Core network node, network node, method for core network node and method for network node

Abstract

When the PDN attachment procedure is established on an EPS that supports interworking with 5GS, various aspects of the NSAC procedure are not defined. [Solution] The core network node includes means for requesting a network node for managing the network slice to update the number of user equipment (UE) registered in the network slice, means for requesting the network node for managing the network slice to update the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of a particular network slice, and means for receiving information indicating a failure associated with the update number of PDU sessions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a core network node, a network node, a method for a core network node, and a method for a network node. [Background technology]

[0002] The characteristics of network slicing are defined in the 3GPP Release 15 and Release 16 standards. GSMA 5GJA introduced the concept of Generic Slice Template (GST) in Non-Patent Document 6, from which several network slice type descriptions can be derived. Some of these parameters in the GST explicitly refer to the definition of parameters and boundaries of services provided to end users. For example, the GST aims to limit the number of PDU sessions / PDN connections per network slice, the number of supported devices per network slice, or the maximum UL or DL data rate per network slice. Non-Patent Document 5 identifies and addresses gaps that must be filled in providing support for GST parameter constraints and appropriate solutions to address these gaps. However, open issues regarding interoperability and mobility between EPS and 5GS remain.

[0003] 5GS defines a Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC) procedure to manage the number of UEs registered in a network slice and the number of PDU sessions established on that network slice. This procedure also defines a procedure for managing a scenario in which a network receives a request from a UE to register in a network slice and the number of UEs registered in the network slice meets or exceeds the limit of the total number of UEs that can be registered in the network slice at a given time. A similar procedure is also defined for a scenario in which a network receives a request from a UE to establish a PDU session in a network slice and the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice already meets or exceeds the limit of the total number of PDU sessions that can be established in the network slice. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TR 21.905: "Vocabulary for 3GPP Specifications"V17.0.0 (2020-07) [Non-patent document 2] 3GPP TS 23.501: "System architecture for the 5G System (5GS)".V17.1.1 (2021-06) [Non-patent document 3] 3GPP TS 23.502: "Procedures for the 5G System (5GS)".V17.1.0 (2021-06) [Non-patent document 4] 3GPP TS 23.401: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access".V17.1.0 (2021-06) [Non-Patent Document 5] 3GPP TS 23.700-40: "Study on enhancement of network slicing".V17.0.0 (2021-03) [Non-patent document 6] Generic Network Slice Template (https: / / www.gsma.com / newsroom / wp-content / uploads / NG.116-v2.0.pdf) [Non-Patent Document 7] 3GPP TS 23.503: "Policy and Charging Control Framework for the 5G System".V17.1.1 (2021-06) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For UEs that support N1 and S1 modes, a PDN connection established in EPS can also interoperate with 5GS, or a PDU session established in 5GS can also interoperate with EPS during an inter-system mobility procedure. When a PDN connection procedure is established over an EPS that supports interoperation with 5GS, various aspects of the NSAC procedure are not defined. This disclosure identifies such scenarios and provides solutions for the identified scenarios. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a core network node includes means for requesting a network node for managing a network slice to update the number of user equipment (UE) registered in the network slice, means for requesting the network node for managing the network slice to update the number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions of a particular network slice, and means for receiving information indicating a failure associated with updating the number of PDU sessions.

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a network node for managing a network slice includes means for receiving a request from a core network node to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice, means for receiving a request from the core network node to update the number of protocol data units (PDUs) of a particular network slice, and means for transmitting information indicating a failure associated with the number of PDU updates to the core network node.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for a core network node includes requesting a network node for network slice management to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice, requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions for a particular network slice, and receiving information from the network node for network slice management indicating a failure associated with the number of PDU updates.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for a network node for managing a network slice includes receiving a request from a core network node to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice, receiving a request from the core network node to update the number of protocol data units (PDUs) for a particular network slice, and transmitting information to the core network node indicating a failure associated with the number of PDU updates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] This shows network slice admission control in EPS and 5GS. [Figure 2] This shows network slice admission control (in case of failure) in EPS. [Figure 3] This shows network slice admission control in EPS (successful case). [Figure 4] This shows the processing of network slice admission control when functioning in N1 mode. [Figure 5] This shows network slice admission control via the PDN connection request procedure. [Figure 6] An overview of the system is shown below. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE). [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an (R)AN node. [Figure 9] This shows a system overview of an (R)AN node based on the O-RAN architecture. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Radio Unit (RU). [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Distributed Unit (DU). [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Centralized Unit (CU). [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an AMF. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an SMF. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a UDM. [Figure 16] Indicates the impact on the UE requested PDN connection procedure. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Description of the Disclosure with Aspects> The present disclosure relates to a method for a core network device, a method for a user equipment (UE), a method for a first core network device, a core network device, a user equipment (UE) and a first core network device.

