Quality of experience measurement for radio access networks

Abstract

This invention describes methods, systems, and apparatus for configuring Quality of Experience (QoE) measurements in a mobile cellular network. An example method for wireless communication includes: generating a second QoE measurement configuration by a network node based on a first QoE measurement configuration; and transmitting a first radio resource control message including the second QoE measurement configuration and an activation configuration to a wireless device, wherein the first QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements invisible to the network node, and the second QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements visible to the network node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document generally pertains to wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless communication technology is propelling the world towards an increasingly connected and networked society. The rapid growth and technological advancements in wireless communication have led to greater demands for capacity and connectivity. Other factors, such as energy consumption, equipment cost, spectrum efficiency, and latency, are also important for meeting the needs of various communication scenarios. Compared to existing wireless networks, next-generation systems and wireless communication technologies will provide a better quality of experience for more users, which can be supported by wireless devices and network nodes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This document relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for configuring Quality of Experience (QoE) measurements in mobile cellular networks, including fifth-generation (5G) and new radio (NR) communication systems.

[0004] In one example aspect, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes: generating a second QoE measurement configuration by a network node based on a first Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement configuration; and transmitting a first radio resource control message to a wireless device including the second QoE measurement configuration and an activation configuration, wherein the first QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements invisible to the network node, and the second QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements visible to the network node.

[0005] In another example aspect, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes: a distributed unit (DU) of a network node making a decision regarding activating a wireless device to perform a Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement visible to the network node; based on the decision, generating a first QoE measurement configuration that configures the wireless device to perform a QoE measurement visible to the network node; transmitting an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message including the first QoE measurement configuration to a central unit (CU) of the network node; and in response to the transmission, receiving from the CU the F1AP acknowledgment message including the first QoE measurement configuration and a second QoE measurement configuration that configures the wireless device to perform a QoE measurement invisible to the network node.

[0006] In yet another example, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes a target network node transmitting an Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) message to a source network node, the XnAP message including Quality of Experience (QoE) capability information of the target network node, wherein a wireless device is configured to migrate from the source network node to the target network node after the transmission.

[0007] In yet another example, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes: generating a Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement retrieval configuration by a network node, the QoE measurement retrieval configuration configuring a wireless device to retrieve QoE measurements visible to the network node; transmitting a first radio resource control message including the QoE measurement retrieval configuration to the wireless device; and receiving a second radio resource control message including a QoE evaluation result from the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is configured to generate the QoE evaluation result based on the QoE measurement.

[0008] In yet another exemplary aspect, the above-described method is implemented in the form of processor-executable code and stored in a computer-readable program medium.

[0009] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a device is disclosed that is configured or operable to perform the methods described above.

[0010] The above and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, description and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 Examples of base stations (BS) and user equipment (UE) in wireless communication according to some embodiments of currently disclosed technologies are shown.

[0012] Figure 2 An example timing diagram of an activated radio access network (RAN) for triggering RAN visible quality of experience (QoE) measurements is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An example timing diagram of the activated central cell of the RAN for triggering RAN visible QoE measurements is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 An example timing diagram of an activated distributed unit (DU) of the RAN for triggering RAN visible QoE measurements is shown.

[0015] Figures 5 to 7 Example timing diagrams for RAN, CU, and DU are shown for disabling RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0016] Figure 8An example timing diagram is shown for pausing and resuming RAN visible QoE measurements by CU and DU.

[0017] Figure 9 An example timing diagram for reporting RAN visible QoE measurements is shown.

[0018] Figure 10 An example timing diagram for RAN visible QoE measurement capability information exchange in mobility scenarios is shown.

[0019] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Example timing diagrams are shown for verifying the area range for RAN and user equipment (UE) in mobility scenarios.

[0020] Figure 13 An example timing diagram is shown for RAN to retrieve QoE measurements collected by UE (or wireless or mobile device).

[0021] Figures 14 to 17 An example of a wireless communication method is shown.

[0022] Figure 18 It is a block diagram representation of an apparatus that can be configured to implement some embodiments of the currently disclosed technology. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Existing NR implementations deploy Quality of Experience (QoE) technologies, which focus on the actual, individual user experience; for example, is the network actually delivering a sufficient end-user experience? More broadly, QoE looks at the impact of network behavior on the end user. In more ambiguous domains, some network flaws are overlooked, while others can render an application essentially useless. QoE achieves its goals by looking at information within the data transmitted over the network, not just the data transmission efficiency across the network itself. For VoIP calls, for example, QoE might look at echo, conversation quality, audio levels, and defects.

[0024] However, in current NR implementations, QoE measurement reports are transmitted as containers to the RAN node (or the RAN side, or simply the RAN), resulting in QoE measurement results collected by the UE being invisible to the RAN. With increasing user demand for better QoE, one technical solution is to enable QoE measurement results to be used by the RAN node for its own optimization. Embodiments of the disclosed technology describe methods for making QoE measurements visible to the RAN side by implementing techniques such as activation, deactivation, reporting, suspension, and mobility.

[0025] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system (e.g., LTE, 5G, or New Radio (NR) cellular network) is shown, including a BS120 (e.g., a gNB or network node) and one or more user equipment (UEs) 111, 112, and 113 (or wireless devices, or mobile devices). In some embodiments, downlink transmissions (141, 142, 143) include configurations for RAN-visible QoE measurements. In response, the UE transmits a QoE measurement report, result, or evaluation (131, 132, 133) to the BS120. The UE may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, mobile computer, machine-to-machine (M2M) device, terminal, mobile device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.

[0026] The use of chapter headings and subheadings in this document is for ease of understanding and not to limit the scope of the disclosed technologies and embodiments to certain chapters. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in different chapters can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the examples used in this document from 3GPP New Radio (NR) network architectures and 5G protocols are for facilitating understanding only, and the disclosed technologies and embodiments can be practiced in other wireless systems using communication protocols different from 3GPP protocols.

[0027] 1. Overview of QoE Technology

[0028] For signaling-based QoE, QoE measurement activation is configured by Operation and Maintenance Management (OAM) and triggered by the 5G Core (5GC) or Core Network (CN). The CN initiates the activation of the QoE measurement configured by OAM and sends the QoE measurement configuration to the NG-RAN node. The User Equipment (UE) Access Layer (AS) receives the QoE measurement configuration from the NG-RAN node and then sends the QoE measurement configuration to the UE Application Layer.

[0029] For managed QoE measurements, activation is configured and triggered by the OAM. The OAM sends the QoE measurement configuration to the NG-RAN node, which in turn sends it to the UE's AS layer. The AS layer then sends the QoE measurement configuration to the UE's application layer. When a session begins, the application layer in the UE verifies criteria (e.g., cell list, service type, etc.), and if the criteria are met, the QoE measurement process and subsequent reporting process begin.

[0030] In the implementation described above, during QoE configuration and reporting, information is transmitted to the RAN node as a container, which makes both the configuration and the report invisible to the RAN.

[0031] For signaling-based QoE measurement deactivation, the deactivation is configured by the OAM and triggered by the CN. The CN initiates the deactivation of QoE measurements as configured by the OAM and sends a deactivation indication to the NG-RAN node. The NG-RAN node sends the deactivation indication to the UE AS layer, which then sends the deactivation indication to the UE application layer.

