Communication control method and communication system

Abstract

To make it possible to grasp whether target communication meets conditions related to energy consumption.SOLUTION: A communication control method causes a first device to receive information including conditions related to energy consumed in communication using a network, and the first device to send, to the source of the information, information that is based on a result of determining whether or not the communication satisfies the conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication control method and a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology for dynamically allocating data processing in accordance with the power generated by renewable energy in a plurality of data centers (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-189845 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a communication control method and a communication system that make it possible to determine whether a target communication satisfies a condition regarding energy consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a communication control method including: a first device receiving information including conditions regarding energy consumed in communication using a network; and the first device transmitting information to a source of the information based on a determination result as to whether the communication satisfies the conditions.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a communication system including a first device, wherein the first device includes a circuit that performs the following processes: receiving information including conditions regarding energy consumed in communication using a network; and transmitting information to a sender of the information based on a determination result as to whether the communication satisfies the conditions.

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure may include at least one of a device corresponding to the first device and the second device in the above-described communication system, a program, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether the target communication satisfies the conditions regarding energy consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first operation example of the communication system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second operation example of the communication system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second operation example of the communication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the communication control method according to the embodiment, a first device performs communication using a network. receiving information including a condition regarding energy to be consumed; and transmitting information based on the determination result as to whether or not the communication satisfies the condition to the transmission source. It becomes possible to grasp.

[0011] The network is, for example, a 5G network, but may also be a cellular network other than a 5G network (such as a 4G (LTE) network or a 6G network). The network may also include a wireless network other than a cellular network (such as a wireless LAN (including Wi-Fi)).

[0012] Energy-related conditions include, for example, conditions regarding energy consumption (EC), conditions regarding energy efficiency (EE), and conditions regarding renewable energy. The condition is at least one of the conditions related to the use of energy. The condition may be a single condition or a composite condition consisting of two or more conditions. Renewable energy includes natural energy such as sunlight, solar heat, wind power, tidal power, and geothermal power, biomass energy, and recycled energy such as waste-to-energy power generation. Information related to renewable energy includes information indicating the amount of renewable energy and information indicating the utilization rate of renewable energy. The values ​​indicating the amount or utilization rate of EE, EC, and renewable energy may be current values ​​or future values ​​(predicted values ​​or estimated values).

[0013] The "information based on the determination result" may include at least one of information indicating whether the communication satisfies a condition related to energy consumption and information indicating whether the communication satisfies a condition related to energy efficiency. The "information based on the determination result" may include information indicating whether the communication satisfies a condition related to the use of renewable energy.

[0014] If the communication does not satisfy the condition or will not satisfy the condition in the future, the information based on the determination result by the first device may include information indicating an alternative communication that satisfies the condition. The information indicating the alternative communication may include information indicating an alternative quality parameter in which the quality parameter for the communication is relaxed so that the condition is satisfied.

[0015] When the communication does not satisfy the energy-related conditions or will not satisfy the conditions in the future, the information based on the determination result may include at least one of information indicating the amount of energy consumption when the quality parameter of the communication is relaxed and information indicating the energy efficiency based on the amount of consumption. The quality parameter may be, for example, a QoS (Quality of Service) parameter. The quality parameter may also be a QoS parameter that realizes QoE (Quality of Experience). The quality parameter may be, for example, a through The units of "communication" include, but are not limited to, UE (User Equipment), PDU session, network function (NF), network slice, or site.

[0016] Furthermore, when communication does not satisfy the energy-related condition or will not satisfy the condition in the future, the information based on the determination result may include information indicating a time period in which the condition will be satisfied.

[0017] The communication control method may further include the second device receiving information indicating a quality parameter of the communication from the first device; the second device acquiring at least one of information indicating the amount of energy used by the communication using the quality parameter, information indicating energy efficiency based on the amount of energy, and information regarding the use of renewable energy in the amount of energy; and the first device determining whether the communication using the quality parameter satisfies a condition based on at least one of the information indicating the amount of energy, information indicating energy efficiency, and information regarding the use of renewable energy.

