Apparatus, method and computer program

Abstract

The invention provides a method, an apparatus and a computer program for application functions. And a processor that causes the application function to signal to the first network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or a user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or the user equipment, and the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202211044817 filed on August 5, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in full. Technical Field

[0003] Examples described herein relate generally to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and more particularly (but not limited to) to apparatus, methods, and computer programs for network devices. Background Art

[0004] A communication system may be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as communication devices, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path.

[0005] The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs) operating based on radio standards (such as those provided by 3GPP), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Wireless systems can typically be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0006] Communication systems and related equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standard is the so-called 5G standard. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to a first aspect, a method for a radio access network entity is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; determining whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment; and signaling a result of the above determination to the network function.

[0008] The result of the above determination may be all reserved resources in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user devices, and the method may include: configuring a first part of the above-mentioned resources included in the above-mentioned subset; reserving a second part of the above-mentioned resources for all data streams and / or user devices in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user devices that are not included in the above-mentioned subset; starting a timer when reserving the above-mentioned second part of the above-mentioned resources; and when the above-mentioned timer expires, releasing any reserved resources in the above-mentioned reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0009] A result of the above determination may be that resources may be reserved only for the subset, and the method may include: reserving the above resources for at least a subset of the above data flows and / or user equipments.

[0010] The method may include: starting a timer when reserving the resources; and releasing any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment when the timer expires.

[0011] The method may include, after the signaling of the network function: receiving an instruction to release the reserved resources from the network function; and releasing the reserved resources in response to receiving the instruction.

[0012] A result of the above determination may be that resources cannot be reserved for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0013] According to a second aspect, a method for a first network function is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a second network function a first indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that the first number of data streams and / or user equipment are to be jointly processed, and a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; signaling the first indication to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function; and receiving from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function a second indication of whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least the subset.

[0014] The second network function may be at least one of the following: an application function; a network open function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

[0015] The first network function may be at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

[0016] The third network function may be at least one of: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

[0017] The second indication may indicate that resources are configured for a subset of the above (multiple) data flows and / or user equipment and resources may be reserved for the remaining subset of the above data flows and / or user equipment in the first set, and the method may include signaling the above second indication to the second network function.

[0018] The second indication may indicate that resources may be reserved for a subset of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the method may include signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0019] The method may comprise signalling an instruction to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function to configure the reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the data flows and / or user equipment of the first number of data flows and / or user equipment which are not included in the subset.

[0020] The method may comprise signalling an instruction to release said reserved resources to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function.

[0021] The second indication may indicate that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the method may include signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0022] According to a third aspect, a method for an application function is provided, the method comprising: signaling to a first network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, a device for a radio access network entity is provided, the device comprising components for: receiving from a network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; determining whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment; and signaling the result of the above determination to the network function.

[0024] The result of the above determination may be all reserved resources in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the device may include components for the following items: configuring a first part of the above-mentioned resources included in the above-mentioned subset; reserving a second part of the above-mentioned resources for all data streams and / or user equipment in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment that are not included in the above-mentioned subset; starting a timer when reserving the above-mentioned second part of the above-mentioned resources; and when the above-mentioned timer expires, releasing any reserved resources in the above-mentioned reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0025] The result of the above determination may be that resources may be reserved only for the subset, and the apparatus may include means for reserving the above resources for at least a subset of the above data flows and / or user equipments.

[0026] The apparatus may include means for: starting a timer when reserving the resources; and upon expiration of the timer, releasing any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0027] The apparatus may include means for: after the signaling of the network function: receiving an instruction from the network function to release the reserved resources; and releasing the reserved resources in response to receiving the instruction.

[0028] A result of the above determination may be that resources cannot be reserved for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, a device for a first network function is provided, the device comprising components for: receiving from a second network function a first indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; signaling the first indication to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function; and receiving from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function a second indication of whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for joint processing of at least the subset.

[0030] The second network function may be at least one of the following: an application function; a network open function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

[0031] The first network function may be at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

[0032] The third network function may be at least one of: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

[0033] The second indication may indicate that resources are configured for a subset of the above-mentioned (multiple) data flows and / or user equipments and resources may be reserved for the remaining subset of the above-mentioned data flows and / or user equipments in the first set, and the apparatus may include a component for signaling the above-mentioned second indication to the second network function.

[0034] The second indication may indicate that resources may be reserved for the subset of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may include means for signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0035] The apparatus may comprise means for signalling an instruction to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function to configure reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the data flows and / or user equipment of the first number of data flows and / or user equipment that are not included in the subset.

[0036] The apparatus may include means for signaling an instruction to release the reserved resources to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function.

[0037] The second indication may indicate that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may include means for signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, a device for an application function is provided, which may include an indication of a user equipment for signaling a first number of data streams and / or their communications to be jointly processed to a first network function, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a component of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0039] According to the seventh aspect, a device for a radio access network entity is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to: receive from a network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; determine whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment; and signal the result of the above-mentioned determination to the network function.

[0040] The result of the above determination may be all the reserved resources in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the device may be caused to: configure a first part of the above-mentioned resources included in the above-mentioned subset; reserve a second part of the above-mentioned resources for all data streams and / or user equipment in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment that are not included in the above-mentioned subset; start a timer when reserving the above-mentioned second part of the above-mentioned resources; and when the above-mentioned timer expires, release any reserved resources in the above-mentioned reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0041] The result of the above determination may be that resources may be reserved only for the subset, and the apparatus may be caused to reserve the above resources for at least a subset of the above data flows and / or user equipments.

[0042] The apparatus may be caused to: start a timer when reserving the resources; and upon expiration of the timer, release any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0043] The apparatus may be caused to, after the signaling of the network function: receive an instruction from the network function to release the reserved resources; and release the reserved resources in response to receiving the instruction.

[0044] A result of the above determination may be that resources cannot be reserved for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0045] According to an eighth aspect, a device for a first network function is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to: receive from a second network function a first indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; signal the above-mentioned first indication to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function; and receive from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function a second indication of whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least the above-mentioned subset.

[0046] The second network function may be at least one of the following: an application function; a network open function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

[0047] The first network function may be at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

[0048] The third network function may be at least one of: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

[0049] The second indication may indicate that resources are configured for a subset of the above (multiple) data flows and / or user equipment and resources may be reserved for the remaining subset of the above data flows and / or user equipment in the first set, and the device may be caused to signal the above second indication to the second network function.