[0032] For managed QoE measurements, deactivation is triggered by OAM. OAM sends a deactivation indication to the NG-RAN node, indicating which QoE measurement should be deactivated. The NG-RAN node then sends the deactivation indication to the UE AS layer, which in turn forwards it to the application layer within the UE.

[0033] 2. Example of RAN configuration for RAN visible QoE measurement

[0034] Figure 2 An example timing diagram of an activated radio access network (RAN) for triggering RAN visible quality of experience (QoE) measurements is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0035] Step 1: OAM / CN sends the QoE measurement configuration to gNB-CU, which initiates the activation procedure for QoE.

[0036] In some embodiments, OAM / CN refers to two separate entities, namely OAM or CN. If the QoE configuration is sent from the CN, it is an example of signaling-based QoE, while if the QoE configuration is sent from the OAM, it is an example of managed QoE. For simplicity, Figure 2 OAM and CN are represented as a single entity.

[0037] Step 2 The NG-RAN node receives a QoE measurement configuration including the service type. When the NG-RAN node decides to activate RAN-visible QoE, it generates a RAN-visible QoE configuration based on the corresponding service type received from the OAM. In some embodiments, the RAN-visible QoE configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0038] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, which enables RAN visible QoE measurements to be associated with a specific QoE measurement.

[0039] - Service type, which indicates the service type recorded by the RAN node, such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DASH) based on HTTP, Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS (MTSI), etc.

[0040] - Target network, which indicates the target public land mobile network (PLMN) or the target SNPN (standalone non-public network); this parameter defines the target network in which the UE performs RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0041] -QoE collects RAN nodes, which defines how the UE sends RAN-visible QoE reports to its target RAN nodes.

[0042] - The slice ID or slice range used for RAN-visible QoE, which is defined as the slice recorded by the RAN node.

[0043] - RAN-visible QoE metrics, which are measured by the UE and reported to the RAN node. In some embodiments, the reported metrics are visible to the RAN and are useful to the RAN node for QoE optimization. RAN-visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following:

[0044] - Average round-trip time for the group;

[0045] - Application name or application identifier;

[0046] -Average throughput;

[0047] -Initial broadcast delay, indicating the delay at the start of the presented streaming;

[0048] - Average jitter duration;

[0049] - Device information, which includes information about the resolution of the displayed video and the characteristics of the physical screen;

[0050] - Average buffer level, indicating the buffer occupancy rate during broadcast; or

[0051] - Average frame rate, which represents the video playback frame rate.

[0052] - RAN visible QoE value indication, which indicates that the UE reports a calculated numerical QoE value or a simplified qualitative representation (e.g., "excellent", "average", or "poor") derived from a specific QoE metric to the RAN node.

[0053] -QoE value location, which indicates where the RAN-visible QoE value or qualitative representation should be calculated, i.e., at the UE, at the RAN node, or at the QoE server.

[0054] - Measurement duration, which indicates the duration of RAN-visible QoE measurement in the UE, and may include the start and end times of the measurement collection operation or measurement cycle in the UE.

[0055] - Area range, which is used in mobility scenarios. In some embodiments, this field is optional and the area range for QoE measurement can be used in mobility scenarios if it is not included in the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0056] - Area range indicator, which indicates whether the RAN node or UE is configured to verify the area range in mobility scenarios.

[0057] - Reporting period, indicating how often measurements are collected / reported.

[0058] - Report event triggers, which define one or more events that trigger a measurement report, such as a QoE metric being higher or lower than a predefined threshold.

[0059] - Reporting methods include periodic reporting, event-triggered reporting, or one-time instant reporting (where RAN QoE measurements are performed immediately based on the RAN visible QoE configuration and reported once).

[0060] Step 3 NG-RAN generates Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages with QoE measurement configuration and RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0061] Step 4 The NG-RAN node sends the RRC message to the UE AS layer.

[0062] Step 5 The UE AS layer sends the received configuration for QoE and RAN-visible QoE to the UE application layer.

[0063] 3. Overview of CU-DU segmentation in network nodes

[0064] In some embodiments, network nodes (e.g., gNB, RAN) can be implemented using an architecture that splits the central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU). In one example, the DU is responsible for real-time L1 and L2 scheduling functions, while the CU is responsible for non-real-time, higher-level L2 and L3 functions. The CU / DU split architecture can be deployed in several instances, depending on network requirements such as latency and throughput.

[0065] 4. Example of CU configuration for RAN visible QoE measurement

[0066] Figure 3 An example timing diagram of the activated central cell of the RAN for triggering RAN visible QoE measurements is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0067] Step 1:OAM / CN sends the QoE measurement configuration to gNB-CU, which initiates the activation procedure for QoE.

[0068] Step 2 The gNB-CU receives the QoE measurement configuration and determines whether to activate RAN-visible QoE. The gNB-CU generates a RAN-visible QoE configuration that includes at least one of the following:

[0069] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, which enables RAN visible QoE measurements to be associated with a specific QoE measurement.

[0070] - Service type, which indicates the service type recorded by the RAN node, such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DASH) based on HTTP, Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS (MTSI), etc.

[0071] - Target network, which indicates the target public land mobile network (PLMN) or the target SNPN (standalone non-public network); this parameter defines the target network in which the UE performs RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0072] -QoE collects RAN nodes, which defines how the UE sends RAN-visible QoE reports to its target RAN nodes.

[0073] - The slice ID or slice range used for RAN-visible QoE, which is defined as the slice recorded by the RAN node.

[0074] - RAN-visible QoE metrics, which are measured by the UE and reported to the RAN node. In some embodiments, the reported metrics are visible to the RAN and are useful to the RAN node for QoE optimization. RAN-visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following:

[0075] - Average round-trip time for the group;

[0076] - Application name or application identifier;

[0077] -Average throughput;

[0078] -Initial broadcast delay, indicating the delay at the start of the presented streaming;

[0079] - Average jitter duration;

[0080] - Device information, which includes information about the resolution of the displayed video and the characteristics of the physical screen;

[0081] - Average buffer level, indicating the buffer occupancy rate during broadcast; or

[0082] - Average frame rate, which represents the video playback frame rate.

[0083] - RAN visible QoE value indication, which indicates that the UE reports a calculated numerical QoE value or a simplified qualitative representation (e.g., "excellent", "average", or "poor") derived from a specific QoE metric to the RAN node.

[0084] -QoE value location, which indicates where the RAN-visible QoE value or qualitative representation should be calculated, i.e., at the UE, at the RAN node, or at the QoE server.

[0085] - Measurement duration, which indicates the duration of RAN-visible QoE measurement in the UE, and may include the start and end times of the measurement collection operation or measurement cycle in the UE.

[0086] - Area range, which is used in mobility scenarios. In some embodiments, this field is optional and the area range for QoE measurement can be used in mobility scenarios if it is not included in the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0087] - Area range indicator, which indicates whether the RAN node or UE is configured to verify the area range in mobility scenarios.

[0088] - Reporting period, indicating how often measurements are collected / reported.

[0089] - Report event triggers, which define one or more events that trigger a measurement report, such as a QoE metric being higher or lower than a predefined threshold.

[0090] - Reporting methods include periodic reporting, event-triggered reporting, or one-time instant reporting (where RAN QoE measurements are performed immediately based on the RAN visible QoE configuration and reported once).

[0091] Step 3 The gNB-CU sends F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) messages (e.g., UE Context Establishment Request or UE Context Modification Request) to the gNB-DU. These F1 AP messages include QoE measurement configuration and RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0092] Step 4 The gNB-DU sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context establishment response or a UE context modification response) along with an indication to the gNB-CU, the indication being to notify the gNB-CU that the DU has received the measurement configuration.

