Energy dependent state in network

Abstract

Methods, computer program products, and apparatuses are provided for providing, storing, receiving, and enforcing Quality of Service (QoS) parameters based on energy related states of a network or components thereof.

Description

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 501,829, filed May 12, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if reproduced in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The example embodiments generally relate to communication systems, and more specifically, but not limited to, apparatus, methods, and computer programs for communication systems. Background Technology

[0003] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices with access to a data network. Communication systems can operate according to standards such as those provided by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). An example of such a standard is the so-called 5G (fifth generation) standard provided by 3GPP. Previous versions of the 3GPP fifth-generation core network (5GC) have focused on sustainability, targeting energy consumption in communication devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The energy crisis, including increased energy costs and shortages, and the massive increase in data traffic transmitted between communication systems across mobile networks, has placed increasing demands on the energy efficiency and energy conservation of communication systems. The need for improved energy efficiency and energy conservation in mobile networks is further driven by the increasing operating expenses (OPEX) of mobile operators (e.g., mobile network operators (MNOs)) and / or communication service providers (CSPs) due to increased energy costs and the increased data traffic transmitted between their communication systems. Therefore, reducing the energy consumed by communication systems is crucial. The example embodiments disclosed herein improve the energy efficiency of communication systems by utilizing Quality of Service (QoS) parameters based on the energy-related state of one or more components or entities of the communication system, enabling embodiments to enhance the energy efficiency of communication systems.

[0005] The fifth-generation (5G) access network (AN) and / or radio access network (NG-RAN) mentioned in this document can refer to a 3GPP access network (5G or 6G) as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 23.501 or a non-3GPP access network. The fifth-generation core network mentioned in this document can refer to a 3GPP core network that provides access to the data network for communication equipment via 5G-AN and / or NG-RAN, and provides control signaling to the communication equipment and the AN.

[0006] Service data flows (e.g., IP flows) are mapped to QoS flows by the core network of the communication system (e.g., 5GS, 5GC's UPF). QoS flows have associated QoS parameters. There are two types of QoS flows: Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) QoS flows and non-GBR QoS flows. 3GPP TS 23.501 §5.7.2.6 defines the following QoS parameter for QoS flows: Aggregated Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR) for data connections (e.g., PDU sessions) and User Equipment (UEs). Each Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a UE is associated with the following aggregate rate limiting QoS parameter: Session-AMBR (Aggregated Maximum Bit Rate per PDU Session). The Session-AMBR is signaled to the appropriate User Plane Function (UPF) of the core network, the UE, and the (R)AN (to enable the calculation of the UE-AMBR). The Session-AMBR limits the aggregate bit rate and / or data rate that can be expected to be provided across all non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR) QoS flows for a particular PDU session. Session-AMBR is measured using the AMBR average window (which is a normalized value). Session-AMBR is not applicable to GBR QoS flows.

[0007] According to certain example embodiments, each UE is associated with the following aggregated rate limiting QoS parameter: Maximum Aggregated Bit Rate per UE (UE-AMBR). The UE-AMBR limits the aggregated bit rate that can be expected to be provided across all non-GBR QoS flows for the UE. Each (R)AN should set its UE-AMBR to the sum of the Session-AMBRs of all PDU sessions with active user planes up to the value of the UE-AMBR received from the AMF. The UE-AMBR is a QoS parameter provided by the AMF to the (R)AN based on the value of the subscriber-specific UE-AMBR obtained from the Unified Data Manager (UDM) or the value of the Dynamic Serving Network UE-AMBR for roaming UEs obtained from the Policy Control Function (PCF). If available, the AMF will provide QoS parameters such as the UE-AMBR provided by the PCF to the (R)AN. The UE-AMBR is measured via an AMBR averaging window (which is a normalized value). The UE-AMBR is not applicable to GBR QoS flows.

[0008] For each group of PDU sessions for UEs targeting the same network slice (e.g., a network slice identified by S-NSSAI), the following aggregate rate-limited QoS parameter can be associated: Maximum Bit Rate per UE per Slice (UE-Slice-MBR). The UE-Slice-MBR limits the aggregate bit rate that can be expected to provide across all GBR and non-GBR QoS flows for PDU sessions corresponding to UEs targeting the same slice (S-NSSAI) with an active user plane. Each supporting RAN should set its UE-Slice-MBR to the sum of its Session-AMBR and MFBR for all GBR QoS flows to that RAN for all PDU sessions corresponding to that slice (S-NSSAI) with an active user plane, up to the maximum value of the UE-Slice-MBR received from the AMF corresponding to that slice (S-NSSAI). The UE-Slice-MBR is measured using an AMBR averaging window (which is a normalized value). UE-Slice-MBR is an optional parameter provided to the RAN by the AMF, as described in Clause 5.15.13 of 3GPP TS 23.501.

[0009] It should be understood that certain example embodiments may communicate, store, and / or enforce QoS parameters, which may include various attributes or measurements related to the traffic, performance, and / or capacity of QoS flows controlled in various communication channels of the UE and / or RAN. For example, QoS parameters may include aggregated maximum traffic for one or more data connections (e.g., PDU sessions), and aggregated maximum traffic may also be referred to, alternatively, as data rate, bit rate, AMBR, etc., as referenced herein. Similarly, QoS parameters may include PDU session-specific parameters (referred to herein as Session-AMBR), UE-specific parameters (referred to herein as UE-AMBR), UE and UE-network slice-specific parameters (referred to herein as UE-Slice-MBR), etc. Therefore, at least in some cases, the term QoS parameter may refer to AMBR, aggregated maximum traffic, etc. In some embodiments, the term QoS parameter may also refer to other QoS parameters, such as 5G QoS features, such as, but not limited to, packet delay budget, packet error rate, etc.

[0010] Some embodiments may utilize Low Latency, Low Packet Loss, and Scalable Throughput (L4S) techniques. L4S is described in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comment (RFC) 9330 and IETF RFC 9331. L4S exposes congestion information by marking Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) bits in the Internet Protocol (IP) header of user IP packets between the UE and the application server, thereby triggering application-layer rate adaptation.

[0011] In fifth-generation (5GS) communication systems, ECN marking for L4S can be supported. ECN marking for L4S is enabled on a per-QoS flow basis in both the uplink and / or downlink directions and can be used for both GBR and non-GBR QoS flows. ECN marking for L4S in the IP header is supported in NG-RAN (see Clauses TS 23.501 5.37.Y.2 and TS38.300) or PSA UPF (see Clause 5.37.Y.3 of TS 23.501).

[0012] 3GPP TS 38.300 Clause 15.4 discusses energy conservation in the Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). At least one objective of 3GPP TS 38.300 Clause 15.4 is to reduce the costs associated with operating the RAN through energy conservation. In the RAN, capacity enhancers can be distinguished from cells providing basic coverage. When E-UTRA or NR cells provide additional capacity via single or dual connectivity, the energy consumption of the NG-RAN can be reduced by shutting down E-UTRA or NR cells when the additional capacity is no longer needed and reactivating them when needed.

[0013] In-system energy conservation is based on the possibility that NG-RAN nodes with capacity enhancer cells can autonomously decide to shut down capacity enhancer cells to reduce the energy consumption of the NG-RAN nodes. The decision to shut down capacity enhancer cells is typically based on cell load information, consistent with configuration information. The decision to shut down capacity enhancer cells can also be made by the operations and maintenance (O&M) system.

[0014] The example embodiments disclosed herein consider the service impact when 5G-AN supports partial operation due to energy-related states (e.g., some cells are shut down). The example embodiments disclosed herein also consider whether and / or how information about 5G-AN operating in certain power-saving modes due to energy-related states can be provided to the 5GC and / or UE. According to some embodiments, 5G-AN connectivity is still provided to the UE even if it is degraded due to being in power-saving mode.

[0015] Previous versions of the 3GPP standard aimed at energy efficiency for the UE. In contrast, the example embodiments disclosed herein can reduce the energy consumed by the communication system in the mobile network when the communication system is sending data received from the UE to the application server via the data network (e.g., uplink user plane traffic), and when data received from the application server is sent to the UE via the data network (e.g., downlink user plane traffic).

[0016] Some example embodiments disclosed herein can enforce QoS parameters, such as adjusting user plane throughput based on the energy-related state of access nodes(s) of the access network(s) serving the UE's mobile network (e.g., adjusting traffic by adjusting the bit rate used for transmitting data to / from the UE via the mobile network to the data network). During the establishment of a PDU session for the UE, the core network's policy control function determines the nominal aggregate bit rate ("AMBR in PDU session") for the UE's PDU session and the aggregate maximum bit rate ("AMBR per energy-related state") for the access nodes serving the UE in each energy-related state of the UE's PDU session based on subscription data of the subscribers associated with the UE. The PCF then provides the "AMBR in PDU session" and the "AMBR per energy-related state" to the SMF of the core network, which in turn forwards this information to the UPF and the access nodes serving the UE, as well as the UE itself. Additionally, during the establishment of a PDU session for a UE, the PCF also determines the UE AMBR and the UE-slice-AMBR for each energy-related state of the access node based on the subscription data of the subscriber associated with the UE. When the access node serving the UE changes its energy-related state, the access node applies the session AMBR associated with its current energy-related state to the QoS flow data of the UE PDU session received from the application server and destined for the UE, and applies the UE-slice AMBR associated with its current energy-related state to the QoS flow data of the UE PDU session received from the UE and destined for the application server.

[0017] The access node can notify the UPF of changes in its energy-related state, and the UPF will apply the session AMBR associated with the access node's current energy-related state to the QoS flow data of the PDU session destined for the UE, and apply the UE slice AMBR associated with its current energy-related state to the QoS flow data of the PDU session destined for the application server.

[0018] The UE is provided with (e.g., is provided with) a "session AMBR for each energy-related state" by the SMF. When the UE is notified that the energy-related state of the access node serving the UE has changed (e.g., by an SIB broadcast by the access node, or by notification in a control plane message sent to the UE, for example, by the PDCP layer), the UE applies the session AMBR associated with the current energy-related state of the access node to the QoS flow data of the UE's PDU session destined for the application server.

[0019] Another feature of the example embodiment is that the access node or UPF can use user plane traffic tags (a known concept) to request the UE and / or application server to reduce the bit rate of traffic streams (mapped by the mobile network to one or more QoS streams) to a lower bit rate than the session AMBR for uplink traffic and / or the UE AMBR for downlink traffic.

[0020] The PCF determines the nominal session AMBR of the access node and the session AMBR for each energy-related state based on the subscription data associated with the UE's subscriber, and provides the nominal session AMBR and the session AMBR for each energy-related state to the SMF, UPF, and UE.

[0021] From the perspective of the UPF, upon receiving a notification of a change in energy-related state from the access node, the UPF determines the session AMBR for the current energy-related state indicated in the notification based on the session AMBR for each energy-related state received from the PCF, and applies the session AMBR for the current energy-related state to the data (or traffic) of the QoS flow for the PDU session of the UE.

[0022] The UE receives a notification from the access node that the energy-related state of the access node serving the UE has changed, and applies the Session AMBR, which was previously provided by the SMF and stored at the UE and is associated with the current energy-related state of the access node (indicated in the notification), to the QoS flow data of the UE's PDU session.

