Apparatus, method, and computer program product for a network device

Abstract

There is provided a method, computer program and apparatus for a network repository function, which causes the network repository function to: change, for a second network function, a value of an attribute in a network profile associated with the second network function; and signal, to a first network function, an identifier of the second network function other than the changed value of the attribute based on a first discovery request from the first network function, wherein the network profile comprises an indication of a service and / or attributes of the second network function.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 22150481.4, filed on January 6, 2022, entitled "Apparatus, Method and Computer Program", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The various examples described herein generally relate to apparatuses, methods, and computer programs, and more specifically (but not exclusively) to apparatuses, methods, and computer programs for network devices. Background Technology

[0003] Typically, a communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities, such as user terminals, access nodes, and / or other nodes, by providing carrier waves between various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided via a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. Communication sessions may include, for example, data communications used to carry communications such as voice, email, text messages, multimedia, and / or content data. Content may be multicast or unicast to the communication devices.

[0004] Users can access the communication system through appropriate communication equipment or terminals. A user's communication equipment is typically referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication equipment can access a carrier provided by the access node and transmit and / or receive communication on that carrier.

[0005] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to required standards or specifications that describe what is allowed for the various entities associated with the system and how it should be implemented. Communication protocols and / or parameters used for connectivity are also usually defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G Radio). Another example of an architecture is Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. Yet another example of a communication system is the so-called 5G system, which allows user equipment (UE) or user devices to access the 5G core via, for example, New Radio (NR) access technology or other access technologies such as untrusted access to 5GC or wired access technologies.

[0006] There is a need to provide control systems for complex networks that enable communication service providers (CSPs) to control and optimize communication system components.

[0007] One of the current approaches employed is closed-loop automation and machine learning, which can be built into self-organizing networks (SONs) to enable operators to automatically optimize each cell in the radio access network. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the apparatus comprising components for: maintaining respective network profiles for a plurality of network functions, each network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of the network function associated with the network profile; receiving from a first network function a first request for discovering at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria; determining the at least one second network function using the set of search criteria and the corresponding network profile; changing the value of at least one attribute in at least one of the at least one second network function in the network profile associated with the second network function for at least one of the at least one second network function; and, in response to the first request, signaling to the first network function at least one identifier for the second network function and the changed value of at least one attribute.

[0009] According to a second aspect, an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the apparatus comprising components for: changing an attribute value in a network profile associated with a second network function for a second network function; and, based on a first discovery request from a first network function, signaling to the first network function an identifier of the second network function in addition to the changed value of the attribute, wherein the network profile includes indications of services and / or attributes of the second network function.

[0010] The first and second aspects may include the following further features.

[0011] The component for changing values ​​may include a component for changing the priority value of selecting at least one of at least one of the second network functions.

[0012] The priority value may correspond to a value representing the following priorities: at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0013] The component for changing priorities may include components for: sorting at least one second network function from the second network function that best matches the search criteria group to the second network function that least matches the search criteria group using a search criteria group; and changing the priority of at least one second network function to reflect the level.

[0014] A means for signaling an identifier of at least one second network function and a changed value to a first network function may include means for providing a value of at least one attribute in signaling to the first network function regarding each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the means.

[0015] The apparatus may include means for: receiving from a first network function a second request for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and in response to the second request, signaling the corresponding network profile to a first network device.

[0016] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0017] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0018] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0019] According to a third aspect, an apparatus for a first network function is provided, the apparatus comprising components for: signaling to a network repository function a first request for discovering at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria, the network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of the network function associated with the network profile; in response to the first request, receiving from the network repository function an identifier of the at least one second network function, and at least one change value by the network repository function for at least one attribute in the network profile associated with the at least one second network function; using the at least one change value to select at least one of the at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function; and signaling the selected at least one of the at least one second network function to request services to the first network function.

[0020] An apparatus for receiving an identifier of at least one second network function and at least one changed value from a network storage function may include means for receiving a value of at least one attribute in signaling relating to each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the apparatus.

[0021] The apparatus may include: a component for signaling to a first network device device for a second request to discover a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and, in response to the second request, receiving a corresponding network profile of at least one of at least one second network function from a network storage function.

[0022] The component for selecting at least one of at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function using at least one change value may include a component for selecting at least one of at least one second network function using both at least one change value and the corresponding network profile received.

[0023] The apparatus may include components for receiving at least one requested service selected from at least one second network function.

[0024] At least one attribute may correspond to the priority used to select the second network function.

[0025] The priority may include a priority value that corresponds to a value representing the priority of at least one network function instance of a second network function; at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0026] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0027] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0028] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0029] According to a fourth aspect, an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: maintain corresponding network profiles for a plurality of network functions, each network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of a network function associated with the network profile; receive from a first network function a first request to discover at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria; determine at least one second network function using the set of search criteria and the corresponding network profiles; for at least one of the at least one second network function, change the value of at least one attribute included in at least one of the network profiles associated with the second network function; and, in response to the first request, signal to the first network function an identifier of the at least one second network function and the changed value of the at least one attribute.

[0030] According to a fifth aspect, an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: change attribute values ​​in a network profile associated with a second network function for a second network function; and, based on a first discovery request from a first network function, signal an identifier of the second network function, in addition to the changed attribute values, to the first network function, wherein the network profile includes indications of services and / or attributes of the second network function.

[0031] The fourth and fifth aspects may include the following further features.

[0032] Changing this value may include changing the priority value of selecting at least one of the at least one second network function.

[0033] The priority value may correspond to a value representing the following priorities: at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0034] Priority changes may include: sorting at least one second network function using a search criteria group from the second network function that best matches the search criteria group to the second network function that least matches the search criteria group; and changing the priority of at least one second network function to reflect the ranking.

[0035] Sending the identifier of at least one second network function and the changed value to the first network function via signaling may include: providing the value of at least one attribute in the signaling to the first network function regarding each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0036] The device enables: receiving a second request from a first network function for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and, in response to the second request, signaling the corresponding network profile to the first network device.

[0037] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0038] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0039] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect, an apparatus for a first network function is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: signal a network repository function to discover a first request for at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria, the network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of the network function associated with the network profile; in response to the first request, receive from the network repository function an identifier of the at least one second network function, and at least one change value for at least one of the at least one second network function, modified by the network repository function for at least one attribute in the network profile associated with the at least one of the at least one second network function; use the at least one change value to select at least one of the at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function; and signal the selected at least one of the at least one second network function to request services to the first network function.

[0041] Receiving an identifier of at least one second network function and at least one changed value from a network storage function may include receiving the value of at least one attribute in signaling concerning each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0042] The device enables: sending a signal to a first network device a second request for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one of the at least one second network functions; and in response to the second request, receiving a corresponding network profile of at least one of the at least one second network function from a network storage function.

[0043] Using at least one change value to select at least one of at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function may include: using at least one change value and the received corresponding network profile to select at least one of at least one second network function.

[0044] The device enables the receiving of a requested service from at least one selected from at least one second network function.

[0045] At least one attribute may correspond to the priority used to select the second network function.

[0046] The priority may include a priority value that corresponds to a value representing the priority of at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0047] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0048] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0049] At least one second network function may be at least one of the following: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analytics function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0050] According to a seventh aspect, a method for an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the method comprising: maintaining corresponding network profiles for a plurality of network functions, each network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of a network function associated with the network profile; receiving from a first network function a first request to discover at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria; determining the at least one second network function using the set of search criteria and the corresponding network profiles; changing the value of at least one attribute included in at least one of the at least one network profiles associated with the second network function for at least one of the at least one second network function; and, in response to the first request, signaling to the first network function an identifier of the at least one second network function and the changed value of the at least one attribute.

[0051] According to an eighth aspect, a method for an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the method comprising: changing an attribute value in a network profile associated with a second network function for a second network function; and, based on a first discovery request from a first network function, signaling an identifier of the second network function, in addition to the changed attribute value, to the first network function, wherein the network profile includes indications of services and / or attributes of the second network function.

