Idle time and idle zone determination method and device and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides an idle time and idle zone determination method and device and a computer readable storage medium, the method is applied to an NWDAF network element, and the method comprises the following steps: determining an access network device and a UPF network element corresponding to a first terminal device according to position information of the first terminal device; according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network equipment, the idle time and the idle area corresponding to the first access network equipment are predicted, the first load capacity is the load capacity required by the first terminal equipment to process services, and the first access network equipment is the access network equipment corresponding to any first terminal equipment; predicting idle time and an idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and historical load information of the UPF network element; and according to the idle time and the idle area corresponding to the first access network equipment and the UPF network element, determining an idle time window for the first terminal equipment to process the service and an idle area list corresponding to the first idle time window. By adopting the method, the idle time can be accurately determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of terminal communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for determining idle time and idle area, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G), the application scope of 5G networks is becoming wider and wider, resulting in an increasing number of services that need to be processed by 5G networks. In the case where the resources required for services are large and the network is relatively busy, processing these services is likely to cause network congestion. Therefore, for services that require a large amount of resources but have a low requirement for service quality, users can determine the idle time of the network based on experience, so that these services can be processed during the idle time of the network. However, since the idle time of the network is determined by users based on experience, the accuracy is relatively low. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, in view of the above technical problems, it is necessary to provide a method and apparatus for determining idle time and idle area, and a computer-readable storage medium that can accurately determine the idle time.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a method for determining idle time and idle area, which is applied to a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network element. The method includes:

[0005] Determine an access network device and a User Plane Function (UPF) network element corresponding to a first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device, where the first terminal device is any terminal device corresponding to a service;

[0006] Predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, where the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device;

[0007] Predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element;

[0008] Determine a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device, and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, where the first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first list of idle areas is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0009] Second aspect, the present application further provides a method for determining idle time and idle area, which is applied to a Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element. The method includes:

[0010] Receiving a service request from an Application Function (AF) network element, where the service request includes a service identifier, a slice identifier, and the identifier and location information of a terminal device;

[0011] Sending an analysis subscription request to a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network element, where the analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, the service identifier, the slice identifier, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device. The idle analysis identifier is an identifier of a service for analyzing idle time and idle area, and is used for the NWDAF network element to determine the access network device and User Plane Function (UPF) network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device, predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element, and determine a first idle time window and a first idle area list according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element. The first terminal device is any terminal device in the terminal devices, the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service corresponding to the service identifier, the first access network device is any access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, the first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first idle area list is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0012] Third aspect, the present application further provides an apparatus for determining idle time and idle area, which is applied to a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network element. The apparatus includes:

[0013] A first determination unit, configured to determine the access network device and User Plane Function (UPF) network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device, where the first terminal device is any terminal device corresponding to the service;

[0014] A first prediction unit, configured to predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, where the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first access network device is any access network device corresponding to the first terminal device;

[0015] A second prediction unit, configured to predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and historical load information of the UPF network element;

[0016] A second determination unit, configured to determine a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device, and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, where the first idle time window is an idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first list of idle areas is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides an idle time and idle area determination device, which is applied to a Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element. The device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit, under the control of the processing unit, is configured to:

[0018] Receive a service request from an Application Function (AF) network element, where the service request includes a service identifier, a slice identifier, and an identifier and location information of a terminal device;

[0019] Send an analysis subscription request to a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network element. The analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, the service identifier, the slice identifier, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device. The idle analysis identifier is an identifier of a service for analyzing idle time and idle areas, and is used for the NWDAF network element to determine an access network device and a User Plane Function (UPF) network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device, predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to a first load capacity and historical load information of the first access network device, predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element, and determine a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device, and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element. The first terminal device is any one of the terminal devices, the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service corresponding to the service identifier, the first access network device is any one of the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device, the first idle time window is an idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first list of idle areas is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0020] Fifth aspect, the present application further provides a device for determining idle time and idle area. The device for determining idle time and idle area may be an NWDAF network element. The device for determining idle time and idle area includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the steps of the method provided in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect are implemented.

[0021] Sixth aspect, the present application further provides a device for determining idle time and idle area. The device for determining idle time and idle area may be a NEF network element. The device for determining idle time and idle area includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the steps of the method provided in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect are implemented.

[0022] Seventh aspect, the present application further provides a system for determining idle time and idle area. The system for determining idle time and idle area includes the devices for determining idle time and idle area provided in the fifth aspect and the sixth aspect.

[0023] Eighth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the above-mentioned various methods are implemented.

[0024] Ninth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the above-mentioned various methods are implemented.

[0025] In this application, the NWDAF network element determines the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device, predicts the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, predicts the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element, and determines the first idle time window and the first idle area list according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element. The first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service. The first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device. The first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service. The first idle area list is the list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window. It can be seen that the NWDAF network element can determine the idle time window and the idle area list for the terminal device to process the service according to the load capacity required for the terminal device to process the service, the historical load information of the access network device, and the historical load information of the UPF network element. Since the load capacity required for the service and the resource conditions of the access network device and the core network device are considered simultaneously, the accuracy of the determined idle time window and idle area list can be improved. In addition, the NWDAF network element can realize the automatic determination of the idle time window and the idle area list, reduce user participation, and thus improve the determination efficiency of the idle time window and the idle area list. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or related technologies, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application or related technologies. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining idle time and idle area provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of another method for determining idle time and idle area provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another method for determining idle time and idle area provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 5Schematic structural diagram of an idle time and idle area determination device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of another idle time and idle area determination device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 7 Schematic structural diagram of yet another idle time and idle area determination device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, and are not used to limit the present application.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present disclosure and the above accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such used data may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0036] The present application provides an idle time and idle area determination method, device and computer-readable storage medium that can accurately determine idle time.

[0037] To better understand the embodiments of the present application, the network architecture of the present application will be described first below.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1As shown, the network architecture may include a User Equipment (UE), a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, a Charging Function (CHF) network element, an Application Function (AF) network element, a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network element, a Network Repository Function (NRF) network element, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element, an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) network element, and an Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM).

