Configuring UE for collecting and reporting data associated with roaming network

Abstract

An example method may include receiving, by a user equipment, a configuration for performing measurements in a roaming network from a home network; receiving, by the user equipment, a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating the home network as one of Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), sharing or reporting of the collected measurements to the PLMN with respect to the roaming network being enabled; collecting, by the user equipment, measurements regarding the roaming network based on a roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is allowed; and transmitting, by the user equipment, a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report comprising at least some of the measurements collected with respect to the roaming network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This manual relates to wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] A communication system can be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices (such as fixed or mobile communication devices). Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is the architecture standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Recent developments in this field are often referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE) of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface for the 3GPP LTE upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), referred to as enhanced node APs (eNBs), provide radio access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices or mobile stations are referred to as User Equipment (UEs). LTE has incorporated numerous improvements and developments. All aspects of LTE continue to improve.

[0004] The development of 5G New Radio (NR) is part of an ongoing evolution of mobile broadband to meet 5G requirements, similar to the early evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. Furthermore, in addition to mobile broadband, 5G also targets emerging use cases. The goal of 5G is to deliver significant improvements in wireless performance, which can include new levels of data rates, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR can also be extended to efficiently connect massive Internet of Things (IoT) networks and can provide new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) devices may require high reliability and very low latency. 6G and other wireless network technologies are also under development. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to another example embodiment, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, by a user equipment, a configuration from a home network for performing measurements in a roaming network; receive, by the user equipment, a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is one of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and enabling sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN; collect measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted; and transmit a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected by the roaming network.

[0006] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: receiving, by a user equipment, a configuration from a home network for performing measurements in a roaming network; receiving, by the user equipment, a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is one of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and enabling sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN; collecting measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted; and transmitting a measurement report to the home network by the user equipment, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected about the roaming network. Other example embodiments are provided or described for each example method, including: components for performing any example method; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions stored thereon, the instructions being configured, when executed by at least one processor, to cause a computing system to perform any example method; and means including at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the means to perform at least any example method.

[0007] Details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features will be apparent from the specification, the drawings, and the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a user equipment or UE according to an example embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a network according to an example embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a UE according to another example embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., AP, BS, RAN node, UE or user equipment, or network node). Detailed Implementation

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example embodiment. Figure 1In the wireless network 130, user equipment 131, 132, 133, and 135 (which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MS) or user equipment (UE)) can connect to (and communicate with) a base station (BS) 134 (which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), evolved Node B (eNB), gNB, or network node). The terms user equipment and user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. The BS may also include or be referred to as a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, and may include a portion of the BS or a portion of the RAN node, such as (e.g., in the case of a split BS or a split gNB, such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU)). At least a portion of the functionality of the BS (e.g., an access point (AP), base station (BS), or (e)Node B (eNB), gNB, RAN node) can also be performed by any node, server, or host operatively coupled to a transceiver (such as a remote radio head). BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within cell 136 (including user equipment (or UE) 131, 132, 133, and 135). Although only four user equipment (or UE) are shown connected to or attached to BS 134, any number of user equipment can be provided. BS 134 is also connected to core network 150 via S1 interface 151. This is just a simplified example of a wireless network; other examples may also be used.

[0014] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or RAN node) can be or may include (or, alternatively may be referred to as) such as an access point (AP), gNB, eNB, or a portion thereof (e.g., in the case of a split BS or split gNB, a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU)) or other network node.

[0015] According to illustrative examples, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU…) or radio access network (RAN) can be part of a mobile telecommunications system. The RAN (Radio Access Network) can include one or more BS or RAN nodes implementing radio access technologies, for example, allowing one or more UEs to access the network or core network. Therefore, for example, the RAN (RAN node, such as BS or gNB) can reside between one or more user equipments or UEs and the core network. According to example embodiments, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU…) or BS can provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user equipments, for example, allowing UEs to wirelessly access the network via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS can perform or provide wireless communication services, such as allowing a UE or user equipment to establish a wireless connection to the RAN node, and sending and / or receiving data from one or more UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to a UE, the RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU…) can forward data received from the network or core network to the UE, and / or forward data received from the network or core network to the UE. RAN nodes or network nodes (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, etc.) can perform a wide variety of other radio functions or services, such as broadcasting control information to UEs (e.g., system information or on-demand system information), paging UEs when data to be delivered to them is available, assisting UEs in handover between cells, scheduling resources for uplink data transmission from (multiple) UEs and downlink data transmission to (multiple) UEs, sending control information to configure one or more UEs, etc. These are just a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS can perform.

[0016] User equipment (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) can refer to portable computing devices that include wireless mobile communication devices with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile station (MS), mobile phone, cell phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measuring device, etc.), laptop and / or touchscreen computer, tablet computer, tablet phone, game console, laptop, vehicle, sensor and multimedia device, as an example, or any other wireless device. It should be understood that user equipment can also be (or may include) a virtually exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or camcorder that loads images or video clips onto a network.

[0017] In LTE (as an illustrative example), the core network 150 may be referred to as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) capable of handling or assisting user equipment mobility / handover between BSs, one or more gateways capable of forwarding data and control signals between the BS and a packet data network or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR)), may also include a core network.

[0018] The embodiments described herein can be applied to the aforementioned wireless network or another wireless network. The wireless network can be, or may include, a radio access network for a cellular communication system.

[0019] Furthermore, the technologies described in this paper can be applied to various types of user equipment or data service types, or to user equipment that can have multiple applications running on it, which can be different data service types. New 5G (NR) development can support a variety of different applications or data service types, such as: Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT) and / or Narrowband IoT user equipment, Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) related applications often require higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0020] The Internet of Things (IoT) can refer to a growing group of objects that can have internet or network connectivity, enabling them to send and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor-type applications or devices can monitor physical conditions or states and, for instance, send reports to servers or other network devices when events occur. Machine-type communication (MTC, or machine-to-machine communication) can be characterized, for example, by the fully automated generation, exchange, processing, and actuation of data between intelligent machines with or without human intervention. Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) can support data rates significantly higher than those currently available in LTE.

[0021] Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) is a new type of data service or a new use case that can be supported for new radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services such as industrial automation, autonomous driving, vehicle safety, and eHealth services. As an illustrative example, 3GPP aims to provide [something related to 10G]. -5The block error rate (BLER) and U-plane (user / data plane) latency of up to 1 ms correspond to the reliability of the connection. Therefore, for example, URLLC user equipment / UEs may require significantly lower block error rates and lower latency (with or without the need for high reliability) than other types of user equipment / UEs. Thus, for example, URLLC UEs (or URLLC applications on UEs) may require much shorter latency compared to eMBB UEs (or eMBB applications running on UEs).

