E2 node and smart controller of radio access network and method of performing same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication systems to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The present disclosure relates to a 5th-Generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate after a 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method performed by an E2 node may include transmitting a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC) indication message to an RIC via an E2 interface, the RIC indication message may include indication type information, and the indication type may be one of types including "insert" and "report".

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the following application: Application number: 202080078740.0; Application date: October 8, 2020; Invention name: "Device and method for relaying service registration events via the E2 interface in a wireless access network communication system". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a radio access network communication system, and more particularly, to a message relay apparatus and method when a service event occurs for a base station conforming to an open radio access network (O-RAN) standard using an E2 message of the radio communication system. Background Art

[0003] In order to meet the increased demand for wireless data services since the deployment of the fourth generation (4G) communication system, efforts have been made to develop improved fifth generation (5G) or pre-5G communication systems. Therefore, 5G or pre-5G communication systems are also referred to as "beyond 4G networks" or "post-LTE systems."

[0004] 5G communication systems are considered to be implemented in higher frequency (millimeter wave (mmWave)) bands (e.g., 60 GHz bands) in order to achieve higher data rates. In order to reduce the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technology are discussed in 5G communication systems.

[0005] In addition, in the 5G communication system, system network improvements are being developed based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, collaborative communications, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and receiving-end interference elimination.

[0006] In 5G systems, hybrid FSK (frequency shift keying) and QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as advanced coding modulation (ACM) have been developed, as well as filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (OMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies.

[0007] 5G systems and new air interfaces or next radio (NR) are commercialized to meet the demand for wireless data services, and provide users with high data rate services through 5G systems similar to 4G, and are also expected to provide wireless communication services for various purposes, such as the Internet of Things and services requiring high reliability for specific purposes. In the current system where 4G communication systems and 5G systems are mixed, the open radio access network (O-RAN) established by operators and equipment providers defines new network elements (NEs) and interface standards based on the existing 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standards, and proposes an O-RAN structure. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] With the commercialization of the fourth generation (4G) / fifth generation (5G) communication system (hereinafter referred to as 4G / 5G system, new air interface or next radio (NR)), virtualized networks need to support differentiated services for users. The open radio access network (O-RAN) newly defines the existing third generation partnership project (3GPP) network entity (NE), radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU)-control plane (CP) and CU-user plane (UP) as O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP and O-CU-UP, respectively, and also standardizes a near real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC).

[0010] The present disclosure relates to an E2 subscription message for requesting a service from a newly defined RIC to an O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a method for subdividing and processing E2 subscription messages based on user equipment (UE), group, cell, and network slice. Here, O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP, and O-CU-UP may be understood as objects constituting a RAN that may operate according to the O-RAN standard, and may be referred to as E2 nodes.

[0011] The RIC generates an E2 subscription request message and sets a call processing event by relaying it to an E2 node (e.g., O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU), and the E2 node relays a subscription request response message to be relayed to the RIC after the event is established. The present disclosure relates to an E2 indication message for a newly defined RIC to divide call processing messages corresponding to E2 events occurring in O-DU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, for the entire message set in the subscription event condition or for each specific application protocol of each I / F, and is received in a container form in a cell unit, a group ID unit, a network slice unit, and a UE unit.

[0012] In a method of a first node in a wireless communication system, the present disclosure for solving the above-mentioned problem includes: dividing a call processing message received from a call processing block at an E2 node for each I / F, generating divided messages in a cell unit, a user equipment (UE) unit, a group ID unit, and a network slice unit container, and relaying an E2 indication message from the E2 node to the RIC. In addition, the E2 indication message can be identified based on a detailed information element of the E2 indication sent from the RIC, and the information element information may include message type (MESSAGE TYPE) identification information set based on a call processing function of the E2 node, RIC request ID (RIC REQUEST ID) identification information, E2 node function ID (E2 NODE FUNCTION ID) identification information, and RIC subscription type (RIC SUBSCRIPTION TYPE) identification information.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method performed by an E2 node may include sending a radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) indication message to the RIC via an E2 interface, the RIC indication message may include indication type information, and the indication type may be one of types including "insert" and "report".