[0050] The second indication may indicate that resources may be reserved for the subset of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may be caused to signal the second indication to the second network function.

[0051] The apparatus may be caused to signal an instruction to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function to configure the reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the data flows and / or user equipment of the first number of data flows and / or user equipment that are not included in the subset.

[0052] The apparatus may be caused to signal an instruction to release the reserved resources to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function.

[0053] The second indication may indicate that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may be caused to signal the second indication to the second network function.

[0054] According to a ninth aspect, a device for an application function is provided, which may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to: signal a first network function to indicate a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0055] According to the tenth aspect, a device for a radio access network entity is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving from a network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; a determination circuit system for determining whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment; and a signaling circuit system for signaling the result of the above-mentioned determination to the network function.

[0056] The result of the above determination may be all the reserved resources in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the device may include: a configuration circuit system for configuring the first part of the above-mentioned resources included in the above-mentioned subset; reserving the second part of the above-mentioned resources for all data streams and / or user equipment in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment that are not included in the above-mentioned subset; a start circuit system for starting a timer when reserving the above-mentioned second part of the above-mentioned resources; and a release circuit system for releasing any of the above-mentioned reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment when the above-mentioned timer expires.

[0057] The result of the above determination may be that resources may be reserved for the subset only, and the apparatus may include: a reservation circuit system for reserving the above resources for at least a subset of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0058] The apparatus may include a start circuit system for starting a timer when reserving the resources; and a release circuit system for releasing any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment when the timer expires.

[0059] The apparatus may include, after the above-mentioned signaling to the network function: a receiving circuit system for receiving an instruction to release the above-mentioned reserved resources from the network function; and a releasing circuit system for releasing the above-mentioned reserved resources in response to receiving the above-mentioned instruction.

[0060] A result of the above determination may be that resources cannot be reserved for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0061] According to an eleventh aspect, a device for a first network function is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving, from a second network function, a first indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that the first number of data streams and / or user equipment are to be jointly processed, and a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; a signaling circuit system for signaling the first indication to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function; and a receiving circuit system for receiving, from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function, a second indication of whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least the subset.

[0062] The second network function may be at least one of the following: an application function; a network open function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

[0063] The first network function may be at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

[0064] The third network function may be at least one of: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

[0065] The second indication may indicate that resources are configured for a subset of the above-mentioned (multiple) data flows and / or user equipments and resources may be reserved for the remaining subset of the above-mentioned data flows and / or user equipments in the first set, and the apparatus may include a signaling circuit system for signaling the above-mentioned second indication to the second network function.

[0066] The second indication may indicate that resources may be reserved for the subset of data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may include a signaling circuit system for signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0067] The apparatus may comprise a signalling circuit system for signalling an instruction to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function to configure the reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the data streams and / or user equipment of the first number of data streams and / or user equipment that are not included in the subset.

[0068] The apparatus may comprise signalling circuitry for signalling an instruction to release said reserved resources to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function.

[0069] The second indication may indicate that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may include signaling circuitry for signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0070] According to the twelfth aspect, a device for an application function is provided, which may include an indication of a user equipment for signaling a first number of data streams and / or their communications to be jointly processed to a first network function, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a signaling circuit system for the first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0071] According to the thirteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, which includes program instructions for causing an apparatus for a radio access network entity to perform at least the following: receiving from a network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; determining whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment; and signaling the result of the above-mentioned determination to the network function.

[0072] The result of the above determination may be all the reserved resources in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the device may be caused to: configure a first part of the above-mentioned resources included in the above-mentioned subset; reserve a second part of the above-mentioned resources for all data streams and / or user equipment in the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment that are not included in the above-mentioned subset; start a timer when reserving the above-mentioned second part of the above-mentioned resources; and when the above-mentioned timer expires, release any reserved resources in the above-mentioned reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0073] The result of the above determination may be that resources may be reserved only for the subset, and the apparatus may be caused to reserve the above resources for at least a subset of the above data flows and / or user equipments.

[0074] The apparatus may be caused to: start a timer when reserving the resources; and upon expiration of the timer, release any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment.

[0075] The apparatus may be caused to, after the signaling of the network function: receive an instruction from the network function to release the reserved resources; and release the reserved resources in response to receiving the instruction.

[0076] A result of the above determination may be that resources cannot be reserved for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0077] According to a fourteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for a first network function to perform at least the following: receiving from a second network function a first indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured; signaling the above-mentioned first indication to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function; and receiving from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function a second indication of whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least the above-mentioned subset.

[0078] The second network function may be at least one of the following: an application function; a network open function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

[0079] The first network function may be at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

[0080] The third network function may be at least one of: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

[0081] The second indication may indicate that resources are configured for a subset of the above (multiple) data flows and / or user equipment and resources may be reserved for the remaining subset of the above data flows and / or user equipment in the first set, and the device may be caused to signal the above second indication to the second network function.

[0082] The second indication may indicate that resources may be reserved for the subset of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may be caused to signal the second indication to the second network function.

[0083] The apparatus may be caused to signal an instruction to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function to configure the reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the data flows and / or user equipment of the first number of data flows and / or user equipment that are not included in the subset.

[0084] The apparatus may be caused to signal an instruction to release the reserved resources to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function.

[0085] The second indication may indicate that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the apparatus may be caused to signal the second indication to the second network function.

[0086] According to a fifteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for an application function to perform at least the following: signaling to a first network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0087] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which may cause an apparatus to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0088] According to a seventeenth aspect, an electronic device is provided, which may include an apparatus as described herein.

[0089] According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a chipset, which may comprise an apparatus as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] Some examples will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0091] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic representation of a 5G system is shown;

[0092] Figure 2 A schematic representation of a network device is shown;

[0093] Figure 3 A schematic representation of a user equipment is shown;

[0094] Figure 4 A schematic representation of a non-volatile storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of some example methods is shown;

[0095] Figure 5 A schematic representation of the network is shown;

[0096] Figures 6 to 8 illustrates example signaling that may be performed between the devices described herein; and

[0097] Figures 9 to 11

[0066] Illustrated are example operations that may be performed by the apparatus described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] In the description of the following examples, certain aspects are explained with reference to a mobile communication device that can communicate via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system that serves such a mobile communication device. For the sake of brevity and clarity, such aspects are described below with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it should be understood that such aspects are not limited to a 5G wireless communication system and, for example, can be applied to other wireless communication systems (e.g., current 6G proposals).

