embodiment, the subscription-specific data may be related to at least some of the subscription-specific data received from source NF#1 706 that has been selected or modified on demand by source NF#2 708, or to at least some parameters.

[0098] In operation 818, consumer NF#2 804 may transmit a subscription request message to NWDAF 806. This subscription request message includes updated subscription-specific data (e.g., including at least one of an analytics ID, reporting target, and event reporting information) and a new notification ID assigned by consumer NF#2 to the corresponding subscription, providing information about the selected subscription identified by the subscription ID. NWDAF 806 may, in response to the receipt of the subscription request message in operation 818, detect stored subscriptions identified by each subscription ID and update the detected subscriptions using the updated subscription-specific data included in the subscription request message. In an embodiment, NWDAF 806 may delete pre-stored subscriptions (and information about pre-stored subscriptions) not included in the subscription request message of operation 818.

[0099] In operation 819, NWDAF 806 can transmit a subscription response message to consumer NF#2 804, which indicates that the subscription identified by the subscription ID of the subscription request message has been successfully updated.

[0100] In this embodiment, operations 820 and 821 can be performed selectively. In operations 820 and 821, consumer NF#1802 can transmit an unsubscribe request message requesting the deletion process for subscriptions not selected by consumer NF#2804, based on the subscriptions selected by consumer NF#2804 in operation 818, and receive an unsubscribe response message from NWDAF806 in response to the transmitted message. In this embodiment, non-automatically, NWDAF806 can delete unselected subscriptions at the request of consumer NF#2802.

[0101] In operation 821, NWDAF 806 can use the new notification ID specified by consumer NF#2 804 in operation 818 to transmit the analytics information requested by the new consumer NF (i.e., consumer NF#2804) to consumer NF#2 804 based on the subscription updated through the above operation.

[0102] Figure 9 The configuration of an NF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shown configuration can be applied to a consumer NF or a source NF.

[0103] refer to Figure 9 The NF entity may include a transceiver 910, a memory 915, and a processor 905. The transceiver 910, memory 915, and processor 905 of the NF entity can operate according to the NF operations described above. The configuration of the NF entity is not limited to the example shown, and for example, the NF entity may include more or fewer components. The transceiver 910, memory 915, and processor 905 may be implemented as at least one chip. In embodiments, the NF entity may include at least one of the entities included in the RAN or core network, such as an AMF, SMF, or UPF.

[0104] Transceiver 910 is configured to transmit signal messages, collected data, and analyzed data to and from a UE, another NF, or NWDAF. Memory 915 is configured to store processes and data required for the operation of the NF entity. Further, memory 915 is configured to store control information or data included in signals obtained by the NF entity. Memory 915 may be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media (such as ROM, RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD). Further, memory 915 may include multiple memories.

[0105] Processor 915 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can control a series of processes that enable an NF entity to operate according to at least one of the above embodiments. According to some embodiments, an NF entity can subscribe to an NWDAF to transmit a request for available analytics information and receive a response from the NWDAF including the available analytics information. According to some embodiments, an NF entity can exchange signaling messages with another NF entity and an NWDAF entity to support mobility and subscription information. Processor 905 can perform only some of the operations described in the above embodiments. Processor 905 can control all processes that enable an NF entity to operate according to all or some of the above embodiments, but is not limited to some of the operations.

[0106] Figure 10 The configuration of an NWDAF entity according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0107] refer to Figure 10 The NWDAF entity may include a transceiver 1010, a memory 1015, and a processor 1005. The transceiver 1010, memory 1015, and processor 1005 of the NWDAF entity can operate according to the NWDAF operation described above. The configuration of the NWDAF entity is not limited to the example shown, and the NWDAF entity may include more or fewer components. The transceiver 1010, memory 1015, and processor 1005 may be implemented as at least one chip. In embodiments, the NWDAF entity may include at least one of the entities included in the RAN or core network, such as an AMF, SMF, or UPF.

[0108] Transceiver 1010 is configured to transmit signal messages, collected data, and analysis information to and from the NF. Memory 1015 is configured to store the processes and data required for the operation of the NWDAF entity. Further, memory 1015 is configured to store control information or data included in the signals obtained by the NWDAF entity. Memory 1015 may be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media (such as ROM, RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD). Further, memory 1015 may include multiple memories.

