Energy saving method and communication device

Abstract

This application discloses an energy-saving method and a communication device, belonging to the field of communication technology. The energy-saving method of this application includes: a first network function receiving a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function; the first network function selecting the second network function based on energy-saving information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to an energy-saving method and communication equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Service discovery, such as network function (NF) service discovery, allows service discoverers (e.g., Network Repository Function, NRF) to discover network functions that provide services. However, service discovery in related technologies only considers the capabilities of network functions and the network to which they belong (e.g., slices, Non-Terrestrial Networks, NPNs), and is not suitable for network architecture requirements that prioritize energy efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides an energy-saving method and communication device that can solve the problem of energy saving during service discovery in related technologies.

[0004] In a first aspect, an energy-saving method is provided, comprising: a first network function receiving a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function; the first network function selecting the second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0005] Secondly, an energy-saving method is provided, comprising: a third network function sending a request message, wherein the request message is used by a first network function to select a second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0006] Thirdly, an energy-saving device is provided, comprising: a receiving module for receiving a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function; and a selection module for selecting the second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0007] Fourthly, an energy-saving device is provided, comprising: a sending module for sending a request message, wherein the request message is used by a first network function to select a second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0008] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function; and the processor is used to select the second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to send a request message, the request message being used by a first network function to select a second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0011] Eighthly, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0012] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0014] In this embodiment of the application, the first network function receives a request message, which is used to request the selection of a second network function. The first network function can select the second network function based on energy-saving information, which is beneficial to selecting an energy-saving second network function and facilitates meeting the network architecture requirements for network energy saving. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of an energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy-saving device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy-saving device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, without limiting the number of objects; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0029] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0030] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0031] Figure 1This diagram illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this application embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points (AS), or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc.The term "base station" can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmission Reception Point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to any specific technical terminology. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses a base station in an NR system as an example for description and does not limit the specific type of base station.

[0032] Core network equipment may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), and Binding Support. Core network functions (BSF), application functions (AF), etc. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses core network equipment in the NR system as an example for description, and does not limit the specific type of core network equipment.However, it is not limited to at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), Binding Support. Core network functions (BSF), application functions (AF), etc. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses core network equipment in the NR system as an example for description, and does not limit the specific type of core network equipment.

[0033] The energy-saving method provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of this application, an energy-saving method 200 is provided. This method can be executed by a first network function. In other words, this method can be executed by software or hardware installed in the first network function. The method includes the following steps.

[0035] S202: The first network function receives a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first network function can select a second network function that can provide services to the outside world based on service request messages, etc.

[0037] Optionally, the first network function is a Network Storage Function (NRF) or a Service Communication Proxy (SCP), and the request message originates from an NF Service Consumer. The second network function is an NF Service Producer. The NRF or SCP can interact with the NF Service Producer through a service-oriented interface. In this embodiment, the NF Service Consumer can also be referred to as an NF Service Consumer Network Element or NF Service Consumer Device; the NF Service Producer can also be referred to as an NF Service Producer Network Element or NF Service Producer Device.

[0038] Optionally, the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF), and the second network function is a User Plane Function (UPF). The interface between the SMF and the UPF does not have to be a service-oriented interface.

[0039] S204: The first network function selects the second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0040] In this step, the first network function can select a second network function to provide services to the outside world based on energy-saving information from one or more second network functions.

[0041] Optionally, the request message includes a power-saving indication, which is used to request the selection of a second network function that saves energy. Thus, in S204, the first network function can select the second network function based on the power-saving indication and power-saving information from one or more second functions. Optionally, the power-saving indication is obtained by the third network function sending the request message based on a registration message, a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request message, or the power-saving indication is configured by the third network function itself. In this example, the third network function sending the request message can obtain the power-saving indication based on the terminal's registration message or a PDU session establishment request message.

[0042] Optionally, the energy-saving second network function selected by the first network function is predefined, that is, regardless of whether the request message received by the first network function includes an energy-saving instruction, the first network function will select the energy-saving second network function.

[0043] In this embodiment, for example, the first network function may select a second network function that is in an energy-saving state; the first network function may select a second network function whose energy consumption is less than or equal to a first threshold, and so on.

[0044] In related technologies, network service discovery only considers the capabilities of the second network function and the network it describes (e.g., slice, NPN), without incorporating factors such as the second network function being in different energy states, having different energy consumption, energy sources, and carbon emissions. Therefore, current network service discovery does not consider energy-saving factors and is not suitable for network architecture requirements that require energy conservation.

