Network node device, communication system, and communication method

Abstract

A network node device is provided with: a reception unit that, when a procedure for a specific process including an authentication procedure for a terminal is executed in a communication system, receives a request for the specific process from a base station; and a transmission unit that transfers the request to a specific network node device that has a function of executing the authentication process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node device in a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] In NR (New Radio), which is a successor system to LTE (Long Term Evolution), also known as "5G", a network architecture including 5GC (5G Core Network) and NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network) is being studied. The 5GC (5G Core Network) corresponds to the core network, i.e., EPC (Evolved Packet Core), in the LTE (Long Term Evolution) network architecture, and the NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network) corresponds to the RAN (Radio Access Network), i.e., E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), in the LTE network architecture (for example, Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2). In addition, research is underway on the specifications of 6G, which is a successor system to NR.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Non-Patent Documents

[0005] Non-Patent Document 1: 3GPP TS23.501 V17.6.0 (2022-09)

[0006] Non-Patent Document 2: 3GPP TS23.502 V17.6.0 (2022-09) Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In the existing 5GS (5G System) disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 1, 2, etc., even if a network node device that processes signals related to a terminal is configured at the network end (a place close to the terminal), the signal needs to pass through the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) located in the center of the network, resulting in signal delay. In addition, such problems sometimes arise due to network node devices other than the AMF.

[0009] The present invention has been completed in view of the above aspects, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of reducing signal delay in a communication system.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problem

[0011] According to the disclosed technique, a network node device is provided, which includes:

[0012] a receiving unit that receives a request for the specific process from a base station when performing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in a communication system; and

[0013] a transmitting unit that forwards the request to a specific network node device having a function of performing the authentication process.

[0014] Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the disclosed technique, a technique capable of reducing signal delay in a communication system can be provided. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 is a diagram showing Figure 8 .2.2.1-1 of Non-Patent Document 1.

[0019] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the system structure of the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 is a diagram showing " Figure 4 .2.2.2.2-1: Registration procedure (Figure 4.2.2.2.2-1:Registration procedure)" of Non-Patent Document 2.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing " Figure 4 .2.2.2.2-1: Registration procedure" in Non-Patent Document 2.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing " Figure 4 .2.2.2.3-1: Registration with AMF re-allocation procedure" in Non-Patent Document 2.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining the initial registration procedure in the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing " Figure 4 .3.2.2.1-1: UE-requested PDU Session Establishment for non-roaming and roaming with local breakout" in Non-Patent Document 2.

[0025] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing " Figure 4 .3.2.2.1-1: UE-requested PDU Session Establishment for non-roaming and roaming with local breakout" in Non-Patent Document 2.

[0026] Figure 11 It is a diagram for explaining the PDU session establishment procedure in the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the second embodiment.

[0028] Figure 13 It is a diagram for explaining an example of the procedure in the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing " Figure 4.9.1.3.2-1: Diagram of "Inter NG-RAN node N2 based handover, Preparation phase".

[0030] Figure 15 It shows " in Non-Patent Document 2 Figure 4 .9.1.3.3-1: Diagram of "Inter NG-RAN node N2 based handover, Execution phase".

[0031] Figure 16 It is a diagram for explaining the process of N2HO in the second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 17 It is a diagram for explaining the process of N2HO in the second embodiment.

[0033] Figure 18 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of a base station and a network node device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 19 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 20 It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 21 It is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

[0038] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technologies can be appropriately used. Such existing technologies are, for example, existing NR or LTE, but are not limited to existing NR or LTE.

[0039] In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described below, terms such as SS (Synchronization signal), PSS (Primary SS), SSS (Secondary SS), PBCH (Physical broadcast channel), PRACH (Physical random access channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) used in existing LTE and NR are used. These are for ease of description, and signals, functions, etc. identical to these can also be referred to by other names.

[0040] In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, the duplex mode can be a TDD (Time Division Duplex) mode, an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) mode, or can also be a mode other than these (for example, Flexible Duplex, etc.).

[0041] In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" radio parameters, etc. can be pre-configuring a predetermined value, or can be configuring radio parameters notified from a base station or a terminal.

[0042] (System configuration)

[0043] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining the wireless communication system related to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] As Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication system related to the embodiments of the present invention includes a base station 10 and a terminal 20. In Figure 1 each, one base station 10 and one terminal 20 are shown, but this is an example, and there can be multiple of each respectively.

[0045] The base station 10 is a communication device that provides more than one cell and communicates wirelessly with the terminal 20. The physical resources of the wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain can be defined by the number of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, and the frequency domain can be defined by the number of subcarriers or the number of resource blocks. In addition, the TTI (Transmission Time Interval) in the time domain can be a time slot, or the TTI can also be a subframe.

[0046] The base station 10 transmits a synchronization signal and system information to the terminal 20. The synchronization signal is, for example, NR-PSS and NR-SSS. The system information is transmitted, for example, through NR-PBCH and is also called broadcast information. The synchronization signal and the system information can also be referred to as an SSB (SS / PBCH block: SS / PBCH block). As Figure 1 shown, the base station 10 transmits control signals or data to the terminal 20 through the DL (Downlink), and receives control signals or data from the terminal 20 through the UL (Uplink). Both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 are capable of beamforming for signal transmission and reception. In addition, both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 are capable of applying communication based on MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) to the DL or UL. In addition, both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 can also communicate via a secondary cell (SCell: Secondary Cell) and a primary cell (PCell: Primary Cell) based on CA (Carrier Aggregation). Also, the terminal 20 can also communicate via the primary cell of the base station 10 and the primary and secondary cell group cells (PSCell: Primary SCG Cell) of other base stations 10 based on DC (Dual Connectivity).

[0047] The terminal 20 is a communication device with a wireless communication function, such as a smart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal, a communication module for M2M (Machine-to-Machine), etc. As Figure 1As shown, the terminal 20 receives control signals or data from the base station 10 via DL and sends control signals or data to the base station 10 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by the wireless communication system. In addition, the terminal 20 receives various reference signals sent from the base station 10 and performs measurement of the propagation path quality based on the reception result of the reference signal. Additionally, the terminal 20 may also be referred to as a UE, and the base station 10 may be referred to as a gNB. Further, the base station 10 may also be referred to as a RAN, NG-RAN, etc.

[0048] Figure 2 FIG. is an example showing the structure of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system includes a RAN 10 (base station), a terminal 20, a core network 30, and a DN (Data Network) 40. Additionally, the wireless communication system may also be referred to as a mobile communication system or a communication system.

[0049] The core network 30 is a network including a switch, a subscriber information management device, etc. The core network 30 includes network nodes that implement user plane (U-Plane) functions and a group of network nodes that implement control plane (C-Plane) function groups. Additionally, the network nodes may also be referred to as "network node devices".

[0050] The user plane (U-Plane) function is a function that performs the transceiver processing of user data. A network node that implements the user plane (U-Plane) function is, for example, a UPF (User plane function) 380. The UPF 380 is a network node that is used to interconnect with the DN 40 and has functions such as an external PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point, routing and forwarding of packets, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) processing. The UPF 380 controls the transceiver of data between the DN 40 and the terminal 20. The UPF 380 and the DN 40 may be composed of one or more network slices.

[0051] The control plane (C-Plane) function group is a function group that performs a series of control processes for communication establishment and the like. The network node group that implements the control plane (C-Plane) function group includes, for example, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) 310, UDM (Unified Data Management) 320, NEF (Network Exposure Function) 330, NRF (Network Repository Function) 340, AUSF (Authentication Server Function) 350, PCF (Policy Control Function) 360, SMF (Session Management Function) 370, AF (Application Function) 390, and CHF (Charging Function) 391.

