Enhanced policy control method and device with energy related information in mobile communications

Abstract

The invention provides an enhanced policy control method and device with energy related information in mobile communication. A device may receive energy related information from at least one network function (NF). The device may then generate at least one User Equipment (UE) policy, an Access and Mobility (AM) policy, and a Session Management (SM) policy for a device based on the energy related information. In addition, the device may provide at least one AM policy, an SM policy, and a UE policy to the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to the field of mobile communications, and more specifically, to enhanced policy control of energy-related information in mobile communications. Background Art

[0002] It has been observed that the information / communication technology (ICT) industry is one of the largest consumers of electricity. The current global electricity consumption of the ICT industry is estimated to account for 2-3%, and is expected to increase to about 8-21% by 2030. Therefore, it is very important for the technology industry to consider how to reduce electricity consumption and transition to cleaner energy sources. However, quantifying and then reducing electricity consumption is not an easy task, because for network-based mobile applications, there are many contributors, including: (i) the power usage of the mobile devices running the applications; (ii) the infrastructure for transmitting application messages through wireless links to cellular towers; (iii) the cellular towers shared by multiple operators and the optical fibers connecting the towers to the Internet backbone network, owned by various Internet service providers (ISPs); and (iv) the data centers running application logic in cloud platforms shared by different enterprises. In addition to measuring the combined impact of these components to determine the total electricity usage, it is also important to derive the carbon intensity of energy consumption to determine the carbon consumption when network elements (such as hardware and / or software) are put into use. Electricity may come from different energy sources (such as natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, wind energy, and solar energy, etc.) and is accompanied by different levels of carbon consumption. In particular, due to the high variability and unpredictability of renewable energy sources (such as wind energy and solar energy), the carbon intensity of the power grid (i.e., the average carbon consumption per unit of energy consumption) varies greatly in time and location. Therefore, one challenge for the ICT industry to reduce carbon consumption is how to design signal frameworks and / or scheduling strategies for mobile communication applications with environmental requirements, taking into account the temporal and spatial dimensions of energy sources.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide appropriate solutions to solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following summary is for reference only and is not intended to limit in any way. That is, the following summary is intended to introduce the novel and non-obvious technical concepts, highlights, advantages, and benefits described herein. The selected embodiments are further described in the detailed description below. Therefore, the following summary is not intended to identify the basic features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to propose enhanced policy control of solutions, concepts, designs, systems, methods, and / or devices related to energy-related information in mobile communications. It is believed that by implementing one or more of the proposed solutions described herein, the problems described above will be avoided or otherwise alleviated.

[0006] In one aspect, a method may involve a network node receiving energy-related information from at least one network function (NF). The method may also involve the network node generating, based on the energy-related information, at least one user equipment (UE) policy, an access and mobility (AM) policy, and a session management (SM) policy for a device. The method may also involve the network node providing the device with at least one AM policy, SM policy, and UE policy.

[0007] In one aspect, a method may involve a device receiving, from a network node of a wireless network, at least one UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy, where the at least one UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy are generated based on energy-related information. The method may also involve the device determining, based on the at least one UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy, a data session for an application. The method may also involve the device routing traffic of the application between the device and the wireless network based on the data session.

[0008] In one aspect, a network device operating as a network node may include a transceiver that wirelessly communicates with at least one NF and a device during operation. The network device may also include a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor may perform operations during operation, including receiving energy-related information from at least one NF via the transceiver. The processor may also perform operations, including generating, based on the energy-related information, at least one UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy for the device. The processor may also perform operations, including providing the device with at least one AM policy, SM policy, and UE policy via the transceiver.