[0045] The energy-saving method provided in this application embodiment involves a first network function receiving a request message. The request message is used to request the selection of a second network function. The first network function can select the second network function based on energy-saving information, which is beneficial for selecting an energy-saving second network function and facilitates meeting the network architecture requirements for network energy saving.

[0046] Optionally, based on the above popular embodiment, the first network function may select the second network function based on at least one of the following energy-saving information of the second network function (or, the energy-saving information includes at least one of the following):

[0047] 1) Energy State: This indicates whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state. In this example, the first network function can select a second network function in an energy-saving state. When the second network function is in an energy-saving state, other network functions need to bear its load; when the second network function is in a non-energy-saving state, its load can continuously increase; or, when the second network function is in an energy-saving state, the network internally performs operations based on Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM), operator operation policies, etc., to reduce the energy consumption of the second network function; when the second network function is in a non-energy-saving state, the network does not perform any energy-saving operations or policies.

[0048] 2) Energy Consumption Information: This information indicates the total energy consumed by the second network function or the energy consumed within a specific time period. The unit can be J (joules, kWh) or W (J / s). In this example, the first network function can select a second network function whose energy consumption is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0049] 3) Energy Source: This indicates the type of energy provided to the second network function. This energy type may include, for example, clean energy, non-clean energy, wind power, solar power, thermal power, or hydropower. In this example, the first network function can select a second network function with a specified energy source, such as clean energy or solar power.

[0050] 4) Carbon Emission: This indicates the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period. In this example, the first network function can select a second network function whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0051] 5) Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to the first threshold. In this example, the energy consumption indicator can be "1" or "0", where "1" indicates that the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to the first threshold, and "0" indicates that the energy consumption of the second network function is greater than the first threshold. The first network function can select the second network function with an energy consumption indicator of "1".

[0052] Optionally, parallel to the previous embodiment, the request message received by the first network function may include a power-saving indication, which is used to request at least one of the following:

[0053] 1) Select the second network function with the energy state set to energy saving state.

[0054] 2) Select the second network function whose energy consumption is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0055] 3) When selecting the second network function, the power consumption of the second network function should be taken into account.

[0056] 4) Select the second network function with the specified energy source.

[0057] 5) Select the second network function whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0058] 6) When selecting the second network function, the carbon emissions of the second network function should be taken into account.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first network function can select the second network function to provide services to the outside world based on the energy-saving indication and the energy-saving information of the second network function.

[0060] Reference Figure 3The illustrated embodiment primarily describes the NF service discovery process. The first network function is the NRF (Network Request Function), which receives request messages from NF service consumers. The second network function is the NF service producer, where the NRF selects an energy-efficient NF service producer for the NF service consumer. Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0061] Step 1: The NF service consumer sends a request message to the NRF, such as a Network Function Discovery Request (Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request) message.

[0062] In this embodiment, the NF service consumer aims to discover available services in the network based on the service name and the target NF type. The NF service consumer sends an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request message to the NRF configured in the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). This Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request message may include the expected NF service name, the expected NF type of the NF instance, and the NF type of the NF consumer. The Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request message can be used to request a Network Function Profile (NF Profile) file.

[0063] The NF Profile file of an NF service consumer may include the following parameters: NF producer set ID, NF service set ID, Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), Dataset ID, External Group ID (UDM, UDR discovery), UE routing indicator and Home Network Public Key Identifier (UDM and AUSF discovery), Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), NSI ID (if available), and other service-related parameters.

[0064] Optionally, the above request message may include an energy-saving instruction to select a more energy-efficient NF service provider. This instruction may originate from a registration message, a PDU session establishment request, or from the network's own configuration, i.e., the operator operates an energy-efficient network and requires all network services to be provided in an energy-saving state.

[0065] Optionally, operators operating energy-saving networks may not include energy-saving indicators; by default, all network function selections must choose the NF with the best energy efficiency.

[0066] Step 2: NRF authorization for NF service discovery.

[0067] Based on the profile of the expected NF or NF service and the type of NF service consumer, the NRF decides whether to allow the NF service consumer to discover the expected NF instance.

[0068] Regarding energy-saving instructions for NF service consumers, the following are possible:

[0069] An energy saving indication may be just a 1-bit indication (such as an EE indication). In this case, the NRF selects the NF based on one or more of the following information from the NF Profile of the NF registered therein (which may be an NF service provider): Energy State; Energy Consumption; Energy Source; and Carbon Emission.

[0070] Optionally, the energy-saving indication may include a specific energy-saving request, for example, requesting at least one of the following:

[0071] 1) Select NF service producers whose energy state is energy saving.

[0072] 2) Select NF service producers whose energy consumption is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0073] 3) When selecting NF service producers, consider the energy consumption of the NF service producers.

