Apparatus, system, and method for determining communication paths using energy-related metrics

Abstract

According to various embodiments, an apparatus is described that includes one or more processors configured to: determine packet data unit (PDU) session information for an active packet data unit (PDU) session that includes a user plane (UP) communication path that includes a plurality of active network functions (NFs); determine one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, where each NF of the plurality of NFs has a respective assigned energy-related metric; and generate a message that includes the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method for determining alternative User Plane (UP) communication paths using energy-related metrics in a 5G communication network. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, especially due to global warming and climate change, it is becoming increasingly important to consider and improve the energy efficiency and "energy awareness" of wireless communication networks. It is therefore now becoming increasingly important for communication operators to be able to implement new energy-related policies for 5G (Fifth Generation) communication networks, aiming to meet certain energy-related requirements, such as, for example, minimizing energy consumption, maximizing energy efficiency, maximizing green energy use, and / or ensuring that total carbon emissions are within predefined limits.

[0003] To improve energy awareness in 5GC, it is particularly desirable to improve user plane (UP) traffic routing.

[0004] In the UP, it is further desirable to improve and optimize traffic routing between User Plane Functions (UPFs) connected via the N9 interface as specified by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project).

[0005] Therefore, to improve energy awareness in 5GC, techniques for improving UP traffic routing are desirable. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to various embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes one or more processors configured to: determine packet data unit (PDU) session information for an active PDU session that includes a user plane (UP) communication path that includes a plurality of active network functions (NFs); determine one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, where each NF of the plurality of NFs has a respective assigned energy-related metric; and generate a message that includes the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

[0007] According to various embodiments, there is provided a method for determining one or more alternative user plane (UP) communication paths, the method including: determining packet data unit (PDU) session information for active packet data unit (PDU) sessions involving user plane (UP) communication paths involving a plurality of active network functions (NFs); determining the one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, wherein each NF of the plurality of NFs has a respective assigned energy-related metric; and generating a message including the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

[0008] In the drawings, like reference numbers generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various aspects are described with reference to the following drawings: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100 configured in accordance with 5G (fifth generation) as defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary User Plane Function (UPF). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an example system 300 for receiving energy-related information. [Figure 4] 4 is a flow diagram 400 illustrating a procedure for reconfiguring an UP path according to some aspects. [Figure 5] 5 is a flow diagram 500 illustrating a procedure for reconfiguring a UP path after a request from a user equipment (UE), in accordance with some aspects. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an apparatus 600 according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] 7 is a flow diagram 700 illustrating a method for determining one or more alternative UP communication paths, according to some aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example, specific details and aspects of the present disclosure in which the present invention may be practiced. Other aspects may be utilized, and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Various aspects of the present disclosure are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some aspects of the present disclosure may be combined with one or more other aspects of the present disclosure to form new aspects.

[0011] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

[0012] The terms "at least one" and "one or more" may be understood to include a quantity of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, [...], etc.). The term "plurality" may be understood to include a quantity of two or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, [...], etc.).

[0013] The terms "plurality," "multiple," and "multiple" in this specification and claims expressly refer to a quantity greater than one. Thus, any phrase that refers to a quantity of elements and expressly invokes the foregoing words (e.g., "plurality of elements," "multiple elements") expressly refers to two or more of said elements. The phrases "group," "set," "collection," "series," "sequence," "grouping," and the like, when used in this specification and claims, refer to a quantity greater than one, i.e., one or more. The phrases "appropriate subset," "adjusting subset," and "smaller subset" refer to a subset of a set that is not equal to the set, illustratively referring to a subset of a set that contains fewer elements than the set.

[0014] The phrase "at least one" with respect to a group of elements may be used herein to mean at least one element from the group that includes the elements. For example, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a group of elements may be used herein to mean one of the listed elements, one of a plurality of the listed elements, a plurality of individual listed elements, or a selection of a plurality of individual listed elements.

[0015] For example, the terms "processor" or "controller" as used herein may be understood as any type of technical entity that enables processing of data. The data may be processed according to one or more specific functions performed by the processor or controller. Furthermore, a processor or controller as used herein may be understood as any type of circuit, for example, any type of analog or digital circuit, and may also be referred to as a "processing circuit," a "processing circuitry," among others. A processor or controller may therefore be or include an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a mixed-signal circuit, a logic circuit, a processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., or any combination thereof. Any other type of implementation of the respective functions described in further detail below may also be understood as a processor, controller, or logic circuit. It is understood that any two (or more) of the processors, controllers, or logic circuits detailed herein may, among other things, be implemented as a single entity with equivalent functionality, and conversely, any single processor, controller, or logic circuit detailed herein may, among other things, be implemented as two (or more) separate entities with equivalent functionality.