[0109] The processor 1015 according to embodiments of this disclosure can control a series of processes that enable the NWDAF entity to operate according to at least one of the above embodiments. According to some embodiments, the NWDAF entity can receive a subscription request for data analytics from a consumer NF and transmit a response including available analytics information to the subscribed consumer NF. According to some embodiments, the NWDAF entity can transmit a subscription request to a source NF and receive collected data from the source NF. According to some embodiments, the NWDAF can exchange signaling messages with at least one NF entity to support mobility and subscription information. The processor 1005 can perform only some of the operations described in the above embodiments. The processor 1005 can control all processes that enable the NWDAF entity to operate according to all or some of the above embodiments, but is not limited to some of the operations.

[0110] According to various embodiments, a method for supporting the mobility of a UE with an NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include: a first NF identifying the movement of the UE from the first NF serving the UE to a second NF, identifying that the first NF has subscribed to the NWDAF to consume analytics information related to the UE, and transmitting a message to the second NF including information about the subscription related to the NWDAF.

[0111] In this embodiment, the information about the subscription may include the NWDAF ID that identifies the NWDAF and subscription-specific data.

[0112] In an embodiment, subscribing to specific data may include at least one of the following: at least one analysis ID indicating the type of analysis information generated by NWDAF, a reporting target indicating the target for which the analysis information is requested, and reporting information indicating the reporting period and / or reporting method of the analysis information.

[0113] In an embodiment, the subscription information may further include at least one of the following: a subscription association ID provided by the NWDAF to the first NF during the subscription process performed for the first NF to receive analysis information from the NWDAF, and a notification ID provided by the first NF to the NWDAF during the subscription process performed for the first NF to receive analysis information from the NWDAF, identifying a notification related to the subscription.

[0114] In an embodiment, the method may further include transmitting an unsubscribe message related to the subscription to NWDAF after transmitting the message.

[0115] In an embodiment, at least one of the first NF and the second NF may include an AMF or an SMF.

[0116] In an embodiment, identifying UE movement may include identifying UE handover or NF changes for network load balancing.

[0117] According to various embodiments, a method for supporting the mobility of a UE with an NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include receiving a message from a first NF serving the UE via a second NF, including information about subscriptions related to the NWDAF, wherein, in response to the first NF recognizing that the UE has moved from the first NF to the second NF and recognizing that the first NF has subscribed to the NWDAF to consume analytics information related to the UE, the message is transmitted from the first NF to the second NF, and in response to the second NF receiving the message, a subscription request message for receiving analytics information related to the UE is transmitted to the NWDAF based on the subscription information included in the message.

[0118] In this embodiment, the information about the subscription may include the NWDAF ID that identifies the NWDAF and subscription-specific data.

[0119] In an embodiment, subscribing to specific data may include at least one of the following: at least one analysis ID indicating the type of analysis information generated by NWDAF, a reporting target indicating the target for which the analysis information is requested, and reporting information indicating the reporting period and / or reporting method of the analysis information.

[0120] In an embodiment, the subscription information may further include at least one of the following: a subscription association ID provided by the NWDAF to the first NF during the subscription process performed for the first NF to receive analysis information from the NWDAF, and a notification ID provided by the first NF to the NWDAF during the subscription process performed for the first NF to receive analysis information from the NWDAF, identifying a notification related to the subscription.

[0121] In an embodiment, at least one of the first NF and the second NF may include an AMF or an SMF.

[0122] In an embodiment, UE movement may include UE handover or NF change for network load balancing.

[0123] According to various embodiments, a device for an NF entity supporting the mobility of a UE for NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include a transceiver and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to recognize UE movement from a first NF serving the UE to a second NF, recognize that the first NF has subscribed to NWDAF to consume UE-related analytics information, and transmit a message to the second NF including information about the subscription related to NWDAF.

[0124] According to various embodiments, a device for a new NF entity supporting the mobility of a UE for NWDAF in a wireless communication network may include a transceiver and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to receive a message from a legacy NF serving the UE, including information about subscriptions related to NWDAF, wherein, in response to the legacy NF recognizing UE movement from the legacy NF to the new NF and recognizing that the legacy NF has subscribed to NWDAF to consume UE-related analytics information, the message is transmitted from the legacy NF to the new NF, and in response to the second NF receiving the message, a subscription request message for receiving UE-related analytics information is transmitted to the NWDAF.

[0125] The embodiments of this disclosure disclosed in the specification and accompanying drawings are merely specific examples provided to readily describe the technical content of this disclosure and aid in understanding it, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other pharmaceutical examples can be implemented based on the technical spirit of this disclosure. Furthermore, these embodiments can be combined when needed. For example, at least a portion of each embodiment of this disclosure can be operated in combination by a base station (BS) or a user equipment (UE).