[0023] An apparatus is provided, such as an access node supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network. The apparatus includes: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine a current energy-related state of the access network; and send an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to a core network, causing the core network to enforce Quality of Service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted via the data connection. The sending includes: sending the indication to a user plane function supporting the data connection. The indication of the current energy-related state is sent to the user plane function via a user plane tunnel between the access network and the core network. The indication is sent to the user plane function in GTP-u packets encapsulating user plane traffic associated with the data connection. The indication is also sent to the user plane function in GTP-u packets not encapsulating user plane traffic associated with the data connection. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: send the indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to a user equipment, causing the user equipment to enforce QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection. An indication of the current energy-related state of the access network is sent to the user equipment via a broadcast channel. The indication of the current energy-related state is also sent to the UE via a point-to-point channel. When executed by at least one processor, the instruction further causes the apparatus to: receive from the core network a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network; select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameter set corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network; and enforce one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameter set corresponding to user plane traffic transmitted by the user equipment via the data connection.

[0024] At least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set includes: aggregated maximum traffic for data connections to user equipment, and wherein enforcement includes: enforcing aggregated maximum traffic for data connections.

[0025] At least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set includes: the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment. At least one QoS parameter or in the QoS parameter set includes: the aggregated maximum traffic of the user equipment for a network slice, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic of all data sessions of the user equipment on the network slice.

[0026] Enforcement includes at least one of the following: dropping user plane traffic transmitted over a data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over a data connection; or marking user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

[0027] Access networks include: 3GPP radio access networks, untrusted non-3GPP access networks, or trusted non-3GPP access networks.

[0028] Determining the current energy-related status of the access network includes determining the current energy-related status of the access network resources used by the data connection.

[0029] A method, such as one that can be performed by an access node in an access network, is provided for supporting data connections for user equipment in the access network. The method includes: determining a current energy-related state of the access network; and sending an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to a core network, causing the core network to enforce Quality of Service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted via the data connection. The sending includes: sending the indication to a user plane function supporting the data connection. The indication of the current energy-related state is sent to the user plane function via a user plane tunnel between the access network and the core network. The indication is sent to the user plane function in GTP-u packets encapsulating the user plane traffic associated with the data connection.

[0030] The instruction is sent to the user plane function as a GTP-u packet containing unencapsulated user plane traffic associated with the data connection.

[0031] The method further includes sending an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network to the user equipment, so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection.

[0032] The current energy-related status indication of the access network is sent to the user equipment via a broadcast channel. The current energy-related status indication is also sent to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

[0033] The method includes: receiving a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network from the core network; selecting one or more QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network from the QoS parameter set; and enforcing one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameter set corresponding to user plane traffic sent by the user equipment via the data connection.

[0034] At least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set includes: aggregated maximum traffic for data connections to user equipment, and wherein enforcement includes: enforcing aggregated maximum traffic for data connections.

[0035] At least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set includes: the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment.

[0036] The QoS parameter or at least one of the QoS parameter sets includes: the aggregated maximum traffic of the user equipment for the network slice, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic of all data sessions of the user equipment on the network slice.

[0037] According to some embodiments, enforcement includes at least one of the following: dropping user plane traffic transmitted over a data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over a data connection; or marking user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

[0038] Access networks include: 3GPP radio access networks, untrusted non-3GPP access networks, or trusted non-3GPP access networks. Determining the current energy-related state of the access network includes determining the current energy-related state of the access network resources used by the data connection.

[0039] A computer program product is provided for supporting data connectivity for user equipment in an access network. The computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions include instructions to: determine a current energy-related state of the access network; and send an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to a core network, causing the core network to enforce Quality of Service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted via the data connection. The sending includes sending the indication to user plane functions supporting the data connection.

[0040] Indications of the current energy-related status are sent to the user plane functions via the user plane tunnel between the access network and the core network. One indication is sent to the user plane functions as a GTP-u packet encapsulating user plane traffic associated with a data connection. Another indication is sent to the user plane functions as a GTP-u packet without encapsulating user plane traffic associated with a data connection.

[0041] The computer-executable program code instructions for supporting data connections for user equipment in an access network also include program code instructions to: send an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to the user equipment, so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection.

[0042] Indications of the current energy-related status of the access network are sent to the user equipment via a broadcast channel or a point-to-point channel.

[0043] The computer-executable program code instructions for supporting data connections for user equipment in an access network also include program code instructions to: receive from the core network a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network; select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameter set corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network; and enforce one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameter set corresponding to user plane traffic transmitted by the user equipment via the data connection.

[0044] An apparatus, such as an access node in an access network, is provided for supporting data connections for user equipment in the access network. The apparatus includes: components for determining a current energy-related state of the access network; and components for sending an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to a core network to cause the core network to enforce quality of service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted via the data connection.

[0045] The apparatus also includes a component for sending an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network to the user equipment so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection.

[0046] An apparatus, such as an access node, in an access network supporting data connections for user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive quality of service (QoS) parameters for each energy-related state of the data connection for the access network; select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network; and enforce the one or more QoS parameters selected in the QoS parameters on user plane traffic of the data connection.

[0047] Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for each energy-related state of the data connection used to access the network are provided at least from the Session Management Function (SMF). According to some embodiments, at least one QoS parameter includes: aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection. According to some embodiments, at least one QoS parameter includes: aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections used for the user equipment, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections used for the user equipment.

[0048] According to some embodiments, at least one of the QoS parameters includes: aggregated maximum traffic for user equipment on a network slice, and enforcement includes: enforcing aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment on the network slice. At least one of the QoS parameters is provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0049] The instruction also causes the device to: send an indication of the current energy-related status to the UE, so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection used by the user equipment.

[0050] The current energy-related status indication is sent to the UE via a broadcast channel or a point-to-multipoint channel.

[0051] When executed by at least one processor, the instruction also causes the device to send the current energy-related state of the access network to the core network, so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic sent through the data connection.

[0052] The enforcement includes at least one of the following: dropping user plane traffic transmitted over a data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over a data connection; or marking user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

[0053] A method is provided, such as one executed by an access node of an access network, for supporting data connections for user equipment, the method comprising: receiving Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for each energy-related state of the access network; selecting one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network; and enforcing the one or more QoS parameters selected in the QoS parameters onto user plane traffic of the data connection. The QoS parameters for each energy-related state of the access network are provided at least from a Session Management Function (SMF) or an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0054] Send an indication of the current energy-related status to the UE so that the UE can enforce QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection used by the UE.

[0055] The method (such as being performed by an access node or access network) further includes sending the current energy-related state of the access network to a core network so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection.

[0056] A computer program product for an access node or access network is provided for supporting data connections for user equipment in an access network. The computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions include instructions to: receive Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for each energy-related state of the access network; select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network; and enforce the selected one or more QoS parameters on user plane traffic of the data connection.

[0057] At least one of the QoS parameters includes: the aggregated maximum traffic for user equipment on the network slice, and enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment on the network slice.

[0058] The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: send an indication of the current energy-related state to the UE so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection used by the user equipment.

[0059] The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: send the current energy-related state of the access network to the core network, so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection. Enforcement includes at least one of: dropping user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection; granting the UE authorization to transmit uplink user plane traffic through the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

[0060] An apparatus, such as an access node of an access network, is provided for supporting data connections for user equipment. The apparatus includes: components for receiving Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for each energy-related state of the access network; components for selecting one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network; and components for enforcing the one or more QoS parameters selected from the QoS parameters onto user plane traffic of the data connection. The QoS parameters for each energy-related state of the access network are provided at least from a Session Management Function (SMF) or an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0061] The apparatus includes components for sending the current energy-related state of an access network to a core network so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection.

[0062] An apparatus for a core network is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions for User Plane Function (UPF), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the apparatus to at least: obtain Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for a data connection of a User Equipment (UE) corresponding to an energy-related state of at least one entity associated with the User Plane (UP); determine the current energy-related state of the User Plane for the UE's data connection; select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the User Plane for the UE's data connection; and enforce at least one QoS parameter corresponding to the current energy-related state of the User Plane for the UE's data connection on user plane traffic.

[0063] When executed by at least one processor, this instruction causes the device to at least: determine the current energy-related state of the UPF; and receive the current energy-related state of another entity from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein the determination of the current energy-related state of the user plane of the UE's data connection is based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the received current energy-related state of the other entity. QoS parameters are obtained from the Session Management Function (SMF) of the core network. Enforcement includes at least one of the following: a) dropping traffic; b) marking traffic to request the source of the data flow to reduce throughput; or c) notifying the application of a traffic reduction or increase.

[0064] At least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameters includes: aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection. At least one entity includes at least one of the following: an access node serving the data connection or another UPF serving the data connection.

[0065] When executed by at least one processor, the instruction also causes the device to: receive a subscription request for notification of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection; and send a corresponding notification of the change.

[0066] A method, such as a method performed by a user plane function, is provided, comprising: obtaining a quality of service (QoS) parameter for a data connection of a user equipment (UE) corresponding to an energy-related state of at least one entity associated with a user plane (UP); determining the current energy-related state of the user plane for the data connection of the UE; selecting one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the user plane for the data connection of the UE; and enforcing at least one QoS parameter corresponding to the current energy-related state of the user plane for the data connection of the UE onto user plane traffic.

[0067] The method further includes: determining the current energy-related state of the UPF; receiving the current energy-related state of another entity from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein determining the current energy-related state of the user plane of the UE's data connection is based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the received current energy-related state of the other entity.

[0068] The method may include: receiving a subscription request for notification of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection; and sending a corresponding notification of the change.

[0069] A computer program product, such as a user plane function executable computer program product, is provided, the computer program product including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions including program code instructions to: obtain a Quality of Service (QoS) parameter for a data connection of a user equipment (UE) corresponding to an energy-related state of at least one entity associated with a user plane (UP); determine the current energy-related state of the user plane for the data connection of the UE; select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the user plane for the data connection of the UE; and enforce at least one QoS parameter corresponding to the current energy-related state of the user plane for the data connection of the UE on user plane traffic.

[0070] The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: determine the current energy-related state of the UPF; receive the current energy-related state of another entity from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein determining the current energy-related state of the user plane of the UE's data connection is based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the received current energy-related state of the other entity. The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: receive a subscription request for notification of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection; and send a corresponding notification of the change.

[0071] An apparatus, such as that embodied by a user plane function, is provided, comprising: means for obtaining a quality of service (QoS) parameter for a data connection of a user equipment (UE) corresponding to an energy-related state of at least one entity associated with a user plane (UP); means for determining a current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; means for selecting one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; and means for enforcing at least one QoS parameter corresponding to the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE onto user plane traffic.

[0072] The apparatus further includes: components for determining the current energy-related state of the UPF; and components for receiving the current energy-related state of another entity from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein determining the current energy-related state of the user plane of the UE's data connection is based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the received current energy-related state of the other entity.

[0073] The device also includes components for: receiving a subscription request for notification of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection; and sending a corresponding notification of the change.

[0074] An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions for session management functions, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the apparatus to at least: transmit quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the user's data connection to at least one of an access network supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) or a user plane function (UPF).

[0075] When executed by at least one processor, the instruction for session management functions causes the device to at least: send QoS parameters to the access network. The instruction, when executed by at least one processor, causes the device to at least: send QoS parameters to the UPF.

[0076] When executed by at least one processor, the instruction causes the device to at least: subscribe to a User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane (UP) of the data connection; and, based on the UPF notification of the changes in the energy-related state, send a command to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection.

[0077] When executed by at least one processor, the instructions for the session management function cause the device to at least: receive nominal session QoS parameters and quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection from the policy control function (PCF).

[0078] A method for session management functions is provided, the method comprising: sending a Quality of Service (QoS) parameter corresponding to an energy-related state of the user's data connection to at least one of an access network supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) or a user plane function (UPF).

[0079] The method may also include sending QoS parameters to the access network and sending QoS parameters to the UPF.

[0080] The method may further include: subscribing to a User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane (UP) of the data connection; and sending a command to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection based on the UPF notification of the changes in the energy-related state.