[0015] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the method performed by the RIC may include receiving a RIC indication message from an E2 node via an E2 interface, the RIC indication message may include indication type information, and the indication type may be one of types including "insert" and "report".

[0016] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a device used as an E2 node may include at least one transceiver and at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver, and the at least one processor may be configured to send a RIC indication message to the RIC via an E2 interface, the RIC indication message may include indication type information, and the indication type may be one of the types including "insert" and "report".

[0017] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a device used as a RIC may include at least one transceiver, and at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to receive a RIC indication message from an E2 node via an E2 interface, the RIC indication message may include indication type information, and the indication type may be one of types including "insert" and "report".

[0018] Beneficial Effects

[0019] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus and method may indicate the type of radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) service through an indication message of the E2 node, thereby providing an efficient service process between a near real-time (RT) RIC and the E2 node.

[0020] Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 An example of a fourth generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE) core system is shown.

[0022] Figure 2A An example of a fifth generation (5G) non-standard alone (NSA) system is shown.

[0023] Figure 2B An example of an architecture of an Open (O) Radio Access Network (RAN) is shown.

[0024] Figure 3 A protocol stack of an E2 application protocol message in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 4An example of connection between a base station and a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 5 A configuration of a device in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 6 Logical functions related to E2 messages of an E2 node and an RIC in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0028] Fig. 7A An example of a signaling procedure between an E2 node and an RIC is shown.

[0029] Figure 7B An example of a subscription process between an E2 node and a RIC is shown.

[0030] Figures 8 to 12 An example of a message used for a message relay process based on an E2 indication is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The terms used in this disclosure are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field described in this disclosure. Among the terms used in this disclosure, the terms defined in common dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meanings as in the context of the relevant technology, and unless clearly defined in this disclosure, cannot be interpreted as ideal or overly formal meanings. In some cases, even the terms defined in this disclosure cannot be interpreted as excluding embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] The hardware-based method will be described as an example in various embodiments of the present disclosure described below. However, various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using hardware and software, so various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude software-based methods.

[0033] Hereinafter, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for performing a subscription procedure between a device in a Radio Access Network (RAN) in a wireless communication system and a device for controlling the RAN.

[0034] For the convenience of description, the terms used in the following explanations for signals, terms indicating channels, terms indicating control information, terms indicating network entities, and terms indicating device components are shown. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms to be described, and other terms with the same technical meanings may be used.

[0035] In addition, the present disclosure describes various embodiments using terms used in some communication standards (eg, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)), but this is merely an example for description. Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be easily modified and applied to other communication systems.

[0036] Hereinafter, in the present disclosure, an uplink indicates a radio link for transmitting data or control signals from a user equipment (UE) or a mobile station (MS) to an eNode B or a base station (BS), and a downlink indicates a radio link for transmitting data or control signals from an eNode B to a UE. In addition, an eNode B is an entity that performs resource allocation for a UE, and may be at least one of an eNode B, a Node B, a BS, a first generation Node B (gNB) radio access unit, a BS controller, or a node on a network. A UE may include a UE, an MS, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a computer, or a multimedia system for performing a communication function.

[0037] The fifth generation (5G) communication system (hereinafter, may be used interchangeably with 5G system, new air interface or next generation radio (NR) system) is commercialized to meet the demand for wireless data services, and provides high data rate services to users through a 5G system similar to 4G, and is also predicted to provide wireless communication services for various purposes, such as the Internet of Things and services requiring high reliability for specific purposes.

[0038] In the current system where 4G communication systems and 5G systems are mixed, the open-RAN (O-RAN) established by operators and equipment providers defines new network elements (NEs) and interface standards based on the existing 3GPP standards, thus presenting an O-RAN structure. O-RAN newly defines the existing 3GPP network entity (NE), radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU)-control plane (CP) and CU-user plane (UP) as O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP and O-CU-UP, respectively. In addition, O-RAN also standardizes near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC) and non-real-time (NRT) RIC. For example, RIC can be a server centrally deployed in one physical location. In addition, RIC can be a logical node for collecting information about cell sites sent and received by UE and O-DU, O-CU-CP or O-CU-UP. O-DU and RIC, O-CU-CP and RIC, and O-CU-UP and RIC can be connected via Ethernet. To this end, interface standards for communication between O-DU and RIC, between O-CU-CP and RIC, and between O-CU-UP and RIC are required, and message formats such as E2-DU, E2-CU-CP, E2-CU-UP need to define the procedures between O-DU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP and RIC. Specifically, users in the virtualized network need differentiated service support, and it is necessary to define the functions of the messages of E2-DU, E2-CU-CP and E2-CU-UP to support services for wide cell coverage through call processing messages / functions generated in O-RAN centralized on RIC.

