Method to improve analytics via utilization of physical environment digital twin

Abstract

An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a network node, a request for an analysis; means for collecting data related to at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment; means for generating the analysis using the data related to the at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; and means for sending, to the network node in response to the request for the analysis, the analysis generated using the collected data related to the at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting exemplary embodiments generally relate to communications, and more specifically, to a method for improving the analysis of communication networks. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that communication devices obtain access to the communication network through wireless access network nodes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes: components for receiving a request for analysis from a network node; components for collecting data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; components for generating an analysis using the data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and components for sending the analysis generated using the collected data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network node in response to the request for analysis.

[0004] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes: components for maintaining at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; components for receiving a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and components for sending at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; wherein the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used for generating analysis.

[0005] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes: components for receiving, from a network data analysis function, a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; components for forwarding, from the network data analysis function, the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; components for receiving, from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and components for forwarding, from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, received to the network data analysis function.

[0006] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes: components for receiving a request from a network data analysis function for an address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and components for sending the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The above aspects and other features are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of one possible, non-limiting system in which example embodiments can be practiced.

[0009] Figure 2 An example of analysis supported by NWDAF is shown.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a table from the 3GPP specification, which shows an example of the input data granularity input for UE mobility behavior NWDAF analysis.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a table from the 3GPP specification, which shows an example of the input data granularity output for NWDAF analysis of UE mobility behavior.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a signal diagram showing the integration of physical environment digital twin (PEDT) in the NWDAF analysis generation.

[0013] Figure 6 It is an example device configured to implement the examples described herein.

[0014] Figure 7 A representation of an example of a non-volatile storage medium used to store instructions implementing the examples described herein is shown.

[0015] Figure 8 This is an example architecture that implements the examples described in this article.

[0016] Figure 9 This is an example method based on the example described in this article.

[0017] Figure 10 This is an example method based on the example described in this article.

[0018] Figure 11 This is an example method based on the example described in this article.

[0019] Figure 12 This is an example method based on the example described in this article. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Go to Figure 1 The figure illustrates a block diagram of one possible, non-limiting example in which examples can be practiced. It shows a user equipment (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) node 170, and (multiple) network elements 190. Figure 1 In the example, User Equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicates with Wireless Network 100. The UE is a wireless device that can access Wireless Network 100. UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected via one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optic cable, or other optical communication device. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. UE 110 includes a module 140, which includes one or both of portions 140-1 and / or 140-2, and this module may be implemented in various ways. Module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 120. Module 140-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or via other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 140 can be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and computer program code 123 can be configured, together with one or more processors 120, to cause user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via radio link 111.

[0021] In this example, RAN node 170 is a base station that provides access to wireless network 100 for wireless devices such as UE 110. RAN node 170 can be, for example, a base station for 5G, also known as New Radio (NR). In 5G, RAN node 170 can be an NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to 5GC (such as, for example, multiple network elements 190) via an NG interface (such as connection 131). An ng-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to 5GC via an NG interface (such as connection 131). An NG-RAN node can include multiple gNBs, which can also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and multiple distributed units (DUs) (gNB-DU), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that DU 195 can include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). gNB-CU 196 is a logical node that hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), SDAP, and PDCP protocols of the gNB, or controls the RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that control the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. gNB-CU 196 terminates the F1 interface connected to gNB-DU 195. The F1 interface is shown as reference numeral 198, although reference numeral 198 also shows links between remote elements of RAN node 170 and centralized elements of RAN node 170, such as the link between gNB-CU 196 and gNB-DU 195. gNB-DU 195 is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partially controlled by gNB-CU 196. One gNB-CU 196 supports one or more cells. A cell can be supported by one gNB-DU 195, or a cell can be supported by multiple DUs / shared with multiple DUs under RAN sharing. The gNB-DU 195 terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU 196. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, for example, as part of the RU; however, some examples may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, for example, under the control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station for LTE (Long Term Evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

[0022] RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected via one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. CU 196 may include one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that DU 195 may also contain its own memory / multiple memories and processors, and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0023] RAN node 170 includes module 150, which comprises one or both of portions 150-1 and / or 150-2, and can be implemented in various ways. Module 150 can be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 152. Module 150-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or via other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 150 can be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and computer program code 153 are configured, together with one or more processors 152, to cause RAN node 170 to perform one or more operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of module 150 can be distributed, such as distributed between DU 195 and CU 196, or implemented solely in DU 195.

[0024] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired, wireless, or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0025] One or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, etc. For example, one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a Remote Radio Headend (RRH) 195 for LTE or a Distributed Unit (DU) 195 for a gNB implementation for 5G, wherein other elements of the RAN node 170 may be physically located in a different location from the RRH / DU 195, and one or more buses 157 may be partially implemented as, for example, fiber optic cables or other suitable network connections for connecting other elements of the RAN node 170 (e.g., Central Unit (CU), gNB-CU 196) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference numeral 198 also indicates those suitable network links(s).

[0026] A RAN node / gNB may include one or more TRPs, and the methods described herein can be applied to that TRP. Figure 1 The diagram shows RAN node 170 including TRP 51 and TRP 52 in addition to the TRP represented by transceiver 160. Similar to transceiver 160, each of TRP 51 and TRP 52 may include a transmitter and a receiver. RAN node 170 may host or include... Figure 1 Other TRPs not shown in the diagram.

[0027] In NR, relay nodes are called Integrated Access and Backhaul nodes. The mobile terminal portion of an IAB node facilitates backhaul (parent link) connections. In other words, the mobile terminal portion includes functions carrying UE capabilities. The distributed unit portion of an IAB node facilitates so-called access link (sub-link) connections (i.e., for access link UEs, and for backhaul to other IAB nodes in the case of multi-hop IABs). In other words, the distributed unit portion is responsible for certain base station functions. IAB scenarios can follow a so-called split architecture, where the central unit hosts higher-level protocols for the UE and terminates at the control plane and user plane interfaces of the 5G core network.

[0028] Note that the description in this document indicates that a "cell" performs a function; however, it should be clear that the equipment forming the cell can perform this function. A cell constitutes part of a base station. That is, each base station can have multiple cells. For example, there can be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360-degree area, thus the coverage area of ​​a single base station is approximately elliptical or circular. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier, and a base station can use multiple carriers. So if there are three 120-degree cells per carrier and two carriers, the base station has a total of six cells.

[0029] Wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to other networks, such as telephone networks and / or data communication networks (e.g., the Internet), via one or more links 181. Such core network functions for 5G may include location management functions (multiple LMFs) and / or access and mobility management functions (multiple AMFs) and / or user plane functions (multiple UPFs) and / or session management functions (multiple SMFs). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functions. Such core network functions may include SON (Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network) functions. These are merely example functions that can be supported by the network elements 190, and it should be noted that both 5G and LTE functions can be supported. RAN node 170 is coupled to network element 190 via link 131. Link 131 may be implemented as, for example, an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards. Network element 190 includes one or more processors 175 interconnected via one or more buses 185, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 180. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The computer program code 173 may include SON and / or MRO functions 172.