[0074] 4) Select the energy source as the specified type of NF service producer.

[0075] 5) Select NF service producers whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0076] 6) When selecting NF service producers, consider their carbon emissions.

[0077] Step 3: The NRF sends a response message to the NF service consumer, which may include, for example, a Network Function Discovery Request Response message.

[0078] In this embodiment, the NRF will identify a set of NF instances that match the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request message and the NRF's internal policies, and send the IDs and other information of the identified NF instances to the NF profile. Each NF Profile contains at least the parameters required to output to the NF service consumer via the Network Function Discovery Request Response message.

[0079] Optionally, based on embodiment 200, the first network function can be an NRF, the request message comes from an NF service consumer, and the second network function is an NF service producer; the method further includes: the NRF sending a service registration response message to the NF service consumer, the service registration response message including first information; or, the first information is configured by OAM in the service description file of the NF service consumer; the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0080] 1) Periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the NF service consumer updates its NF Profile file.

[0081] 2) Energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file.

[0082] 3) Carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file.

[0083] 4) Energy status, used to indicate whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or energy-inefficient state.

[0084] 5) Energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period;

[0085] 6) Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the NF service producer.

[0086] 7) Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producers or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period.

[0087] 8) Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0088] Reference Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment primarily describes the NF service registration process. The first network function is NRF, and the second network function is the NF service producer. The NRF sends a service registration response message to the NF service consumer. This service registration response message includes first information, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0089] Step 1: The NF service consumer sends a Network Function Management Network Function Registration (Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister) request message to the NRF. When the NF service consumer starts working for the first time, it notifies the NRF of its corresponding NFProfile.

[0090] Step 2: NRF stores the NF Profile file of the NF service consumer and marks the NF service consumer as available.

[0091] Step 3: The NRF accepts NF service consumer registration via the Network Function Management Network Function Registration Response (Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegisterresponse) message.

[0092] Optionally, the NRF may include first information in the response message sent to the NF service consumer, which may include at least one of the following:

[0093] 1) Periodic information, used to instruct the NF service consumer on the period or frequency for updating its NF Profile file. For example, considering that the energy consumption of an NF (such as an NF service consumer) is constantly changing (which can be based on the EC monitoring frequency of OAM), the core network NRF may not need to frequently update the NF energy consumption according to the OAM monitoring frequency. Therefore, it can customize periodic information and feed it back to the NF service consumer.

[0094] 2) Energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file. The energy consumption threshold is used to define the upper or lower limit of energy consumption. For NF service updates triggered by changes in energy-saving status or energy-saving information, the NF service update will only be triggered if the energy consumption exceeds the upper limit of the threshold or falls below the lower limit of the threshold.

[0095] 3) Carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file. The carbon emission threshold defines an upper or lower limit for carbon emissions. For NF service updates triggered by changes in energy-saving status or energy-saving information, the NF service update will only be triggered if the carbon emission exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit.

[0096] 4) Energy status, used to indicate whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or energy-inefficient state.

[0097] 5) Energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period;

[0098] 6) Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the NF service producer.

[0099] 7) Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producers or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period.

[0100] 8) Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0101] Optionally, the aforementioned first information can also be directly configured by OAM in the NF Profile of the NF service consumer. For example, OAM can directly define the update reporting cycle of the NF Profile, and the NF will perform NF service updates according to the cycle information; or OAM can directly define energy consumption thresholds or carbon emission thresholds, and NF service updates will only be triggered when the upper limit of the threshold is exceeded or the lower limit of the threshold is lowered.

[0102] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, the first network function is NRF and the second network function is NF service producer; the method further includes: the NRF receiving a service update message from the NF service producer, the service update message being sent by the NF service producer under at least one of the following conditions: change in energy state, change in energy consumption, change in energy source, change in carbon emissions, reaching the update time defined by the update cycle, energy consumption reaching a set upper or lower threshold, and carbon emissions reaching a set upper or lower threshold.

[0103] Reference Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment primarily describes the NF service update process, such as... Figure 5 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0104] Step 1: The NF instance (such as an NF service producer) sends a Network Function Management Network Function Update (Nnrf_NFManagement_NFUpdate) request message to the NRF to notify the NRF to update the NF Profile file, such as updating the energy status, energy consumption, energy source, carbon emissions, etc.

[0105] In this embodiment, the NF service producer sends a network function management network function update request message under at least one of the following conditions: change of energy state, change of energy consumption, change of energy source, change of carbon emissions, reaching the update time defined by the update cycle, energy consumption reaching the set upper or lower threshold, and carbon emissions reaching the set upper or lower threshold.

