Information processing device, and method

Abstract

To reduce influences that processing for energy saving to a network exerts upon communication services.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises a control section which determines that first processing relating to energy saving of a network is not implemented regarding a first communication service in a case where the first communication service fulfills a first condition relating to communication services subjected to avoid influences caused by implementing the first processing, determines that the first processing is implemented regarding the first communication service in a case where the first communication service does not fulfill the first condition, and executes predetermined processing relating to the first processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication network systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In a multi-radio access technology-dual connectivity, it is disclosed that QoS parameters for a first radio resource and a second radio resource to be provided to a user equipment (UE) are determined based on a first set of downgraded QoS levels, QoS parameters currently supported in a first network node, a second set of downgraded QoS levels, and QoS parameters currently supported in a second network node (for example, Patent Document 1). When an Energy Efficiency Control Function (EECF) detects that the energy consumption of the traffic of a target UE or a target PDU (Packet Data Unit) session is equal to or greater than a threshold, the EECF controls the corresponding PDU for energy saving. It is disclosed that a PDU session can be released or deactivated (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-547053 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TR 23.700-66 V0.3.0 (2024-01) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device and method that can reduce the impact on communication services caused by the execution of processing for energy saving in a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is determining not to perform the first process for the first communication service when the first communication service satisfies a first condition related to the communication service that is a target for avoiding an influence of the first process for saving energy on the network; When the first communication service does not satisfy the first condition, determining to perform the first process for the first communication service and executing a predetermined process related to the first process; To execute The information processing device includes a control unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is The computer determining not to perform the first process for the first communication service when the first communication service satisfies a first condition related to the communication service that is a target for avoiding an influence of the first process for saving energy on the network; When the first communication service does not satisfy the first condition, determining to perform the first process for the first communication service and executing a predetermined process related to the first process; The method includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the impact on services caused by the execution of processing for energy saving in a network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the architecture of a fifth-generation mobile communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence between NFs capable of executing service impact-based determination processing, energy saving processes selectable by the NFs, and traffic attribute information used by the NFs for service impact-based determination processing. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the level classification of the impact of energy-saving processing on services. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device that can operate as an NF that can execute the service impact-based determination process. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an NF capable of executing a service impact-based determination process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart of a service impact-based determination process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of performing the energy saving process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of performing the energy saving process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of performing the energy saving process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] For example, in Non-Patent Document 1, if the energy consumption of the traffic of a target UE or a target PDU session is equal to or greater than a threshold, the corresponding PDU session is released or deactivated for energy conservation. For example, even if the user receiving the service through the PDU session is a priority user or the service is a priority service or an emergency service, the PDU session is released or deactivated for energy conservation. This may result in a degradation of the user experience of the communication service.

[0011] In view of the above problem, one aspect of the present disclosure determines whether to perform a process related to network energy saving, taking into consideration the impact on a communication service. More specifically, one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device including a control unit that, when a first communication service satisfies a first condition related to the communication service that is a target for avoiding an impact of performing a first process related to network energy saving, determines not to perform a first process for the first communication service, and, when the first communication service does not satisfy the first condition, determines to perform the first process for the first communication service and executes a predetermined process related to the first process.

[0012] The information processing device is, for example, a computer that operates as any one of NFs (Network Functions) in a core network of a mobile communication system of a generation after 5G (5th Generation). An NF is, for example, an instance that performs a predetermined function in a core network of a mobile communication system. An instance of an NF is realized, for example, by executing virtualized computing such as a container on the information processing device. When the system is a 5G core network system, for example, the information processing device may operate as an ECCF, a PCF (Policy Control Function), , SMF (Session Management Function), AMF (Access and Mobility Management) Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), and NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function), etc. However, the NFs as systems and information processing devices are not limited to the above.

[0013] The control unit is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The first process related to energy saving of the network includes, for example, at least one of changing a packet data unit (PDU) session, releasing a PDU session, deactivating a PDU session, denying registration of a user equipment (UE) to the network, deregistering the UE from the network, and denying handover of the UE. A communication service refers to communication provided to a UE through the use of a network and processing related to the communication. More specifically, a communication service includes processing performed in the network to prepare for UE communication, processing related to the communication itself, and processing to terminate the communication. Examples of preparation processing for UE communication on the network side include registration with the network and handover. Furthermore, a communication service may refer to, for example, one PDU session, one or more PDU sessions of one UE, and traffic of a predetermined group of UEs, such as one or more UEs belonging to one cell.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, if a first communication service satisfies a first condition, i.e., if the first communication service is a communication service for which the impact of the first process is to be avoided, the first process related to energy saving is not performed for the first communication service. This allows the determination of whether to perform the first process to be made taking into account the impact on the communication service, thereby reducing the impact of the first process on the communication service.

[0015] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first condition may include one or more conditions related to attributes of the communication service. In this case, the control unit may determine whether the first communication service satisfies at least one of the one or more conditions included in the first condition based on attribute information related to the first communication service. The one or more conditions related to the attributes of the communication service may include whether the first communication service is a priority user, whether it is a priority service, whether it is an emergency service, an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) of traffic related to the user, a network slice, a DNN (Data Network Name), a Qo The condition may include a condition regarding at least one of an S flow parameter and a PDU session parameter, both of which indicate that the first communication service is a service in which maintaining communication quality takes priority over energy saving.

[0016] By including one or more conditions relating to the attributes of the communication service in the first condition, it is possible to finely set the communication service for avoiding the influence of the execution of the energy-saving process.

[0017] In one aspect of the present disclosure, when the control unit determines to perform the first processing, the control unit may determine whether the first communication service can tolerate an impact of the first processing. If the first communication service can tolerate an impact of the first processing, the control unit may execute a predetermined process related to the first processing. If the first communication service cannot tolerate an impact of the first processing, the control unit may change the content of the first processing. The control unit may determine whether the first communication service can tolerate an impact of the first processing based on the tolerance level of the impact of the first processing on the first communication service. As a result, the first communication service performs the first processing whose impact is tolerable, thereby making it possible to keep the impact of the first processing on the first communication service to an acceptable level. Note that the tolerance level of the impact on the communication service caused by the execution of the first processing may be indicated by a numerical value such as a score or cost, a level, or the like.

[0018] In this case, the control unit may determine the tolerance of the influence of the first process of the first communication service based on attribute information about the first communication service. This allows the first process to be performed according to the attribute of the first communication service. Note that the tolerance of the influence of the first communication service does not necessarily have to be determined by the information processing device, and may be set in advance by, for example, a network administrator or the like.

[0019] In addition, in one aspect of the present disclosure, when the information processing device operates as an EECF, an NEF, or an NWDAF, the control unit may send an execution instruction for the first process to the PCF as a predetermined process related to the first process. When the information processing device operates as a PCF, the control unit may send an execution instruction for the first process to the AMF and the SMF as a predetermined process related to the first process.