[0030] Wireless network 100 can implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity or virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, which is often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is classified into external network virtualization or internal network virtualization. External network virtualization combines many networks or network parts into virtual units, while internal network virtualization provides network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities resulting from network virtualization are still implemented to some extent using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and such virtualized entities also produce technical effects.

[0031] Computer-readable storage devices 125, 155, and 171 can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical storage devices and systems, non-transient memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer-readable storage devices 125, 155, and 171 can be components for performing storage functions. Processors 120, 152, and 175 can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, by way of non-limiting example, can include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processors 120, 152, and 175 can be components for performing functions such as controlling UE 110, RAN node 170, network element(s) 190, and other functions described herein.

[0032] Typically, various example embodiments of user equipment 110 may include, but are not limited to, cellular phones with wireless communication capabilities (such as smartphones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs)), portable computers with wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices with wireless communication capabilities (such as digital cameras), gaming devices with wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback devices with wireless communication capabilities, internet devices (including those that allow wireless internet access and browsing), tablets with wireless communication capabilities, head-mounted displays (such as those implementing virtual / augmented / mixed reality), and portable units or terminals combining such functions. UE 110 may also be a vehicle, such as an automobile, or a UE installed in a vehicle, a UAV, such as a drone, or a UE installed in a UAV. User equipment 110 may be a terminal device, such as a mobile phone, mobile device, sensor device, etc., which may be used by a user or not used by a user.

[0033] UE 110, RAN node 170, and / or (multiple) network elements 190 (and associated memory, computer program code, and modules) can be configured to implement (e.g., partially implement) the methods described herein. Therefore, Figure 1 The computer program code 123, module 140-1, module 140-2, and other components / features of the UE110 shown herein can implement the user equipment-related aspects of the examples described herein. Similarly, Figure 1 The computer program code 153, module 150-1, module 150-2 and other elements / features of the RAN node 170 shown can implement the gNB / TRP related aspects of the examples described herein. Figure 1The computer program code 173 and other elements / features of the (multiple) network elements 190 shown can be configured to implement the network element-related aspects of the examples described herein.

[0034] Therefore, having introduced a suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments, the example embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0035] NWDAF (Network Data Analysis Function) is a Network Function (NF) in the Core Network (CN). It provides analysis to authorized consumers in the form of statistics or forecasts. These authorized consumers can be OAM (Orchestration and Management), AF (Application Function), or other CN NFs. Analysis is generated based on requests, subscriptions, or local / carrier configurations. To generate analysis, NWDAF collects data from various entities such as OAM, CNNF, and AF. Figure 2 Examples of analysis supported by NWDAF from 3GPP Rel 18 TS 23.288 are provided.

[0036] The quality of the generated analysis depends primarily on the availability of the input data. Other factors determining analysis quality include the granularity of the input data and whether the input data conforms to the characteristics of the analysis request (i.e., one or more time constraints regarding when the analysis response should be sent to the clients, regions, or UEs(s) the analysis should focus on). [Reference] Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Examples of input data granularity (items 310 and 320), inputs (items 310 and 320), and outputs (item 410) for NWDAF analysis of “UE mobility behavior” are provided.

[0037] For more information, please refer to Tables 6.7.2.2-1 and 6.7.2.3-1 of TS 23.288.

[0038] New input data or input data sources can provide improvements in the generated analysis. One such data source can be a digital twin. In the context of cellular networks, digital twins involve the creation of digital copies of the physical environment and network entities and their functions, such as CN, RAN, and UE. Because these digital models mimic real-world / physical entities, the data that can be generated, while synthetic, is highly realistic, making them a viable solution to the problem of scarcity of real-world data.

[0039] Digital twins (DTs) of CN NF (Physical Resources and their digital representations) can be used as input to improve NWDAF analysis. In this case, the DT of the network function can be instantiated by the digital twin controller network function (e.g., AMF digital twin, SMF digital twin). The DT can be used to generate additional data. The digital twin controller function can be discovered from the NRF (Network Repository Function). However, this approach does not consider the Physical Environment Digital Twin (PEDT), which can provide additional useful insights into different network operations (such as traffic guidance, mobility management, radio resource utilization, etc.) and enable further optimization.

[0040] This paper describes a consumer-driven approach to enabling Network Digital Twins (NDTs) that defines requested characteristics from consumers and the negotiation steps for those characteristics between consumers and producers (e.g., hardware / software resources, data sources, synchronization conditions between real network entities and their requested NDTs, etc.) (thus enabling the creation and operation of desired NDT instances). The paper also describes a method for retrieving the Physical Environment Digital Twin (PEDT) and utilizing it for analytics-driven service generation, addressing the impact on interfaces and Network Functions (NFs), focusing on specific use cases and their enabling within standardized interfaces.

[0041] Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) is a set of methods that allow for the construction of accurate 3D physical maps, such as buildings, roads, and obstacles. Therefore, SLAM provides a means to create digital twins of physical environments. However, this is merely an enabler for creating digital twins, and it does not address how to utilize such digital twins within networks.

[0042] Regarding PEDT, information about the physical environment can help narrow down the range of possible expected output values. Some examples of this narrowing can be given (1-7): 1) UEs in forested areas are more likely to experience NLOS (non-line-of-sight), 2) Reflective materials on building surfaces may affect the expected QoS for a UE or group of UEs, 3) UEs may prefer to stay at home in inclement weather conditions, which indicates lower mobility for the UE, 4) UEs in vehicles are expected to be along the direction of the road, 5) If a UE experiences congestion due to road construction or severe traffic congestion due to a road accident, the UE may change its usual route, resulting in fewer expected UEs in the affected area and more expected UEs on alternative routes, 6) If weather conditions are severe, UEs similar to point (3) may be in high-speed mobility (when crossing highways, taking trains, etc.) or completely stationary (e.g., at home or in the office), 7) Information obtained by keeping track of large objects that may have a considerable congestion / shadow effect can indicate service interruption.

[0043] Other examples can cover different granularities provided by the analysis, such as per UE, UE group, slice, (multiple) specific regions, etc. Therefore, an instance of a PEDT as described in this document can refer to a PEDT for a UE, UE group, network slice, one or more specific regions, etc., the PEDT associated with it, the PEDT related to it, etc.

[0044] The physical properties of the environment are not currently utilized in the network. This means that there are currently no means: (1) for the network to regard PEDT as a data source for generating analysis or network operation or service provision decisions, and (2) how to receive and / or collect relevant PEDT data through standardized interfaces.

[0045] The examples described in this paper improve NWDAF analysis by enabling the use of physical environment digital twins (PEDTs) (in whole or in part). More specifically, NWDAF includes physical environment digital twins (PEDTs) as a new data source in its data collection process. NWDAF collects data from data sources that provide physical environment digital twins, which can be OAM, AF, third-party (3) rd This can be achieved through applications, new CN NFs (e.g., DTNF (Digital Twin Network Functions)), RAN, or NWDAF itself. NWDAF can also subscribe to PEDT updates. NWDAF uses PEDT to generate the requested analytics.