[0012] <abbreviation> For the purposes of this specification, the abbreviations in Non-Patent Document 1 and the following apply. Abbreviations defined in this specification take precedence over the definition of the same abbreviation in Non-Patent Document 1, if any.

[0013] 4G-GUTI 4G Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity 5GC 5G Core Network 5GLAN 5G Local Area Network 5GS 5G System 5G-AN 5G Access Network 5G-AN PDB 5G Access Network Packet Delay Budget 5G-EIR 5G-Equipment Identity Register 5G-GUTI 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identifier 5G-BRG 5G Broadband Residential Gateway 5G-CRG 5G Cable Residential Gateway 5G GM 5G Grand Master 5G-RG 5G Residential Gateway 5G-S-TMSI 5G S-Temporary Mobile Subscription Identifier 5G VN 5G Virtual Network 5QI 5G QoS Identifier AF Application Function AMF Access and Mobility Management Function AS Access Stratum ATSSS Access Traffic Steering, Switching, Splitting ATSSS-LL ATSSS Low-Layer AUSF Authentication Server Function AUTN Authentication token BMCA Best Master Clock Algorithm BSF Binding Support Function CAG Closed Access Group CAPIF Common API Framework for 3GPP northbound APIs CHF Charging Function CN PDB Core Network Packet Delay Budget CP Control Plane DAPS Dual Active Protocol Stacks DCN Dedicated Core Network DL Downlink DN Data Network DNAI DN Access Identifier DNN Data Network Name DRX Discontinuous Reception DS-TT Device-side TSN translator ePDG evolved Packet Data Gateway EBI EPS Bearer Identity EPS Evolved Packet System EUI Extended Unique Identifier FAR Forwarding Action Rule FN-BRG Fixed Network Broadband RG FN-CRG Fixed Network Cable RG FN-RG Fixed Network RG FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name GFBR Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Centre GPRS General Packet Radio Service GPSI Generic Public Subscription Identifier GUAMI Globally Unique AMF Identifier GUTI Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity HR Home Routed (roaming) HSS Home Subscriber Server IAB Integrated access and backhaul IMEI / TAC IMEI Type Allocation Code IPUPS Inter PLMN UP Security I-SMF Intermediate SMF I-UPF Intermediate UPF LADN Local Area Data Network LBO Local Break Out (roaming) LMF Location Management Function LoA Level of Automation LPP LTE Positioning Protocol LRF Location Retrieval Function MCC Mobile country code MCX Mission Critical Service MDBV Maximum Data Burst Volume MFBR Maximum Flow Bit Rate MICO Mobile Initiated Connection Only MITM Man In The Middle MNC Mobile Network Code MPS Multimedia Priority Service MPTCP Multi-Path TCP Protocol N3IWF Non-3GPP Inter Working Function N5CW Non-5G-Capable over WLAN NAI Network Access Identifier NEF Network Exposure Function NF Network Function NGAP Next Generation Application Protocol NID Network identifier NPN Non-Public Network NR New Radio NRF Network Repository Function NSI ID Network Slice Instance Identifier NSSAA Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization NSSAAF Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization Function NSSAI Network Slice Selection Assistance Information NSSF Network Slice Selection Function NSSP Network Slice Selection Policy NSSRG Network Slice Simultaneous Registration Group NW-TT Network-side TSN translator NWDAF Network Data Analytics Function PCF Policy Control Function PCO Protocol Configuration Options PDB Packet Delay Budget PDR Packet Detection Rule PDU Protocol Data Unit PEI Permanent Equipment Identifier PER Packet Error Rate PFD Packet Flow Description PLMN Public Land Mobile Network PNI-NPN Public Network Integrated Non-Public Network PPD Paging Policy Differentiation PPF Paging Proceed Flag PPI Paging Policy Indicator PSA PDU Session Anchor PTP Precision Time Protocol QFI QoS Flow Identifier QoE Quality of Experience RACS Radio Capabilities Signaling optimization (R)AN (Radio) Access Network RG Residential Gateway RIM Remote Interference Management RQA Reflective QoS Attribute RQI Reflective QoS Indication RSN Redundancy Sequence Number SA NR Standalone New Radio SBA Service Based Architecture SBI Service Based Interface SCP Service Communication Proxy SD Slice Differentiator SEAF Security Anchor Functionality SEPP Security Edge Protection Proxy SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node SMF Session Management Function SMSF Short Message Service Function SN Sequence Number SN name Serving Network Name SNPN Stand-alone Non-Public Network S-NSSAI Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information SSC Session and Service Continuity SSCMSP Session and Service Continuity Mode Selection Policy SST Slice / Service Type SUCI Subscription Concealed Identifier SUPI Subscription Permanent Identifier SV Software Version TMSI Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity TNAN Trusted Non-3GPP Access Network TNAP Trusted Non-3GPP Access Point TNGF Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function TNL Transport Network Layer TNLA Transport Network Layer Association TSC Time Sensitive Communication TSCAI TSC Assistance Information TSN Time Sensitive Networking TSN GM TSN Grand Master TSP Traffic Steering Policy TT TSN Translator TWIF Trusted WLAN Interworking Function UCMF UE radio Capability Management Function UDM Unified Data Management UDR Unified Data Repository UDSF Unstructured Data Storage Function UL Uplink UL CL Uplink Classifier UPF User Plane Function URLLC Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication URRP-AMF UE Reachability Request Parameter for AMF URSP UE Route Selection Policy VID VLAN Identifier VLAN Virtual Local Area Network VPLMN Visited PLMN W-5GAN Wireline 5G Access Network W-5GBAN Wireline BBF Access Network W-5GCAN Wireline 5G Cable Access Network W-AGF Wireline Access Gateway Function