[0082] The method may also include receiving nominal session QoS parameters and quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection from the policy control function (PCF).

[0083] A computer program product is provided, which can be executed by a session management function, the computer program product including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions including program code instructions to: send quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the user's data connection to at least one of an access network supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) or a user plane function (UPF).

[0084] The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: send QoS parameters to the access network. The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: send QoS parameters to the UPF.

[0085] Computer-executable program code instructions for session management functions may also include program code instructions to: subscribe to a user plane function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane (UP) of the data connection; and, based on the UPF notification of the changes in the energy-related state, send a command to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection.

[0086] The computer-executable program code instructions may also include program code instructions to: receive nominal session QoS parameters from the policy control function (PCF), and quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection.

[0087] An apparatus is provided, such as an embodiment via a session management function, the apparatus comprising: a component for transmitting quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to an energy-related state of a user's data connection to at least one of an access network supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) or a user plane function (UPF).

[0088] The device may also include components for sending QoS parameters to the access network and sending QoS parameters to the UPF.

[0089] The device may also include components for: subscribing to a User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane (UP) of the data connection; and sending a command to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection based on the UPF notification of the changes in the energy-related state.

[0090] The device may also include components for receiving nominal session QoS parameters and quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection from the policy control function (PCF).

[0091] An apparatus, such as a user equipment (UE), is provided, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive an indication of the current energy-related state of an access network serving the apparatus; and enforce at least one energy-related quality of service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network.

[0092] When executed by at least one processor, the instruction also causes the device to: obtain QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state from the Session Management Function (SMF), wherein enforced energy-related Quality of Service (QoS) parameters are determined based on the obtained QoS parameters. Enforcing at least one energy-related QoS parameter includes: adjusting the throughput of uplink traffic.

[0093] A method is provided, such as one that can be performed by a user equipment (UE), wherein the method receives an indication of the current energy-related state of an access network serving the device; and enforces at least one energy-related quality of service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network. The method further includes obtaining the QoS parameter corresponding to the energy-related state from a session management function (SMF), wherein the enforced energy-related QoS parameter is determined based on the obtained QoS parameter.

[0094] A computer program product, such as a computer program product executed by a user equipment (UE), is provided, the computer program product including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions including program code instructions to: receive an indication of the current energy-related state of an access network serving the device; and enforce at least one energy-related quality of service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network.

[0095] The computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions to: obtain QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state from the Session Management Function (SMF), wherein the enforced energy-related quality of service (QoS) parameters are determined based on the obtained QoS parameters.

[0096] An apparatus, such as an apparatus embodied by a user equipment (UE), is provided, comprising: a component for receiving an indication of the current energy-related state of an access network serving the apparatus; and a component for enforcing at least one energy-related quality of service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network.

[0097] The apparatus also includes components for obtaining QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state from the Session Management Function (SMF), wherein the enforced energy-related Quality of Service (QoS) parameters are determined based on the obtained QoS parameters.

[0098] An apparatus for a communication system is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions for access and mobility management functions (AMF), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the apparatus to at least: receive a set of quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to an energy-related state of an access network serving a user equipment (UE); and provide the QoS parameter set to the access network.

[0099] The set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from the Policy Control Function (PCF) or the Unified Data Manager (UDM).

[0100] A method, such as a method performed by an AMF, is provided, comprising: receiving a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to an energy-related state of an access network serving a User Equipment (UE); and providing the QoS parameter set to the access network.

[0101] A computer program product, such as a computer program product executed by an AMF, is provided, the computer program product including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions including program code instructions to: receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to an energy-related state of an access network serving a User Equipment (UE); and provide the QoS parameter set to the access network.

[0102] An apparatus is provided, such as for implementing AMF, the apparatus comprising: components for receiving a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to an energy-related state of an access network serving a User Equipment (UE); and components for providing the QoS parameter set to the access network.

[0103] An apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions for a unified data manager (UDM), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus causes at least: to receive a request for subscription information related to a user equipment (UE); and, in response to the request, to provide a set of quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of an access network serving the UE to a session management function (SMF) or an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0104] A method is provided, such as a method performed by a UDM, the method comprising: receiving a request for subscription information related to a user equipment (UE); and in response to the request, providing a set of quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of an access network serving the UE to a session management function (SMF) or an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0105] A computer program product, such as that executed by a UDM, is provided, the computer program product including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions including program code instructions to: receive a request for subscription information related to a user equipment (UE); and in response to the request, provide a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of an access network serving the UE to a Session Management Function (SMF) or an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0106] An apparatus, such as that embodied by a UDM, is provided, comprising: components for receiving a request for subscription information related to a user equipment (UE); and components for providing a set of quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of an access network serving the UE to a session management function (SMF) or an access and mobility management function (AMF) in response to the request.

[0107] An apparatus for a communication system includes: at least one processor; at least one memory including instructions for a policy control function (PCF), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: determine a nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameter for a data connection for a user equipment (UE); determine at least one QoS parameter for at least one energy-related state of the data connection for the UE based on at least one subscription data associated with a subscriber of the UE; and send the nominal session QoS parameter and at least one QoS parameter for the energy-related state of the data connection for the UE to a session management function (SMF). When executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus also causes the apparatus to: during the establishment of a data connection for the UE, determine UE slice QoS parameters of the access network based on the energy-related state of the access network and the subscription data.

[0108] A method is provided, such as a method performed by a Policy Control Function (PCF), the method comprising: determining a nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameter for a data connection for a user equipment (UE); determining at least one QoS parameter for at least one energy-related state of the data connection for the UE based on at least one subscription data associated with a subscriber of the UE; and sending the nominal session QoS parameter and at least one QoS parameter for the energy-related state of the data connection for the UE to a Session Management Function (SMF). The method further comprises: during the establishment of a data connection for the UE, determining UE slice QoS parameters of the access network based on the energy-related state of the access network and the subscription data.

[0109] A computer program product, such as a computer program product executable by a Policy Control Function (PCF), is provided. The computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions include instructions to: determine a nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameter for a data connection for a user equipment (UE); determine at least one QoS parameter for at least one energy-related state of the data connection for the UE based on at least one subscription data associated with a subscriber of the UE; and send the nominal session QoS parameter and at least one QoS parameter for the energy-related state of the data connection for the UE to a Session Management Function (SMF). The computer-executable program code instructions also include instructions to: determine UE slice QoS parameters of the access network based on the energy-related state of the access network and the subscription data during the establishment of a data connection for the UE.

[0110] An apparatus, such as that embodied by a Policy Control Function (PCF), is provided, comprising: components for determining nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameters for a data connection for a user equipment (UE); components for determining at least one QoS parameter of at least one energy-related state for the data connection for the UE based on at least one subscription data associated with a subscriber of the UE; and components for transmitting the nominal session QoS parameters and at least one QoS parameter of the energy-related state for the data connection for the UE to a Session Management Function (SMF). The apparatus further comprises: components for determining UE slice QoS parameters of the access network based on the energy-related state of the access network and the subscription data during the establishment of the data connection for the UE.

[0111] The above description of the invention is provided only for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any way. It should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure covers many potential embodiments, some of which will be further described below in addition to those outlined herein. Attached Figure Description

[0112] Therefore, some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described in general terms, and reference will be made to the accompanying drawings below, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0113] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a configurable apparatus according to certain example embodiments;

[0114] Figure 2A This is a block diagram illustrating a mobile network according to an example embodiment;

[0115] Figure 2B This illustrates an example embodiment. Figure 2A A block diagram of the network functions and interfaces of the mobile network;

[0116] Figure 2C This illustrates an embodiment according to another example. Figure 2A A block diagram of the network functions and interfaces of the mobile network;

[0117] Figure 3A , 3B This is a diagram illustrating the protocol data unit creation / modification process according to an example embodiment;

[0118] Figure 4 It is a diagram illustrating a process according to an example embodiment;

[0119] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the UE MBR call flow according to an example embodiment;

[0120] Figure 6A and 6B This is a flowchart of operations that can be performed by an access node accessing the network, according to certain example embodiments;

[0121] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of operations that can be performed by the User Plane Function (UPF) according to certain example embodiments;

[0122] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by the Session Management Function (SMF) according to certain example embodiments;

[0123] Figure 9This is a flowchart of operations that can be performed by a user equipment (UE) according to certain example embodiments;

[0124] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by the Access and Mobility Management (AMF) function according to certain example embodiments;

[0125] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by a unified data management function (UDM) according to certain example embodiments; and

[0126] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of operations that can be performed by the Policy Control Function (PCF) according to certain example embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0127] Some embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, however, some, but not all, embodiments of this disclosure. In fact, various embodiments of this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the text. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms are used interchangeably to refer to data that can be transmitted, received, and / or stored according to embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, any use of these terms should not be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0128] Additionally, as used herein, the term "circuit system" refers to: (a) a hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation only in analog and / or digital circuit systems); (b) a combination of circuitry and (multiple) computational program products, including software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media, which work together to enable a device to perform one or more of the functions described herein; and (c) a circuitry, such as, for example, (multiple) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which requires software or firmware to operate even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of "circuit system" applies to all uses of the term herein, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit system" also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portions thereof, along with accompanying software and / or firmware. As yet another example, as used herein, the term "circuit system" also includes, for example, baseband integrated circuits or application processor integrated circuits for mobile phones, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, other network devices (such as core network devices), field-programmable gate arrays, and / or other computing devices. The evolution of new communication technologies (such as fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G)) has improved existing technologies (such as second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) technologies), thereby improving network connectivity.

[0129] Figure 1 Device 10 is used in communication systems (such as...) Figures 2A-2C An example of an apparatus for the communication system 100 shown and described in more detail below. Apparatus 10 may be configured as a network entity and / or network function of the communication system 100 (e.g., network functions of the core network 101, such as UPF, PCF, SMF, AMF). Apparatus 10 may also be used for access networks (e.g., RAN 104) or UE 102. In some embodiments, apparatus 10 may be UE 102. Figure 1As shown, device 10 includes a processing circuitry system 20 (generally referred to herein as a processor), a memory device 60 (generally referred to herein as a memory), and a communication interface 40. The processing circuitry system 20 can communicate with the memory device 60 via a bus to transfer information between the processing circuitry system 40 and the memory 60 of device 10. The memory device 60 can be non-transitory and may, for example, include one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device 60 can be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium) including gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) accessible by a machine (e.g., a computing device similar to the processing circuitry system). The memory device 60 can be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, etc., to enable the device to perform various functions according to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. For example, the memory device 60 can be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry system 20. Alternatively or additionally, the memory device 60 can be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry system 20.

[0130] In some embodiments, device 10 may be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the device may be embodied as a chip or chipset. In other words, the device may include one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) that include materials, components, and / or wires on a structural component (e.g., a base plate). This structural component may provide physical strength, size savings, and / or limitations on electrical interactions for the component circuitry system included thereon. Thus, in some cases, the device may be configured to implement embodiments of this disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system-on-a-chip.” Thus, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute components for performing one or more operations to provide the functions described herein. In some embodiments, device 10 may be a computing device, such as a standalone computer, a distributed computing system, or a cloud computing system. For example, device 10 may be used in core network 102 and may include one or more network functions of core network 102 (e.g., UPF, SMF, PCF, AMF, etc.).

[0131] The processing circuitry system 20 can be embodied in a variety of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry system 20 can be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing components, such as a coprocessor, microprocessor, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry systems, including integrated circuits such as, for example, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microcontroller units (MCUs), central processing units (CPUs), multi-core CPUs, graphics processing units (GPUs), tensor processors (TPUs), hardware accelerators, dedicated computer chips, etc. Therefore, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry system may include one or more processing cores configured to execute independently. A multi-core processing circuitry system can enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry system may include one or more processors configured in series via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelined execution, and / or multithreading.