[0016] Unless explicitly specified, the term “transmit” encompasses both direct (point-to-point) transmission and indirect transmission (via one or more intermediate points). Similarly, the term “receive” encompasses both direct and indirect reception. Furthermore, the terms “transmit,” “receive,” “communicate,” and other similar terms encompass both physical transmission (e.g., transmission of radio signals) and logical transmission (e.g., transmission of digital data via a logical software-level connection). For example, a processor or controller may send or receive data in the form of radio signals to another processor or controller via a software-level connection, with the physical transmission and reception being handled by radio layer components such as an RF transceiver and antenna, and the logical transmission and reception via a software-level connection being performed by the processor or controller. The term “communicate” encompasses either or both transmission and reception, i.e., unidirectional or bidirectional communication in either or both the inbound and outbound directions.

[0017] The term "calculating" encompasses both "direct" calculation via a mathematical expression / formula / relation and "indirect" calculation via lookup tables or hash tables and other array indexing or searching operations. The term "determining" encompasses both "direct" determination via a mathematical expression / formula / relation and "indirect" determination via lookup tables or hash tables and other array indexing or searching operations.

[0018] Various examples corresponding to aspects of the present disclosure are described below.

[0019] Example 1 is an apparatus including one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to: determine packet data unit (PDU) session information for an active PDU session including a user plane (UP) communication path including a plurality of active network functions (NFs); determine one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, each NF of the plurality of NFs having a respective assigned energy-related metric; and generate a message including the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

[0020] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include wherein the apparatus further includes a transmitter configured to send the message to a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0021] In Example 3, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 or 2 may optionally include wherein the apparatus further includes a transmitter configured to send the message to a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0022] In Example 4, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 3 may optionally include the multiple NFs including multiple user plane functions (UPFs).

[0023] In Example 5, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 4 may optionally include, wherein the energy-related metrics include at least one metric from the group consisting of an energy consumption metric, an energy efficiency metric, a carbon emissions metric, and a green energy use (consumption) metric.

[0024] In Example 6, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have at least one of the energy-related metrics at a minimum.

[0025] In Example 7, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have at most at least one of the energy-related metrics.

[0026] In Example 8, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have at least one of the energy-related metrics within a predefined range.

[0027] In Example 9, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have one or more of the energy-related metrics at a minimum, a maximum, and / or within a predefined range.

[0028] In Example 10, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-9 may optionally include: the message including a set of traffic steering policies, each traffic steering policy including at least one alternative UP communication path, the at least one alternative UP communication path including a chain of NFs and a unique identifier.

[0029] In Example 11, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 10 may optionally include the apparatus further comprising a receiver configured to receive energy-related information, and the energy-related metric is based on the (received) energy-related information.

[0030] In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 may optionally include the receiver being configured to receive energy-related information from an Operations, Administration, and Management (OAM) system and / or from a Network Repository Function (NRF).

[0031] In Example 13, the subject matter of any one of Examples 11 or 12 may optionally include the receiver being configured to receive the energy-related information from the network analysis function.

[0032] In Example 14, the subject matter described in any one of Examples 11 to 13 may optionally include the energy-related information including information regarding carrier policies regarding energy and energy consumption (and / or including additional energy-related carrier policies).

[0033] In Example 15, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-14 may optionally include the one or more processors further configured to determine, in response to the trigger event, one or more alternative UP communication paths using the energy-related metric.

[0034] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 may further include the trigger event being (at least) one of a PDU session establishment request from a wireless communication terminal device, a request from a carrier, expiration of a periodic timer, a change in a carrier energy policy, a change in an energy-related metric, and a change in traffic load of one or more NFs of the plurality of NFs.

[0035] In Example 17, the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 16 may optionally include the one or more processors configured to operate in a 5G wireless communication network.