[0052] AMF 310 is a network node with functions such as termination of the RAN interface, termination of the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management.

[0053] More specifically, AMF 310 can include, for example, the functions described as the functions of AMF in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2. In addition, as described later, in the present embodiment, an AMF in which a part of the functions of AMF 310 is reduced is used together with AMF 310. The AMF 310 that does not undergo function reduction can also be referred to as "normal AMF".

[0054] NRF 340 is a network node with the function of discovering NF (Network Function) instances that provide services. UDM 320 is a network node that manages subscriber data and authentication data. UDM 320 includes a UDR (User Data Repository) 321 that holds this data and an FE (Front End) 322. FE 322 processes subscriber information.

[0055] The SMF 370 is a network node with functions such as session management, IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management for the terminal 20, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming function. The NEF 330 is a network node with the function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The PCF 360 is a network node with the function of performing policy control of the network.

[0056] The AF (Application Function) 390 is a network node with the function of controlling the application server.

[0057] The CHF (Charging Function) 391 is a network node that determines the charging amount and details for subscribers and requests the generation of subscriber detail bills from the detail system 50.

[0058] The AMF 310 is connected to the RAN 10 in a communicable manner as an N2 link. The UPF 380 is connected to the RAN 10 in a communicable manner as an N3 link. The UPF 380 is connected to the SMF 370 in a communicable manner as an N4 link. The UPF 380 is connected to the DN 40 in a communicable manner as an N6 link.

[0059] (Regarding the problem)

[0060] Next, the problems related to the technology of the embodiment will be described in detail. In Figure 2 the existing 5GS (5G system) as shown, in Figure 3 (in Figure 8 .2.2.1-1 of Non-Patent Document 1), each signal of "NAS-MM, NAS-SM, SMS, UE policy, and LCS" related to the terminal 20 is transported from the terminal 20 to the AMF on the NAS transmission.

[0061] As Figure 3 shown, the NAS transmission terminates at the AMF. That is, even when the "SMF that terminates NAS-SM, SMSF that terminates SMS, PCF that terminates UE policy, and LMF that terminates LCS" are located at the network side, as long as the AMF is located in the center of the network, the above-mentioned associated signals will pass through the center of the network. That is, signal delay will occur.

[0062] In addition, the problem of generating the above-mentioned signal delay is not limited to the reason that the signal passes through the AMF, and it may be a problem caused by network node devices other than the AMF.

[0063] Hereinafter, as an example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described as technologies for solving the problem when the problem of signal delay is caused by the AMF. However, the technologies described below (the first embodiment and the second embodiment) can be applied to network node devices not limited to the AMF.

[0064] Hereinafter, the normal AMF without function reduction will be referred to as "normal AMF".

[0065] (Summary and system structure of the first embodiment)

[0066] In the first embodiment, an AMF without SEAF (SEcurity Anchor Function) is configured near the RAN 10. That is, in addition to the normal AMF 310, an AMF without the SEAF function is also configured. In the first embodiment, the AMF without the SEAF function is referred to as nsAMF. The "ns" in nsAMS represents "no-SEAF".

[0067] The normal AMF 310 has a SEAF function. The SEAF function is the authentication function in the normal AMF 310, which holds the anchor key unique to the serving network, etc., and this SEAF function is used in the process of authenticating the terminal 20.

[0068] The nsAMF can be easily implemented by simply not starting the SEAF function in the normal AMF 310. Or, the nsAMF can be implemented by simply not installing the SEAF function among the functions installed in the normal AMF 310. Regarding the I / F of the nsAMF, it is basically the same as that of the normal AMF and can be easily implemented.

[0069] Figure 4 A configuration structure example of the AMF, the terminal 20, and the RAN 10 is shown. As Figure 4 shown, in addition to the normal AMF 310 equipped in the center of the network, the nsAMF 100 is also configured near the RAN 10. The RAN 10 can communicate with either the nsAMF 100 or the AMF 310. In addition, communication can be carried out between the nsAMF 100 and the AMF 310.

[0070] "Near the RAN 10" can mean a small geographical distance from the RAN 10 or a small network distance (e.g., latency) from the RAN 10. In the case of constructing virtual nodes and a network using containers etc. on a computer, the above network can be a virtual network on the computer.

[0071] In the first embodiment, as described above, the nsAMF 100 is configured "near the RAN 10", so that the signal latency of the process that does not use the normal AMF 310 (the process not accompanied by the authentication process) can be reduced. In addition, since the nsAMF 100 does not have the SEAF function, it is easier to implement and manage compared with the normal AMF 310.

[0072] In the first embodiment, when using the nsAMF 100, in the case of a process accompanied by an authentication process, the switching process is performed so that the normal AMF (AMF 310) performs this authentication process. Also, in the first embodiment, as an example of a process accompanied by an authentication process, the registration process is taken, but the process accompanied by an authentication process is not limited to the registration process.

[0073] When switching the process, an indication representing the switching source, i.e., the "AMF indication without SEAF function", is sent from the nsAMF 100 to the normal AMF 310. After the process is switched, the normal AMF 310 executes the authentication process (or a process including the authentication process) in the registration process. When the authentication process (or a process including the authentication process) executed by the normal AMF 310 ends, the process is switched from the normal AMF 310 to the nsAMF 100, and the subsequent registration process is performed using the nsAMF 100 without passing through the normal AMF 310. Also, the indication representing the switching source can be referred to as information representing the switching source.

[0074] In addition, for a process not accompanied by an authentication process (that is, a process using the SEAF function) (e.g., the PDU session establishment process), the nsAMF 100 is used without passing through the normal AMF 310.

[0075] (First Embodiment: Initial Registration Process)

[0076] As an example of the process in the first embodiment, the initial registration process accompanied by an authentication process will be described.

[0077] In the case of not using the nsAMF 100 (that is, when only using the normal AMF 310 as the AMF), for example, the initial registration can be performed through the process described in "4.2.2.2: Registration procedures" in Non-Patent Document 2. For example, the normal AMF 310 can act as the " Figure 4 .2.2.2.2-1: Registration procedure (Figure 4.2.2.2.2-1: Registration procedure)" in the "New AMF" to execute the initial registration process. Figure 5 , Figure 6 is a diagram showing " Figure 4 .2.2.2.2-1: Registration procedure (Figure 4.2.2.2.2-1: Registration procedure)" in Non-Patent Document 2.

[0078] In addition, here, as an example of the registration process (an example of the registration process that delegates the authentication process to the normal AMF 310), the initial registration process is taken as an example, but the registration process is not limited to the initial registration process. For example, the registration process in the first embodiment may be a Mobility Registration Update accompanying a change in the tracking area.

[0079] In the initial registration process of the first embodiment, in order to delegate the authentication process to the normal AMF 310, the processing is switched from the nsAMF 100 to the normal AMF 310. For this switch, the Registration with AMF re-allocation is used.

[0080] In the Registration with AMF re-allocation, when the AMF receives a registration request, the AMF forwards (reroutes) the registration request to another AMF.

[0081] Figure 7 shows the Registration with AMF re-allocation procedure in Non-Patent Document 2. In the first embodiment, basically, the execution of Figure 7The registration process with AMF reallocation when the "Initial AMF" is set to nsAMF 100 and the "Target AMF" is set to the normal AMF 310.