[0046] NWDAF uses PEDT information as input data. Such inputs include attributes related to physical elements, such as (1-6): 1) type (building, road, weather, area (farm, ocean, etc.), 2) location, height, width, length, 3) surface material (or reflection, emission, dispersion properties), 4) mobility (moving, stationary, etc.), 5) dynamic state change (static (e.g., building), semi-static (e.g., construction site), dynamic (e.g., weather)), 6) additional constraints (e.g., direction or traffic load when the physical element is a road), etc.

[0047] All or part of the input data can be collected from different entities in the network, such as OAM, (multiple) AF, or even RAN / via RAN or outside the network (such as a third (3) rd (This can be applied to other applications). New entities (e.g., DTNF) can also provide input within the CN. Alternatively, NWDAF can also implement a mechanism to collect any data to generate PEDT.

[0048] NWDAF uses data generated by PEDT to fine-tune its analysis generation process, such as QoS / QoE analysis, UE behavior regarding mobility, location accuracy, relative proximity, etc.

[0049] NWDAF can also subscribe to and be notified of updates related to PEDT. Subscriptions to updates can be for all elements / attributes or a subset thereof. The trigger for updates to each element / attribute can be the same or different. For example, updates to dynamic elements (such as changes in road traffic congestion, user mobility status (in a given area / road, etc.)) can be requested hourly, while more static elements (such as vegetation, buildings, forests, etc.) can be requested monthly. This protects the network from potentially high payloads on notification messages.

[0050] Figure 5 The steps for using Physical Environment Digital Twin (PEDT) for NWDAF analysis generation are shown. Assuming... Figure 5 The PEDT 550 on the right side of the call flow can provide DT for the physical environment. Figure 5 The signaling exchange between consumer or intermediate node 510, NWDAF 520, NF or OAM 530, ADRF 535, NRF 540 and DT 550 is shown.

[0051] 1. The NWDAF 520 receives requests for analytics. In this example, a subscription / notification communication model is used, but a request / response model can also be used.

[0052] 2. NWDAF 520 initiates data collection. a. This may include requests for a digital twin of the physical environment. b. Such requests can be made directly to the digital twin entity (or via NEF) or via OAM 530. c. If direct or via NEF, such a digital twin entity can be discovered first by querying NRF 540 before making such a request. Alternatively, PEDT entity information (i.e., address, etc.) can be configured at NWDAF 520. d. If the identifier is known, the request may include a category or region or identifier. e. The request may also include other request characteristics (e.g., road traffic information only, etc.). f. The response includes the PEDT, identifier, and region information for the requested category.

[0053] 3. NWDAF 520 generates analysis. a. The NWDAF 520 can process the received PEDT information together with other collected data to generate analysis. PEDT data can be images, text, etc., and therefore can be provided in different data formats.

[0054] 4. The NWDAF 520 sends the generated analytics response to the consumer.

[0055] 5. If NWDAF 520 subscribes to PEDT updates and there are subscription-related updates in DT 550, then refer to step 6.

[0056] 6. DT 550 sends an updated PEDT subscription notification to NWDAF 520 and / or OAM 530. If OAM 530 receives the updated PEDT subscription notification from DT 550, OAM 530 forwards the content to NWDAF 520.

[0057] 7. NWDAF 520 generates analysis. a. The NWDAF 520 can process the received PEDT information together with other collected data to generate analysis.

[0058] 8. The NWDAF 520 sends the generated analytics response to the consumer.

[0059] therefore, Figure 5 This demonstrates the integration of PEDT into NWDAF analytics generation. Operation 1 shows the consumer and intermediate nodes sending the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscriberequest message to the NWDAF 520. Operation 2 is data collection performed using the NWDAF 520, NF or OAM 530, NRF 540, and DT 550, and includes operations 21, 22a, and 22b. Operation 21, performed by the NWDAF 520 and NF or OAM 530, includes event subscription to the NF and obtaining the notified data collection from the ADRF 535 and OAM 530.

[0060] Operation 22a (where the DT providing entity can be contacted by NWDAF 520 (via NEF or directly)) includes operations 22a1, 22a2, 22a3, 22a4, 22a5, and 22a6. Operation 22a1 includes NWDAF 520 sending an Nnf_NFDiscoveryRequest message to NRF 540, which includes physical environment DT service discovery, region, etc. Operation 22a2 includes NRF 540 sending an Nnf_NFDiscoveryResponse message to NWDAF 520, which includes the physical environment DT feature instance providing the requested service. Operation 22a3 includes NWDAF 520 performing physical environment DT feature selection. Operation 22a4 includes NWDAF 520 sending a physical environment DT subscription request message with requested characteristics to DT 550, including environment DT, region, ID, and possibly other characteristics. Operation 22a5 performed using DT550 includes checking if DT is available, and if not, instantiating DT. Operation 22a6 includes DT 550 responding to the message sent during operation 22a4 by sending a physical environment DT (notification) response message to NWDAF 520, which includes the physical environment DT, region and ID, and possibly other items.

[0061] Operation 22b (where the DT-providing entity can be contacted by OAM 530) includes operations 22b1, 22b2, 22b3, 22b4, and 22b5. Operation 22b1 involves NWDAF 520 sending a Physical Environment DT (subscription) request message to NF or OAM 530, which includes requested characteristics such as the environment DT, region, id, and possibly other characteristics. Operation 22b2 involves NF or OAM 530 sending a Physical Environment DT (subscription) request message to DT 550, which includes requested characteristics such as the environment DT, region, id, and possibly other characteristics. Operation 22b3, performed using DT 550, involves checking if the DT is available, and if not, instantiating the DT. Operation 22b4 includes DT 550 sending a Physical Environment DT (Notification) response message to NF or OAM 530 in response to the message sent at 22b2. This Physical Environment DT (Notification) response message includes the environment DT, region, ID, and any other possible information. Operation 22b5 includes NF or OAM 530 sending a Physical Environment DT (Notification) response message to NWDAF 520 in response to the message received during operation 22b1. This Physical Environment DT (Notification) response message includes the environment DT, region, ID, and any other possible information.

[0062] Operation 3 performed using NWDAF 520 includes preparing response content, including implementing mechanisms for processing DT information and integrating DT information into the analysis.

[0063] Operation 4 includes NWDAF 520 sending an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe response message to the consumer or intermediate node 510 in response to the message received at Operation 1.

[0064] Items 560 related to updates to the available physical environment DT include operations 5, 6a, 6b, 6b1, 6b2, 7, and 8.

[0065] Operation 5 involves the DT 550 performing an update to the physical environment DT subscribed to by the NWDAF 520 or OAM 530.

[0066] Operation 6a, which relates to the entity provided by DT contacting NWDAF 520, is performed using NWDAF 520, NF and / or OAM 530, NRF 540, and DT 550, and includes operation 6a1. Operation 6a1 includes DT 550 sending a Physical Environment DT (Notification) Response Message to NWDAF 520, which includes the environment DT, region and ID, and possibly other information.