[0014] <Definition> For the purposes of this specification, the non-patent document and the terms and definitions set forth below apply. Terms defined in this specification take precedence over the non-patent document 1 if the same term is defined in the non-patent document 1.

[0015] <General> Those skilled in the art will understand that elements in the figures may be illustrated in a simplified manner and not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, with respect to the structure of a device, one or more components of the device may be represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only certain details relevant to understanding aspects of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the detailed views that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0016] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is intended thereby. Such changes and further modifications in the illustrated systems, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or other variations thereof are intended to be non-exclusive inclusive, and a process or method consisting of a list of steps does not include only those steps, but may also include other steps not expressly listed or inherent in such process or method. Similarly, the phrase "comprises... a" preceding one or more devices or entities or subsystems or elements or structures or components does not, without more constraints, exclude the presence of other devices, subsystems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional subsystems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. The appearance of "in one aspect," "in another aspect," and similar phrases throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same aspect.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The systems, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0019] In the following specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings: The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0020] As used herein, information is associated with data and knowledge because data is meaningful information and represents values attributed to parameters. Furthermore, knowledge refers to an understanding of abstract or concrete concepts. Note that this example system is simplified to facilitate explanation of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other devices, systems, and configurations may be used in addition to or instead of the system to implement aspects disclosed herein, and all such aspects are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1 shows the architecture for network slice admission control in EPS and 5GS. The NSACF controls network slice admission control on a per-network slice basis. When a UE is in EPS, the SMF+PGW-C, in cooperation with the NSACF, is responsible for updating the number of UEs allowed to use a network slice and the number of PDN connections allowed to be established associated with the network slice. The SMF+PGW-C may also be referred to as an SMF / PGW-C.