[0052] The seventh and eighth aspects may include the following further features.

[0053] Changing this value may include changing the priority value of selecting at least one of the at least one second network function.

[0054] The priority value may correspond to a value representing the following priorities: at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0055] Priority changes may include: sorting at least one second network function using a search criteria group from the second network function that best matches the search criteria group to the second network function that least matches the search criteria group; and changing the priority of at least one second network function to reflect the level.

[0056] Sending the identifier of at least one second network function and the changed value to the first network function via signaling may include providing the value of at least one attribute in the signaling to the first network function regarding each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0057] The method may include: receiving from a first network function a second request for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and in response to the second request, sending the corresponding network profile to a first network device by signaling.

[0058] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0059] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0060] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0061] According to a ninth aspect, a method for an apparatus for a first network function is provided, the method comprising: signaling to a network repository function a first request to discover at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria, the network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of the network function associated with the network profile; in response to the first request, receiving from the network repository function an identifier of the at least one second network function, and at least one change value, modified by the network repository function for at least one attribute in the network profile associated with the at least one second network function, for at least one of the at least one second network function; using the at least one change value to select at least one of the at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function; and signaling the selected at least one of the at least one second network function to request to provide services to the first network function.

[0062] Receiving an identifier of at least one second network function and at least one changed value from a network storage function may include receiving the value of at least one attribute in signaling concerning each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0063] The method may include: sending a signal to a first network device a second request for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and in response to the second request, receiving a corresponding network profile of at least one of at least one second network function from a network storage function.

[0064] Using at least one change value to select at least one of at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function may include: using at least one change value and the received corresponding network profile to select at least one of at least one second network function.

[0065] The method may include receiving a requested service from at least one selected from at least one second network function.

[0066] At least one attribute may correspond to the priority used to select the second network function.

[0067] The priority may include a priority value that corresponds to a value representing the priority of at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0068] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0069] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0070] At least one second network function may be: and / or user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0071] According to a tenth aspect, an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the apparatus comprising: a maintenance circuit for maintaining corresponding network profiles for a plurality of network functions, each network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of a network function associated with the network profile; a receiving circuit for receiving from a first network function a first request to discover at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria; a using circuit for determining at least one second network function using the set of search criteria and the corresponding network profile; a changing circuit for changing, for at least one of the at least one second network function, a value including at least one attribute in at least one of the network profiles associated with the second network function; and a signaling circuit for signaling to the first network function in response to the first request an identifier of the at least one second network function and the changed value of at least one attribute.

[0072] According to the eleventh aspect, an apparatus for a network repository function is provided, the apparatus comprising: a modification circuit for modifying the value of an attribute in a network profile associated with the second network function for a second network function; and a signaling circuit for signaling an identifier of the second network function to the first network function, in addition to the changed value of the attribute, based on a first discovery request from the first network function, wherein the network profile includes an indication of the services and / or attributes of the second network function.

[0073] The tenth and eleventh aspects may include the following further features.

[0074] The change circuit for changing values ​​may include a change circuit for changing the priority value of at least one of at least one second network function.

[0075] The priority value may correspond to a value representing the following priorities: at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0076] A change circuit for changing priorities may include: a usage circuit for sorting at least one second network function from the second network function that best matches the search criteria group to the second network function that least matches the search criteria group; and a change circuit for changing the priority of at least one second network function to reflect the level.

[0077] Signaling circuitry for sending an identifier of at least one second network function and a changed value to a first network function may include: providing circuitry for providing a value of at least one attribute in signaling to the first network function for each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0078] The apparatus may include: a receiving circuit for receiving from a first network function a second request for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and a signaling circuit for signaling to the first network device in response to the second request a corresponding network profile.

[0079] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0080] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0081] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0082] According to a twelfth aspect, an apparatus for a first network function is provided, the apparatus comprising: a signaling circuit for signaling to a network repository function a first request for discovering at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria, the network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of the network function associated with the network profile; a receiving circuit for receiving, in response to the first request, an identifier of the at least one second network function from the network repository function, and at least one change value modified by the network repository function for at least one attribute in the network profile associated with the at least one second network function; circuitry for using the at least one change value to select at least one of the at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function; and a signaling circuit for signaling the selected at least one of the at least one second network function to request services to the first network function.

[0083] A receiving circuit for receiving an identifier of at least one second network function and at least one changed value from a network storage function may include: a receiving circuit for receiving a value of at least one attribute in signaling relating to each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0084] The apparatus may include: a signaling circuit for sending a second request to a first network device via a signal for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and a receiving circuit for receiving, in response to the second request, a corresponding network profile of at least one of at least one second network function from a network storage function.

[0085] The circuitry used to select at least one of at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function using at least one change value may include: a selection circuitry for selecting at least one of at least one second network function using at least one change value and a received corresponding network profile.

[0086] The device may include a receiving circuit for receiving a requested service from at least one selected from at least one second network function.

[0087] At least one attribute may correspond to the priority used to select the second network function.

[0088] The priority may include a priority value that corresponds to a value representing the priority of at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0089] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0090] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0091] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0092] According to the thirteenth aspect, a non-transient computer-readable medium including program instructions is provided, the program instructions being used to cause means for a network repository function to perform at least the following: maintaining corresponding network profiles for a plurality of network functions, each network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of a network function associated with the network profile; receiving from a first network function a first request to discover at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria; determining at least one second network function using the set of search criteria and the corresponding network profile; changing the value of at least one attribute included in at least one of the network profiles associated with the at least one second network function for at least one of the at least one second network function; and, in response to the first request, signaling to the first network function an identifier of at least one second network function and the changed value of at least one attribute.

[0093] According to the fourteenth aspect, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing means for a network repository function to perform at least the following: changing attribute values ​​in a network profile associated with a second network function for a second network function; and signaling an identifier of the second network function, in addition to the changed attribute values, to the first network function based on a first discovery request from the first network function, wherein the network profile includes indications of services and / or attributes of the second network function.

[0094] The fourth and fifth aspects may include the following further features.

[0095] Changing this value may include changing the priority value of selecting at least one of the at least one second network function.

[0096] The priority value may correspond to a value representing the following priorities: at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0097] Priority changes may include: sorting at least one second network function using a search criteria group from the second network function that best matches the search criteria group to the second network function that least matches the search criteria group; and changing the priority of at least one second network function to reflect the level.

[0098] Sending the identifier of at least one second network function and the changed value to the first network function via signaling may include providing the value of at least one attribute in the signaling to the first network function regarding each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0099] The device enables: receiving a second request from a first network function for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and, in response to the second request, signaling the corresponding network profile to the first network device.

[0100] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0101] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0102] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0103] According to the fifteenth aspect, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing means for a first network function to perform at least the following: signaling a network repository function to send a first request for discovering at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria, the network profile including indications of services and / or attributes of the network function associated with the network profile; in response to the first request, receiving from the network repository function an identifier of at least one second network function, and at least one change value by the network repository function for at least one attribute in the network profile associated with at least one of the at least one second network function, for at least one of the at least one second network function; using the at least one change value to select at least one of the at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function; and signaling the selected at least one of the at least one second network function to request services to the first network function.

[0104] Receiving an identifier of at least one second network function and at least one changed value from a network storage function may include receiving the value of at least one attribute in signaling concerning each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0105] The device enables: sending a signal to a first network device a second request for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one of the at least one second network functions; and in response to the second request, receiving a corresponding network profile of at least one of the at least one second network function from a network storage function.

[0106] Using at least one change value to select at least one of at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function may include: using at least one change value and the received corresponding network profile to select at least one of at least one second network function.

[0107] The device enables the receiving of a requested service from at least one selected from at least one second network function.

[0108] At least one attribute may correspond to the priority used to select the second network function.

[0109] The priority may include a priority value that corresponds to a value representing the priority of at least one network function instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of a second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of a second network function.