[0018] The communication control method includes: when it is determined that the communication does not satisfy the condition, the first device controls the communication; The method may further include transmitting information indicating a relaxed quality parameter in which the quality parameter is relaxed to a second device; the second device acquiring at least one of information indicating the amount of energy used by the communication using the relaxed quality parameter, information indicating energy efficiency based on the amount of energy, and information regarding the use of renewable energy in the amount of energy; and the first device determining whether the communication using the relaxed quality parameter satisfies the condition based on at least one of the information indicating the amount of energy, information indicating energy efficiency, and information regarding the use of renewable energy.

[0019] The communication control method may further include, when it is determined that communication using the relaxed quality parameter satisfies the condition, the first device transmitting information based on the determination result, including information indicating the relaxed quality parameter.

[0020] The communication control method may further include, when the network state changes, the first device transmitting information indicating the change in the network state to a source of the information.

[0021] A communication system and a communication control method according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0022] <Communication system configuration> FIG. 1A shows components that make up a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G network). In FIG. 1A, UE (User Equipment) 2 is a terminal of a user (subscriber). RAN (Radio Access Network) 3 is an access network to a 5G core network (5GC). RAN 3 is composed of a base station (gNB) 3A. The 5G network consists of a 5GC (5GC) and an access network ((R)AN), and UE 2, DN 5, and AL 12 are connected to the 5G network. Each of NFs 11a to 11k is a function realized by, for example, one or more computers (information processing devices) executing a program.

[0023] 5GC is composed of a set of components (called network nodes) with specific functions called NFs (Network Functions). Figure 1A shows the following NFs 11 that make up 5GC: UPF (User Plane Function) 11a AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function)11b SMF (Session Management Function)11c PCF(Policy Control Function)11d NEF(Network Exposure Function)11e NRF(Network Repository Function)11g NSSF(Network Slice Selection Function)11h AUSF(Authentication Server Function)11i UDM(Unified Data Management)11j NWDAF(Network Data Analytics Function)11k

[0024] The UPF 11a performs routing and forwarding of user packets (user plane packets sent and received by the UE 2), packet inspection, and QoS processing. The AMF 11b is a device that accommodates the UE 2 in the 5GC area. The AMF 11b accommodates the RAN 3 and performs subscriber authentication control and UE 2 location (mobility) management. The UDM 11j provides subscriber information, or acquires, registers, deletes, and changes the status of the UE 2.

[0025] The SMF 11c manages a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session and controls the UPF 11a to implement QoS control and policy control. The PDU session is a virtual communication path for transmitting and receiving data between the UE 2 and a DN (Data Network) 5. The DN 5 is a data network outside of 5GC (such as the Internet).

[0026] The PCF 11d performs QoS control, policy control, and billing control under the control of the SMF 11c. QoS control involves controlling the quality of communication, such as priority packet forwarding. Policy control involves controlling communication, such as QoS based on network or subscriber information, whether packet forwarding is possible, and billing. The NEF 11e controls functions such as the AF (Application Function) 12. It acts as an intermediary for communication between external nodes and nodes within the control plane. AF12 is an information processing device (external server, external terminal, etc.) that implements applications outside of 5GC.

[0027] The NRF 11g stores and manages information about NFs (e.g., AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.) within the 5GC. In response to an inquiry about an NF desired to be used, the NRF 11g can return multiple NF candidates to the inquiry source.

[0028] The NSSF11h has the function of selecting the network slice to be used by the subscriber from among the network slices generated by network slicing. A network slice is a virtual network with specifications according to the application.

[0029] The AUSF 11i is a subscriber authentication server that performs subscriber authentication under the control of the AMF 11b. The UDM 11j is a database that stores subscriber-related information. The NWDAF 11k is an NF that has the function of collecting and analyzing data from each NF 11, the OAM terminal 8 (Figure 1B), the AF 12, etc., and provides network analysis information.