[0132] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 20 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 60 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry 20. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to perform hard-coded functions. Thus, whether configured by hardware or software methods or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in a circuitry) that, while being configured accordingly, is capable of performing operations according to embodiments of this disclosure. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, etc., the processing circuitry may be specifically configured as hardware to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry 20 is embodied as an instruction executor, the instructions may be specifically configured to configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 20 may be a processor of a particular device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ embodiments of this disclosure through additional configuration of the processing circuitry with instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuit system 20 may, among other things, include a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), and logic gates configured to support the operation of the processing circuit system.

[0133] Communication interface 40 can be any device or circuitry embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software, configured to receive and / or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks, etc. In this regard, communication interface 40 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and support hardware and / or software for enabling communication with a wireless communication network. Alternatively or additionally, the communication interface may also include circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause the transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or the processing of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may also optionally support wired communication. Thus, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), or other mechanisms.

[0134] According to exemplary embodiments, apparatus 10 may implement the example embodiments disclosed herein and / or components thereof.

[0135] Figures 2A-2C Various examples are illustrated. Mobile network 100 includes user equipment 102, which is connected to application server 112 and data network 116 via radio access network 104 and core network 101 (together forming a communication system). In some embodiments, mobile network 100 can include any suitable configuration, number, orientation, location, and / or size of components and dedicated equipment configured to provide an air interface (e.g., new radio (NR)) for communication or connection between user equipment 102 (UE 102) and data network 116 (DN 116) via core network 101 (CN 101) of the communication system. Figure 2AAs shown, a mobile network 100 can be provided, in which a UE 102 can operatively communicate with a 5G access network (5G-AN) (e.g., (R)AN 104). In some embodiments, the UE 102 can operatively communicate with another access network (AN) (not shown) that connects the UE 102 to the core network 101. Examples of other ANs include wired access networks terminating at W-AGF or untrusted non-3GPP access networks terminating at N3IWF. Access networks may include one or more base stations, access points, access network nodes, etc. In some embodiments, the 5G access network (5G-RAN) 104 can communicate with the core network 101 or its network entities or network functions using a reference point. In some embodiments, CN 101 can provide a data connection (e.g., PDU session) between the UE 102 and DN 116, such as for sending data, messages, requests, etc. However, it should be understood that other types of access networks may be developed in the future, given that embodiments are described in combination with 5G-AN (e.g., RAN), R(AN), and 5G.

[0136] In some embodiments, DN 116 or CN 101 can communicate with an application server (AS) or application function (AF) 112 hosted on an AS. AN 104, CN 101, DN 116, and / or AS / AF 112 can be associated with a network repository function (NRF) 124, a secure replication protocol (SCP), a secure edge protection agent (SEPP), a policy control function (PCF) 114, or any combination thereof.

[0137] In mobile networks (such as Figure 2B and 2CIn the context of the mobile network shown, communication network 100 can include a series of connected network devices and dedicated hardware distributed throughout the service area, state, province, city, or country, and one or more network entities that can be stored in or hosted by one or more of the connected network devices or dedicated hardware. In some embodiments, UE 102 can connect to (R)AN 104, and (R)AN 104 can relay communication between UE 102 and CN 101, CN 101 being connected to DN 116, DN 116 being able to communicate with one or more ASs (or AF 112 hosted on an AS). In some embodiments, UE 102 can communicate with (R)AN 104, which depicts any 5G-AN, and (R)AN 104 can act as a relay between UE 102 and other components or services of CN 101. For example, in some embodiments, UE 102 can communicate with (R)AN 104, which in turn can communicate with Access and Mobility Management Function 108 (AMF 108). In other instances or embodiments, UE 102 can communicate directly with AMF 108. In some embodiments, AMF 108 can communicate with one or more network functions (NFs) using a service-based interface, such as Authentication Server Function 120 (AUSF 120), Network Slice Selection Function 122 (NSSF 122), Network Repository Function 124 (NRF 124), Policy Control Function 114 (PCF 114), Network Data Analysis Function 126 (NWDAF 126), Unified Data Management Function 118 (UDM 118), AS / AF 112, Session Management Function 110 (SMF 110), etc.

[0138] In one embodiment, SMF 110 is capable of communicating with one or more user plane functions 106 (UPF 106, UPF 106a, UPF 106b, collectively referred to as "UPF 106"). By way of example only, in some embodiments, UPF 106 is capable of communicating with (R)AN 104 and DN 116. In other embodiments, DN 116 is capable of communicating with a first UPF 106a, and (R)AN 104 is capable of communicating with a second UPF 106b, while SMF 110 communicates with both the first UPF 106a and the second UPF 106b, and the first UPF 106a and the second UPF 106b also communicate with each other.

[0139] In some embodiments, UE 102 may include a single-mode or dual-mode device, enabling UE 102 to be connected to one or more (R)AN 104s. In one embodiment, (R)AN 104 may be configured to implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs), such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), LTE or 5G NR, and others, which can be used to communicate with UE 102 and CN 101. In some embodiments, (R)AN 104 may implement one or more base stations for control plane communication between UE 102 and AMF 108 of CN 101.

[0140] In some embodiments, mobile network 100 or its components (e.g., base stations, towers, etc.) can be configured to communicate with communication devices (e.g., UE 102, such as mobile phones) via multiple different frequency bands (e.g., FR1 (below 6 GHz), FR2 (millimeter wave) and other suitable frequency bands, their sub-bands, etc.). In some embodiments, communication network 100 can include or employ massive MIMO antennas. In some embodiments, UE 102 and / or RAN 104 can include multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) antennas. In some embodiments, communication network 100 can employ edge computing, so that the computing system of data network 116 is closer to the communication system (e.g., the UPF of core network 101) in terms of communication, physical, computation, and / or time, in order to reduce latency and data traffic congestion. In some embodiments, RAN 104 may employ other technologies, devices, or techniques, such as small cells, low-power RAN, radio beamforming, Wi-Fi-cellular convergence, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), channel coding, etc.

[0141] like Figure 2CAs shown, UE 102 can be configured to communicate with (R)AN 104 via the N1 interface, for example, using Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling or messages. In some embodiments, (R)AN 104 can be configured to communicate with CN 101 or its network entities or network functions (e.g., AMF 108) via the N2 interface, for example, between the base station of (R)AN 104 and AMF 108. The N1 and N2 interfaces are control plane interfaces (also referred to as reference points). In some embodiments, (R)AN 104 can be configured to communicate with UPF 106 via the N3 interface, for example, in the user plane. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with other network entities or network functions of CN101 using different interfaces (e.g., service-based interfaces) and / or according to various different protocols. For example, in some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with AUSF 120 using the Nausf interface or via the N12 interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with NSSF 122 using the Nnssf interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with NRF 124 using the Nnrf interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with PCF 114 using the Npcf interface or via the N7 interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with NWDAF 126 using the Nnwdaf interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with UDM 118 using the Nudm interface, via the N8 interface, or via the N10 interface. In some embodiments, AMF 108 and / or SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with AS / AF 112 using the Naf interface. In some embodiments, SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with UPF 106 via the N4 interface, which can be used as a bridge between the control plane and the user plane, such as as a channel for Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions during which information is transmitted between, for example, UE 102 and CN 101 or its components / services.

[0142] It should be understood that some exemplary embodiments described herein arise in the context of telecommunications networks, including but not limited to telecommunications networks that conform to and / or otherwise incorporate aspects of fifth-generation (5G) architecture. Although Figures 2A-2C Various configurations and / or components of an example architecture for a communication network 100 are shown, but many other systems, system configurations, networks, network entities, and the paths / protocols used for communication therein are also considered and taken into account within the scope of this disclosure.

[0143] Although the methods, devices / apparatus, and computer program products / code described herein are based on fifth-generation core networks (5GC) and systems (such as...) Figures 2A-2C The methods, apparatus, and computer program products described herein are described in the context of (as shown and described above), but can still be applied in the broader context of any suitable telecommunications system, network, standard, and / or protocol. It should be understood that, according to this disclosure, the methods, apparatus, and computer program products can also be applied to future networks and systems that have not yet been developed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0144] At least one objective of the example embodiments disclosed herein may include the 5G-AN reporting its energy-related status to the core network (CN), enabling the CN (or application) to adjust UP (user plane) traffic (e.g., traffic sent to the 5G-AN) and the resources required by the 5G-AN for transmitting and processing downlink UP traffic accordingly, and / or ensuring that the UE can adjust its UP traffic for uplink accordingly. This is done to ensure that the adjustment of downlink (DL) / uplink (UL) traffic allows the 5G-AN to conserve energy when in an energy-saving state.

[0145] At least another objective of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to consider 5G-AN energy-related states to adjust user plane (UP) throughput for the UE. This should apply to adjusting downlink / uplink traffic flows, session AMBR, UE AMBR, UE slice MBR, and the data rates required by the UE for uplink and downlink, but may also apply to other QoS parameters, such as 5G QoS features, such as packet delay budget and packet error rate.

[0146] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide that 3GPP can define a limited number (e.g., four) of abstract energy-related states and / or energy-related sub-states (e.g., none, low, medium, and high energy-related states). However, the number of energy-related states and energy-related sub-states can vary, such as depending on the implementation and / or configuration. The content corresponding to the energy-related states depends on the local 5G-AN and UPF policies. Some example embodiments can be operated based on energy-related state definitions interpreted in the same manner by 5G-AN and UPF.

[0147] The following energy-related states are presented as illustrative examples only and are not intended to be restrictive: • Sleeping state: Unable to serve any requests. • Energy saving status: Energy saving is in progress. The component supports limited service capabilities (e.g., limited service capacity, or limited service). • Normal state: Full performance mode

[0148] According to certain example embodiments, the energy-related "sub-states" stored, transmitted, and / or accessed by device 10 can be further defined and may include variations of energy states supported by corresponding components under a given state. Sub-states can be, for example, component-specific and / or supplier-specific. Each state and / or sub-state can result in different capabilities, activated characteristics, and / or performance criteria. This allows for flexibility in operating modes that allow for finer-grained targeting of components. Examples of energy sub-states supported by specific components may include, but are not limited to: • Status: "Sleep state" o Sub-state: Deep sleep: Unable to serve any requests, unregistered, wake-up takes tens of minutes and is triggered by the Operation, Management and Maintenance (OAM) protocol. o Sub-state: Light sleep: Unable to serve any service requests, unregistered, and takes several minutes to wake up. Besides being triggered by OAM, it can also be woken up by an incoming request (control plane message). • Status: "Energy Saving Status" o Sub-state: Low performance mode: Power saving is in progress. Supports limited service capabilities (e.g., limited service capacity, or limited service). o Sub-state: Partial performance mode: For example, activate 50%, only process 50% of the total capacity. • Status: "Normal Status" o Sub-state: Normal state: Full performance mode.

[0149] To enable the 5GC (UPF) to take appropriate action, according to some embodiments, the 5G-AN sends a notification to the 5GC regarding changes in the 5G-AN's energy-related status. According to some embodiments, this notification may be sent by the 5G-AN to the UPF per PDU session, QoS flow, via the General Packet Radio Service GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) GTP-u. According to some embodiments, the notification may take the form of a new GTP-U header containing energy-related status information indicating the energy-related status of the 5G-AN serving the UE. The 5G-AN may notify different energy-related statuses for different UEs served by the same 5G-AN, for example, depending on the cell serving the UE.