[0110] The response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0111] The first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0112] At least one second network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analysis function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0113] According to the sixteenth aspect, a computer program product stored on a medium is provided, which can enable a device to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0114] According to the seventeenth aspect, an electronic device is provided that may include the means as described herein.

[0115] According to the eighteenth aspect, a chipset is provided that may include the means as described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0116] Some examples will now be described by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0117] Figure 1A , 1B The diagram above shows a schematic of a 5G system.

[0118] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network device is shown;

[0119] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the user equipment is shown;

[0120] Figure 4 A schematic representation of a non-volatile storage medium is shown, the instructions of which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of some example methods;

[0121] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the network is shown;

[0122] Figure 6 and 7 Example signaling between the devices described herein is shown; and

[0123] Figure 8A 8B and 9 are flowcharts illustrating example operations that can be performed by the apparatus described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0124] In the following description of the examples, certain aspects are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communicating via wireless cellular systems and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these aspects are described below with reference to 5G wireless communication systems. However, it should be understood that these aspects are not limited to 5G wireless communication systems and can be applied, for example, to other wireless communication systems (e.g., current 6G proposals).

[0125] Before describing the example in detail, refer to Figure 1A and 1B Briefly explain some general principles of 5G wireless communication systems.

[0126] Figure 1AA schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) for untrusted / trusted non-3GPP access or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AF) 108, and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

[0127] A 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. The RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0128] 5GC106 may include one or more Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 112, one or more Session Management Functions (SMF) 114, one or more Authentication Server Functions (AUSF) 116, one or more Unified Data Management (UDM) Functions 118, one or more User Plane Functions (UPF) 120, one or more Unified Data Repository (UDR) Functions 122, one or more Network Repository Functions (NRF) 128, and / or one or more Network Open Functions (NEF) 124. The role of the NEF is to securely open network services (e.g., voice, data connectivity, billing, subscriber data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 is not described using its interfaces, it should be understood that this is for clarity, and NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0129] 5GC106 also includes a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) 126. The NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information in response to requests from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Network functions can also subscribe to the NWDAF 126 to receive information from it. Therefore, the NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection by the NWDAF 126 can be performed based on at least one subscription to events provided by at least one network function.

[0130] The network may also include Management Data Analytics Service (MDAS) producers or MDAS Management Service (MnS) producers. MDAS MnS producers may consider including parameters such as load levels and / or resource utilization to provide data analytics in the management plane. For example, a Network Function (NF) MDAS MnS producer may collect load-related performance data for the NF, such as the NF's resource usage status. Analysis of the collected data can provide predictions of resource usage information for a predetermined future time window. This analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as resource scaling, admission control, and traffic load balancing.

[0131] Figure 1B and 1C This diagram illustrates a schematic representation of 5GC as shown in the current 3GPP specification. It should be understood that this architecture is intended to illustrate potential components that may be included in the core network, and the principles described herein are not limited to a core network that includes only the described components.

[0132] Figure 1B The 5G core 106' is shown, which includes a UPF 120' connected to an SMF 114' via an N4 interface. The SMF 114' is connected to each of the following network functions via an interconnect medium: a UDM 122', a NEF 124', an NWDAF 126', an AF 108', a Policy Control Function (PCF) 130', an AMF 112', and a Charging Function 132'. This interconnect medium also connects these network functions to each other. The 5G core 106' also includes a Network Library Function (NRF) 133' and a network function 134' connected to the interconnect medium.

[0133] Figure 1C The 5G core network is shown, which references the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) and the Access Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN).

[0134] HPLMN includes the architecture of the 5G core network on which user equipment (not shown) registers. HPLMN includes Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) 101, Gateway Mobility Location Center (GMLC) 102", Network Slice Specific Function (NSSF) 103", Network Open Function (NEF) 104", Network Repository Function (NRF) 105", Policy Control Function (PCF) 106", Unified Data Management (UDM) Function 107", Location Management Function (LMF) 108", Unified Data Repository (UDR) 109", Access and Mobility Function (AMF) 110", Application Function 111", and Charging Function (CHF) 112.

[0135] VPLMN may include similar functionality to that listed above regarding HPLMN. However, for clarity and brevity, VPLMN is shown as including NRF113". This NRF113" is configured to interact with and / or interact with the NRF705 interface of HPLMN via an interface such as the N27 interface.

[0136] 3GPP refers to a group of organizations that develop and publish different standardized communication protocols. 3GPP develops and publishes documents related to systems that are "released" (e.g., Release 15, 16, and more).

[0137] 3GPP has defined a service-based architecture (SBA) for 5GC (5G core network), in which Network Function (NF) service producers expose their services to NF service consumers. NF service producers register their corresponding NF configurations in the Network Store Function (NRF). A particular NF service producer's NF configuration includes NF-level specific information, such as a list of NF service instances supported by the NF service producer and their associated attributes. NF service consumers can expose services to NF service producers directly or indirectly. When exposure is indirect, it can be done through, for example, a Service Communication Broker (SCP).

[0138] NF service consumers and / or SCPs can discover NF service producers by performing an NF discovery process with the NRF using query parameters in an NF discovery request. These query parameters describe or otherwise characterize the services and / or attributes of the NF service producers they wish to discover. The NRF responds to a received discovery request by returning a response that includes the NF configurations of candidate NF service producers matching the query parameters. An NF discovery response typically includes the NF configurations of multiple candidate producers.

[0139] The NF discovery process refers to Figure 6 As shown.

[0140] Figure 6 This is a signaling diagram illustrating the signaling that can be executed between an NF service consumer 601 (which may be an SCP) and an NRF 602. The NF service consumer may also be referred to as the requester NF in the following text.

[0141] At 6001, NF service consumer 601 sends a signal to NRF 602. This signal can be a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) signal. This signal can include a GET message. The GET message can request the identifier of at least one NF instance that satisfies a set of query parameters indicated in the GET message.

[0142] At 6002, NRF602 signals to NF service consumer 601.

[0143] When NRF 602 has successfully identified at least one NF instance that conforms to the query parameters indicated in signaling 6001, the signaling of 6002 may include at least one identifier of the at least one NF instance. When the signaling of 6002 is HTTP signaling, the at least one identifier may be included in a 200 OK message.

[0144] When NRF 602 fails to identify at least one NF instance that matches the query parameters indicated in signaling 6001, the signaling in 6002 may indicate that no NF instance was identified. In this case, the signaling may also include an indication of why the NRF could not identify at least one NF instance. When the signaling in 6002 includes HTTP signaling, the signaling may be, for example, a 200 OK response with an empty payload (e.g., when a request is successfully processed but no candidate NF service producer matching the request is found), or a "4xx / 5xx" or "3xx" message.

[0145] Figure 6 This signaling can be enhanced using the enhanced NF discovery process specified in 3GPP TS 29.510 from 3GPP Release 17 onwards. This enhanced NF discovery process allows the NRF to return, in the NF discovery response, an identifier (ID) of the NF instance (e.g., in the nfInstanceList information element (IE)) that includes the NF instance ID pointing to the candidate NF configuration, instead of returning the candidate NF configuration itself within the response. For each such NF instance ID included in the response, the response may also include information indicating which preference query parameters match or do not match. Preference query parameters can be considered as parameters indicating preferences included in the NF discovery request. Preferences can be represented by search criteria. Preference query parameters indicate features and / or characteristics that are preferably, but not necessarily, matched by the candidate NF instance. These preferences may relate to characteristics such as the preferred location of the target NF, the preferred Tracking Area ID (TAI), and / or the preferred Application Programming Interface (API) version supported by the candidate NF instance. For example, the response may include information indicating which of the preferred API version, preferred TAI, preferred features, etc., matches the preferences included in the request. This enhanced NF discovery process is hereinafter referred to as the "Enh-NF-Discovery" feature. In the NF discovery request, the requesting NF can indicate whether it supports this feature. The requesting NF is considered to support this feature when it successfully receives the nfInstanceList information element in the NF discovery response.