[0022] The techniques described herein can be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE-A, 5G (New Radio (NR)), centimeter-wave and / or millimeter-wave band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, 6G, URLLC, ambient wireless networks (such as ambient IoT wireless networks or systems), or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies, or data service types are provided as illustrative examples only.

[0023] In some cases, wireless networks can use Minimized Drive Test (MDT) mechanisms or techniques to configure the UE and then enable the UE to report or provide feedback to the network. MDT can be or can include standardized mechanisms or protocols to allow the UE to typically provide network data or feedback to the network, for example, where the network (e.g., gNB or OAM (Operation, Administration and Maintenance) or other network entities) uses configuration to configure the UE, and the UE reports measurement logs containing requested data or information configured for measurement and reporting.

[0024] According to an example embodiment, to save energy, a first wireless network operator or a first wireless network (e.g., the home network) can configure its UE to roam to another network (e.g., roam to a gNB of another wireless network operator). This allows the home network to shut down portions of its network during certain time periods when its user or UE roams to the second network or the gNB of the second wireless network operator. Network sharing can be used to allow a wireless network operator to shut down portions of its network in certain areas during certain times of the day when traffic is low. Users of the operator(s) whose network(s) are shut down will then be served by the remaining active network(s). This enables a reduction in the amount of active transmission to base stations / gNBs during low-traffic periods, thereby reducing energy consumption. Therefore, roaming in this context can be understood as meaning that the UE is camped within the coverage area of ​​the home network but is still configured to roam to the second network in order to achieve shutdown within the home network. This is distinct from roaming scenarios where the UE is camped outside the coverage area of ​​the home network.

[0025] For energy efficiency purposes, a Home Public Land Mobile Network (Home PLMN or HPLMN) may want to shut down a portion of its network during periods of low traffic and configure its subscribers or UEs to use the networks of other mobile network operators (e.g., to roam its subscribers or UEs to a roaming network).

[0026] In another embodiment, a first wireless network operator may configure some of its UEs to roam to another (or more) networks of another wireless operator for certain services not provided by its home network. For example, a separate private network may have a network-sharing protocol with the wireless network operator to provide high capacity.

[0027] Agreements can be provided between operators to facilitate these network sharing scenarios. For example, service level agreements (SLAs) can be provided between operators, which can define the costs for network sharing and the minimum performance or quality of service (QoS) to be provided to a UE when it roams to a roaming network. HPLMN should have a way to verify the performance or QoS already provided to its UE when it roams to a roaming network.

[0028] During network sharing scenarios, the UE's or subscriber's home network (e.g., HPLMN) is unaware of whether the UE is being served by a roaming network with the QoS or performance level provided by the SLA. For example, the home network may not know whether the UE can establish a connection to the roaming network, whether it is within or outside coverage, whether the UE has repeatedly disconnected from the roaming network, or whether the UE experienced high latency or long call setup times during the network sharing period. All these factors can have a very negative impact on subscriber retention. The home network needs to be able to determine the QoS its users are experiencing when those users or UEs are camped or connected to the roaming network. For example, if the QoS provided by the roaming network is below standard or does not meet the agreed performance requirements of the SLA, the home network (e.g., HPLMN) may lose subscribers, which is unacceptable.

[0029] According to an example embodiment, a UE can collect measurements about roaming networks and report these measurements to its home network (e.g., an HPLMN). The home network can configure the UE to which networks it can roam to and / or what measurements the UE should collect about roaming networks and report to it. Furthermore, in some cases, for example, to maintain the privacy or confidentiality of roaming network information or measurements obtained about roaming networks, the UE may need to receive information indicating which PLMNs or networks enable (or can perform) the sharing or reporting of measurements collected about roaming networks to those PLMNs or networks. For example, this information from the roaming network can notify the UE of the networks or PLMNs (such as the UE's home network) to which it can report or share measurements collected about roaming networks. Additionally, for example, the roaming network can notify the UE of which measurements collected about roaming networks can be reported to networks of PLMNs that allow it to share or report measurements collected about roaming networks. Therefore, for example, in some cases, the roaming network may configure the UE with a list of PLMNs (e.g., which may include the UE's home network or home PLMN) and / or one or more measurement types, and the roaming network may enable or allow reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to that PLMN. For that one or more measurement types, the UE may report measurement values ​​to the network on the list of the PLMN.

[0030] In the embodiments, one or more measurement types include one or more of the following: UE is within the coverage area of ​​the roaming network, UE is not within the coverage area of ​​the roaming network, Quality of Service (QoS), call setup time, accessibility success, etc.

[0031] In embodiments, measurements may characterize one or more of the following measurable parameters associated with the measurement type: the time and / or number of instances connected to the roaming network (associated with UEs within the roaming network's coverage area), the time and / or number of instances disconnected from the roaming network (associated with UEs not within the roaming network's coverage area), the latency of data transmitted through the roaming network (associated with QoS), the call latency in the roaming network (associated with call setup time), the data rate in the roaming network (associated with QoS), and the number of radio link failures (associated with accessibility success). These measurements characterize connectivity in the roaming network and may be directly related to the SLAs described above.

[0032] In summary, measurement type can be understood as a measurable parameter, while measurement value is a numerical value or another value that characterizes (multiple) measurements of a specific measurement type.

[0033] Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a user equipment (UE) or UE according to an example embodiment. Operation 210 includes the user equipment (e.g., UE) receiving a configuration (e.g., roaming network measurement configuration) from a home network (e.g., the home network's gNB or the UE's home PLMN) for performing measurements in the roaming network. Operation 220 includes the user equipment receiving a roaming network policy from the roaming network, which designates the home network as one of the Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) and allows sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN. Operation 230 includes the user equipment collecting measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, which indicates that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted. Operation 240 includes the user equipment transmitting a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected by the roaming network.

[0034] about Figure 2 The method allows PLMNs that permit the sharing or reporting of measurements collected about roaming networks to be indicated by at least one of the following: a list of permitted PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, which include home networks, and which permit the sharing or reporting of measurements collected about roaming networks; and / or a list of prohibited PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, which do not include home networks, and which prohibit or disallow the sharing or reporting of measurements collected about roaming networks, wherein any PLMN or network not on the list of prohibited PLMNs is permitted to receive measurements collected about roaming networks.