[0099] Before describing the examples in detail, refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B Briefly explain some general principles of 5G wireless communication systems.

[0100] Figure 1A A schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) for non-trusted / trusted non-3GPP access, or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0101] A 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. A RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0102] 5GC 106 may include one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, one or more authentication server functions (AUSF) 116, one or more unified data management (UDM) functions 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, one or more unified data repository (UDR) functions 122, one or more network repository functions (NRF) 128 and / or one or more network open functions (NEF) 124. The role of NEF is to provide a secure opening of network services (e.g., voice, data connection, billing, user data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 does not show its interface, it should be understood that this is for clarity reasons, and NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0103] 5GC 106 also includes a network data analysis function (NWDAF) 126. NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information upon request of one or more network functions or devices within the network. Network functions may also subscribe to NWDAF 126 to receive information from it. Thus, NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection by NWDAF 126 may be performed based on at least one subscription to an event provided by at least one network function.

[0104] The network may also include a management data analysis service (MDAS) producer or an MDAS management service (MnS) producer. The MDAS MnS producer may provide data analysis in the management plane taking into account parameters including, for example, load level and / or resource utilization. For example, an MDAS MnS producer of a network function (NF) may collect load-related performance data of the NF, such as the resource usage status of the NF. Analysis of the collected data may provide a prediction of resource usage information within a predefined future time window. The analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as resource scaling, admission control, load balancing of services, etc.

[0105] Figure 1B A schematic representation of a 5GC as represented in the current 3GPP specification is shown. It should be understood that the architecture is intended to illustrate potential components that may be included in a core network, and the principles described so far are not limited to a core network comprising only the described components.

[0106] Figure 1BA 5GC 106' is shown including a UPF 120' connected to an SMF 114' via an N4 interface. The SMF 114' is connected to each of the UDM 122', NEF 124', NWDAF 126', AF 108', Policy Control Function (PCF) 130', AMF 112', and Charging Function 132' via an interconnect medium that also connects these network functions to each other. The 5G Core 106' also includes a Network Repository Function (NRF) 133' and a Network Function 134' connected to the interconnect medium.

[0107] 3GPP refers to a group of organizations that develop and publish different standardized communication protocols. 3GPP develops and publishes documents related to "release" systems (e.g., Release 15, Release 16 and beyond).

[0108] To simultaneously manage data flows of UEs using multiple accesses, operators may define policies for flexibly using multiple accesses for different data flows.

[0109] For 3GPP Release 18, 5G System (5GS) enhancements to support Extended Reality (XR) are being considered. At least two different key issues have been identified that need to be addressed. First, how to coordinate multiple streams of applications from a single UE. Second, how to coordinate multiple streams of applications from multiple UEs. These will be considered below. In this example, these multiple streams can be service streams, which describe and carry media data of one or more media types. From the network's perspective, these multiple streams can be QoS (Quality of Service) streams, which describe and carry media data with set quality of service parameters of one or more media types.

[0110] First, consider how to coordinate multiple flows for a single UE.

[0111] Some advanced XR or media services may include multiple types of streams, such as video / audio streams, and may include haptic and / or sensor data to provide a more immersive experience for the user.

[0112] (Multiple) application clients of different types of data for an application can be located at one UE. In another case, there are multiple types of devices, such as VR glasses, gloves, and other devices that support tactile and / or kinesthetic modalities. These multiple devices can be connected (e.g., via a wired connection) to a single UE that can access 5GS.

[0113] The goal of this key issue is to study how to enhance 5GS to better support the coordinated delivery of application traffic flows that are related to each other and belong to a single UE.

[0114] In particular, this key question may consider whether and how to enable policy enhancements for a single UE so that relevant haptic and multimodal data of an application (e.g., audio, video, and haptic data relevant to a specific time) is delivered to the user at similar times. This may involve elements of Quality of Service (QoS) policy coordination.

[0115] This issue can be further considered for potential enhancements to policy controls to support coordinated processing at the application level.

[0116] In addition, this question may also consider whether and in what manner any interaction between the Application Function (AF) and 5GS is performed to achieve application synchronization and QoS policy coordination among multiple QoS flows of a single UE.

[0117] Second, consider how to coordinate multiple flows of multiple UEs.

[0118] As described above, (multiple) application clients of different types of data for an application can be located at one UE. In another case, there are multiple types of devices, such as VR glasses, gloves, and other devices that support tactile and / or kinesthetic modalities. These multiple devices can be connected (e.g., via a wired connection) to a single UE that can access 5GS.

[0119] In more detail, the 5G system may be configured to support policies for flows associated with applications provided by at least one third party (i.e., not provided by the network operator). The provided policies may include at least one of a plurality of different types of information. For example, the provided policies may include information related to: identification of a set of UEs and / or data flows to which the policy relates, expected QoS treatment, and definition of any triggering events that may lead to implementation of the policy. The policy may be used by a third-party application to coordinate the transmission of flows (e.g., tactile, audio, and video) for multiple UEs of a multimodal communication session.

[0120] Therefore, this key problem aims to study how to enable application synchronization and QoS policy coordination for multimodal data flows among multiple UEs.

[0121] In particular, this second key issue may consider whether and how to enable multiple UEs to deliver relevant tactile and multimodal data (e.g., audio, video, and tactile data related to a specific time) to users through applications at similar times. This may focus on policy control enhancements (e.g., QoS policy coordination).

[0122] The second key issue may further consider potential enhancements to policy controls to support coordinated processing at the application level.

[0123] Finally, the second key question may consider whether and in what way interaction between AF and 5GS is required to coordinate QoS policies among multiple UEs.

[0124] Several approaches have been proposed to address at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0125] For example, one mechanism proposes to define the ability of the radio access network (RAN) to group multiple flows together and provide auxiliary information (based on information provided by the AF) so that the RAN knows that the corresponding flows are grouped. For example, this can be achieved by using a corresponding flow group identifier for each group of multiple flows.

[0126] Another mechanism proposes to configure the RAN to perform admission control on flows belonging to a given group of flows.