[0146] During this enhanced NF discovery process, in period 6001, the NF service consumer sends an NRF signal. The signaling can be as described above regarding 6001 and is sent to the resource's Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) labeled "nf-instances" for resource collection.

[0147] Furthermore, during the response period of 6002, when an affirmative / success message is received, the response message of 6002 may include: This indicates the validity period for which information included in and / or otherwise associated with the response message will be valid. In other words, the validity period indicates the time during which an NF service consumer can cache the information included in the 6002 signaling. At least one of the following: An array of NF configuration objects that satisfy the search filtering criteria included in a 6001 request. A mapping of objects for NF instances (marked as NFInstanceInfo during the enhanced NF discovery process) that satisfies the search filtering criteria included in the 6001 request. This mapping can be provided when an NF service consumer indicates support for the enhanced NF discovery process in its initial 6001 request.

[0148] This is illustrated in Table 1 below, which shows the potential information elements. Table 1: Example information elements present in the success message of 6002 during the enhanced discovery process.

[0149] Arrays and / or mappings may include, for example, an indication of all NF instances that provide a specific NF service name registered at the NRF, or an indication of an empty array / mapping in case the search filtering criteria do not match any NF instance registered at the NRF.

[0150] When the 6002 response includes a mapping of an NFInstanceInfo object for an NF instance, the NF service consumer can then retrieve any NF configuration associated with at least one of those NF instances by issuing a service discovery request to the NRF with a target-nf-instance-id parameter that identifies the target NF instance ID. This parameter is set to the Application Programming Interface (API) Uniform Resource Interface (URI) of the Nnrf_NFDiscovery service of the NRF storing the NF configuration when the “nrf-disc-uri” is received in the NFInstanceInfo object, when the “nrfDiscApiUri” attribute is received in the NFInstanceInfo object, and when the service discovery request is addressed to an NRF different from the NRF storing the NF configuration.

[0151] NF service producers (NFp) can register priority attributes at various levels in their NF configuration. For example, an NFp can register priority attributes at at least one level: the NF instance level, the NF service instance level, and / or even the NF type-specific information level. This is illustrated below with reference to Tables 2 through 6, where priority attributes are provided in bold and italics.

[0152] As will be seen in the table below, different elements defined in the topic specification (e.g., NFprofile, which is a data entry containing the NF configuration of a given NF instance) may have certain priority values ​​rewritten by the NRF when that NF configuration is provided to the request / discovery NFc. The NRF can rewrite the priority values ​​that an NFp registers in the NF configuration returned in the NF discovery response. For example, this rewriting can be performed based on preference query parameters received in the NF discovery request. For example, this rewriting can be performed to reflect which candidate NF instance or NF service instance is a better match for the NF discovery request. Table 2: Definition of type NFProfile Table 3: Type Definitions of NF Services Table 4: Definition of type SmfInfo Table 5 Definition of type UpfInfo Table 6: URI query parameters supported by the GET method on this resource

[0153] Other query parameters included in the discovery request can also allow the NRF to determine different priorities for different candidate NF configurations. For example, query parameters associated with any of the client-type, vsmf-support-ind, and / or mbs-session-id-list parameters can affect the priority determined by the NRF.

[0154] NF service consumers can also indicate the relative priority of preference query parameters in NF discovery requests.

[0155] It has recently been agreed that the NRF can indicate in the NF discovery response whether it has changed the priority information in the NF configuration returned in the response. This indication can cause the NF consumer (NFc) to not rewrite the priority of the NRF change in the cached search results when it receives a different priority value in a subsequent NF configuration change notification for the NF instance returned in the search results. The lack of NF service consumer rewriting allows the NF service consumer to still use the priority of the NRF change returned in the NF discovery response.

[0156] This is illustrated in the example below. An NF service consumer (NFc) can discover candidate NF service producers (NFp) by issuing an NF discovery request to the NRF. The NFc can then cache any NFp configuration returned by the NRF. The NRF can signal these changes at selected times (e.g., in response to a triggering event) by issuing NF state change notifications to the NFc when the NFc has subscribed to notifications of changes to parameters of the NFp configuration.

[0157] Prior to the aforementioned protocol changes in the 3GPP specifications, when the NRF notified the NFc of a priority change in the NFp configuration, the NFc would typically rewrite the priority information stored in the cached NFp configuration. The aforementioned protocol clarifies that when the initial NF discovery response indicates that the NRF has changed the priority of the NFp configuration in the NF discovery response, the NFc should not rewrite the priority.

[0158] The enhanced NF discovery process specified in TS29.510 from version 17 onwards does not allow the NRF to return any changed priority values ​​for candidate NF instances and NF service instances to the requesting NF service consumer (NFc). This is because the enhanced NF discovery response cannot send any priority information via signaling. Enabling the NRF to change priority values ​​allows the NRF to indicate to the NFc which candidate NF configuration best matches the parameters included in the NF discovery request received from the NFc. The NRF can be configured with operator policies that affect how the NRF sets the relative priorities of candidate NF configurations. The NFc can obtain configuration information about the candidate NFp indicated by the NRF by signaling an NF discovery request for each candidate NFp to the NRF. The NFc can use the priority sent in response to the NF discovery request to select an NFp from the candidate NFp indicated by the NRF.

[0159] Furthermore, when the NFc subsequently issues an NF discovery request to retrieve the NFp configuration whose URI is returned in the enhanced NF discovery response, the NRF does not receive preference query parameters from the NFc used to first determine the set of candidate NF instances. This means that the NRF cannot determine and change the relative priority of the requested NFp instances and service instances.

[0160] A previous public proposal suggested that the NRF be configured to return a “rank” attribute for each URI returned in the Enhanced NF Discovery Response. This “rank” attribute indicated how well the relevant NF configuration matched the discovery request and could be used by the NFC / requesting NF to subsequently retrieve one or more NF configurations from the NRF based on this rank and other information contained in the Enhanced NF Discovery Response. This previous proposal was not adopted because the NRF did not previously set this attribute, and because its intended use was solely to enable the NFC to determine which NF configuration it should preferably retrieve first. The rank attribute was not defined as priority information for NF configurations and did not correspond to priority information for NF instances, NF service instances, and NF type-specific data.

[0161] The following proposes further improvements to the enhanced NF discovery process.

[0162] Specifically, at least one mechanism is proposed below to enable the NRF to signal an NRF change to the priority of each candidate NF instance in an enhanced NF discovery response to NFc. The priority of the NRF change can correspond to a priority specific to the NF instance, NF service instance, and / or NF type. Furthermore, NFc can be configured to apply the priority of the NRF change to the NF configuration subsequently retrieved by NFc from the NRF when selecting an NF service producer.

[0163] NRF can send priority information for NRF changes in a variety of different ways using signals.

[0164] For example, NRF can simply signal priority information modified by NRF (i.e., when (for example, in this case) NRF does not change the priority registered in the NF configuration, NRF needs to signal any priority information of the NF instance, or the service instance of NF type-specific data).

[0165] As another example, NRF can signal priority information corresponding to all levels of each candidate NF configuration (e.g., for an NF instance, each NF service instance, and NF type-specific data).

[0166] More generally, the following proposals allow the NRF to change the values ​​of any information in the NF configuration (e.g., not just priority information) and provide information about that change in the enhanced NF discovery response. Furthermore, the NFc can be configured to apply the information about the NRF changes to the NF configuration subsequently retrieved by the NFc from the NRF when selecting an NF service producer.

[0167] This is illustrated by the following example.

[0168] The first of these examples is a reference. Figure 7 Explanation.

[0169] Figure 7 The signaling that can be executed between NFC701 and NRF702 is shown. These two entities can be included in the same serving PLMN, or they can be included in different PLMNs. For example, NFc can be included in the visitor PLMN, while NRF can be included in the home PLMN (or another visitor PLMN), and vice versa.