[0020] When the information processing device operates as an AMF, the control unit may perform at least one of refusing to register the UE to the network, deregistering the UE from the network, and refusing handover of the UE as the predetermined process related to the first process.When the information processing device operates as an SMF, the control unit may perform at least one of modifying, releasing, and deactivating one or more PDU sessions included in the first communication service as the predetermined process related to the first process.

[0021] In one aspect of the present disclosure, when a reduction in the amount of energy consumed by the first communication service is determined, the control unit may determine whether the first communication service satisfies a first condition. For example, when the information processing device operates as an ECCF, an NEF, or an NWDAF, the information processing device may determine a reduction in the amount of energy consumed by the first communication service. For example, when the information processing device operates as a PCF, an SMF, or an AMF, the ECCF, the NEF, or the NWDAF may determine a reduction in the amount of energy consumed by the first communication service, and the information processing device may receive, directly or indirectly, a notification that a reduction in the amount of energy consumed by the first communication service has been determined.

[0022] In another aspect, the present disclosure can be specified as a method in which a computer executes the processing of the information processing device. The method includes, when the first communication service satisfies a first condition related to the communication service that is a target for avoiding an impact of the execution of a first processing related to network energy saving, determining not to execute a first processing for the first communication service, and when the first communication service does not satisfy the first condition, determining to execute the first processing for the first communication service and executing predetermined processing related to the first processing. Furthermore, in another aspect, the present disclosure can be specified as a system including the information processing device, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0024] <Common features of all embodiments> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the architecture of a fifth-generation mobile communication system. The fifth-generation mobile communication network will hereinafter be referred to as a 5G network. A 5G network communication system 100 includes a 5G core network (5GC) and an access network ((R)AN). A UE (User Equipment) 50, a DN (Data Network), and an AF 1 are connected to the 5G network. The UE 50 is a terminal of a user (subscriber). A RAN (Radio Access Network) is an access network to the 5GC. The RAN includes a base station (gNB).

[0025] FIG. 1 shows some of the components included in 5GC. Also, in FIG. 1, reference numerals are assigned to the components according to all embodiments. In 5G, the software that realizes network functions and the hardware on which the software runs are separated using hardware abstraction technology. This allows various network function software to run on common hardware resources, regardless of the configuration of each hardware product. FIG. 1 shows the network functions (NFs) included in 5GC. Each of the multiple NFs included in 5GC is realized by one or more computers (information processing devices) executing a program. However, a single computer may realize any two or more NFs.

[0026] The UPF (User Plane Function) 20 is responsible for routing, forwarding, and The user packets are user plane packets that are transmitted and received by the UE 50.

[0027] AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) 7 houses the RAN and manages the 5GC. AMF 7 performs registration management, connection management, and mobility management for UEs in SMF. It also relays messages between the UE 50 and the UE 6.

[0028] SMF (Session Management Function) 6 is a PDU (Packet Data Unit) session It manages the PDU session, allocates and manages IP addresses to UEs, and selects and controls the UPF 20. The PDU session management includes the establishment of PDU sessions, This includes modifying and releasing. For example, when a policy is changed, , a change in the PDU session occurs, and a change in QoS or policy is applied to the UPF 20 through the SMF 6. The PDU session is a virtual communication path for exchanging data between the UE 50 and the DN. The DN is a data network (cloud, internet, etc.) external to the 5GC.

[0029] The PCF (Policy Control Function) 5 controls each N The SMF 6 provides policy rules to the UPF 20. The policy rules include, for example, rules related to QoS, filtering, routing, charging, etc. When a policy rule is to be registered, changed, or deleted, it is first notified to the PCF 5, and the PCF 5 then controls the relevant UPF 20 via the SMF 6 to set, change, or delete the policy.

[0030] UDM (Unified Data Management)2 is a service that manages and manages subscribers' information. The subscriber information includes, for example, access and mobility subscription data used for registering the UE 50 and managing mobility, slice selection subscription data used for slice selection, SMF selection subscription data used for selecting SMF 6, and session management information used for establishing a PDU session. The data includes subscriber information (Session Management Subscription data) and energy related subscription information (Energy Related Subscription data) used for processing related to communication of the UE 50.

[0031] The UDR 4 stores and provides retrieval of data used by the UDM 2, PCF 5, and NEF 3. More specifically, the data held by the UDR 4 includes, for example, subscriber information, authentication information, and policy data.

[0032] NEF 3 will stably expose capability and event information for network functions within 5G systems. It provides a function to fully disclose information to external applications such as AF (Application Function) 1. NEF 3 also provides a function to receive information from authorized external applications into the network. AF 1 is an application server (external server) that provides auxiliary services other than those specified in the 5GC specification.

[0033] NWDAF 8 provides analysis information within a network. The analysis information within a network provided by NWDAF 8 includes, for example, communication delay, throughput, jitter, traffic load level, and energy-related information in each section. The energy-related information includes, for example, energy efficiency, energy consumption, and the proportion of renewable energy.

[0034] Energy consumption is the amount of energy consumed in a given system. Energy consumption is expressed, for example, in joules (J) or watt-hours (Wh). Energy efficiency is, for example, the ratio of useful output to energy consumption in a given system. Useful output is, for example, the amount of transmitted data, throughput, etc. Renewable energy ratio is the ratio of renewable energy consumption to energy consumption in a given system.

[0035] The predetermined system is, for example, an NF, a network slice, a 5G core network, etc. Therefore, the energy-related information can be acquired per NF, per network slice, per 5GC core network, per NG-RAN, per UE, per PDU session, and per QoS flow.

[0036] The ECCF 9, for example, collects energy consumption assistance information from other NFs and determines whether to implement energy saving processing. The energy consumption auxiliary information is collected, for example, on a UE basis or on a PDU session basis. The energy consumption auxiliary information includes, for example, data volume, bit rate, etc. The energy saving process is a process for reducing the energy consumption of the traffic of the target UE or the target PDU session. The process for reducing the energy consumption can also be called a process for energy saving. For example, the ECCF 9 decides to perform the energy saving process when the energy consumption auxiliary information of the target UE or the target PDU session exceeds a predetermined threshold. The energy saving process includes, for example, releasing the PDU session, deactivating the PDU session, changing the PDU session, and deactivating the UE from the network. These include denial of registration to the network, de-registration of the UE from the network, and denial of handover.

[0037] In 5GC, multiple NFs of the same type may be prepared. For example, one NF may be prepared for each data center (station). Also, one NF may be shared between data centers. Also, one data center may configure multiple NFs of the same type. The correspondence between NFs and data centers can be set as appropriate.

[0038] In the present disclosure, when the ECCF 9 determines to perform energy saving processing, any of the ECCF 9, the PCF 5, the AMF 7, the SMF 6, the NEF 3, and the NWDAF 8 determines whether to perform energy saving processing, taking into consideration the impact on a target communication service. For example, if the target communication service is a communication service in which maintaining current communication quality takes priority over reducing energy consumption, it is determined that energy saving processing will not be performed. Whether the target communication service is a communication service in which maintaining current communication quality takes priority over reducing energy consumption is defined by service attribute information indicating attributes of the communication service, such as whether the user is a priority user, whether it is a priority service, whether it is an emergency service, or whether a communication quality equal to or higher than a predetermined level is guaranteed.