[0106] Step 2: NRF updates the NF Profile file of the NF service consumer.

[0107] Step 3: NRF sends a Network Function Management Network Function Update (Nnrf_NFManagement_NFUpdate) response message to confirm the NF service update.

[0108] Optionally, in one embodiment, the first network function can be NRF or SCP, the request message comes from an NF service consumer, and the second network function is an NF service producer, wherein the service description file of the NF service consumer is updated by the OAM function based on the energy-saving information of the NF service producer.

[0109] Reference Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment primarily describes an independent NF service discovery process implemented through SCP. Specifically, the first network function can be SCP, with the request message originating from an NF service consumer, and the second network function is an NF service producer. Figure 6 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0110] Step 1: The NF service consumer sends a request message, such as a service request message, to the SCP.

[0111] In this embodiment, the NF service consumer communicates with the NF service producer. The NF service consumer sends a service request message to the SCP. This service request message may include discovery and selection parameters required to discover and select NF service producer instances.

[0112] Service request messages may carry power saving instructions, which are used to select more energy-efficient NF service providers. These instructions may originate from registration messages, PDU session establishment request messages, or network configurations themselves. In other words, operators operate energy-efficient networks and require all network services to be provided in an energy-efficient state.

[0113] Optionally, operators operating energy-efficient networks may omit this instruction; by default, all network function selections will require choosing the optimal energy-efficient NF.

[0114] Step 2: SCP performs the discovery process.

[0115] The SCP can perform the discovery process by interacting with the NRF using Network Function Discovery (Nnrf_NFDiscovery), or by using information collected during previous interactions with the NRF (via the Nnrf_NFDiscovery service or the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFStatusNotify service). The SCP authorizes the request along with the NRF. The SCP selects the target NF service producer. When determining the target NF service producer, the energy-saving indication for the NF service consumer may include the following:

[0116] An energy saving indication may be just a 1-bit indication (such as an EE indication). In this case, the NRF selects the NF based on one or more of the following information from the NF Profile of the NF registered therein (which may be an NF service provider): Energy State; Energy Consumption; Energy Source; and Carbon Emission.

[0117] Optionally, the energy-saving indication may include a specific energy-saving request, for example, requesting at least one of the following:

[0118] 1) Select NF service producers whose energy state is energy saving.

[0119] 2) Select NF service producers whose energy consumption is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0120] 3) When selecting NF service producers, consider the energy consumption of the NF service producers.

[0121] 4) Select the energy source as the specified type of NF service producer.

[0122] 5) Select NF service producers whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0123] 6) When selecting NF service producers, consider their carbon emissions.

[0124] Step 3: If the NF service consumer is authorized to communicate with the NF service producer, SCP will forward the request to the selected NF service producer.

[0125] Step 4: The NF service producer sends a response message to the SCP.

[0126] Step 5: SCP routes the response to the NF service consumer.

[0127] Optionally, in one embodiment, the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF), and the second network function is a UPF; wherein the energy-saving information is included in the UPF supply information of the UPF, and the UPF supply information is sent to the SMF by the NRF; or the energy-saving information is configured in the SMF, wherein the UPF is registered to the SMF through the NRF.

[0128] Optionally, the UPF supply information may further include at least one of the following:

[0129] 1) Periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its service description file.

[0130] 2) Energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file.

[0131] 3) Carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file.

[0132] 4) Energy status, used to indicate whether the UPF is in an energy-saving state or not.

[0133] 5) Energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the UPF or the energy consumed within a specific time period.

[0134] 6) Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the UPF.

[0135] 7) Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the UPF or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period.

[0136] 8) Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the UPF is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0137] Reference Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the UPF is registered with the SMF via NRF. To support energy conservation, the UPF Provisioning Information will include energy-saving descriptions such as Energy State, Energy Consumption, Energy Source, and Carbon Emission. This information enhances the selection of the UPF by the SMF.

[0138] Optionally, the following information can also be added to the UPF Provisioning Information:

[0139] 1) Periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its UPF supply information. For example, considering that the energy consumption of the UPF is constantly changing, the core network may not need to frequently update the UPF energy consumption according to the OAM monitoring frequency, so it can customize the periodic information.

[0140] 2) Energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its UPF supply information. The energy consumption threshold is used to define the upper or lower limit of energy consumption. For UPF supply information updates triggered by changes in energy-saving status or energy-saving information, the UPF supply information update will only be triggered if the energy consumption exceeds the upper limit of the threshold or falls below the lower limit of the threshold.