[0009] It should be noted that although the descriptions provided herein may be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks, and network topologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, Fifth Generation (5G), New Radio (NR), Internet of Things (IoT), and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Beyond 5G (B5G), and Sixth Generation (6G), the concepts, solutions, and any variants / derivatives thereof proposed may be implemented in, for, and by other types of radio access technologies, networks, and network topologies. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 A diagram showing an example communication environment scenario in which various solutions and schemes of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0011] Figure 2 A diagram showing an example scenario generated according to a user equipment routing selection policy (URSP) rule under a first proposed solution in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 Shows another example scenario diagram generated according to the URSP rules under the first proposed solution in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 Shows an example scenario diagram of energy-related information collection under the third proposed solution in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 Shows another example scenario diagram of energy-related information collection under the third proposed solution in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 Shows another example scenario diagram of energy-related information collection under the third proposed solution in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 Shows a block diagram of an example communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 8 Shows an example process flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 9 Shows another example process flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0019] The technical terms in this specification are used in this technical field. If there are explanations or definitions of certain technical terms in this specification, the technical terms in this part will take precedence over the explanations or definitions elsewhere. Each embodiment of the present invention has one or more technical features. Where possible, those of ordinary skill in the art can selectively implement some or all of the technical features of the present invention, or selectively combine these technical features of the present invention.

[0020] Overview

[0021] Figure 1Shows an example scenario 100 in which various solutions and schemes of the present disclosure can be implemented. Scenario 100 involves a user equipment (UE) 110 communicating wirelessly with a network 120 (e.g., a wireless network including a non-terrestrial network (NTN) and a terrestrial network (TN)) via at least one terrestrial network node 122 (e.g., a base station (BS), such as an evolved node B (eNB), a next-generation node B (gNB), or a transmission / reception point (TRP)) and / or at least one non-terrestrial network node 124 (e.g., a satellite). For example, the terrestrial network node 122 can form a TN serving cell for wireless communication with the UE 110, or the terrestrial network node 122 and / or the non-terrestrial network node 124 can form an NTN serving cell for wireless communication with the UE 110. In some implementations, the network 120 may be a 4G / 5G / B5G / 6G network, and the UE 110 may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a notebook computer. Alternatively, the network 120 may be an IoT / NB-IoT / IIoT network, and the UE 110 may be an IoT device, such as an NB-IoT UE or an enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) UE (e.g., a low complexity with reduced bandwidth (BL) UE or a coverage enhanced (CE) UE). Although not shown, the TN part of the network 120 may include a core network (CN) containing various network functions (NFs). For example, if the network 120 is a 5G system (5GS), the NFs may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), an operation and maintenance (OAM) entity, a network data analysis function (NWDAF), an application function (AF), a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR), and an energy information function (EIF), etc. In such a communication environment, the UE 110, the network 120, the terrestrial network node 122, and / or the non-terrestrial network node 124 can implement various schemes related to the enhanced policy control of the present disclosure, as described below. It should be noted that although the various proposed schemes may be described separately or individually, in actual implementations, some or all of the proposed schemes may be used jointly or otherwise implemented. Of course, each proposed scheme can be used separately or individually or otherwise implemented.

[0022] In particular, the present disclosure addresses the requirements in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards, as follows: (i) According to an agreement between an operator and a 3rd party (e.g., an electric utility company), the 5G system should provide a mechanism to support the selection of an application server based on energy-related information associated with a set of application servers; (ii) According to an agreement between the operator and the 3rd party, the 5G system should support a mechanism for the 3rd party to provide current or predicted energy consumption information for a specific period; (iii) According to user consent and the operator, the 5G system should be able to provide means to modify communication services based on energy-related information criteria according to a subscription policy; and (iv) According to an agreement between the operator and the 3rd party, the 5G system should be able to provide energy consumption information for serving this 3rd party.