[0039] In the present disclosure, a communication service refers to communication provided to a UE through the use of the network of the communication system 100, and processing related to the communication performed in the communication system 100. More specifically, a communication service includes preparation processing for UE communication, processing related to the communication itself, and processing for terminating the communication performed in the communication system 100. Examples of preparation processing for UE communication on the network side include registration with the network and handover. Furthermore, a communication service may refer to the communication itself, such as one PDU session, one or more PDU sessions of one UE, and traffic of a predetermined group of UEs, such as one or more UEs belonging to one cell. A UE corresponding to a target communication service will hereinafter be simply referred to as a target UE.

[0040] Hereinafter, the process of determining whether to perform energy saving processing by the ECCF 9 is referred to as energy saving processing execution determination process. Hereinafter, the process of determining whether to perform energy saving processing taking into account the impact on communication services, which is performed in response to the decision to perform energy saving processing as a result of the energy saving processing execution determination process by the ECCF 9, is referred to as service influence-based determination process. Hereinafter, the process of determining whether to perform energy saving processing taking into account the impact on communication services, which is performed in response to the decision to perform energy saving processing as a result of the energy saving processing execution determination process by the ECCF 9, is referred to as service influence-based determination process. The conditions for a communication service whose maintenance is prioritized, i.e., a communication service that avoids the impact of implementing energy-saving processing, are referred to as service impact avoidance conditions. The target communication service is an example of a "first communication service." Energy-saving processing is an example of a "first processing." The service impact avoidance conditions are an example of a "first condition."

[0041] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence between NFs capable of performing service impact-based determination processing, energy saving operations selectable by the NFs, and service attribute information used by the NFs for the service impact-based determination processing. In the present disclosure, the NFs capable of performing service impact-based determination processing are the AMF, SMF, PCF, NEF, NWDAF, and EECF. The selectable energy saving operations include, for example, denial of UE registration to the network, deregistration of the UE from the network (deregistration), denial of handover, interruption-free PDU session change, interruption-induced PDU session change, and PDU session release.

[0042] When denial of UE network registration is made, the registration request from the target UE is denied, and the target UE is not registered in the communication system 100. This prevents the target UE from communicating using the network provided by the communication system 100, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the traffic of the target UE.

[0043] When deregistering a UE from a network, the registration of the target UE is deleted. As a result, the target UE is no longer registered in the communication system 100. For example, if the target UE is currently communicating, the communication is terminated, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the traffic of the target UE.

[0044] In the case of handover denial, if the target UE moves from the cell where it is currently located to another cell, the handover is denied. This prevents the target UE from continuing communication when it moves to another cell, and reduces the energy consumption of the target UE's traffic after moving to another cell.

[0045] A change in a PDU session without interruption is caused, for example, by a change in a QoS parameter. By changing the QoS parameter of a PDU session so as to limit the amount of data flowing for that PDU session, energy saving can be achieved for that PDU session. A change in a PDU session with interruption is caused, for example, by a UPF switch. The PDU session is established by the UPF. By switching to a power-saving UPF, energy savings can be achieved for the PDU session.

[0046] Deactivating a PDU session and releasing a PDU session disconnects communication using the PDU session of the target UE, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the disconnected PDU session.

[0047] Energy saving operations related to access and mobility, such as denial of UE registration to a network, deregistration of a UE from a network, and denial of handover, are performed by the AMF. Energy saving operations related to session management, such as interruption-free PDU session modification, interruption-related PDU session modification, PDU session release, and PDU session deactivation, are performed by the SMF. The PCF can control policies that cause the AMF to perform the energy saving operations related to access and mobility. The PCF can also control policies that cause the SMF to perform the energy saving operations related to session management. The EECF, NEF, and NWDAF can instruct the PCF to cause the AMF to perform the energy saving operations related to access and mobility and / or to cause the SMF to perform the energy saving operations related to session management.

[0048] In addition, the service impact-based determination process may be performed by the AMF for energy saving processes related to access and mobility, and by the SMF for energy saving processes related to session management, or may be performed by other NFs (NEF, NWDAF, EECF, or PCF, etc.) for energy saving processes related to access and mobility and energy saving processes related to session management.

[0049] The energy saving operations that the AMF can select include, for example, denial of registration of the UE to the network, deregistration of the UE from the network, and denial of handover. These energy saving operations are executable by the AMF. The types of service attribute information that the AMF uses for the service impact-based determination process include, for example, priority users, priority services, emergency services, and traffic of a specific slice or DNN (Data Network Name). There is information indicating that it is a

[0050] The energy-saving operations that the SMF can select include, for example, PDU session change without interruption, PDU session change with interruption, PDU session release, and PDU session deactivation. These energy-saving operations are executable by the SMF. The types of service attribute information used by the SMF for service impact-based determination processing include, for example, priority user, priority service, emergency service, information indicating traffic of a specific slice or DNN, UE-AMBR (Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate), QoS flow parameters, PDU session parameters, etc.

[0051] The energy saving operations that the PCF, EECF, NEF, and NWDAF can select include, for example, denial of UE registration to the network, deregistration of the UE from the network, denial of handover, change of PDU session without interruption, change of PDU session with interruption, release of PDU session, and deactivation of PDU session. The types of service attribute information that the PCF, EECF, NEF, and NWDAF use for service impact-based determination processing include, for example, priority user, priority service, emergency service, information indicating traffic of a specific slice or DNN, QoS flow parameters, PDU session parameters, etc.

[0052] A priority user and a priority service are, for example, a user and a service that are guaranteed to be able to communicate preferentially even when congestion occurs in the network of the communication system 100. A priority user is determined, for example, when signing a contract to use the communication system 100. Examples of priority services include MPS (Multimedia Priority Services) and MCX services (Mission Critical Services). Note that a priority user and a priority service may be determined, for example, by whether the priority assigned to each user is equal to or higher than a predetermined priority.

[0053] QoS flow parameters used in the service impact-based determination process include, for example, 5QI (5G QoS Identifier), ARP (Allocation and Retention Priority), GBR (Guaranteed Bit Rate) or non-GBR, GFBR (Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate), etc. Examples of PDU session parameters used in the service impact-based determination process include PDU session type, SSC mode, and IP address or prefix. PDU session types include IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6, Ethernet, and Unstructured.

[0054] The service impact avoidance condition includes a condition for one or more service attributes among the service attribute information used in the service impact-based determination process. The conditions for the service attributes include, for example, that the service is a communication service for a prioritized user, that the service is a priority service, that the service is an emergency service, that traffic is a specific network slice or DNN, that the UE-AMBR is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, that each QoS parameter is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and that each PDU session parameter is equal to a predetermined value. For example, when at least one condition among the conditions for one or more service attributes included in the service impact avoidance condition is satisfied, the target communication service is determined to satisfy the service impact avoidance condition. The service impact avoidance condition may be set in the NF that performs the service impact-based determination process, for example, common to all communication services, or may be set by the AF or the like for each target communication service.