[0067] Operation 6b, related to the entity provided by the entity that can be contacted by the OAM 530 via the DT, includes operations 6b1 and 6b2. Operation 6b1 involves the DT 550 sending a Physical Environment DT (Notification) response message to the NF and / or OAM 530, which includes the environment DT, region, ID, and possibly other information. Operation 6b2 involves the NF and / or OAM 530 sending a Physical Environment DT (Notification) response message to the NWDAF 520, which includes the environment DT, region, ID, and possibly other information.

[0068] Operation 7 includes NWDAF 520 preparing response content, including implementing mechanisms for processing DT information and integrating DT information into analytics. Operation 8 includes NWDAF 520 sending an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe response message to the consumer or intermediate node 510 in response to the message sent during Operation 1.

[0069] Figure 5 The “region” mentioned (e.g., referring to the message and other messages sent at operation 22a4) can correspond to a region (e.g., a geographical region) related to the digital twin of the physical environment, and Figure 5 The “id” referenced in the text (e.g., referring to the message sent at operation 22a4 and other messages) can correspond to the identifier of the digital twin of the physical environment.

[0070] Digital twins are currently a hot topic in the telecommunications sector. This is one area where technological opportunities can be realized. The idea is to integrate a digital twin of the physical environment to improve NWDAF analysis. Therefore, RAN optimization can be improved due to enhanced RAN auxiliary information sent from the CN.

[0071] This idea was conceived with 6G in mind, as there is currently no opportunity to contribute to 5GA release (Rel 19). However, the idea aligns with current 5G architecture and specifications. Contributions to 6G research projects or discussions utilizing bilateral customer collaboration meetings are possible. The examples described in this paper can be standardized. The methods described in this paper can be implemented using metadata and message content defined in the identified API service operations.

[0072] Figure 6Example device 600 is provided, which can be implemented in hardware and is configured to implement the examples described herein. Device 600 includes at least one processor 602 (e.g., an FPGA and / or CPU), and one or more memories 604 including computer program code 605 having instructions for performing the methods described herein. The at least one memory 604 and the computer program code 605 are configured, together with at least one processor 602, to cause device 600 to implement a circuit system, process, component, module, or function (implemented using control module 606) to implement the examples described herein. Memory 604 may be non-transient memory, transient memory, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM).

[0073] The PEDT 630 implements the example described in this article, which relates to a method for improving analytics by leveraging digital twins of physical environments.

[0074] Device 600 includes a display and / or I / O interface 608, which includes a user interface (UI) circuitry and components. This display and / or I / O interface can be used to display aspects or states of the methods described herein (e.g., while one of these methods is being performed or at a subsequent time), or can be used to receive input from a user, such as using a keypad, camera, touchscreen, touch area, microphone, biometrics, one or more sensors, etc. Device 600 includes one or more communication (e.g., network (N / W)) interfaces ((multiple) I / F) 610. The (multiple) communication I / F 610 can be wired and / or wireless, and communicate over the Internet / (multiple) other networks via any communication technology (including via one or more links 624). The (multiple) links 624 can be... Figure 1 Links 131 and / or 176 in the (multiple) links. Figure 1 The multiple links 131 and / or 176 can also be implemented using multiple transceivers 616 and multiple corresponding wireless links 626. The multiple communication I / F 610 may include one or more transmitters or one or more receivers.

[0075] Transceiver 616 includes one or more transmitters 618 and one or more receivers 620. Transceiver 616 and / or (multiple) communication I / F 610 may include standard, well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, modulators (demodulators), and encoder / decoder circuitry, as well as one or more antennas, such as antenna 614 used for communication via wireless link 626.

[0076] The control module 606 of device 600 includes one or both of portions 606-1 and / or 606-2, which can be implemented in various ways. Control module 606 can be implemented in hardware as control module 606-1, such as as part of one or more processors 602. Control module 606-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, control module 606 can be implemented as control module 606-2, which is implemented as computer program code (with corresponding instructions) 605 and executed by one or more processors 602. For example, one or more memories 604 store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 602, cause device 600 to perform one or more operations as described herein. Furthermore, one or more processors 602, one or more memories 604, and example algorithms encoded as instructions, programs, or code (e.g., as flowcharts and / or signaling diagrams) are components for causing the operations described herein to be performed.

[0077] The device 600 used to implement the function of control 606 may be a UE 110, a RAN node 170 (e.g., gNB) or (multiple) network elements 190 (e.g., LMF 190). Therefore, processor 602 may correspond to processor(s) 120, processor(s) 152 and / or processor(s) 175, memory 604 may correspond to one or more memory(s) 125, one or more memory(s) 155 and / or one or more memory(s) 171, computer program code 605 may correspond to computer program code 123, computer program code 153 and / or computer program code 173, control module 606 may correspond to module 140-1, module 140-2, module 150-1 and / or module 150-2, and communication I / F(s) 610 and / or transceiver 616 may correspond to transceiver 130, antenna(s) 128, transceiver 160, antenna(s) 158, N / WI / F(s) 161, and / or N / WI / F(s) 180. Alternatively, device 600 and its components may not correspond to any of UE 110, RAN node 170, or network element(s) 190 and their respective components, as device 600 may be part of a self-organizing / optimized network (SON) node or other node (such as a node in the cloud).

[0078] Device 600 may also correspond to a device for controlling consumer or intermediate node 510, NWDAF 520, NF and / or OAM 530, ADRF 535, NRF 540 or DT 550.

[0079] Device 600 may also be distributed throughout the network (e.g., 100), including within and between device 600 and any network elements such as network control element (NCE) 190 and / or RAN node 170 and / or UE 110.

[0080] like Figure 6 As shown, interface 612 enables data communication and signaling between various components of device 600. For example, interface 612 may be one or more buses, such as address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optic cables, or other optical communication devices. Computer program code (e.g., instructions) 605 including control 606 may include object-oriented software configured to pass data or messages between objects within computer program code 605, or computer program code (e.g., instructions) 605 including control 606 may include a functional language, procedural language, or scripting language. Device 600 does not need to include each of the features described above, or may include other features. Various components of device 600 may be at least partially located in a common housing 628, or subsets of various components of device 600 may be at least partially located in different housings, which may include housing 628.

[0081] Figure 7 A schematic diagram is shown of non-volatile storage media 700a (e.g., computer / optical disc (CD) or digital versatile optical disc (DVD)) and 700b (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) Memory Stick) and 700c (e.g., cloud storage for downloading instructions and / or parameters 702 or receiving email instructions and / or parameters 702), which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of the methods described herein. Instructions and / or parameters 702 may represent non-transitory computer-readable media.

[0082] Figure 8This is an example architecture for implementing the examples described herein. Data source 802 includes OAM 530, UE 110, RAN 170, CN 812 including network function NFx 816 and network function NFy 818, and AF 814. Data source 802 provides input data (830, 832) to derive the PEDT during PEDT generation 804. In option 1, DTNF 820 of CN 812 provides a PEDT generation service or PEDT generation function, and in option 2, NWDAF 520 of CN 812 provides a PEDT generation service or PEDT generation function. All or part of the PEDT is provided by data source 802 to NWDAF 520 of CN 812 via link or input 842, and / or all or part of the PEDT is provided by PEDT generation 804 to NWDAF 520 of CN 812 via link or output 844. Project 806 demonstrates the use of PEDT via CN 812 and NWDAF 520 for analysis generation, event opening, and / or network optimization triggering.