[0023] By observing actual power grid deployments, it can be seen that different regions have different energy usage patterns according to time periods and / or locations. For example, for the carbon intensity and / or the proportion of renewable energy. If an operator covers an entire area, such as providing communication services by city or by state, for example, Operator A provides communication services for its customers across the entire area it covers, the operator can have a topology of the entire carbon intensity distribution because it has a service-level agreement (SLA) with an electric utility company to obtain energy-related information such as energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy information, and energy saving metrics indicating the impact of network energy saving operations on the UE. For example, the energy-related information may include the proportion of renewable energy at a time and / or location (for each network slice), and / or the carbon intensity at a time and / or location (for each network slice), etc. In addition, Operator A can also deploy network slices across the entire area. Therefore, from the distribution mapping of the deployed network slices and the energy-related information provided by the electric utility company, Operator A can influence the UE to route traffic through network slices located in areas with lower carbon intensity or higher proportion of renewable energy. For example, by configuring UE policies (e.g., URSP rules), AM policies, and / or SM policies according to the energy-related information. However, it is worth noting that the energy patterns of carbon intensity and the proportion of renewable energy are dynamic in "time" and "location" for each region. For example, some regions (i.e., "locations") may have solar power supply during the day (i.e., "time"). If the operator can obtain such energy-related information, then it may adjust or guide the UE to use the "greener" network slices located in these regions during the day.

[0024] In view of the above, the present disclosure proposes some solutions related to enhanced policy control related to energy-related information in mobile communications. According to the solutions of the present disclosure, a mechanism is provided that allows a specific NF (e.g., PCF or AMF) to obtain energy-related information so that the NF can generate UE policies, AM policies, and / or SM policies based on the energy-related information. Thus, UE / AM / SM policies configured with energy-related information can be provided to the UE, and by applying the UE / AM / SM policies, a "greener" network slice can be used, and network resource allocation and utilization may be more environmentally friendly or carbon-intelligent / aware.

[0025] According to a first solution proposed in the present disclosure, optional fields, such as a time window and a location criterion, can be used by an NF (e.g., PCF) in the generation of URSP rules based on energy-related information. If these two fields are presented in the RSD of a matching URSP rule, they need to be satisfied before the UE associates an application with a protocol data unit (PDU) session. More specifically, the URSP rule is generated, and the time window and the location criterion are configured to affect the UE's request for a "greener" network slice.

[0026] Figure 2 An example scenario 200 of URSP rule generation under the first proposed solution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In scenario 200, the energy-related information is the time period when solar power is used (e.g., from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm) for time window configuration. When the time is within the time window, the UE can associate an application with a PDU session that supports a "greener" network slice (i.e., a network slice deployed for using solar power). Specifically, as Figure 2 shown, the first RSD of the URSP rule indicates a single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) (labeled S-NSSAI-a-green) with a specific time window from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, while the second RSD of the URSP rule indicates another S-NSSAI (labeled S-NSSAI-b) without a time window. Thus, the following routing policy is enforced: If "App1" requests a network connection within the time window {6:00 am to 4:00 pm}, the UE establishes (if not already established) a PDU session with S-NSSAI-a-green via 3GPP access and routes the traffic of "App1" through this PDU session; or, if "App1" requests a network connection outside the time window {6:00 am to 4:00 pm}, the UE establishes (if not already established) a PDU session with S-NSSAI-b via 3GPP access and routes the traffic of "App1" through this PDU session.

[0027] Figure 3 shows an example scenario 300 of URSP rule generation under the first proposed solution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In scenario 300, the energy-related information is the location providing solar energy, for location-based standard configuration. When the UE is within the area of the location standard, the UE can associate an application with a PDU session that supports a "greener" network slice (i.e., a network slice deployed for using solar energy). Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, the first RSD of the URSP rule indicates an S-NSSAI (labeled S-NSSAI-a-green) with a location standard indicating three specific tracking areas (labeled TA1-TA3), while the second RSD of the URSP rule indicates another S-NSSAI (labeled S-NSSAI-b) without a location standard. Thus, this enforces the following routing policy: If "App1" requests a network connection when the UE is located in TA1 / TA2 / TA3, the UE establishes (if not already established) a PDU session with S-NSSAI-a-green via 3GPP access and routes the traffic of "App1" through this PDU session; or, if "App1" requests a network connection when the UE is not in TA1 / TA2 / TA3, the UE establishes (if not already established) a PDU session with S-NSSAI-b via 3GPP access and routes the traffic of "App1" through this PDU session.