[0055] The service attribute information of the target service used in the service impact-based determination process is partially or entirely stored in, for example, the UDM, AMF, SMF, and PCF, or is included in the registration request from the UE. The UDM stores service attribute information such as priority user, priority service, emergency service, information indicating traffic of a specific slice or DNN, QoS flow parameters, PDU session parameters, etc. The AMF stores, for example, information indicating an emergency service and service attribute information such as slice or DNN as information included in the UE context. The SMF stores QoS flow parameters, PDU session parameters, etc. as information included in the SM context. The PCF stores UE-AMBR as information included in access mobility-related policy information, QoS flow parameters as information included in the PCC rule, and PDU session type, SSC mode, etc. as policy control subscription information. The registration request from the UE includes information indicating emergency service traffic as a registration type, user priority information (Priority indicator), etc.

[0056] When performing service impact-based determination processing, the AMF, SMF, PCF, NEF, NWDAF, and EECF may use service attribute information that they hold, or may obtain missing service attribute information from, for example, the UDM, PCF, etc. Note that the NFs that can perform service impact-based determination processing, the selectable energy saving processing, and the service attribute information used in the service impact-based determination processing are not limited to those shown in FIG.

[0057] In this specification, in the first embodiment, the ECCF executes the service impact based determination process. In the second embodiment, a case where a PCF executes a service impact-based determination process will be described. In the third embodiment, a case where an AMF and an SMF execute a service impact-based determination process will be described.

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the level classification of the impact of selectable energy-saving processes on communication services in the communication system 100. For example, the AMF, SMF, PCF, NEF, NWDAF, and EECF shown in FIG. 2 have multiple selectable energy-saving processes. The selectable energy-saving processes can be classified into levels based on the magnitude of the impact on the service. Therefore, in FIG. 3, service impact levels 1, 2, and 3 are set as the levels of impact on the service. The service impact level 1 is greater than the service impact level 2, and the service impact increases in order. For example, energy-saving processes with service impact level 1 include a PDU session change without interruption. For example, energy-saving processes with service impact level 2 include a handover rejection, a PDU session change with interruption, and a network registration rejection. For example, energy-saving processes with service impact level 3 include a PDU session release, a PDU session deactivation, and a deregistration from the network. Note that the level classification of energy-saving processes is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0059] In the first embodiment, when the AMF, SMF, PCF, NEF, NWDAF, and EECF decide to perform an energy saving process on a target communication service in consideration of the impact in the service impact-based determination process, they each further determine whether the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the implementation of the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation. If the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the implementation of the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation, the implementation of the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation is decided. If the target communication service cannot tolerate the impact of the implementation of the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation, the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation is changed, and it is determined again whether the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the implementation of the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation.

[0060] The candidate energy-saving process may be a predetermined process set in advance, or may be selected from the above-described plurality of energy-saving processes. In the first embodiment, whether or not the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the candidate energy-saving process is determined based on the tolerance of the impact of the candidate energy-saving process on the target communication service and the service impact level of the candidate energy-saving process.

[0061] The tolerance of the impact of the implementation of the energy saving process of the target communication service may be expressed, for example, by a score, a level, etc. Hereinafter, the tolerance of the impact of the implementation of the energy saving process of the target communication service will be simply referred to as the impact tolerance of the target communication service.

[0062] For example, the impact tolerance of the target communication service may indicate that the larger the value, the higher the tolerance, i.e., the greater the impact caused by the implementation of the allowable energy-saving process. Furthermore, without being limited thereto, the impact tolerance of the target communication service may indicate that the smaller the value, the higher the tolerance, i.e., the greater the impact caused by the implementation of the allowable energy-saving process.

[0063] The impact tolerance of the target communication service may be stored in advance by the NF that executes the service impact-based determination process based on a setting from the AF or the like, or may be calculated, for example.

[0064] The information used to calculate the impact tolerance of the target communication service may be the same as the service attribute information used in the service impact-based determination process, for example. When the impact tolerance of the target communication service is expressed as a score, for example, a score may be calculated for each piece of service attribute information of the target communication service, and a score indicating the impact tolerance of the target communication service may be calculated based on the score. When the impact tolerance of the target communication service is expressed as a level, In this case, for example, classification conditions may be set for each level, and the level at which the attribute information of the target communication service satisfies the classification conditions may be calculated as the impact tolerance of the target communication service. Also, the impact tolerance of the target communication service may be calculated using a machine learning model that has learned the relationship between the service attribute information of the target communication service and the impact tolerance. The method for calculating the impact tolerance of the target communication service is not limited to a predetermined method.

[0065] The service impact level of the energy-saving process and the impact tolerance of the communication service are associated in advance. For example, if the service impact level of the energy-saving process of the candidate for implementation is equal to or lower than the service impact level corresponding to the impact tolerance of the target communication service, it can be determined that the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy-saving process of the candidate for implementation.

[0066] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device that can operate as an NF capable of executing service impact-based determination processing. The information processing device 110 can be configured using an information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a server machine. The information processing device 110 may also be a collection (cloud) of one or more computers. Note that the NF in the 5G core network may be a device equipped with an electric circuit such as a dedicated FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that executes the relevant processing.

[0067] The information processing device 110 has, as its hardware configuration, a processor 101, a memory 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, and a communication unit 104. The memory 102 and the auxiliary storage device 103 are computer-readable recording media. The processor 101, the auxiliary storage device 103, and the communication unit 104 are electrically connected by a bus.

[0068] The auxiliary storage device 103 stores programs used to operate as either each NF or AF 1 in the 5G core network, and data used by the processor 101 when executing each program. The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a hard disk drive, or a solid state drive (SSD). The programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 include, for example, an operating system The operating system (OS) and the corresponding NF or AF control program are included.

[0069] The memory 102 is a storage device that provides the processor 101 with a storage area and a working area for loading programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103, and is used as a buffer. The memory 102 includes, for example, semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0070] The processor 101 loads into the memory 102 an OS stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 and a program related to either one of the NFs or AFs 1 in the 5G core network and executes the programs, thereby executing processing corresponding to each NF or AF 1 in the 5G core network. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The number of processors 101 is not limited to one, and multiple processors 101 may be provided.

[0071] The communication unit 104 is, for example, a network interface card (NIC), an optical line interface, etc. The communication unit 104 may be, for example, a wireless communication circuit that connects to a wireless network such as a wireless LAN. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 110 that realizes the functions of each NF and AF 1 in the 5G core network is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an NF capable of executing a service impact-based determination process. In FIG. 5, the functional configuration of an NF capable of executing a service impact-based determination process is The functional components related to the service impact-based determination process are extracted and shown. The NF capable of executing the service impact-based determination process includes a service impact determination unit 11 as a functional configuration. The processing of the service impact determination unit 11 is achieved by the processor 101 of the information processing device 110 operating as the NF capable of executing the service impact-based determination process executing a program for the service impact-based determination process.