[0035] about Figure 2 The method of receiving roaming network policies may include: receiving roaming network policies from roaming networks by a user equipment, wherein the roaming network policies also include a list of one or more measurement types, reporting of measurement values ​​to the PLMN network for the one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0036] about Figure 2 The method of collection may include: collecting one or more measurement values ​​of the roaming network by the user equipment, reporting the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0037] about Figure 2The method may include: transmitting a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network, reporting the at least some measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0038] about Figure 2 The roaming network policy may include system information broadcast by the roaming network, or the roaming network policy may be transmitted via system information.

[0039] about Figure 2 The method, the transmission may include: establishing a connection between a user equipment and a home network; determining that the home network is an entity within a PLMN, and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; and transmitting a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurements of one or more measurement types, the network reporting the measurements to the PLMN being for at least some of the measurements, and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN being permitted.

[0040] about Figure 2 The method of receiving configuration from the home network for performing measurements in the roaming network may include: the user equipment receiving roaming network measurement configuration from the home network, the roaming network measurement configuration including: an extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment can roam, and one or more measurement types, for which the measurement values ​​will: 1) be collected by the user equipment from the roaming networks on the extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment roam, and 2) be reported to the home network.

[0041] about Figure 2 The method of transmitting measurement reports may include: transmitting a measurement report from a user equipment to a home network, the measurement report including collected measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types, the one or more measurement types being both: 1) measurement types to be reported to the home network as indicated by the roaming network measurement configuration, and 2) one or more measurement types on a list of one or more measurement types for the roaming network, one or more measurement types that can be reported to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0042] about Figure 2The method omits the following measurements in the measurement reports transmitted to the home network: measurements requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration to be reported to the home network, but not measurements of one or more measurement types indicated in the roaming network policy; measurements reported to the PLMN network for one or more measurement types; and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0043] about Figure 2 The method further includes: the user equipment transmitting to the home network an indication of one or more of the following measurement types, for which the user equipment has collected measurement values ​​with respect to the roaming network, the measurement values ​​are requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but these measurement values ​​cannot be reported by the user equipment to the home network based on the roaming network policy received by the user equipment from the roaming network.

[0044] about Figure 2 The method includes: transmitting to the home network an identifier of one or more measurement types that have been collected about the roaming network but cannot be reported to the home network.

[0045] about Figure 2 The roaming network policy also includes the following instructions: After collecting measurements about the roaming network, the user equipment shall establish a connection to the roaming network and send an instruction or report to the roaming network including at least one of the following: an instruction that the measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; and / or an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network.

[0046] about Figure 2 The method further includes: omitting the collection or storage of measurement values ​​of one or more of the following measurement types regarding the roaming network by the user equipment: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but which cannot be reported to the home network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy from the roaming network.

[0047] about Figure 2 The method for roaming network measurement configuration is for a different wireless access technology than the wireless access technology of the home network from which the roaming network measurement configuration is transmitted.

[0048] about Figure 2 The method involves configuring the measurement type and measurement values ​​for roaming network measurements to be universal and not covered by different networks.

[0049] about Figure 2The method involves transmitting the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network using codes associated with the roaming network's radio access technology, or by codes used by the roaming network's radio access technology.

[0050] Figure 3 This is an illustration of the operation of a network (NW) according to an example embodiment. UE 310 can communicate with a home network (home NW) 312 (e.g., a home PLMN or a gNB of a home PLMN) and a roaming network (roaming NW) 314 (e.g., a roaming PLMN or a gNB of a roaming PLMN).

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, at step 1, the UE is configured, for example, with the following roaming network measurement configuration, including: 1) an extended list of PLMNs (or networks) to which the UE 310 can roam (roaming network 314 is on this extended list of PLMNs to which the UE 310 can roam), and 2) one or more measurement types, for which the measurement values ​​will be: 1) collected by the UE with respect to roaming networks (such as roaming network 314) on the extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment roams, and 2) reported to the home network 312.

[0052] exist Figure 3 In step 2, when the UE triggers mobility to the roaming network during the network sharing period, the UE 310 roams to the roaming network 314 and searches for and obtains the system information (SI or system information block (SIB)) broadcast by the roaming network 314.

[0053] exist Figure 3 At step 3, the UE receives system information from roaming network 314, which includes a roaming network policy. This policy includes: 1) a PLMN (home network 312 on a list of PLMNs) to which measurements collected by roaming network 314 are allowed to be shared or reported; and 2) a list of one or more measurement types that enable reporting of measurements to networks on the list of PLMNs (e.g., this instructs the UE to collect measurements of that measurement type(s) with respect to roaming network 314 and to share or report those measurements to home network 312). Note that the PLMN to which data collected from the roaming network can be shared or reported (part of the roaming network policy provided by roaming network 314) may include multiple networks (e.g., home network 310), as roaming network 314 can be used to offload traffic from multiple networks.

[0054] Furthermore, the roaming network policy provided by roaming network 314 may include information indicating to the UE an event or situation that will lead to the UE establishing a connection to roaming network 314, and transmitting measurement reports including measurements and / or measurement types already collected by UE 310 regarding roaming network 314. Thus, for example, the roaming network policy provided by roaming network 314 may indicate specific situations or events that it is interested in regarding the UE's MDT recording data (which is collected regarding roaming network 314). In these cases, the UE may be configured to transition to an RRC connected state specifically to provide measurement reports. For example, the UE may be configured by home network 312 to measure the time spent reselecting to the cell of roaming network 314 and registering with the roaming network. In some cases, for example, the roaming network may only be interested in this information or RACH (Random Access Notice) failure information if it affects the agreed SLA, and therefore may instruct the UE not to set the information element in the "Measurement Available" IE to true unless certain configured thresholds are met, or if the UE has already recorded certain types of measurements regarding roaming network 314.

[0055] exist Figure 3 At step 4, UE 310 records MDT data or measurements configured by the UE's home network 312 (regarding data collected by the roaming network 314). In some cases, UE 310 may decide not to record data that is set as non-shareable by the roaming network policy provided by the roaming network 314.

[0056] exist Figure 3 In step 5, when the UE determines that it needs to switch to RRC connection mode in the roaming network, the UE 310 can provide the roaming network 314 with an indication of available measurements performed in the roaming network and configured by the UE's home network 312. The roaming network 312 can retrieve these measurements from the UE. Therefore, in Figure 3 At step 6, UE 310 may transmit to roaming network 314 a report including measurements and / or measurement types collected by UE 310 about roaming network 314.