[0028] According to the second solution proposed in the present disclosure, optional fields such as a validity time and a partially permitted NSSAI can be used by an NF (e.g., the AMF) in the generation of NSSAI information based on energy-related information. Generally, a network slice may be available to the UE for a limited time / location that is known in advance by the network (e.g., OAM and / or NWDAF). On the other hand, the carbon intensity and the proportion of renewable energy change dynamically according to time and / or location. For example, solar energy can be obtained during the day, and wind energy can be obtained in certain areas (e.g., TAs). Therefore, based on the energy-related information, the AMF can generate NSSAI information with specific validity time / location information for the UE to allow the UE to use renewable energy at a specific time and / or location.

[0029] In some embodiments, based on energy-related information (e.g., solar energy is only available during the day), the AMF may generate an AM policy containing a configured NSSAI, the validity time of which indicates the available time of renewable energy. For example, the AMF may indicate to the UE, in a registration acceptance message or via a UE configuration update procedure, the validity time of one or more S-NSSAIs that will be included in the allowed NSSAI. For a supported UE, if the validity time indicates that the S-NSSAI is now available for use with renewable energy, it may request the S-NSSAI with the validity time in a registration request message, and if this S-NSSAI is included in the allowed NSSAI or the partially allowed NSSAI, a PDU session associated with this S-NSSAI may be established. For an unsupported UE, if the validity time applies to the S-NSSAI, the AMF may include the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI so that the non-supported UE can establish a PDU session.

[0030] In some embodiments, based on energy-related information (e.g., renewable energy is only available in certain regions), the AMF may generate an AM policy containing a partially allowed NSSAI, which indicates one or more tracking area identifiers (TAIs) in which at least one S-NSSAI deployed for using wind energy is supported or not supported. For a supported UE, if the UE's current location is within a TA where an S-NSSAI for using renewable energy is deployed, it may request such an S-NSSAI in the partially allowed NSSAI and establish a PDU session associated with the S-NSSAI. For an unsupported UE, if the location restriction applies to the S-NSSAI, the AMF may include the S-NSSAI in the allowed NSSAI so that the UE can establish a PDU session.

[0031] Alternatively, some parameters, such as quality of service (QoS) parameters in the SM policy, may be used by an NF (e.g., PCF / AMF) in the generation of the SM policy based on energy-related information. For example, the PCF may update or adjust QoS parameters, such as guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR) and maximum flow bit rate (MFBR), according to energy-related information. In another example, an alternative QoS profile may be generated based on energy-related information.

[0032] According to the third proposed solution of the present disclosure, a new signaling procedure is designed for the PCF / AMF to collect / receive energy-related information from another NF, such as OAM / NWDAF, AF (through the Network Exposure Function (NEF)), UDM / UDR, or Energy Management Function (EMF) (i.e., EIF). Specifically, energy-related information such as energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy information, and / or information related to energy can be obtained from the power company and then provided to the PCF / AMF upon request. In addition, energy-related information such as energy saving metrics indicating that the UE is affected by network energy saving operations can be included in the UE's subscription data, and the AMF can retrieve it from the UE subscription data and forward it to the PCF.