[0141] 3) Carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger UPF to update its service description file. The carbon emission threshold defines an upper or lower limit for carbon emissions. For UPF supply information updates triggered by changes in energy-saving status or energy-saving information, the update will only be triggered if the emissions exceed the upper limit or fall below the lower limit.

[0142] like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0143] Step 1: The SMF sends a Network Function Management Network Function Status Subscription message to the NRF.

[0144] Step 2: The NRF sends a Network Function Management Network Function Status Notification message to the SMF (this step is optional).

[0145] Steps 3-4: OAM and UPF interact to perform UPF instance deployment and configuration.

[0146] Step 5: The UPF sends a Network Function Management Network Function Registration Request message to the NRF.

[0147] Step 6: OAM can configure or modify the UPF supply information of the UPF.

[0148] For example, this step is executed when the UPF's energy state is modified; or, when OAM monitors changes the UPF's energy-saving status, power consumption, energy source, carbon emissions, or energy consumption / carbon emissions reach the set upper or lower threshold. Another example is when the update time defined in the update cycle is reached.

[0149] Step 7: The NRF sends a Network Function Management Network Function Status Notification message to the SMF. This message may include energy-saving description information, which can be found in the description of energy-saving information or energy-saving indication in the previous embodiments.

[0150] Based on this step, during the UPF selection process, SMF can select the appropriate UPF as needed, based on energy-saving instructions or network operator policies.

[0151] Optionally, the UPF supply information can also be directly configured in the SMF for use by the SMF when selecting a UPF.

[0152] The above combination Figures 2 to 7 The energy-saving method according to embodiments of this application is described in detail below. Figure 8 A method for saving energy according to another embodiment of this application is described in detail. It will be understood that... Figure 8 Implementation examples and Figure 2The descriptions of the first network functional side in the methods shown are the same or corresponding; to avoid repetition, relevant descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0153] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation process of the energy-saving method according to an embodiment of this application, which can be applied to third network functions. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the method 800 includes the following steps.

[0154] S802: The third network function sends a request message, which is used by the first network function to select the second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0155] In this embodiment, the first network function can select an energy-saving second network function, which is conducive to meeting the network architecture requirements for energy saving.

[0156] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is NRF or SCP, the third network function is an NF service consumer, and the second network function is an NF service producer.

[0157] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving indication is obtained by the third network function based on the following messages: registration message, Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request message; or the energy-saving indication is configured by the third network function itself.

[0158] Optionally, as an embodiment, the request message includes a power-saving indication, which is used to request the selection of a second network function that saves energy; or, the second network function that the first network function selects to save energy is predefined.

[0159] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: 1) energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; 2) energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the second network function or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 3) energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the second network function; 4) carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 5) energy consumption indication, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0160] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving indication is used to request at least one of the following: 1) selecting the second network function with an energy-saving state; 2) selecting the second network function with energy consumption less than or equal to a first threshold; 3) considering the energy consumption of the second network function when selecting the second network function; 4) selecting the second network function with an energy source of a specified type; 5) selecting the second network function with carbon emissions less than or equal to a second threshold; 6) considering the carbon emissions of the second network function when selecting the second network function.

[0161] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is an NRF, and the third network function is an NF service consumer; the method further includes: the NF service consumer receiving a service registration response message from the NRF, the service registration response message including first information; or, the first information is configured by OAM in the service description file of the NF service consumer; the first information includes at least one of the following: 1) periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the NF service consumer updates its service description file; 2) energy consumption threshold, the energy consumption threshold being used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; 3) carbon... The emission threshold is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; 4) Energy status is used to indicate whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or non-energy-saving state; 5) Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 6) Energy source is used to indicate the type of energy provided to the NF service producer; 7) Carbon emissions are used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producer or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 8) Energy consumption indication is used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0162] Optionally, as an embodiment, the service description file of the NF service consumer is updated by the Operations Management and Maintenance (OAM) function based on the energy-saving information of the NF service producer.

[0163] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is SMF and the second network function is UPF; wherein, the energy-saving information is included in the UPF supply information of the UPF, and the UPF supply information is sent to the SMF by the NRF; or, the energy-saving information is configured in the SMF, wherein the UPF is registered to the SMF through the NRF.

[0164] Optionally, as an embodiment, the UPF supply information further includes at least one of the following: 1) periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its service description file; 2) energy consumption threshold, used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; 3) carbon emission threshold, used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; 4) energy status, used to indicate whether the UPF is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; 5) energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the UPF or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 6) energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the UPF; 7) carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the UPF or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 8) energy consumption indication, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the UPF is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0165] The energy-saving method provided in this application can be implemented by an energy-saving device. This application uses an energy-saving device to implement the energy-saving method as an example to illustrate the energy-saving device provided in this application.