[0126] In the specific embodiments of this disclosure described above, the components included in this disclosure are represented as singular or plural, according to the provided specific embodiments. However, for ease of description, singular or plural expressions are appropriately chosen for the presented situation, and this disclosure is not limited to a single component or multiple components. Even multiple components can be configured as a single component, or even a single component can be configured as multiple components.

[0127] The embodiments of this disclosure disclosed in the specification and drawings are merely specific examples provided to readily describe the technical content of this disclosure and aid in understanding it, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the foregoing embodiments of this disclosure are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and embodiments of equivalent scope can be made from them. Therefore, the true and strict legal scope of protection of this disclosure should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a first Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the method comprising: Identify the AMF changes from the first AMF to the second AMF; The first AMF is identified as a consumer of the Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) associated with the User Equipment (UE). as well as A message including information about the analytics subscription associated with the NWDAF is transmitted to the second AMF. The information regarding the analytics subscription includes at least one subscription association ID, an NWDAF ID that identifies the NWDAF, and at least one analytics ID.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Information regarding the analytics subscription also includes: At least one notification ID, The reporting objective indicates the target for which the analytical information is requested, or Report information, indicating the reporting cycle and / or reporting method for the analytical information.

3. The method according to claim 2, in, At least one subscription association ID is associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the NWDAF to the first AMF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF. In this embodiment, at least one notification ID identifies a notification associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the first AMF to the NWDAF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an unsubscribe message related to the analysis subscription to the NWDAF.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The AMF change is identified during one of the registration and handover processes.

6. A method performed by a second access and mobility management function (AMF), the method comprising: A message is received from a first AMF including information about an analytics subscription related to a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF), which is associated with a User Equipment (UE). The message is transmitted from the first AMF to the second AMF in response to the first AMF recognizing an AMF change from the first AMF to the second AMF and that the first AMF is a consumer of the NWDAF. Based on the information regarding the analytics subscription, a subscription request message is transmitted to the NWDAF to request analytics information related to the UE. The information regarding the analytics subscription includes at least one subscription association ID, an NWDAF ID that identifies the NWDAF, and at least one analytics ID.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, Information regarding the analytics subscription also includes: At least one notification ID, The reporting target indicates the target for which the analytical information is requested, or Report information, indicating the reporting cycle and / or reporting method for the analytical information.

8. The method according to claim 7, in, At least one subscription association ID is associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the NWDAF to the first AMF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF. In this embodiment, at least one notification ID identifies a notification associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the first AMF to the NWDAF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The AMF change is identified during one of the registration and handover processes.

10. An apparatus for a first access and mobility management function (AMF), the apparatus comprising: A transceiver and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver. The processor is configured as follows: Identify the AMF changes from the first AMF to the second AMF. Identify the first AMF as a consumer of the Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) related to the User Equipment (UE), and A message including information about the analytics subscription associated with the NWDAF is transmitted to the second AMF. The information regarding the analytics subscription includes at least one subscription association ID, an NWDAF ID that identifies the NWDAF, and at least one analytics ID.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, Information regarding the analytics subscription also includes: At least one notification ID, The reporting objective indicates the target for which the analytical information is requested, or Report information, indicating the reporting cycle and / or reporting method for the analytical information.

12. The device according to claim 11, in, At least one subscription association ID is associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the NWDAF to the first AMF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF. In this embodiment, at least one notification ID identifies a notification associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the first AMF to the NWDAF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein, The processor is further configured to: Transmit an unsubscribe message related to the analysis subscription to the NWDAF.

14. An apparatus for a second Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the apparatus comprising: A transceiver and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver. The processor is configured as follows: A message is received from a first AMF including information about an analytics subscription related to a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF), which is associated with a User Equipment (UE). The message is transmitted from the first AMF to the second AMF in response to the first AMF recognizing an AMF change from the first AMF to the second AMF and that the first AMF is a consumer of the NWDAF. Based on the information regarding the analytics subscription, a subscription request message is transmitted to the NWDAF to request analytics information related to the UE. The information regarding the analytics subscription includes at least one subscription association ID, an NWDAF ID that identifies the NWDAF, and at least one analytics ID.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, Information regarding the analytics subscription also includes: At least one notification ID, The reporting target indicates the target for which the analytical information is requested, or Report information, indicating the reporting cycle and / or reporting method for the analytical information.

16. The device according to claim 15, in, At least one subscription association ID is associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the NWDAF to the first AMF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF. In this embodiment, at least one notification ID identifies a notification associated with the analytics subscription and is provided by the first AMF to the NWDAF during the subscription process performed for the first AMF to receive analytics information from the NWDAF.

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