[0073] When the ECCF 9 determines that energy saving processing should be performed on a target communication service, the service impact determination unit 11 executes a service impact-based determination process. In the service impact-based determination process, the service impact determination unit 11 acquires service attribute information of the target communication service and determines whether the target communication service satisfies the service impact avoidance conditions. When the target communication service satisfies the service impact avoidance conditions, the service impact determination unit 11 decides not to implement energy saving processing on the target communication service. When the target communication service does not satisfy the service impact avoidance conditions, the service impact determination unit 11 decides to implement energy saving processing on the target communication service and determines whether the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy saving processing candidate for implementation. When the communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy saving processing candidate for implementation, the service impact determination unit 11 transmits an instruction to implement energy saving processing to another NF or another functional component that executes energy saving processing within the own NF.

[0074] Note that the functional configuration of an NF capable of executing service impact-based determination processing is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the functional configuration related to the service impact-based determination processing is extracted and shown, but an NF capable of executing service impact-based determination processing also has functional components that perform processing as the corresponding NF.

[0075] Fig. 6 is an example of a flowchart of the service impact-based determination process. The process shown in Fig. 6 is started, for example, when an energy saving process execution notification is received, notifying that it has been decided to execute energy saving process for a target communication service, as a result of execution of the energy saving process execution determination process by the ECCF 9. The process shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the processor 101 of the information processing device 110, which operates as an NF capable of executing the service impact-based determination process, but for convenience, the process will be described mainly focusing on the functional components.

[0076] In the OP 11, the service effect determination unit 11 acquires service attribute information of the target communication service. If the information held by the own NF is insufficient, the service effect determination unit 11 may acquire the service attribute information of the target communication service from, for example, the UDM 2 and the PCF 5.

[0077] In OP12, the service impact determination unit 11 determines whether or not the target communication service satisfies the service impact avoidance conditions based on the acquired service attribute information. If the target communication service satisfies the service impact avoidance conditions (OP12: YES), the service impact determination unit 11 decides not to perform energy saving processing for the target communication service, and then the processing shown in Fig. 6 ends. Note that if it is decided not to perform energy saving processing for the target communication service, the service impact determination unit 11 may, for example, notify the EECF 9 that energy saving processing will not be performed. The EECF 9, which has received the notification that energy saving processing will not be performed, may, for example, notify the AF that inputs an instruction to perform energy saving processing to the communication system 100 that energy saving processing will not be performed.

[0078] If the target communication service does not satisfy the service impact avoidance conditions (OP12: NO), the service impact determination unit 11 decides to perform energy saving processing on the target communication service. In OP13, the service impact determination unit 11 acquires the impact tolerance of the target communication service. The impact tolerance of the target communication service may be set in advance from, for example, AF or the like. Alternatively, it may be calculated by the service impact determination unit 11. When the service impact determination unit 11 calculates the impact tolerance of a target communication service, if there is a shortage of attribute information to use for the calculation, the service impact determination unit 11 may obtain it from, for example, UDM or PCF.

[0079] In OP14, the service impact determination unit 11 selects an energy saving process to be implemented. For example, if the energy saving process to be implemented is set as one predetermined energy saving process for the entire communication system 100, or if the energy saving process to be implemented is designated as one predetermined process by AF or the like, the service impact determination unit 11 selects the predetermined process as the energy saving process to be implemented.

[0080] When a candidate energy-saving process can be selected from a plurality of energy-saving processes, the service impact determination unit 11 selects the candidate energy-saving process from the plurality of energy-saving processes, for example, based on the magnitude of the energy-saving effect and / or the degree of the impact on the communication service. For example, the service impact determination unit 11 may select the energy-saving process that has the largest energy reduction in terms of the magnitude of the energy-saving effect as the candidate energy-saving process. The amount of energy reduced by implementing each energy-saving process can be obtained, for example, from the EECF 9 or the NWDAF 8. For example, when changing the QoS parameters of a PDU session and releasing the PDU session, the reduction in energy consumption is greater when the PDU session is released.

[0081] For example, the service impact determination unit 11 may use a service impact level as information indicating the degree of impact on the communication service, and select an energy-saving process that has the least impact on the communication service, i.e., has the lowest service impact level, as a candidate energy-saving process to be implemented. Furthermore, for example, the service impact determination unit 11 may first narrow down the energy-saving processes based on either the largest amount of energy reduction or the lowest service impact level, and if multiple energy-saving processes remain after narrowing down the energy-saving processes, it may further select a candidate energy-saving process based on the other criterion. Note that the method of selecting a candidate energy-saving process from multiple energy-saving processes is not limited to these.

[0082] In OP15, the service impact determination unit 11 determines whether the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation, for example, based on the impact tolerance of the target communication service and the service impact level of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation. For example, the service impact determination unit 11 may determine that the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation when the service impact level of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation is equal to or lower than the service impact level corresponding to the impact tolerance of the target communication service. The service impact determination unit 11 may determine that the target communication service cannot tolerate the impact of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation when the service impact level of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation is higher than the service impact level corresponding to the impact tolerance of the target communication service. Note that the method of determining whether the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy-saving process of the candidate implementation is not limited to this.

[0083] If the target communication service can tolerate the impact of the energy saving process of the candidate for implementation (OP15: YES), the process proceeds to OP16. In OP16, the service impact determination unit 11 transmits an instruction to implement energy saving process to another specified NF or another functional component that executes energy saving process within the NF. Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0084] If the target communication service cannot tolerate the impact of the candidate energy saving process (OP15: NO), the process proceeds to OP17. In OP17, the service impact determination unit 11 determines whether or not there is a selectable energy saving process. For example, if the candidate energy saving process is set to one predetermined energy saving process, and if there are multiple energy saving processes, the target communication service If there is no unselected energy-saving process whose service impact level is equal to or lower than the service impact level corresponding to the impact tolerance of the service, a negative determination is made in OP17. If there is no selectable energy-saving process (OP17: NO), the service impact determination unit 11 decides not to perform energy-saving process for the target communication service, and the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0085] If there is a selectable energy-saving process (OP17: YES), the process proceeds to OP14, where the service impact determination unit 11 reselects an energy-saving process as a candidate for implementation. For example, the service impact determination unit 11 may select, from among a plurality of energy-saving processes, an unselected energy-saving process whose service impact level is equal to or lower than the service impact level corresponding to the impact tolerance of the target communication service as the candidate for implementation. Alternatively, the service impact determination unit 11 may select an energy-saving process as a candidate for implementation from among the unselected energy-saving processes using the same criteria as when the process in OP14 was first executed. Thereafter, the processes from OP15 onwards are executed for the reselected candidate for implementation.

[0086] Note that the service impact-based determination process shown in FIG. 6 is just an example, and the service impact-based determination process is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0087] According to each embodiment of the present disclosure, in consideration of the impact of energy-saving processing on services, energy-saving processing is not performed for communication services in which maintaining communication quality takes priority over energy saving, even in situations where energy-saving processing is required, thereby reducing the impact of energy-saving processing on services.