[0030] Each NF forming 5GC is composed of one or more information processing devices (general-purpose devices or appliances (dedicated devices)). Information processing devices are installed in special buildings called data centers. Data centers are also called station buildings. As shown in Figure 1B, one or more data centers 6 are placed within the communication area of ​​5GC (Figure 1B shows an example of 3), and data centers 6 are connected by communication lines 7. Each data center 6 is provided with an OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) terminal 8. The OAM terminal 8 has the function of operating, managing, and maintaining the network (5GC).

[0031] In 5GC, multiple NFs of the same type may be prepared. For example, an NF 11 may be prepared for each data center 6. Also, one NF 11 may be shared between data centers 6. Also, multiple NFs 11 of the same type may be configured in one data center 6. The number of data centers 6, the number of NFs 11, and the correspondence between the NFs 11 and the data centers 6 may be set as appropriate.

[0032] <Configuration of information processing device> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device that can operate as each of the UE 2, NFs 11a to 11k, OAM terminal 8, and AF 12. In Fig. 3, the information processing device 20 can be configured using a dedicated or general-purpose information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a server machine. However, the information processing device 20 may also be a collection (cloud) of one or more computers.

[0033] The information processing device 20 includes a processor 21 as a processing unit or control unit (controller), a storage device 22, a communication interface 23 (communication IF23), an input device 24, and a display 25, which are interconnected via a bus 26.

[0034] The storage device 22 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device has a storage area for programs and data, a program development area, a program work area, and a communication data buffer. The main storage device is used as at least one of the following: a buffer area, a main storage device (RAM), a main storage device (ROM), a main storage device (SSD), a main storage device (SRAM), a main storage device (SRAM), a main storage device (SRAM), a main storage device (SRAM), a main storage device (SRAM), a main storage device (SSD ...

[0035] The communication IF 23 is a circuit that performs communication processing. For example, the communication IF 23 is a network interface card (NIC). The communication IF 23 may also be a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication (5G, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), BLE, etc.). F23 may be a combination of a circuit that performs wired communication processing and a wireless communication circuit.

[0036] The input device 24 includes keys, buttons, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input information. The display 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc., and displays information and data.

[0037] The processor 21 performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the storage device 22. When the processor 21 executes the programs stored in the storage device 22, the information processing device 20 can operate as each of the UE 2, NFs 11a to 11k, OAM terminal 8, and AF 12 (external server).

[0038] The processor 21 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU). A CPU is also called a Microprocessor Unit (MPU). The processor 21 may have a single processor configuration or a multi-processor configuration. Furthermore, a single physical CPU connected via a single socket may have a multi-core configuration. The processor 21 may include an arithmetic unit with various circuit configurations, such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Furthermore, the processor 21 may have a configuration in which it cooperates with at least one of an integrated circuit (IC), other digital circuit, and analog circuit. The integrated circuit may be an LSI, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a programmable logic circuit (PLC). The PLD includes, for example, a CPLD and a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The processor 21 is, for example, a microcontroller. This also includes what are called MCUs, SoCs (System-on-a-chips), system LSIs, chipsets, etc. The entities that execute the processes of the above-mentioned processor 21, ASICs, PLDs, MCUs, SoCs, chipsets, etc. are examples of "circuitry."

[0039] <First operation example> FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system. The AF 12 connected to the 5GC transmits a request message to the NEF 11e at an appropriate timing (FIG. 3). <1> The request message includes QoS parameters to be used (set) for communication in a specific communication unit (UE, PDU session, NF, site, or network slice), information indicating energy conditions, and a negotiation flag (information to prompt the generation and transmission of a reply).

[0040] The request message is an example of "information including conditions related to energy consumed in communication using a network." The energy conditions are an example of "conditions related to energy consumed in communication using a network."

[0041] The QoS parameters may include, but are not limited to, parameters specifying throughput, error rate, delay, etc. The energy conditions include EE, It includes conditions regarding at least one of EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate.

[0042] EC, for example, indicates the amount of energy utilized to achieve the purpose of a particular system. EC can be expressed in joules [J], watt-hours (Wh, or watts per second [Ws]). EE also indicates the relationship between energy consumption (EC) and useful output (EE = output / EC). When renewable energy is used for energy, the EC value is EC = EC(renewable) + EC(non-renewable), and the EC value for renewable energy is It is expressed as the sum of EC and EC related to non-renewable energy. The renewable energy ratio (RER) is expressed as RER = EC(renewable) / (EC(renewable) + EC(non-renewable)).