[0022] In one example, the UDM of a supporting HPLMN may optionally maintain a record of a PEI or type allocation code value related to the UE's ability to support the NSAC function. The UDM may indicate to the AMF that the UE supports the NSAC function based on the configuration or optional PEI record. The UDM indicates to the AMF whether the UE supports the NSAC function based on the PEI in both the HPLMN and VPLMN cases.

[0023] Each aspect and element included in each aspect described below may be implemented independently or in combination with other aspects. These aspects include new features that are different from each other. Therefore, these aspects contribute to achieving different objectives or solving different problems, and to obtaining different advantages from each other.

[0024] <Aspect 1: When PDN connection establishment fails due to network slice admission control in EPS, the UE maintains the backoff timer> One of the unresolved issues is how to control the number of UEs registered in a network slice and the number of PDU sessions / PDN connections established on the network slice when EPS and 5GS interoperate and flow.

[0025] If the establishment of a PDN connection fails due to network slice admission control in EPS, the network behavior and UE behavior are unclear in Non-Patent Document 4. For example, if the NSACF accepts the admission control for the UE but does not accept the admission control for the PDU session, it is unclear what the SMF+PGW-C should do.

[0026] In aspect 1, a message flow is disclosed when the establishment of a PDN connection fails due to network slice admission control in the EPS.

[0027] There are two cases in which PDN connection establishment fails in EPS. One case is when the number of UEs allowed to use a network slice reaches or exceeds a predefined limit on the allocation of the maximum number of UEs registered to that network slice. The other case is when the number of PDN connections allowed to be established associated with a network slice reaches or exceeds a predefined limit on the allocation of the maximum number of PDN connections for the network slice. The predefined limit on the allocation for a network slice may be referred to as the maximum number of UEs allowed to use the network slice or the threshold number of UEs allowed to use the network slice. The predefined limit on the maximum number of PDN connection allocations for a network slice may be referred to as the maximum number of PDN connections allowed to be established on the network slice or the threshold number of PDN connections allowed to be established on the network slice.

[0028] This aspect discloses that the SMF+PGW-C interacts with the NSACF when either the UE registration to the NSACF of a network slice or the PDU session registration (or PDN connection registration) to the NSACF of a network slice fails.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the failure of the PDN connection establishment procedure due to network slice admission control in the EPS.

[0030] Step 0. The UE initiates either an ATTACH procedure (step 0-1) or a UE-requested PDN connection procedure (step 0-2). The NAS message sent by the UE during the procedure may include UE capability information. The UE capability information may be "N1 mode is supported" in the UE network capability parameters. The UE capability information may be "N1 mode is not supported" in the UE network capability parameters. If "N1 mode is supported", the UE can interoperate with 5GS. For example, if "N1 mode is supported", the UE can interact with 5GS.

[0031] The UE may include separate capability information in the UE network capability parameters to indicate whether the UE can process procedures related to network slice admission control, i.e., whether the UE supports NSAC functionality (e.g., NSAC procedures). For example, the capability information indicates whether the UE can receive and process parameters related to network slice admission control from the EPC. The UE sends this capability information to the MME in a NAS message during the ATTACH procedure or in an EPS session management message (e.g., PDN connection request) during the PDN connection establishment procedure. In one example, the UE includes this capability information in the PCO parameter of the NAS message with the intention of sending it to the PGW-C. The MME forwards this capability information to the S-GW (e.g., SGW-C) in a session setup request message, and the S-GW (e.g., SGW-C) further sends this capability information to the P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) in a session setup request message. The P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) stores this capability information. If the UE's capability information indicates that the UE supports the NSAC procedure (or if the UE indicates other capability information), the P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) performs at least one of checking and updating the availability of the number of UEs per network slice and checking and updating the availability of the number of PDUs per network slice. If the UE's capability information does not exist, or if it exists but indicates that the UE does not support the NSAC procedure, the P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) shall not initiate checking and updating the availability of the UE per network slice and checking and updating the number of PDUs per network slice.

[0032] In one example, the SMF / PGW-C may perform an NSAC procedure for UEs that do not support the NSAC function (i.e., use the NSACF to check the availability of the number of UEs registered in the network slice and the number of PDU sessions established on the network slice).