[0127] However, none of the proposed mechanisms address any logic for implementing admission control for group flows and / or (multiple) UEs. For example, when a first UE is admitted to a group flow and a second UE cannot be admitted to the group flow, the RAN behavior and / or network behavior is undefined. This may result in unsynchronized playback between different devices receiving different flows.

[0128] In order to address at least one of the above mentioned problems, the following proposes to indicate that certain flows are to be processed jointly, and enables the RAN entity to determine whether it can reserve network resources (eg time and frequency resources) for all these resources.

[0129] In particular, an application function (AF) is provided that is configured to provide flows and UEs that require synchronous delivery and / or joint processing. Based on this, the 5GS can determine the number of flows and (multiple) UEs to be jointly processed. For example, the number of (multiple) flows and / or (multiple) UEs to be jointly processed can be requested by an application function and interpreted by a network function (e.g., NEF, PCF and / or SMF) associated with the 5GC.

[0130] In the following, reference will be made to joint processing of flows and / or UEs. In the present context, "joint processing" means that the network processes multiple flows and / or UEs that are jointly processed together. This means, for example, that when an event occurs that directly affects one of the multiple flows, a decision on subsequent actions is made taking all flows into account and the decision is applied to all flows.

[0131] A Network Openness Function (NEF) is also provided and is configured to forward information related to the number of flows and UE(s) to a Policy Control Function (PCF), which may then provide the information to a Session Management Function (SMF) as part of policy information related to the session.

[0132] When the SMF subsequently requests resource allocation from the RAN (allocating resources for the first flow(s) of a given UE in the group), the SMF can provide the total number of flows and / or (multiple) UEs involved in the group, as well as the flow group ID and the joint admission indication. The RAN can use this information to perform admission control taking into account all flows and / or (multiple) UEs.

[0133] When the RAN successfully performs admission control for the first flow and / or UE, and when the RAN has resources for subsequent flows and / or (multiple) UEs of the admitted group, the RAN may activate the user plane of the first UE / flow, and may also reserve resources for the expected subsequent flows and / or (multiple) UEs of the group for a fixed duration. If the expected subsequent flow and / or (multiple) UE resource request does not arrive within the fixed duration, the RAN may release the resources to avoid resource waste in the network. Such resource release may be performed by a control plane entity in the RAN, which is configured to perform the admission control procedure within the RAN.

[0134] When the RAN successfully performs admission control on the first flow and / or UE, but does not have resources to admit subsequent flows and / or (multiple) UEs of the group, the RAN may reserve resources for the first flow / UE and respond to the SMF by indicating that the RAN can only allocate resources for a single flow / UE. In response to receiving the indication, the SMF and / or PCF may determine whether the single flow / UE resource reservation is acceptable and / or whether to instruct the RAN to release the resources reserved for the first flow / UE. To assist in this signaling, the following also discloses the use of new Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) reason codes by the RAN to appropriately convey success or failure actions related thereto. The determined instructions from the SMF and / or PCF may be signaled to the RAN. After receiving such signaling, the RAN may apply the received instructions.

[0135] Furthermore, if the RAN fails in admission control for a single flow / UE and / or a group(s) of UEs, the RAN may respond to the SMF to indicate a complete failure of admission control.

[0136] refer to Figures 6 to 8 The principles described so far are described in more detail. For clarity and brevity, only the "total number of flows" related to these figures is used below. However, it will be appreciated that this may be replaced by "total number of UEs" and / or "total number of flows and total number of UEs" without further modification of the currently described mechanisms.

[0137] Figure 6The diagram illustrates signaling that may be performed between a RAN entity 601, an access and mobility function (AMF) 602, a session management function (SMF) 603, a policy and control function (PCF) 604, a network exposure function (NEF) 605, and an application function (AF) 605. Figure 6 Not shown, but the RAN 601 may provide network access to at least the first UE, the second UE, and the third UE.

[0138] During 6001, SMF 603, PCF 604, NEF 605 and AF 606 exchange signaling. The signaling of 6001 may involve the AF sending a request to request joint processing of multiple UEs / service flows, the request including an indication of the associated UEs and / or flows in the group. Which flows and / or UEs are associated together may be defined by the application function.

[0139] NEF 605, after receiving the information from AF 606, may interpret the request (e.g., by determining that a group policy is to be generated) and send an authorization request including the flow group information to PCF 604. The authorization request may request the PCF to append the flow group information to policy rules to generate a group policy.

[0140] In response to the authorization request, PCF 604 can generate group policies for the UE / service flows involved and send these policies to the SMFs involved. The policies of the group policy can be preconfigured or dynamic. The policies of the group policy can be based on third-party functional decisions, local policies and / or operator policies. PCF 604 can also determine the total number of QoS flows (and / or the total number of UEs) within the QoS flow group and provide it to SMF 603 (and / or any other SMF 603 that may be involved in these (multiple) sessions). SMF 603 can use this information to determine the QoS flow binding.

[0141] At the end of the signaling at 6001, the SMF 603 may include information related to the identifier of the flow group under consideration (ie, the flow group ID) and the total number of flows forming part of this flow group.

[0142] During 6002, SMF 603 signals AMF 602. The signaling of 6002 may provide configuration information of the QoS flow group to AMF 602. The signaling of 6002 may include a flow group ID and the total number of flows forming part of the flow group. The signaling of 6002 may include a request for a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification. The signaling of 6002 may include a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer application identifier (API) service operation.

[0143] During 6003, the AMF 602 signals the RAN entity 601. The signaling of 6003 may include configuration information for the QoS flow group. The signaling of 6003 may include a flow group ID and the total number of flows that form part of the flow group. The signaling of 6003 may indicate (multiple) first flows / UEs. In the current context, the phrase "(multiple) first flows / UEs" may relate to a subset (i.e., less than all) of the total number of flows of the flow group. These (multiple) first flows / UEs may be used for the first admission by the RAN entity. The (multiple) remaining flows / UEs in the group (i.e., those flows in the flow group that do not belong to the "(multiple) first flows / UEs") may be the subject of subsequent signaling (e.g., subsequent N2 signaling). The signaling of 6003 may include the protocol data unit (PDU) session modification request detailed above with respect to 6002. The signaling of 6003 may be included in an N2 message. An N2 message is a message signaled over an N2 interface. The N2 interface supports control plane signaling between the RAN and the 5G core to cover scenarios related to UE context management, PDU session / resource management procedures. The N2 interface uses the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) between the 5GCN and the access network, and can use the NGAP protocol.