[0083] Figure 9 This is an example method 900 based on the example embodiments described herein. At 910, the method includes receiving a request for analysis from a network node. At 920, the method includes collecting data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. At 930, the method includes generating analysis using the data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin. At 940, the method includes sending the analysis generated using the collected data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network node in response to the request for analysis. Method 900 may be performed using an NWDAF520, a DTNF 820, a device 600, or one or more network elements 190.

[0084] Figure 10 This is an example method 1000 based on the example embodiments described herein. At 1010, the method includes maintaining at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. At 1020, the method includes receiving a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin. At 1030, the method includes sending at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin. At 1040, the method includes wherein at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used for generating analytics. Method 1000 can be performed using DT 550, UE 110, RAN node 170, OAM 530, CN 812, AF 814, device 600, or one or more network elements 190.

[0085] Figure 11 This is an example method 1100 based on the example embodiments described herein. At 1110, the method includes receiving a request from a network data analysis function for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. At 1120, the method includes forwarding the request received from the network data analysis function for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, to a network entity that includes at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. At 1130, the method includes receiving at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, from a network entity that includes at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. At 1140, the method includes forwarding to a network data analysis function the data received from a network entity that includes at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. Method 1100 may be performed using NF or OAM (530), apparatus 600, or one or more network elements 190.

[0086] Figure 12 This is an example method 1200 based on the example embodiments described herein. At 1210, the method includes receiving a request from a network data analysis function for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin. At 1220, the method includes sending the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function. Method 1200 may be performed using NRF 540, apparatus 600, or one or more network elements 190.

[0087] The following examples are provided and described in this article.

[0088] Example 1. An apparatus comprising: components for receiving a request for analysis from a network node; components for collecting data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; components for generating an analysis using the data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and components for sending the analysis generated using the collected data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network node in response to the request for analysis.

[0089] Example 2. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0090] Example 3. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 2 further includes: a component for sending a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and a component for receiving, based on the subscription, at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0091] Example 4. The apparatus according to Example 3 further includes: a component for sending a request to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin for subscribing to at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and a component for receiving from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0092] Example 5. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 4, wherein a subscription to at least one update is directed to one of the following: all elements or attributes relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a subset of elements or attributes relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0093] Example 6. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 5 further includes: means for receiving, using a first frequency, at least one update of a first element relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and means for receiving, using a second frequency, at least one update of a second element relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the first element is more dynamic and less static than the second element; wherein the first frequency used to receive at least one update of the first element is higher than the second frequency used to receive at least one update of the second element.

[0094] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 6, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to a network function or orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0095] Example 8. The apparatus according to Example 7, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity.

[0096] Example 9. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 8 further includes: a component for sending a request for at least one of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and a component for receiving at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, in response to the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0097] Example 10. The apparatus according to Example 9, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent directly to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0098] Example 11. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 10 further includes: a component for sending a request to a network function or orchestration and management entity for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0099] Example 12. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 11 further includes: a component for querying a network repository function to obtain the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin obtained from the network repository function.

[0100] Example 13. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 12 further includes: a component for configuring an address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin at the apparatus; wherein a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin configured at the apparatus.

[0101] Example 14. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 13, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0102] Example 15. The apparatus according to Example 14, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0103] Example 16. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 15, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0104] Example 17. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein at least one of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is collected or received from at least one or more of the following: an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a wireless access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function, or a network data analysis function, or a function within the apparatus.

[0105] Example 18. An apparatus comprising: components for maintaining at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; components for receiving a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and components for sending at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; wherein the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used to generate analysis.

[0106] Example 19. The apparatus according to Example 18, wherein data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0107] Example 20. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 19, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network data analysis function; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network data analysis function.

[0108] Example 21. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 20, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network entity.

[0109] Example 22. The apparatus according to Example 21, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received indirectly from a network data and analytics function via a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to the network data and analytics function via a network entity.

[0110] Example 23. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 22, wherein the network entity includes one of the following: a network function, or an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a radio access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function.

[0111] Example 24. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 23, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0112] Example 25. The apparatus according to Example 24 further includes: a component for sending at least one update related to at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment based on a subscription.

[0113] Example 26. The apparatus according to Example 25, wherein: at least one update is sent directly to the network data and analysis function, or at least one update is sent indirectly to the network data and analysis function via a network entity.

[0114] Example 27. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 26, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0115] Example 28. The apparatus according to Example 27, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is transmitted based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0116] Example 29. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 28, wherein the apparatus includes user equipment.

[0117] Example 30. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a network data analysis function, a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; means for forwarding, from the network data analysis function, the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; means for receiving, from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and means for forwarding, from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, received to the network data analysis function.

[0118] Example 31. The apparatus according to Example 30, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0119] Example 32. The apparatus according to Example 31 further includes: components for receiving, based on a subscription, at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin from a network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and components for forwarding at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to a network data analysis function.

[0120] Example 33. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 30 to 32, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0121] Example 34. The apparatus according to Example 33, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0122] Example 35. An apparatus comprising: a component for receiving a request from a network data analysis function for an address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and a component for sending the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function.

[0123] Example 36. The apparatus according to Example 35, wherein: a request for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function as a network function discovery request; and wherein the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function as a network function discovery response.

[0124] Example 37. The apparatus according to Example 36, wherein: a network function discovery request related to a request for an address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function via an Nnrf interface; and a discovery response related to the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function via the Nnrf interface.

[0125] Example 38. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 35 to 37, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin sent to a network data analysis function is configured to be used together with the network data analysis function to generate analysis using data collected from at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0126] Example 39. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 35 to 38, wherein the apparatus includes network repository functionality.

[0127] Example 40. 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 a request for analysis from a network node; collect data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; generate an analysis using the data relating to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and, in response to the request for analysis, send the analysis generated using the collected data relating to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network node.

[0128] Example 41. The apparatus according to Example 40, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0129] Example 42. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 40 to 41, wherein when executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: send a request for a subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and, based on the subscription, receive at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0130] Example 43. The apparatus according to Example 42, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: send a request to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin for subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and receive from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin at least one update relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0131] Example 44. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 42 to 43, wherein a subscription to at least one update is directed to one of: all elements or attributes relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a subset of elements or attributes relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0132] Example 45. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 42 to 44, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, using a first frequency, at least one update relating to a first element of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receive, using a second frequency, at least one update relating to a second element of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the first element is more dynamic and less static than the second element; wherein the first frequency used to receive at least one update relating to the first element is higher than the second frequency used to receive at least one update relating to the second element.

[0133] Example 46. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 42 to 45, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to a network function or orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0134] Example 47. The apparatus according to Example 46, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity.