[0039] Specifically, RIC can generate an E2 subscription message and send it to O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP to set the event occurrence condition. O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP can determine whether the set conditions are met, load the 3GPP call processing message corresponding to the met conditions into the container of RIC, classify it into user identifier, cell identifier, network slice identifier, etc., and then send it through E2 indication / report.

[0040] The call processing message information collected in O-RAN based on the user identifier can be identified as RIC for a specific user / specific cell / specific network slice for each I / F. The collected information can be sent from at least one of the (O-)CU-CP, (O-)CU-UP, and (O-)DU. RIC can identify that the information collected from different entities is related to a specific user / specific cell / specific network slice based on the user identifier, provide dedicated services for specific users / specific cells / specific network slices for multiple cells / network slices based on the collected information, and determine the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the services provided to each user.

[0041] Since general call processing services are limited to base stations, the number of cells that can be supported is limited. In addition, since the collected information is limited to a specific base station, it is impossible to effectively monitor the overall radio resources. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, RIC can collect call processing messages (e.g., E1, F1, X2, XN, RRC, etc.) by I / F or generate them by O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP or O-CU-UP, respectively, so as to effectively provide resource optimization and user-specific services or user-requested services for specific users / specific cells / specific network slices of wide cells. For example, RIC can configure additional carriers by effectively dividing network slices or serving specific terminals through carrier aggregation for resource optimization, or configure additional cells for performing dual access to serve specific terminals through dual connectivity (dual connectivity, DC). In addition, RIC can configure specific terminals to avoid connecting to specific cells and connect to specific cells during inter-cell mobility. In addition, RIC can efficiently perform resource optimization through machine learning based on analysis of the collected information. In addition, the resource optimization of the present disclosure is not limited to the described content. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, not only information of each terminal can be collected, but also information of each bearer can be collected and analyzed.

[0042] The collected information about a specific user may be used in the collection server, RIC or NRT-RIC, but may also be provided to an operations support system (OSS) and / or a business support system (BSS) to provide specialized services to the user.

[0043] Figure 1 An example of a fourth generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE) core system is shown.

[0044] Reference Figure 1The LTE core system includes a base station 110, a terminal 120, a serving gateway (S-GW) 130, a packet data network gateway (P-GW) 140, a mobility management entity (MME) 150, a home subscriber server (HSS) 160, and a policy and charging rule function (PCRF) 170.

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

[0046] The terminal 120 is a device used by a user and performs communication with the base station 110 through a radio channel. In some cases, the terminal 120 can operate without user participation. That is, at least one of the terminal 120 and the terminal 130 is a device that performs machine type communication (MTC) and may not be carried by the user. In addition to the terminal, the terminal 120 may be referred to as a "UE", "mobile station", "subscriber station", "customer-premises equipment (CPE)", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal" or "user device", or other terms with equivalent technical meanings.

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

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

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

[0050] PCRF 170 defines policies and charging rules. The stored information is forwarded from PCRF 180 to P-GW 140, and P-GW 140 can control Terminal 120 based on the information provided from PCRF 180 (eg, QoS management, charging, etc.).

[0051] Carrier aggregation (hereinafter referred to as "CA") technology is a technology that combines multiple component carriers and uses multiple component carriers to send and receive signals at the same time in one terminal, thereby improving the frequency utilization efficiency of the terminal or base station. Specifically, according to the CA technology, the terminal and the base station can use multiple component carriers in the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) to send and receive signals using broadband, where the component carriers are located in different frequency bands. Thereafter, UL indicates the communication link through which the terminal sends a signal to the base station, and DL indicates the communication link through which the base station sends a signal to the terminal. At this time, the number of uplink component carriers and downlink component carriers may be different.