[0057] exist Figure 3 At step 7, the UE, for example, returns to its home network 312 after the network sharing period ends. Figure 3 At step 8, UE 310 detects the need to switch to the RRC connection mode for the home network and / or detects that a report retrieval event has been triggered for the home network 312. Figure 3 At step 9, the UE transitions to an RRC connection state regarding its home network 312. The UE 310 can report the availability of measurements collected by the roaming network to its home network 312. The home network 312 can request and / or obtain (multiple) measurement reports from the UE 310. Figure 3 At step 10, the UE can report measurements (e.g., MDT measurements or measurement values) configured by the home network 312 and collected by the UE 310 with respect to the roaming network 314, which are permitted to be shared or reported according to roaming network policies. These collected measurements reported to the home network 312 are measurements collected by the UE from the roaming network 314 when the UE roams to the roaming network 314 (e.g., when the UE camps on or connects to the roaming network 314).

[0058] exist Figure 3 At step 11, UE 310 may report to home network 312 one or more measurement types configured by home network 312 (for measurement and reporting) and collected by UE with respect to roaming network 314, which are not permitted to be shared or reported according to roaming network policies provided by the roaming network. For example, if there are one or more measurement types that are collected but cannot be reported, the home network or home PLMN may, for example, indicate a request for such information to the roaming network or roaming PLMN according to the SLA, or the roaming network may provide such information as required for confirmation services as required by the confirmation service.

[0059] about Figure 3 According to the example embodiment: In step 1, the UE may be in a connected state and configured with roaming network measurement settings by the home network; Figure 3 At step 2, the UE can transition to an idle or inactive state; and at step 7, the UE can transition to an idle or inactive state before mobility to the home network.

[0060] As described above, the UE can receive a roaming network policy from the roaming network that indicates the home network as one of the Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), and that sharing or reporting measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted. The roaming network policy may include a list of networks to which sharing is permitted (e.g., an allowed list), and based on the home network being on the allowed list, the UE collects measurements about the roaming network and reports them to the home network. Alternatively (or in addition), the roaming network policy may include a list of networks to which sharing of measurements collected about the roaming network is prohibited (e.g., a prohibited list), and based on the home network not being on the prohibited list, the UE collects measurements about the roaming network and reports them to the home network.

[0061] Figure 4This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a UE according to another example embodiment. At point 10, the UE connects to a gNB in ​​its home network (e.g., a home PLMN). At point 20, the UE may be in a connected state and may be configured with a roaming network measurement configuration by the home network. For example, the roaming network measurement configuration may include: an extended list of PLMNs (or networks) to which the UE can roam, and the types of measurements to be collected and reported to the home network regarding the roaming network. At point 25, the UE may transition to an idle or inactive state and then roam to a roaming network. Figure 4 At point 30, the UE obtains information about MDT data collection from the roaming network system: the UE obtains roaming network policies from the roaming network via system information (e.g., via SIBs broadcast by the roaming network), which may include or may indicate: allowing the reporting of measurements about the roaming network to its PLMN (e.g., including the UE's home network or home PLMN), one or more measurement types about the roaming network that can be reported or shared, and / or reporting conditions (or reporting retrieval events) to enable the UE to report measurements to the roaming network (e.g., this may enable or trigger the UE to establish a connection to the roaming network and / or report measurements, measurement values, and / or measurement types collected by the UE about the roaming network).

[0062] exist Figure 4 At 40 locations, the UE records MDT data (collected measurements) configured by its home network (the UE records data collected by the UE regarding the roaming network). Figure 4 At box 50, the UE determines whether it needs to transition to the RRC connection state on the roaming network or whether a report retrieval event has occurred. If yes at box 50, the process proceeds to box 60. Figure 4 At point 50, if the UE does not detect a need to transition to an RRC connection state regarding the roaming network, the process proceeds to box 100. At point 60, the UE provides the roaming network with MDT measurements or collected measurement values ​​or measurement types configured by the UE's home network and collected by the roaming network. At point 70, the UE may continue collecting and recording measurement values ​​regarding the roaming network, as configured by its home network. At point 80, the UE transitions to an idle or inactive state and then returns to box 40.

[0063] At point 100, the UE determines whether it needs to trigger mobility to its home network. If at point 100 the UE does not need to trigger mobility to its home network, the process returns to box 40. If the UE needs to trigger mobility to its home network, the process proceeds to boxes 120 and 130.

[0064] exist Figure 4At point 120, the UE reports measurements collected on the roaming network to its home network, and these measurements are allowed to be shared according to the roaming network policy provided by the roaming network. Figure 4 At point 130, the UE reports to its home network a measurement type for which data is available (the measurement value of this measurement type is collected by the UE with respect to the roaming network) but is not permitted to be shared according to the roaming network policy of the roaming network.

[0065] It can offer various features or advantages, such as: UE-driven solutions can be provided, and can be based, for example, on an MDT framework, which is provided for SLA monitoring in roaming networks during network sharing periods.

[0066] The home network can configure the UE with a roaming network measurement configuration. For example, the roaming network measurement configuration can be used for MDT reporting of the roaming network triggered by the home network's power-saving status or network sharing. Therefore, the UE can be configured with a roaming network measurement configuration by its home network, which can include, for example, a list of PLMNs (or networks) that the UE can roam to (e.g., an extended list), and the types of measurements to be collected and reported to the home network regarding the roaming network.

[0067] The types of measurements to be collected by the roaming network (part of the roaming network measurement configuration), such as the MDT configuration for the recorded measurements, may not be RAT specific and may include RRC connection mode measurements in addition to RRC idle and inactive states.

[0068] A roaming network may broadcast in a System Information (SI) message (e.g., in a System Information Block (SIB) message that includes a roaming network policy for the roaming network) a PLMN that can report its collected MDT data to it (e.g., a list of PLMNs that allow reporting of measurements about the roaming network to it). If its PLMN is included in the list of PLMNs that allow reporting of measurements to it (which is included in the roaming network policy of the roaming network), the UE can report the recorded MDTs (e.g., collected measurements) of the roaming network configured by the home network to the home network. The UE may also report roaming network data collected in the roaming network but configured by a different PLMN (e.g., configured by the UE's home network).

[0069] The use of SI allows or ensures the maintenance of MDT data privacy between PLMNs with network sharing protocols or different SLAs. Furthermore, by broadcasting this information, UEs in RRC idle state do not need to transition out of RRC idle state to be notified how to process and report MDT data collected in (or about) the roaming network. This step avoids the UE reporting roaming PLMN #1 recorded data to another roaming PLMN #2.