[0135] Example 48. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 40 to 47, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and, in response to the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, receive at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0136] Example 49. The apparatus according to Example 48, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent directly to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0137] Example 50. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 49, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: send a request to a network function or orchestration and management entity for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0138] Example 51. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 50, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes at least: to query a network repository function to obtain the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin obtained from the network repository function.

[0139] Example 52. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 51, wherein when the instruction is executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: configure the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin at the apparatus; wherein a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin configured at the apparatus.

[0140] Example 53. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 52, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0141] Example 54. The apparatus according to Example 53, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0142] Example 55. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 54, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0143] Example 56. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 40 to 55, wherein at least one of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is collected or received from at least one or more of the following: an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a wireless access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function, or a network data analysis function, or a function within the apparatus.

[0144] Example 57. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: maintain at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; receive a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and transmit at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; wherein at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used for generating analysis.

[0145] Example 58. The apparatus according to Example 57, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0146] Example 59. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 58, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network data analysis function; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network data analysis function.

[0147] Example 60. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 59, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network entity.

[0148] Example 61. The apparatus according to Example 60, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received indirectly from a network data and analytics function via a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to the network data and analytics function via a network entity.

[0149] Example 62. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 60 to 61, wherein the network entity includes one of the following: a network function, or an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a radio access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function.

[0150] Example 63. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 62, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0151] Example 64. The apparatus according to Example 63, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: send at least one update related to at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment based on a subscription.

[0152] Example 65. The apparatus according to Example 64, wherein: at least one update is sent directly to the network data and analysis function, or at least one update is sent indirectly to the network data and analysis function via a network entity.

[0153] Example 66. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 65, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0154] Example 67. The apparatus according to Example 66, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is transmitted based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0155] Example 68. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 67, wherein the apparatus includes user equipment.

[0156] Example 69. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a network data analysis function a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; forward the request received from the network data analysis function for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; receive from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and forward to the network data analysis function the data received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0157] Example 70. The apparatus according to Example 69, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0158] Example 71. The apparatus according to Example 70, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: receive, based on a subscription, at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and forward at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin to a network data analysis function.

[0159] Example 72. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 69 to 71, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0160] Example 73. The apparatus according to Example 72, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0161] Example 74. 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 a request from a network data analysis function for an address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and send the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function.

[0162] Example 75. The apparatus according to Example 74, wherein: a request for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function as a network function discovery request; and wherein the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function as a network function discovery response.

[0163] Example 76. The apparatus according to Example 75, wherein: a network function discovery request related to a request for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function via an Nnrf interface; and a discovery response related to the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function via the Nnrf interface.

[0164] Example 77. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 74 to 76, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin sent to a network data analysis function is configured to be used together with the network data analysis function to generate analysis using data collected from at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0165] Example 78. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 74 to 77, wherein the apparatus includes network repository functionality.

[0166] Example 79. A method comprising: receiving a request for analysis from a network node; collecting data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; generating analysis using the data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and, in response to the request for analysis, sending the analysis generated using the collected data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network node.

[0167] Example 80. The method according to Example 79, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0168] Example 81. The method according to any one of Examples 79 to 80 further includes: sending a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receiving, based on the subscription, at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0169] Example 82. The method according to Example 81 further includes: sending a request to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin for subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and receiving from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0170] Example 83. The method according to any one of Examples 81 to 82, wherein a subscription to at least one update is directed to one of the following: all elements or attributes related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a subset of elements or attributes related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0171] Example 84. The method according to any one of Examples 81 to 83 further includes: receiving, using a first frequency, at least one update relating to a first element of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receiving, using a second frequency, at least one update relating to a second element of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the first element is more dynamic and less static than the second element; wherein the first frequency used to receive at least one update relating to the first element is higher than the second frequency used to receive at least one update relating to the second element.

[0172] Example 85. The method according to any one of Examples 81 to 84, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to a network function or orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0173] Example 86. The method according to Example 85, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity.

[0174] Example 87. The method according to any one of Examples 79 to 86 further includes: sending a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or at least one of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receiving, in response to the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or at least one of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0175] Example 88. The method according to Example 87, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent directly to a network entity that includes at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0176] Example 89. The method according to any one of Examples 87 to 88 further includes: sending a request to a network function or orchestration and management entity for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0177] Example 90. The method according to any one of Examples 87 to 89 further includes: querying a network repository function to obtain the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin obtained from the network repository function.

[0178] Example 91. The method according to any one of Examples 87 to 90 further includes: configuring the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin using the device; wherein a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin configured at the device.

[0179] Example 92. The method according to any one of Examples 87 to 91, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0180] Example 93. The method according to Example 92, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0181] Example 94. The method according to any one of Examples 87 to 93, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0182] Example 95. The method according to any one of Examples 79 to 94, wherein at least one of the at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is collected or received from at least one or more of the following: an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a wireless access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function, or a network data analysis function, or a function within the apparatus.

[0183] Example 96. A method comprising: maintaining at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; receiving a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and sending at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; wherein the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used to generate analytics.

[0184] Example 97. The method according to Example 96, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0185] Example 98. The method according to any one of Examples 96 to 97, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network data analysis function; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network data analysis function.

[0186] Example 99. The method according to any one of Examples 96 to 98, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network entity.

[0187] Example 100. The method according to Example 99: wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received indirectly from the network data and analytics function via a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to the network data and analytics function via a network entity.

[0188] Example 101. The method according to any one of Examples 99 to 100, wherein the network entity includes one of the following: a network function, or an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a radio access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function.

[0189] Example 102. The method according to any one of Examples 96 to 101, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0190] Example 103. The method according to Example 102 further includes: sending at least one update related to at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment based on a subscription.

[0191] Example 104. The method according to Example 103, wherein: at least one update is sent directly to the network data and analytics function, or at least one update is sent indirectly to the network data and analytics function via a network entity.

[0192] Example 105. The method according to any one of Examples 96 to 104, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0193] Example 106. The method according to Example 105, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0194] Example 107. The method according to any one of Examples 96 to 106 is performed using a user device.

[0195] Example 108. A method comprising: receiving, from a network data analytics function, a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; forwarding, from the network data analytics function, the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; receiving, from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and forwarding, from the network data analytics function, the data received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, to the network data analytics function.

[0196] Example 109. The method according to Example 108, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0197] Example 110. The method according to Example 109 further includes: receiving, based on a subscription, at least one update relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin from a network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and forwarding at least one update relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to a network data analytics function.

[0198] Example 111. The method according to any one of Examples 108 to 110, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0199] Example 112. The method according to Example 111, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0200] Example 113. A method comprising: receiving a request from a network data analysis function for an address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and sending the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function.

[0201] Example 114. The method according to Example 113, wherein: a request for the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is received from the network data analysis function as a network function discovery request; and wherein the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function as a network function discovery response.

[0202] Example 115. The method according to Example 114, wherein: a network function discovery request related to a request for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function via an Nnrf interface; and a discovery response related to the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function via an Nnrf interface.