[0043] As mentioned above, EE is the ratio of output (e.g., transmitted data volume) to power consumption (EC). EE can be improved by increasing the amount of data transmitted with the same power, reducing power consumption with the same data volume, or increasing or decreasing both data and power so that the data ratio is higher. Increasing RER can also decrease EE. For example, even though NFs can be aggregated at the same site, NFs may be selected from different sites to take advantage of renewable energy sources. This selection has merit from the perspective of the core network. For this reason, there are users who are willing to sacrifice a small amount of EE in favor of RER.

[0044] In this way, the energy conditions (energy-related conditions) can include at least one of conditions related to the amount of energy consumed (EC conditions) and conditions related to energy efficiency based on the amount of energy consumed (EE conditions). Furthermore, the energy conditions can include conditions related to the amount of renewable energy and conditions related to the renewable energy rate (RER) as conditions related to the use of renewable energy in communications.

[0045] The energy condition can be set for one or more selected from EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate (RER: renewable energy utilization rate). Priorities can be set for two or more selected from EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate (e.g., EE priority, EC priority, RER priority, etc.). For example, if a condition of a predetermined priority (e.g., first priority) is satisfied, the energy condition can be determined to be satisfied even if a condition of a lower priority is not satisfied. Of course, the energy condition can also be determined to be satisfied when all of multiple conditions included in the energy condition are satisfied. The EE condition can be set, for example, as a required amount of power per unit bit. The EC condition can be set, for example, as a condition that is equal to or less than a predetermined amount of power. The renewable energy rate condition can be set as a required renewable energy rate (e.g., 50% or more). A composite condition can also be set that combines two or more conditions selected from EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate. The energy conditions used may be those set at the time of signing a contract for the provision of communication services, or may be those set dynamically.

[0046] The NEF11e converts the request message from the AF12 into a format within the 5GC and sends it to the NWDAF11k (Figure 3 <2> Instead of the NWDAF 11k, one or more new NFs 11 may be applied to process requests from the AF 12 (NEF 11e). Instead of the NWDAF 11k, one or more existing NFs 11 (for example, PCF 11d, AMF 11b, SMF 11c, etc.) other than the NWDAF 11k may process requests from the AF 12 (NEF 11e). Alternatively, DAF11k and existing NF11 (and / or new NF11) cooperate to form AF12 (NE F11e) may be processed.

[0047] The NWDAF 11k collects information (energy-related information) for calculating at least one of EE, EC, and renewable energy according to the energy conditions from a predetermined NF 11 and / or an OAM terminal 8. The NWDAF 11k calculates at least one of EE, EC, and renewable energy-related information (amount or rate) according to the energy conditions (FIG. 3 <3> ).

[0048] In more detail, in an embodiment, the operation of the 5G network (5GC1 and RAN3), i.e., part of the electricity required to run the 5G network, can be covered using renewable energy.

[0049] The NWDAF11k operates as a data analyzer and collects energy-related information for the entire 5G network or part of it (UE, PDU session, NF, site, or slice). The energy-related information includes information indicating the usage status of EE, EC, and renewable energy.

[0050] The NWDAF 11k can acquire energy-related information from the NFs 11 (for example, the UPF 11a, the SMF 11c, the AMF 11b, the PCF 11d, and the UDM 11j), the OAM terminal 8, the RAN 3 (base station), the UE 2, and the like.

[0051] The energy-related information is acquired, for example, by receiving information periodically transmitted from a provider device. Alternatively, the NWDAF11k may transmit a request for provision and acquire information transmitted from the provider device in response to the request. The number of provider devices and the range (unit) of energy-related information possessed by the provider device can be set as appropriate. As described above, the range of energy-related information is the entire 5G network or a part of it, for example, a communication unit such as a UE, a PDU session, an NF, a site, or a network slice.