[0039] The UE can communicate directly with the RAN device. The UE can communicate with the AMF network element through the N1 interface. The RAN device can communicate with the AMF network element through the N2 interface. The RAN device can communicate with the UPF network element through the N3 interface. The UPF network element can communicate with the SMF network element through the N4 interface. The AMF network element can provide a service-based interface Namf, the CHF network element can provide a service-based interface Nchf, the AF network element can provide a service-based interface Naf, the PCF network element can provide a service-based interface Npcf, the SMF network element can provide a service-based interface Nsmf, the UDM network element can provide a service-based interface Nudm, the NWDAF network element can provide a service-based interface Nnwdaf, the NRF network element can provide a service-based interface Nnrf, the NEF network element can provide a service-based interface Nnef, and the AUSF network element can provide a service-based interface Nausf. The AMF network element, CHF network element, AF network element, PCF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, NWDAF network element, NRF network element, NEF network element, and AUSF network element can communicate with each other through service-based interfaces. The NWDAF network element can communicate directly with the OAM.

[0040] A UE can be referred to as a terminal device, a Mobile Station (MS), a Mobile Terminal (MT), etc. It is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. The terminal device can be a handheld terminal, a laptop computer, a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, or a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminal, a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed train, etc.), a Virtual Reality (VR) device, an Augmented Reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a TV, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), a smart robot, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flight device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane, etc.) or other devices that can access the network.

[0041] RAN devices are devices that provide wireless access to UEs, mainly responsible for functions such as radio resource management on the air interface side, Quality of Service (QoS) flow management, data compression, and encryption. RAN devices can include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. RAN devices can also include WiFi access nodes (Access Point, AP). RAN devices can also include Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) base stations (Base Station, BS).

[0042] The UPF network element is mainly responsible for user plane-related content, such as packet routing and transmission, mobility anchor points, uplink classifiers to support routing traffic flows to data networks, branch points to support multi-homed Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, packet detection, traffic usage reporting, QoS processing, lawful interception, downlink packet storage, etc.

[0043] The AMF network element can be responsible for processing service logic, responsible for label registration, connection management, registration process, mobility management, access authentication and authorization management, reachability management, security context management, selection of the SMF network element, and other access and mobility-related functions.

[0044] The CHF network element can be responsible for charging-related content.

[0045] The AF network element mainly supports interaction with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network to provide services, to affect traffic flow routing, access network capability opening, policy control, etc., and can interact with network elements such as the NEF network element. The AF network element is similar to an application server and can exist for different application services and can be owned by the operator or a trusted third party.

[0046] The PCF network element can be responsible for unified policy formulation, provision of policy control, and obtaining subscription information related to policy decisions from the Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element and other policy-related functions, and receiving data flow policies sent by the intelligent module. The provision of policy control can include providing traffic flow and application detection-based, gating, QoS, and flow-based charging control, etc.

[0047] The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, selection and control of the UPF network element, selection of the Service and Session Continuity (SSC) mode, roaming, and other session-related functions. Session management can include session establishment, modification, release, update, etc. Session management can also include tunnel maintenance between the UPF network element and the Access Network (AN) device.

[0048] The UDM network element is responsible for subscription data management and security management, responsible for UE authorization information, responsible for generating the UE's capability list, and storing the UE's capability list.

[0049] The NWDAF network element provides network data collection and analysis functions based on technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, and provides valuable insights to service providers.

[0050] The NRF network element is mainly responsible for the service discovery function, maintaining the NF profiles of available Network Function (NF) instances and the services they support.

[0051] The NEF network element is between the core network and external third-party application functions (and may also include some internal AF network elements). It is mainly responsible for securely providing services and capabilities of 3GPP network functions, with internal opening or opening to third parties, etc. The NEF network element provides corresponding security guarantees to ensure the security of external applications accessing the 3GPP network, and provides functions such as external application QoS customization capability opening, mobility status event subscription, and AF request distribution.

[0052] The AUSF network element can be responsible for authenticating and authorizing the access of the UE, such as generating intermediate keys, etc.

[0053] According to the actual needs of the operator's network operation, OAM divides the network management work into three categories: operation, management, and maintenance. OAM can also be called an OAM entity or an OAM platform.

[0054] Each of the above network elements in the core network can also be called a functional entity, which can be a network element implemented on dedicated hardware, a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or an instance of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the above virtualization platform can be a cloud platform.

[0055] It should be noted that Figure 1 The network architecture shown is not limited to only including the network elements and devices shown in the figure, and may also include other network elements or devices not shown in the figure. Specifically, the present invention will not list them one by one here.

[0056] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the distribution form of each network element in the core network. Figure 1 The shown distribution form is only exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] It should be understood that the names of all network elements in the present invention are only examples. In future communications, such as in the 6th Generation Mobile Networks (6G), they may also be called other names, or in future communications, such as in 6G, the network elements involved in the present invention may also be replaced by other entities or devices with the same functions, etc., and the present invention is not limited thereto. This is explained uniformly here and will not be elaborated further later.

[0058] It should be noted that Figure 1 the shown 5G network architecture does not constitute a limitation to the 5G network. Optionally, the method of the embodiments of the present invention is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G or other communication networks, etc.

[0059] To better understand the embodiments of the present application, the related technologies will be described first below.

[0060] With the close integration of 5G technology and the vehicle networking, advanced applications such as vehicle-mounted communication and autonomous driving are becoming increasingly rich. Among them, the over-the-air (OTA) upgrade of the in-vehicle operating system of vehicle networking services, as a typical vehicle networking service scenario, has characteristics such as high bandwidth and high concurrency. However, the OTA upgrade has certain requirements for the load of the access network and the core network. Before conducting an OTA upgrade, vehicle manufacturers need to communicate with operators in advance and release upgrade patches to upgrade the vehicle during the regular time periods of light network load according to experience, that is, during the idle time of the network (such as early morning). However, since the light network load situation is determined according to experience, there may be deviations, which may affect the normal services of the access network and the core network. In addition, the entire upgrade process requires the participation and cooperation of multiple parties, resulting in low efficiency.

[0061] Based on the above network architecture, Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining idle time and idle area provided by an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the method for determining idle time and idle area is described from the perspective of the NWDAF network element. As Figure 2 shown, the method for determining idle time and idle area may include the following steps.

[0062] 201. Determine the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device.

[0063] The first terminal device is any terminal device corresponding to the service, that is, any one of the terminal devices required to execute or process the service.

[0064] The location information of the terminal device is the information of the location of the terminal device, that is, the information of the current location where the terminal device is located.