[0170] During 7001, NFC701 sends a signal to NRF702. This signaling of 7001 can be a request for a candidate NF configuration that satisfies a set of search query parameters. The search query parameters and / or their associated values ​​can be included in the signaling of 7001. The signaling of 7001 can include HTTP signaling messages. For example, the signaling of 7001 can include a GET message.

[0171] During 7002, NRF 702 responds to signaling from 7001. This signaling from 7002 may include at least one identifier of a candidate NF configuration that matches the search query parameters and / or associated values ​​included in the signaling from 7001. The at least one identifier may include at least one NF instance ID. The at least one identifier may also include the address (e.g., a URI) of the NF discovery service of the NRF that stores the NF configuration. The signaling may include a new information element that indicates the priority of a corresponding change for each of the indicated NF configurations identified by the at least one identifier. This new information element is hereby labeled “nrfAlteredPriorities”. NRF 702 may be configured to include the new information element in the signaling from 7002 when the NRF determines the priority of any change it wants to indicate for the corresponding candidate NF configuration (e.g., when modifying the priority of a candidate NF instance, NF service instance, and / or NF type-specific data in response to a corresponding NF discovery request). The NRF can determine the priority of indicating at least one change based on operator policies in the NRF and / or the receipt of preference query parameters received from the NFC in the NF discovery request of 7001. NRF 702 can be configured to include new information elements in the signaling of 7002 only when the NRF determines the priority of any change that the NRF wants to indicate for the corresponding candidate NF configuration.

[0172] The signaling of 7002 may include a mixture of NF configuration and at least one identifier of other candidate NF configurations. The new nrfAlteredPriorities information element may be configured to include only priority information for changes to candidate NFs whose NF configurations were not included in the NF discovery response.

[0173] Tables 7 and 8 show the attributes included in the signaling of 7002, as well as the attribute defining “nrfAlteredPriorities”. It should be understood that none of the following fields are provided in any response to the signaling of NRF 702 to 7001. Table 7: Signaling of 7002 (“NfInstanceInfo”) Table 8: NrfAlteredPriorities

[0174] Signaling for 7002 can include HTTP messages. Signaling for 7002 can include "200 OK" messages.

[0175] During 7003, NFC701 transmits an NRF 702 signal. This signaling in 7003 may include an NF discovery request for retrieving the NF configuration of a candidate NF whose identifier was received during 7002. This signaling in 7003 may include at least one of the identifiers received during 7002. This signaling in 7003 may include all identifiers received during 7002. This signaling in 7003 may include an HTTP message. This signaling in 7003 may include a "GET" message.

[0176] During 7004, NRF702 sends a signal to NFC701. This signaling in 7004 can be a response to the signaling in 7003. The signaling in 7004 can include at least one NF configuration corresponding to at least one identifier provided during 7003. The signaling in 7004 can include NF configurations respectively corresponding to all identifiers provided during 7003. The signaling in 7004 can include an HTTP message. The HTTP message can be a "200 OK" message.

[0177] exist Figure 7 In this example, when the NRF does not modify the priority registered by the NFp in the NRF, the NF discovery response for enhanced NF discovery does not include any priority information for that NFp. The NF service consumer then signals a subsequent NF discovery request to the NRF to retrieve the configuration of the candidate NF instance ID (i.e., listed in nfInstanceList in the first NF discovery response), where the NFc will discover the priority registered by the NFp.

[0178] When 7003 and 7004 involve a single NF and the signaling of 7002 includes identifiers of multiple candidate NFs, 7003 and 7004 can be repeated for each of the multiple candidate NFs (i.e., each of 7003 and 7004 appears for each of the multiple candidate NFs).

[0179] During 7005, NFC701 selects an NFp from the candidate NFp returned by the NRF during 7002. If a changed NRF priority is received during 7002, this selection can be performed using the changed NRF priority received during 7002. If no changed NRF priority is received for a candidate NFp during 7002, NFc applies the priority received in the candidate NF configuration during 7004.

[0180] Therefore, signaling during 7002 can be considered as including a set of NF instance IDs of candidate NFs, but not the corresponding NF configurations of those candidate NFs. Conversely, signaling during 7004 can be considered as including the NF configurations of the candidate NFs requested / identified in the signaling during 7003. NF service consumers use the information contained in the NF configuration and the priority of NRF changes received in 7002 to select a candidate NF (e.g., the NF configuration may contain various different information that can be used as a basis for this selection).

[0181] NFc701 can also use additional factors to perform the selection of 7005. At least one of these additional factors can be included in the NF configuration received during 7004. For example, the selection of 7005 can be performed using at least one of the following: the capacity of the candidate NFp (the capacity of the candidate NF can be included in the NF configuration associated with the candidate NF, and / or obtained directly from the NFp after signaling between the NFc and the NFp (e.g., using HTTP), the current and / or predicted load of the candidate NFp (the load of the candidate NF can be included in the NF configuration associated with the candidate NF, and / or obtained directly from the NFp after signaling between the NFc and the NFp (e.g., using HTTP), the scheme for selecting the NFp, and / or version information for selecting the NFp.

[0182] After selecting an NFp during process 7005, the NFc signals a service request to the selected NFp, requesting the NFp to provide services to the NFc. The selected NFp can then provide services to the NFc after receiving the service request.

[0183] The NRF only returns priority information for changes during period 7002. Figure 7Compared to the previous example, NRF can be configured to return priority information for all candidate NF instances, NF service instances, and / or NF type-specific data, regardless of whether at least one of the priorities configured for the candidate NF has been changed.

[0184] In this approach, the requester NFc will receive all priorities once (i.e., during 7002) before retrieving candidate NF configurations and executing 7003 to 7004. This change includes significantly more overhead during the equivalent signaling of 7002 than in the example of 7002 itself.

[0185] More generally, the above examples can be applied to any instance where the NRF changes the value of any attribute in the NF configuration (i.e., not just priority information), where information about the changes is provided in the enhanced NF discovery response during a 7002 error. Furthermore, the requesting NF can be configured to apply the information about the NRF changes to the NF configuration subsequently retrieved from the NRF when an NF service producer is selected.

[0186] In this case, Table 7 can be represented by Table 9, and Table 8 can be represented by Table 10. Table 9: Definition of type nfinstanceinfo Table 10: Definition of type NrfAlteredInfo

[0187] When the NFc supports service mapping features as defined in 3GPP TS 29.510 to avoid issues related to service instance arrays (i.e., the requester NF may not correctly apply the change item array if the requester NF and NRF happen to end with different representations of the service instance array), the NFInstanceInfo attribute can be defined as shown in Table 11: Table 11: Definition of type NFInstanceInfo

[0188] Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating potential operations that can be performed by the apparatus described herein. They illustrate general aspects of the examples provided above. It should be understood that the examples provided above can be used in conjunction with Figures 8 and 9. Figure 9 The flowchart operations are combined to provide further explanation, context and / or features for the following general operations without loss of generality.

[0189] Figure 8A This illustrates the operations that can be performed by the device used for the network repository function. The network repository function can reside in the home PLMN or the visitor PLMN.

[0190] During 8001, the device maintains corresponding network profiles for multiple network functions, each network profile including indications of the services and / or attributes of the network function associated with that network profile.

[0191] During step 8002, the device receives a first request from a first network function to discover at least one second network function, the at least one second network function having an associated network profile that meets a set of search criteria. The first network function may be as follows: Figure 9 The first network function described. The first network function can be a consumer NF (i.e., NFc) seeking to discover producer NFs (i.e., NFp).

[0192] During 8003, the device uses this set of search criteria and the corresponding network profile to determine at least one second network function.

[0193] During 8004, for at least one of at least one second network function, the device changes the value of at least one attribute included in at least one network profile associated with the second network function.

[0194] The changed value can be stored locally and / or cached. The changed value may not be stored in at least one network profile associated with the second network function. In other words, the changed value can be generated (and subsequently signaled during 8005) without changing the corresponding value of at least one attribute maintained by the device. This means that when the device subsequently receives a request from the requesting network function for a network profile associated with a particular second network function, the device will signal the associated network profile (including the unchanged value) to the requesting network function.