[0052] The NWDAF 11k can use (analyze) the QoS parameters and energy-related information included in the request to calculate (generate) at least one of information indicating the current EE, EC, amount of renewable energy, and renewable energy rate, and information (prediction information) indicating the EE, EC, amount of renewable energy, and renewable energy rate at a future time point. The number of future time points (prediction time points) and the time length between prediction time points (elapsed time from the present time) can be set as appropriate. When setting energy conditions, it is possible to set the acquisition of either current information or future information, or the acquisition of both. In the explanation using Figure 3, for simplicity, a case will be explained where only current information is handled.

[0053] The calculation of EE, EC, renewable energy amount and renewable energy rate can be done according to the content of the energy conditions. For example, if conditions for EE and EC are set, EE and EC are calculated and the calculation for renewable energy is omitted.

[0054] The NWDAF 11l calculates the EC when communication is performed according to the QoS parameters for each communication unit, and calculates the EE by dividing the predetermined output for each communication unit by the EC. Furthermore, the NWDAF 11k can also calculate the renewable energy rate from the amount of renewable energy obtained as energy-related information. The NWDAF 11k generates a reply message including at least one of the EE, EC, amount of renewable energy, and renewable energy rate according to the energy conditions, and transmits it to the NEF 11e (see Figure 3). <4> ).

[0055] The NEF 11e determines whether at least one of the EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate included in the reply message satisfies the energy conditions (see FIG. 3). <5> If it is determined that the energy condition is not satisfied, the NEF 11e sends a re-request message to the NEWDAF 11k, which includes QoS parameters whose values ​​are relaxed (relaxed conditions) from the QoS parameters included in the request from the AF 12 (see Figure 3). <6> ).

[0056] Based on the relaxed QoS, NWDAF11k recalculates at least one of EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate (Figure 3 <7> ), generates a reply message including the result of the recalculation and sends it to NEF11e (Figure 3 <8> ).

[0057] When the NEF 11e determines that at least one of the EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate in the request received from the NWDAF 11k satisfies the energy conditions from the AF 12, the NEF 11e generates a response message including information indicating that the energy conditions are satisfied and transmits the response message to the AF 12 (see FIG. 3). <9> ). This allows the user (operator) of the AF 12 to know that the QoS parameters desired to be used in communication satisfy the energy requirements. Then, the NF 11, such as the SMF 11c or the PCF 11d, can set such QoS parameters to the NFs (such as the AMF 11b, the SMF 11c, and the UPF 11a) for communication.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined that at least one of the EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate in the request received from the NWDAF 11k does not satisfy the energy condition from the AF 12, the NEF 11e determines whether the recalculation result received from the NWDAF 11k satisfies the energy condition. If it is determined that the energy condition is satisfied, the NEF 11e can generate a response message including information indicating relaxed QoS parameters and send it to the AF 12 (see FIG. 3). <9> ).

[0059] If the recalculation result does not satisfy the energy requirement, the NEF11e can request a recalculation with further relaxed QoS parameters (Fig. 3 <6> ) Such a loop process is performed, and if the initial QoS parameters do not satisfy the energy condition, the AF 12 can receive information indicating relaxed QoS parameters that satisfy the energy condition from the NEF 11e. If the energy condition cannot be satisfied ultimately, a message indicating that the energy condition cannot be satisfied may be returned to the AF 12.

[0060] In addition, the NEF11e may perform calculations for one or more future points in time regarding at least one of the EE, EC, renewable energy amount, and renewable energy rate according to the energy conditions, determine the time periods when the energy conditions are met, and include the results in a response message to the AF12.

[0061] In addition, NWDAF11k detects changes in the network status (Fig. 3 <10> ), information indicating the state change may be notified to the AF 12 via the NEF 11e (see FIG. 3). <11> ,Figure 3 <12> ) The AF 12 receives a notification of a state change and sends a request message, thereby being able to know whether communication according to the desired QoS parameters is possible in a state that satisfies the energy requirements.