[0036] Example 18 is a system including an apparatus according to the subject matter of any one of Examples 1 to 17, and including a Session Management Function (SMF) (e.g., implemented by an (SMF) processor, an (SMF) structure, and / or an (SMF) entity) configured to receive a message from the apparatus, determine an alternative UP communication path from one or more alternative UP communication paths, and reconfigure a PDU session according to the determined alternative UP communication path.

[0037] In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 may optionally include: the message received by the SMF includes a set of traffic steering policies, each traffic steering policy including at least one alternative UP communication path, the alternative UP communication path including a chain of NFs and a unique identifier.

[0038] In Example 20, the subject matter of any one of Examples 18 or 19 may optionally include, where the multiple NFs include multiple user plane functions (UPFs), and the message received by the SMF includes a set of N9 traffic steering policies, which are traffic steering policies for steering / controlling traffic between the UPFs.

[0039] In Example 21, the subject matter of any one of Examples 18 to 20 optionally includes a Policy Control Function (PCF) (e.g., implemented by a (PCF) processor, a (PCF) structure, and / or a (PCF) entity) configured to receive a further message from the device, the further message including information regarding (energy-related) traffic steering policies and identifying traffic affected by these (energy-related) traffic steering policies; update the received Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules; and send a message to the SMF with the updated PCC rules, wherein the SMF may be further configured to reconfigure the PDU session according to the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths and the updated PCC rules.

[0040] In Example 22, the subject matter of any one of Example 21 may optionally include, where the multiple NFs include multiple user plane functions (UPFs), and the traffic steering policy received by the PCF is an N9 traffic steering policy that is a traffic steering policy for traffic between the UPFs.

[0041] In Example 23, the subject matter of any one of Examples 18 to 22 may optionally include the apparatus being included in an Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) system.

[0042] In Example 24, the subject matter of Example 23 may optionally include the OAM system receiving energy-related information from an electricity supplier.

[0043] In Example 25, the subject matter of any one of Examples 18-22 can optionally include the device being included in (part of) an SMF.

[0044] In Example 26, the subject matter of any one of Examples 18 to 25 may optionally include the system being a 5G communication system.

[0045] Example 27 is a method for determining one or more alternative user plane (UP) communication paths, the method including: determining packet data unit (PDU) session information for an active PDU session including a UP communication path including a plurality of active network functions (NFs); determining the one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, each NF of the plurality of NFs having a respective assigned energy-related metric; and generating a message including the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

[0046] In Example 28, the subject matter of Example 27 may optionally include sending the message to a session management function (SMF).

[0047] In Example 29, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27 or 28 may optionally include sending the message to a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0048] In Example 30, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27 to 29 may optionally include the multiple NFs including multiple user plane functions (UPFs).

[0049] In Example 31, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27 to 30 may optionally include that the energy-related metrics include at least one metric from the group consisting of an energy consumption metric, an energy efficiency metric, a carbon emission metric, and a green energy use (consumption) metric.

[0050] In Example 32, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-31 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have at least one of the energy-related metrics at a minimum.

[0051] In Example 33, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-31 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have at most at least one of the energy-related metrics.

[0052] In Example 34, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-31 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have at least one of the energy-related metrics within a predefined range.

[0053] In Example 35, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-31 may optionally include determining that one or more alternative UP paths have one or more of the energy-related metrics at a minimum, a maximum, and / or within a predefined range.

[0054] In Example 36, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-35 may optionally include: the message including a set of traffic steering policies, each traffic steering policy including at least one alternative UP communication path, the at least one alternative UP communication path including a chain of NFs and a unique identifier.

[0055] In Example 37, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-36 may optionally include receiving energy-related information, and the energy-related metric is based on the received energy-related information.

[0056] In Example 38, the subject matter of Example 37 may optionally include receiving energy-related information from an operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) system and / or from a network repository function (NRF).

[0057] In Example 39, the subject matter of any one of Examples 37 or 38 may optionally include receiving energy-related information from a network analysis function.

[0058] In Example 40, the subject matter of any one of Examples 37-39 may optionally include the energy-related information including information regarding carrier policies regarding energy and energy consumption (and / or including further energy-related carrier policies).

[0059] In Example 41, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-40 may optionally include, in response to a trigger event, determining one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric.

[0060] In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 41 may further include the trigger event being (at least) one of a PDU session establishment request from a wireless communication terminal device, a request from a carrier, expiration of a periodic timer, a change in carrier energy policy, a change in energy-related metrics, and a change in traffic load of one or more NFs of the plurality of NFs.