[0082] However, since nsAMF 100 cannot execute the authentication process, a part of the registration process with AMF reallocation is used to perform the process of delegating only the authentication process to the normal AMF 310. Such a registration process with AMF reallocation is a process not available in the prior art.

[0083] Refer to Figure 8 to describe the initial registration process in the first embodiment.

[0084] In S101, the terminal 20 sends an initial registration request to the RAN 10.

[0085] For example, it is assumed that in the RAN 10, a setting equivalent to "sending an initial registration request from the terminal 20 in the area covered by the RAN 10 to nsAMF 100" is made. Therefore, in S102, the RAN 10 sends the initial registration request received from the terminal 20 to nsAMF 100.

[0086] Alternatively, it may be that information indicating the use of nsAMF 100 is included in the initial registration request sent from the terminal 20, and the RAN 10 sends the initial registration request to nsAMF 100 based on this information.

[0087] The nsAMF 100 that has received the initial registration request executes the registration process with AMF reallocation. Specifically, since the nsAMF 100 does not hold the SUPI of the terminal 20 at the current time point, it does not start the authentication process in the prior art ( Figure 7 ) ( Figure 4 .2.2.2.2-1, steps 4 to 9a or to 9b (steps 4 to 9a or to 9b of figure 4.2.2.2.2-1)), and in S103, forwards the initial registration request to the normal AMF 310 that is preset as the forwarding target. At this time, the nsAMF 100 includes a SEAF-less AMF indication in the initial registration request (message) and forwards the initial registration request including the SEAF-less AMF indication to the normal AMF 310.

[0088] The normal AMF 310 that has received the initial registration request from the nsAMF 100 executes the registration process with AMF reallocation. Here, perform Figure 7The registration process with AMF re - allocation when the "Initial AMF" is set to the normal AMF 310 and the "Target AMF" is set to the nsAMF 100. Specifically, the normal AMF 310 performs the authentication process in S104. During the authentication process here, the normal AMF 310, for example, performs Figure 5 the "8. AUSF selection" and "9. Authentication / Security" shown. In the "8. AUSF selection", the AUSF is selected based on the SUPI or SUCI. In the "9. Authentication / Security", the AUSF is used to authenticate the terminal 20.

[0089] After the normal AMF 310 has performed the authentication process, in S105, based on the SEAF - less function AMF indication included in the initial registration request, it forwards the initial registration request to the nsAMF 100. That is, the normal AMF 310 can make the following judgment: If it detects the SEAF - less function AMF indication in the forwarded initial registration request, it should forward the initial registration request to the nsAMF 100 after the authentication process.

[0090] In S106, the nsAMF 100 performs the initial registration process with the terminal 20 and completes this process. The initial registration process here is, for example, in Figure 5 、 Figure 6 (in Figure 4 .2.2.2.2 - 1 of Non - Patent Document 2) the processes other than the authentication process performed during the initial registration process. For example, in S106, Figure 5 、 Figure 6 the "New AMF" can be regarded as the nsAMF 100 to perform Figure 5 、 Figure 6 the processes from 10. to 25. (the processes after the authentication process).

[0091] (The First Embodiment: PDU Session Establishment Process)

[0092] As an example of the process without an accompanying authentication process when using the nsAMF 100, the PDU session establishment process will be described.

[0093] As an example of the PDU session establishment process, in Figure 9 、 Figure 10 it shows the " Figure 4.3.2.2.1-1: UE-requested PDU Session Establishment for non-roaming and roaming with local breakout”. The nsAMF 100 can, for example, act as the “AMF” in Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and execute the processes described in Figure 9 、 Figure 10 .

[0094] Figure 11 shows an example of the process involving the nsAMF 100. In Figure 11 S201, the terminal 20 sends a PDU session establishment request. The nsAMF 100 receives this PDU session establishment request. In S202, a process for PDU session establishment is executed. The process in S202 can be, for example, the processes from 2. to 21. in Figure 9 、 Figure 10 .

[0095] (Technical effects related to the first embodiment)

[0096] According to the technology related to the first embodiment, signal delay in the communication system can be reduced. In addition, in the technology related to the first embodiment, only a small change to the existing network (e.g., 5GC) is required, and signal delay reduction can be achieved in a general process (e.g., a process not limited to LCS).

[0097] (Outline of the second embodiment)

[0098] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, in addition to the normal AMF 310, an AMF with reduced functions is also configured near the RAN 10, thereby reducing signal delay. In the second embodiment, this AMF is called xAMF. The “x” in xAMF can be appropriately changed according to which function is reduced.

[0099] Figure 12 shows an example of the configuration structure of the AMF, terminal 20, and RAN 10 in the second embodiment. As Figure 12 shows, in addition to the normal 310 equipped in the center of the network, the xAMF 200 is also configured near the RAN 10. The RAN 10 can communicate with either the xAMF 200 or the normal AMF 310. In addition, communication can be performed between the xAMF 100 and the normal AMF 310.

[0100] "In the vicinity of RAN 10" can mean a small geographical distance from RAN 10 or a small network distance (e.g., latency) from RAN 10. In the case of constructing virtual nodes and a network using containers etc. on a computer, the above network can be a virtual network within the computer.

[0101] The xAMF 200 in the second embodiment is an AMF with further reduced functions from the nsAMF 100 (AMF without SEAF function) described in the first embodiment.

[0102] More specifically, the xAMF 200 in the second embodiment is an AMF that does not have the SEAF function, does not have some of the functions in the MM (Mobility Management) function, and has terminal context. Except for "not having the SEAF function and not having some of the functions in the MM (Mobility Management) function", the functions of the xAMF 200 can be the same as those of a normal AMF 310. Additionally, the xAMF 200 may also have the SEAF function.

[0103] As one of the MM functions in the normal AMF 310, there is a function for managing the handover (N2HO: N2 Handover) between two RANs (gNBs). In the second embodiment, as "some of the functions in the MM function", the xAMF 200 does not have "N2HO". Hereinafter, the xAMF 200 that does not have a specific function such as N2HO will be referred to as aAMF 200, and the function obtained by further generalizing the functions to be reduced, not limited to the N2HO function (that is, the function obtained by further generalizing the functions to be reduced) will be referred to as xAMF 200. Additionally, aAMF 200 is an example of xAMF 200.

[0104] The aAMF 200 that does not have the N2HO function can execute the PDU session establishment process, the terminal-initiated service request process, the network-initiated service request process, etc. without using the normal AMF 310. Therefore, by configuring the aAMF 200 in the vicinity of RAN 10, it is possible to reduce the signal latency in the PDU session establishment process, the terminal-initiated service request process, the network-initiated service request process, etc.

[0105] In addition, since the aAMF 200 does not have the N2HO function, it is easier to implement and manage than the normal AMF 310. Also, "not having the N2HO function" can mean that although the N2HO function exists in the aAMF 200 but is not activated, or it can mean that the N2HO function does not exist in the aAMF 200.

[0106] When using the aAMF 200 deployed near the RAN 10, if N2HO that cannot be executed by the aAMF 200 is initiated, the aAMF 200 transfers the terminal context to the normal AMF 310 deployed in the center of the network only by terminating the NGAP (NG Application Protocol), and delegates other processing in the N2HO. If the process ends, the normal AMF 310 at the destination of movement transfers the terminal context of the target terminal to the aAMF 200 at the destination of movement. The aAMF 200 at the destination of movement notifies the SMF 370 of its own ID. The detailed process will be described later.