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

[0053] Figure 2A An example of a 5G NSA system is shown.

[0054] Reference Figure 2A , the 5G NSA system includes NR RAN 210a, LTE RAN 210b, terminal 220 and evolved packet core network (EPC) 250. NR RAN 210a and LTE RAN 210b are connected to EPC 150, and terminal 220 can be served by any one or both of NR RAN 210a and LTE RAN 210b at the same time. NRRAN 210a includes at least one NR base station, and LTE RAN 210b includes at least one LTE base station. Here, NR base station may be referred to as "5G node", "gNB" or other terms with equivalent technical meanings. In addition, the NR base station may have a structure divided into CU and DU, and the CU may also have a structure divided into CU-CP unit and CU-UP unit.

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

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

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

[0058] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a protocol stack of an E2 application protocol message in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The control plane includes a transport network layer and a radio network layer. The transport network layer includes a physical layer 310, a data link layer 320, an IP 330 and a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) 340.

[0059] The radio network layer includes E2AP 350. E2AP 350 is used to deliver a subscription message, an indication message, a control message, a service update message, and a service query message, and is transmitted in a high layer of SCTP 340 and IP 330.

[0060] Figure 4 An example of connection between a base station and a RIC in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0061] Reference Figure 4 , RIC 440 is connected to O-CU-CP 420, O-CU-UP 410 and O-DU 430. RIC 440 is a device for controlling RAN nodes (or a device for performing RAN functions, such as O-CU-CP 420, O-CU-UP 410 and O-DU 430). RIC 440 can be defined as a device for customizing RAN functions for new services or regional resource optimization. RIC440 can provide functions such as network intelligence (e.g., policy implementation, switching optimization), resource guarantee (e.g., radio link management, advanced self-organized network (SON)), resource control (e.g., load balancing, slicing strategy). RIC 440 can communicate with O-CU-CP 420, O-CU-UP 410 and O-DU 430. RIC 440 can be connected to each node via E2-CP, E2-UP and E2-DU interfaces. In addition, the interface between the O-CU-CP and the DU and between the O-CU-UP and the DU may be referred to as an F1 interface. In the following description, DU and O-DU, CU-CP and O-CU-CP, and CU-UP and O-CU-UP may be used interchangeably.

[0062] Although Figure 4 One RIC 440 is shown, but according to various embodiments, there may be multiple RICs. The multiple RICs may be implemented with multiple hardware located in the same physical location, or may be implemented through virtualization using a single hardware.

[0063] Figure 5 The configuration of the device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 The structure shown can be understood as having Figure 5 The configuration of a device for performing at least one function of the RIC, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, and O-DU. Terms such as "... unit" or "... device" used hereinafter indicate a unit for processing at least one function or operation, and may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0064] Reference Figure 5The core network device includes a communication unit 510, a storage unit 520 and a control unit 530.

[0065] The communication unit 510 provides an interface for performing communication with other devices in the network. That is, the communication unit 510 converts a bit string sent from the core network device to other devices into a physical signal, and converts a physical signal received from other devices into a bit string. In other words, the communication unit 510 can send and receive signals. Therefore, the communication unit 510 can be referred to as a modem, a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver. In such a case, the communication unit 510 enables the core network device to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection (e.g., a wired backhaul or a wireless backhaul) or through a network.

[0066] The storage unit 520 stores data such as basic programs, application programs, and setting information for the operation of the core network device. The storage unit 520 may include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 520 provides the stored data according to the request of the control unit 530.

[0067] The control unit 530 controls the general operation of the core network device. For example, the control unit 530 sends and receives signals through the communication unit 510. In addition, the control unit 530 records data in the storage unit 520 and reads data from the storage unit 520. To this end, the control unit 530 may include at least one processor. According to various embodiments, the control unit 530 may control the device to perform operations according to various embodiments explained in the present disclosure.