[0061] In Example 43, the subject matter of any one of Examples 27 to 42 may optionally include, wherein the method is for determining one or more alternative user plane (UP) communication paths in a 5G communication network.

[0062] It should be noted that one or more features of any of the above embodiments may be combined with any one of the other embodiments. In particular, an embodiment described in the context of an apparatus is equally valid for a method, and vice versa.

[0063] According to further embodiments, there are provided a computer program and a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of embodiments 27 to 43 above.

[0064] Various examples are described in more detail below.

[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary (mobile) wireless communication system 100 configured in accordance with 5G (fifth generation) as defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), ie, a 5G wireless communication system.

[0066] In the following, it is assumed that the wireless communication system 100 and the radio access network (RAN) are configured according to 5G radio access technology (5G New Radio). It should be noted that other wireless communication systems and other radio access networks having similar functions to 5G may also be used.

[0067] The exemplary wireless communication system 100 includes a user plane (UP) 110 and a control plane (CP) 120 .

[0068] The UP 110 includes a mobile wireless terminal 112, such as a user equipment (UE) or nano equipment (NE), which constitutes the terminal side of an exemplary wireless communication system 100 described below.

[0069] Furthermore, the UP 110 includes a radio access network (RAN) 114, which may include multiple radio access network nodes, i.e., base stations configured to provide radio access in accordance with 5G radio access technology (5G New Radio). Each radio access network node may provide wireless communication with the mobile wireless terminal 112 over an air interface. It should be noted that the radio access network 114 may include any number of radio access network nodes.

[0070] The UP 110 further includes a number of User Plane Functions (UPFs) 116, which are connected to the RAN 114 via an interface 115 corresponding to the N3 interface (reference point) specified by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). The (chain of) UPFs 116 are connected between them via an interface 117 corresponding to the N9 interface (reference point) specified by 3GPP.

[0071] The UP 110 further includes a data network (DN) 118 (e.g., Internet access). The UPF 116 is connected to the DN 118 via an interface 119. The interface 119 corresponds to the N6 interface (reference point) as specified by 3GPP.

[0072] The control plane 120 of the exemplary wireless communication system 100 includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 122. The AMF 122 is coupled to the mobile wireless terminals 112 and the RAN 114.

[0073] The control plane 120 further includes a session management function (SMF) 124 connected to the UPF 116 via an interface 121 corresponding to the N4 interface (reference point) as specified by 3GPP.

[0074] The control plane 120 further includes a Policy Control Function (PCF) 126 that provides policy rules for the control plane functions. The PCF is connected to the SMF via an interface 123 that corresponds to the N7 interface (reference point) specified by 3GPP.

[0075] The control plane 120 further includes an AF 125 (Application Function), a UDM 127 (Unified Data Management), an AUSF 128 (Authentication Server Function), an NSSF 129 (Network Slice Selection Function), an NSACF 131 (Network Slice-Specific Access Control Function), and an NSSAAF 132 (Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function), all of which may be configured as specified by 3GPP for 5G wireless communication networks and systems.

[0076] Further network functions not shown in FIG. 1 may also be part of the control plane 120, such as, for example, a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) or a Network Repository Function (NRF).

[0077] The core network (5GC) (not shown in FIG. 1 ) may be defined by the control plane 120 along with the UPF 116 and the DN 118 in the user plane 110. The RAN 114, together with the core network, make up the network side of the exemplary wireless communication system 100.

[0078] The exemplary wireless communication system 100 may further include an OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) system (not shown in FIG. 1) implemented, for example, by one or more OAM servers connected to the RAN 114 and the core network.

[0079] The following provides further details about (data) traffic within the UPF 116 connected via an interface 117 in the exemplary wireless communication system 100, which corresponds to the N9 interface (reference point) defined by 3GPP.

[0080] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary user plane function (UPF) 210 in a user plane (UP) 200.

[0081] The user plane 200 of FIG. 2 includes multiple UEs 220, multiple RANs 230, multiple UPFs 210, and multiple DNs 240.

[0082] The multiple UPFs 210 include two intermediate UPFs 222 (I-UPFs), a Branching Point (BP) UPF 224 for multi-homed UEs, and two gating UPFs 226 for UPF service chaining connected to a Lawful Intercept (LI) UPF 228.