[0033] Figure 4 An example scenario 400 of energy-related information collection according to the third proposed solution in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Scenario 400 describes the signaling procedure for the PCF / AMF to collect / receive energy-related information from the OAM / NWDAF. In step 401, the PCF / AMF (as the consumer NF), if enabled to support energy-related information, can transmit an analysis request / subscription to the NWDAF to obtain energy-related information. The request or subscription may include a new analysis ID dedicated to "energy-related information" or an existing analysis ID (e.g., "service experience") combined with analysis filters, including, for example, application ID, S-NSSAI, data network name (DNN), area of interest, etc. In step 402, the NWDAF can use existing procedures defined in 3GPP standards to request / subscribe to the OAM to collect energy-related information (in a manner similar to collecting the cell energy saving status). Alternatively, the NWDAF can collect analysis on the energy saving status or other energy-related information through the Management Data Analytics Function (MDAF). In step 403, the OAM (or MDAF) can obtain energy-related information from a 3rd party (e.g., the power company) and respond to the NWDAF's request / subscription. Then, in step 404, the NWDAF can reply to the PCF / AMF with a response containing the analysis of the energy-related information. It should be noted that existing NWDAF services and possible analysis IDs and / or analysis filters are enhanced to support energy-related information.

[0034] Figure 5Shows an example scenario 500 for energy-related information collection according to the third proposed solution in embodiments of the present disclosure. Scenario 500 describes the signaling procedures for the PCF / AMF to collect / receive energy-related information from the UDM / DUR / AF (via the NEF). In step 501, the PCF / AMF (as the consumer NF), if enabled to support energy-related information, can transmit a request / subscription to the UDM / UDR to obtain energy-related information. In step 502, the AF can provide energy-related information to the UDM / UDR using existing procedures defined in the 3GPP standard (i.e., using the NEF service). In step 503, the UDM / UDR can reply to the PCF / AMF, providing a response containing energy-related information. It is noted that the existing data collection and exposure procedures are enhanced from the UDM / DUR / AF to support energy-related information.

[0035] Figure 6 Shows an example scenario 600 for energy-related information collection according to the third proposed solution in embodiments of the present disclosure. Scenario 600 describes the signaling procedures for the PCF / AMF to collect / receive energy-related information from the EIF. In step 601, the PCF / AMF (as the consumer NF), if enabled to support energy-related information, can transmit a request / subscription to the EIF to obtain energy-related information. In step 602, the EIF can use the OAM service to request / subscribe from the OAM / NDAF. In step 603, the OAM / MDAF can obtain energy-related information from a 3rd party (e.g., a power company) and configure the EIF with the obtained energy-related information. Then, in step 604, the EIF can reply to the PCF / AMF, providing a response containing an analysis of the energy-related information. It is noted that the existing data collection and exposure procedures are enhanced from the OAM / MDAF to support energy-related information. In some embodiments, new reference points Neif and related services may be required to enable the consumer NF (e.g., PCF, AMF) to obtain energy-related information.

[0036] Example embodiment

[0037] Figure 7 Shows an example communication system 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which has an example communication device 710 and an example network device 720. The communication device 710 and the network device 720 can perform various functions to implement the solutions, techniques, processes, and methods related to enhanced policy control in mobile communication described herein, including the scenarios / solutions described above and the processes 800 and 900 described below.

[0038] The communication device 710 can be part of an electronic device, which can be a UE, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, the communication device 710 can be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, an electronic control unit (ECU) in a vehicle, a digital camera, or a computing device, such as a tablet, a laptop, or a notebook computer. The communication device 710 can also be part of a machine type device, which can be an IoT, NB-IoT, eMTC, IIoT UE, such as a fixed or static device, a home appliance, a roadside unit (RSU), a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, the communication device 710 can be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. Alternatively, the communication device 710 can be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, for example, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex instruction set computing (CISC) processors. The communication device 710 may include Figure 7 at least some of the components shown, such as the processor 712. The communication device 710 may also include one or more other components that are not relevant to the solution proposed in this disclosure (e.g., an internal power supply, a display device, and / or a user interface device), and thus, for the sake of brevity and conciseness, these components of the communication device 710 are not shown in Figure 7 and are not described hereinafter.