[0166] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy-saving device according to an embodiment of this application. This device can be applied to the first network function in other embodiments. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the device 900 includes the following modules.

[0167] The receiving module 902 is used to receive a request message, which is used to request the selection of a second network function.

[0168] Selection module 904 is used to select the second network function based on energy saving information.

[0169] In this embodiment of the application, the receiving module receives a request message, which is used to request the selection of a second network function. The selection module can select the second network function based on energy-saving information, which is beneficial to selecting an energy-saving second network function and facilitates meeting the network architecture requirements for network energy saving.

[0170] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is NRF or SCP, the request message comes from an NF service consumer, and the second network function is an NF service producer.

[0171] Optionally, as an embodiment, the request message includes a power-saving indication, which is used to request the selection of a second network function that saves energy; or, the second network function that the first network function selects to save energy is predefined.

[0172] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving indication is obtained by the third network function based on the following messages: registration message, Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request message; or, the energy-saving indication is configured by the third network function itself.

[0173] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: 1) energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; 2) energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the second network function or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 3) energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the second network function; 4) carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 5) energy consumption indication, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0174] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving indication is used to request at least one of the following: 1) selecting the second network function with an energy-saving state; 2) selecting the second network function with energy consumption less than or equal to a first threshold; 3) considering the energy consumption of the second network function when selecting the second network function; 4) selecting the second network function with an energy source of a specified type; 5) selecting the second network function with carbon emissions less than or equal to a second threshold; 6) considering the carbon emissions of the second network function when selecting the second network function.

[0175] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is NRF, the request message comes from an NF service consumer, and the device 900 further includes a sending module for sending a service registration response message to the NF service consumer, the service registration response message including first information; or, the first information is configured by OAM in the service description file of the NF service consumer; the first information includes at least one of the following: 1) periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the NF service consumer updates its service description file; 2) energy consumption threshold, the energy consumption threshold being used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; 3) carbon... The emission threshold is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; 4) Energy status is used to indicate whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or non-energy-saving state; 5) Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 6) Energy source is used to indicate the type of energy provided to the NF service producer; 7) Carbon emissions are used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producer or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 8) Energy consumption indication is used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0176] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is NRF, the second network function is NF service producer, and the receiving module 902 is further configured to receive a service update message from the NF service producer. The service update message is sent by the NF service producer when at least one of the following conditions is met: energy state changes, energy consumption changes, energy source changes, carbon emissions change, the update time defined by the update cycle is reached, energy consumption reaches a set upper or lower threshold, and carbon emissions reach a set upper or lower threshold.

[0177] Optionally, as an embodiment, the service description file of the NF service consumer is updated by the Operations Management and Maintenance (OAM) function based on the energy-saving information of the NF service producer.

[0178] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is SMF and the second network function is UPF; wherein, the energy-saving information is included in the UPF supply information of the UPF, and the UPF supply information is sent to the SMF by the NRF; or, the energy-saving information is configured in the SMF, wherein the UPF is registered to the SMF through the NRF.

[0179] Optionally, as an embodiment, the UPF supply information further includes at least one of the following: 1) periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its service description file; 2) energy consumption threshold, used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; 3) carbon emission threshold, used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; 4) energy status, used to indicate whether the UPF is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; 5) energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the UPF or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 6) energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the UPF; 7) carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the UPF or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 8) energy consumption indication, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the UPF is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0180] The apparatus 900 according to the embodiments of this application can refer to the flow of the method 200 corresponding to the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, each unit / module in the apparatus 900 and the other operations and / or functions described above are respectively implemented to achieve the corresponding flow in the method 200 and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0181] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy-saving device according to an embodiment of this application. This device can correspond to the third network function of sending request messages in other embodiments. For example... Figure 10As shown, the device 1000 includes the following modules.

[0182] The sending module 1002 is used to send a request message, which is used by the first network function to select a second network function based on energy-saving information.

[0183] Optionally, the device 1000 may also include a receiving module, etc.

[0184] In the embodiments of this application, it is advantageous to select an energy-saving second network function, which facilitates meeting the network architecture requirements for energy saving.

[0185] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is NRF or SCP, the third network function is an NF service consumer, and the second network function is an NF service producer.

[0186] Optionally, as an embodiment, the request message includes a power-saving indication, which is used to request the selection of a second network function that saves energy; or, the second network function that the first network function selects to save energy is predefined.