[0070] As described above, roaming networks can broadcast roaming network policies. Roaming network policies can also include one or more measurement types that can be collected and reported to networks on PLMNs that allow the sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network (e.g., reporting to the home network if the home network is on that PLMN list). Therefore, roaming network policies can broadcast via SI data types (or measurement types) collected within the roaming network that can be shared with other networks or PLMNs. This allows roaming networks to also control their data privacy based on individual operator protocols. Based on this information, the UE can stop recording non-shareable measurements (or the UE can omit or skip the collection or recording of measurements of types that are not shareable or cannot be reported to other networks).

[0071] Roaming network policies broadcast by the roaming network can also indicate or include UE data retrieval policies, or in other words, reporting conditions that may cause or allow the UE to report measurements or collected data to the roaming network. Therefore, the roaming network can broadcast whether a roaming UE (which has roamed to the roaming network and is collecting data or measurements about the roaming network) should initiate an RRC connection to the roaming network, indicating that recorded MDT data or collected measurements about the roaming network have been collected, in order to allow the roaming network to retrieve data or measurements from the roaming UE. The need for this UE-initiated process is to allow the roaming network to receive or retrieve certain types of measurements or data that the UE has collected, at least under certain conditions or when one or more conditions are met, or when the UE has collected a certain type of data or measurements. For example, when the UE records certain events, it can trigger the roaming network to retrieve or make available the collected data or measurements to the roaming network. For example, if the UE spends more than 50% of its time outside coverage while camped on the roaming network, the roaming network may want to report on it. If the UE only has MDT data on the number of C / U (control / user) plane transactions it has performed, the roaming network may consider this low priority, for which the roaming network does not want to waste energy or C-plane (control plane) resources to retrieve only this data.

[0072] The UE can be configured by its home network to measure various measurement types (or data types), such as: the RAT (Radio Access Technology) of the roaming PLMN (roaming network) where it resides, and the time spent on the RAT. Note: The UE can be turned off for a period of time after a certain period, so reporting this type of data can be used to prevent the home network from being charged during periods when the UE is in a suboptimal RAT (e.g., a lower bandwidth or lower data rate RAT); events within / outside coverage and their duration / distribution; the number of C-plane (control plane) transactions performed, which can help the home and roaming networks understand the cost of network sharing; the number of U-plane (user plane) data transmitted, which can be used to help assess changes in end-user behavior during network sharing periods; and the type of MDT data (or measurement type) configured to be collected on the roaming network according to the configured MDT measurements (or according to the roaming network measurement configuration provided by the home network), but not shared by the roaming network with the home network. Here, as an example, the UE may instruct itself to collect (or be instructed to collect) data for C-plane transactions, but it does not have permission to share it. This allows for the detection of misconfigurations or inconsistencies in SLA terms in home and roaming network detection policies, without assuming that the lack of data is due to a lack of measurements to report, when in fact it is due to the inability to share data.

[0073] The UE can be configured with a general MDT configuration for network sharing, meaning it cannot be covered by different networks. Therefore, for example, the UE can be configured with a roaming network policy by the roaming network, which can indicate the types of measurements that can be reported or shared with other networks or PLMNs. Furthermore, the UE can be configured with a roaming network measurement configuration by the home network, which includes one or more measurement types that should be collected and reported to the home network by the UE while roaming. For example, these configurations can be general or cannot be modified by other networks.

[0074] The UE can report MDTs (Measurements to be collected and reported) configured in a home network RAT to different RATs in the roaming network via a transparent container for the roaming network RAT. The UE will indicate the type of RAT and will encode the transparent container using the configured RAT. The information is then correctly decoded by the roaming network. In the same way, the UE can report collected measurements to the home network using a RAT different from its configured RAT. In these inter-RAT scenarios, some measurements may not be applicable if they are RAT-specific.

[0075] Furthermore, as additional data or measurements that the UE can collect about the roaming network and report to its home network, for example: if the UE has never camped on the roaming network and / or has never connected to the roaming network, the UE can also report this to its home network upon returning. In this case, the UE may never have obtained SI from the roaming network using the roaming network policy or MDT policy for network sharing.

[0076] Now some examples will be described: Example 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, by a user equipment, a configuration from a home network for performing measurements in a roaming network; receive, by the user equipment, a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is an item in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; collect, by the user equipment, measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted; and transmit a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected about the roaming network.

[0077] Example 2. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein a PLMN that allows sharing or reporting of measurements collected about a roaming network is indicated by at least one of the following: a list of permitted PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, the one or more PLMNs or networks including a home network, the one or more PLMNs or networks allowing sharing or reporting of measurements collected about a roaming network; and / or a list of prohibited PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, the one or more PLMNs or networks excluding a home network, the one or more PLMNs or networks prohibiting sharing or reporting of measurements collected about a roaming network, wherein any PLMN or network not on the list of prohibited PLMNs is allowed to receive measurements collected about a roaming network.

[0078] Example 3. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a roaming network policy, the apparatus being configured to: receive a roaming network policy from a roaming network by a user equipment, wherein the roaming network policy further includes a list of one or more measurement types, reporting of measurement values ​​to the PLMN for one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0079] Example 4. The apparatus according to Example 3, wherein the apparatus is made to collect including: the user equipment collecting one or more measurement types of measurements about the roaming network, reporting the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0080] Example 5. The apparatus according to Example 4, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmissions including: transmitting a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network, reporting at least some of the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0081] Example 6. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-5, wherein the roaming network policy includes system information broadcast by the roaming network.

[0082] Example 7. A method according to any one of Examples 3-6, wherein the means of transmitting includes the means of: establishing a connection between the user equipment and the home network; determining that the home network is one of the PLMNs, and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; transmitting a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurements of one or more measurement types, the network reporting of the measurements to the PLMN being for at least some of the measurements, and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN being permitted.

[0083] Example 8. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-7, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive from the home network a configuration for performing measurements in a roaming network, the apparatus comprising: the user equipment receiving from the home network a roaming network measurement configuration, the roaming network measurement configuration comprising: an extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment may roam, and one or more measurement types, for which measurement values ​​will: 1) be collected by the user equipment from roaming networks on the extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment roam, and 2) be reported to the home network.

[0084] Example 9. An apparatus according to Example 8, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit a measurement report comprising: transmitting a measurement report from a user equipment to a home network, the measurement report comprising collected measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types, the one or more measurement types being both: 1) measurement types to be reported to the home network as indicated by the roaming network measurement configuration, and 2) one or more measurement types on a list of one or more measurement types for the roaming network that can be reported to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0085] Example 10. The apparatus according to Example 9, wherein the measurement report transmitted to the home network omits the following measurement values: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration to be reported to the home network, but not measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types indicated in the roaming network policy, reported to the PLMN network for one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0086] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-10, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: transmit from the user equipment to the home network an indication of one or more measurement types for one or more measurement types: the user equipment has collected measurement values ​​with respect to the roaming network, the measurement values ​​being requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but these measurement values ​​cannot be reported by the user equipment to the home network based on the roaming network policy received by the user equipment from the roaming network.