[0144] 6004 to 6007 relate to an example operation in which, after receiving a PDU session modification message 6003 for the first UE in the flow group, the RAN entity 601 performs group admission control on the QoS flow group. Figure 6 In this example, the RAN entity determines the total number of all QoS flows that the RAN entity can admit. The RAN entity can determine the total number of all QoS flows in the group that the RAN entity can admit by using the total number of flows information and (multiple) first flows / UE information.

[0145] During 6004 , the RAN entity 601 configures resources in the user plane for the received flow information of the first UE.

[0146] During 6005, the RAN entity 601 determines the total number of all QoS flows indicated in the signaling of 6003 that the RAN entity 601 can admit, and reserves resources for the remaining number of flows for which the RAN entity 601 has not received a PDU Session Modification Request message.

[0147] During 6006, the RAN entity 601 starts a timer (or similar monitoring mechanism). This is because resource reservations for other (multiple) UEs / flows may be performed for a period of time depending on such a timer value. Therefore, after resource reservation, the RAN node starts a timer. The initial value of such a timer (which defines the total duration measured by the timer) may be RAN internal and / or implementation specific.

[0148] During 6007, the timer of 6006 expires. When the timer expires before the RAN entity 601 receives the PDU session modification message for at least some of the remaining flows, the RAN entity 601 releases the reserved resources for those at least some of the remaining flows. Conversely, when at least one PDU session modification message for the remaining flows is received before the timer expires, the RAN entity 601 configures resources in the user plane based on the reserved resources.

[0149] Figure 7 Another example mechanism is shown in FIG. Figure 7 In this example, after receiving the first PDU session modification message in the N2 message of the first UE, the RAN performs group admission control on the QoS flow group. Figure 6 In contrast to the example Figure 7 In the example of , the RAN entity determines that the RAN entity can admit flows associated with the first user equipment, but cannot admit flows associated with the remaining user equipment / flows.

[0150] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates signaling that may be performed between a RAN entity 701, an access and mobility function (AMF) 702, a session management function (SMF) 703, a policy and control function (PCF) 704, a network exposure function (NEF) 705, and an application function (AF) 706. Figure 7 Not shown, but the RAN 701 may provide network access to at least the first UE, the second UE, and the third UE.

[0151] During 7001, SMF 703, PCF 704, NEF 705 and AF 706 exchange signaling. The signaling of 7001 may involve the AF sending a request to request joint processing of multiple UEs / traffic flows, the request including an indication of the associated UEs and / or flows in the group.

[0152] After receiving the information from AF 706, NEF 705 may interpret the request and send an authorization request including flow group information to PCF 704.

[0153] In response to the authorization request, PCF 704 may generate group policies for the UE / service flows involved and send these policies to the SMFs involved. PCF 704 may also determine the total number of QoS flows (and / or the total number of UEs) within the QoS flow group and provide it to SMF 703 (and / or any other SMF 703 that may be involved in these (multiple) sessions). SMF 703 may use this information to determine QoS flow binding.

[0154] At the end of the signaling at 7001, the SMF 703 may include information related to the identifier of the flow group under consideration (ie, the flow group ID) and the total number of flows forming part of the flow group.

[0155] During 7002, SMF 703 signals AMF 702. The signaling of 7002 may provide configuration information of the QoS flow group to AMF 702. The signaling of 7002 may include a flow group ID and the total number of flows forming part of the flow group. The signaling of 7002 may include a request for a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification. The signaling of 7002 may include a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer application identifier (API) service operation.

[0156] During 7003, the AMF 702 signals the RAN entity 701. The signaling of 7003 may include configuration information of the QoS flow group. The signaling of 7003 may include a flow group ID and the total number of flows forming part of the flow group. The signaling of 7003 may include a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification request as detailed above with respect to 7002. The signaling of 7003 may be included in an N2 message.

[0157] 7004 to 7010 relate to an example where only the network entity 701 determines that it can only reserve resources for a portion of the total number of flows indicated in the signaling of 7003, where the portion is less than one.

[0158] During 7004, the RAN entity 701 reserves resources for flows associated with the first UE.

[0159] During 7005, the RAN entity signals AMF 702. The signaling of 7005 may include an N2 message. The signaling of 7005 may be related to session management and may indicate that admission of all flows indicated during 7003 is not possible. This indication may be provided by a new cause code (e.g., via NGAP).

[0160] The signaling of 7005 may include a flow group identifier, an indication that at least one flow in the flow group cannot be admitted, and an indication that at least one service in the flow group can be admitted. When the RAN entity 701 can reserve resources for the flow, the flow is considered to be admitted. The reserved resources may be a data bearer for sending a service flow to a user of the flow. The signaling of 7005 may include any other information that can be used to assist the core network entity in determining a responsive action to the signaling.

[0161] During 7006, the AMF 702 signals the SMF 703. This signaling of 7005 may include the information discussed above with respect to the signaling of 7005. The signaling of 7006 may include the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext API service operation.

[0162] 7007 is performed when PCF 704 is subscribed to receive updates related to the flow from SMF 703. During 7007, SMF 703 and PCF 704 exchange signaling. In the signaling, SMF 703 informs PCF 704 that the RAN entity cannot reserve resources for all flows. The signaling of 7007 may include the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update service operation. The signaling of 7008 may include the information provided during 7007.

[0163] During the signaling at 7007, the SMF 703 and / or PCF 704 may determine a corresponding action to be taken by the RAN entity 701, given that the RAN entity cannot reserve resources for all flows. A corresponding example action is to accept admission of only a subset of the flow group. Another corresponding example action is to deny admission of only a subset of the flow group by requesting the release of currently reserved resources.

[0164] During 7008, SMF 703 signals AMF 702. The signaling of 7008 may include an indication of the corresponding action determined during 7007. The signaling of 7008 may include a flow group ID. The signaling of 7008 may include a PDU session modification message. The signaling of 7008 may include a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer API service operation.

[0165] During 7009, the AMF 702 signals the RAN entity 701. This signaling of 7009 may include the information provided during 7008. The signaling of 7009 may include an N2 message.