[0093] Step 5 The gNB-CU sends an RRC message to the UE AS layer, the RRC message including QoE measurement configuration and RAN visible QoE configuration.

[0094] Step 6 The UE AS layer sends the QoE measurement configuration and RAN-visible QoE configuration to the UE application layer.

[0095] 5. Example of DU configuration for RAN visible QoE measurement

[0096] Figure 4 An example timing diagram of an activated distributed unit (DU) of the RAN for triggering RAN visible QoE measurements is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0097] Case 1 DU receives configuration and then activates.

[0098] Step 1 OAM / CN sends the QoE measurement configuration to gNB-CU.

[0099] Step 2 The gNB-CU sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context establishment request or a UE context modification request) to the DU, the F1AP message including the received QoE measurement configuration.

[0100] Step 3 The gNB-DU receives the QoE measurement configuration and determines to activate the RAN-visible QoE. The gNB-DU generates the RAN-visible QoE configuration, which includes at least one of the following:

[0101] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, which enables RAN visible QoE measurements to be associated with a specific QoE measurement.

[0102] - Service type, which indicates the service type recorded by the RAN node, such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DASH) based on HTTP, Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS (MTSI), etc.

[0103] - Target network, which indicates the target public land mobile network (PLMN) or the target SNPN (standalone non-public network); this parameter defines the target network in which the UE performs RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0104] -QoE collects RAN nodes, which defines how the UE sends RAN-visible QoE reports to its target RAN nodes.

[0105] - The slice ID or slice range used for RAN-visible QoE, which is defined as the slice recorded by the RAN node.

[0106] - RAN-visible QoE metrics, which are measured by the UE and reported to the RAN node. In some embodiments, the reported metrics are visible to the RAN and are useful to the RAN node for QoE optimization. RAN-visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following:

[0107] - Average round-trip time for the group;

[0108] - Application name or application identifier;

[0109] -Average throughput;

[0110] -Initial broadcast delay, indicating the delay at the start of the presented streaming;

[0111] - Average jitter duration;

[0112] - Device information, which includes information about the resolution of the displayed video and the characteristics of the physical screen;

[0113] - Average buffer level, indicating the buffer occupancy rate during broadcast; or

[0114] - Average frame rate, which represents the video playback frame rate.

[0115] - RAN visible QoE value indication, which indicates that the UE reports a calculated numerical QoE value or a simplified qualitative representation (e.g., "excellent", "average", or "poor") derived from a specific QoE metric to the RAN node.

[0116] -QoE value location, which indicates where the RAN-visible QoE value or qualitative representation should be calculated, i.e., at the UE, at the RAN node, or at the QoE server.

[0117] - Measurement duration, which indicates the duration of RAN-visible QoE measurement in the UE, and may include the start and end times of the measurement collection operation or measurement cycle in the UE.

[0118] - Area range, which is used in mobility scenarios. In some embodiments, this field is optional and the area range for QoE measurement can be used in mobility scenarios if it is not included in the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0119] - Area range indicator, which indicates whether the RAN node or UE is configured to verify the area range in mobility scenarios.

[0120] - Reporting period, indicating how often measurements are collected / reported.

[0121] - Report event triggers, which define one or more events that trigger a measurement report, such as a QoE metric being higher or lower than a predefined threshold.

[0122] - Reporting methods include periodic reporting, event-triggered reporting, or one-time instant reporting (where RAN QoE measurements are performed immediately based on the RAN visible QoE configuration and reported once).

[0123] Step 4 The gNB-DU sends the F1AP message (e.g., UE context setting response or UE context modification response) along with the RAN visible QoE configuration to the gNB-CU.

[0124] Case 2 DU is activated and then configuration is generated.

[0125] Step 1 gNB-DU determines to activate RAN-visible QoE and generates a RAN-visible QoE configuration that includes at least one of the following:

[0126] - Service type, which indicates the service type recorded by the RAN node, such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DASH) based on HTTP, Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS (MTSI), etc.

[0127] - Target network, which indicates the target public land mobile network (PLMN) or the target SNPN (standalone non-public network); this parameter defines the target network in which the UE performs RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0128] -QoE collects RAN nodes, which defines how the UE sends RAN-visible QoE reports to its target RAN nodes.

[0129] - The slice ID or slice range used for RAN-visible QoE, which is defined as the slice recorded by the RAN node.

[0130] - RAN-visible QoE metrics, which are measured by the UE and reported to the RAN node. In some embodiments, the reported metrics are visible to the RAN and are useful to the RAN node for QoE optimization. RAN-visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following:

[0131] - Average round-trip time for the group;

[0132] - Application name or application identifier;

[0133] -Average throughput;

[0134] -Initial broadcast delay, indicating the delay at the start of the presented streaming;

[0135] - Average jitter duration;

[0136] - Device information, which includes information about the resolution of the displayed video and the characteristics of the physical screen;

[0137] - Average buffer level, indicating the buffer occupancy rate during broadcast; or

[0138] - Average frame rate, which represents the video playback frame rate.

[0139] - RAN visible QoE value indication, which indicates that the UE reports a calculated numerical QoE value or a simplified qualitative representation (e.g., "excellent", "average", or "poor") derived from a specific QoE metric to the RAN node.

[0140] -QoE value location, which indicates where the RAN-visible QoE value or qualitative representation should be calculated, i.e., at the UE, at the RAN node, or at the QoE server.

[0141] - Measurement duration, which indicates the duration of RAN-visible QoE measurement in the UE, and may include the start and end times of the measurement collection operation or measurement cycle in the UE.

[0142] - Area range, which is used in mobility scenarios. In some embodiments, this field is optional and the area range for QoE measurement can be used in mobility scenarios if it is not included in the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0143] - Area range indicator, which indicates whether the RAN node or UE is configured to verify the area range in mobility scenarios.

[0144] - Reporting period, indicating how often measurements are collected / reported.

[0145] - Report event triggers, which define one or more events that trigger a measurement report, such as a QoE metric being higher or lower than a predefined threshold.

[0146] - Reporting methods include periodic reporting, event-triggered reporting, or one-time instant reporting (where RAN QoE measurements are performed immediately based on the RAN visible QoE configuration and reported once).

[0147] Step 2 The gNB-DU sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context modification request) that includes the RAN-visible QoE measurement configuration to the gNB-CU.

[0148] Step 3 OAM / CN sends the QoE measurement configuration to gNB-CU.

[0149] Step 4The gNB-CU receives the QoE measurement configuration from the OAM / CN and sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context modification confirmation) containing the QoE measurement configuration and the RAN-visible QoE configuration to the gNB-DU. The RAN-visible QoE configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0150] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, which enables RAN visible QoE measurements to be associated with a specific QoE measurement.

[0151] - Service type, which indicates the service type recorded by the RAN node, such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DASH) based on HTTP, Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS (MTSI), etc.

[0152] - Target network, which indicates the target public land mobile network (PLMN) or the target SNPN (standalone non-public network); this parameter defines the target network in which the UE performs RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0153] -QoE collects RAN nodes, which defines how the UE sends RAN-visible QoE reports to its target RAN nodes.

[0154] - The slice ID or slice range used for RAN-visible QoE, which is defined as the slice recorded by the RAN node.