[0065] Based on the location information of the first terminal device, the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device can be determined.

[0066] Based on the location information of the first terminal device, the current access network device of the first terminal device and the access network devices whose distances from the first terminal device are less than or equal to a preset distance can be determined, so as to obtain the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device. It can be seen that the current access network device of the first terminal device and the access network devices whose distances from the first terminal device are less than or equal to the preset distance can be determined as the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device. That is, the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device can include the current access network device of the first terminal device and the access network devices whose distances from the first terminal device are less than or equal to the preset distance. The current access network device of the first terminal device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is currently connected, that is, the access network device that is currently serving the first terminal device.

[0067] Based on the location information of the first terminal device, the current location of the first terminal device can be determined. Based on the current location of the first terminal device, the current access network device of the first terminal device and the access network devices whose distances from the first terminal device are less than or equal to the preset distance can be determined.

[0068] Based on the current location of the first terminal device, the UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device can be determined. The UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device is the local UPF network element in the UPF network elements corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0069] 202. Predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device.

[0070] The first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0071] The first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process this service. The first load capacity can be configured by the user or determined by the NWDAF network element.

[0072] The first load capacity can include the first bandwidth and the first duration. The first bandwidth is the bandwidth required for the first terminal device to process this service. The first duration is the duration required for the first terminal device to process this service.

[0073] The historical load information of the first access network device is the information of the historical load of the first access network device, that is, the information of the load of the first access network device before.

[0074] The load information may include one or more of resource status information, total resource information, resource utilization information, remaining resource information, and used resource information (i.e., occupied resource information). The resource status information is information about the resource status. The resource status can be available or unavailable. When the resource status is available, it indicates that the resource can be used, that is, the terminal device can use these resources. When the resource status is unavailable, it indicates that the resource cannot be used, that is, the terminal device cannot use these resources. The total resource information is information about the total resources, that is, information about the overall resources. The used resource information is information about the resources that have been used. The remaining resource information is information about the resources that have not been used, that is, information about the idle resources. The resource utilization information is information about the resource utilization rate, that is, information about the ratio between the used resources and the total resources, that is, information about the proportion of the used resources in the total resources.

[0075] The idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device can be understood as the time and area during which the first access network device can be used to transmit data of this service to the first terminal device, or can be understood as the time and area during which the first access network device can be used for the first terminal device to process this service, or can also be understood as the time during which the first access network device can be used to transmit data of this service to the first terminal device and the tracking area (TA) corresponding to this time, or can also be understood as the TA corresponding to the first access network device being able to transmit data of this service to the first terminal device and the time corresponding to this TA. It can be seen that there is a corresponding relationship between the idle time corresponding to the first access network device and the idle area corresponding to the first access network device.

[0076] The idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device may include one or more idle times and one or more idle areas. One idle time can correspond to one idle area among these one or more idle areas, or can also correspond to multiple idle areas among these one or more idle areas. One idle area can correspond to one idle time among one or more idle times, or can also correspond to multiple idle times among these one or more idle times.

[0077] The idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device can be predicted based on the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, that is, the idle time and idle area of the first access network device that meet the first load capacity can be predicted based on the historical load information of the first access network device.

[0078] It should be understood that when predicting the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device based on the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, if the first access network device also belongs to the access network device corresponding to other terminal devices, the total load capacity needs to be considered. The total load capacity may include the first load capacity and the load capacity required for other terminal devices to process this service. Other terminal devices are terminal devices other than the first terminal device among the terminal devices corresponding to this service and whose corresponding access network devices include the first access network device.

[0079] First, the load change trend of the first access network device can be determined according to the historical load information of the first access network device. Then, the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device can be predicted based on the first load capacity and the load change trend of the first access network device, that is, according to the load change trend of the first access network device, the idle time and idle area of the first access network device that meets the first load capacity are predicted.

[0080] The load change trend of the first access network device is the change trend of the load of the first access network device, which may include one or more of the total resource change trend, resource utilization rate change trend, remaining resource change trend, and used resource change trend of the first access network device.

[0081] Exemplarily, the load change trend of the first access network device is the remaining resource change trend of the first access network device, and the first access network device belongs to the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The time when the remaining resources of the first access network device are simultaneously greater than or equal to the total load capacity and the TA of the first access network device can be determined according to the remaining resource change trend of the first access network device, so as to obtain the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device. The total load capacity includes the first load capacity and the load capacity required for the second terminal device to process this service. The second terminal device is a terminal device other than the first terminal device among the terminal devices corresponding to this service.

[0082] 203. Predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element.

[0083] The idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element can be understood as the time and area during which the UPF network element can be used to transmit data of the service to / from the first terminal device, or the time and area during which the UPF network element can be used for the first terminal device to process the service. It can also be understood as the time for the UPF network element to transmit data of the service to / from the first terminal device and the TA corresponding to this time, or the TA for the UPF network element to transmit data of the service to / from the first terminal device and the time corresponding to this TA. Obviously, there is a corresponding relationship between the idle time corresponding to the UPF network element and the idle area corresponding to the UPF network element.

[0084] The idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element can include one or more idle times and one or more idle areas. One idle time can correspond to one idle area among the one or more idle areas, or can correspond to multiple idle areas among the one or more idle areas. One idle area can correspond to one idle time among the one or more idle times, or can correspond to multiple idle times among the one or more idle times.

[0085] The idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element can be predicted according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element, that is, the idle time and idle area of the UPF network element that meet the first load capacity can be predicted according to the historical load information of the UPF network element.

[0086] It should be understood that when predicting the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element, if the UPF network element is also the UPF network element corresponding to other terminal devices, the total load capacity needs to be considered. The total load capacity can include the first load capacity and the load capacity required for other terminal devices to process the service. Other terminal devices are the terminal devices among the terminal devices corresponding to the service except the first terminal device and whose corresponding UPF network element is the UPF network element.

[0087] First, the load change trend of the UPF network element can be determined according to the historical load information of the UPF network element. Then, the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element can be predicted according to the first load capacity and the load change trend of the UPF network element, that is, the idle time and idle area of the UPF network element that meet the first load capacity can be predicted according to the load change trend of the UPF network element.

[0088] The load change trend of the UPF network element is the change trend of the load of the UPF network element, which can include one or more of the total resource change trend, resource utilization change trend, remaining resource change trend, and used resource change trend of the UPF network element.