[0107] Functions not supported by the xAMF 200 (functions to be reduced) are not limited to N2HO. In the xAMF 200, if a certain function X is reduced, the xAMF 200 is deployed near the RAN 10 and used during the process without using the function X, thereby reducing the signal delay during this process.

[0108] This process can be a PDU session establishment process, a terminal-initiated service request process, a network-initiated service request process, or other processes.

[0109] When using the xAMF 200, if a function not supported by the xAMF 200 in the communication system is initiated, the xAMF 200 transfers the terminal context to the normal AMF 310 only by terminating the NGAP, and delegates the processing using this function to the normal AMF 310. After the normal AMF 310 finishes the processing, it transfers the terminal context after the processing to the xAMF 200. The xAMF 200 re-establishes cooperation with other NFs.

[0110] Refer to Figure 13 Describe the process example of the above processing. In S301, the xAMF 200 receives a processing request from the RAN 10. In S302, the xAMF 200 sends a processing delegation including terminal context information to the normal AMF 310. The normal AMF 310 performs processing using the function that the xAMF 200 does not have in S303, and in S304, sends a notice of the end of processing including the terminal context information after this processing to the xAMF 200. After that, the xAMF 200 re-establishes cooperation with other NFs.

[0111] "Terminal context" refers to information indicating the status of a terminal. A network node device can perform control, service provision, etc. for a certain terminal by maintaining the terminal context of the terminal.

[0112] Terminal context information is information that serves as the source of the terminal context. The terminal context information can be regarded as the "terminal context".

[0113] Terminal context information about a certain terminal can be, for example, any one or any combination or all of "SUPI, service area restriction, allowed NSSAI for each access type if available, tracing requirements, LTE M indication, the list of PDU session IDs along with the corresponding SMF information and the corresponding S-NSSAI(s), PCF ID(s), DNN, UE radio capability ID and UE radio capability information, N2 notify URI" for that terminal. In addition, the terminal context information can include information other than the above information.

[0114] In addition, in the first embodiment, generally the AMF 310 terminates the NGAP, and in the second embodiment, the xA MF 200 terminates the NGAP. However, this is an example. In the first embodiment, the communication system can also be configured in such a way that the nsAMS100 terminates the NGAP.

[0115] (Second Embodiment: N2HO)

[0116] Next, a process example of N2HO in the case of using the aAMF 200 in the second embodiment will be described in detail. Here, "S" is used to indicate that a certain node is the mobile source node of the handover, and "T" is used to indicate that a certain node is the mobile destination node.

[0117] Regarding N2HO in the case of not using the aAMF 200, it can be executed, for example, by the process described in "4.9.1.3 Inter NG-RAN node N2 based hand over" of Non-Patent Document 2.

[0118] Figure 14 shows " Figure 4 .9.1.3.2-1: Inter NG-RAN node N2 based handover, Preparation phase" in Non-Patent Document 2, Figure 15 shows " Figure 4 .9.1.3.3-1: Inter NG-RAN node N2 based handover, Execution phase" in Non-Patent Document 2. Figure 16 and Figure 17 shows the process in the second embodiment.

[0119] The S-AMF 310S and T-AMF 310T, which are normal AMFs, can respectively act as the S-AMF and T-AMF in Figure 14 and Figure 15 to perform N2HO. Among them, when using the aAMF 200 (S-aAMF200S, T-aAMF 200T), the S-AMF 310S and T-AMF 310T respectively perform N2HO via the S-aAMF 200S and T-aAMF 200T.

[0120] Refer to Figure 16 and Figure 17 to illustrate the process example of N2HO in the second embodiment.

[0121] In S401, the S-NG-RAN 10S determines the start of N2HO between NG-RAN nodes. This process corresponds to Figure 14 "Decision to trigger a relocation via N2" in

[0122] In S402, the S-NG-RAN 10S sends a Handover Required to the S-aAMF 100S. This process corresponds to Figure 14 "1. Handover Required" in

[0123] In S403, the S-aAMF 200S sends a Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext request (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request) (terminal context generation request) including Handover Required to the S-AMF 310S that is pre-set as the forwarding target.

[0124] In addition to including Handover Required, the Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext request (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request) also includes the terminal context information of the terminal 20 held by the S-aAMF 200S.

[0125] In S404, the S-AMF 310S makes the following judgment: Since there is Handover Required in the Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext request (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request), the terminal context is not generated immediately.

[0126] In S405, the S-AMF 310S determines the T-AMF 310T. This process corresponds to Figure 14 "2. T-AMF Selection".

[0127] In S406, the S-AMF 310S sends a Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext request (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request) to the T-AMF 310T. This process corresponds to Figure 14 "3. Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext request (Namf_Communication_Create UEContextRequest)" in. The Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext request (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request) includes the terminal context information.

[0128] In S407, the T-AMF 310T generates a terminal context (maintains terminal context information) within the T-AMF 310T.

[0129] In S408, the T-AMF 310T sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer containing a Handover Request to the T-aAMF 200T.

[0130] In S409, the T-aAMF 200T sends a Handover Request to the T-NG-RAN 10T. This process corresponds to Figure 14 "9. Handover Request" in

[0131] In S410, the T-NG-RAN 10T sends a Handover Request Acknowledge to the T-aAMF 200T. This process corresponds to Figure 14 "10. Handover Request Acknowledge" in

[0132] In S411, the T-aAMF 100T sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer containing a Handover Request Acknowledge to the T-AMF 310T.

[0133] In Figure 17 In S412, the T-AMF 310T sends a Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Response to the S-AMF 310S. The Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Response contains the information required to generate a Handover Command. The process in S412 corresponds to Figure 14 "12. Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Response" in

[0134] In S413, the S-AMF 310S sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer containing a Handover Command to the S-aAMF 200S.

[0135] In S414, the S-aAMF 200S sends a Handover Command to the S-NG-RAN 10S. This process corresponds to Figure 15 "1. Handover Command" in

[0136] In S415, the S-NG-RAN 10S sends a Handover Command to the UE 20. This process corresponds to Figure 15 "2. Handover Command" in

[0137] In S416, the UE 20 sends a Handover Confirm to the T-NG-RAN 10T. This process corresponds to Figure 15 "4. Handover Confirm" in

[0138] In S417, the T-NG-RAN 10T sends a Handover Notify to the T-aAMF 200T. This process corresponds to Figure 15 "5. Handover Notify" in

[0139] In S418, the T-aAMF 200T sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer containing a Handover Notify to the T-AMF 310T. The T-AMF 310T that has confirmed the Handover Notify in the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer determines that the N2HO process is successful.

[0140] In S419, the T-AMF 310T sends a Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request to the T-aAMF 200T. The Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request contains terminal context information about the terminal 20 after handover.

[0141] The T-aAMF 200T that receives the Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Request generates a terminal context within the T-aAMF 100T.

[0142] In S420, the T-aAMF 200T sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext containing the T-aAMF ID to the SMF 370.

[0143] <Other examples>

[0144] In the above example, as the normal AMF, two AMFs, the S-AMF 310S and the T-AMF 310T, are used. However, when the S-AMF 310S accommodates both the T-aAMF 200T and the S-aAMF 200S, N2HO can be performed only through the S-AMF 310S without using the T-AMF 310T. In this case, the S-AMF 310S also functions as the T-AMF 310T.