[0083] The multiple UPFs 210 further include two Uplink Classifier (UL CL) UPFs 221 for traffic steering and five PDU Session Anchor (PSA) UPFs 223.

[0084] All UPFs of the plurality of UPFs 210 are connected to each other via an interface 225 that corresponds to the N9 interface (reference point) specified by 3GPP.

[0085] The multiple UPFs 210 are connected to multiple RANs 230 via multiple interfaces 227, each corresponding to an N3 interface (reference point) defined by 3GPP, and to DNs 240 via multiple interfaces 229, each corresponding to an N6 interface (reference point) defined by 3GPP.

[0086] Additionally, the UPFs 210 are also connected to the control plane SMF via an N4 interface / reference point (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0087] In the example shown in Figure 2, different UPFs may have different energy requirements, consumption, and efficiency. In particular, some of the UPFs may be powered by fossil energy, while other UPFs may be powered by green / renewable energy.

[0088] For example, the I-UPF 222 may have high power consumption, the BP UPF 224 and the Gating UPF 226 may be powered by green / renewable energy, one of the UL CL UPF 221 and two of the five PSA UPFs 223 may be highly power efficient, the LI UPF may be powered by fossil energy, and two other PSA UPFs may be powered by fossil energy.

[0089] The following provides a detailed description of the implementation of energy-related (energy-based) policies in 5G communication networks, such as minimizing energy consumption, maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing carbon emissions, and / or maximizing green energy use.

[0090] Currently, networks (operators) do not receive sufficiently accurate energy-related information, e.g., information about the type of energy being supplied to different NFs, or about future changes in the electricity supplier's power mix (e.g., within an hour, during the night, etc.).

[0091] FIG. 3 illustrates an example system 300 for receiving energy-related information.

[0092] In the example system 300 of FIG. 3, the OAM system 310 is configured to receive energy-related information 350 directly from different power suppliers 320, 330 and / or from the 5G core network 340, for example, by subscribing to NFs in the 5G core network 340 (e.g., by subscribing to a network analysis function such as an NWDAF).

[0093] 3, power supplier 320 may, for example, use (predominantly) renewable energy, while power supplier 330 may use (predominantly) fossil-based energy to supply the NFs, such as UPFs. Both power suppliers 320 and 330 may further transmit energy-related information 350 to 5G core network 340, for example, indicating the amount and type of energy used to supply the NFs.

[0094] Note that future 3GPP releases are expected to include more energy-related information / metrics for the NFs, especially for the UPF (energy-related information and metrics are included in 3GPP Release 19).

[0095] In the following, we assume that the OAM and / or the operator can provide / receive energy consumption and energy efficiency estimates for each NF.

[0096] It is further assumed that the OAM and / or carrier can provide / receive an estimate of the proportion of renewable energy supplied to each site and can provide / receive an estimate of the carbon emissions of the electricity consumed per site.

[0097] This can be done, for example, via contracts and / or SLAs (Service Level Agreements) between the OAM / carrier and the power supplier. This information, combined with the energy consumption and energy efficiency of each NF, allows the ratio of renewable energy consumption to carbon emissions to be estimated for each NF.

[0098] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram 400 illustrating a procedure for reconfiguring an UP path in accordance with some aspects.

[0099] Flow diagram 400 includes an OAM 410, an NRF 420, new network functions, namely an Energy Manager (or Management) Function (EMF) 430, a PCF 440, an SMF 450, and multiple UPFs 460 (UPF-1, ..., UPF-N).

[0100] It should be noted that the above functionality may all be implemented by an entity, structure, processor, controller, etc.

[0101] At 401, the EMF 430 subscribes to the OAM 410 to obtain carrier policies on energy and energy consumption, for example, policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy ratio, and carbon emissions.

[0102] At 402, the EMF 430 subscribes to the OAM 410 to obtain energy-related information and metrics such as, for example, energy consumption per NF, energy efficiency per NF, renewable energy ratio per site, and carbon emissions per site.

[0103] At 403, the EMF 430 subscribes to the NRF 420 to obtain information about the traffic load of network functions. This information can be used at 406 and 407 when calculating energy efficiency and optimizing UP paths.