[0155] - RAN-visible QoE metrics, which are measured by the UE and reported to the RAN node. In some embodiments, the reported metrics are visible to the RAN and are useful to the RAN node for QoE optimization. RAN-visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following:

[0156] - Average round-trip time for the group;

[0157] - Application name or application identifier;

[0158] -Average throughput;

[0159] -Initial broadcast delay, indicating the delay at the start of the presented streaming;

[0160] - Average jitter duration;

[0161] - Device information, which includes information about the resolution of the displayed video and the characteristics of the physical screen;

[0162] - Average buffer level, indicating the buffer occupancy rate during broadcast; or

[0163] - Average frame rate, which represents the video playback frame rate.

[0164] - RAN visible QoE value indication, which indicates that the UE reports a calculated numerical QoE value or a simplified qualitative representation (e.g., "excellent", "average", or "poor") derived from a specific QoE metric to the RAN node.

[0165] -QoE value location, which indicates where the RAN-visible QoE value or qualitative representation should be calculated, i.e., at the UE, at the RAN node, or at the QoE server.

[0166] - Measurement duration, which indicates the duration of RAN-visible QoE measurement in the UE, and may include the start and end times of the measurement collection operation or measurement cycle in the UE.

[0167] - Area range, which is used in mobility scenarios. In some embodiments, this field is optional and the area range for QoE measurement can be used in mobility scenarios if it is not included in the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0168] - Area range indicator, which indicates whether the RAN node or UE is configured to verify the area range in mobility scenarios.

[0169] - Reporting period, indicating how often measurements are collected / reported.

[0170] - Report event triggers, which define one or more events that trigger a measurement report, such as a QoE metric being higher or lower than a predefined threshold.

[0171] - Reporting methods include periodic reporting, event-triggered reporting, or one-time instant reporting (where RAN QoE measurements are performed immediately based on the RAN visible QoE configuration and reported once).

[0172] Step 5 The gNB-CU sends an RRC message, including QoE measurement configuration and RAN-visible QoE configuration, to the UE AS layer.

[0173] Step 6 The UE AS layer sends the QoE measurement configuration and RAN-visible QoE configuration to the UE application layer.

[0174] 6. Example of disabling RAN visible QoE measurement

[0175] Figure 5 An example timing diagram is shown for disabling RAN visible QoE measurements in the RAN. In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0176] Case 1Once an NG-RAN node receives a QoE deactivation instruction, it decides to deactivate both QoE and RAN-visible QoE. In other words, the deactivation of RAN-visible QoE is triggered by the QoE deactivation instruction.

[0177] Step 1a OAM / CN sends a QoE deactivation instruction to the RAN node.

[0178] Step 1b The NG-RAN node receives a QoE deactivation instruction and decides to deactivate both QoE measurements and RAN-visible QoE. The NG-RAN node generates a configuration for deactivation, which includes at least one of the following:

[0179] - Deactivation indication, which indicates the deactivation of both QoE and RAN;

[0180] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0181] - Service type, RAN visible QoE to disable a specific service.

[0182] Case 2 RAN nodes may choose not to accept QoE deactivation, and NG-RAN nodes may decide to deactivate RAN visible QoE itself.

[0183] Step 1: The NG-RAN node decides to disable RAN-visible QoE itself and generates a RAN-visible QoE disabling configuration that includes at least one of the following:

[0184] - Deactivation indication, which indicates the deactivation of both QoE and RAN;

[0185] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0186] - Service type, RAN visible QoE to disable a specific service.

[0187] Step 2 The NG-RAN node sends an RRC message to the UE with the deactivation indication determined in step 1 for both Case 1 and Case 2.

[0188] Step 3 The UE AS layer sends the received deactivation instruction to the UE application layer. The UE deletes the specific RAN-visible QoE measurement and / or QoE measurement configuration and permanently stops the specific RAN-visible QoE and / or QoE.

[0189] 7. Example of CU disabling RAN visible QoE measurement

[0190] Figure 6 An example timing diagram for CU deactivation of RAN visible QoE measurements is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0191] Step 1 gNB-CU has decided to disable RAN visible QoE.

[0192] Step 1a Before or after the gNB-CU node decides to disable RAN-visible QoE, the OAM / CN may send the QoE disabling configuration along with an instruction to disable QoE measurements to the gNB-CU.

[0193] Step 2 The gNB-CU makes a decision to deactivate and assembles a configuration for deactivation, which may include at least one of the following:

[0194] - Disabling indication, which indicates the disabling of both QoE and RAN-visible QoE, or only indicates the disabling of RAN-visible QoE;

[0195] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0196] - Service type, RAN visible QoE to disable a specific service.

[0197] Step 3 The gNB-CU sends the F1AP message (e.g., UE context modification request) along with the deactivation configuration generated in step 2 to the gNB-DU.

[0198] Step 4 gNB-DU releases the relevant QoE configuration based on the received deactivation configuration.

[0199] Step 5 The gNB-DU sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context modification response) along with an indication to the gNB-CU, the indication being to notify the gNB-CU that the DU has released the relevant configuration based on the deactivated configuration.

[0200] Step 6 gNB-CU sends the RRC message along with the deactivation configuration to the UE.

[0201] Step 7 The UE AS layer sends the deactivation configuration to the UE application layer. The UE deletes the specific RAN-visible QoE measurement and / or QoE measurement configuration and permanently stops the specific RAN-visible QoE and / or QoE.

[0202] 8. Example of DU disabling RAN visible QoE measurement

[0203] Figure 7 An example timing diagram for DU deactivation of RAN visible QoE measurements is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0204] Step 1 gNB-DU decides to disable RAN-visible QoE and generates a RAN-visible QoE disabling configuration that includes at least one of the following:

[0205] - Disabling indication, indicating that the RAN-visible QoE is disabled;

[0206] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0207] - Service type, RAN visible QoE to disable a specific service.

[0208] Step 1a Before or after the gNB-DU node decides to disable RAN-visible QoE, the OAM / CN may send the QoE disabling configuration along with an instruction to disable QoE measurements to the gNB-CU.

[0209] Step 2 The gNB-DU sends the F1AP message (for example, if required for UE context modification) along with the RAN visible deactivation configuration generated in step 1 to the gNB-CU.

[0210] Step 3 The gNB-CU verifies the received deactivation configuration, makes a deactivation decision, and assembles a deactivation configuration, which includes at least one of the following:

[0211] - Disabling indication, which indicates the disabling of both QoE and RAN-visible QoE, or only indicates the disabling of RAN-visible QoE;

[0212] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0213] - Service type, RAN visible QoE to disable a specific service.

[0214] Step 4 The gNB-CU sends the F1AP message (e.g., UE context modification confirmation) along with the deactivation configuration generated in step 3 to the gNB-DU.

[0215] Step 5gNB-DU releases the relevant QoE configuration based on the received deactivation configuration.

[0216] Step 6 gNB-CU sends the RRC message along with the deactivation configuration to the UE.

[0217] Step 7 The UE AS layer sends the deactivation configuration to the UE application layer. The UE deletes the specific RAN-visible QoE measurement and / or QoE measurement configuration and permanently stops the specific RAN-visible QoE and / or QoE.

[0218] 9. Example of CU / DU suspending / resuming RAN visible QoE measurement

[0219] Figure 8 An example timing diagram is shown for pausing and resuming RAN visible QoE measurements by CU and DU. In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0220] Case 1 CU decides to suspend / resume

[0221] Step 1 gNB-CU decides to suspend / resume RAN visible QoE.