[0203] Example 116. The method according to any one of Examples 113 to 115, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin sent to a network data analysis function is configured to be used together with the network data analysis function to generate analysis using data collected from at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0204] Example 117. The network repository functionality is utilized according to any one of Examples 113 to 116.

[0205] Example 118. A computer-readable medium including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving a request for analysis from a network node; collecting data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; generating analysis using the data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and, in response to the request for analysis, sending to the network node the analysis generated using the collected data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0206] Example 119. A computer-readable medium according to Example 118, wherein data associated with at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment is associated with a physical environment of one or more of the following: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0207] Example 120. The computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 118 to 119 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: sending a request for a subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receiving, based on the subscription, at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0208] Example 121. The computer-readable medium according to Example 120 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: sending a request to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin for subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and receiving from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin at least one update relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0209] Example 122. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 120 to 121, wherein a subscription to at least one update is directed to one of: all elements or attributes relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a subset of elements or attributes relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0210] Example 123. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 120 to 122 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: receiving, using a first frequency, at least one update relating to a first element of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receiving, using a second frequency, at least one update relating to a second element of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the first element is more dynamic and less static than the second element; wherein the first frequency used to receive at least one update relating to the first element is higher than the second frequency used to receive at least one update relating to the second element.

[0211] Example 124. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 120 to 123, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to a network function or orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0212] Example 125. A computer-readable medium according to Example 124, wherein: a request for subscription to at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity; and at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via a network function or an orchestration and management entity.

[0213] Example 126. The computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 118 to 125 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: sending a request for at least one of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and receiving, in response to the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0214] Example 127. A computer-readable medium according to Example 126, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent directly to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0215] Example 128. The computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 126 to 127 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: sending a request to a network function or orchestration and management entity for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin via the network function or orchestration and management entity.

[0216] Example 129. The computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 126 to 128 further includes instructions stored thereon for performing at least: querying a network repository function to obtain the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; wherein the request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin obtained from the network repository function.

[0217] Example 130. The computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 126 to 129 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: configuring the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin using the device; wherein a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin configured at the device.

[0218] Example 131. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 126 to 130, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0219] Example 132. A computer-readable medium according to Example 131, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0220] Example 133. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 126 to 132, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for subscription to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0221] Example 134. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 118 to 133, wherein at least one of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is collected or received from at least one or more of the following: an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a wireless access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function, or a network data analysis function, or a function within the apparatus.

[0222] Example 135. A computer-readable medium including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: maintaining at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; receiving a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; and sending at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; wherein the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used for generating analysis.

[0223] Example 136. The method according to Example 135, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is associated with one or more of the following physical environments: at least one terminal device, or a geographic region, or one or more cells, or a tracking area, or a network slice.

[0224] Example 137. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 135 to 136, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network data analysis function; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network data analysis function.

[0225] Example 138. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 135 to 137, wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network entity.

[0226] Example 139. A computer-readable medium according to Example 138: wherein: a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received indirectly from a network data and analytics function via a network entity; and at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to the network data and analytics function via a network entity.

[0227] Example 140. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 138 to 139, wherein the network entity includes one of the following: a network function, or an orchestration and management entity, or an operation, management and maintenance entity, or an application function, or a wireless access network, or a third-party application, or a core network, or a digital twin network function.

[0228] Example 141. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 135 to 140, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0229] Example 142. The computer-readable medium according to Example 141 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: sending at least one update related to at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment based on a subscription.

[0230] Example 143. The computer-readable medium according to Example 142, wherein: at least one update is sent directly to the network data and analysis function, or at least one update is sent indirectly to the network data and analysis function via a network entity.

[0231] Example 144. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 135 to 143, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0232] Example 145. A computer-readable medium according to Example 144, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is transmitted based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0233] Example 146. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 135 to 145, wherein the instructions are executed using a user device.

[0234] Example 147. A computer-readable medium including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving, from a network data analysis function, a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; forwarding, to a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, the request received from the network data analysis function for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; receiving, from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and forwarding, to the network data analysis function, the data received from the network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0235] Example 148. A computer-readable medium according to Example 147, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0236] Example 149. The computer-readable medium according to Example 148 further includes instructions stored thereon for at least performing: receiving, based on a subscription, at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and forwarding at least one update relating to at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin to a network data analytics function.

[0237] Example 150. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 147 to 149, wherein a request for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: a category of data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a time interval including data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or a region associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or an identifier associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin.

[0238] Example 151. A computer-readable medium according to Example 150, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or data associated with at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, is received from a network entity including at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin based on a category, region, or identifier.

[0239] Example 152. A computer-readable medium including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving a request from a network data analysis function for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin; and sending the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function.

[0240] Example 153. The computer-readable medium according to Example 152, wherein: a request for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function as a network function discovery request; and wherein the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function as a network function discovery response.

[0241] Example 154. The computer-readable medium according to Example 153, wherein: a network function discovery request related to a request for the address of at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin is received from a network data analysis function via an Nnrf interface; and a discovery response related to the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function via the Nnrf interface.

[0242] Example 155. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 152 to 154, wherein at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin sent to a network data analysis function is configured to be used together with the network data analysis function to generate analysis using data collected from at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

[0243] Example 156. A computer-readable medium according to any one of Examples 152 to 155, wherein the instructions are executed using network repository functionality.

[0244] References to "computer," "processor," etc., should be understood to encompass not only computers with different architectures (such as single / multiprocessor architectures and sequential or parallel architectures), but also special-purpose circuits, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuitry systems. References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc., should be understood to encompass software or firmware used with programmable processors, such as the programmable content of hardware devices, whether instructions for the processor or configuration settings for fixed-function devices, gate arrays, or programmable logic devices.

[0245] The memory described herein can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-transient memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. The memory may include a database for storing data.

[0246] As used herein, the term "circuit system" can refer to the following: (a) a hardware circuit implementation, such as an implementation in an analog and / or digital circuit system; and (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) processors, or (ii) portions of (multiple) processors / software (including (multiple) digital signal processors), software, and memory, which work together to enable a device to perform various functions; and (c) circuitry that requires software or firmware to operate (even if the software or firmware is not physically present), such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit system" will also cover an implementation of a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular element, the term "circuit system" will also cover a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or another network device.