[0166] During 7010, the RAN entity 701 applies the corresponding action indicated during 7009. For example, the RAN entity 701 may release reserved resources or configure resources for the first user equipment. The RAN entity 701 may maintain reserved resources for the admitted flows. In this case, execution Figure 6 6006 and 6007.

[0167] Figure 8 Another example mechanism is shown in FIG. Figure 8 In this example, after receiving the first PDU session modification message in the N2 message of the first UE, the RAN performs group admission control on the QoS flow group. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In contrast to the example Figure 8 In the example of , the RAN entity determines that the RAN entity cannot admit any flow indicated in the group admission control request.

[0168] Figure 8 The diagram illustrates signaling that may be performed between a RAN entity 801, an access and mobility function (AMF) 802, a session management function (SMF) 803, a policy and control function (PCF) 804, a network exposure function (NEF) 805, and an application function (AF) 806. Figure 8 Not shown, but RAN 801 may provide network access to at least the first UE, the second UE, and the third UE.

[0169] During 8001, SMF 803, PCF 804, NEF 805 and AF 806 exchange signaling. The signaling of 8001 may involve the AF sending a request to request joint processing of multiple UEs / traffic flows, the request including an indication of the associated UEs and / or flows in the group.

[0170] After receiving the information from AF 806, NEF 805 may interpret the request and send an authorization request including flow group information to PCF 804.

[0171] In response to the authorization request, PCF 804 may generate group policies for the UE / service flows involved and send these policies to the SMFs involved. PCF 804 may also determine the total number of QoS flows (and / or the total number of UEs) within the QoS flow group and provide it to SMF 803 (and / or any other SMF 803 that may be involved in these (multiple) sessions). SMF 803 may use this information to determine QoS flow binding.

[0172] At the end of the signaling at 8001, the SMF 803 may include information related to the identifier of the flow group under consideration (i.e., the flow group ID) and the total number of flows forming part of this flow group.

[0173] During 8002, SMF 803 signals AMF 802. The signaling at 8002 may provide configuration information of the QoS flow group to AMF 802. The signaling at 8002 may include a flow group ID and a total number of flows forming part of the flow group. The signaling at 8002 may include a request for a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification. The signaling at 8002 may include a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer application identifier (API) service operation.

[0174] During 8003, the AMF 802 signals the RAN entity 801. The signaling of 8003 may include configuration information of the QoS flow group. The signaling of 8003 may include the flow group ID and the total number of flows forming part of the flow group. The signaling of 8003 may include the protocol data unit (PDU) session modification request detailed above with respect to 8002. The signaling of 8003 may be included in the N2 message.

[0175] 8004 to 8007 relate to an example in which only the RAN entity 801 determines that the RAN entity cannot admit any flow indicated in the group admission control request.

[0176] During 8004, the RAN entity 801 determines that it cannot admit the flow of the first user equipment. This means that the RAN entity 801 does not reserve any resources for the flow of the first user equipment.

[0177] During 8005, the RAN entity 801 signals the AMF 802. During this signaling at 8009, the RAN entity 801 indicates that the RAN entity 801 cannot reserve any resources for the entire flow group identifier by flow group identifier. The signaling at 8005 may include the flow group identifier. The signaling at 8005 may include an explicit indication that the entire flow group cannot be admitted. The signaling at 8005 may include an N2 message.

[0178] During 8006, AMF 802 signals SMF 803. The signaling of 8006 may inform SMF that RAN entity 801 cannot admit the entire flow group. For example, the signaling of 8006 may include information indicated with respect to 8005. The signaling of 8006 may include a Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext API service operation.

[0179] During 8007, SMF 803 signals PCF 804. The signaling of 8007 may inform PCF that RAN entity 801 cannot admit the entire flow group. For example, the signaling of 8007 may include the information of 8006. The signaling of 8007 may include the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Notify service operation. 8007 may be performed only when PCF 804 has subscribed to receive this information from SMF 803.

[0180] exist Figures 6 to 8 In all of the above examples, it can be understood that the information included in any of the above signaling received by the core network entity (e.g., SMF and / or PCF) can be signaled to the AF via the NEF.

[0181] It should be understood that although the present disclosure is built in terms of extended reality (XR) services, the present principles can be applied to any application / service that utilizes joint processing of multiple streams, such as in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications.

[0182] Figures 9 to 11 The diagrams illustrate example operations that can be performed by the apparatus described herein, and highlight various aspects of the above examples. Therefore, it can be understood that the above features can find corresponding relationships in these example operations, and more specific examples of how to implement these features can be provided.

[0183] Fig. 9 Operations that may be performed by a radio access network entity are illustrated.The radio access network entity / RAN apparatus may be a control plane entity that facilitates the admission procedure between the core network and the user equipment.

[0184] During 901, the RAN entity receives from the network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipments whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipments, and a subset of the first number of data streams and / or user equipments for which resources are to be configured. The subset may be identified or otherwise indicated in the signaling of 901.

[0185] During 902, the RAN entity determines whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data flows and / or user equipments.

[0186] During 903, the RAN entity signals the result of the above determination to the network function.

[0187] The result of the above determination may be that all reserved resources may be for the above first number of data flows and / or user equipments. In this case, the RAN entity may: configure a first portion of the above resources included in the above subset; reserve a second portion of the above resources for all data flows and / or user equipments in the above first number of data flows and / or user equipments that are not included in the above subset; start a timer when reserving the above second portion of the above resources; and release any reserved resources in the above reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment when the above timer expires.

[0188] The result of the above determination may be that resources may be reserved only for the subset. In this case, the RAN entity may: reserve the above resources for at least a subset of the above data flows and / or user equipments.

[0189] The RAN entity may: start a timer when reserving the above resources; and release any reserved resources among the above reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment when the above timer expires.

[0190] The RAN entity may, after the signaling to the network function, receive an instruction from the network function to release the reserved resources; and release the reserved resources in response to receiving the instruction.

[0191] The result of the above determination may be that resources cannot be reserved for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment. In this case, the RAN entity may abandon reserving and / or configuring resources for any of the above data flows and / or user equipment.

[0192] Fig.10 The diagram illustrates operations that can be performed by the first network function. The first network function can be the above combined Fig. 9 The network functions mentioned. Therefore, Fig.10 The device can communicate with Fig. 9 device interaction.