[0222] Step 2 The gNB-CU sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context modification request message) to the gNB-DU, the F1AP message including configuration for pausing / resuming RAN-visible QoE measurements. In some embodiments, the configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0223] - An indication for pausing / resuming RAN-visible QoE;

[0224] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0225] - Service type, used for suspending / resuming a specific service in the RAN-visible QoE.

[0226] Step 3 gNB-DU sends response messages (e.g., UE context request response) to gNB-CU.

[0227] Case 2 DU decides to suspend / resume

[0228] Step 1 gNB-DU decides to suspend / resume RAN visible QoE.

[0229] Step 2The gNB-DU sends an F1AP message (e.g., a UE context modification request message) to the gNB-CU, the F1AP message including configuration for pausing / resuming RAN-visible QoE measurements. In some embodiments, the configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0230] - An indication for pausing / resuming RAN-visible QoE;

[0231] - RAN Visible QoE Reference Identifier, indicating the relevant QoE reference identifier used for QoE measurement in RAN visible QoE; or

[0232] - Service type, used for suspending / resuming a specific service in the RAN-visible QoE.

[0233] Step 3 The gNB-CU sends a response message (e.g., UE context requirement confirmation) to the gNB-DU to confirm the requirement to suspend / resume RAN visible QoE.

[0234] Step 4 The gNB-CU sends an RRC message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) to the UE, the RRC message including configuration for pausing / resuming RAN-visible QoE.

[0235] Step 4a The gNB-CU sends an instruction to the QoE server to suspend / resume RAN visible QoE. If an instruction to suspend a specific RAN visible QoE measurement is received, the UE temporarily suspends that specific RAN visible QoE.

[0236] 10. Example of reporting RAN visible QoE measurements

[0237] Figure 9 An example timing diagram for reporting RAN-visible QoE measurements is shown. In some embodiments, the RAN-visible QoE report includes measurement results collected by the UE that can be used by the RAN node. In one example, the RAN-visible QoE report includes at least one of the following:

[0238] -RAN visible QoE metrics are a subset of QoE metrics directly collected by the UE, such as round-trip time, jitter duration, average throughput, device information, codec information, etc.

[0239] - RAN Visible QoE value, which includes a set of values ​​calculated from the RAN Visible QoE metric. In one example, the RAN Visible QoE value includes a comprehensive index that can evaluate the RAN Visible QoE outcome. In another example, the RAN Visible QoE value can be calculated by the UE, RAN node, or QoE server. In yet another example, the RAN Visible QoE value can be an objective qualitative representation (e.g., "Excellent," "Average," or "Poor") generated based on some evaluation principles;

[0240] - Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session ID;

[0241] - Slice ID;

[0242] -Target RAN node;

[0243] -UE ID;

[0244] -UE location information; or

[0245] - The timestamp reported.

[0246] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0247] Step 1 The UE collects RAN-visible QoE measurement results and prepares a QoE report. If the QoE value is configured to be generated by the UE, the UE calculates the RAN-visible QoE value and then prepares the QoE report. In some embodiments, the UE verifies the reporting method in the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0248] - If the reporting method is configured to be periodic, the UE will periodically send RAN-visible QoE reports to the NG-RAN node.

[0249] - If the reporting method is configured to be event-triggered, the UE will send a RAN-visible QoE report to the NG-RAN node when triggered by a specific event.

[0250] - If the reporting method is configured for one-time, immediate reporting, the UE immediately performs only RAN QoE measurements based on the RAN-visible QoE configuration and reports once. After reporting to the NG-RAN node, the UE deletes the RAN-visible QoE configuration.

[0251] Step 2 The UE sends the RAN-visible QoE report to the NG-RAN node.

[0252] Step 3 If the RAN visible QoE value is configured to be generated by the RAN node, then the NG-RAN node calculates the RAN visible QoE value.

[0253] Step 4 The UE sends the QoE report container to the QoE server. The QoE report container includes the following:

[0254] -QoE report; or

[0255] - Optional RAN-visible QoE reporting.

[0256] In some embodiments, the QoE reporting container will include RAN-visible QoE reports only if the QoE server is configured to require RAN-visible QoE reports.

[0257] Step 5 If the RAN visible QoE value is configured to be generated by the QoE server, then the QoE server calculates the RAN visible QoE value.

[0258] Step 5a After calculating the RAN visible QoE value, the QoE server sends the reported RAN visible QoE value to the NG-RAN node.

[0259] 11. Example of RAN-visible QoE capability information exchange

[0260] Figure 10 An example timing diagram is shown for exchanging RAN-visible QoE measurement capability information for mobility scenarios. In some mobility scenario embodiments, when a UE switches from a source NG-RAN node to a target NG-RAN node, the source node should know the RAN-visible QoE capability of the target NG-RAN node in order to determine whether the target NG-RAN node can support RAN-visible QoE. In one example, Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) messages are used by NG-RAN nodes to exchange their capability information for RAN-visible QoE.

[0261] In some embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0262] Step 1 NG-RAN Node 1 sends an XnAP message (e.g., Xn Establishment Request / NG-RAN Node Modification Request) containing RAN-visible QoE capability information to NG-RAN Node 2 to indicate to NG-RAN Node 2 its support for RAN-visible QoE capability. RAN-visible QoE capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0263] -NG-RAN nodes can support indication of RAN-visible QoE;

[0264] - The network ID of the supported network (e.g., PLMN or SNPN); or

[0265] - Supported service types.

[0266] Step 2 NG-RAN Node 2 stores the RAN visible QoE information of NG-RAN Node 1 and sends a response XnAP message, including the RAN visible QoE capability of NG-RAN Node 2, to NG-RAN Node 1. The RAN visible QoE capability indicates that it supports RAN visible QoE. The RAN visible QoE capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0267] -NG-RAN nodes can support indication of RAN-visible QoE;

[0268] - The network ID of the supported network (e.g., PLMN or SNPN); or

[0269] - Supported service types.

[0270] 12. Example of RAN verification area range in mobility scenarios

[0271] Figure 11 An example timing diagram for RAN verification region range in mobility scenarios is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 11 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0272] Step 1 The source gNB sends a handover (HO) request message to the target gNB, the handover request message including at least one of the following:

[0273] - Traditional QoE configuration and first region range (marked as region range 1); and

[0274] - (Optional) RAN visible QoE configuration and second area range (marked as area range 2).

[0275] Step 2 The target gNB verifies the received area range used for QoE measurements. If only area range 1 exists, area range 1 is applied to the RAN-visible QoE, resulting in both legacy QoE and RAN-visible QoE using the same area range for mobility. If both area range 1 and area range 2 exist, the target gNB's behavior is determined based on one of the following two options:

[0276] (1) Only verify region range 2 for RAN visible QoE; if the UE is in region range 2, apply the received RAN visible QoE configuration for the UE; or

[0277] (2) Verify area range 1 and area range 2; if the UE is in both ranges, apply the received RAN visible QoE configuration for the UE.

[0278] Step 3 The target gNB will respond with an XnAP message (e.g., a handover request confirmation) along with an indication of "within area" based on the area range received in step 2, which will be sent to the source gNB. The "within area" indication includes the following:

[0279] - Area 1 indicates that the UE is within area range 1; and

[0280] - (Optional) Area 2 indicates that the UE is within the area range 2.