[0062] The first operation example described above can be modified as follows. <3> Based on the calculation results in Figure 5 <5> (NEF11e is shown in Figure 5 <4> Figure 5 <5> If the energy condition is not satisfied, the NWDAF 11k uses the relaxed QoS parameters (pre-stored by the NWDAF 11k) Recalculation of the data (obtained from other NF11 data) (Fig. 5 <7> Then, the NWDAF 11k transmits information indicating relaxed QoS parameters that satisfy the energy condition (alternative QoS parameters) to the NEF 11e, and the NEF 11e transmits information based on the determination result, including the information indicating the relaxed QoS parameters, to the AF 12.

[0063] <Second operation example> 4 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation example of the communication system. In FIG. 4, procedure 1A and procedure 1B are illustrated, and either procedure 1A or procedure 1B is performed. The request received by the NF 11A in <1B-1> in procedure 1B is the same as that in FIG. 3. <1> request (QoS parameters and energy requirements).

[0064] In contrast, in step 1A, NF11A sends a request to UDM11j, and receives the reply from UDM11k as shown in Figure 3. <1> It can receive QoS parameters and energy requirements sent to the NEF11e in the procedure.

[0065] Figure 5 shows the same as Figure 4 <3> The NF 11A can perform the following NF selection, for example. The NRF 11g stores and manages information about the NFs 11 (for example, the AMF 11b, the SMF 11c, the UPF 11a, etc.) in the 5GC. The NF 11A makes an inquiry to the NRF 11g (see FIG. 5). <1> ), multiple NF11 candidates can be obtained from NRF11g ( Figure 5 <2> ).

[0066] The NF 11A sends a request to the NWDAF 11k, which includes QoS parameters, information on multiple candidate NFs, and energy requirements (see FIG. 5). <3> The NWDAF11k collects information on multiple NF candidates and calculates the EC, EE, and renewable energy amount or rate according to the energy conditions for each NF candidate.

[0067] In response, NF11A receives the calculation results for each candidate from NWDAF11k (Figure 5 <5> ) In addition, as shown in Figure 5 above, <1> ~ <5> Instead of the operation shown in FIG. 5, the following operation may be performed. <1> In this case, NF11A performs the following during the request: <3> The NRF 11g, upon receiving the request, sends a request including information on multiple candidate NFs 11, QoS parameters, and energy conditions to the NWDAF 11k. The NWDAF 11k receives the request as shown in FIG. <4> The NRF 11g then returns the calculation results for each candidate to the NRF 11g. The NRF 11g then returns the information on multiple NF 11 candidates and the calculation results for each candidate as shown in Figure 5. <2> In this manner, NF11A may obtain the calculation result for each candidate.

[0068] The NF11A determines whether the calculation results for each candidate satisfy the energy condition (see Figure 5). <6> ) NF11A selects one NF11 from multiple NF11 candidates that satisfy the energy conditions according to a predetermined rule (e.g., minimum EC or maximum RER) (Figure 5 <7> ).

[0069] If there is no candidate that satisfies the energy requirement and it is necessary to relax the QoS to be applied to the communication, the NF 11A transmits a policy change request including information indicating the relaxed QoS parameters to the PCF 11d (see FIG. 5). <8> The PCF 11d sets or updates the necessary policy and charging (PCC) rules according to the relaxed QoS parameters (see FIG. 5). <9> ) By changing the policy, relaxed QoS is applied to the communication. In the second operation example, an example of selecting an NF is shown, but the policy change can be executed regardless of the selection of an NF. For example, the NF 11A can transmit desired QoS parameters and energy conditions to the NWDAF 11k, and receive a reply from the NWDAF 11k indicating that the desired QoS parameters satisfy (or do not satisfy) the energy conditions. In this case, If it is necessary to reflect the parameter in the policy (apply it to the communication), the NF 11A transmits a policy change request to the PCF 11d, and the PCF 11d changes the policy. <1> , <2> and <7> By performing the operations excluding the procedure in (1), it is possible to change the policy based on the QoS parameters and the energy conditions.