[0089] Exemplarily, the load change trend of the UPF network element is the remaining resource change trend of the UPF network element, and the UPF network element is the UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The time when the remaining resources of the UPF network element are simultaneously greater than or equal to the total load capacity and the TA of the UPF network element can be determined according to the remaining resource change trend of the UPF network element, so as to obtain the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element.

[0090] 204. Determine a first idle time window and a first idle area list according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element.

[0091] The first idle time window is the idle time window during which the first terminal device can process the service, and the first idle area list is the list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0092] The first idle time window may include one or more idle time windows. Each of the one or more idle time windows is an idle time window during which the first terminal device can process the service. The duration of each idle time window is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0093] The first idle area list may include one or more idle areas. Each idle time window in the first idle time window may correspond to one idle area in the first idle area list or may correspond to multiple idle areas in the first idle area list.

[0094] In some embodiments, the intersection of the idle time corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time corresponding to the UPF network element may be determined first to obtain a second time window, and then the idle time window with an intersection in the corresponding idle area may be selected from the second time window to obtain the first idle time window. The intersection of the idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window in the idle areas corresponding to the first access network device and the UPF network element may be determined to obtain the first idle area list.

[0095] In some embodiments, the intersection of the idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle area corresponding to the UPF network element may be determined first to obtain a second idle area list, and then the idle area with an intersection in the corresponding idle time may be selected from the second idle area list to obtain the first idle area list. The intersection of the idle times corresponding to the first idle area list in the idle times corresponding to the first access network device and the UPF network element may be determined to obtain the first time window.

[0096] In some embodiments, the intersection of the idle time corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time corresponding to the UPF network element may be determined to obtain a second idle time window, and the intersection of the idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle area corresponding to the UPF network element may be determined to obtain a second idle area list. An idle time window and an idle area with a corresponding relationship may be selected from the second idle time window and the second idle area list to obtain a first idle time window and a first idle area list.

[0097] In Figure 2 In the idle time and idle area determination method shown, the NWDAF network element may determine the idle time window and the idle area list for the terminal device to process services based on the load capacity required for the terminal device to process services, the historical load information of the access network device, and the historical load information of the UPF network element. Since the load capacity required for the service and the resource conditions of the access network device and the core network device are considered simultaneously, the accuracy, rationality, and reliability of the determined idle time window and idle area list can be improved, and the impact of the operation of this service on the normal services of the access network and the core network can be avoided. In addition, the NWDAF network element can automatically determine the idle time window and the idle area list, reducing user participation, thereby improving the determination efficiency of the idle time window and the idle area list.

[0098] Based on the above network architecture, Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of another idle time and idle area determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, the idle time and idle area determination method may include the following steps.

[0099] 301. The AF network element sends a service request to the NEF network element.

[0100] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the service request from the AF network element.

[0101] The service request may include a service identifier, a slice identifier, a Data Network Name (DNN), and the identifier and location information of the terminal device.

[0102] The service identifier is the identifier of the service and is information that can uniquely identify the service. The slice identifier is the identifier of the slice. The DNN is used to identify the data network and may be a network identifier or other information that can uniquely identify the data network.

[0103] The identifier of the terminal device can be information that uniquely identifies the terminal device. The identifier of the terminal device can be the Subscription Permanent Identity (SUPI) of the terminal device, or the Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI), or other information that can uniquely identify the terminal device.

[0104] The location information of the terminal device is the information of the location of the terminal device, that is, the information of the current location where the terminal device is located.

[0105] The terminal devices here can be multiple terminal devices, and these terminal devices are the terminal devices that need to perform service identification for the corresponding service.

[0106] The service request can also include the size of the data packet. The data packet is the data packet corresponding to the service identification for the service.

[0107] The service request can also include the number of terminal devices. The number of terminal devices is the number of terminal devices that need to perform service identification for the corresponding service.

[0108] 302. The NEF network element sends an analysis subscription request to the NWDAF network element.

[0109] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the analysis subscription request from the NEF network element.

[0110] The analysis subscription request can include an idle analysis identifier, a service identifier, a slice identifier, a DNN, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device. The analysis subscription request can also include the size of the data packet. The analysis subscription request can also include the number of terminal devices.

[0111] The idle analysis identifier is an identifier for the service used to analyze idle time and idle areas.

[0112] After the NEF network element receives the service request from the AF network element, it can parse the service request to obtain the service identifier, slice identifier, DNN, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device, and can generate an analysis subscription request based on the service identifier, slice identifier, DNN, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device, and then can send the analysis subscription request to the NWDAF network element.

[0113] 303. The NWDAF network element determines the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device.

[0114] After receiving the analysis subscription request, the NWDAF network element can parse the analysis subscription request. Since the idle analysis identifier is parsed, the NWDAF network element can determine the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device. For a detailed description, please refer to the description of step 201. The first terminal device is any one of the terminal devices corresponding to the identifier of the above terminal device.

[0115] Since the slice identifiers are different, the identified slices may be different, and different slices may correspond to different networks. Therefore, the NWDAF network element can determine the UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device.

[0116] 304. The NWDAF network element sends a first information acquisition request to the OAM.

[0117] Correspondingly, the OAM receives the first information acquisition request from the NWDAF network element.

[0118] After determining the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, the NWDAF network element can send a first information acquisition request to the OAM. The first information acquisition request may include the idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device. The first information acquisition request is used to request the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0119] 305. The OAM sends the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device to the NWDAF network element.

[0120] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device from the OAM.

[0121] After receiving the first information acquisition request, the OAM can parse the first information acquisition request to obtain the idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, can determine that the first information acquisition request is used to request the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device according to the idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, can obtain the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, and then can send the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device to the NWDAF network element.

[0122] 306. The NWDAF network element sends a second information acquisition request to the NRF network element or the UPF network element.

[0123] Correspondingly, the NRF network element or the UPF network element receives the second information acquisition request from the NWDAF network element.

[0124] After the NWDAF network element determines the UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device, it may send a second information acquisition request to the NRF network element or the UPF network element. The second information acquisition request is used to request the historical load information of the UPF network element. The second information acquisition request may include an idle analysis identifier. When the second information acquisition request is sent to the NRF network element, the second information acquisition request may further include the identifier of the UPF network element.