[0281] Step 4 The source gNB sends an RRC message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) to the UE to pass an indication within the delivery area to the UE.

[0282] Step 5 The UE verifies the in-area indication in the received RRC message. If only in-area 1 exists and the indication is true, the UE sends a RAN-visible QoE report to the target gNB. However, if both in-area 1 and in-area 2 exist, the UE's behavior is determined based on one of the following two options:

[0283] (1) Only check 2 within the region; if 2 within the region is true, the UE transmits the RAN Visible QoE report to the target gNB; or

[0284] (2) Verify both in area 1 and area 2; if both indications are true, the UE will transmit the RAN Visible QoE report to the target gNB.

[0285] 13. Example of UE verification area range in mobility scenarios

[0286] Figure 12 An example timing diagram for UE verification area range in a mobility scenario is shown. In some embodiments, such as Figure 12 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0287] Step 1 The UE has been switched to the target gNB.

[0288] Step 2The UE verifies the area range used for QoE measurement. If only area range 1 exists, and the UE is in area range 1, the UE transmits the RAN-visible QoE report to the target gNB. If both area range 1 and area range 2 exist, the UE's behavior is determined based on one of the following two options:

[0289] (1) Only area range 2 for RAN QoE is verified; if the UE is in area range 2, the UE transmits the RAN Visible QoE report to the target gNB; or

[0290] (2) Verify area range 1 and area range 2; if the UE is in both ranges, the UE will transmit the RAN visible QoE report to the target gNB.

[0291] Step 3 The UE sends the QoE report along with the RAN-visible QoE report to the target gNB.

[0292] 14. Example of RAN retrieving QoE measurements from UE

[0293] Figure 13 An example timing diagram is shown for RAN retrieval of QoE measurements collected by the UE (or wireless device or mobile device). In some embodiments, RAN-visible QoE evaluation retrieval is used by the RAN node to obtain a QoE evaluation based on measurement results or QoE reports already stored in the UE. That is, the measurement results and reports are based on measurements collected prior to step 1 described below, and not on measurements performed at a future time. Before the RAN node begins RAN-visible QoE retrieval, it is assumed that at least one QoE measurement exists in the UE AS layer or the UE application layer. Once the RAN-visible QoE retrieval is complete, the RAN node releases the RAN-visible QoE retrieval configuration.

[0294] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 As shown, perform the following steps:

[0295] Step 1a OAM decides to retrieve RAN-visible QoE measurements and sends the RAN-visible QoE retrieval configuration to the NG-RAN node.

[0296] Step 1b The RAN node determines how to retrieve RAN-visible QoE measurements and generates a configuration. In some embodiments, the RAN-visible QoE retrieval configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0297] -QoE metrics, which need to be measured by the UE and reported to the RAN node. These metrics are generally useful for optimizations performed by the RAN node and include metrics such as: round-trip time, jitter duration, damage duration, average throughput, presented viewpoint, codec information, etc.

[0298] -QoE value indication, which indicates that the UE reports a calculated digital QoE value or qualitative representation (e.g., “excellent”, “medium” or “poor”), and wherein the QoE value or qualitative representation should be calculated, i.e., by the UE, RAN node or QoE server;

[0299] - A retrieval period, which includes a start time and an end time, and instructs the UE to evaluate stored QoE measurements only within a specific duration. For example, the measurement period could be specified as five minutes prior to receiving a RAN-visible QoE retrieval message; or

[0300] -QoE reference identifier, which indicates the specific QoE measurement session that the RAN wants the UE to evaluate.

[0301] Step 2 The NG-RAN node will send an RRC message, including the RAN-visible QoE retrieval configuration, to the UE.

[0302] Step 3 The UE retrieves stored QoE measurement results based on the QoE reference identifier and time period, and then generates RAN-visible QoE assessment results.

[0303] Step 4 The UE will send an RRC message, including the RAN-visible QoE assessment results, to the NG-RAN node.

[0304] Step 5 : UE releases the configuration used for RAN-visible QoE retrieval.

[0305] Step 6 The RAN node receives the RAN Visible QoE report and releases the configuration used for RAN Visible QoE retrieval.

[0306] 15. Example methods and embodiments for the disclosed technology

[0307] Among other things, the disclosed embodiments describe the following technical solutions for configuring Quality of Experience (QoE) measurements in mobile cellular networks to maintain service continuity:

[0308] (1) Activation and deactivation procedures for RAN visible QoE measurement, including several information elements (IE) in the activation / deactivation configuration.

[0309] (2) Activation and deactivation procedures for RAN visible QoE measurement in CU-DU splitting scenarios, including several IEs in the activation / deactivation configuration.

[0310] (3) Pause / resumption of RAN visible QoE triggered by RAN nodes, including indications from gNB-DU to gNB-CU to pause RAN visible QoE measurements.

[0311] (4) Reporting of RAN visible QoE measurement results, including the collection of RAN visible QoE measurements and the calculation of RAN visible QoE values.

[0312] (5) RAN visible QoE measurement for mobility scenarios, including (i) RAN visible QoE capability exchange between NG-RAN nodes via NGAP, and (ii) a method for verifying the area range, which may be verified by the target gNB or UE.

[0313] (6) RAN visible QoE retrieval to retrieve QoE measurement results stored in the UE.

[0314] Figures 14 to 17 Example methods are shown that can implement the technical solutions described above, for example, in the embodiments shown in sections 2 to 14.

[0315] Figure 14 An example of a wireless communication method 1400 is shown. Method 1400 includes, at operation 1410, a network node generating a second QoE measurement configuration based on a first QoE measurement configuration that configures a wireless device to perform QoE measurements invisible to the network node, and the second QoE measurement configuration that configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements visible to the network node.

[0316] Method 1400 includes, at operation 1420, transmitting a first radio resource control message, including a second QoE measurement configuration and an activation configuration, to a wireless device.

[0317] Figure 15 An example of a wireless communication method 1500 is shown. Method 1500 includes, at operation 1510, a decision made by a distributed unit (DU) of a network node regarding activating a wireless device to perform a quality of experience (QoE) measurement visible to the network node.

[0318] Method 1500 includes, at operation 1520, generating a first QoE measurement configuration based on the decision, the first QoE measurement configuration configuring the wireless device to perform QoE measurements visible to network nodes.

[0319] Method 1500 includes, at operation 1530, transmitting an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message, including a first QoE measurement configuration, to the central unit (CU) of the network node.

[0320] Method 1500 includes, at operation 1540, receiving an IFAP acknowledgment message from a CU in response to transmission, the IFAP acknowledgment message including a first QoE measurement configuration and a second QoE measurement configuration, the second QoE measurement configuration configuring the wireless device to perform QoE measurements that are not visible to network nodes.

[0321] Figure 16 An example of a wireless communication method 1600 is shown. Method 1600 includes, at operation 1610, a target network node transmitting an Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) message including QoE capability information of the target network node to a source network node, and a wireless device being configured to migrate from the source network node to the target network node after the transmission.

[0322] Figure 17 An example of a wireless communication method 1700 is shown. Method 1700 includes, at operation 1710, a network node generating a Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement retrieval configuration that configures a wireless device to retrieve QoE measurements visible to the network node.

[0323] Method 1700 includes, at operation 1720, transmitting a first radio resource control message, including QoE measurement retrieval configuration, to a radio device.

[0324] Method 1700 includes, at operation 1730, receiving from a wireless device a second radio resource control message including a QoE evaluation result, the wireless device being configured to generate the QoE evaluation result based on QoE measurements.