[0068] Figure 6 Logical functions related to E2 messages of an E2 node and an RIC in a radio access network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0069] Reference Figure 6 , the RIC 640 and the E2 node 610 can send or receive E2 messages to each other. For example, the E2 node 610 can be an O-CU-CP, an O-CU-UP, an O-DU, or a base station. The communication interface of the E2 node can be determined according to the type of the E2 node 610. For example, the E2 node 610 can communicate with other E2 nodes 616 through an E1 interface or an F1 interface. Or, for example, the E2 node 610 can communicate with the E2 node 616 through an X2 interface or an XN interface. Or, for example, the E2 node 610 can perform communication through an S1 interface or a next generation application protocol (NGAP) interface (i.e., an interface between a next generation (NG) RAN node and an AMF).

[0070] The E2 node 610 may include an E2 node function 612. The E2 node function 612 is a function corresponding to a specific xApp (application S / W) 646 installed in the RIC 640. For example, in a KPI monitor, a KPI monitor set S / W may be installed in the RIC 640, and the E2 node 610 may include an E2 node function 612 that generates KPI parameters and then forwards an E2 message including the KPI parameters to an E2 terminal 642 located in the RIC 640. The E2 node 610 may include an E2 node function 612 that generates KPI parameters and relays an E2 message including the KPI parameters to an E2 terminal 642 located in the RIC 640. The E2 terminal 624 located in the RIC 640 (which is a terminal of the RIC 640 for E2 messages) may perform a function of interpreting E2 report / insert messages relayed by the E2 node 610 and relaying them to the xApp 646. The E2 node 610 may include a radio resource management (RRM) 614. The E2 node 610 may manage resources provided to the radio network for the terminal.

[0071] E2 terminal 624 located in RIC 640, which is a terminal of RIC 640 for E2 messages, can perform a function of interpreting E2 messages forwarded by E2 node 610 and then relaying them to xApp 646. Database (DB) 644 located in RIC 640 can be used for E2 terminal 624 or xApp 616. Figure 6 The E2 node 610 shown in FIG. 6 is a terminal of at least one interface and may be understood as a terminal that relays messages to terminals, neighbor base stations, and a core network.

[0072] Fig. 7A An example of the signaling process between the E2 node and the RIC is shown. Specifically, Fig. 7A The establishment process of the E2 I / F between the E2 node and the RIC and the RIC subscription message relay process are shown. The E2 node 610 is shown as the E2 node, and the RIC 640 is shown as the RIC.

[0073] Reference Fig. 7AIn step 701, the E2 node 610 may send an E2 setup request message to the RIC 640. The E2 NODE FUNCTION function located in the E2 node 610 uses the RIC IP address set to operations, administration and management (OAM) to find the RIC and send an E2 SET UP REQUEST message. The E2 setup request message includes a RAN function definition defining the RAN functions supported by the E2 node, E2 node ID information, etc. The RAN function definition value is a value set to the OAM, and the RIC may receive information of the setting value using the OAM, and use the RAN function definition value to determine which call processing function the E2 node supports.

[0074] In step 703, the RIC may receive an E2 setup response message from the E2 node. If the E2 setup request message sent by the E2 node is accepted, the RIC may send an E2 setup response (E2 SETUP RESPONSE) message.

[0075] In step 705, the RIC may send a subscription request message to the E2 node. A specific xApp located in the RIC requests the RICE2 terminal function to subscribe (or subscribe) to a specific RAN function definition function supported by E2. Here, according to an embodiment, the subscription request message of step 705 may be included in the E2 setup response message of step 703 and sent together. For example, the RAN function may include functions of X2AP, F1AP, E1AP, S1AP, and NGAP interfaces, or internal RAN functions for controlling UEs or cells.

[0076] In step 707, the E2 node may send a subscription request response to the RIC. The E2 node function of the E2 node decodes the subscription request message, successfully sets the event condition requested by the RIC to the E2 node function, and then relays the event trigger condition setting successful subscription response to the RIC.

[0077] In step 709, the E2 node may send an E2 RIC indication message to the RIC. If a specific event condition occurs, the E2 node relays the E2 RIC indication message to the RIC.

[0078] In step 711, the E2 node may send an E2 service update message to the RIC. If the E2 node functional capability information element (E2 NodeCapa) changes, the E2 node sends the changed E2NodeCapa to the RIC in the E2 service update (E2 SERVICE UPDATE).