[0104] At 404, a trigger event 470 triggers the EMF 430 to initiate a procedure to adjust the UP path and notify the SMF 450 and PCF 440.

[0105] The trigger event may be, for example, expiration of a periodic timer, a request to establish a new PDU session (see FIG. 5), a change in the subscription 401 of the EMF 430 to the OAM 410, i.e., a change in the operator energy policy, a change in the subscription 402 of the EMF 430 to the OAM 410, i.e., a change in energy-related information and metrics, and / or a change in the subscription 403 of the EMF 430 to the NRF 420, i.e., a change in the traffic load of a network function.

[0106] A further trigger event may be, for example, a wide change event in the UP, if the EMF 430 has subscribed to the event, or a change in supplier energy mix or energy policy.

[0107] Additionally, to conserve energy and / or optimize other energy-related metrics, OAM 410 may trigger UP path re-adjustments across the entire network or for portions of the network. OAM 410 may trigger UP path re-adjustments upon determining that some UPFs should be switched off and / or traffic has moved away from some UPFs.

[0108] At 405, in response to a trigger event 470, the EMF 430 obtains information about the (active) PDU sessions from the SMF 450, which indicates, for each PDU session, which UPF is serving the respective PDU session. Using this information, the EMF 430 can build a path (a chain of UPFs) for the (active) PDU sessions.

[0109] At 406, the EMF 430 uses the information received from the OAM 410 at 401 and 402, the information received from the NRF 420 at 403, and the information received from the SMF 450 at 405 to calculate (determine) energy-related information / metrics per UPF (instance), such as, for example, energy efficiency, energy consumption, green / renewable energy ratio (or amount), and / or carbon emissions per UPF (instance).

[0110] In 407, the EMF 430 determines (calculates / optimizes) UP paths for one or more PDU sessions, e.g., for a subset of PDU sessions. The EMF 430 calculation is based on the operator policy received in 401, which determines the (relative) importance of different energy aspects, and the energy-related information of the UPF calculated in 406.

[0111] The EMF 430 is thus configured to determine the UP path / chain of the UPF for a set of PDU sessions.

[0112] Optimization of the UP pathway may be performed by known optimization algorithms and techniques, machine learning / artificial intelligence approaches, and the like.

[0113] After generating the chain of UPF / UP paths in 407, the EMF 430 generates a notification containing a set of N9 traffic steering policies for each / each updated UP path in 408 (the N9 interface specified by 3GPP connects two UPFs to each other), where each traffic policy contains at least a chain of UPFs and a unique ID. As shown in Figure 4, the EMF 430 configures the traffic steering policies in the SMF 450 by sending a new notification "Nsmf_N9TrafficSteeringPolicy."

[0114] At 409, the EMF 410 asks (requests) the PCF 440 to update the set of Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules based on the policies configured at 408. As shown in Figure 4, the EMF 430 sends a new request notification "Npcf_TrafficPathInfluence" to the PCF 440. In this request, the EMF 430 specifies at least one of the N9 traffic steering policies configured in the SMF at 408 and a traffic description that defines the target traffic, i.e., the subset of PDU sessions, affected by the request.

[0115] In 411, based on the information received from the EMF 430 in 408, the PCF 440 derives / updates PCC rules to instruct the SMF 450 on the (re)configuration of the UP path. When updating the PCC rules, the PCF 440 takes into account at least one of the N9 traffic steering policy, the operator's policy, and the service requirements specified in 408. The PCC rules are extended to include the N9 traffic steering policy identifier.

[0116] At 412, the PCF 440 sends the new / updated policy to the SMF 450 using the existing notification / service action "Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify."

[0117] At 413, the SMF 450 implements the determined (optimized) UP path by instructing the UPF using existing notification / service operations.

[0118] When a PCC rule is activated or updated with N9 traffic steering, the SMF 450 sets the forwarding policy in the Forwarding Action Rule (FAR) based on the N9 traffic steering policy ID in the PCC rule. The SMF derives an N4 rule that instructs the UPF to pass traffic through the associated N9 tunnel between UPFs.

[0119] Alternatively to FIG. 4, the EMF 430 may be collocated with an analysis network function such as the OAM 410, SMF 450, or NWDAF instead of being a standalone NF.

[0120] In a further alternative embodiment of Figure 4, the EMF may subscribe to "energy-related" analysis by the NWDAF (expected to be deployed in 3GPP Release 19) to take into account future states of the network.