[0325] The following provides a list of preferred technical solutions from some embodiments.

[0326] 1. A wireless communication method, as described in section 2, the method comprising: generating a second QoE measurement configuration by a network node based on a first Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement configuration; and transmitting a first radio resource control message including the second QoE measurement configuration and an activation configuration to a wireless device, wherein the first QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements invisible to the network node, and the second QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements visible to the network node.

[0327] 2. The method according to Scheme 1, as described in Section 3, wherein the network node includes a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) separate from the CU, and wherein the first QoE measurement configuration is received by the CU.

[0328] 3. The method according to Scheme 2, as described in Section 4, further includes: the CU transmitting an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message including the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration to the DU, and receiving from the DU an F1AP response message including an indication that the DU has received the F1AP request message.

[0329] 4. The method according to Scheme 2, as described in Section 5, further includes: the CU transmitting an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message including the first QoE measurement configuration to the DU, and receiving an F1AP response message including the second QoE measurement configuration from the DU, wherein the DU is configured to generate the second QoE measurement configuration upon receiving the F1AP request message.

[0330] 5. The method according to Scheme 1, as described in Section 6, further includes: the network node receiving a first deactivation message corresponding to the first QoE measurement configuration; and after receiving the first deactivation message, transmitting a second deactivation message corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0331] 6. The method according to Scheme 5, wherein the second deactivation message includes at least one of the following: a deactivation indication corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0332] 7. The method according to Scheme 1, as described in Section 6, further includes: the network node transmitting a deactivation message corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0333] 8. The method according to Scheme 7, wherein the deactivation message includes a deactivation indication corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0334] 9. The method according to Scheme 2, as described in Section 7, wherein the CU makes a decision to disable QoE measurements visible to the network node, and wherein the method further comprises: the CU transmitting an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message including a disable message to the DU, the disable message corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration; and receiving from the DU an F1AP response message including an indication that the DU has released a configuration relating to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0335] 10. The method according to Scheme 9, wherein the deactivation message includes at least one of the following: a deactivation indication corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0336] 11. The method according to Scheme 2, as described in Section 8, wherein the DU makes a decision to disable QoE measurements visible to the network node, and wherein the method further includes generating a disable configuration corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration by the DU, and transmitting an IFAP message including the disable configuration to the CU.

[0337] 12. The method according to Scheme 11, wherein the deactivation configuration includes a deactivation indication corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0338] 13. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 12, further comprising transmitting a second radio resource control message including a deactivation configuration to the radio device.

[0339] 14. The method according to Scheme 2, as described in Section 9, wherein the CU makes a decision to suspend or resume QoE measurements visible to the network node, and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting an F1AP request message from the CU to the DU, the F1AP request message including a configuration for suspending or resuming the QoE measurements visible to the network node; and receiving an F1AP response message from the DU after transmitting the F1AP request message.

[0340] 15. The method according to Scheme 2, as described in Section 9, wherein the DU makes a decision to suspend or resume QoE measurements visible to the network node, and wherein the method further includes transmitting an IFAP request message from the DU to the CU, the IFAP request message including a configuration for suspending or resuming the QoE measurements visible to the network node.

[0341] 16. The method according to scheme 14 or 15, wherein the configuration for pausing or resuming the QoE measurement visible to the network node includes at least one of the following: an indication for pausing or resuming the QoE measurement visible to the network node, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0342] 17. The method according to Scheme 1, as described in Section 10, further includes: receiving a QoE report from the wireless device, the QoE report including one or more QoE values ​​visible to the network node, wherein the wireless device is configured to calculate the one or more QoE values ​​based on a QoE metric determined using a QoE measurement, the QoE measurement being obtained using the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0343] 18. The method according to Scheme 1, as described in Section 10, further includes: receiving from the wireless device a QoE report including a QoE metric, the QoE metric being obtained based on a configuration using the second QoE measurement; and calculating one or more QoE values ​​based on the QoE metric.

[0344] 19. The method according to Scheme 1, as described in Section 10, further includes: receiving a QoE report from a QoE server, the QoE report including one or more QoE values ​​visible to the network node, wherein the QoE server is configured to calculate the one or more QoE values ​​based on a QoE metric determined by a QoE measurement obtained by the wireless device using the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0345] 20. The method according to any one of schemes 17 to 19, wherein each of the one or more QoE values ​​is associated with a corresponding qualitative representation.

[0346] 21. A wireless communication method, as described in section 5, the method comprising: a distributed unit (DU) of a network node making a decision regarding activating a wireless device to perform a quality of experience (QoE) measurement visible to the network node; generating a first QoE measurement configuration based on the decision, the first QoE measurement configuration configuring the wireless device to perform a QoE measurement visible to the network node; transmitting an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message including the first QoE measurement configuration to a central unit (CU) of the network node; and, in response to the transmission, receiving from the CU an F1AP acknowledgment message including the first QoE measurement configuration and a second QoE measurement configuration, the second QoE measurement configuration configuring the wireless device to perform a QoE measurement invisible to the network node.

[0347] 22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the QoE measurement configuration corresponding to the measurement visible to the network node includes at least one of the following: a radio access network (RAN) visible QoE reference identifier, a service type, a target network, a QoE collecting RAN node, a slice ID, a slice range, one or more RAN visible QoE metrics, a RAN visible QoE value indication, a QoE value location, a measurement duration, a region range, a region range indication, a reporting period, a reporting event trigger, or a reporting method.

[0348] 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the one or more RAN visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following: average round-trip time of one or more packets, application name, application identifier, average throughput, initial broadcast delay, average jitter duration, device information, average buffer level, broadcast buffer occupancy, or average frame rate of video playback.

[0349] 24. A wireless communication method, as described in section 11, the method comprising transmitting an Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) message from a target network node to a source network node, the XnAP message including Quality of Experience (QoE) capability information of the target network node, wherein a wireless device is configured to migrate from the source network node to the target network node after the transmission.

[0350] 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the QoE capability information includes at least one of the following: an indication that the network node can support performing QoE measurements visible to the network node, a network identifier associated with the target network node, or a service type.

[0351] 26. The method according to scheme 24 or 25, as described in section 12, further includes: the target network node receiving a handover request message from the source network node, the handover request message including: a first quality of experience (QoE) measurement configuration that configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements that are not visible to the source network node; a second QoE measurement configuration that configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements that are visible to the source network node; and a first area range for the QoE measurement.

[0352] 27. The method according to claim 26 further includes performing a verification on the first area range, the first area range corresponding to a geographical area that supports QoE measurements corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0353] 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the switching request further includes a second regional range, and wherein the method further includes performing a verification on the second regional range, the second regional range corresponding to a geographical area that supports QoE measurements corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration.

[0354] 29. The method according to claim 26, as described in section 13, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform verification on the first area range after being migrated to the target network node, the first area range corresponding to a geographical area supporting QoE measurements corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration, and is configured to transmit a report based on the second QoE measurement configuration to the target network node.

[0355] 30. A wireless communication method, as described in section 14, the method comprising: generating a quality of experience (QoE) measurement retrieval configuration by a network node, the QoE measurement retrieval configuration configuring a wireless device to retrieve QoE measurements visible to the network node; transmitting a first radio resource control message including the QoE measurement retrieval configuration to the wireless device; and receiving a second radio resource control message including a QoE evaluation result from the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is configured to generate the QoE evaluation result based on the QoE measurement.