[0195] During 8005, the device, in response to a first request, signals a changed value for an identifier for at least one second network function and at least one attribute to a first network function. This signaling in 8005 may omit the network profile for the at least one second network function. In other words, the signaling in 8005 may include an identifier for at least one second network function, but not the network profile associated with the identified at least one second network function. The first network function may be configured to retrieve an NF configuration for at least one of the at least one second function from the device or from another NRF using a discovery request sent after 8005.

[0196] More generally, Figure 8A These steps can be performed by Figure 8B The following operations are used to represent this.

[0197] During 8001", for the second network function, the device can change the value of the attribute in the network configuration file associated with the second network function.

[0198] Based on the discussion regarding 8004, the changed value can be stored locally and / or cached. The changed value may not be stored in at least one network profile associated with the second network function. In other words, the changed value can be generated (and subsequently signaled during 8002) without changing the corresponding value of at least one attribute maintained by the device. This means that when the device subsequently receives a request from the requesting network function for a network profile associated with a particular second network function, the device will signal the associated network profile (including the unchanged value) to the requesting network function.

[0199] During 8002", the device can, based on a first discovery request from a first network function, signal an identifier of a second network function to the first network function, in addition to a change value for an attribute. The network profile may include indications of the services and / or attributes of the second network function. The first network function may be as follows regarding... Figure 9 The first network function described. The first network function can be a consumer NF (i.e., NFc) seeking to discover producer NFs (i.e., NFp).

[0200] The signaling 8002” may omit the network profile for at least one second network function. In other words, the signaling 8002” may include an identifier for at least one second network function, but not the network profile associated with the identified at least one second network function. The first network function may be configured to retrieve the NF configuration for at least one of the at least one second function from the device or from another NRF using a discovery request sent after 8002”.

[0201] The following can be related to Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B The operations are combined.

[0202] Changing this value may include changing the priority value of selecting at least one of at least one second network function. The priority value may correspond to a value representing the following priorities: network function instance of at least one second network function; and / or network function service instance of at least one second network function; and / or network function type-specific information priority of at least one second network function.

[0203] Changing priorities may include using the set of search criteria included in the received discovery request to rank at least one second network function from the second network function that best matches the set of search criteria to the second network function that least matches the set of search criteria; and changing the priority of at least one second network function to reflect the ranking. In other words, the changed value may correspond to a value indicated as preferred in the discovery request received from the first network function. Preferences may include at least one search query preference, as discussed in the examples above.

[0204] Sending the identifier of at least one second network function and the changed value to the first network function via signaling may include providing the value of at least one attribute in the signaling to the first network function for each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0205] The device can receive a second request from a first network function for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one second network function; and in response to the second request, signal the corresponding network profile to the first network device. As described above, the corresponding network profile may include unchanged values ​​of changed attribute values ​​sent by the signal.

[0206] Figure 9 Example operations that can be performed by a device for a first network function are shown. The first network function can be configured to work with... Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B Device interaction. The first network function can correspond to the reference. Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B The first network function is described.

[0207] During step 9001, the device signals a first request to the network repository function to discover at least one second network function, which has an associated network profile that meets a set of search criteria. The network profile includes indications of the services and / or attributes of the network function associated with that network profile. The network repository function may be as described above. Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B Describes the network repository functionality.

[0208] During 9002, in response to the first request, the device receives from the network repository function an identifier of at least one second network function, and at least one modified value, modified by the network repository function, for at least one of the at least one second network function, for at least one attribute in a network profile associated with the at least one of the at least one second network function. This may correspond to signaling 8005 and / or 8002. In other words, this signaling may not include any network profile of the at least one second network function identified in the response to the first request.

[0209] During 9003, the device uses at least one changed value to select at least one of at least one second network function for providing services to the first network function. As described below, this selection can also be performed using information included in a network profile associated with at least one of the selected second network functions. As further described below, the associated network profile can be obtained after sending a signal using the network repository function.

[0210] During period 9004, the device sends a signal to at least one of the selected at least one second network function to request service from the first network function. Service can then be provided to the device from at least one of the selected at least one second network function. In other words, the device can receive the requested service from at least one of the selected at least one second network function (assuming the selected second network function agrees to provide the requested service).

[0211] Receiving an identifier of at least one second network function and at least one changed value from a network storage function may include receiving a value of at least one attribute in signaling concerning each of the at least one second network function, regardless of whether the value has been changed by the device.

[0212] The device can send a second request to a first network device for discovering a network profile corresponding to at least one of at least one of the at least one second network functions; and in response to the second request, receive a corresponding network profile of at least one of the at least one second network function from a network repository function.

[0213] Using at least one change value to select at least one of at least one second network function to provide services to the first network function may include: using at least one change value and the received corresponding network profile to select at least one of at least one second network function.

[0214] A discovery request for 9001 may include at least one preference. This preference may be represented by search criteria. The changed value may correspond to at least one of the search criteria / preferences included in the discovery request for 9001. The preference / search criteria may be as described above.

[0215] The at least one attribute may correspond to a priority used to select the second network function. The priority may include a priority value corresponding to a value representing the following priorities: at least one network function instance of the second network function; and / or at least one network function service instance of the second network function; and / or at least one network function type-specific information priority of the second network function.

[0216] about Figure 8A , 8B In the example of 9, the response to the first request can be signaled as part of the enhanced network function discovery process of the network function discovery service of the network repository function.

[0217] about Figure 8A , 8B In the example of 9, the first network function may be: user plane function, and / or access and mobility management function, and / or session management function, and / or unified data management function, and / or policy control function, and / or network openness function, and / or network data and analytics function, and / or application function, and / or billing function.

[0218] about Figure 8A , 8B In the example of 9, at least one second network function may be: a user plane function, and / or an access and mobility management function, and / or a session management function, and / or a unified data management function, and / or a policy control function, and / or a network openness function, and / or a network data and analytics function, and / or an application function, and / or a billing function.

[0219] It should be understood that the references to entities that "interface" with other entities described herein can also be interpreted as those entities that allow direct signaling to be performed in at least one direction between the interface entities. In other words, if entities A and B each interface with entity C but entities A and B do not interface with each other, direct signaling can be performed in at least one direction between entities A and C and between entities B and C, but direct signaling may not be performed between entities A and B.

[0220] Figure 2An example of a control device for a communication system is shown, which is coupled to and / or used to control access to the system, such as RAN nodes, for example, base stations, gNBs, central units of cloud architectures, or nodes of the core network, such as MMEs or S-GWs, scheduling entities, such as spectrum management entities, or servers or hosts, such as devices hosting NRFs, NWDAFs, AMFs, SMFs, UDMs / UDRs, etc. The control device may be integrated with or external to nodes or modules of the core network or RAN. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. Control device 200 may be arranged to provide control over communications within the service area of ​​the system. Device 200 includes at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203, and an input / output interface 204. Through this interface, the control device may be coupled to the receiver and transmitter of the device. The receiver and / or transmitter may be implemented as a radio front-end or a remote radio head. For example, the control device 200 or processor 201 can be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functions.

[0221] Now refer to Figure 3 Describe the possible wireless communication devices in more detail. Figure 3 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 300 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. Suitable mobile communication equipment can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include mobile stations (MS) or mobile devices such as mobile phones or so-called "smartphones," computers equipped with wireless interface cards or other wireless interface devices (e.g., USB dongles), personal data assistants (PDAs) or tablet computers equipped with wireless communication capabilities, and any combination thereof. Mobile communication devices can provide, for example, data communication for carrying communications such as voice, email, text messaging, multimedia, etc. Therefore, a variety of services can be provided to the user via the user's communication device. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multiplexed calling, data communication or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system such as the Internet. Broadcast or multicast data can also be provided to the user. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms, and other information.