[0087] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-11, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit to the home network an identifier of one or more measurement types that have been collected with respect to the roaming network but cannot be reported to the home network.

[0088] Example 13. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-12, wherein the roaming network policy further includes the following instruction: after collecting measurements about the roaming network, the user equipment shall establish a connection to the roaming network and send an instruction or report to the roaming network including at least one of the following: an instruction that the measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; and / or an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network.

[0089] Example 14. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3-13, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that: the user equipment omits the collection or storage of measurement values ​​of one or more of the following measurement types with respect to the roaming network: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but which cannot be reported to the home network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy from the roaming network.

[0090] Example 15. The apparatus according to Example 8, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are for a different wireless access technology than the wireless access technology of the home network from which the roaming network measurement configuration is transmitted.

[0091] Example 16. The apparatus according to Example 8, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are configured to be universal and cannot be covered by different networks.

[0092] Example 17. The apparatus according to Example 9, wherein the measurement type and measurement value transmitted by the roaming network are transmitted using codes associated with the radio access technology of the roaming network, or by codes used by the radio access technology of the roaming network.

[0093] Example 18. A method comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, a configuration from a home network for performing measurements in a roaming network; receiving, by the user equipment, a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is an entity in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; collecting, by the user equipment, measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted; and transmitting, by the user equipment, a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected about the roaming network.

[0094] Example 19. According to the method of Example 18, wherein the PLMNs permitted to share or report measurements collected by the roaming network are indicated by at least one of the following: a list of permitted PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, the one or more PLMNs or networks including the home network, wherein sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the one or more PLMNs or networks is permitted; and / or a list of prohibited PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, the one or more PLMNs or networks excluding the home network, the one or more PLMNs or networks prohibiting sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network, wherein any PLMN or network not on the list of prohibited PLMNs is permitted to receive measurements collected by the roaming network.

[0095] Example 20. According to the method of Example 19, receiving a roaming network policy includes: receiving a roaming network policy from a roaming network by a user equipment, wherein the roaming network policy also includes a list of one or more measurement types, reporting of measurement values ​​to the PLMN for one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0096] Example 21. According to the method of Example 20, the collection includes: collecting measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types about the roaming network by the user equipment, reporting the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0097] Example 22. According to the method of Example 21, wherein the transmission includes: transmitting a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network, reporting at least some of the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected about the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0098] Example 23. The method of any of Examples 19-21, wherein the roaming network policy includes system information broadcast by the roaming network.

[0099] Example 24. A method according to any one of Examples 20-23, wherein the transmission includes: establishing a connection between the user equipment and the home network; determining that the home network is one of the PLMNs, and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; transmitting a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurements of one or more measurement types, the network reporting of the measurements to the PLMN being for at least some of the measurements, and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN being permitted.

[0100] Example 25. A method according to any one of Examples 19-24, wherein receiving configuration from the home network for performing measurements in a roaming network includes: the user equipment receiving roaming network measurement configuration from the home network, the roaming network measurement configuration including: an extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment can roam, and one or more measurement types, for which measurements will: 1) be collected by the user equipment from roaming networks on the extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment roam, and 2) be reported to the home network.

[0101] Example 26. According to the method of Example 25, wherein transmitting a measurement report includes: transmitting a measurement report from a user equipment to a home network, the measurement report including collected measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types, the one or more measurement types being both: 1) measurement types to be reported to the home network as indicated by the roaming network measurement configuration, and 2) one or more measurement types on a list of one or more measurement types for the roaming network that can be reported to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0102] Example 27. According to the method of Example 26, the measurement report transmitted to the home network omits the following measurement values: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration to be reported to the home network, but not measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types indicated in the roaming network policy, reported to the PLMN network for one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

[0103] Example 28. The method according to any one of Examples 19-27 further includes: transmitting an indication from the user equipment to the home network of one or more measurement types for the one or more measurement types: the user equipment has collected measurement values ​​with respect to the roaming network, the measurement values ​​being measurements requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but these measurement values ​​cannot be reported by the user equipment to the home network based on a roaming network policy received by the user equipment from the roaming network.

[0104] Example 29. A method according to any one of Examples 19-28, comprising: transmitting to the home network an identifier of one or more measurement types that have been collected with respect to the roaming network but cannot be reported to the home network.

[0105] Example 30. A method according to any one of Examples 19-29, wherein the roaming network policy further includes the following instruction: after collecting measurements about the roaming network, the user equipment shall establish a connection to the roaming network and send an instruction or report to the roaming network including at least one of the following: an instruction that the measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; and / or an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network.

[0106] Example 31. The method according to any one of Examples 20-30 further includes: the user equipment omitting the collection or storage of measurement values ​​of one or more of the following measurement types regarding the roaming network: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but which cannot be reported to the home network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy from the roaming network.

[0107] Example 32. According to the method of Example 26, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are for a different wireless access technology than the wireless access technology of the home network that transmits the roaming network measurement configuration.

[0108] Example 33. Following the method of Example 26, the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are configured to be universal and cannot be covered by different networks.

[0109] Example 34. According to the method of Example 27, the measurement type and measurement value transmitted by the roaming network are transmitted using codes associated with the roaming network's radio access technology, or by codes used by the roaming network's radio access technology.

[0110] Example 35. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, configure a computing system to: receive, by a user equipment, from a home network configuration for performing measurements in a roaming network; receive, by the user equipment, from the roaming network a roaming network policy indicating that the home network is an item in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; collect, by the user equipment, measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted; and transmit a measurement report from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected by the roaming network.

[0111] Example 36. An apparatus comprising: components for receiving, by a user equipment, a configuration for performing measurements in a roaming network from a home network; components for receiving, by the user equipment, a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is one of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and that sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; components for collecting measurements about the roaming network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating that sharing or reporting of the measurements to the home network is permitted; and components for transmitting a measurement report by the user equipment to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurements collected by the roaming network.

[0112] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., an AP, BS, or user equipment / UE, or other network node) 1500 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1500 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., such as...) Figure 5 The two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1502A and 1502B shown include a transmitter for transmitting signals and a receiver for receiving signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1504 for executing instructions or software and controlling the transmission and reception of signals, and a memory 1506 for storing data and / or instructions.