[0121] Additionally, the EMF 430 may update only a subset of PDU sessions, for example, a subset of PDU sessions determined by the operator, high-bandwidth PDU sessions, long-life PDU sessions, PDU sessions within a particular geographic area, and / or PDU sessions that include a particular UPF.

[0122] Alternatively to FIG. 4, the EMF 430 may indicate (part of) the UP re-routing directly to the SMF 450 without going through the PCF 440.

[0123] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram 500 illustrating a procedure for reconfiguring a UP path after a request from a user equipment (UE), in accordance with some aspects.

[0124] The flow diagram 500 includes an OAM 410, an NRF 420, an EMF 430, a PCF 440, an SMF 450, multiple UPFs 460, and a user equipment (UE) 510.

[0125] Similar to flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, at 501, 502, and 503, EMF 430 receives energy-related information, network energy policy, and NF load information from OAM 410 and NRF 420.

[0126] In the flow diagram 500 of FIG. 5, the triggering event 504 for the EMF 430 is the UE 510 requesting a new PDU session to be established to the SMF 450.

[0127] At 505, the SMF 450 notifies the EMF 430 that the UE 510 is requesting the establishment of a new PDU session and requests that the EMF 430 configure a PDU path for the new PDU session to be established.

[0128] Therefore, in 506, the EMF 430 does not need to request PDU session information from the SMF 450, i.e., 506 is void.

[0129] Similar to the flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, at 507 the EMF 430 calculates the energy information for each UPF (instance) and at 508 optimizes the newly requested PDU path.

[0130] Similar to flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, at 509, EMF 430 generates a new notification “Nsmf_N9 TrafficSteeringPolicy” that contains a set of N9 traffic steering policies, each traffic policy containing at least a chain of UPFs and a unique ID, and sends it to SMF 450.

[0131] Similar to flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, at 511, EMF 430 generates a new notification “Npcf_TrafficPathInfluence” that includes at least one of the N9 traffic steering policies configured in the SMF at 509 and a traffic description that defines the target traffic affected by the request, and sends it to PCF 440.

[0132] Similar to flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, at 512, PCF 440 updates / derives PCC rules based on the information received from EMF 430 at 511.

[0133] Similar to flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, at 513, PCF 440 sends the updated policy to SMF 450 using the existing notification "Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify."

[0134] At 514, the SMF 450 implements the UP path / chain of the UPF determined by the EMF 430 for the new PDU session (and notifies the UE 510 of the PDU session information (not shown in FIG. 5)).

[0135] 5, the application function (AF) may make a Service Function Chaining (SFC) request to the PCF 440. In response, the PCF 440 may trigger the EMF 430 to optimize the SFC. In this case, the EMF 450 must first obtain the PDU session information from the SMF 431.

[0136] Furthermore, the described energy-aware UP path coordination / optimization can be extended to include the RAN controller and / or the DN / transport network Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller. For example, the RAN controller and / or the transport network SDN controller can initially coordinate with the NF load information received from the NRF, and after the EMF determines the UP path / UPF chain for a specified PDU session, the joint 5GC UP path and the RAN and / or transport routing can be optimized.

[0137] According to various aspects and embodiments, an apparatus is provided as shown in FIG.

[0138] FIG. 6 illustrates an apparatus 600 according to some embodiments.

[0139] The apparatus 600 includes one or more processors 610 configured to determine PDU session information for an active PDU session including a UP communication path that includes a plurality of active network functions (NFs). The apparatus 600 then determines one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, with each NF of the plurality of NFs having a respective assigned energy-related metric, and generates a message including the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

[0140] The Energy Manager Function (EMF) 430 shown in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be implemented as and / or include, for example, device 600.

[0141] In summary, according to various embodiments and aspects, there is provided an apparatus configured to, after receiving PDU session information, determine (optimize) a UP path / UPF chain for the PDU, taking into account (optimizing) one or more energy-related metrics. After determining the UP path, the apparatus is configured to send a message / notification to an SMF and / or a PCF to inform them about the new UP path and / or the new energy-related traffic steering policy.

[0142] According to various aspects and embodiments, a method is provided as shown in FIG.

[0143] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram 700 illustrating a method for determining one or more alternative UP communication paths, according to some aspects.