[0088] First Embodiment In the first embodiment, the NF that executes the service-effect-based determination process is the ECCF 9. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of performing energy-saving processing according to the first embodiment.

[0089] In S101, the AF 1 transmits an Nnef_EnergySaving request message to the NEF 3 requesting the execution of energy saving processing. Along with the Nnef_EnergySaving request message, information specifying the target communication service and the energy consumption threshold used by the ECCF 9 to determine whether to execute energy saving processing are also transmitted. The information specifying the target communication service includes, for example, UE identification information, UE address, S-NSSAI, DNN, etc. The energy consumption threshold is specified, for example, by the administrator of the communication system 100 or a customer of the communication system 100. The NEF 3 transmits the Nnef_EnergySaving request message. When the message is received, the Nnef_EnergySaving response message is sent to AF The target communication service is, for example, communication and communication-related processing for one UE or one PDU session. However, the target communication service is not limited to this, and may be traffic of multiple UEs or communication and communication-related processing for multiple PDU sessions.

[0090] In S102, the NEF 3 transmits a Neecf_EnergySaving request message to the ECCF 9, requesting the execution of energy saving processing. The information provided by the AF 1 in S101 is also transmitted together with the Neecf_EnergySaving request message. When the NEF 9 receives the Neecf_EnergySaving request message, it sends a Neecf_EnergySaving response message to the NEF 3 in response.

[0091] In S103, the ECCF 9 sends a Nudm_SDM_Get link to the UDM 2 requesting to acquire energy saving authorization information for the target UE. The energy saving approval information is information that approves the application of energy-related policies. The UDM 2 sends the requested energy saving approval information to the ECCF 9. The energy consumption threshold may be obtained from the UDM 2 as one piece of energy saving approval information.

[0092] In S104, the ECCF 9 collects auxiliary energy consumption information from each NF for the target communication service. The auxiliary energy consumption information may include, for example, data volume ( ), and bit rate, etc.

[0093] In S105, the ECCF 9 performs an energy saving process execution determination process using the auxiliary energy consumption information and the energy consumption threshold value acquired from the AF 1 or the UDM 2. If the value indicated by the auxiliary energy consumption information is equal to or greater than the energy consumption threshold value, the ECCF 9 determines to execute the energy saving process. In the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the execution of the energy saving process is determined for the target communication service as a result of the energy saving process execution determination process.

[0094] In S106, since the execution of energy saving processing has been determined as a result of the energy saving processing execution determination process for the target communication service, the ECCF 9 executes service impact-based determination processing for the target communication service (FIG. 6). In this case, an energy saving processing execution notification, which triggers the start of the service impact-based determination processing, is transmitted to the service impact determination unit 11 from the functional component of the ECCF 9 that executes the energy saving processing execution determination processing. In the example shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the target communication service does not satisfy the service impact avoidance condition (FIG. 6, OP12: NO), the execution of energy saving processing is determined, and the energy saving processing to be executed is selected based on, for example, the impact tolerance of the target communication service and the service impact level of the energy saving processing (FIG. 6, OP13 to OP15). Note that if there is insufficient service attribute information for the target communication service to be used in the service impact-based determination processing, the ECCF 9 may acquire the missing service attribute information from the UDM 2.

[0095] In S107, the ECCF 9 transmits an instruction to perform energy saving processing to the PCF 5 (FIG. 6, OP16). Along with the instruction to perform energy saving processing, energy control information for adjusting the AM (Access and Mobility) policy used in the AMF 7 is also transmitted. The energy control information transmitted in S107 includes, for example, parameters to be set or changed in the AMF 7 to perform the selected energy saving operation for the target communication service, or a denial of registration of the target UE to the network, a deregistration of the target UE from the network, or a trigger of handover of the target UE (in case of denial of registration of the UE). In S107, the energy saving operation operation instruction and the energy control information are transmitted by an Npcf_AMPolicyAuthorization Create / Update message.

[0096] In addition, when an energy saving process related to PDU session management is selected, if the value of a parameter controllable by an AM policy such as the UE-AMBR of the target communication service is changed to a smaller value as a result of the energy saving process related to PDU session management, the energy control information includes the value of the parameter. Also, if an energy saving process related to PDU session management is selected as the energy saving process and an energy saving process related to access and mobility is not selected, and the value of a parameter controllable by an AM policy is not changed as a result of the energy saving process related to PDU session management, no update of the AM policy occurs, so the process of S107 does not need to be executed. Whether the value of a parameter controllable by an AM policy is changed as a result of the energy saving process related to PDU session management depends on the settings of the administrator or customer of the communication system 100.

[0097] In S108, the ECCF 9 transmits an instruction to perform energy saving processing to the PCF 5 (OP16 in FIG. 6). Along with the instruction to perform energy saving processing, energy control information for adjusting the SM (Session Management) policy used in the SMF 6 is also transmitted. The energy control information transmitted in S108 may include, for example, the adjusted QoS parameters (instantaneous The energy saving process execution instruction and energy control information include, for example, a UPF switching trigger and information on the UPF after the switch (in the case of a PDU session change without interruption), a PDU session release or deactivation trigger (in the case of a PDU session release or deactivation), etc. In S108, the energy saving process execution instruction and energy control information are transmitted by an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Create / Update message. Note that if an energy saving process related to access and mobility, such as denial of registration of the UE to the network, is selected as the energy saving process, and an energy saving process related to PDU session management is not selected, no SM policy update occurs for the PDU sessions included in the target communication service, and therefore the process of S108 does not need to be executed.

[0098] In S109, the PCF 5 updates the AM policy for the target UE based on the energy control information received from the ECCF 9 via the PCF 5 in S107, and sends an Npcf_AMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message containing the updated AM policy. Sends a message to AMF 7. Npcf_AMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify from PCF 5. Upon receiving the message, the AMF 7 updates the AM policy for the target UE, and as a result, the processing related to the AMF 7 among the energy saving processing selected in S106 is performed. For example, if denial of registration of the UE to the network is selected as the energy saving processing to be performed in S106, the AMF 7 will notify the target UE of the registration request after receiving the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message in S109. If a registration request is received, the registration request is rejected. As a result, the target UE is not registered in the communication system 100, so no traffic is generated for the target UE, and it is possible to reduce the energy consumption due to the traffic of the target UE. Note that if the process of S107 is not executed, the process of S109 is also not executed.

[0099] In S110, the PCF 5 updates the SM policy for the PDU session included in the target communication service based on the energy control information received from the ECCF 9 via the PCF 5 in S108, and transmits an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message including the updated SM policy to the SMF 6. Upon receiving the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message from the PCF 5, the SMF 6 updates the SM policy for the PDU session included in the target communication service, and as a result, the energy saving processes related to the SMF 6 selected in S106 are performed. Note that if the process of S108 is not performed, the process of S110 is also not performed.