[0033] Step 1. The MME selects an SGW-C and a PGW-C. Next, the MME sends a session setup request message to the SGW-C, including an APN and an N1 mode parameter. The N1 mode parameter is included if the MME receives "N1 mode supported" in the UE network capability parameters in step 0. The N1 mode parameter may indicate that the UE is capable of processing network slice admission control-related procedures or that the UE is capable of receiving and processing network slice admission control-related parameters or procedures of EPS. For example, during an ATTACH procedure or a UE-requested PDN connection procedure, the MME selects an SGW-C and a PGW-C and sends a session setup request message to the SGW-C. The session setup request message may be sent during the ATTACH procedure or the UE-requested PDN connection procedure. For example, the APN may be related to the ATTACH procedure or the UE-requested PDN connection procedure. The APN may be referred to as information indicating the APN or information related to the APN.

[0034] Step 2. The SGW-C sends a session setup request message including the APN and N1 mode parameters to the SMF / PGW-C. For example, if the SGW-C receives a session setup request message from an MME, the SGW-C sends a session setup request message to the SMF / PGW-C.

[0035] Step 3. The SMF / PGW-C finds the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN based on the received APN and local configuration. The SMF / PGW-C may be referred to as SMF+PGW-C in this disclosure. For example, when the SMF / PGW-C receives a session setup request message from the SGW-C, it finds the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN. Next, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF with the update flag set to "increase." This update flag set to "increase" may be invoked as information indicating an increase in the number of UEs for the NSAC, or as a request to increase the number of UEs for the NSAC.

[0036] For example, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to check whether the UE attachment or registration is allowed.

[0037] For example, if the session setup request message in step 2 indicates the N1 mode (for example, if the SMF / PGW-C determines that the received session setup request message in step 2 includes an N1 mode parameter), the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberofUesPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF. The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the UE ID (UE ID or identifier) and the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN. For example, because the SMF / PGW-C stores mapping information between the S-NSSAI and the APN, the SMF / PGW-C can determine the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN based on the APN received from the SGW-C.

[0038] The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may be referred to as the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message of the present disclosure.

[0039] Step 4. When the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is set to "increase", the following process is performed.

[0040] If the received UE ID is not in the list of UE IDs registered in the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI and the maximum number of UEs registered in the network slice has not yet been reached, the NSACF adds the received UE ID to the list of UEs registered in the network slice and increases the current number of UEs registered in the network slice. For example, the list of UEs registered in the network slice is stored and managed by the NSACF.

[0041] The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the UE has successfully registered with the S-NSSAI. For example, the Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response includes information indicating that the UE is allowed to register.

[0042] However, if the maximum number of UEs registered in the network slice has been reached and the UE ID is found in the list of UEs registered in the network slice, the NSACF does not add the UE ID to the list of UEs registered in the network slice and does not increase the current number of UEs registered in the network slice. The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the UE has been successfully registered in the S-NSSAI.

[0043] The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response may be referred to as the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response message of the present disclosure.

[0044] Step 5. The SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "increase" to the NSACF. This update flag set to "increase" may be invoked as information indicating that the number of PDU sessions for the NSAC should be increased, or as a request to increase the number of PDU sessions for the NSAC.

[0045] The Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the UE ID and the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN.

[0046] The Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may be referred to as the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message of the present disclosure.

[0047] For example, when the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF, the SMF / PGW-C may also send an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0048] For example, if the SMF / PGW-C receives a Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF, the SMF / PGW-C may send a Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0049] Step 6. When the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is set to "increase", the following process is performed.

[0050] If the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI has already been reached, the NSACF returns a result parameter indicating that the maximum number of PDU sessions per network slice has been reached.

[0051] The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response to the SMF / PGW-C along with a result parameter. For example, the Nnsacf_NumberofPDusPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response indicates that the UE cannot use S-NSSAI due to a limited number of allocations, that the maximum number of PDN connections has been reached, or that the number of PDN connections has exceeded the PDN connection allocation limit of the APN. For example, the Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the UE cannot use S-NSSAI.