[0070] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the communication control method in the communication system of the embodiment, the first device (NEF11e) receives information (a request message including energy conditions) including conditions related to energy consumed in communication using the network (5GC). The first device (NEF11e) also transmits information (a response message) based on a determination result of whether or not the communication satisfies the energy conditions to the information sender (AF12). This enables the AF12 to determine whether or not the energy conditions are satisfied in communication in which desired QoS parameters are set for a predetermined communication unit. In other words, it becomes possible to determine whether the target communication satisfies the conditions related to energy consumption.

[0071] The energy-related conditions may include at least one of conditions related to energy consumption (EC conditions) and conditions related to energy efficiency based on the consumption (EE conditions). The energy-related conditions may also include conditions related to the use of renewable energy in communications (renewable energy amount, renewable energy rate).

[0072] The information based on the determination result (a response message to the AF 12) may include information indicating whether the communication satisfies the energy-related conditions. The response message to the AF 12 may also include at least one of information indicating whether the communication satisfies the EC-related conditions and information indicating whether the communication satisfies the EE-related conditions. The response message to the AF 12 may also include information indicating whether the communication satisfies the renewable energy usage conditions.

[0073] According to the communication control method of the embodiment, when communication does not satisfy the energy condition or will not satisfy the energy condition in the future, information based on the determination result (a response message to the AF 12) can include information indicating alternative communication that satisfies the energy condition. For example, the information indicating the alternative communication can include information indicating alternative quality parameters (QoS parameters) in which quality parameters (QoS parameters) related to communication are relaxed so that the energy condition is satisfied.

[0074] According to the communication control method of the embodiment, when the communication does not satisfy the energy conditions or will not satisfy the conditions in the future, the information based on the judgment result can include at least one of information indicating the energy consumption (EC) when the quality parameters (QoS parameters) related to the communication are relaxed, information indicating the energy efficiency (EE) based on the consumption, and information regarding the use of renewable energy in the communication.

[0075] According to the communication control method of the embodiment, when communication does not satisfy the energy conditions or will not satisfy the energy conditions in the future, information based on the judgment result can include information indicating the time period in which the energy conditions are satisfied.

[0076] According to the communication control method of the embodiment, the second device (NWDAF 11k) receives information indicating quality parameters (QoS parameters) of communication from the first device (NEF 11e). The second device (NWDAF 11k) receives information indicating the amount of energy (EC) used by communication using the quality parameters (QoS parameters), and an energy control method based on the amount of energy. The first device (NEF11e) or the second device (NWDAF11k) acquires at least one of information indicating an energy efficiency (EC) and information on the use of renewable energy in the amount of energy (amount of renewable energy, renewable energy rate). Then, the first device (NEF11e) or the second device (NWDAF11k) can determine whether communication using QoS parameters satisfies energy conditions based on at least one of the information indicating the EC, the information indicating the EE, and the information on the use of renewable energy.

[0077] According to the communication control method of the embodiment, when it is determined that communication does not satisfy the energy condition, the first device (NEF 11e) transmits information indicating a relaxed quality parameter (relaxed QoS parameter) to the second device (NWDAF 11k). The second device (NWDAF 11k) acquires (calculates) at least one of information indicating the EC used in the communication using the relaxed quality parameter, information indicating the EE, and information on the use of renewable energy. Then, the first device (NEF 11e) determines whether the communication using the relaxed quality parameter satisfies the energy condition based on at least one of the information indicating the EC, the information indicating the EE, and the information on the use of renewable energy. When it is determined that the communication using the relaxed quality parameter satisfies the energy condition, the first device (NEF 11e) transmits information based on the determination result, including information indicating the relaxed quality parameter. In this way, when the energy condition is not satisfied, an alternative QoS parameter can be indicated.

[0078] According to the communication control method of the embodiment, when the state of the network (5GC) changes, the first device (NEF11e) can transmit information indicating the change in the state of the network to the source of the information (AF12).

[0079] The above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0080] 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 one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0081] 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 any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as any type of disk, including magnetic disks (e.g., floppy disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), etc.), optical disks (e.g., CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray disks), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic cards, flash memory, or optical cards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 2···UE, 3···RAN, 11a to 11k···NF, 12···AF, 21···Processor, 22···Storage device

Claims

1. receiving, by a first device, information including a condition regarding energy consumed in communication using a network; the first device transmitting, to a source of the information, information based on a determination result as to whether the communication satisfies the condition; A communication control method including:

2. The energy-related conditions include at least one of a condition regarding the amount of energy consumed and a condition regarding energy efficiency based on the amount of energy consumed. The communication control method according to claim 1 .