[0150] According to some embodiments, when the energy-related state has changed, or the UE has moved to a new cell and there is no actual UE traffic to be sent from the UE to the UPF, the 5G-AN can send virtual (e.g., empty) GTP-u packets.

[0151] The 5G-AN energy-related state (such as the current energy-related state at a specific time) can be sent in the GTP-u header of all UL traffic transmitted by the 5G-AN. According to some embodiments, the PCF (optionally based on subscription data in the UDM / UDR and / or operator-configured policies) determines the session AMBR and nominal session AMBR for each energy-related state. According to some embodiments, the PCF provides the session AMBR and nominal session AMBR per energy-related state to the SMF in the PDU session-related policy information. The SMF provides the session AMBR and nominal session AMBR per energy-related state to the 5G-AN, UPF, and / or UE (via N2 to the 5G-AN, via N4 to the UPF, and via NAS-N1 to the UE when the UE supports this feature, in the PDU session resource information). The UE AMBR from subscription data received from the UDM or from the prom policy of the PCF serving the AMF and the UE-Slice-MBR per energy-related state are provided by the AMF to the 5G-AN via the N2 interface.

[0152] According to some embodiments, the PCF used for the AMF can modify the UE AMBR for each energy-related state. The PCF can provide the AMF with the authorized UE-Slice-MBR and / or UE-Slice-MBR for each energy-related state; the AMF forwards this information to the 5G-AN via the N2 interface. When the 5G-AN operates in normal mode with full performance, the 5G-AN supplies the same regular / nominal data rate as the UE-AMBR and UE-Slice-MBR. However, when the 5G-AN has determined a change to a new energy-related state, it applies the UE AMBR and / or UE-Slice-MBR associated with that energy-related state received from the 5GC (AMF) via N2.

[0153] According to some embodiments, the 5G-AN or UPF may use UP traffic marking (using ECN bits as defined for L4S) to request the UE and application to reduce the rate of traffic used for UL and DL; this marking continues until the application's data rate adaptively falls below the Session AMBR and / or UE-Slice-MBR and / or UE AMBR associated with the 5G-AN's current energy state. Alternatively, the 5G-AN may report its energy state to the SMF / UPF, which may use this energy state as a trigger to perform ECN marking for L4S.

[0154] According to some embodiments, the UPF can apply a DL session AMBR corresponding to the current energy-related state of the 5G-AN based on information about the energy-related state of the 5G-AN, or apply a DL session AMBR corresponding to the most stringent energy-related state between its own energy-related state and the energy-related state received from the 5G-AN. According to some embodiments, the UPF can determine the energy-related state of the UP of the PDU session based on information about the energy-related state of the 5G-AN and possibly based on its own energy-related state, and can notify the SMF of changes in the energy-related state of the UP of the PDU session so that the SMF can serve UEs that do not support energy-related state information from the network, as described below.

[0155] According to some embodiments, the UPF can directly notify the AF (which has subscribed to this information) about the target session AMBR based on information about the 5G-AN energy-related status and / or the energy-related status information of the PDU session UP. This notification can be direct or via NEF relay (e.g., QoS monitoring enabled). The UE can adjust its session AMBR (UL traffic) according to the 5G-AN energy-related status, as follows.

[0156] According to some embodiments, optionally, when serving a UE that does not support energy-related state information from the network, the SMF may initiate a NAS procedure toward the UE to modify the QoS of the PDU session (based on the AMBR per current energy-related state). According to these embodiments, this may trigger AS / NAS signaling when there is a change in energy-related state in the 5G-AN, or when the UE moves to a different cell or gNB.

[0157] According to some embodiments, the SMF supplies the session AMBR for each energy-related state to the UE only once, for example, during the establishment of a PDU session. The UE determines the energy-related state in which the serving 5G-AN is currently operating, for example, by the 5G-AN broadcasting its energy-related state in the SIB, or by the 5G-AN signaling a new energy-related state to an individual UE, for example, in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCP) or via RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, or, in the case of trusted / untrusted non-3GPP access, via dedicated IKE (Internet Key Exchange) signaling from the N3IWF or TNGF. The UE then applies the session AMBR value corresponding to the current 5G-AN energy-related state.

[0158] According to certain embodiments, certain protocols may be affected as follows. Example embodiments may define the session AMBR for each energy-related state in one or more of the following: 1. NAS PDU session establishment / modification procedure between SMF and UE (N1, TS 24.501) 2. PCC rules (N7, TS 29.512) sent from PCF to SMF 3. PFCP session establishment / modification request from SMF to UPF (N4, TS 29.244) 4. NGAP PDU Session Resource Establishment / Modification (N2, TS 38.413) 5. User subscription information between SMF and UDM (N10, TS 29.503) 6. User subscription information between UDM and UDR (Nudr, TS 29.505)

[0159] Some example embodiments may define the UE AMBR for each energy-related state as follows: 1. NAS PDU session establishment / modification procedure between AMF and UE (N1, TS 24.501) 2. NGAP Initial Context Establishment Request and Initial Context Modification Request (N2, TS 38.413) 3. User subscription information between AMF and UDM (N8, TS 29.503) and user subscription information between UDM and UDR (Nudr, TS 29.505) 4. Access and Mobility Policies from AM-PCF to AMF (N15, TS 29.507)

[0160] According to some embodiments, the 5G-AN notifies the UPF (N3, GTP-u, TS 29.281) of the 5G-AN energy-related state or changes in the 5G-AN energy-related state.

[0161] According to some embodiments, after the resources used for the PDU session have been allocated by the 5G-AN, the 5G-AN sends its own 5G-AN energy-related state (actually the energy state of the 5G-AN resources used by the PDU session) (via GTP-u) to the UPF.

[0162] According to some embodiments, after the handover, the new (target) gNb sends its own 5G-AN energy-related state (actually the energy state of the 5G-AN resources used by the PDU session) (via GTP-u) to the UPF.

[0163] According to some embodiments, if requested by the SMF, the UPF notifies the SMF of changes in energy-related states (N4, TS29.244).

[0164] Therefore, the example embodiments provided herein can be implemented with or without updating or modifying the UE.

[0165] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Together they formed TS 23.502 Figure 4 Reproduction of .3.2.2.1-1: PDU session establishment for UE requests in non-roaming and roaming with local offloading. Figure 3A and 3B In these diagrams, although the signaling (e.g., control plane messages) exchanged between the various entities shown (e.g., UE, RAN, AMF, UPF, SMF, PCF, and UDM) may be consistent with TS 23.502 Figure 4 The signaling shown in .3.2.2.1-1 is similar, but it should be understood that... Figure 3A and 3B Some of the signaling shown (e.g., control plane messages) includes additional information (or information elements) as described in more detail herein, and Figure 3A and 3B The various entities shown (such as UE, RAN, AMF, UPF, SMF, PCF, and UDM) perform new operations as described in more detail below.

[0166] exist Figure 3A In this context, Operation 0 (not shown) can optionally be performed offline. The mobile network operator (including communication system 100) can create a PCF policy associated with the session AMBR for each energy-related state, and / or can supply UE subscription information for each DNN and slices with Subscribed-Session-AMBR for each energy-related state in the UDM / UDR. The latter may result in subscription data for each DNN and slice stored in the UDR and transmitted to the SMF (see TS29.503 Clause 6.1.6.2.9 "Type: DnnConfiguration").

[0167] In the following text, when TS 23.502 is mentioned... Figure 4 When .3.2.2.1-1, the same behavior applies to TS 23.502. Figure 4The equivalent steps in .3.2.2.2-1 (for home route roaming) are the same. Typically, when an NF expects to send a session AMBR for each energy-related state and does not know whether its peers support a session AMBR for each energy-related state, it provides both a regular session AMBR and a session AMBR for each energy-related state. The session AMBR for each energy-related state can be modeled as a table with values ​​for the session AMBR provided for each energy-related state, where the session AMBR is defined (according to TS 29.503 Clause 6.1.6.2.9 Type: DnnConfiguration). Operations 1-3 include those in accordance with TS 23.502 Figure 4 3.2.2.1-1 PDU session establishment. Operation 4 includes procedures according to TS23.502. Figure 4 Step 4 of .3.2.2.1-1, the PDU session establishment has the following difference: When the SMF obtains session management subscription data, the UDM can provide the SMF with the Subscribed-Session-AMBR for each energy-related state. Therefore, it may be necessary to change the session management subscription data in Table 5.2.3.3.1-1 "UE Subscription Data Types" of TS23.502.

[0168] Operations 5 through 7.a include those in accordance with TS 23.502 Figure 4 3.2.2.1-1 PDU Session Establishment (Steps 5 to 7a). As part of the PDU session establishment request, the UE indicates whether it supports the session AMBR features for each energy-related state. The indication of whether the UE supports the session AMBR features based on the energy-related state is utilized in Figure 3.

[0169] According to Operation 7b (in accordance with TS 23.502) Figure 4 3.2.2.1-1 Step 7b), the SMF can execute the SM policy association establishment procedure defined in Clause 4.16.4 of TS 23.502 to establish an SM policy association with the PCF and obtain the default PCC rules and PDU session-level policy control information. As part of this step, the SMF can provide the Subscribed-Session-AMBR for each energy-related state received from the UDM in the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Request, and receive the authorized Session-AMBR for each energy-related state determined by the PCF from the PCF in the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Response.

[0170] Operations 8 and 9 include those in accordance with TS 23.502. Figure 4 3.2.2.1-1 PDU session establishment. Operations 10a-10b include procedures according to TS 23.502. Figure 4 The PDU session is established according to .3.2.2.1-1. However, with Figure 4 Compared to .3.2.2.1-1, Operations 10a-10b may offer the following changes: The SMF provides a session AMBR and a nominal session AMBR for each energy-related state via N4. The nominal parameter is the parameter used when the energy-related state is not applicable (UPF, AN, etc. do not support energy-related states, or there is no flow reduction because the energy-related state corresponds to no current energy reduction).

[0171] Continue to Figure 3B (for Figure 3A (The extension), in operation 11, according to TS 23.502 Figure 4 3.2.2.1-1 Step 11, the PDU session establishment process has the following differences and / or improvements compared to the example embodiment in PDU session establishment acceptance:

[0172] If the UE has indicated support for both the Session-AMBR and UE-AMBR for each energy-related state, the SMF provides the UE with both. Otherwise, the SMF provides the nominal Session-AMBR (when the energy-related state is not applicable). Operations 12 through 14 involve the SMF providing the nominal Session-AMBR (in the existing PDU Session Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate IE) and the Session-AMBR for each energy state (in the PDU Session Resource Setup Request IE according to Clause 9.3.4.1 of TS 38.413) within the NGAP PDU Session Resource SETUP (both are provided because the SMF does not know whether the 5G-AN supports the Session-AMBR for each energy state). The 5G-AN answers the SMF in the NGAP PDU Session Resource Response (in the PDU Session Resource Setup Response as defined in Clause 9.3.4.2 of TS 38.413) whether it supports the Session AMBR for each energy-related state. This process is in accordance with TS 23.502 Figure 4 The definition in .3.2.2.1-1 shall apply.

[0173] Figure 4This is an example procedure illustrating signaling (e.g., control plane messages) transmitted between the UE, 5G-AN, UPF, SMF, and / or AF, and operations performed by the UE, 5G-AN, UPF, SMF, and / or AF related to changes in the 5G-AN energy-related state of the user plane (UP) used for PDU sessions.