[0187] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: 1) energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; 2) energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the second network function or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 3) energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the second network function; 4) carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 5) energy consumption indication, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0188] Optionally, as an embodiment, the energy-saving indication is used to request at least one of the following: 1) selecting the second network function with an energy-saving state; 2) selecting the second network function with energy consumption less than or equal to a first threshold; 3) considering the energy consumption of the second network function when selecting the second network function; 4) selecting the second network function with an energy source of a specified type; 5) selecting the second network function with carbon emissions less than or equal to a second threshold; 6) considering the carbon emissions of the second network function when selecting the second network function.

[0189] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is NRF, the third network function is NF service consumer, and the device 1000 further includes a receiving module for receiving a service registration response message from the NRF, the service registration response message including first information; or, the first information is configured by OAM in the service description file of the NF service consumer; the first information includes at least one of the following: 1) periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the NF service consumer updates its service description file; 2) energy consumption threshold, the energy consumption threshold being used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; 3) carbon emissions. The following parameters are specified: 4) Energy status, indicating whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or non-energy-saving state; 5) Energy consumption information, indicating the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 6) Energy source, indicating the type of energy provided to the NF service producer; 7) Carbon emissions, indicating the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producer or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; and 8) Energy consumption indication, indicating whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0190] Optionally, as an embodiment, the service description file of the NF service consumer is updated by the OAM function based on the energy-saving information of the NF service producer.

[0191] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first network function is SMF and the second network function is UPF; wherein, the energy-saving information is included in the UPF supply information of the UPF, and the UPF supply information is sent to the SMF by the NRF; or, the energy-saving information is configured in the SMF, wherein the UPF is registered to the SMF through the NRF.

[0192] Optionally, as an embodiment, the UPF supply information further includes at least one of the following: 1) periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its service description file; 2) energy consumption threshold, used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; 3) carbon emission threshold, used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; 4) energy status, used to indicate whether the UPF is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; 5) energy consumption information, used to indicate the total energy consumed by the UPF or the energy consumed within a specific time period; 6) energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the UPF; 7) carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the UPF or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; 8) energy consumption indication, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the UPF is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0193] The apparatus 1000 according to the embodiments of this application can refer to the flow of the method 800 corresponding to the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, each unit / module in the apparatus 1000 and the other operations and / or functions described above are for implementing the corresponding flow in the method 800 and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0194] Optional, such as Figure 11 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1100, including a processor 1101 and a memory 1102. The memory 1102 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 1101. For example, when the communication device 1100 is a network-side device, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 1101, they implement the various steps of the above-described energy-saving method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0195] This application embodiment also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function; the processor is used to select the second network function based on energy-saving information. Alternatively, the communication interface is used to send a request message, the request message being used by a first network function to select a second network function based on energy-saving information. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-described network-side device method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and achieve the same technical effects.

[0196] This application also provides a network-side device. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the network-side device 1200 includes a processor 1201, a network interface 1202, and a memory 1203. The network interface 1202 is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0197] Specifically, the network-side device 1200 of this embodiment further includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 1203 and executable on processor 1201, wherein processor 1201 calls the instructions or programs in memory 1203 to execute. Figure 9 or Figure 10 The methods executed by each module shown achieve the same technical effect, and to avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail here.

[0198] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described energy-saving method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0199] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium can be non-volatile or non-transient. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks. In some examples, the readable storage medium can be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0200] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described energy-saving method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0201] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0202] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described energy-saving method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0203] This application embodiment also provides an energy-saving system, including: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the energy-saving method described above, and the network-side device can be used to perform the steps of the energy-saving method described above.