3. The energy-related conditions include conditions regarding the use of renewable energy in the communication.

3. The communication control method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The information based on the determination result includes information indicating whether the communication satisfies the energy-related condition. The communication control method according to claim 1 .

5. the information based on the determination result includes at least one of information indicating whether the communication satisfies a condition related to the amount of energy consumption and information indicating whether the communication satisfies a condition related to energy efficiency; The communication control method according to claim 2 .

6. The information based on the determination result includes information indicating whether the communication satisfies the condition regarding the use of renewable energy. The communication control method according to claim 3.

7. When the communication does not satisfy the condition or will not satisfy the condition in the future, the information based on the determination result includes information indicating an alternative communication that satisfies the condition. The communication control method according to claim 1 .

8. The information indicating the alternative communication includes information indicating an alternative quality parameter in which a quality parameter related to the communication is relaxed so that the condition is satisfied. The communication control method according to claim 7.

9. When the communication does not satisfy the condition or will not satisfy the condition in the future, the information based on the determination result includes at least one of information indicating the energy consumption amount when a quality parameter related to the communication is relaxed, information indicating energy efficiency based on the consumption amount, and information regarding the use of renewable energy in the communication. The communication control method according to claim 1 .

10. When the communication does not satisfy the condition or will not satisfy the condition in the future, the information based on the determination result includes information indicating a time period in which the condition will be satisfied. The communication control method according to claim 1 .

11. a second device receiving information indicative of a quality parameter of the communication from the first device; The second device acquires at least one of information indicating an amount of energy used by communication using the quality parameter, information indicating energy efficiency based on the amount of energy, and information regarding the use of renewable energy in the amount of energy; The first device determines whether communication using the quality parameter satisfies the condition based on at least one of the information indicating the amount of energy, the information indicating the energy efficiency, and the information regarding the use of renewable energy; and The communication control method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

12. When it is determined that the communication does not satisfy the condition, the first device transmits, to the second device, information indicating a relaxed quality parameter obtained by relaxing the quality parameter of the communication; The second device acquires at least one of information indicating an amount of energy used by communication using the relaxed quality parameter, information indicating energy efficiency based on the amount of energy, and information regarding the use of renewable energy in the amount of energy; The first device determines whether communication using the relaxed quality parameter satisfies the condition based on at least one of the information indicating the amount of energy, the information indicating the energy efficiency, and the information regarding the use of renewable energy; and The communication control method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

13. When it is determined that the communication using the relaxed quality parameter satisfies the condition, the first device transmits information based on the determination result, the information including information indicating the relaxed quality parameter. The communication control method according to claim 12, further comprising:

14. the first device further comprising, when the state of the network changes, transmitting information indicating the change in the state of the network to a source of the information. The communication control method according to claim 1 .

15. 1. A communication system including a first device, The first device includes a circuit that receives information including a condition related to energy consumed in communication using a network, and transmits information based on a determination result of whether the communication satisfies the condition to a source of the information. Communication system.

16. The energy-related conditions include at least one of a condition regarding the amount of energy consumed and a condition regarding energy efficiency based on the amount of energy consumed.

16. The communication system of claim 15.

17. The energy-related conditions include conditions regarding the use of renewable energy in the communication.

17. A communication system according to claim 15 or 16.

18. The information based on the determination result includes information indicating whether the communication satisfies the energy-related condition.

16. The communication system of claim 15.

19. The information based on the determination result includes information indicating whether the communication satisfies the condition regarding the amount of energy consumption and information indicating whether the communication satisfies the condition regarding energy efficiency. and information that 17. The communication system of claim 16.

20. The information based on the determination result includes information indicating whether the communication satisfies the condition regarding the amount of energy consumption.

18. The communication system of claim 17.

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