[0100] For example, if a change of a PDU session without a momentary interruption is selected as the energy saving process to be performed in S106, upon receiving the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message in S110, the SMF 6 updates the QoS flow parameters of the corresponding PDU session. The QoS flow parameters are changed to values ​​that reduce the energy consumption of the corresponding PDU session. As a result, the energy consumption of the corresponding PDU session is reduced, and the energy consumption of the target communication service is reduced.

[0101] For example, if a change of a PDU session that involves a momentary interruption is selected as the energy saving process to be performed in S106, the SMF 6, upon receiving the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message in S110, transfers the corresponding PDU session to the new UPF 20. The UPF 20 that will newly take charge of the PDU session is selected to be a UPF that reduces the energy consumption of the PDU session. As a result, the energy consumption of the PDU session is reduced, and the energy consumption of the target communication service is also reduced.

[0102] For example, if the release of the PDU session is selected as the energy saving process to be performed in S106, the SMF 6 sends the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNot When it receives an 'ify' message, it executes the release procedure for the corresponding PDU session. As a result, the energy consumption by the corresponding PDU session is reduced, and the energy consumption of the target communication service is reduced.

[0103] In addition, if the ECCF 9 determines in S106 that energy saving processing is not to be performed for the target communication service, processing from S107 onwards is not performed. In this case, the energy consumption by the target communication service is not reduced, but the communication quality of the target communication service is maintained. In addition, in this case, since processing from S107 onwards is not performed, it is possible to minimize the number of messages flowing through the communication system 100, and it is possible to simplify processing in the entire communication system 100. In addition, in S101, if the target communication service specified by the AF is a service for multiple UEs or a service for multiple PDU sessions, energy saving processing performed for each UE or each PDU session may be selected.

[0104] <Modification of the first embodiment> The ECCF 9 does not have to be an independent NF, and may be, for example, one of the functional components of the NEF 3 or the NWDAF. In this case, for example, in the sequence shown in Fig. 7, the NEF 3 or the NWDAF may perform the processes (S102 to S108) performed by the ECCF 9. That is, instead of the ECCF 9, the NEF 3 or the NWDAF may perform the energy saving process execution determination process and the service impact-based determination process.

[0105] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the NF that executes the service-effect-based determination process is the PCF 5. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of performing the energy-saving process according to the second embodiment.

[0106] The processes from S201 to S205 are the same as those from S101 to S105 in Fig. 7. In the example shown in Fig. 8, as in the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that in S205, as a result of the energy saving process execution determination process, it is determined that energy saving process should be executed for the target communication service.

[0107] In S206, the ECCF 9 transmits an energy saving process execution notification to the PCF 5, indicating that it has been determined that energy saving process execution is to be performed as a result of the energy saving process execution determination process. In S206, the energy saving process execution notification is transmitted by an Npcf_AMPolicyAuthorization Create / Update message. The Npcf_AMPolicyAuthorization Create / Update message may include energy control information.

[0108] In S207, the ECCF 9 transmits an energy saving process execution notification to the PCF 5, indicating that it has been determined that energy saving process execution is to be performed as a result of the energy saving process execution determination process. In S207, the energy saving process execution notification is transmitted by an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Create / Update message. Note that only one of the processes in S206 and S207 may be executed.

[0109] In S208, the PCF 5 executes a service impact-based determination process for the target communication service (Fig. 6). In this case, the energy saving process execution notification that triggers the start of the service impact-based determination process is an Npcf_AMPolicyAuthorization Create / Update message and / or an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Create / Update message including an energy saving process execution notification from the ECCF 9. In the example shown in Fig. 8, similar to the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the target communication service does not satisfy the service impact avoidance conditions (Fig. 6, OP12: NO), the execution of energy saving process is decided, and the energy saving process is selected based on, for example, the impact tolerance of the target communication service and the service impact level of the energy saving process (Fig. 6, OP13 to OP15). Note that the service impact-based determination process is used to determine whether the target communication service satisfies the service impact tolerance (OP12: NO). If the service attribute information is missing, the PCF 5 may obtain the missing service attribute information from the UDM 2.

[0110] In S209, the PCF 5 updates the AM policy for the target UE in accordance with the content of the energy saving process determined in S208, and sends an Npcf_AMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message including the updated AM policy to the AM as an instruction to perform the energy saving process. Upon receiving the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message from PCF 5, AMF 7 updates the target U policy according to the updated AM policy. Regarding E, energy-saving measures will be implemented regarding access and mobility.

[0111] For example, if energy saving processing related to access and mobility is selected as the energy saving processing in S208, the PCF 5 updates the AM policy to include a trigger for the energy saving processing related to access and mobility for the target UE. If energy saving processing related to PDU session management is selected as the energy saving processing, and the value of a parameter controllable in the AM policy is changed to a smaller value as a result of the energy saving processing related to the PDU session management, the PCF 5 updates the AM policy for the target UE to include the value of the parameter. Also, if energy saving processing related to PDU session management is selected as the energy saving processing, and energy saving processing related to access and mobility is not selected, and the value of a parameter controllable in the AM policy is not changed as a result of the energy saving processing related to the PDU session management, no update of the AM policy occurs, and the processing of S209 does not need to be executed.

[0112] In S210, the PCF 5 updates the SM policy for the target UE in accordance with the content of the energy saving process selected in S208, and sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message including the updated SM policy to the UE as an instruction to perform the energy saving process. F 6. Receives Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message from PCF 5. Upon receiving the notification, the SMF 6 updates the SM policy for the PDU session included in the target communication service, and as a result, the energy saving processes selected in S208 that are related to the SMF 6 are performed.

[0113] For example, if a PDU session change without interruption is selected as the energy saving process in S208, the PCF 5 updates the SM policy to include the adjusted QoS parameters. For example, if a PDU session change with interruption is selected as the energy saving process in S208, the PCF 5 updates the SM policy to include a UPF switching trigger and information about the UPF after switching. For example, if a PDU session release is selected as the energy saving process in S208, the PCF 5 updates the SM policy to include a PDU session release trigger. Note that if energy saving processes related to access and mobility are selected as the energy saving process and processes related to PDU session management are not selected, no SM policy update for the PDU session of the target communication service occurs, and therefore the process of S210 does not need to be executed.

[0114] It should be noted that, in S208, if the PCF 5 determines not to perform the energy saving process for the target communication service, the processes of S209 and S210 are not performed.

[0115] <Third embodiment> In the third embodiment, the NFs that execute the service-impact-based determination process are the SMF 6 and the AMF 7. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of performing the energy-saving process according to the third embodiment.

[0116] The processes from S301 to S307 are the same as those from S201 to S207 in FIG. 7 and 8, in this example, it is assumed that the execution of the energy saving process is determined as a result of the energy saving process execution determination process for the target communication service in S305.

[0117] In S308, the PCF 5 transmits the energy saving process execution notification included in the Npcf_AMPolicyAuthorization Create / Update message received from the ECCF 9 in S306 to the AMF 7 by using the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message. , the PCF 5 receives the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization from the ECCF 9 in S307. The energy saving process execution notification included in the Create / Update message is sent to SMF 6 using the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message.