[0113] Processor 1504 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets, or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and perform other tasks or functions described herein. For example, processor 1504, which may be a baseband processor, may generate messages, packets, frames, or other signals transmitted via wireless transceiver 1502 (1502A or 1502B). Processor 1504 may control the transmission of signals or messages on a wireless network and may control the reception of signals or messages via a wireless network (e.g., after down-conversion by wireless transceiver 1502). Processor 1504 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1504 may be (or may include) hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor executing software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terms, processor 1504 and transceiver 1502 together may be considered, for example, a wireless transmitter / receiver system.

[0114] Additionally, refer to Figure 5 The controller (or processor) 1508 can execute software and instructions, and can provide overall control for station 1500, and can provide... Figure 5 Other systems, not shown, provide control, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., a display, a keypad), and / or can execute software that can perform one or more applications available on the wireless station 1500, such as, for example, an email program, an audio / video application, a word processor, a VoIP application, or other applications or software.

[0115] Alternatively, a storage medium containing stored instructions may be provided, which, when executed by a controller or processor, can cause processor 1504 or other controllers or processors to perform one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0116] According to another example embodiment, the RF or (multiple) wireless transceivers 1502A / 1502B can receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. The processor 1504 (and possibly the transceivers 1502A / 1502B) can control the RF or wireless transceivers 1502A or 1502B to receive, transmit, broadcast, or send signals or data.

[0117] However, the embodiments are not limited to the system given as an example, and those skilled in the art can apply the solution to other communication systems. Another example of a suitable communication system is the 5G concept. It is assumed that the network architecture in 5G will be very similar to that of advanced LTE. 5G may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, far more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that cooperate with smaller stations, and may also employ various radio technologies to achieve better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[0118] It should be understood that future networks will most likely utilize Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions as "building blocks" or entities that can be operatively connected or linked together to provide services. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) can include one or more virtual machines running computer program code using standard or general-purpose type servers instead of custom hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications, this may mean that node operations can be performed, at least partially, in servers, hosts, or nodes operatively coupled to a remote radio head. It may also mean that node operations are distributed across multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the service distribution between core network operations and base station operations may differ from or even not exist in LTE.

[0119] Embodiments of the various technologies described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuits or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. Embodiments can be implemented as computer program products, i.e., computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagating signal) for execution by or control of a data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). Embodiments can also be provided on computer-readable media or computer-readable storage media (which may be non-transitory media). Embodiments of the various technologies may also include embodiments provided via transient signals or media, and / or program and / or software embodiments downloadable via the Internet or (multiple) other networks (wired and / or wireless networks). Additionally, embodiments can be provided via machine-type communication (MTC) and also via the Internet of Things (IoT).

[0120] Computer programs can be in the form of source code, object code, or some intermediate form, and they can be stored on some carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectric and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution packages. Depending on the required processing power, computer programs can be executed in a single electronic digital computer or distributed across multiple computers.

[0121] Furthermore, embodiments of the various technologies described herein can utilize network-physical systems (CPS) (systems that control collaborative computing elements of physical entities). CPS enables embodiments and utilizations of a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile network-physical systems, which are inherently mobile physical systems, are a subcategory of network-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals. The increasing prevalence of smartphones has increased interest in the field of mobile network-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of the technologies described herein can be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0122] Computer programs such as those described above can be written in any programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as standalone programs or as modules, components, subroutines, or other units or parts thereof suitable for use in a computing environment. Computer programs can be deployed to execute on a single computer, at a single site, or on multiple computers distributed across multiple sites and interconnected via a communication network.

[0123] The method steps can be executed by one or more programmable processors that execute a computer program or a portion thereof to perform a function by manipulating input data and generating output. The method steps can also be executed by special-purpose logic circuitry, and the apparatus can be implemented as special-purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0124] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, for example, general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip, or chipset. Typically, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both. The elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer may also include one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or operatively coupled thereto to receive data from or transfer data to or both. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated into special-purpose logic circuitry.

[0125] To provide interaction with the user, embodiments can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a user interface (e.g., a keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including sound, speech, or tactile input.

[0126] The embodiments can be implemented in a computing system that includes backend components, such as a data server, or middleware components, such as an application server, or frontend components, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser through which a user can interact with the embodiments, or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. The components can be interconnected via digital data communication (e.g., a communication network) of any form or medium. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet.

[0127] While certain features of the described embodiments have been shown as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alterations falling within the true spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions causing the device to at least: The user equipment receives configuration from the home network for performing measurements in the roaming network; The user equipment receives a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is one of the Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; The user equipment collects measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, which indicates permission to share or report the measurements to the home network. as well as The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the PLMN that allows sharing or reporting of measurements collected with respect to the roaming network is indicated by at least one of the following: A list of permitted PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, including the home network, which allows sharing or reporting of measurements collected about the roaming network; and / or The list of prohibited PLMNs includes one or more PLMNs or networks, excluding the home network, which are prohibited from sharing or reporting measurements collected by the roaming network. Any PLMN or network not on the list of prohibited PLMNs is permitted to receive measurements collected by the roaming network.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein receiving the roaming network policy by means of the apparatus being configured to: The user equipment receives the roaming network policy from the roaming network, wherein the roaming network policy also includes a list of one or more measurement types, and the reporting of measurement values ​​to the PLMN network is permitted for the one or more measurement types. Sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is also permitted.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is configured to collect data including the apparatus being configured to: The user equipment collects measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types regarding the roaming network, reports the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform transmission comprising the apparatus being configured to: The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurement values ​​regarding the roaming network, and reports the at least some measurement values ​​to the PLMN network. Sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the roaming network policy includes system information broadcast by the roaming network.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, wherein the means is made to perform the transmission includes the means being made to: The user equipment establishes a connection with the home network; Once it is determined that the home network is one of the PLMNs, sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurement values ​​of the one or more measurement types, the network reporting of the measurement values ​​to the PLMN is for the at least some measurement values, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein receiving the configuration for performing measurements in the roaming network from the home network comprises the apparatus being made to: The user equipment receives roaming network measurement configuration from the home network, the roaming network measurement configuration including: The user equipment can roam to an extended list of PLMNs, and one or more measurement types, for which the measurement values ​​will: 1) be collected by the user equipment from the roaming network on the extended list of the PLMNs to which the user equipment roams, and 2) be reported to the home network.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein transmitting the measurement report comprises the apparatus being such that: The measurement report is transmitted from the user equipment to the home network. The measurement report includes collected measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types, which are both: 1) measurement types to be reported to the home network as indicated by the roaming network measurement configuration, and 2) measurement types on the list of one or more measurement types of the roaming network that can be reported to the network of the PLMN. Sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement report transmitted to the home network omits the following measurement values: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration to be reported to the home network, but not measurement values ​​of the one or more measurement types indicated in the roaming network policy, reported to the PLMN network for the one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: The user equipment transmits an indication to the home network for one or more of the following measurement types: the user equipment has collected measurement values ​​with respect to the roaming network, the measurement values ​​being requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but these measurement values ​​cannot be reported by the user equipment to the home network based on the roaming network policy received by the user equipment from the roaming network.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit to the home network an identifier of the one or more measurement types that have been collected with respect to the roaming network but cannot be reported to the home network.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the roaming network policy further includes an instruction that: after collecting measurements about the roaming network, the user equipment shall establish a connection to the roaming network and send an instruction or report to the roaming network including at least one of the following: an instruction that the measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; an instruction that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; and / or that the measurements of the one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3-13, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: The user equipment may omit collecting or storing measurement values ​​of one or more of the following measurement types regarding the roaming network: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but which cannot be reported to the home network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy from the roaming network.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are for a different wireless access technology than the wireless access technology of the home network through which the roaming network measurement configuration is transmitted.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are configured to be universal and not covered by different networks.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement type and measurement value transmitted by the roaming network are transmitted using codes associated with the radio access technology of the roaming network, or by codes used by the radio access technology of the roaming network.