[0356] 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the QoE measurement retrieval configuration includes at least one of a QoE metric, a QoE value indication, a retrieval period, or a QoE reference identifier.

[0357] 32. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement the method described in any one of schemes 1 to 31.

[0358] 33. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code causing the processor to implement the method of any one of schemes 1 to 31 when executed by a processor.

[0359] Figure 18 This is a block diagram representation of a portion of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the currently disclosed technology. The apparatus 1805, such as a base station or wireless device (or UE), may include processor electronics 1810, such as a microprocessor implementing one or more technologies described herein. The apparatus 1805 may include transceiver electronics 1815 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals via one or more communication interfaces, such as one or more antennas 1820. The apparatus 1805 may include other communication interfaces for transmitting and receiving data. The apparatus 1805 may include one or more memories (not explicitly shown) configured to store information such as data and / or instructions. In some implementations, processor electronics 1810 may include at least a portion of transceiver electronics 1815. In some embodiments, the apparatus 1805 is used to implement at least some of the disclosed technologies, modules, or functions.

[0360] Some of the embodiments described herein are described in the general context of methods or processes that, in one embodiment, can be implemented by a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, that are executed by a computer in a networked environment. The computer-readable medium can include removable and non-removable storage devices, including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), etc. Therefore, the computer-readable medium can include non-transitory storage media. Typically, program modules can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. Computer or processor-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for performing steps of the methods disclosed herein. A particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding actions for implementing the functionality described in such steps or processes.

[0361] Some of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuitry, software, or a combination thereof. For example, hardware circuitry implementations may include discrete analog and / or digital components, which may be integrated, for example, as part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, the disclosed components or modules may be implemented as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include a digital signal processor (DSP), a special-purpose microprocessor whose architecture is optimized for the operational needs of digital signal processing associated with the functions disclosed herein. Similarly, the various components or sub-components within each module may be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware. Connections between modules and / or components within modules may be provided using any of the connection methods and media known in the art, including but not limited to communication over the Internet, wired networks, or wireless networks using appropriate protocols.

[0362] Although this document contains many specific details, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention or the content that can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of individual embodiments in this document may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments, or in any suitable sub-combination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as functioning in certain combinations, and even initially claimed in this way, in some cases one or more features in a claimed combination may be removed from that combination, and a claimed combination may refer to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, although operations are described in a specific order in the drawings, this should not be construed as requiring that these operations be performed in the specific order or sequence shown, or requiring that all operations shown be performed, in order to obtain the desired result.

[0363] Only some implementation methods and examples are described. Other implementation methods, improvements and changes can be made based on the descriptions and explanations in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: A second QoE measurement configuration is generated by network nodes based on a first Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement configuration, wherein the network nodes include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs) separate from the CU; and The first radio resource control message, including the second QoE measurement configuration, is transmitted to the wireless device. The first QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements that are not visible to the network node, while the second QoE measurement configuration configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements that are visible to the network node. The CU transmits an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message, including the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration, to the DU; and The DU receives an F1AP response message, which includes an indication that the DU has received the F1AP request message.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The CU transmits an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message, including the first QoE measurement configuration, to the DU; as well as Receive an F1AP response message from the DU that includes the second QoE measurement configuration. The DU is configured to generate the second QoE measurement configuration upon receiving the F1AP request message.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The network node receives a first deactivation message corresponding to the first QoE measurement configuration; as well as After receiving the first deactivation message, a second deactivation message corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration is transmitted.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The second deactivation message includes at least one of the following: a deactivation indication corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The network node transmits a deactivation message corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The deactivation message includes a deactivation indication corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, The CU makes a decision to disable QoE measurements visible to the network node, and the method further includes: The CU transmits an F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message, including a deactivation message, to the DU, the deactivation message corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration; and Receive an F1AP response message from the DU, the F1AP response message including an indication that the DU has released configurations related to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The deactivation message includes at least one of the following: a deactivation indication corresponding to both the first QoE measurement configuration and the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, The DU makes a decision to disable QoE measurements visible to the network node, and the method further includes: The DU generates a deactivation configuration corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration; and The F1AP message, including the deactivation configuration, is transmitted to the CU.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The deactivation configuration includes a deactivation indication corresponding to the second QoE measurement configuration, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

11. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, further comprising: A second radio resource control message, including a deactivation configuration, is transmitted to the radio device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein, The CU makes a decision to suspend or resume QoE measurements visible to the network node, and the method further includes: The FIAP request message is transmitted from the CU to the DU, the FIAP request message including a configuration for pausing or resuming the QoE measurement visible to the network node; and The DU receives an F1AP response message after transmitting the F1AP request message.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The DU makes a decision to suspend or resume QoE measurements visible to the network node, and the method further includes: The F1AP request message is transmitted from the DU to the CU, the F1AP request message including a configuration for pausing or resuming the QoE measurement visible to the network node.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The configuration for pausing or resuming the QoE measurement visible to the network node includes at least one of the following: an indication for pausing or resuming the QoE measurement visible to the network node, a QoE reference identifier for the second QoE measurement configuration, or a service type for the second QoE measurement configuration.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive a QoE report from the wireless device, the QoE report including one or more QoE values ​​visible to the network node. The wireless device is configured to calculate one or more QoE values ​​based on a QoE metric determined using a QoE measurement, which is obtained using a second QoE measurement configuration.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive a QoE report from the wireless device, including a QoE metric based on a QoE measurement obtained using the second QoE measurement configuration; as well as Calculate one or more QoE values ​​based on the QoE metric.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive a QoE report from the QoE server, the QoE report including one or more QoE values ​​visible to the network node. The QoE server is configured to calculate one or more QoE values ​​based on a QoE metric determined by a QoE measurement, which is obtained by the wireless device using the second QoE measurement configuration.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, Each of the one or more QoE values ​​is associated with a corresponding qualitative representation.

19. A wireless communication method, comprising: The decision regarding activating a wireless device to perform a quality of experience (QoE) measurement visible to the network node is made by the distributed unit (DU) of the network node; Based on the decision, a first QoE measurement configuration is generated, which configures the wireless device to perform QoE measurements visible to the network nodes. Transmit the F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) request message, including the first QoE measurement configuration, to the central unit (CU) of the network node; and In response to the transmission, an F1AP acknowledgment message is received from the CU, the F1AP acknowledgment message including a first QoE measurement configuration and a second QoE measurement configuration, the second QoE measurement configuration configuring the wireless device to perform QoE measurements that are not visible to the network node.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The QoE measurement configuration corresponding to the measurement visible to the network node includes at least one of the following: Radio Access Network (RAN) Visible QoE Reference Identifier, Service Type, Target Network, QoE Collection RAN Node, Slice ID, Slice Range, one or more RAN Visible QoE Metrics, RAN Visible QoE Value Indicator, QoE Value Location, Measurement Duration, Area Range, Area Range Indicator, Reporting Period, Reporting Event Trigger, or Reporting Method.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The one or more RAN visible QoE metrics include at least one of the following: average round-trip time of one or more packets, application name, application identifier, average throughput, initial broadcast delay, average jitter duration, device information, average buffer level, broadcast buffer occupancy, or average frame rate of video playback.

22. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein, The processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code causing the processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 when executed by a processor.

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