[0118] In S311, the AMF 7 executes a service impact-based determination process for the target communication service (FIG. 6). In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the target communication service does not satisfy the service impact avoidance condition (FIG. 6, OP12: NO), the implementation of energy saving processing is decided, and, for example, either the energy saving processing for access or mobility is selected based on the impact tolerance of the target communication service and the service impact level of the energy saving processing (FIG. 6, OP13 to OP15). Note that, if there is insufficient service attribute information of the target communication service used in the service impact-based determination process, the AMF 7 may acquire the missing service attribute information from the UDM 2.

[0119] In S312, the AMF 7 updates the AM policy for the target UE so as to include a trigger for energy saving processing for the access and mobility selected in S311, and thereafter performs energy saving processing for the selected access and mobility for the target UE in accordance with the updated AM policy (FIG. 6, OP16). In this case, an instruction to perform energy saving processing is transmitted from the service impact determination unit 11 of the AMF 7 to the functional component that performs energy saving processing for the selected access and mobility. Note that, if it is determined in S311 that energy saving processing will not be performed for the target communication service, the processing of S312 is not performed.

[0120] In S314, the SMF 6 executes a service impact-based determination process for the target communication service (FIG. 6). In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the target communication service does not satisfy the service impact avoidance condition (FIG. 6, OP12: NO), a determination is made to implement energy saving processing, and, for example, one of the energy saving processing processes for the PDU session is selected based on the impact tolerance of the target communication service and the service impact level of the energy saving processing (FIG. 6, OP13 to OP15). Note that if there is insufficient service attribute information for the target communication service used in the service impact-based determination process, the SMF 6 may acquire the missing service attribute information from the UDM 2.

[0121] In S315, the SMF 6 updates the SM policy for the target PDU session in accordance with the energy saving process related to the management of the PDU session selected in S314, and thereafter executes the selected energy saving process in accordance with the updated SM policy (FIG. 6, OP16). In this case, an instruction to execute the energy saving process is sent from the service impact determination unit 11 of the SMF 6 to the functional component that executes the selected energy saving process. The updated content of the SM policy is the same as the updated content of the SM policy of the PCF 5 in the second embodiment. Note that if it is determined in S314 that the energy saving process will not be executed for the target communication service, the processing of S315 is not executed.

[0122] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure can be modified and implemented as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the disclosure.

[0123] The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0124] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0125] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1··AF 2. UDM 3··NEF 4. UDR 5··PCF 6··SMF 7. AMF 8··NWDAF 9··ECCF 11. Service Impact Assessment Unit 50··UE 100 Communication Systems 101 Processor 102 Memory 103...Auxiliary storage device 104··Communications Department 110 Information processing device

Claims

1. determining not to perform the first process for a first communication service when the first communication service satisfies a first condition related to the communication service that is a target for avoiding an influence of the first process for saving energy on the network; When the first communication service does not satisfy the first condition, determining to perform the first process for the first communication service and executing a predetermined process related to the first process; To execute An information processing device including a control unit.

2. the first condition includes one or more conditions related to attributes of the communication service; the control unit determines whether the first communication service satisfies at least one of one or more conditions included in the first condition based on attribute information related to the first communication service. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The one or more conditions regarding the attributes of the communication service include whether the user is a priority user, whether the service is a priority service, whether the service is an emergency service, the aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) of traffic related to the user, a network slice, a DNN (Data Network Name), QoS flow parameters, and a PDU session parameter. a condition regarding at least one of the parameters, The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The conditions regarding the QoS flow parameters include conditions regarding at least one of 5G QoS Identifier, Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP), GBR / non-GBR, and Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate (GFBR), The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The conditions regarding the PDU session parameters include conditions regarding at least one of a PDU session type, an SSC mode, an IP address, and an IP prefix. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The first process includes at least one of modifying a PDU session, releasing a PDU session, deactivating a PDU session, refusing to register the UE to the network, deregistering the UE from the network, and refusing to handover the UE. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The control unit When it is determined to perform the first process, determining whether or not the first communication service can tolerate an effect of the first process; executing the predetermined process related to the first process when the first communication service can tolerate the effect of the execution of the first process; changing the content of the first process when the first communication service cannot tolerate an effect caused by the execution of the first process; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. The control unit determines whether the first communication service can tolerate an effect caused by the execution of the first process based on a tolerance level of the effect caused by the execution of the first process of the first communication service. and judge it. The information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. the control unit determines a tolerance level of an effect of the first communication service due to the execution of the first process based on attribute information related to the first communication service. The information processing device according to claim 8 .

10. When there are a plurality of types of the first process, the control unit selects the first process to be performed based on an amount of reduction in energy consumption due to the execution of the first process or a degree of impact on communication services due to the execution of the first process. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. the information processing device operates as an EECF (Energy Efficiency Control Function), an NEF (Network Exposure Function), or an NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function); the control unit transmits an instruction to execute the first process to a PCF (Policy Control Function) as the predetermined process related to the first process; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. The control unit determining a reduction in energy consumption for the first communication service; when it is determined that the amount of energy consumption of the first communication service should be reduced, it is determined whether or not the first communication service satisfies the first condition; The information processing device according to claim 11.

13. The information processing device operates as a PCF (Policy Control Function), The control unit transmits an instruction to execute the first process to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and a Session Management Function (SMF), as the predetermined process related to the first process. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

14. The information processing device operates as an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function). Made, The control unit performs at least one of refusing to register the UE with the network, deregistering the UE with the network, and refusing to hand over the UE, as the predetermined process related to the first process. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

15. The information processing device operates as an SMF (Session Management Function), The control unit performs at least one of modifying, releasing, and deactivating one or more PDU sessions included in the first communication service as the predetermined processing related to the first processing. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

16. The control unit When another NF determines that the amount of energy consumption of the first communication service is reduced, the NF determines whether the first communication service satisfies the first condition. The information processing device according to claim 13.

17. The computer determining not to perform the first process for a first communication service when the first communication service satisfies a first condition related to the communication service that is a target for avoiding an influence of the first process for saving energy on the network; When the first communication service does not satisfy the first condition, determining to perform the first process for the first communication service and executing a predetermined process related to the first process; A method comprising:

18. the first condition includes one or more conditions related to attributes of the communication service; the computer determines whether the first communication service satisfies the first condition based on attribute information related to the first communication service; 18. The method of claim 17.

19. The first process includes at least one of modifying a PDU session, releasing a PDU session, deactivating a PDU session, refusing to register the UE to the network, deregistering the UE from the network, and refusing to handover the UE.

18. The method of claim 17.

20. The computer When it is determined to perform the first process, determining whether or not the first communication service can tolerate an effect of the first process; executing the predetermined process related to the first process when the first communication service can tolerate the effect of the execution of the first process; changing the content of the first process when the first communication service cannot tolerate an effect caused by the execution of the first process; 18. The method of claim 17.

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