[0039] The network device 720 can be part of an electronic device, which can be a network node, such as a satellite, a base station (BS), a small cell, a router, or a gateway of an Internet of Things (IoT) network. For example, the network device 720 can be implemented in a satellite or an eNB / gNB / TRP in a 4G / 5G / B5G / 6G, New Radio (NR), IoT, Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) network. Alternatively, the network device 720 can be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more reduced instruction set computers (RISC) or complex instruction set computers (CISC) processors. The network device 720 may include Figure 7 at least some of the components shown, such as the processor 722. The network device 720 may also include one or more other components that are not relevant to the solution proposed in this disclosure (e.g., an internal power supply, a display device, and / or a user interface device), and thus, for the sake of simplicity and brevity, these components are not shown in Figure 7 and are not described hereinafter.

[0040] In one aspect, processors 712 and 722 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though the singular term "a processor" is used herein to refer to processors 712 and 722, in some implementations according to the present disclosure, each of processors 712 and 722 may include multiple processors, while in other implementations may include a single processor. In another aspect, processors 712 and 722 may be implemented in hardware (and, optionally, firmware), the electronic components of which include, by way of example and not limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and / or one or more variable capacitors, which are configured and arranged according to the present disclosure to achieve a particular purpose. In other words, in at least some implementations, processors 712 and 722 are special-purpose machines that are specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks, including enhanced policy control and energy-related information in devices (e.g., represented by communication device 710) and network nodes (e.g., represented by network device 720), according to various implementations of the present disclosure.

[0041] In some implementations, communication device 710 may also include a transceiver 716 coupled to processor 712 and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, transceiver 716 may be capable of wireless communication with different types of user equipment (UE) and different wireless networks of different radio access technologies (RAT). In some implementations, transceiver 716 may be equipped with multiple antenna ports (not shown), e.g., four antenna ports. That is, transceiver 716 may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) wireless communication. In some implementations, network device 720 may also include a transceiver 726 coupled to processor 722. Transceiver 726 may include a transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, transceiver 726 may be capable of wireless communication with different types of UEs of different RATs. In some implementations, transceiver 726 may be equipped with multiple antenna ports (not shown), e.g., four antenna ports. That is, transceiver 726 may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for MIMO wireless communication.

[0042] In some implementations, the communication device 710 may further include a memory 714 coupled to the processor 712 and accessible by the processor 712 for storing data therein. In some implementations, the network device 720 may further include a memory 724 coupled to the processor 722 and accessible by the processor 722 for storing data therein. Each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 may include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and / or zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively, additionally, each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 may include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, additionally, each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 may include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and / or phase change memory.

[0043] Each of the communication device 710 and the network device 720 may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various solutions proposed in the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes and without limiting the scope, the capabilities of the communication device 710 as a UE and the network device 720 as a network node (e.g., AMF / UPF) are described below in relation to the processes 800 and 900.

[0044] Example processes

[0045] Figure 8 Illustrates an example process 800 according to one implementation of the present disclosure. The process 800 may be an example implementation of the above-described scenario / solution, either in part or in whole, related to enhanced policy control of energy-related information in mobile communication. The process 800 may represent an implementation aspect of the functions of the network device 720. The process 800 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions, as shown by one or more blocks 810 to 830. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of the process 800 may be divided into more blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated according to the desired implementation. Additionally, the blocks of the process 800 may be executed Figure 8 in the order shown, or, alternatively, may be executed in a different order. The process 800 may be implemented by the network device 720 or any variant thereof. For illustrative purposes and without limiting the scope, the process 800 is described below in the context of the communication device 710 as a UE and the network device 720 as a network node (e.g., UPF / AMF). The process 800 may start at block 810.

[0046] At 810, process 800 may involve the processor 722 of network device 720 receiving energy-related information from at least one NF. Process 800 may continue from 810 to 820.

[0047] At 820, process 800 may involve the processor 722 generating at least one UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy for communication device 710 based on the energy-related information. Process 800 may continue from 820 to 830.

[0048] At 830, process 800 may involve the processor 722 providing at least one AM policy, SM policy, and UE policy to communication device 710.