[0174] In Operation 1, according to certain example embodiments, when the 5G-AN changes its energy-related state, the 5G-AN applies the session AMBR (UE AMBR and UE-Slice-MBR, see N2) associated with that energy-related state received from the 5GC via N2. Figure 5 The 5G-AN can also use UP traffic marking (using ECN bits as defined for L4S) to request the application server to reduce its traffic; this marking continues until the application adaptive data rate is not lower than the session AMBR and / or UE AMBR associated with the 5G-AN's current energy-related state. Alternatively, the 5G-AN can report its energy-related state to the SMF / UPF, which the UPF can use as a trigger to perform ECN marking for L4S.

[0175] 5G-AN notifies UPF via UL traffic. This notification may take the form of a UL GTP-U header, which contains energy-related status information indicating the 5G-AN serving the UE.

[0176] 5G-AN can notify different energy-related states of different UEs served by the same 5G-AN, for example, depending on the cell serving the UE.

[0177] When a UE is in dual connectivity in two cells with different energy states, the 5G-AN policy automatically determines which energy state to consider. Here are some possible implementation options:

[0178] 1) 5G-AN can take into account the energy status of cells in energy-saving mode. This allows cells in energy-saving mode to maintain their energy-saving mode.

[0179] 2) When only one cell is in power-saving mode, 5G-AN can consider the cell as being in normal operating mode. This option assumes that the cell selected for the DC can handle normal operating mode.

[0180] 3) 5G-AN can also consider removing the secondary gNB to serve the UE using only the primary node (and keep the secondary node in energy-dependent mode).

[0181] When there is no actual UL traffic to be sent from the UE to the UPF, and / or when the UE has moved to a new cell, the 5G-AN can send virtual (empty) GTP-u packets to update its energy-related status.

[0182] according to Figure 4 In operation 2, and according to certain example embodiments, when the UPF has received an indication that the 5G-AN energy-related state has changed, and / or due to a change in the energy-related state itself, the UPF may apply a DL session AMBR corresponding to the 5G-AN energy-related state, or apply a DL session AMBR corresponding to the most stringent energy-related state between its own energy-related state and the energy state received from the 5G-AN. Alternatively, in operation 2a, if the SMF has subscribed to receive this notification via or through the N4 interface, the UPF may notify the SMF that the PDU session UP energy state has changed. Based on this information, if the UE does not support the session AMBR functionality for each energy-related state disclosed herein, the SMF initiates a NAS procedure (PDU session modification) toward the UE to modify the QoS of the PDU session (based on the AMBR for each current energy-related state that the SMF has received from the PCF).

[0183] As shown in Operation 2b, the UPF can notify the AF of the user plane (UP) energy-related state of the PDU session that has subscribed to receive the PDU session's UP energy-related state or the session AMBR used for the PDU session's UP energy-related state. Based on this information, the AF can control the application server to send less (or more) throughput to the PDU session, for example, by changing the number of video frames per second or the image quality, to deliver traffic on the PDU session associated with the current PDU session's UP energy-related state.

[0184] As shown in Operation 2c, 5G-AN can tag UL user plane (UP) traffic ECN bits according to L4S characteristics.

[0185] As shown in Operation 2d, the UPF can execute an ECN tag for L4S to trigger data rate adaptation from the application to UL / DL.

[0186] According to some embodiments, steps 2b, 2c, and 2d can be configured to be executed mutually exclusively.

[0187] As shown in Operation 3, when the PDU session UP energy-related state has changed, the example embodiment indicates to the UE that the session AMBR has changed. Two options are available for notifying the UE (depending on the UE's support for this feature), including Operation 3a or 3b.

[0188] Operation 3a does not require modification of the UE to account for changes in the PDU session UP energy-related state. According to Operation 3a, when the SMF has received an indication that the PDU session UP energy-related state has changed, the SMF initiates a NAS procedure toward the UE to modify the session AMBR of the PDU session (based on each current energy-related state). This method can be implemented when energy-related state changes occur in 5G-AN or when AS / NAS signaling is triggered due to the UE moving to a different cell or gNB. Therefore, this method can be implemented when the SMF is serving the UE and the UE has not yet been modified to account for changes in the PDU session UP energy-related state.

[0189] Operation 3b can be implemented if the UE can be updated in a way that allows it to consider that the energy-related state of the PDU session UP has changed. In operation 3b, the SMF supplies the session AMBR for each energy-related state to the UE only once (e.g., during the establishment of the PDU session, such as...). Figure 3B In step 11), the UE determines the energy-related state of the serving 5G-AN's current operation. For example, the 5G-AN broadcasts its energy-related state in the SIB, or the 5G-AN signals a new energy-related state to an individual UE, such as at the PDCP layer of a DL packet, or in RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, or in the case of trusted / untrusted non-3GPP access, via dedicated IKE (Internet Key Exchange) signaling from N3IWF or TNGF. The UE then applies the session AMBR value corresponding to the current 5G-AN energy-related state.

[0190] Figure 5 A diagram of the call flow related to the MBR of an example UE is shown.

[0191] At Operation 1, operators of mobile networks including 5GS configure subscription data in the UDM / UDR using the subscribed UE AMBR (maximum bit rate aggregated per UE) and nominal UE AMBR for each energy-related state. This also applies to (multiple) subscribed UE-Slice-MBRs.

[0192] At operation 2, the UE registers with the 5GC according to the definition of Clause 4.2.2.2 of TS 23.502. As part of this step, in step 14b or Figure 4 In .2.2.2.2-1 (Nudm_SDM_Get), the AMF receives the subscribed UE-AMBR and nominal UE-AMBR for each energy-related state. The same applies to (multiple) subscribed UE-Slice-MBRs.

[0193] For this purpose, the access and mobility subscription data defined in Table 5.2.3.3.1-1 of TS 23.502 may be modified according to certain example embodiments to include or include the subscribed UE-AMBR and nominally subscribed UE-AMBR for each energy-related state. The same applies to the subscribed UE slice MBR(s) defined in the same table.

[0194] At point 3, each time the AMF provides UE AMBR information to the 5G-AN, the AMF provides both the UE-AMBR and the nominal UE-AMBR for each energy-related state; for example, this might occur (non-limiting list): a. For example, TS 23.502 Figure 4 Registration in .2.2.2.2-1, or b. Service requests, for example, in TS 23.502 Figure 4 In step 12 of .2.3.2, or c. Switching, for example, in TS 23.502 Figure 4 In step 1 of .9.1.3.3

[0195] At operation 4, when the 5G-AN changes its energy-related state (assuming the 5G-AN supports a session AMBR for each energy-related state), the 5G-AN applies the UE-AMBR / UE-Slice-MBR associated with that energy-related state, such as that received from the 5GC via N2. The 5G-AN can also use an UP traffic flag (using ECN bits as defined for L4S) to request the application server to reduce its traffic; this flag is applied until the application data rate adapts to be no lower than the UE AMBR / UE-Slice-MBR associated with the 5G-AN's current energy-related state.

[0196] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by apparatus 10, embodied by an access node of an access network supporting data connections for user equipment, according to certain embodiments. Figure 6A In this context, as shown in operation 600, the device 10 embodied by the network access node may include components for determining the current energy-related state of the access network, such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0197] At operation 602, the apparatus 10 embodied by the network access node may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, and memory 60 for sending an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network to the core network, so that the core network enforces quality of service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on user plane traffic sent via the data connection.

[0198] like Figure 6B As shown, in operation 610, the apparatus 10 embodied by the network access node may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for receiving quality of service (QoS) parameters for each energy-related state of the data connection used to access the network.

[0199] As shown at operation 612, the apparatus 10 embodied by the network access node may include components for selecting one or more QoS parameters corresponding to the current energy-related state of the access network, such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0200] As shown at operation 614, the apparatus 10 embodied by the network access node may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for enforcing one or more QoS parameters selected in the QoS parameters on user plane traffic of the data connection.

[0201] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by a device 10 embodied by a User Plane Function (UPF) according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory device 60 of the device 10 may include or at least store instructions for the UPF, and these instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry system 20 of the device 10, cause the device 10 to perform operations 700-704. In some embodiments, the device 10 may include a UPF configured to perform operations 700-704. In some embodiments, a core network (e.g., core network 101) may include a UPF, and the UPF may be configured to perform operations 700-704. In some embodiments, a communication system may include the device 10 embodied by a UPF.

[0202] At operation 700, the apparatus 10 embodied by the UPF, etc., may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for obtaining energy-related states corresponding to at least one entity associated with the user plane (UP) and for the quality of service (QoS) parameters of user equipment (UE) data connection.

[0203] At operation 702, the device 10 embodied by the UPF, etc., may include components for determining the current energy-related state of the user plane of the UE's data connection, such as processing circuit system 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0204] At step 704, the device 10 embodied by the UPF, etc., may include one or more QoS parameters, such as the processing circuit system 20, the communication interface 40, the memory 60, etc., for selecting the current energy-related state of the user plane corresponding to the data connection of the UE in the QoS parameters.

[0205] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by device 10 embodied by a Session Management Function (SMF) according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory device 60 of device 10 may include or at least store instructions for the SMF, and these instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry system 20 of device 10, cause device 10 to perform operations 800-804. In some embodiments, device 10 may include an SMF configured to perform operations 800-804. In some embodiments, a core network (e.g., core network 101) may include an SMF, and the SMF may be configured to perform operations 800-804. In some embodiments, a communication system may include device 10 embodied by an SMF.

[0206] At operation 800, the apparatus 10 embodied by the SMF, etc., may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for transmitting quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the user's data connection to at least one of the access network supporting the data connection for user equipment (UE) or user plane function (UPF).

[0207] At operation 802, the device 10 embodied by the SMF, etc., may include components for subscribing to the User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related state of the user plane (UP) of the data connection, such as processing circuit system 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0208] At operation 804, the device 10 embodied by the SMF or similar may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for sending commands to the UE to change QoS parameters of the data connection based on UPF notifications of changes in energy-related states.

[0209] Figure 9This is a flowchart of operations that can be performed by a device 10 embodied by a user equipment (UE) according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory device 60 of the device 10 may include or store instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry system 20 of the device 10, cause the device 10 to perform operations 900-902. In some embodiments, the device 10 may be a UE (e.g., UE 102). In some embodiments, the UE 102 may include the device 10. At operation 900, the device 10 embodied by the UE, etc., may include components such as the processing circuitry system 20, the communication interface 40, the memory 60, etc., for receiving an indication of the current energy-related state of an access network serving the device.

[0210] At operation 902, the apparatus 10 embodied by the UE may include components for enforcing at least one energy-related quality of service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network, such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0211] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by a device 10 embodied by an Access and Mobility Management (AMF) function according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory device 60 of the device 10 may include or at least store instructions for the AMF, and these instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry system 20 of the device 10, cause the device 10 to perform operations 1000-1002. In some embodiments, the device 10 may include an AMF configured to perform operations 1000-1002. In some embodiments, a core network (e.g., core network 101) may include an AMF, and the AMF may be configured to perform operations 1000-1002. In some embodiments, a communication system may include the device 10 embodied by an AMF.

[0212] At operation 1000, the apparatus 10 embodied by AMF, etc., may include components such as processing circuit system 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for receiving a set of quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the user equipment (UE).

[0213] At operation 1002, the apparatus 10 embodied by AMF or similar may include components for providing the QoS parameter set to the access network, such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60 and / or similar.

[0214] Figure 11This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by a device 10 embodied by a Unified Data Management (UDM) function according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory device 60 of the device 10 may include or at least store instructions for the UDM, and these instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry system 20 of the device 10, cause the device 10 to perform operations 1100-1102. In some embodiments, the device 10 may include a UDM configured to perform operations 1100-1102. In some embodiments, a core network (e.g., core network 101) may include a UDM, and the UDM may be configured to perform operations 1100-1102. In some embodiments, a communication system may include the device 10 embodied by the UDM.