[0125] Among them, step 304 and step 306 may be executed serially or in parallel.

[0126] 307. The NRF network element or the UPF network element sends the historical load information of the UPF network element to the NWDAF network element.

[0127] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the historical load information of the UPF network element from the NRF network element or the UPF network element.

[0128] After receiving the second information acquisition request, the NRF network element may parse the second information acquisition request to obtain the idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the UPF network element, may determine, according to the idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the UPF network element, that the second information acquisition request is used to request the historical load information of the UPF network element, may obtain the historical load information of the UPF network element, and then may send the historical load information of the UPF network element to the NWDAF network element.

[0129] After receiving the second information acquisition request, the UPF network element may parse the second information acquisition request to obtain the idle analysis identifier, may determine, according to the idle analysis identifier, that the second information acquisition request is used to request the historical load information, may obtain the historical load information, and then may send the historical load information to the NWDAF network element.

[0130] 308. The NWDAF network element predicts the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device.

[0131] When the analysis subscription request does not include the size of the data packet of the service, the first load capacity is configured by the user, that is, input by the user.

[0132] When the analysis subscription request includes the size of the data packet of the service, the NWDAF network element may determine the first load capacity according to the size of the data packet of the service. The NWDAF network element may determine the first load capacity according to the size of the data packet of the service and the maximum value of the required downlink rate of the first terminal device. The NWDAF network element may determine the maximum value of the required downlink rate of the first terminal device as the first bandwidth. The NWDAF network element may calculate the ratio of the size of the data packet to the maximum value of the required downlink rate of the first terminal device to obtain the first duration.

[0133] The NWDAF network element may send a third information acquisition request to the UDM network element. The third information acquisition request may include the DNN and the identifier of the terminal device. Accordingly, the UDM network element may receive the third information acquisition request from the NWDAF network element, and then may parse the third information acquisition request to obtain the DNN and the identifier of the terminal device, may determine the subscription data of the terminal device according to the DNN and the identifier of the terminal device, and may send the subscription data of the terminal device to the NWDAF network element. Accordingly, the NWDAF network element may receive the subscription data of the terminal device from the UDM network element. The subscription data of the terminal device may include the maximum value of the downlink rate required by the terminal device.

[0134] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 308 may refer to the description of step 202.

[0135] 309. The NWDAF network element predicts the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element.

[0136] Among them, the detailed description of step 309 may refer to the description of step 203.

[0137] 310. The NWDAF network element determines the first idle time window and the first idle area list according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element.

[0138] Among them, the detailed description of step 310 may refer to the description of step 204.

[0139] 311. The NWDAF network element sends an analysis subscription response to the NEF network element.

[0140] Accordingly, the NEF network element receives the analysis subscription response from the NWDAF network element.

[0141] After the NWDAF network element determines the first idle time window and the first idle area list, it may generate an analysis subscription response according to the first idle time window and the first idle area list, and then may send the analysis subscription response to the NEF network element. The analysis subscription response may include the first idle time window and the first idle area list. The analysis subscription response may also include the service identifier and the identifier of the terminal device.

[0142] 312. The NEF network element sends a service response to the AF network element.

[0143] Accordingly, the AF network element receives the service response from the NEF network element.

[0144] After the NEF network element receives the analysis subscription response, it can parse the analysis subscription response to obtain the service identifier, the first idle time window, and the first idle area list. It can generate a service response based on the service identifier, the first idle time window, and the first idle area list, and then send the service response to the AF network element. The service response may include the first idle time window and the first idle area list. The service response also includes the service identifier and the identifier of the terminal device.

[0145] After the AF network element receives the service response, it can parse the service response to obtain the service identifier, the identifier of the terminal device, the first idle time window, and the first idle area list to generate a service response, and then send the service identifier, the first idle time window, and the first idle area list to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can process the service corresponding to the service identifier at the time corresponding to the first idle time window and in the area corresponding to the first idle area list.

[0146] 313. The NWDAF network element sends a location subscription request to the AMF network element.

[0147] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the location subscription request from the NWDAF network element.

[0148] After the NWDAF network element determines the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, it can send a location subscription request to the AMF network element. The location subscription request is used to subscribe to the location information of the terminal device. The location subscription request may include the identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the terminal device.

[0149] 314. The AMF network element sends the location information of the first terminal device to the NWDAF network element.

[0150] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the location information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element.

[0151] After the AMF network element receives the location subscription request, it can parse the location subscription request to obtain the identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the terminal device, and then, based on the identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the terminal device, monitor whether the terminal device is within the coverage of the corresponding access network device. When it is monitored that the first terminal device moves outside the coverage of the corresponding access network device, it can send the location information of the first terminal device to the NWDAF network element. Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element can receive the location information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element.

[0152] It should be understood that the location information of the first terminal device in step 303 is different from the location information of the first terminal device in step 314, that is, the corresponding positions of the location information of the first terminal device in step 303 and step 314 are different.

[0153] After the NWDAF network element receives the location information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element, it indicates that the location of the first terminal device has changed, and the location information of the first terminal device can be updated. Then, steps 303-312 can be repeatedly executed.

[0154] In Figure 3 In the idle time and idle area determination method shown, the NWDAF network element can determine the idle time window and idle area list for the terminal device to process services based on the load capacity required for the terminal device to process services, the historical load information of the access network device, and the historical load information of the UPF network element. Since the load capacity required for the service and the resource conditions of the access network device and the core network device are considered simultaneously, the accuracy, rationality, and reliability of the determined idle time window and idle area list can be improved, and the impact of the operation of this service on the normal services of the access network and the core network can be avoided, that is, it can be avoided that this service occupies too many resources when the network is busy and affects the normal operation of the access network and the core network. In addition, since the analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, the NWDAF network element can automatically determine the idle time window and idle area list according to the idle analysis identifier, which can reduce user participation, thereby improving the determination efficiency of the idle time window and idle area list. Further, the NWDAF network element can automatically return the determined idle time window and idle area list to the AF network element, so that the terminal device can process services in the idle area corresponding to the idle time window, which can realize the automatic processing of services and improve the user experience.

[0155] Based on the above network architecture, Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of another idle time and idle area determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Among them, this idle time and idle area determination method is described by taking the vehicle OTA upgrade service and the terminal device being a vehicle as an example. As Figure 4 shown, this idle time and idle area determination method can include the following steps.