[0222] Wireless communication devices can be, for example, mobile devices, i.e., devices that are not fixed to a specific location, or they can be fixed devices. Wireless devices may or may not require human interaction to communicate. As described herein, the term UE or “user” is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0223] Wireless device 300 can receive signals via air or radio interface 307 through appropriate means for receiving, and can transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the diagram, the transceiver device is schematically represented by block 306. For example, the transceiver device 306 can be provided via a radio section and an associated antenna assembly. The antenna assembly can be located inside or outside the wireless device.

[0224] Wireless devices typically include at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302, and other possible components 303 for software and hardware assistance in performing tasks designed to be performed, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage, and other related control devices may be located on appropriate circuit boards and / or chipsets. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. Users can control the operation of the wireless device through appropriate user interfaces, such as keypads 305, voice commands, touchscreens or touchpads, or combinations thereof. A display 308, speakers, and microphone may also be provided. Furthermore, wireless communication devices may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) for use on other devices.

[0225] Figure 4 A schematic representation of non-volatile storage media 400a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital universal disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick) is shown, which allow the processor to execute, when the processor executes the instructions and / or parameters 402. Figure 9 and / or Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B The method and / or one or more steps of the previously otherwise described method.

[0226] As provided herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of the embodiments and the claims. Generally, some examples can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software, which can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the examples are not limited thereto. While various examples may be shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein are intended as non-limiting examples implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or combinations thereof.

[0227] These examples can be implemented by computer software stored in memory, and can be executed by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, it should be noted in this respect that any process, for example, such as... Figure 8A and / or Figure 8B and / or Figure 9 And / or other processes described above may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or combinations of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. Software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media (such as hard disks or floppy disks), and optical media (such as DVDs and their data variants, CDs, etc.).

[0228] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As a non-limiting example, the data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0229] Additionally or optionally, some examples may be implemented using circuitry. This circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the foregoing functional and / or methodological steps. This circuitry may be provided in a base station and / or in a communication device and / or in a core network entity.

[0230] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (e.g., implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only); (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, for example: (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and (ii) A hardware processor (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory, any part thereof, working together to enable a device such as a communication equipment or base station to perform the aforementioned functions; and (c) Hardware circuitry and / or processors (e.g., microprocessors or a portion thereof) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may be absent when software is not required to operate.

[0231] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion thereof and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit" also covers, for example, integrated devices.

[0232] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of some examples by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, given the foregoing description. Nevertheless, all these and similar modifications taught will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0233] In the foregoing, radio access architectures based on LTE Advanced (LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G) were used as examples of access architectures to which the described technologies can be applied. However, these examples are not limited to such architectures. By appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures, these examples can also be applied to other types of communication networks with suitable equipment. Some examples of other options for appropriate systems include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, Personal Communication Services (PCS), ZigBee®, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0234] Figure 5 An example of a simplified system architecture is described, showing only some components and functional entities, which are logical units whose implementations may differ from those shown. Figure 5 The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may differ. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system typically includes, in addition to... Figure 5 Other functions and structures besides those shown.

[0235] However, these examples are not limited to the systems given as examples, but those skilled in the art can apply the solution to other communication systems with the necessary properties.

[0236] Figure 5 The example illustrates a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For instance, the radio access network may support sidelink communication, as described in more detail below.

[0237] Figure 5Devices 500 and 502 are shown. Devices 500 and 502 are configured to wirelessly connect to node 504 on one or more communication channels. Node 504 is also connected to core network 506. In one example, node 504 may be an access node, such as an (e / g) NodeB serving device in a cell. In one example, node 504 may be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from a device to (e.g.) a NodeB is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, while the physical link from (e.g.) a NodeB to a device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that (e.g.) NodeBs or their functionality can be implemented using any entity suitable for such use, such as a node, host, server, or access point.

[0238] A communication system typically includes more than one (e / g)NodeB. In this case, the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links can be used for signaling purposes. An (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. A NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, access point, or any other type of interface device that includes a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. An (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna element that establishes a bidirectional radio link to the device. The antenna element may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. The (e / g)NodeB is also connected to the core network 506 (CN or Next Generation Core NGC). Depending on the technology deployed, (e / g) the NodeB connects to the Serving and Packet Data Network Gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or User Plane Function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets and for providing connectivity to one or more external packet data networks, and connects to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) or Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling the device’s access and mobility.

[0239] Examples of equipment include subscriber units, user equipment, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, etc.

[0240] This device typically refers to a mobile or static device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including but not limited to: mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (such as alarm or measuring devices), laptops and / or touchscreen computers, tablets, game consoles, laptops, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that the device can also be a virtually exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or camcorder that loads images or video clips onto a network. The device can also be a device capable of operating in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, a scenario where objects are provided with the ability to transmit data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, such as for smart grids and connected vehicles. The device can also leverage the cloud. In some applications, the device may include a user-portable device with wireless components (such as a watch, phone, or glasses) and perform computations in the cloud.

[0241] This device illustrates a type of apparatus to which resources on an air interface are allocated and assigned, and therefore any features described herein as an apparatus can be implemented using a corresponding apparatus such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a Layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) toward a base station. This device (or, in some examples, a Layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more user equipment functions.

[0242] The various technologies described herein can also be applied to computer-physical systems (CPS) (systems that control collaborative computing elements of physical entities). CPS can realize and utilize a vast amount of interconnected information and communication technologies, ICT, and devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems, which possess inherent mobility, are a subclass of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0243] Furthermore, although the device is described as a single entity, different units, such as processors and / or memory units, can be implemented. Figure 5 (Not all of them are shown in the image).

[0244] 5G allows for the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, far more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that cooperate with smaller stations and employ various radio technologies depending on service needs, usage, and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different data sharing methods, and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicle safety, various sensors, and real-time control). 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, such as below 6 GHz or above 24 GHz, cmWave, and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing legacy radio access technologies such as LTE. At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be implemented as a system where macro coverage is provided by LTE, and 5G radio interface access is obtained from small cells via aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support inter-RAT operability (e.g., LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, e.g., below 6 GHz – cmWave, 6 GHz or above 24 GHz – cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts believed to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0245] The LTE network architecture is entirely distributed across radio waves and entirely centralized within the core network. Low latency applications and services in 5G require content to be brought closer to the radio, leading to local outages and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the data source. This approach requires leveraging resources from networks that may be discontinuously connected to devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for hosting applications and services. It also has the ability to store and process content near cellular users for faster response times. Edge computing encompasses a wide range of technologies, such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analytics, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networking and processing, and can also be categorized as local cloud / fog computing and grid / grid computing, open-air computing, mobile edge computing, small clouds, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous and self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, the Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0246] The communication system can also communicate with other networks, such as the public switched telephone network, or VoIP networks, or the Internet, or private networks, or utilize the services provided by them. The communication network can also support the use of cloud services; for example, at least a portion of the core network operations can be performed as a cloud service (this is in...). Figure 5 (This is described by "cloud" 514). When executed remotely from the core network, this can also be called edge computing. Communication systems can also include central control entities, providing facilities for different operators' networks to collaborate, for example, in spectrum sharing.

[0247] Edge computing technologies can be introduced into the Radio Access Network (RAN) by leveraging Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Using edge cloud technologies means that access node operations can be performed, at least partially, in servers, hosts, or nodes operatively coupled to remote radio heads or base stations, including the radio portion. Node operations can also be distributed across multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. The application of a cloud RAN architecture enables real-time RAN functions to be executed at or near remote antenna sites (in the distributed unit DU508), while non-real-time functions can be executed in a centralized manner (in the centralized unit CU510).