[0145] Furthermore, when the S-aAMF 200S accommodates both the S-NG-RAN 10S and the T-NG-RAN 10T, without using the T-aAMF 200T, communication is performed only between the S-aAMF 200S and the S-AMF 310S, thereby enabling N2HO. In this case, the S-aAMF 200S also functions as the T-aAMF 200T.

[0146] (Technical effects related to the second embodiment)

[0147] According to the technology related to the second embodiment, signal delay in a communication system can be reduced. In addition, in the technology related to the second embodiment, only minor changes to an existing network (e.g., 5GC) are required, and signal delay reduction can be achieved in a general process (e.g., a process not limited to LCS).

[0148] (Device Structure)

[0149] Next, a functional structure example of the base station 10, the terminal 20, and various network node devices that implement the above-described processing and operations will be described. The base station 10, the terminal 20, and various network node devices include the functions of implementing the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, the terminal 20, and various network node devices may each only have a part of the functions in the embodiments. Additionally, the base station 10 may also be one of the "network node devices".

[0150] <Base Station 10 and Network Node Device>

[0151] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the base station 10. As Figure 18 shown, the base station 10 has a transmission unit 110, a reception unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. Figure 18 The functional structure shown is only an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented, the functional division and the names of the functional units can be arbitrary.

[0152] In addition, the network node device has the same Figure 18 functional structure as the base station 10. For example, nsAMF, xAMF, and aAMF all have the Figure 18 shown functional structure.

[0153] In addition, a network node device having multiple different functions in the system architecture may be composed of multiple network node devices separated by function.

[0154] The transmission unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or other network node devices and transmitting the signal in a wired or wireless manner. The reception unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or other network node devices and obtaining, for example, higher-layer information from the received signals.

[0155] The setting unit 130 stores preset setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20, etc. in a storage device, and reads it from the storage device as needed.

[0156] The control unit 140 controls this device. The functional units related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the functional units related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0157] <Terminal 20>

[0158] Figure 19 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the terminal 20. As Figure 19 shown, the terminal 20 has a transmission unit 210, a reception unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. Figure 19 The functional structure shown is only an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented, the functional division and the names of the functional units can be arbitrary. The USIM installed in the terminal 20 may also have a transmission unit 210, a reception unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240 in the same manner as the terminal 20.

[0159] The transmission unit 210 generates a transmission signal based on the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The reception unit 220 receives various signals wirelessly and obtains higher-layer signals from the received physical layer signals. In addition, the reception unit 220 has a function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, or reference signals, etc. transmitted from a network node.

[0160] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the network node by the reception unit 220 in the storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. In addition, the setting unit 230 also stores preset setting information.

[0161] In this specification, at least the following Supplementary Notes 1 to 2 are disclosed.

[0162] <Supplementary Note 1>

[0163] (Supplementary Note Item 1)

[0164] A network node device, comprising:

[0165] A reception unit that, when performing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in a communication system, receives a request for the specific processing from a base station; and

[0166] A transmission unit that forwards the request to a specific network node device having a function of performing the authentication process.

[0167] (Supplementary Note Item 2)

[0168] According to the network node device described in Supplementary Note Item 1, wherein,

[0169] Include information representing the network node device in the said request.

[0170] After the authentication process is executed by the said specific network node device, the receiving part receives the said request forwarded based on the said information from the said specific network node device.

[0171] (Supplementary Note Item 3)

[0172] The network node device according to Supplementary Note Item 1 or 2, wherein

[0173] The network node device is equivalent to the device obtained by deleting the function of executing the authentication process from the said specific network node device.

[0174] The distance between the network node device and the base station is less than the distance between the said specific network node device and the base station.

[0175] (Supplementary Note Item 4)

[0176] A communication system, which includes a network node device and a specific network node device.

[0177] The network node device includes:

[0178] A receiving part, which receives the request for the said specific processing from the base station when executing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in the communication system; and

[0179] A sending part, which forwards the request to the said specific network node device having the function of executing the authentication process.

[0180] (Supplementary Note Item 5)

[0181] A communication method, which is executed by a network node device and includes the following steps:

[0182] A receiving step, which receives the request for the said specific processing from the base station when executing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in the communication system; and

[0183] A sending step, which forwards the request to a specific network node device having the function of executing the authentication process.

[0184] According to any one of Supplementary Note Items 1 to 5, a technology capable of reducing signal delay in a communication system is provided. According to Supplementary Note Item 2, the specific network node device can judge the following content: after executing the authentication process, the request should be forwarded to the network node device. According to Supplementary Note Item 3, it is easy to implement the network node device, and the network node device can be set at an appropriate location.

[0185] <Supplementary Note 2>

[0186] (Supplementary Note Item 1)

[0187] A network node device, comprising:

[0188] A sending unit that, when receiving a request for a specific process related to a terminal from a base station, sends a request including terminal context information about the terminal to a specific network node device having a function of executing the specific process; and

[0189] A receiving unit that, after the specific process is executed in the specific network node device, receives the terminal context information after the specific process is executed from the specific network node device.

[0190] (Supplementary Note Item 2)

[0191] The network node device according to Supplementary Note Item 1, wherein

[0192] The network node device is equivalent to a device obtained by deleting the function of executing the specific process from the specific network node device,

[0193] The distance between the network node device and the base station is less than the distance between the specific network node device and the base station.

[0194] (Supplementary Note Item 3)

[0195] A network node device, comprising:

[0196] A sending unit that, when receiving a request for handover processing of a certain terminal from a base station, sends a request including terminal context information about the terminal to a specific network node device having a function of executing the handover processing; and

[0197] A receiving unit that receives a message including a handover command from the specific network node device.

[0198] (Supplementary Note Item 4)

[0199] A network node device, comprising:

[0200] A receiving unit that receives a message including a handover request for a certain terminal from a specific network node device having a function of executing handover processing; and

[0201] A sending unit that sends the handover request to a base station at a moving destination of the terminal,

[0202] After the handover processing ends, the receiving unit receives the terminal context information about the terminal from the specific network node device.

[0203] (Supplementary Note Item 5)

[0204] The network node device according to supplementary note item 4, wherein,

[0205] The sending unit sends identification information of the network node device to the session management device.

[0206] (Supplementary note item 6)

[0207] A communication method, which is executed by a network node device, includes the following steps:

[0208] A sending step, when a request for a specific process related to a terminal is received from a base station, sends a request including terminal context information about the terminal to a specific network node device having a function of executing the specific process; and

[0209] A receiving step, after the specific process is executed in the specific network node device, receives the terminal context information after the specific process is executed from the specific network node device.

[0210] According to any one of supplementary note items 1 to 6, a technique capable of reducing signal delay in a communication system is provided. According to supplementary note item 2, it is easy to implement a network node device, and the network node device can be set in an appropriate place. According to supplementary note item 5, the network node device can communicate with the session management device.

[0211] (Hardware structure)

[0212] The block diagrams ( Figure 18 and Figure 19 ) used in the description of the above embodiment show blocks in terms of functions. These functional blocks (structural parts) are implemented by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. In addition, there is no particular limitation on the implementation method of each functional block. That is, each functional block can be implemented using one device physically or logically combined, or two or more devices physically or logically separated can be directly or indirectly (for example, using wired, wireless, etc.) connected and these multiple devices can be used to implement. The functional block can also be implemented by combining software in the above one device or the above multiple devices.

[0213] The functions include judgment, decision-making, determination, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, solution, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration as, broadcasting, notification, communication, forwarding, configuration, reconfiguration, allocation (mapping), assignment, etc., but are not limited to these. For example, a functional block (structural part) that exhibits a transmission function is called a transmitting unit or a transmitter. In short, as described above, there is no particular limitation on the implementation method.