[0193] During 1001, the first network function receives from the second network function a first indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and a subset of the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0194] During 1002, the first network function signals the above-mentioned first indication to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function.

[0195] During 1003, the first network function receives from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function a second indication whether the radio access network entity can reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least the subset.

[0196] The second network function may be at least one of the following: an application function; a network open function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

[0197] The first network function may be at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

[0198] The third network function may be at least one of: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

[0199] The second indication may indicate that resources are configured for a subset of the above (multiple) data streams and / or user equipment and resources may be reserved for the remaining subset of the above data streams and / or user equipment in the first set, and the method includes: signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0200] The second indication may indicate that resources may be reserved for the subset of the data flows and / or user equipment. In this case, the first network function may signal the second indication to the second network function.

[0201] The first network function may signal an instruction to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function to configure the reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the data flows and / or user equipment of the first number of data flows and / or user equipment that are not included in the subset.

[0202] The first network function may signal an instruction to release the reserved resources to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or the third network function.

[0203] The second indication may indicate that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments, and the method comprises: signaling the second indication to the second network function.

[0204] Fig.11 The diagram illustrates the operations that can be performed by the application function. The application function can be combined with Fig.10 The second network function mentioned, and thus can be used with Fig.10 first network function interaction (in some examples).

[0205] During 1101, the application function signals to the first network function an indication of a first number of data streams and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the above-mentioned first number of data streams to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the first number of data streams and / or user equipment, and the above-mentioned first number of data streams and / or user equipment for which resources are to be configured.

[0206] Figure 2An example of a control device for a communication system is shown, for example, coupled to and / or used to control a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, such as a base station, gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network, such as an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity, such as a spectrum management entity, or a server or host, such as a device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc. The control device may be integrated with a node or module of the core network or RAN, or located externally thereto. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control device 200 may be arranged to provide control of communications in a service area of ​​the system. The device 200 includes at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203, and an input / output interface 204. Via the interface, the control device may be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the device. The receiver and / or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the control device 200 or the processor 201 may be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functionality.

[0207] Now refer to Figure 3 describing in more detail possible wireless communication devices, Figure 3 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 300 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. Suitable mobile communication devices can be provided by any device that can send and receive radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device, such as a mobile phone or a so-called 'smart phone', a computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (such as a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer equipped with wireless communication functions, or any combination of these, etc. The mobile communication device can provide, for example, communication for carrying data such as voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, a user can be given and provided with a variety of services via his communication device. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system (such as the Internet). Users can also be provided with broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms and other information.

[0208] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location; or a fixed device. A wireless device may or may not require human interaction to communicate. As used herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0209] The wireless device 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the wireless device, the transceiver arrangement is schematically represented by a block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0210] The wireless device is typically equipped with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302 and possibly other components 303 for software and hardware assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other related control means may be provided on appropriate circuit boards and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The user may control the operation of the wireless device by means of a suitable user interface such as a keypad 305, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, etc. A display 308, a speaker and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the wireless communication device may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (e.g., a hands-free device).

[0211] Figure 4 Schematic representations of non-volatile storage media 400a (e.g., a computer compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 402 that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform Fig. 9 methods, and / or Fig.10 methods, and / or Fig.11 The method of, and / or one or more of the steps of a method otherwise described previously.

[0212] As described herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of the examples and in the claims. Generally, some examples may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the examples are not limited thereto. Although various examples may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0213] These examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, in this regard, it should be noted that any process (e.g. Fig. 9 process, and / or Fig.10 process, and / or Fig.11 The software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disk, and optical media such as DVD and its data variants CD, etc.

[0214] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0215] Alternatively or additionally, some examples may be implemented using a circuit system. The circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the previously described functions and / or method steps. The circuit system may be provided in a base station and / or a communication device and / or a core network entity.

[0216] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0217] (a) Pure hardware circuits (such as analog and / or digital circuits);

[0218] (b) A combination of hardware circuits and software, such as:

[0219] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0220] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software and memory(s) that work together to cause an apparatus (such as a communication device or base station) to perform the various functions previously described;

[0221] as well as

[0222] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but which may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0223] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term "component" in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0224] The above description provides a complete and informative description of some examples by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the above description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such and similar modifications to these teachings will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0225] In the above, different examples are described using radio access architectures based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G) as examples of access architectures to which the described techniques may be applied, however, the examples are not limited to such architectures. By appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures, these examples may also be applied to other types of communication networks with appropriate means. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0226] Figure 5 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, showing only some elements and functional entities, all of which are logical units, the implementation of which may differ from what is shown. Figure 5 The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the system typically also includes Figure 5 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0227] However, the examples are not limited to the systems given as examples, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems having the necessary properties.

[0228] Figure 5 The example of FIG. 4 shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network may support sidelink communications as described in more detail below.

[0229] Figure 5 Devices 500 and 502 are shown. Devices 500 and 502 are configured to be wirelessly connected to a node 504 on one or more communication channels. Node 504 is also connected to a core network 506. In one example, node 504 may be an access node, such as an (e / g)NodeB that provides services for devices in a cell. In one example, node 504 may be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from a device to a (e / g)NodeB is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, while the physical link from a (e / g)NodeB to a device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that (e / g)NodeB or its functions may be implemented using entities such as any node, host, server, or access point suitable for such use.

[0230] A communication system typically includes more than one (e / g)NodeB, in which case the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. A (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. A NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device, including a relay station that may operate in a wireless environment. The (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection to an antenna unit is provided, which establishes a bidirectional radio link to the device. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. The (e / g)NodeB is also connected to a core network 506 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the deployed technology, the (e / g)NodeB is connected to a serving and packet data network gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or a user plane function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets, and for providing the device with connectivity to one or more external packet data networks, and to a mobility management entity (MME) or an access mobility management function (AMF) for controlling access and mobility of the device.

[0231] Examples of devices are subscriber units, user equipment, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, etc.

[0232] The device generally refers to a mobile or static device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (alarm or measurement devices, etc.), laptops and / or touch screen computers, tablets, game consoles, notebook computers, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that the device can also be an almost exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to the network. The device can also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, in which case objects can transmit data on the network without human-to-human interaction or human-to-computer interaction, for example for smart grids and connected vehicles. The device can also use the cloud. In some applications, the device may include a user-portable device with a radio component (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses), and the calculation is performed in the cloud.