[0049] In some implementations, the energy-related information may include at least one of the following: energy consumption information; energy efficiency information; renewable energy information; and an energy saving metric indicating that communication device 710 is affected by network energy saving operations.

[0050] In certain embodiments, at least one network function (NF) may include at least one of the following: an operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) entity; a network data analytics function (NWDAF); an application function (AF); a unified data management (UDM) entity; a unified data repository (UDR) entity; an energy information function (EIF); and an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0051] In certain embodiments, a user equipment (UE) policy may include a UE routing selection policy (URSP) rule, and the routing selection descriptor (RSD) of the URSP rule may include at least one time window and a location criterion, each determined based on the energy-related information.

[0052] In certain embodiments, an access and mobility (AM) policy may indicate a network slice with validity information determined based on the energy-related information, and the validity information indicates at least one valid time and a valid location.

[0053] In certain embodiments, a session management (SM) policy may include a quality of service (QoS) requirement determined based on the energy-related information.

[0054] Figure 9Shows an example process 900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 900 may represent an aspect of implementing the various designs, concepts, solutions, systems, and methods proposed above, either in part or in whole, regarding enhanced policy control of energy-related information in mobile communications. Process 900 may represent an implementation aspect of the characteristics of communication device 710. Process 900 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions, as shown by one or more blocks 910 to 930. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 900 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated according to the desired implementation. Additionally, the blocks / sub-blocks of process 900 may be executed in the Figure 9 order shown, or in a different order. Process 900 may be implemented by communication device 710 or any suitable user equipment or machine type device. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation, process 900 is described below in the context of communication device 710 as a user equipment and network device 720 as a network node (e.g., UPF / AMF). Process 900 may start at block 910.

[0055] At 910, process 900 may involve the processor 712 of communication device 710 receiving, via transceiver 726, at least one user equipment (UE) policy, one access and mobility (AM) policy, and one session management (SM) policy from network device 720 of the wireless network, where at least one of the UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy is generated based on energy-related information. Process 900 may continue from 910 to 920.

[0056] At 920, process 900 may involve the processor 712 determining a data session for application based on at least one of the UE policy, AM policy, and SM policy. Process 900 may continue from 920 to 930.

[0057] At 930, process 900 may involve c.

[0058] In some embodiments, the energy-related information may include at least one of the following: energy consumption information; energy efficiency information; renewable energy information; and an energy savings indicator indicating that communication device 710 is affected by network energy-saving operations.

[0059] In some embodiments, at least one network function (NF) may include at least one of the following: an operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) entity; a network data analytics function (NWDAF); an application function (AF); a unified data management (UDM) entity; a unified data repository (UDR) entity; an energy information function (EIF); and an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0060] In some embodiments, a user equipment (UE) policy may include a UE routing selection policy (URSP) rule, and a routing selection descriptor (RSD) of the URSP rule may include at least one time window and a location criterion, each determined based on energy-related information.

[0061] In some embodiments, an access and mobility (AM) policy may indicate a network slice with validity information determined based on energy-related information, and the validity information indicates at least one valid time and a valid location.

[0062] In some embodiments, a session management (SM) policy may include a quality of service (QoS) requirement determined based on energy-related information.

[0063] The subject matter described herein sometimes shows different components included within or connected to different other components. It should be understood that these depicted architectures are merely examples, and in fact, many other architectures can be implemented to achieve the same functionality. Conceptually, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" so as to achieve the required functionality. Thus, any two components combined here to achieve a particular functionality can be regarded as "associated" so as to achieve the required functionality, regardless of the architecture or intermediate components. Similarly, any two components so associated can also be regarded as "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to achieve the required functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be regarded as "operably coupled" to achieve the required functionality. Specific examples of operable coupling include, but are not limited to, components that physically mate and / or physically interact and / or wirelessly interact and / or wirelessly communicate and / or logically interact and / or are logically communicable.