[0156] 401. The AF network element sends a vehicle OTA upgrade request to the NEF network element.

[0157] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the vehicle OTA upgrade request from the AF network element.

[0158] The vehicle OTA upgrade request may include a vehicle OTA upgrade service identifier, a slice identifier, a DNN, and the identifier and location information of the vehicle. The vehicle OTA upgrade request may also include the size of the upgrade package for the vehicle OTA upgrade service. The vehicle OTA upgrade request may also include the number of vehicles.

[0159] The identification of the vehicle OTA upgrade service is the identification of the vehicle OTA upgrade service. The identification of the vehicle can be the license plate number of the vehicle or other information that can uniquely identify the vehicle. The upgrade package for the vehicle OTA upgrade service is the upgrade package for upgrading the vehicle through OTA.

[0160] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 401 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 301.

[0161] 402. The NEF network element sends an analysis subscription request to the NWDAF network element.

[0162] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the analysis subscription request from the NEF network element.

[0163] The analysis subscription request may include an idle analysis identifier, an identification of the vehicle OTA upgrade service, a slice identifier, a DNN, and the identification and location information of the vehicle.

[0164] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 402 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 302.

[0165] 403. The NWDAF network element determines the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first vehicle according to the location information of the first vehicle.

[0166] The first vehicle is any vehicle corresponding to the identification of the above vehicle.

[0167] The NWDAF network element can determine the access network device corresponding to the first vehicle according to the location information of the first vehicle, and can determine the UPF network element corresponding to the first vehicle according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first vehicle.

[0168] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 403 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 303.

[0169] 404. The NWDAF network element sends a first information acquisition request to the OAM.

[0170] Correspondingly, the OAM receives the first information acquisition request from the NWDAF network element.

[0171] The first information acquisition request may include an idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the first vehicle. The first information acquisition request is used to request the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first vehicle.

[0172] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 404 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 303.

[0173] 405. The OAM sends the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first vehicle to the NWDAF network element.

[0174] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first vehicle from the OAM.

[0175] Among them, for the detailed description of step 405, reference can be made to the description of step 305. The difference between step 405 and step 305 is that the first terminal device in step 305 is replaced by the first vehicle.

[0176] 406. The NWDAF network element sends a second information acquisition request to the NRF network element or the UPF network element.

[0177] Correspondingly, the NRF network element or the UPF network element receives the second information acquisition request from the NWDAF network element.

[0178] Among them, for the detailed description of step 406, reference can be made to the description of step 306.

[0179] 407. The NRF network element or the UPF network element sends the historical load information of the UPF network element to the NWDAF network element.

[0180] Correspondingly, the NWDAF network element receives the historical load information of the UPF network element from the NRF network element or the UPF network element.

[0181] Among them, for the detailed description of step 407, reference can be made to the description of step 307.

[0182] 408. The NWDAF network element predicts the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device.

[0183] The first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first vehicle.

[0184] The first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first vehicle to process the vehicle OTA upgrade service. The first load capacity may include the first bandwidth and the first duration. The first bandwidth is the bandwidth required for the first vehicle to process this service. The first duration is the duration required for the first vehicle to process this service.

[0185] Among them, for other detailed descriptions of step 408, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions below step 308.

[0186] 409. The NWDAF network element predicts the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element.

[0187] Among them, for the detailed description of step 409, reference can be made to the description of step 309.

[0188] 410. The NWDAF network element determines a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas based on the idle time and idle areas corresponding to the first access network device, as well as the idle time and idle areas corresponding to the UPF network element.

[0189] The first idle time window is the idle time window during which the first vehicle can process the service, and the first list of idle areas is the list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0190] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 410 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 310.

[0191] 411. The NWDAF network element sends an analysis subscription response to the NEF network element.

[0192] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the analysis subscription response from the NWDAF network element.

[0193] The analysis subscription response may include the first idle time window and the first list of idle areas. The analysis subscription response may also include the service identifier and the identifier of the vehicle.

[0194] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 411 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 311.

[0195] 412. The NEF network element sends a vehicle OTA upgrade response to the AF network element.

[0196] Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the vehicle OTA upgrade response from the NEF network element.

[0197] The service response may include the first idle time window and the first list of idle areas. The service response also includes the service identifier and the identifier of the vehicle.

[0198] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 412 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 312.

[0199] 413. The NWDAF network element sends a location subscription request to the AMF network element.

[0200] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the location subscription request from the NWDAF network element.

[0201] The location subscription request is used to subscribe to the location information of the vehicle. The location subscription request may include the identifier of the vehicle and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the vehicle.

[0202] Among them, other detailed descriptions of step 413 can refer to the relevant descriptions below step 313.

[0203] 414. The AMF network element sends the location information of the first vehicle to the NWDAF network element.

[0204] Accordingly, the NWDAF network element receives the location information of the first vehicle from the AMF network element.

[0205] Among them, for the detailed description of step 414, reference may be made to the description of step 313.

[0206] In Figure 4 In the idle time and idle area determination method shown, the NWDAF network element can determine the idle time window and the idle area list for the vehicle to process the vehicle OTA upgrade service according to the load capacity required for the vehicle to process the vehicle OTA upgrade service, the historical load information of the access network device, and the historical load information of the UPF network element. Since the load capacity required for the vehicle OTA upgrade service and the resource conditions of the access network device and the core network device are considered simultaneously, the accuracy, rationality, and reliability of the determined idle time window and idle area list can be improved, and the impact of the operation of the vehicle OTA upgrade service on the normal services of the access network and the core network can be avoided. In addition, since the analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, the NWDAF network element can automatically determine the idle time window and the idle area list according to the idle analysis identifier, which can reduce user participation, thereby improving the determination efficiency of the idle time window and the idle area list. Further, the NWDAF network element can automatically return the determined idle time window and idle area list to the AF network element, so that the vehicle can process the vehicle OTA upgrade service in the idle area in the idle area list corresponding to the idle time window, which can realize the automatic processing of the vehicle OTA upgrade service and improve the user experience.

[0207] It should be understood that the same or corresponding information in different embodiments can be referred to each other, and the content and / or steps in different embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0208] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, some steps may be absent and some steps may be combined.