[0215] At operation 1100, the apparatus 10 embodied by the UDM or the like may include components for receiving requests for subscription information related to the user equipment (UE), such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0216] At operation 1102, the apparatus 10 embodied by the UDM or the like may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for providing a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE to the Session Management Function (SMF) or Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in response to a request.

[0217] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating operations that can be performed by device 10, embodied by a Policy Control Function (PCF), according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory device 60 of device 10 may include or at least store instructions for the PCF, which, when executed by the processing circuitry system 20 of device 10, cause device 10 to perform operations 1200-1204. In some embodiments, device 10 may include a PCF configured to perform operations 1200-1204. In some embodiments, a core network (e.g., core network 101) may include a PCF, and the PCF may be configured to perform operations 1200-1202. In some embodiments, a communication system may include device 10 embodied by a PCF.

[0218] At operation 1200, the apparatus 10 embodied by the PCF, etc., may include components for determining nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameters for a data connection for a user equipment (UE), such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc.

[0219] At operation 1202, the apparatus 10 embodied by the PCF, etc., may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, etc., for determining at least one QoS parameter of at least one energy-related state of the data connection for the UE based on at least one subscription data associated with the UE's subscriber.

[0220] At step 1204, the apparatus 10 embodied by the PCF, etc., may include components such as processing circuitry 20, communication interface 40, memory 60 and / or similar for sending nominal session QoS parameters and at least one QoS parameter of at least energy-related state of at least the data connection of the UE to the session management function (SMF).

[0221] The example embodiments disclosed herein provide numerous improvements, such as those relating to energy efficiency, energy and resource utilization, and service continuity throughout the mobile network. According to the example embodiments, QoS parameters are enforced at different communication channels of the network, thus enabling optimization or improvement of energy use across the entire network.

[0222] Improvements in energy efficiency and utilization can be achieved by different components and / or operators (including MNOs and CSPs). Alternatively, the disclosed operations are used to select QoS parameters based on energy-related states, thus enabling mobile networks to reduce their overall energy consumption by utilizing energy-saving states / modes, which may include shutting down certain hardware components to conserve energy.

[0223] Therefore, the network can operate more efficiently, such as by reducing traffic when components are in energy-saving mode, or increasing traffic when components are in full performance mode or full capacity.

[0224] Therefore, the example embodiments address energy-related risks across the entire mobile network and can further provide improved standards for different operators or service providers operating within the network. Correspondingly, the example embodiments can further improve network service continuity across the entire mobile network.

[0225] Figures 3A-3B , Figure 4 and Figure 5A message flow according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. It should be understood that each block of the message flow can be implemented in various ways, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with the execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more processes described above can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, computer program instructions embodying the processes described above can be stored by a memory device 60 of the apparatus 100 employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by a processing circuitry 20. It should be understood that any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable device performs the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can instruct a computer or other programmable device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of art, the execution of which performs the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. Computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable device, provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0226] Therefore, the blocks in the graph and message flow support combinations of components for performing specified functions and combinations of operations for performing specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks in the graph, as well as combinations of blocks in the graph, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based computer system or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions to perform the specified functions.

[0227] Benefiting from the teachings illustrated in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which such disclosure pertains. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0228] Furthermore, although the foregoing description and associated drawings depict exemplary embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided through alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions, as described in some of the appended claims, are contemplated in addition to the combinations of elements and / or functions explicitly described above. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes.

[0229] Although several variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are still possible. In addition to the features described herein, further features and / or variations may be provided. Furthermore, the above implementations may refer to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, and / or combinations and sub-combinations of several other features described above. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.

[0230] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in different orders and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, one or more of the above functions may be optional or may be combined, if desired. Although some aspects of the embodiments are set forth in the independent claim, some other aspects of the embodiments include other combinations of features from the said embodiments and / or dependent claims with features of the independent claim, not just those explicitly set forth in the claims. It should also be noted that while exemplary embodiments have been described above, these descriptions should not be considered limiting. Rather, several variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of some of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims. Other embodiments may fall within the scope of the following claims. The term “based on” includes “at least based on”. Unless otherwise stated, the term “such as” means “such as, for example”.

[0231] Therefore, it should be emphasized again that the various embodiments described herein are illustrative by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. For example, alternative embodiments may utilize different communication system configurations, user equipment configurations, base station configurations, identity request procedures, messaging protocols, and message formats than those described above in the context of the exemplary embodiments. These, and many other alternative embodiments within the scope of the appended claims, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0232] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, wherein a list of two or more elements connected by “and” or “or” means at least any one element, or at least two or more elements, or at least all elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting data connectivity for user equipment in an access network, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to: Determine the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as Send an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to the core network so that the core network enforces the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission comprises: Send the instruction to the user plane function that supports the data connection.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is sent to the user plane function via a user plane tunnel between the access network and the core network.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instruction to encapsulate GTP-u packets of user plane traffic associated with the data connection is sent to the user plane function.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the indication is sent to the user plane function as GTP-u packets that are not encapsulated with user plane traffic associated with the data connection.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: Send an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network to the user equipment so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state of the access network is transmitted to the user equipment via a broadcast channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: Receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network from the core network; as well as Select one or more QoS parameters from the set of QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as Enforcement is applied to one or more QoS parameters in the QoS parameter set that correspond to user plane traffic sent by the user equipment via the data connection.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the QoS parameter or at least one of the QoS parameter set comprises: The user equipment's aggregated maximum traffic for a network slice, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data sessions of the user equipment on the network slice.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: discarding user plane traffic transmitted over the data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or 15, wherein the access network comprises: 3GPP radio access network, untrusted non-3GPP access network, or trusted non-3GPP access network.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining the current energy-related state of the access network comprises: Determine the current energy-related state of the access network resources used by the data connection.

16. A method for supporting data connectivity for a user equipment in an access network, the method comprising: Determine the current energy-related status of the access network; as well as Send an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to the core network so that the core network enforces the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sending comprises: Send the instruction to the user plane function that supports the data connection.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is sent to the user plane function via a user plane tunnel between the access network and the core network.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the instruction to encapsulate GTP-u packets of user plane traffic associated with the data connection is sent to the user plane function.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication is sent to the user plane function as a GTP-u packet that is not encapsulated with user plane traffic associated with the data connection.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising: Send an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network to the user equipment so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state of the access network is transmitted to the user equipment via a broadcast channel.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, further comprising: Receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network from the core network; as well as Select one or more QoS parameters from the set of QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as Enforcement is applied to one or more QoS parameters in the QoS parameter set that correspond to user plane traffic sent by the user equipment via the data connection.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, wherein the QoS parameter or at least one of the QoS parameter set comprises: The user equipment's aggregated maximum traffic for a network slice, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data sessions of the user equipment on the network slice.

28. The method of any one of claims 9 to 27, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: discarding user plane traffic transmitted over the data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

29. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 28 and 30, wherein the access network comprises: 3GPP radio access network, untrusted non-3GPP access network, or trusted non-3GPP access network.

30. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the current energy-related state of the access network comprises: Determine the current energy-related state of the access network resources used by the data connection.

31. A computer program product for supporting data connectivity for user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Determine the current energy-related state of the access network; and Send an indication of the current energy-related state of the access network to the core network so that the core network enforces the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic transmitted through the data connection.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the sending comprises: Send the instruction to the user plane function that supports the data connection.

33. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is sent to the user plane function via a user plane tunnel between the access network and the core network.

34. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the instruction to encapsulate GTP-u packets of user plane traffic associated with the data connection is sent to the user plane function.

35. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the instruction is sent to the user plane function in the form of GTP-u packets that are not encapsulated with user plane traffic associated with the data connection.

36. The computer program product according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: Send an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network to the user equipment so that the user equipment enforces QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related status of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state of the access network is transmitted to the user equipment via a broadcast channel.

38. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

39. The computer program product according to any one of claims 31 to 38, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: Receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network from the core network; as well as Select one or more QoS parameters from the set of QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as Enforcement is applied to one or more QoS parameters in the QoS parameter set that correspond to user plane traffic sent by the user equipment via the data connection.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection.

41. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment.

42. The computer program product according to any one of claims 31 to 41, wherein the QoS parameter or at least one of the QoS parameter set comprises: The user equipment's aggregated maximum traffic for a network slice, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data sessions of the user equipment on the network slice.

43. The computer program product according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: discarding user plane traffic transmitted over the data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

44. The computer program product according to any one of claims 31 to 43 and 45, wherein the access network comprises: 3GPP radio access network, untrusted non-3GPP access network, or trusted non-3GPP access network.

45. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein determining the current energy-related state of the access network includes: Determine the current energy-related state of the access network resources used by the data connection.

46. ​​An apparatus for supporting data connectivity for a user equipment (UE) in an access network, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to: Receive the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection for each energy-related state of the access network; Select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as The user plane traffic of the data connection is subject to the enforcement of one or more QoS parameters selected in the QoS parameters.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection for each energy-related state of the access network are provided at least from the Session Management Function (SMF).

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection.

49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for all data connections used by the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for all data connections used by the user equipment.

50. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the user equipment on the network slice, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment on the network slice.

51. The apparatus of claims 48 to 50, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters is provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

52. The apparatus according to any one of claims 46 to 51, wherein the instructions further cause the apparatus to: The UE is sent an indication of the current energy-related state to enforce QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection used by the UE.

53. The apparatus according to any one of claims 46 to 52, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a broadcast channel.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

55. The apparatus according to any one of claims 46 to 54 and 56 to 57, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: The current energy-related state of the access network is sent to the core network so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic sent through the data connection.

56. The apparatus according to any one of claims 46 to 55 and 57, wherein the access network comprises: 3GPP radio access network, untrusted non-3GPP access network, trusted non-3GPP access network, or wired access.

57. The apparatus of any one of claims 46 to 47 and 51 to 56, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: discarding user plane traffic transmitted over the data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

58. A method for supporting data connectivity for a user equipment in an access network, the method comprising: Receive the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection for each energy-related state of the access network; Select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as The user plane traffic of the data connection is subject to the enforcement of one or more QoS parameters selected in the QoS parameters.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection for each energy-related state of the access network are provided at least from the Session Management Function (SMF).

60. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameters comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for all data connections used by the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for all data connections used by the user equipment.

62. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one QoS parameter in the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the user equipment on the network slice, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment on the network slice.

63. The method according to claims 60 to 62, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters is provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

64. The method according to any one of claims 58 to 63, further comprising: The UE is sent an indication of the current energy-related state to enforce QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection used by the UE.

65. The method according to any one of claims 58 to 64, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a broadcast channel.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

67. The method according to any one of claims 58 to 66, further comprising: The current energy-related state of the access network is sent to the core network so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic sent through the data connection.

68. The method according to any one of claims 58 to 67, wherein the access network comprises: 3GPP radio access network, untrusted non-3GPP access network, trusted non-3GPP access network, or wired access.

69. The method of any one of claims 58 to 59 or 63 to 68, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: discarding user plane traffic transmitted over the data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

70. A computer program product for supporting data connectivity for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Receive the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection for each energy-related state of the access network; Select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the access network; as well as The user plane traffic of the data connection is subject to the enforcement of one or more QoS parameters selected in the QoS parameters.

71. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection for each energy-related state of the access network are provided at least from the Session Management Function (SMF).

72. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection.

73. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for all data connections used by the user equipment, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for all data connections used by the user equipment.

74. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the user equipment on the network slice, and the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for all data connections of the user equipment on the network slice.

75. The computer program product according to claims 72 to 74, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters is provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

76. The computer program product according to any one of claims 70 to 75, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: The UE is sent an indication of the current energy-related state to enforce QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on data traffic associated with the data connection used by the UE.