[0247] It should be understood that the above description is illustrative only. Those skilled in the art can devise various alternatives and modifications. For example, the features recited in the various dependent claims can be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). Furthermore, the features of the different exemplary embodiments described above can be selectively combined to form new exemplary embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and variations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0248] The following abbreviations and acronyms that may be found in the instruction manual and / or accompanying drawings are given below (abbreviations and acronyms may be added to / combined with each other, or added to / combined with other characters such as dashes, hyphens, forward slashes, letters, or numbers, and may not be case-sensitive): 3D: Three-dimensional 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project 4G: Fourth Generation 5G: Fifth Generation 5GA: 5G Americas 5GC: 5G Core Network 6G: Sixth Generation ADRF: Analysis Data Repository Functionality AF: Application Functions AMF: Access and Mobility Management Functions AOI: Region of Interest API: Application Programming Interface ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit CD: CD-ROM / Computer CD-ROM CM: Connection Management CN: Core Network CPU: Central Processing Unit CU: Central Unit or Centralized Unit DN: Data Network DSP: Digital Signal Processor DT: Digital Twin DTNF: Digital Twin Network Functions DU: Distributed Unit DVD: Digital Multifunction Disc eNB: Evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station) EN-DC: E-UTRAN New Wireless - Dual Connectivity en-gNB: A node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and acts as a secondary node in EN-DC. E-UTRA: Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access, i.e., LTE radio access technology. E-UTRAN: E-UTRA Network F1: Interface between CU and DU FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array GAD: Geographic Region Description GMLC: Gateway Mobile Location Center gNB: A base station used for 5G / NR, i.e., a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and connects to the 5GC via the NG interface. GPRS: General Packet Radio Service IAB: Integrated Access and Backhaul ID: Identifier I / F: Interface I / O: Input / Output LCS: Location Services LMF: Location Management Function LTE: Long Term Evolution (4G) MAC: Media Access Control MME: Mobility Management Entity MRO: Mobility Robustness Optimization NCE: Network Control Element NDT: Network Digital Twin NEF: Network Open Functionality NF: Network Functions NLOS: Non-line-of-sight ng or NG: the new generation ng-eNB: The next generation of eNB NG-RAN: Next-Generation Radio Access Network NNF: An interface defined for NWDAF, used to request subscriptions to data delivery for a specific context, to unsubscribe from data delivery, and to request specific data reports for a specific context. Nnwdaf: An interface defined for 5GC NF NR: New Wireless NRF: Network Repository Functionality NSACF: Network Slice Admission Control Function NSSF: Network Slice Selection Function N / W: Network NWDAF: Network Data Analysis Function OAM: Orchestration and Management, or Operation, Management and Maintenance PCF: Policy Control Function PDA: Personal Digital Assistant PDCP: Packet Data Convergence Protocol PEDT: Physical Environment Digital Twin PFD: Packet Flow Detection PHY: Physical Layer QoE: Quality of Experience QoS: Quality of Service RAM: Random Access Memory RAN: Radio Access Network Rel: Version RLC: Radio Link Control RM: Registration Management ROM: Read-Only Memory RRC: Radio Resource Control RU: Wireless Unit Rx: Receive, or Receiver, or Receive. SDAP: Service Data Adaptation Protocol SGW: Service Gateway SLAM: Simultaneous Localization and Mapping SMF: Session Management Function SON: Self-organizing / optimized network SUPI: Subscription Permanent Identifier TA: Tracking Area TAC: Type Assignment Code TRP: Transmitter / Receiver Point TS: Technical Specification Tx: sender, transmitter, or transmission UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UDM: Unified Data Management UE: User Equipment (e.g., wireless equipment, typically mobile equipment) UI: User Interface UL: Uplink UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UP: User plane UPF: User Plane Functionality URSP: User Equipment Routing Policy USB: Universal Serial Bus UTRAN: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network X2: Network interfaces between RAN nodes and between the RAN and the core network. Xn: Network interface between NG-RAN nodes

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: A component used to receive requests for analysis from network nodes; Components used to collect data related to at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment; Components for generating analysis using the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; as well as A component for sending, in response to the request for the analysis, the analysis generated using the collected data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment to the network node.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is related to a physical environment of one or more of the following: At least one terminal device, or Geographical region, or One or more communities, or Tracking area, or Network slicing.

3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: A component for sending a request for a subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; as well as A component for receiving, based on the subscription, at least one update related to the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; The subscription for the at least one update is for one of the following: All elements or attributes related to the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin. A subset of elements or attributes related to the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: A component for sending a request to a network entity that includes at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin for at least one update subscription related to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; as well as A component for receiving, from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, at least one update related to the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 4, further comprising: A component for receiving, using a first frequency, at least one update of a first element related to the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; as well as A component for receiving, using a second frequency, at least one update of a second element related to the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; The first element is more dynamic and less static than the second element; The first frequency used when the at least one update for the first element is received is higher than the second frequency used when the at least one update for the second element is received.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The request for the subscription to at least one update related to the data associated with the physical environment digital twin, or at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network function or orchestration and management entity; and The at least one update related to the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is received from the network function or the orchestration and management entity.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The request for subscription to at least one update related to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to the network entity including the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin via the network function or the orchestration and management entity; and The at least one update relating to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data relating to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is received indirectly from a network entity including the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin via the network function or the orchestration and management entity.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: A component for sending a request for at least one of the data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin or the data relating to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; as well as A component for receiving, in response to a request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or at least one of the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, a component for receiving, at least one of the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the request for the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent directly to a network entity including the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, further comprising: A component for sending the request to a network function or orchestration and management entity for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is indirectly sent to the network entity including the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin via the network function or the orchestration and management entity.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: A component for querying the network repository function to obtain the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin obtained from the network repository function.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising: A component for configuring the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin at the device; The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent based on the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin configured at the device.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, includes at least one or more of the following: The category of the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or Including the time interval of the data associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or The region associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or An identifier associated with at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; The data of the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is received based on the category, the region, or the identifier.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the request for the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, comprises: A subscription request for at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is collected or received from at least one or more of the following: Organizing and managing entities, or Operating, managing and maintaining entities, or Application functions, or Wireless access network, or Third-party applications, or Core network, or Digital twin network functionality, or Network data analysis function, or The functions within the device.

16. An apparatus comprising: A component used to maintain at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment; A component for receiving a request for at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment, or for data related to at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment; as well as Components for transmitting at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; The data of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is configured to be used to generate analysis.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is received from the network data analysis function; and The at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network data analysis function.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein: The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is received from the network entity; and The at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or the data associated with the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, is sent to the network entity.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising: Components for sending at least one update related to at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment based on a subscription; The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for the subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; Wherein: the at least one update is sent directly to the network data and analysis function, or the at least one update is sent indirectly to the network data and analysis function via a network entity.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the apparatus includes user equipment.

21. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving a request from a network data analysis function for at least one instance of a physical environment digital twin, or for data related to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; A component for forwarding to a network entity that includes at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin the request received from the network data analysis function for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin. Components for receiving, from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; as well as Components for forwarding data received from the network entity including at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, to the network data analysis function.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: A component for receiving, based on a subscription, at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin from the network entity comprising the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin; as well as Components for forwarding the at least one update related to the at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function; The request for at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, or for data related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin, includes: a request for the subscription to at least one update related to at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin.

23. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving a request from a network data analysis function for the address of at least one instance of a digital twin of a physical environment; as well as A component for sending the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin to the network data analysis function.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: The request for the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is received from the network data analysis function as a network function discovery request; and The address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function as a network function discovery response.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein: The network function discovery request associated with the request for the address of at least one instance of the digital twin of the physical environment is received from the network data analysis function via the Nnrf interface; and The discovery response associated with the address of at least one instance of the physical environment digital twin is sent to the network data analysis function via the Nnrf interface.

Images