[0209] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide an idle time and idle area determination device for implementing the above-mentioned idle time and idle area determination method. The implementation solutions provided by the idle time and idle area determination device to solve problems are similar to the implementation solutions described in the above method. Therefore, the specific limitations in one or more embodiments of the idle time and idle area determination device provided below can refer to the limitations of the corresponding idle time and idle area determination method in the above text, and will not be repeated here.

[0210] Based on the above network architecture, Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of an idle time and idle area determination device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the idle time and idle area determination device can be applied to the NWDAF network element. The idle time and idle area determination device may include:

[0211] The first determination unit 501 is configured to determine an access network device and a UPF network element corresponding to a first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device, where the first terminal device is any terminal device corresponding to a service;

[0212] The first prediction unit 502 is configured to predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to a first load capacity and historical load information of the first access network device, where the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device;

[0213] The second prediction unit 503 is configured to predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and historical load information of the UPF network element;

[0214] The second determination unit 504 is configured to determine a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device, and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, where the first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first list of idle areas is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0215] In one embodiment, the first prediction unit 502 is specifically configured to:

[0216] Determine a load change trend of the first access network device according to the historical load information of the first access network device;

[0217] Predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the load change trend of the first access network device.

[0218] In one embodiment, the second determination unit 504 is specifically configured to:

[0219] Determine an intersection of the idle time corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time corresponding to the UPF network element to obtain a second idle time window;

[0220] Select, from the second idle time window, an idle time window in which there is an intersection in the corresponding idle areas to obtain the first idle time window;

[0221] Determine an intersection of the idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window in the idle areas corresponding to the first access network device and the UPF network element to obtain the first list of idle areas.

[0222] In one embodiment, the idle time and idle area determination device may further include:

[0223] A communication unit, configured to receive an analysis subscription request from a NEF network element. The analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, a service identifier, a slice identifier, and the identifier and location information of a terminal device. The idle analysis identifier is an identifier for a service used to analyze idle time and idle areas, the terminal device includes a first terminal device, and the service identifier is an identifier for the service.

[0224] The first determination unit 501 is specifically configured to:

[0225] Determine the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device according to the location information of the first terminal device;

[0226] Determine the UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device.

[0227] In one embodiment, the communication unit is further configured to:

[0228] Send a location subscription request to the AMF network element, where the location subscription request is used to subscribe to the location information of the terminal device;

[0229] Receive the location information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element, where the location information of the first terminal device is sent by the AMF network element when the first terminal device moves outside the coverage area of the corresponding access network device.

[0230] In one embodiment, the communication unit is further configured to:

[0231] Send a first information acquisition request to the OAM, where the first information acquisition request includes the idle analysis identifier and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device;

[0232] Receive the historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device from the OAM.

[0233] In one embodiment, the communication unit is further configured to:

[0234] Send a second information acquisition request to the NRF network element or the UPF network element, where the second information acquisition request includes the idle analysis identifier;

[0235] Receive the historical load information of the UPF network element from the NRF network element or the UPF network element.

[0236] In one embodiment, the analysis subscription request further includes the size of the data packet of the service;

[0237] The idle time and idle area determination device may further include:

[0238] A third determination unit, configured to determine a first load capacity according to the size of the data packet of the service.

[0239] In one embodiment, the communication unit is further configured to send an analysis subscription response to the NEF network element, where the analysis subscription response includes a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas.

[0240] Based on the above network architecture, Figure 6 FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another idle time and idle area determination device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the idle time and idle area determination device can be applied to the NWDAF network element. As Figure 6 shown, the idle time and idle area determination device may include a communication unit 601 and a processing unit 602. The communication unit 601 is configured to, under the control of the processing unit 602:

[0241] Receive a service request from the AF network element, where the service request includes a service identifier, a slice identifier, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device;

[0242] Send an analysis subscription request to the NWDAF network element, where the analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, a service identifier, a slice identifier, and the identifier and location information of the terminal device. The idle analysis identifier is an identifier of a service for analyzing idle time and idle areas, and is used for the NWDAF network element to determine the access network device and UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device, predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element, and determine the first idle time window and the first list of idle areas according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element. The first terminal device is any one of the terminal devices, the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service corresponding to the service identifier, the first access network device is any one of the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device, the first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first list of idle areas is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

[0243] In one embodiment, the communication unit 601 is further configured to, under the control of the processing unit 602:

[0244] Receive an analysis subscription response from the NWDAF network element, where the analysis subscription response includes a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas;

[0245] Send a service response to the AF network element, where the service response includes a first idle time window and a first list of idle areas.

[0246] Each unit in the above-mentioned idle time and idle area determination device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, or a combination thereof. Each of the above units can be embedded in the processor in the idle time and idle area determination device in hardware form or be independent of it, or can be stored in the memory in the idle time and idle area determination device in software form, so as to facilitate the processor to call and execute the operations corresponding to each of the above modules.

[0247] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 7 FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another idle time and idle area determination device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The idle time and idle area determination device can be an NWDAF network element or a NEF network element. The idle time and idle area determination device includes a processor, a memory, an input / output interface (Input / Output, I / O), and a communication interface. Among them, the processor, the memory, and the input / output interface are connected through a system bus, and the communication interface is connected to the system bus through the input / output interface. Among them, the processor of the idle time and idle area determination device is used to provide computing and control capabilities. The memory of the idle time and idle area determination device includes a non-volatile storage medium and an internal memory. The non-volatile storage medium stores an operating system, a computer program, and a database. The internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and the computer program in the non-volatile storage medium. The input / output interface of the idle time and idle area determination device is used for the processor to exchange information with external devices. The communication interface of the idle time and idle area determination device is used to communicate with external devices, network elements, or entities through a network connection. When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements an idle time and idle area determination method.

[0248] Those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 7 the structure shown in FIG. 5 is only a block diagram of some structures related to the solution of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the idle time and idle area determination device to which the solution of the present application is applied. The specific idle time and idle area determination device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine some components, or have different component arrangements.

[0249] In an embodiment, there is also provided an idle time and idle area determination device, including a memory and a processor. A computer program is stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the computer program, the steps in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0250] In an embodiment, there is also provided an idle time and idle area determination device, including a memory, a processor, and a transceiver. A computer program is stored in the memory, and the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices, network elements, or entities. When the processor executes the computer program, the steps in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0251] In one embodiment, a system for determining idle time and idle area is further provided, including an NWDAF network element and an NEF network element. For the detailed descriptions of the NWDAF network element and the NEF network element, reference may be made to the corresponding steps in the above method embodiments.