[0214] For example, the network node device, the terminal 20, etc. in an embodiment of the present disclosure can also function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 20 FIG. is an example showing the hardware structure of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node device may have the same hardware structure as the base station 10. The USIM may have the same hardware structure as the terminal 20. The above-mentioned base station 10, network node device, and terminal 20 may be configured as a computer device physically including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, and a bus 1007, etc.

[0215] In addition, in the following description, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit", "equipment (device)", "unit (unit)", etc. The hardware structure of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured not to include some of the devices.

[0216] Each function in the base station 10, the network node device, and the terminal 20 is implemented by the following method: a predetermined software (program) is read into hardware such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, so that the processor 1001 performs operations and controls at least one of the communication of the communication device 1004 or the reading and writing of data in the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0217] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by, for example, operating an operating system. The processor 1001 may also be constituted by a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, etc. For example, the above control unit 140, control unit 240, etc. may also be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0218] In addition, the processor 1001 reads out a program (program code), a software module, data, etc. from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 to the storage device 1002, and performs various processes based on this. As the program, a program that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiments is used. For example, Figure 18 The control unit 140 of the base station 10 / network node device shown may also be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operating in the processor 1001. In addition, for example, Figure 19 The control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown may also be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operating in the processor 1001. Although it has been described that the above various processes are executed by one processor 1001, the above various processes may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may also be implemented by one or more chips. In addition, the program may also be sent from the network via a telecommunication line.

[0219] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), etc. The storage device 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, etc. that can be executed in order to implement the communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0220] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, which can be constituted by at least one of optical discs such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), hard disk drives, floppy disks, magneto-optical discs (e.g., compact discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray (registered trademark) discs, smart cards, flash memories (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives (Key drive)), Floppy (registered trademark) disks, magnetic stripes, etc.). The above storage medium can be, for example, a database, a server, and other appropriate media including at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0221] The communication device 1004 is a hardware (transceiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 can also be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc., to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD: Frequency Division Duplex) and time division duplex (TDD: Time Division Duplex). For example, a transceiver antenna, an amplifier section, a transceiver section, a transmission path interface, etc. can also be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transceiver section can also be physically or logically separately implemented by a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0222] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. In addition, the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 can also be integrally constituted (e.g., a touch panel).

[0223] In addition, each device such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 can be constituted by a single bus or different buses can be used between devices.

[0224] In addition, the base station 10, the network node device, and the terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a part or all of the functional blocks may also be implemented by this hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may also be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0225] Figure 21 An example of the structure of the vehicle 2001 is shown. As Figure 21 shown, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each form / embodiment described in the present disclosure (e.g., the base station 10, the terminal 20, the xAMF, the nsAMF, or the aAMF) may also be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0226] The drive unit 2002 is composed of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also referred to as a steering disk) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0227] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be referred to as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0228] As signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029, there are current signals from the current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, rotational speed signals of the front and rear wheels obtained by the rotational speed sensor 2022, air pressure signals of the front and rear wheels obtained by the air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by the acceleration sensor 2025, depression amount signals of the accelerator pedal obtained by the accelerator pedal sensor 2029, depression amount signals of the brake pedal obtained by the brake pedal sensor 2026, operation signals of the shift lever obtained by the shift lever sensor 2027, detection signals for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by the object detection sensor 2028, and so on.

[0229] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio for providing (outputting) various information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses the information obtained from external devices via the communication module 2013 and the like to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the passengers of the vehicle 2001.

[0230] The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (for example, keyboards, mice, microphones, switches, buttons, sensors, touch panels, etc.) that accept inputs from the outside, and may also include output devices (for example, displays, speakers, LED lights, touch panels, etc.) that perform outputs to the outside.

[0231] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices such as millimeter-wave radars, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, locators for positioning (for example, GNSS, etc.), map information (for example, high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyroscopic systems (for example, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors for providing functions to prevent accidents in advance or reduce the driving load of the driver, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. In addition, the driving assistance system unit 2030 transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to implement driving assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0232] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and the components of the vehicle 2001 via a communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 exchanges data with the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, gear lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and the memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 within the electronic control unit 2010, and the sensors 2021-2029, which are all components of the vehicle 2001, via the communication port 2033.

[0233] The communication module 2013 can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and is a communication device capable of communicating with external devices. For example, it exchanges various information with external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 can be located inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. External devices can be, for example, base stations, mobile stations, etc.

[0234] The communication module 2013 can send at least one of the signals from the various sensors 2021-2029 input to the electronic control unit 2010, the information obtained based on these signals, and the information based on the input from the external (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2029, the information service unit 2012, etc. can also be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH sent by the communication module 2013 can contain the information based on the above input.

[0235] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, vehicle-to-vehicle information, etc.) sent from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 of the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 can also be referred to as an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to devices such as a display and a speaker based on the PDSCH received by the communication module 2013 (or the data / information decoded from the PDSCH)).

[0236] In addition, the communication module 2013 stores the various information received from an external device in the memory 2032 accessible by the microprocessor 2031. The microprocessor 2031 can also control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, gear lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., which are components of the vehicle 2001, based on the information stored in the memory 2032.

[0237] (Supplement of the Embodiment)

[0238] The above has described the embodiments of the present invention. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art should understand various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitution examples, etc. Specific numerical examples are used for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the invention, but these numerical values are only examples and any appropriate arbitrary values can be used as long as not specifically indicated. The item distinctions in the above description are not essential for the present invention. The matters described in two or more items can be combined as needed, or the matters described in one item can be applied to the matters described in another item (as long as there is no contradiction). The boundaries of the functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical components. The operations of multiple functional units can be performed by one physical component, or the operation of one functional unit can be performed by multiple physical components. Regarding the processing procedures described in the embodiments, the order of processing can be swapped without contradiction. For the purpose of facilitating the description of the processing, the base station 10, the network node device, and the terminal 20 are illustrated using functional block diagrams, but such devices can also be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software that operates according to the embodiments of the present invention through the processors of the base station 10, the network node device, and the terminal 20 can also be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a register, a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a database, a server, and other appropriate arbitrary storage media respectively.

[0239] In addition, the notification of information is not limited to the forms / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and other methods can also be used. For example, the notification of information can be implemented through physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), high layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling), broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or a combination thereof. In addition, the RRC signaling can be referred to as an RRC message. For example, it can also be an RRC connection setup message, an RRC connection reconfiguration message, etc.

[0240] Each form / embodiment described in the present disclosure can also be applied to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (x is an integer or a decimal, for example), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other appropriate systems, and next-generation systems extended, modified, created, and defined based on these systems. In addition, multiple systems can be combined (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A and 5G) and applied.

[0241] For the processing procedures, timings, flows, etc. of each form / embodiment described in this specification, the order can be swapped without contradiction. For example, for the methods described in the present disclosure, the order of examples is used to indicate the elements of various steps, but is not limited to the specific order indicated.

[0242] In this specification, specific actions performed by the base station 10 are sometimes also performed by its upper node according to circumstances. In a network composed of one or more network nodes including the base station 10, it is obvious that various actions performed for communication with the terminal 20 can be performed by at least one of the base station 10 and other network nodes other than the base station 10 (for example, MME or S-GW is considered, but not limited to these). In the above, the case where there is one other network node other than the base station 10 is illustrated, but the other network nodes can also be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, MME and S-GW).