[0079] exist Fig. 7A , the establishment process, RIC subscription process, RIC indication process and update message transmission process are described in sequence, but the various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above sequence and process. That is, in some embodiments, the E2 node and the RIC can independently perform the E2 establishment process of steps 701 to 703. In some embodiments, the E2 node and the RIC can independently perform the subscription process of steps 705 to 707. At the same time, according to another embodiment, as described above, the E2 establishment response message may include a subscription request message. In some embodiments, the E2 node and the RIC can independently perform the RIC indication process of step 709. In addition, in some embodiments, the E2 node and the RIC can independently perform the RIC indication process of step 709. In addition, the E2 node and the RIC can perform at least some of the above processes together or separately.

[0080] Figure 7B An example of a subscription process between an E2 node and a RIC is shown. The E2 node 610 is shown as an E2 node and the RIC 640 is shown as a RIC.

[0081] Reference Figure 7B In step 751, the RIC may request a subscription from the E2 terminal. For example, the E2 relay xApp located in the RIC may request the RIC E2 terminal function to subscribe to the initial UE message in the NGAP I / F for the E2 relay message function.

[0082] In step 753, the RIC may send a RIC subscription request to the E2 node. For example, the RIC E2 terminal function generates an initial UE message relay message as an E2 subscription request message for the NGAP I / F requested in step 751, and relays it to the E2 node.

[0083] In step 755, the E2 node may send a RIC subscription response to the RIC. Specifically, the E2 node function of the E2 node that receives the E2 subscription request message may decode the message, successfully set the event condition for sending to the RIC in a container including the RIC indication message by UE, by cell, or by network slice if the initial UE message appears in the NGAP I / F, and then relay a subscription response in which the event trigger condition is successfully set to the RIC.

[0084] In step 757, the E2 node may send a RIC indication to the RIC. If the UE presents an initial UE message in the NGAP I / F, the E2 node may relay an E2 RIC indication message including the NGAP initial UE message in a container to the RIC.

[0085] Fig. 7A Some of the content described in may be applied in the same or similar manner to Figure 7B .

[0086] Figure 8 The IEs for the E2 indication message are shown. The first IE is the message type, which has a unique value for each E2 message. The details of the message type are in Fig. 9 Shown in.

[0087] The second IE specifies a specific xApp with the RIC request ID. The message details are as follows Fig.10 shown.

[0088] The third IE is the E2 NODE FUNCTION ID. The E2 NODE FUNCTION ID can divide the range value of each E2 node, thereby specifying a specific E2 node function for a specific E2 node. The message details are as follows: Fig.11 shown.

[0089] The fourth IE is the RIC indication type (RIC INDICATION TYPE) (or can be expressed as E2 indication type (E2INDICATION TYPE)). The RIC indication type specifies whether the indication (INDICATION) in the E2 node is a report (REPORT) of a specific process or an addition to the message of an existing process. The details of the indication type are in Fig.12 Shown in.

[0090] The fifth IE allows the E2 message relay container (or may be expressed as a relay container (RELAYCONTAINER)) defined in the present disclosure to transmit any type of message specified in the subscription message in the form of an octet string.

[0091] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment, all are shown as mandatory, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, at least one of the IEs shown is used as optional, and for example, the corresponding IE can be omitted in the RIC indication message.

[0092] Fig. 9 It is the details of the message type IE. The procedure code value as the first IE is an integer value of 0 to 255, and a specific message type (MESSAGE TYPE) (procedure code (PROCEDURE CODE)) is set. For example, the procedure code value 0 can be set to subscription, the procedure code value 1 can be set to E2 establishment configuration, and the procedure code value 2 can be set to the indication request message value of 0 to 255, that is, a total of 256 message value configurations. For example, O-RAN defines the following [Table 1].

[0093] [Table 1]

[0094]

[0095] The message type as the second IE in the message type indicates the message type and can define initiated, successful, or unsuccessful messages.

[0096] Fig.10 The RIC request ID value is an integer value in the range of 0 to 65535 and can be set to a unique value for a specific xApp.

[0097] Fig.11 It is the E2 node function ID value. The E2 node function ID value is an integer value in the range of 0 to 4095 and can be set by dividing the range value by E2 node.