[0248] It should also be understood that the task distribution between core network operations and base station operations may differ from, or even not exist at all, the task distribution in LTE. Some other technological advancements that may be used are big data and all-IP, which can change how networks are constructed and managed. 5G (or New Radio, NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures, where edge computing servers can be placed between the core and base stations or nodeBs (gNBs). An example of edge computing is MEC, defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETS). It should be understood that MEC (and other edge computing protocols) can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0249] 5G can also leverage satellite communications to enhance or supplement 5G service coverage, for example, by providing backhaul. Possible use cases include providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers in vehicles, mobile broadband (MBB), or ensuring the availability of critical communications and future rail / maritime / aviation communications. Satellite communications can utilize geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but can also utilize low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, particularly mega-constellations (systems deploying hundreds (nanometer) satellites). Each satellite in a mega-constellation can cover several satellite-enabled network entities that create a terrestrial cell. Terrestrial cells can be created via ground relay nodes or via gNBs located on the ground or in satellites.

[0250] The system depicted is merely an example of a portion of a radio access system, and in practice, the system may include multiple (e.g.,) NodeBs, which may have access to multiple radio cells, and may also include other devices such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one of these (e.g.,) NodeBs may be a home (e.g.,) NodeB. Furthermore, multiple different types of radio cells and multiple radio cells may be provided within the geographical area of ​​the radio communication system. Radio cells can be macrocells (or umbrella cells), which are large cells, typically with diameters of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as microcells, femtocells, or picocells. Figure 5 The (e / g) NodeB can provide any type of these cells. Cellular radio systems can be implemented as multi-layer networks comprising various types of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network, one access node provides one or more types of cells, thus requiring multiple (e.g.) nodes to provide this network structure.

[0251] To meet the needs of improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug and play" (e / g) NodeBs was introduced. Typically, networks capable of using "plug and play" (e / g) NodeBs include not only the home (e / g) NodeB (H(e / g) NodeB) but also the home NodeB gateway or HNB-GW (Host NodeB Gateway). Figure 5 (Not shown in the image). HNB gateways (HNB-GWs), typically installed within carrier networks, can aggregate traffic returning from a large number of HNBs to the core network.

[0252] The above changes can be represented in 3GPP standards (e.g., TS 29.510) by text corresponding to the text attached below. Change Request Overview

[0253] During the NF discovery process, NRF can, for example, change the priority of its IE in the candidate NF configurations returned in the NF discovery response based on preference query parameters and operator policies.

[0254] The enhanced NF discovery features specified in Rel-17 disallow NRF to return priority values ​​for changes to candidate NF instances returned in the nfInstanceList IE within the NF discovery response. - NF discovery response does not support sending priority values ​​for NRF changes of NF instances listed in the nfInstanceList IE using signals. Subsequent NF Discovery requests retrieving the NF configuration of the NF instance indicated in the nfInstanceList IE contain a target-nf-instance-id parameter that identifies the target NF Instance ID, but do not contain query parameters (e.g., preference parameters) from the original NF Discovery request. Therefore, NRF cannot determine or change the priority information in the NF configuration returned in the NF Discovery response.

[0255] The enhanced NF discovery features are enhanced to enable NRF to prioritize NRF changes of candidate NF instances returned in the nfInstanceList IE within the NF discovery response.

[0256] When using the enhanced NF discovery process, NRF cannot change the priority information of the candidate NF instances returned in the nfInstanceList IE within the NF discovery response. 6.2.6.2.7 Type: NfInfinstanceInfo Table 6.2.6.2.7-1: Definition of type NfinstanceInfo 6.2.6.2.x Type: NrfAlteredPriorities Table 6.2.6.2.x-1: Definition of type NrfAlteredPriorities

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication, the apparatus comprising components for the following operations: Maintain a network profile for each of a plurality of network functions, including at least a first network function and a second network function, wherein the plurality of network profiles include a network profile for the second network function, the network profile for the second network function including indications of services of the second network function and attributes of the second network function; Receive a first request from the first network function to discover at least one network function, the at least one network function having an associated network profile that satisfies a set of search criteria; Based on the set of search criteria and the multiple network profiles, at least one candidate network function including the second network function is determined; Change the value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function; as well as Based on the first request, at least one candidate network function identifier is sent to the first network function. The at least one candidate network function identifier includes, in addition to, the changed value of the attribute of the second network function in the configuration file of the second network function, an identifier for the second network function, and... in The identifier for the second network function includes a Uniform Resource Identifier for obtaining the network profile for the second network function from the device. The value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function corresponds to the priority value. The value of the change corresponds to the priority value of the change, and The priority value corresponds to the priority value representing the network function instance of the second network function.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the priority value corresponds to a value representing a priority of at least one of the following: The network function service instance of the second network function; and / or The network function type-specific information priority of the second network function.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising components for the following operations: Based on the set of search criteria, the at least one candidate network function is ranked from the candidate network function that best matches the set of search criteria to the candidate network function that least matches the set of search criteria. The at least one candidate network function includes multiple candidate network functions, and The priority of the changes to the second network function reflects the level of the second network function among the plurality of candidate network functions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises components for the following operations: The first network function sends the value of the attribute of the third network function in the network configuration file for the third network function, regardless of whether the value of the attribute of the third network function in the network configuration file for the third network function has been changed by the device. The plurality of network profiles also includes the network profile for the third network function. The at least one candidate network function further includes the third network function, and The at least one candidate network function identifier further includes a Uniform Resource Identifier for obtaining the network configuration file of the third network function from the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises components for the following operations: Receive a request from the first network function to discover the network profile for the second network function; and Based on the request for discovering the network profile, a network profile for the second network function is sent to the first network function in another discovery response.

6. An apparatus for a first network function, the apparatus comprising components for operating as follows: Send a first request to the network repository function to discover at least one network function, the at least one network function having an associated network profile that meets a set of search criteria; The network repository function receives at least one candidate network function identifier, which includes, in addition to the value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function, as modified by the network repository function, also includes an identifier for the second network function. The second network function is selected to provide services to the first network function based on the changed value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function. as well as Send a request to the second network function to provide the service. in The identifier for the second network function includes a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) for retrieving the network configuration file for the second network function from the network repository function. The value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function corresponds to the priority value. The value of the change corresponds to the priority value of the change, and The priority value corresponds to the priority value representing the network function instance of the second network function.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the priority value corresponds to a value representing a priority of at least one of the following: The network function service instance of the second network function; and / or The network function type-specific information priority of the second network function.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising components for the following operations: In the repository response, the value of the attribute of the third network function in the network configuration file for the third network function is received from the network repository function, regardless of whether the value of the attribute of the third network function in the network configuration file for the third network function has been changed by the network repository function.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising components for: Send a request to the network repository function to discover a network configuration file for the second network function; and Based on the request for discovering the network configuration file, the network configuration file for the second network function is received from the network repository function.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising components for: The second network function is further selected based on the network configuration file for the second network function received from the network repository function.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first network function is implemented as at least one of the following: User plane functionality, Access and mobility management functions Session management functionality Unified data management functions Policy control function, Network open functions, Network data and analytics capabilities Application functions, or Billing function.

12. The apparatus according to claim 6, The second network function is implemented as at least one of the following: User plane functionality, Access and mobility management functions Session management functionality Unified data management functions Policy control function, Network open functions, Network data and analytics capabilities Application functions, or Billing function.

13. A method for an apparatus, the method comprising: Maintain a network profile for each of a plurality of network functions, including at least a first network function and a second network function, wherein the plurality of network profiles include a network profile for the second network function, and the network profile for the second network function includes an indication of the services of the second network function and attributes of the second network function. Receive a first request from a first network function for discovering a network function, the network function having an associated network profile that meets a set of search criteria; Based on the set of search criteria and the multiple network profiles, at least one candidate network function including the second network function is determined; Change the value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function; as well as Based on the first request, at least one candidate network function identifier is sent to the first network function in the discovery response. The at least one candidate network function identifier includes an identifier for the second network function and a changed value for the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file of the second network function. in The identifier for the second network function includes a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) for obtaining the network configuration file for the second network function. The value of the attribute of the second network function in the network configuration file for the second network function corresponds to the priority value. The value of the change corresponds to the priority value of the change, and The priority value corresponds to the priority value representing the network function instance of the second network function.

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