77. The computer program product according to any one of claims 70 to 76, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a broadcast channel.

78. The computer program product of claim 76, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is transmitted to the UE via a point-to-point channel.

79. The computer program product according to any one of claims 70 to 78, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: The current energy-related state of the access network is sent to the core network so that the core network enforces a second set of QoS parameters associated with the current energy-related state of the access network on user plane traffic sent through the data connection.

80. The computer program product according to any one of claims 70 to 79, wherein the access network comprises: 3GPP radio access network, untrusted non-3GPP access network, trusted non-3GPP access network, or wired access.

81. The computer program product according to any one of claims 70 to 71 or 75 to 80, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: discarding user plane traffic transmitted over the data connection; granting authorization to the UE for transmitting uplink user plane traffic over the data connection; or marking the user plane traffic to indicate that the source of the user plane traffic will reduce the throughput of the user plane traffic.

82. An apparatus for a core network, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions for User Plane Function (UPF), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the means at least: Obtain the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection of the User Equipment (UE) corresponding to the energy-related state of at least one entity associated with the User Plane (UP). Determine the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; Select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; as well as At least one QoS parameter of the current energy-related state of the user plane corresponding to the data connection of the UE is enforced on user plane traffic.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Determine the current energy-related state of the UPF; The current energy-related state of another entity is received from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE is determined based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the current energy-related state received by the other entity.

84. The apparatus according to any one of claims 82 to 83, wherein the QoS parameters are obtained from the session management function (SMF) of the core network.

85. The apparatus according to any one of claims 82 to 84, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: a) discarding traffic; b) marking traffic to request the source of the data stream to reduce throughput; or c) notifying the application of a decrease or increase in traffic.

86. The apparatus according to any one of claims 82 to 85, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection.

87. The apparatus according to any one of claims 82 to 83, wherein the at least one entity comprises at least one of: an access node serving the data connection, or another UPF serving the data connection.

88. The apparatus according to any one of claims 82 to 87, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: Receive subscription requests for notifications of changes in the energy-related states of the user plane of the data connection; and Send the notification corresponding to the change.

89. A method comprising: Obtain the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection of the User Equipment (UE) corresponding to the energy-related state of at least one entity associated with the User Plane (UP). Determine the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; Select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; as well as At least one QoS parameter of the current energy-related state of the user plane corresponding to the data connection of the UE is enforced on user plane traffic.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising: Determine the current energy-related state of the UPF; The current energy-related state of another entity is received from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE is determined based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the current energy-related state received by the other entity.

91. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 90, wherein the QoS parameter is obtained from the session management function (SMF) of the core network.

92. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 91, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: a) discarding traffic; b) marking traffic to request the source of the data stream to reduce throughput; or c) notifying the application of a decrease or increase in traffic.

93. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 92, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection.

94. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 90, wherein the at least one entity comprises at least one of: an access node serving the data connection, or another UPF serving the data connection.

95. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 94, further comprising: Receive subscription requests for notifications of changes in the energy-related states of the user plane of the data connection; as well as Send the notification corresponding to the change.

96. A computer program product for a communication system, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Obtain the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for the data connection of the User Equipment (UE) corresponding to the energy-related state of at least one entity associated with the User Plane (UP). Determine the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; Select one or more QoS parameters from the QoS parameters that correspond to the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE; as well as At least one QoS parameter of the current energy-related state of the user plane corresponding to the data connection of the UE is enforced on user plane traffic.

97. The computer program product of claim 96, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: Determine the current energy-related state of the UPF; The current energy-related state of another entity is received from at least one entity associated with the UP, wherein the current energy-related state of the user plane of the data connection of the UE is determined based on the current energy-related state of the UPF and the current energy-related state received by the other entity.

98. The computer program product according to any one of claims 96 to 97, wherein the QoS parameters are obtained from the session management function (SMF) of the core network.

99. The computer program product according to any one of claims 96 to 98, wherein the enforcement comprises at least one of: a) discarding traffic; b) marking traffic to request the source of the data stream to reduce throughput; or c) notifying the application of a decrease or increase in traffic.

100. The computer program product according to any one of claims 96 to 99, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection used by the user equipment, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the maximum aggregate traffic for the data connection.

101. The computer program product according to any one of claims 96 to 97, wherein the at least one entity comprises at least one of: an access node serving the data connection, or another UPF serving the data connection.

102. The computer program product according to any one of claims 96 to 101, wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: Receive subscription requests for notifications of changes in the energy-related states of the user plane of the data connection; and Send the notification corresponding to the change.

103. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions for session management functions, wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to at least: The Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection of the user are sent to at least one of the access network supporting the data connection for the user equipment (UE) or the user plane function (UPF).

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The QoS parameters are sent to the access network.

105. The apparatus according to any one of claims 103 to 104, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: Send the QoS parameters to the UPF.

106. The apparatus according to any one of claims 103 to 105, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection.

107. The apparatus according to any one of claims 103 to 106, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Subscribe to the User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related states of the data-connected User Plane (UP); and Based on the UPF notification of the change in the energy-related state, a command is sent to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection.

108. The apparatus according to any one of claims 103 to 107, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The policy control function (PCF) receives nominal session QoS parameters and QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection.

109. A method for a communication system, the method comprising: The Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection of the user are sent to at least one of the access network supporting the data connection for the user equipment (UE) or the user plane function (UPF).

110. The method of claim 109, further comprising: The QoS parameters are sent to the access network.

111. The method according to any one of claims 109 to 110, further comprising: Send the QoS parameters to the UPF.

112. The method according to any one of claims 109 to 111, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection.

113. The method according to any one of claims 109 to 112, further comprising: Subscribe to the User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related state of the data-connected User Plane (UP). as well as Based on the UPF notification of the change in the energy-related state, a command is sent to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection.

114. The method according to any one of claims 109 to 113, further comprising: The policy control function (PCF) receives nominal session QoS parameters and QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection.

115. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: The Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection of the user are sent to at least one of the access network supporting the data connection for the user equipment (UE) or the user plane function (UPF).

116. The computer program product of claim 115, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: The QoS parameters are sent to the access network.

117. The computer program product according to claims 115 to 116, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: Send the QoS parameters to the UPF.

118. The computer program product according to any one of claims 115 to 117, wherein at least one of the QoS parameters comprises: The aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection, wherein the enforcement includes: enforcing the aggregated maximum traffic for the data connection.

119. The computer program product according to any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions to: Subscribe to the User Plane Function (UPF) to be notified of changes in the energy-related states of the data-connected User Plane (UP); and Based on the UPF notification of the change in the energy-related state, a command is sent to the UE to change the QoS parameters of the data connection.

120. The computer program product according to any one of claims 115 to 119, wherein the computer executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: The policy control function (PCF) receives nominal session QoS parameters and QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the data connection.

121. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network serving the device; as well as Enforce at least one energy-related Quality of Service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: The QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state are obtained from the Session Management Function (SMF), wherein the enforced energy-related QoS parameters are determined based on the obtained QoS parameters.

123. The apparatus according to any one of claims 121 to 122, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is received via a broadcast channel.

124. The apparatus according to any one of claims 121 to 123, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is received via a point-to-point channel.

125. The apparatus according to any one of claims 121 to 124, wherein enforcing at least one energy-related QoS parameter comprises: Adjust the uplink traffic throughput.

126. A method comprising: Receive an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network serving the device; as well as Enforce at least one energy-related Quality of Service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network.

127. The method of claim 121, further comprising: The QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state are obtained from the Session Management Function (SMF), wherein the enforced energy-related QoS parameters are determined based on the obtained QoS parameters.

128. The method according to any one of claims 126 to 127, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is received via a broadcast channel.

129. The method according to any one of claims 126 to 128, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is received via a point-to-point channel.

130. The method according to any one of claims 126 to 129, wherein enforcing at least one energy-related QoS parameter comprises: Adjust the uplink traffic throughput.

131. A computer program product for a communication system, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Receive an indication of the current energy-related status of the access network serving the device; and Enforce at least one energy-related Quality of Service (QoS) parameter determined based on the current energy-related state of the access network.

132. The computer program product of claim 131, wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: The QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state are obtained from the Session Management Function (SMF), wherein the enforced energy-related QoS parameters are determined based on the obtained QoS parameters.

133. The computer program product according to any one of claims 131 to 132, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is received via a broadcast channel.

134. The computer program product according to any one of claims 131 to 133, wherein the indication of the current energy-related state is received via a point-to-point channel.

135. The computer program product according to any one of claims 131 to 134, wherein enforcing at least one energy-related QoS parameter comprises: Adjust the uplink traffic throughput.

136. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions for Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to at least: Receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the User Equipment (UE); as well as The QoS parameter set is provided to the access network.

137. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from the policy control function (PCF).

138. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from a unified data manager (UDM).

139. A method for a communication system, the method comprising: Receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the User Equipment (UE); as well as The QoS parameter set is provided to the access network.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein the set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from the policy control function (PCF).

141. The method of claim 139, wherein the set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from the unified data manager UDM.

142. A computer program product for a communication system, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Receive a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the User Equipment (UE); and The QoS parameter set is provided to the access network.

143. The computer program product of claim 142, wherein the set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from the policy control function (PCF).

144. The computer program product of claim 142, wherein the set of QoS parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is received from a unified data manager (UDM).

145. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions for a unified data manager (UDM), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to at least: Receive requests for subscription information related to the user equipment (UE); as well as In response to the request, a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is provided to the Session Management Function (SMF) or the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

146. A method for a communication system, the method comprising: Receive requests for subscription information related to the user equipment (UE); as well as In response to the request, a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is provided to the Session Management Function (SMF) or the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

147. A computer program product for a communication system, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Receive requests for subscription information related to the User Equipment (UE); and In response to the request, a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the energy-related state of the access network serving the UE is provided to the Session Management Function (SMF) or the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

148. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory, the at least one memory including instructions for a policy control function (PCF), wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the means at least: Determine the nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameters for data connections used by user equipment (UE); Based on at least one subscription data associated with the subscriber of the UE, at least one QoS parameter for at least one energy-related state of the data connection of the UE is determined; as well as The nominal session QoS parameters and at least one QoS parameter relating to the energy-related state of the data connection for the UE are sent to the Session Management Function (SMF).

149. The apparatus of claim 148, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: During the establishment of a data connection for the UE, the UE slice QoS parameters of the access network are determined based on the energy-related status of the access network and the subscription data.

150. A method for a communication system, the method comprising: Determine the nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameters for data connections used by user equipment (UE); Based on at least one subscription data associated with the subscriber of the UE, at least one QoS parameter for at least one energy-related state of the data connection of the UE is determined; as well as The nominal session QoS parameters and at least one QoS parameter relating to the energy-related state of the data connection for the UE are sent to the Session Management Function (SMF).

151. The method of claim 150, further comprising: During the establishment of a data connection for the UE, the UE slice QoS parameters of the access network are determined based on the energy-related status of the access network and the subscription data.

152. A computer program product for a communication system, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to: Determine the nominal session quality of service (QoS) parameters for data connections used by user equipment (UE); Based on at least one subscription data associated with the subscriber of the UE, at least one QoS parameter for at least one energy-related state of the data connection of the UE is determined; as well as The nominal session QoS parameters and at least one QoS parameter relating to the energy-related state of the data connection for the UE are sent to the Session Management Function (SMF).

153. The computer program product of claim 152, wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further include program code instructions for: During the establishment of a data connection for the UE, the UE slice QoS parameters of the access network are determined based on the energy-related status of the access network and the subscription data.

Images