[0098] [Table 2]

[0099]

[0100] The values ​​after 2048 are reserved values ​​that can be set if additional E2 nodes are added.

[0101] Fig.12 It is an E2 indication type value. The E2 indication type value is a string value in the range of "insert" and "report", and can be defined as a service value of an indication message of a specific function of a specific E2 node function of the E2 node. For example, an I / F-based message relay function can be defined as a report message.

[0102] Various embodiments of the present disclosure can utilize E2 subscription messages to set event conditions in the call processing function (by I / F, by call processing function) of the O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP, or O-CU-UP, and relay the 3GPP message to the RIC by including it in a container for each call processing function generated for a specific call processing function or for each I / F, thereby effectively providing the call processing request service of the RIC.

[0103] The methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0104] As for software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. One or more programs stored in a computer-readable storage medium may be configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device. One or more programs may include instructions for controlling an electronic device to perform a method according to an embodiment described in a claim or specification of the present disclosure.

[0105] Such a program (software module, software) may be stored in a random access memory, a non-volatile memory including a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a magnetic disk storage device, a compact disk (CD)-ROM, a digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage device, and a cassette tape. Alternatively, it may be stored in a memory combining some or all of these recording media. A plurality of memories may be included.

[0106] In addition, the program can be stored in an attachable storage device, which can be accessed via a communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WLAN) or a storage area network (SAN) or a communication network combining these networks. Such a storage device can access the equipment performing the embodiments of the present disclosure through an external port. In addition, an independent storage device on a communication network can access the equipment performing the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0107] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, the components included in the present disclosure are expressed in singular or plural form. However, for ease of explanation, singular or plural expression is appropriately selected according to the proposed situation, the present disclosure is not limited to a single component or multiple components, a component expressed in plural form can be configured as a single component, and a component expressed in singular form can be configured as multiple components.

[0108] Meanwhile, although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method performed by an E2 node (610) of an open radio access network (O-RAN), comprising: Sending a RIC indication message including message type information to a radio access network RAN ​​intelligent controller RIC (640) of the O-RAN via an E2 interface, The message type information includes a process code value and a message type. wherein the process code value indicates at least one of RIC subscription, establishment, RIC indication, RIC control, RIC service update or RIC service query, and The type of the message indicates initial, successful or unsuccessful.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The RIC indication message includes indication type information, which indicates the type of the RIC service corresponding to the RAN function ID of the E2 node.

3. The method according to claim 1, in, The types of RIC services include "Insert" and "Report".

4. The method according to claim 1, in, The RIC indication message also includes a RIC request identifier ID and a RAN function ID.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The RIC (640) is a near real-time RT RIC, and The E2 node (610) includes an O-RAN distributed unit O-DU, an O-RAN central unit control plane O-CU-CP, an O-RAN central unit user plane O-CU-UP, or an O-RAN eNodeB O-eNB.

6. A method performed by a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC) (640) of an open radio access network (O-RAN), the method comprising: receiving a RIC indication message from an E2 node (610) of the O-RAN via an E2 interface, The RIC indication message includes indication type information, and The indication type is one of types including "insert" and "report", The RIC indication message also includes a message type, a RIC request identifier ID and a RAN function ID, and The indication type is a service value of a function corresponding to the RAN function ID of the E2 node.

7. The method according to claim 6, in, The RIC indication message includes indication type information, which indicates the type of the RIC service corresponding to the RAN function ID of the E2 node.

8. The method according to claim 6, in, The types of RIC services include "Insert" and "Report".

9. The method according to claim 6, in, The RIC indication message also includes a RIC request identifier ID and a RAN function ID.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The RIC (640) is a near real-time RT RIC, and The E2 node includes an O-RAN distributed unit O-DU, an O-RAN central unit control plane O-CU-CP, an O-RAN central unit user plane O-CU-UP, or an O-RAN eNodeB O-eNB.

11. An apparatus for use as an E2 node (610) of an open radio access network (O-RAN), comprising: at least one transceiver; at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver; and The memory stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. An apparatus for use as a radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) (640) of an open radio access network (O-RAN), comprising: at least one transceiver; at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver; and The memory stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus executes the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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