[0243] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure can be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer). Input and output can also be performed via multiple network nodes.

[0244] The input or output information, etc. can be stored in a specific location (for example, memory), or can be managed using a management table. The input or output information, etc. can be rewritten, updated, or appended. The output information, etc. can also be deleted. The input information, etc. can also be sent to other devices.

[0245] The determination in this disclosure can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), can also be made by a Boolean value (true or false), and can also be made by a numerical comparison (for example, comparison with a predetermined value).

[0246] For software, regardless of whether it is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names, it should be broadly interpreted as referring to commands, command sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes, functions, etc.

[0247] In addition, software, commands, information, etc. can be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, when using at least one of wired technologies (coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), etc.) and wireless technologies (infrared, microwave, etc.) to send software from a web page, server, or other remote source, at least one of these wired technologies and wireless technologies is included in the definition of the transmission medium.

[0248] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure can also be represented using any one of a variety of different technologies. For example, the data, commands, instructions, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be involved in the overall description above can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination of these.

[0249] In addition, the terms described in this disclosure and the terms required to understand this disclosure can be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol can also be a signal (signaling). In addition, a signal can also be a message. In addition, a component carrier (CC: Component Carrier) can also be referred to as a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0250] The terms "system" and "network" used in this disclosure can be used interchangeably.

[0251] In addition, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure can be represented using absolute values, relative values with respect to a predetermined value, or can also be represented using corresponding other information. For example, wireless resources can be indicated using indices.

[0252] The names used for the above parameters are non-restrictive names in any aspect. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions, etc. using these parameters are sometimes different from the content explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by all appropriate names, so the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are non-restrictive names in any aspect.

[0253] In this disclosure, the terms "base station (BS: Base Station)", "radio base station", "base station", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier", etc. can be used interchangeably. Sometimes, terms such as macro cell, small cell, femto cell, pico cell, etc. are also used to refer to base stations.

[0254] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., 3) cells. When the base station accommodates multiple cells, the overall coverage area of the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, and each of the smaller areas can also be provided with communication services through a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). Terms such as "cell" or "sector" refer to a part or the whole of the coverage area of at least one of the base station and the base station subsystem that provides communication services within the coverage range.

[0255] In the present disclosure, the base station sending information to the terminal can also be replaced by the base station instructing the terminal to perform control / action based on the information.

[0256] In the present disclosure, terms such as "mobile station (MS)", "user terminal", "user equipment (UE)", and "terminal" can be used interchangeably.

[0257] For a mobile station, those skilled in the art sometimes also refer to it by the following terms: subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate terms.

[0258] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. In addition, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be a device mounted on a moving body, the moving body itself, etc. The moving body refers to an object that can move, and the moving speed is arbitrary. In addition, of course, the case where the moving body stops is also included. The moving body includes, for example, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, rear cars, rickshaws, ships (ship and other watercraft), airplanes, rockets, artificial satellites, Drones (registered trademark), multi-rotor helicopters, quad-rotor helicopters, balloons, and objects mounted on them, and is not limited thereto. In addition, the moving body may also be a moving body that autonomously travels based on an operation instruction. It may be a means of transportation (such as a car, an airplane, etc.), a moving body that moves in an unmanned manner (such as a drone, an autonomous driving car, etc.), or a robot (humanoid or non-humanoid). In addition, at least one of the base station and the mobile station also includes a device that does not necessarily move during a communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0259] In addition, the base station in the present disclosure may also be replaced with a user terminal. For example, a structure in which the communication between the base station and the user terminal is replaced with the communication between a plurality of terminals 20 (for example, it may also be referred to as D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.) may also apply each form / embodiment of the present disclosure. In this case, it may also be configured such that the terminal 20 has the functions of the above-described base station 10. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may also be replaced with terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, the uplink channel, the downlink channel, etc. may also be replaced with side channels.

[0260] Similarly, the user terminal in the present disclosure may be replaced with a base station. In this case, it may also be configured such that the base station has the functions of the above-described user terminal.

[0261] As used herein, terms such as "determining" and "deciding" sometimes encompass a variety of actions. For example, "determining" and "deciding" may include regarding something that has been judged, calculated, computed, processed, derived, investigated, looked up (e.g., searched in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertained as something that has been "determined" or "decided". In addition, "determining" and "deciding" may include regarding something that has been received (e.g., receiving information), transmitted (e.g., transmitting information), input, output, or accessed (e.g., accessing data in memory) as something that has been "determined" or "decided". Further, "determining" and "deciding" may include regarding something that has been resolved, selected, chosen, established, or compared as something that has been "determined" or "decided". That is, "determining" and "deciding" may include regarding certain actions as something that has been "determined" or "decided". Additionally, "determining (deciding)" may also be replaced by "assuming", "expecting", "considering", etc.

[0262] As used herein, terms such as "connected" and "coupled" or any variations of these terms are intended to represent any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include cases where there is one or more intermediate elements between the two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination of these. For example, "access" may be used to replace "connected". In the context of this disclosure, it may be considered that two elements are "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and as some non-limiting and non-inclusive examples, using electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency band, microwave region, and optical (including both visible and invisible) region to "connect" or "couple" to each other.

[0263] A reference signal may be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), or may be referred to as a pilot according to the applied standard.

[0264] In the present disclosure, the description such as "based on" does not mean "only based on" unless otherwise clearly described. In other words, the description "based on" means both "only based on" and "at least based on".

[0265] Any reference to elements using terms such as "first", "second", etc. used in the present disclosure does not entirely limit the number or order of these elements. These terms may be used in the present disclosure as a convenient method for distinguishing between two or more elements. Therefore, a reference to a first element and a second element does not mean that only two elements can be adopted or that the first element must precede the second element in any form.

[0266] The "unit" in the structure of each of the above devices may also be replaced with a "section", "circuit", "equipment", etc.

[0267] When the terms "include", "including" and their variants are used in the present disclosure, these terms mean inclusive in the same way as the term "comprising". Also, the term "or" used in the present disclosure does not refer to exclusive or.

[0268] A radio frame may be composed of one or more frames in the time domain. In the time domain, each of the one or more frames may be referred to as a subframe. A subframe may also be composed of one or more time slots in the time domain. A subframe may be a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) independent of the numerology.

[0269] A numerology may be a communication parameter applied to at least one of transmission and reception of a certain signal or channel. The numerology may represent, for example, at least one of a subcarrier spacing (SCS), a bandwidth, a symbol length, a cyclic prefix length, a transmission time interval (TTI), the number of symbols per TTI, a radio frame structure, a specific filtering process performed by a transceiver in the frequency domain, a specific windowing process performed by a transceiver in the time domain, etc.

[0270] A time slot can be composed of one or more symbols (such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) symbols, etc.) in the time domain. A time slot can be a time unit based on a parameter set.

[0271] A time slot can contain multiple mini-slots. Each mini-slot can be composed of one or more symbols in the time domain. In addition, a mini-slot can also be referred to as a sub-slot. A mini-slot can be composed of fewer symbols than a time slot. The PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a mini-slot can be referred to as PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. The PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a mini-slot can be referred to as PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0272] A radio frame, a sub-frame, a time slot, a mini-slot, and a symbol all represent time units when transmitting a signal. A radio frame, a sub-frame, a time slot, a mini-slot, and a symbol can be respectively referred to by corresponding other names.