18. A method comprising: The user equipment receives configuration from the home network for performing measurements in the roaming network; The user equipment receives a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is one of the Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; The user equipment collects measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, which indicates permission to share or report the measurements to the home network. as well as The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the PLMN that allows sharing or reporting of measurements collected with respect to the roaming network is indicated by at least one of the following: A list of permitted PLMNs, including one or more PLMNs or networks, including the home network, where sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the one or more PLMNs or networks is permitted; and / or The list of prohibited PLMNs includes one or more PLMNs or networks, excluding the home network, which are prohibited from sharing or reporting measurements collected by the roaming network. Any PLMN or network not on the list of prohibited PLMNs is permitted to receive measurements collected by the roaming network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the roaming network policy comprises: The user equipment receives the roaming network policy from the roaming network, wherein the roaming network policy also includes a list of one or more measurement types, and the reporting of measurement values ​​to the PLMN network is permitted for the one or more measurement types. Sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is also permitted.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the collection comprises: The user equipment collects measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types regarding the roaming network, reports the measurement values ​​to the PLMN network, and sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmission comprises: The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurement values ​​regarding the roaming network, and reports the at least some measurement values ​​to the PLMN network. Sharing or reporting of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-21, wherein the roaming network policy includes system information broadcast by the roaming network.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20-23, wherein the transmission comprises: The user equipment establishes a connection with the home network; Once it is determined that the home network is one of the PLMNs, sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the collected measurement values ​​of the one or more measurement types, the network reporting of the measurement values ​​to the PLMN is for the at least some measurement values, and sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19-24, wherein receiving the configuration for performing measurements in the roaming network from the home network comprises: The user equipment receives a roaming network measurement configuration from the home network, the roaming network measurement configuration including: an extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment can roam, and one or more measurement types, for which measurement values ​​will: 1) be collected by the user equipment from roaming networks on the extended list of PLMNs to which the user equipment roam, and 2) be reported to the home network.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein transmitting the measurement report comprises: The measurement report is transmitted from the user equipment to the home network. The measurement report includes collected measurement values ​​of one or more measurement types, which are both: 1) measurement types to be reported to the home network as indicated by the roaming network measurement configuration, and 2) measurement types on the list of one or more measurement types of the roaming network that can be reported to the network of the PLMN. Sharing or reporting of measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the measurement report transmitted to the home network omits the following measurements: measurements requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration to be reported to the home network, but not measurements of the one or more measurement types indicated in the roaming network policy, measurements reported to the PLMN network for the one or more measurement types, and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted.

28. The method according to any one of claims 19-27, further comprising: The user equipment transmits an indication of one or more measurement types to the home network, for which the user equipment has collected measurement values ​​with respect to the roaming network, the measurement values ​​being requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but these measurement values ​​cannot be reported by the user equipment to the home network based on the roaming network policy received by the user equipment from the roaming network.

29. The method according to any one of claims 19-28, comprising: Transmit to the home network an identifier for one or more measurement types that have been collected about the roaming network but cannot be reported to the home network.

30. The method according to any one of claims 19-29, wherein the roaming network policy further includes the following indication: the user equipment shall establish a connection to the roaming network after collecting measurements about the roaming network, and send an indication or report to the roaming network including at least one of the following: an indication that the measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; an indication that one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network; and / or that the measurements of the one or more types of measurements have been collected by the user equipment about the roaming network.

31. The method according to any one of claims 20-30, further comprising: The user equipment may omit collecting or storing measurement values ​​of one or more of the following measurement types regarding the roaming network: measurement values ​​requested by the home network based on the roaming network measurement configuration, but which cannot be reported to the home network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy from the roaming network.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are for a different wireless access technology than the wireless access technology of the home network through which the roaming network measurement configuration is transmitted.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the measurement type and measurement value of the roaming network measurement configuration are configured to be universal and not covered by different networks.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the measurement type and measurement value transmitted by the roaming network are transmitted using codes associated with the radio access technology of the roaming network, or by codes used by the radio access technology of the roaming network.

35. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions being configured, when executed by at least one processor, to cause a computing system to: The user equipment receives configuration from the home network for performing measurements in the roaming network; The user equipment receives a roaming network policy from the roaming network, the roaming network policy indicating that the home network is one of the Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; The user equipment collects measurements about the roaming network based on the roaming network policy, which indicates permission to share or report the measurements to the home network. as well as The user equipment transmits a measurement report to the home network, the measurement report including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network.

36. An apparatus comprising: Components for receiving configurations from the home network by the user equipment for performing measurements in the roaming network; Components for receiving roaming network policies from the roaming network by the user equipment, the roaming network policies indicating the home network as one of the Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), and sharing or reporting of measurements collected by the roaming network to the PLMN is permitted; A component for collecting measurements about the roaming network by the user equipment based on the roaming network policy, the roaming network policy indicating permission to share or report the measurements to the home network; as well as Components for transmitting measurement reports from the user equipment to the home network, the measurement reports including at least some of the measurement values ​​collected by the roaming network.

Images