[0064] In addition, with respect to almost any plural and / or singular terms used herein, a person having skill can translate from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural according to the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly set forth herein.

[0065] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed processes / flowcharts is an illustration of exemplary methods. It should be understood that based on design preferences, the specific order or layer of the blocks in the processes / flowcharts can be rearranged. In addition, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The method claims present the elements of the various blocks in an example order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0066] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but should be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language, where the reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" but rather "one or more." The term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the term "some" means one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "any combination of A, B, C, or thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A's, multiple B's, or multiple C's. Specifically, such combinations as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "any combination of A, B, C, or thereof" can be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combination can include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The terms "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," etc. may not be used in place of the term "means." Thus, no claim element should be construed as a means-plus-function unless the claim element uses the phrase "means for" expressly recites.

Claims

1. An enhanced policy control method with energy-related information in mobile communication, characterized in that, Comprising: Receiving, by a processor of a network node, energy-related information from at least one network function NF; Generating, by the processor, based on the energy-related information, one of a user equipment UE policy, an access and mobility AM policy, and a session management SM policy for a device; And Providing, by the processor, one of the AM policy, the SM policy, and the UE policy to the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the energy-related information includes at least one of the following: Energy consumption information; Energy efficiency information; Renewable energy information; And An energy saving metric indicating that the device is affected by network energy saving operations.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Wherein the at least one NF includes at least one of the following: An operation and maintenance OAM entity; A network data analytics function NWDAF; An application function AF; A unified data management UDM entity; A unified data repository UDR entity; An energy information function EIF; and An access and mobility management function AMF.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE policy includes a UE Routing Selection Policy (URSP) rule, characterized in that, And a routing descriptor RSD of the URSP rule includes at least a time window and a location criterion, both of which are determined based on the energy-related information.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Wherein the AM policy indicates a network slice with a validity information, the validity information is determined based on the energy-related information, and the validity information indicates at least one valid time and a valid location.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the SM policy includes a quality of service QoS parameter determined based on the energy-related information.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the network node includes a policy control function PCF or an access and mobility management function AMF.

8. An enhanced policy control method with energy-related information in mobile communication, characterized in that, Comprising: Receiving, by a processor of a device, at least one user equipment UE policy, an access and mobility AM policy, and a session management SM policy from a network node of a wireless network, wherein the at least one UE policy, the AM policy, and the SM policy are generated based on an energy-related information; Determining, by the processor, based on the at least one UE policy, the AM policy, and the SM policy, a data session for an application; And Routing, by the processor, traffic of the application between the device and the wireless network based on the data session.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, Wherein the information related to energy includes at least one of the following: Energy consumption information; Energy efficiency information; Renewable energy information; And An energy saving metric indicating that the device is affected by network energy saving operations.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Wherein the UE policy includes a UE routing selection policy URSP rule, and a routing descriptor RSD of the URSP rule includes at least one time window and a location criterion, each of which is determined based on the information related to energy.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein Wherein the AM policy indicates a network slice with a validity information, the validity information is determined based on the energy-related information, and the validity information indicates at least one valid time and a valid location.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein Wherein the SM policy includes a quality of service QoS parameter determined based on the energy-related information.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein, Wherein the network node includes a policy control function PCF or an access and mobility management function AMF.

14. A network device operating as a network node, characterized in that, Comprising: A transceiver that communicates with at least one network function NF and a device during operation; And A processor communicatively connected to the transceiver to perform operations during operation, including: Receiving, from the at least one NF via the transceiver, energy-related information; Generating, based on the energy-related information, at least one user equipment (UE) policy, an access and mobility (AM) policy, and a session management (SM) policy for the device; and Providing, via the transceiver, to the device at least one of the AM policy, the SM policy, and the UE policy.

15. The network device according to claim 14, characterized in that, Wherein the energy-related information includes at least one of the following: Energy consumption information; Energy efficiency information; Renewable energy information; And An energy saving indicator indicating that the device is affected by network energy saving operations.

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