[0233] The device illustrates a type of device to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, so any features of the device described herein can be implemented with corresponding means, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) toward a base station. The device (or, in some examples, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of the user equipment functions.

[0234] Various techniques described in this article can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of cooperating computing elements that control physical entities). CPS can enable the implementation and utilization of a large number of interconnected information and communication technologies, ICTs, devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects in different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems, where the physical system in question has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0235] Furthermore, although the apparatus is depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units (not all of which are present in the Figure 5 ) can be implemented.

[0236] 5G enables the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that operate in cooperation with smaller sites and use various radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different data sharing methods and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control). 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, such as below 6 GHz or above 24 GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing traditional radio access technologies (such as LTE). At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be implemented as a system in which macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G plans to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz-cmWave, 6 or above 24GHz-cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnets (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0237] LTE network architecture is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low latency applications and services in 5G require content to be close to the radio, which leads to local bursting and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation to be performed at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that may not be continuously connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It can also store and process content close to cellular subscribers for faster response times. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networks and processing (also categorized as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing), dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analysis, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0238] The communication system may also communicate with other networks 512, such as a public switched telephone network, a VoIP network, the Internet, or a private network, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network may also support the use of cloud services, for example, at least a portion of the core network operations may be performed as a cloud service (this is in the Figure 5 514). When performed away from the core network, this may also be referred to as edge computing. The communication system may also include a central control entity that provides facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate, for example, in spectrum sharing.

[0239] Edge computing technology can be introduced into the radio access network (RAN) by leveraging network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). The use of edge cloud technology can mean that access node operations are at least partially performed in a server, host or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head or base station including radio components. Node operations can also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed at or near the remote antenna site (in the distributed unit DU 508), while non-real-time functions can be performed in a centralized manner (in the centralized unit CU 510).

[0240] It should also be understood that the division of work between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are big data and all-IP, which can change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures where edge computing servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). An example of edge computing is MEC, as defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. It should be understood that MEC (and other edge computing protocols) can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0241] 5G can also make use of satellite communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G services, for example by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are to provide service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or passengers on board, mobile broadband (MBB), or to ensure service availability for critical communications and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can make use of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Each satellite in a mega-constellation can cover several satellite-enabled network entities creating ground cells. Ground cells can be created by ground relay nodes, or by gNBs located on the ground or in satellites.

[0242] The depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, and in practice, the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, which may access multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one of the (e / g)NodeBs may be a home (e / g)nodeB. In addition, in a geographical area of ​​the radio communication system, multiple different kinds of radio cells and multiple radio cells may be provided. A radio cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell, which typically has a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or a smaller cell, such as a micro cell, a femto cell or a pico cell. Figure 5 The (e / g)NodeB can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network comprising several types of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network, an access node.

Claims

1. A method for a radio access network entity, the method comprising: receiving from a network function an indication of a first number of data flows forming part of a flow group and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the flow group of the data flows to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the data flows of the flow group and / or the user equipment, and an indication of a subset of the data flows of the flow group and / or the user equipment for which resources are to be configured; determining whether the radio access network entity is able to reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least a subset of the data flows and / or the user equipments; as well as A result of the determination is signaled to the network function.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the result of the determination is that all reserved resources can be provided for the data streams and / or the user equipments forming part of the stream group, the method comprising: configuring a first portion of the resources for the data flows and / or the data flows included in the subset of user equipments; reserving a second portion of the resources for all data streams included in the stream group and / or the user equipment and not included in the data streams in the subset and / or data associated with the user equipment; starting a timer while reserving the second portion of the resource; as well as Upon expiration of the timer, any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment are released.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the result of the determining is that resources can be reserved only for a subset of the data flows, the method comprising: The resources are reserved for at least the data flows and / or the subset of the user equipments.

4. The method according to claim 3, comprising: starting a timer when the resource is reserved; as well as Upon expiration of the timer, any of the reserved resources that have not been configured at the user equipment are released.

5. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 4, comprising: After said signaling said network function: receiving an instruction from the network function to release the reserved resources; as well as The reserved resources are released in response to receiving the instruction.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the result of the determining is that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or the user equipments in the flow group.

7. A method for a first network function of a communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a second network function, a first indication of a first number of data flows forming part of a flow group and / or user equipment whose communications are to be jointly processed, an identifier of the flow group of the data flows to be jointly processed, an indicator that joint processing is to be performed on the data flows and / or user equipment of the flow group, and a subset of the data flows and / or user equipment of the flow group for which resources are to be configured; signaling the first indication to at least one of a radio access network entity and / or a third network function; as well as A second indication is received from at least one of the radio access network entity and / or a third network function whether the radio access network entity is able to reserve sufficient resources for jointly processing at least the subset of the data flows.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second network function is at least one of the following: an application function; a network opening function; a policy control function; and / or a session management function.

9. The method according to claims 7 to 8, wherein the first network function is at least one of: a network opening function; a policy control function; a session management function; and / or an access and mobility function.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the third network function is at least one of the following: a policy control function; a session management function; an access and mobility function; and / or an application function.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second indication indicates that resources are configured for the subset of the data streams and / or the user equipments, and resources can be reserved for the remaining subset of the data streams and / or the user equipments in the stream group, the method comprising: The second indication is signaled to the second network function.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second indication indicates that resources can be reserved for a subset of the data stream and / or the user equipment, the method comprising: The second indication is signaled to the second network function.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising: signaling an instruction to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or a third network function to configure the reserved resources for at least a subset and / or all of the first number of data flows and / or user equipment that are not included in the subset.

14. The method according to claim 12, comprising: An instruction to release the reserved resources is signaled to at least one of the radio access network entity and / or a third network function.

15. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second indication indicates that resources cannot be reserved for any of the data flows and / or user equipments in the flow group, the method comprising: The second indication is signaled to the second network function.

16. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

17. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

18. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code for a first network function, wherein the code, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 7 to 15.

19. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 15.

20. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code for a first network function, wherein the code, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 7 to 15.

21. A computer program or non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

22. A computer program or non-transitory computer readable medium comprising code for a first network function, wherein the code, when executed by a device, causes the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 7 to 15.

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