[0144] At 701, packet data unit (PDU) session information is determined for one or more active PDU sessions, each active PDU session including a UP communication path including multiple active network functions (NFs).

[0145] At 702, one or more alternative UP communication paths are determined using an energy-related metric, each NF of a plurality of NFs having a respective assigned energy-related metric.

[0146] At 703, a message is generated that includes the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths.

[0147] According to various embodiments and aspects, in other words, an "energy-aware" (energy-efficient) UP path / chain of the UPF is determined and communicated to the SMF and / or PCF. This allows for energy savings and / or the use of more renewable energy in the 5GC user plane. By taking into account existing operator policies and different aspects of operator policies (energy consumption, energy efficiency, etc.), operators can use the above-described methods and apparatus to update their policies accordingly.

[0148] While particular embodiments have been described, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The scope is therefore indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

Claims

1. determining packet data unit (PDU) session information for an active packet data unit (PDU) session including a user plane (UP) communication path including a plurality of active user plane functions (UPFs), the session information further indicating a plurality of UPFs serving the active PDU session; and determining one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, each UPF of the plurality of UPFs having a respective assigned energy-related metric; generating a message including the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths; and a transmitter configured to transmit the message to a Session Management Function (SMF); 1. An apparatus comprising:

2. The energy-related metric is: Energy consumption metrics, Energy efficiency metrics, carbon emissions metrics, and green energy use metrics, comprising at least one of the group consisting of:

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. the message includes a set of traffic steering policies; each traffic steering policy includes at least one alternative UP communication path, the at least one alternative UP communication path including a chain of UPFs and a unique identifier; 10. The apparatus of claim 1.

4. and a receiver configured to receive energy-related information, wherein the energy-related metric is based on the energy-related information.

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

5. the receiver is further configured to receive energy-related information from an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) system, and / or from a Network Repository Function (NRF), and / or from a Network Analysis Function (NAF); 5. The apparatus of claim 4.

6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the energy-related information includes information regarding energy and carrier policies on energy consumption.

7. the one or more processors: and further configured to determine the one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric in response to a trigger event.

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

8. The trigger event is A PDU session establishment request from a wireless communication terminal device, Requests from telecommunications carriers, Expiration of a periodic timer, Changes in carrier energy policies; changes to said energy-related metrics; and a change in traffic load of one or more UPFs among the plurality of UPFs; 8. The apparatus of claim 7.

9. The device of claim 1; A session management function (SMF), comprising: receiving the message from the device; determining an alternative UP communication path from the one or more alternative UP communication paths; Reconfiguring the PDU session according to the determined alternative UP communication path; and an SMF configured as follows: Including, the system.

10. The message received by the SMF includes a set of traffic steering policies; Each traffic steering policy includes at least one alternative UP communication path, the alternative UP communication path including a chain of UPFs and a unique identifier; The system of claim 9.

11. The message received by the SMF includes a set of N9 traffic steering policies, which are traffic steering policies for traffic between UPFs; The system of claim 9.

12. The transmitter of the device is further configured to send a further message to a Policy and Control Function (PCF), and the system further comprises: receiving the further message from the device, the further message including information regarding traffic steering policies and identifying traffic affected by these traffic steering policies; updating policy and charging control (PCC) rules to include the received traffic steering policy; and and sending a message to the SMF with the updated PCC rules; The SMF is further configured to reconfigure the PDU session according to the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths and the updated PCC rule. The system of claim 9.

13. The traffic steering policy received by the PCF is an N9 traffic steering policy, which is a traffic steering policy for traffic between UPFs. The system of claim 12.

14. 1. A method for determining one or more alternative user plane (UP) communication paths, comprising: Determining PDU session information for an active Packet Data Unit (PDU) session, the PDU session including a UP communication path including multiple active User Plane Functions (UPFs), the session information further indicating multiple UPFs serving the active PDU session; and determining one or more alternative UP communication paths using an energy-related metric, each UPF of the plurality of UPFs having a respective assigned energy-related metric; generating a message including the determined one or more alternative UP communication paths; sending said message to a Session Management Function (SMF); A method comprising:

15. receiving energy-related information from an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) system, and / or from a Network Repository Function (NRF), and / or from a Network Analysis Function (NAF); the energy-related metric is based on the received energy-related information.

15. The method of claim 14.

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