[0204] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0205] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0206] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An energy-saving method, characterized in that, include: The first network function receives a request message, the request message being used to request the selection of a second network function; The first network function selects the second network function based on energy-saving information; The energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: Energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided for the second network function; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; The request message includes a power-saving instruction, which requests at least one of the following: Select the second network function with the energy state set to energy saving state; Select the second network function with the specified energy source; Select the second network function whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy-saving information also includes at least one of the following: Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the second network function or the energy consumed within a specific time period; Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to a first threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy-saving indication is also used to request at least one of the following: Select the second network function whose energy consumption is less than or equal to the first threshold; When selecting the second network function, the power consumption of the second network function should be taken into account.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first network function is a Network Storage Function (NRF) or a Service Communication Proxy (SCP), and the request message comes from an NF service consumer. The second network function is an NF service producer.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first network function is NRF, and the request message comes from an NF service consumer; the method further includes: the NRF sending a service registration response message to the NF service consumer, the service registration response message including first information; or, the first information is configured in the service description file of the NF service consumer by Operations Management and Maintenance (OAM); the first information includes at least one of the following: Periodic information is used to indicate the period or frequency at which the NF service consumer updates its service description file; An energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; A carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; Energy status, used to indicate whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or non-energy-saving state; Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the NF service producer; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producer or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to a first threshold.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first network function is NRF, and the second network function is NF service producer; the method further includes: the NRF receiving a service update message from the NF service producer, the service update message being sent by the NF service producer under at least one of the following conditions: When the energy state changes, energy consumption changes, energy source changes, carbon emissions change, the update time defined by the update cycle is reached, energy consumption reaches the set upper or lower threshold, and carbon emissions reach the set upper or lower threshold.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The service description file of the NF service consumer is updated by the Operations Management and Maintenance (OAM) function based on the energy-saving information of the NF service producer.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first network function is Session Management Function (SMF), and the second network function is UPF; wherein, The energy-saving information is included in the UPF supply information of the UPF, which is sent to the SMF by the NRF; or The energy-saving information is configured in the SMF, wherein the UPF is registered to the SMF via NRF.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The UPF supply information also includes at least one of the following: Periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its service description file; Energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; A carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; Energy status, used to indicate whether the UPF is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the UPF or the energy consumed within a specific time period; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the UPF; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the UPF or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the UPF is less than or equal to a first threshold.

10. An energy-saving method, characterized in that, include: The third network function sends a request message, which is used by the first network function to select the second network function based on energy-saving information; The energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: Energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided for the second network function; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; The request message includes a power-saving instruction, which requests at least one of the following: Select the second network function with the energy state set to energy saving state; Select the second network function with the specified energy source; Select the second network function whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The energy-saving indication is obtained by the third network function based on the following messages: registration message, Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request message; or The energy-saving indicator is configured by the third network function itself.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The energy-saving information also includes at least one of the following: Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the second network function or the energy consumed within a specific time period; Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the second network function is less than or equal to a first threshold.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The energy-saving indication is used to request at least one of the following: Select the second network function whose energy consumption is less than or equal to the first threshold; When selecting the second network function, the power consumption of the second network function should be taken into account.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The first network function is NRF or SCP, the third network function is NF service consumer, and the second network function is NF service producer.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The first network function is NRF, and the third network function is NF service consumer; the method further includes: the NF service consumer receiving a service registration response message from the NRF, the service registration response message including first information; or, the first information is configured by OAM in the service description file of the NF service consumer; the first information includes at least one of the following: Periodic information is used to indicate the period or frequency at which the NF service consumer updates its service description file; An energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; A carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the NF service consumer to update its service description file; Energy status, used to indicate whether the NF service producer is in an energy-saving or non-energy-saving state; Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the NF service producer or the energy consumed within a specific time period; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the NF service producer; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the NF service producer or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the NF service producer is less than or equal to a first threshold.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The service description file of the NF service consumer is updated by the Operations Management and Maintenance (OAM) function based on the energy-saving information of the NF service producer.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The first network function is SMF, and the second network function is UPF; wherein... The energy-saving information is included in the UPF supply information of the UPF, which is sent to the SMF by the NRF; or The energy-saving information is configured in the SMF, wherein the UPF is registered to the SMF via NRF.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The UPF supply information also includes at least one of the following: Periodic information, used to indicate the period or frequency at which the UPF updates its service description file; Energy consumption threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; A carbon emission threshold, which is used to trigger the UPF to update its service description file; Energy status, used to indicate whether the UPF is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; Energy consumption information is used to indicate the total energy consumed by the UPF or the energy consumed within a specific time period; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided to the UPF; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the UPF or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; Energy consumption indicator, used to indicate whether the energy consumption of the UPF is less than or equal to a first threshold.

19. An energy-saving device, characterized in that, include: A receiving module is configured to receive a request message, wherein the request message is used to request the selection of a second network function; The selection module is used to select the second network function based on energy-saving information; The energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: Energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided for the second network function; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; The request message includes a power-saving instruction, which requests at least one of the following: Select the second network function with the energy state set to energy saving state; Select the second network function with the specified energy source; Select the second network function whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

20. An energy-saving device, characterized in that, include: The sending module is used to send a request message, which is used by the first network function to select a second network function based on energy-saving information; The energy-saving information includes at least one of the following: Energy status, used to indicate whether the second network function is in an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state; Energy source, used to indicate the type of energy provided for the second network function; Carbon emissions, used to indicate the total carbon emissions generated by the second network function or the carbon emissions generated within a specific time period; The request message includes a power-saving instruction, which requests at least one of the following: Select the second network function with the energy state set to energy saving state; Select the second network function with the specified energy source; Select the second network function whose carbon emissions are less than or equal to the second threshold.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

22. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

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