[0252] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0253] In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0254] It should be noted that the information (including but not limited to the identification and location information of the terminal device, etc.) and data (including but not limited to the data for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use, and processing of the relevant data need to comply with the relevant regulations.

[0255] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Among them, any reference to a memory, database, or other medium used in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc. The databases involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of relational databases and non-relational databases. Non-relational databases can include distributed databases based on blockchain, etc., without limitation. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, data processing logics based on quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) processors, etc., without limitation.

[0256] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope recorded in the present application.

[0257] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation to the patent scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining an idle area during off-peak hours, characterized in that: Applied to a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, the method includes: Determine, according to the location information of the first terminal device, an access network device and a user plane function UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device, where the first terminal device is any terminal device corresponding to the service; Predicting, according to a first load capacity and historical load information of a first access network device, an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the first access network device, wherein the first load capacity is a load capacity required by the first terminal device to process the service, and the first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device; Predicting the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element; According to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, a first idle time window and a first idle area list are determined, the first idle time window being an idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first idle area list being a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The predicting, according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device comprises: Determining a load change trend of the first access network device according to historical load information of the first access network device; According to the first load capacity and the load change trend of the first access network device, an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the first access network device are predicted.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The determining, according to the idle time and the idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and the idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, the first idle time window and the first idle area list comprises: Determine the intersection of the idle time corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time corresponding to the UPF network element to obtain a second idle time window; Selecting idle time windows with intersections in the corresponding idle areas from the second idle time windows to obtain a first idle time window; Determine the intersection of the idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window in the idle areas corresponding to the first access network device and the UPF network element, and obtain a first idle area list.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving an analysis subscription request from a network exposure function NEF network element, the analysis subscription request including an idle analysis identifier, a service identifier, a slice identifier, and an identifier and location information of a terminal device, the idle analysis identifier being an identifier of a service used to analyze idle time and idle area, the terminal device including the first terminal device, and the service identifier being an identifier of the service; The determining, according to the location information of the first terminal device, an access network device and a user plane function UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device includes: Determining, according to the location information of the first terminal device, an access network device corresponding to the first terminal device; Determine the UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device based on the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a location subscription request to an access and mobility management function AMF network element, where the location subscription request is used to subscribe to the location information of the terminal device; Receive the location information of the first terminal device from the AMF network element, where the location information of the first terminal device is sent by the AMF network element when the first terminal device moves out of the coverage of the corresponding access network device.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a first information acquisition request to the operation maintenance management OAM, wherein the first information acquisition request includes the idle analysis identifier and an identifier of an access network device corresponding to the first terminal device; Receive historical load information of the access network device corresponding to the first terminal device from the OAM.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a second information acquisition request to a network warehousing function NRF network element or the UPF network element, where the second information acquisition request includes the idle analysis identifier; Receive historical load information of the UPF network element from the NRF network element or the UPF network element.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The analysis subscription request also includes the size of the data packet of the service; The method further comprises: The first load capacity is determined according to the size of the data packet of the service.

9. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: An analysis subscription response is sent to the NEF network element, where the analysis subscription response includes the first idle time window and the first idle area list.

10. A method for determining an idle area during off-peak hours, characterized in that: Applied to a network exposure function (NEF) network element, the method comprises: Receive a service request from an application function AF network element, where the service request includes a service identifier, a slice identifier, and an identifier and location information of a terminal device; An analysis subscription request is sent to a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, wherein the analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, the service identifier, the slice identifier, and an identifier and location information of the terminal device, wherein the idle analysis identifier is an identifier of a service used to analyze idle time and idle area, and the idle analysis identifier is used by the NWDAF network element to determine the access network device and the user plane function UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device, and to predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, and to predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element. The idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, the first idle time window and the first idle area list are determined according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, the first terminal device is any terminal device among the terminal devices, the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service corresponding to the service identifier, the first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device, the first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first idle area list is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving an analysis subscription response from the NWDAF network element, wherein the analysis subscription response includes the first idle time window and the first idle area list; A service response is sent to the AF network element, where the service response includes the first idle time window and the first idle area list.

12. A device for determining an idle time and an idle area, characterized in that: Applied to a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, the device comprises: A first determining unit, configured to determine, according to location information of a first terminal device, an access network device and a user plane function UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device, wherein the first terminal device is any terminal device corresponding to the service; A first prediction unit is configured to predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to a first load capacity and historical load information of a first access network device, wherein the first load capacity is a load capacity required by the first terminal device to process the service, and the first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device; A second prediction unit, configured to predict an idle time and an idle area corresponding to the UPF network element according to the first load capacity and historical load information of the UPF network element; The second determination unit is used to determine a first idle time window and a first idle area list according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, wherein the first idle time window is an idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first idle area list is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

13. A device for determining an idle time and an idle area, characterized in that: Applied to a network public function NEF network element, the device comprises a communication unit and a processing unit, and the communication unit is used under the control of the processing unit to: Receive a service request from an application function AF network element, where the service request includes a service identifier, a slice identifier, and an identifier and location information of a terminal device; An analysis subscription request is sent to a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, wherein the analysis subscription request includes an idle analysis identifier, the service identifier, the slice identifier, and an identifier and location information of the terminal device, wherein the idle analysis identifier is an identifier of a service used to analyze idle time and idle area, and the idle analysis identifier is used by the NWDAF network element to determine the access network device and the user plane function UPF network element corresponding to the first terminal device according to the slice identifier and the location information of the first terminal device, and to predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the first access network device, and to predict the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device according to the first load capacity and the historical load information of the UPF network element. The idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, the first idle time window and the first idle area list are determined according to the idle time and idle area corresponding to the first access network device and the idle time and idle area corresponding to the UPF network element, the first terminal device is any terminal device among the terminal devices, the first load capacity is the load capacity required for the first terminal device to process the service corresponding to the service identifier, the first access network device is any access network device among the access network devices corresponding to the first terminal device, the first idle time window is the idle time window for the first terminal device to process the service, and the first idle area list is a list of idle areas corresponding to the first idle time window.

14. A device for determining an idle time and an idle area, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, characterized in that: When the processor executes the computer program, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 are implemented.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 are implemented.

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