[0273] For example, 1 sub-frame can be called a Transmission Time Interval (TTI), multiple consecutive sub-frames can also be called a TTI, and 1 time slot or 1 mini-slot can also be called a TTI. That is to say, at least one of the sub-frame and the TTI can be the sub-frame (1 ms) in the existing LTE, or a period shorter than 1 ms (for example, 1 - 13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. In addition, the unit representing the TTI can be called a time slot, a mini-slot, etc. instead of a sub-frame.

[0274] Here, the TTI is, for example, the minimum time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, the base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (such as the bandwidth and transmission power that can be used in each terminal 20) to each terminal 20 in units of TTI. In addition, the definition of the TTI is not limited to this.

[0275] The TTI can be the transmission time unit of a data packet (transmission block), a code block, a codeword, etc. after channel coding, or the processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. In addition, when the TTI is given, the actual time interval (such as the number of symbols) to which the transmission block, code block, codeword, etc. are mapped can be shorter than the TTI.

[0276] In addition, when one time slot or one mini-slot is referred to as a TTI, more than one TTI (i.e., more than one time slot or more than one mini-slot) can be the minimum time unit for scheduling. In addition, the number of time slots (mini-slots) that make up the minimum time unit for scheduling can be controlled.

[0277] A TTI with a time length of 1 ms can also be referred to as a normal TTI (TTI in LTE Rel.8 - 12), a normal TTI, a long TTI, a normal subframe, a long subframe, a time slot, etc. A TTI shorter than the normal TTI can also be referred to as a shortened TTI, a short TTI, a partial TTI, a shortened subframe, a short subframe, a mini-slot, a sub-slot, a time slot, etc.

[0278] In addition, for a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, a subframe, etc.), it can be replaced with a TTI having a time length exceeding 1 ms, and for a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.), it can be replaced with a TTI having a TTI length less than that of the long TTI and a TTI length of 1 ms or more.

[0279] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and the frequency domain. In the frequency domain, it can contain one or more consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers contained in an RB can be the same regardless of the parameter set, for example, it can be 12. The number of subcarriers contained in an RB can also be determined based on the parameter set.

[0280] In addition, the time domain of an RB can contain one or more symbols and can be the length of 1 time slot, 1 mini-slot, 1 subframe, or 1 TTI. One TTI, one subframe, etc. can each be composed of one or more resource blocks.

[0281] In addition, one or more RBs can also be referred to as a physical resource block (PRB), a sub-carrier group (SCG), a resource element group (REG), a PRB pair, an RB pair, etc.

[0282] In addition, a resource block can be composed of one or more resource elements (RE). For example, one RE can be a radio resource area of one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0283] A bandwidth part (BWP) (which may also be referred to as partial bandwidth, etc.) can also represent a subset of consecutive common resource blocks (RB) used for a certain parameter set in a certain carrier. Herein, the common RB can be determined by the index of the RB based on the common reference point of the carrier. PRBs can be defined in a certain BWP and numbered within that BWP.

[0284] A BWP can include a BWP for UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for DL (DL BWP). One or more BWPs can be set for the terminal 20 within one carrier.

[0285] At least one of the set BWPs can be active, and it can be assumed that the terminal 20 does not transmit or receive a predetermined signal / channel outside the active BWP. In addition, in the present disclosure, "cell", "carrier", etc. can be replaced by "BWP".

[0286] The structures such as the above-mentioned radio frames, subframes, time slots, mini time slots, and symbols are merely examples. For example, the number of subframes included in a radio frame, the number of time slots per subframe or radio frame, the number of mini time slots included in a time slot, the symbols and the number of RBs included in a time slot or mini time slot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, and the number of symbols, symbol length, cyclic prefix (CP) length, etc. within a TTI can be changed in various ways.

[0287] In the present disclosure, for example, when articles are added through translation such as a, an, and the in English, the present disclosure also includes the case where the noun following these articles is in the plural form.

[0288] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" can mean "A and B are mutually different". In addition, this term can also mean "A and B are respectively different from C". Terms such as "separated", "combined", etc. can be interpreted in the same way as "different".

[0289] Each form / embodiment described in the present disclosure can be used alone, combined, or switched according to the execution. In addition, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "is X") is not limited to being explicitly performed, and can also be implicitly performed (for example, without notifying the predetermined information).

[0290] As described above, the present disclosure has been described in detail. However, for those skilled in the art, it should be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in the form of modifications and changes without departing from the gist and scope of the present disclosure determined by the claims. Therefore, the purpose of the description of the present disclosure is to illustrate, and it has no restrictive meaning for the present disclosure.

[0291] Reference Numeral Description

[0292] 10: Base Station (RAN)

[0293] 110: Transmission Unit

[0294] 120: Reception Unit

[0295] 130: Setting Unit

[0296] 140: Control Unit

[0297] 20: Terminal

[0298] 30: Core Network

[0299] 40: DN

[0300] 210: Transmission Unit

[0301] 220: Reception Unit

[0302] 230: Setting Unit

[0303] 240: Control Unit

[0304] 310: AMF

[0305] 320: UDM

[0306] 330: NEF

[0307] 340: NRF

[0308] 350: AUSF

[0309] 360: PCF

[0310] 370: SMF

[0311] 380: UPF

[0312] 390: AF

[0313] 391: CHF

[0314] 1001: Processor

[0315] 1002: Storage Device

[0316] 1003: Auxiliary Storage Device

[0317] 1004: Communication device

[0318] 1005: Input device

[0319] 1006: Output device

[0320] 2001: Vehicle

[0321] 2002: Driving part

[0322] 2003: Steering part

[0323] 2004: Accelerator pedal

[0324] 2005: Brake pedal

[0325] 2006: Gear shift lever

[0326] 2007: Front wheel

[0327] 2008: Rear wheel

[0328] 2009: Axle

[0329] 2010: Electronic control unit

[0330] 2012: Information service unit

[0331] 2013: Communication module

[0332] 2021: Current sensor

[0333] 2022: Rotational speed sensor

[0334] 2023: Air pressure sensor

[0335] 2024: Vehicle speed sensor

[0336] 2025: Acceleration sensor

[0337] 2026: Brake pedal sensor

[0338] 2027: Gear shift lever sensor

[0339] 2028: Object detection sensor

[0340] 2029: Accelerator pedal sensor

[0341] 2030: Driving assistance system unit

[0342] 2031: Microprocessor

[0343] 2032: Memory (ROM, RAM)

[0344] 2033: Communication port (IO port)

Claims

1. A network node device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a request for the specific process from a base station when performing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in a communication system; and a transmitting unit that forwards the request to a specific network node device having a function of performing the authentication process.

2. The network node device according to claim 1, wherein information indicating the network node device is included in the request, and after the authentication process is performed by the specific network node device, the receiving unit receives the request forwarded based on the information from the specific network node device.

3. The network node device according to claim 1, wherein the network node device is equivalent to a device obtained by deleting the function of performing the authentication process from the specific network node device, and the distance between the network node device and the base station is less than the distance between the specific network node device and the base station.

4. A communication system, comprising a network node device and a specific network node device, wherein the network node device comprises: a receiving unit that receives a request for the specific process from a base station when performing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in a communication system; and a transmitting unit that forwards the request to the specific network node device having a function of performing the authentication process.

5. A communication method, performed by a network node device, comprising the following steps: a receiving step of receiving a request for the specific process from a base station when performing a process for specific processing including an authentication process for a terminal in a communication system; and a transmitting step of forwarding the request to a specific network node device having a function of performing the authentication process.

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