[0052] Step 7. Upon receiving the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate request message with the update flag set to "decrease" to the NSACF. This message is sent to the network to decrease the count of UEs in the S-NSSAI. That is, this message is sent to the network to decrease the number of UEs in the S-NSSAI. The update flag set to "decrease" may be called as information indicating that the number of UEs for the NSAC is to be decreased. The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the UE ID and the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN.

[0053] Step 8. If an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate request is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is "decreased", perform the following process.

[0054] If there is only one entry associated with the received UE ID, the NSACF shall remove that UE ID from the list of UEs registered in the network slice per S-NSSAI indicated in the request from the SMF / PGW-C.

[0055] For each of these network slices, the NSACF reduces the number of UEs per network slice that the NSACF maintains.

[0056] The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response message to the SMF / PGW-C. For example, the NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the reduction in the number of registered UEs for the S-NSSAI has been successfully completed. For example, the Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction in the number of registered UEs for the S-NSSAI has been successfully completed. The information indicating that the reduction in the number of registered UEs for the S-NSSAI has been successfully completed may be referred to as information indicating that the reduction in the number of UEs for the NSAC has been successfully completed.

[0057] Step 9. The SMF / PGW-C sends a session setup response message to the SGW-C, including a new rejection cause and a PCO parameter. The new rejection cause may have a value of "PDN connection establishment failure due to allocation control," a value of "PDN connection establishment failure due to UE allocation control," a value of "PDN connection establishment failure due to PDN connection allocation control," or a rejection cause indication intended to reject the establishment of a PDN connection because the number of PDN connections associated with the network slice has reached or exceeded the maximum allocated number. The PCO parameter includes a back-off timer (BOT) for the PDU session and an S-NSSAI associated with the APN. As described above, the S-NSSAI is associated with or is associated with the APN received in step 2, and therefore, the BOT for the PDU session may be associated with the APN. In this disclosure, BOT may refer to a value or duration of the BOT. The PCO parameter may be referred to as a PCO. The BOT for the PDU session may be referred to as a BOT for the PDU.

[0058] Step 10. The SGW-C sends a Session Setup Response message to the MME, including the new rejection cause and PCO parameters included by the SMF / PGW-C in step 9.

[0059] For example, if the SGW-C receives the session setup request message in step 9 from the SMF / PGW-C, the SGW-C sends a session setup request message.

[0060] Step 11. The MME sends a NAS message containing the new NAS reject cause and PCO parameters to the UE. The MME creates a new NAS reject cause based on the value of the reject cause received in step 10 from the SGW-C.

[0061] The NAS reject cause may have the same value as or a value corresponding to the reject cause value received from the SGW-C in step 10. The NAS message may be referred to as an N1 message.

[0062] The new NAS rejection cause may have the value "Failure to establish PDN connection due to allocation control", the value "Failure to establish PDN connection due to UE allocation control", the value "Failure to establish PDN connection due to PDN connection allocation control", or a rejection cause notation intended to reject establishment of a PDN connection because the number of PDN connections associated with the network slice has reached or exceeded the maximum allocated number.

[0063] If the MME determines, based on the information received in step 0 or based on the UE's IMEISV value, that the UE is not capable of interoperating with 5GS or of processing network slice admission control, the MME may send another NAS message to the UE indicating a failure to establish a PDU connection using an existing message, an existing cause value, and existing parameters. In one example, the MME sends at least one of the existing parameters, the back-off timer value IE, the T3442 value, the T3346 value, and the T3448 value.

[0064] Step 12. Based on the parameters of the NAS message in step 11, the following processing may be applied to the UE: The UE associates the APN indicated in step 0 with the S-NSSAI contained in the PCO parameters received in step 11. The UE shall refrain from establishing a PDN connection to the same APN as the UE indicated in step 0 until the BOT of the PDU expires. The UE refrains from establishing a PDN connection to the same APN as the UE indicated in step 0 until T3442 expires. The UE refrains from establishing a PDN connection to the same APN as the UE indicated in step 0 until T3346 expires. The UE shall refrain from establishing a PDN connection to the same APN as the UE indicated in step 0 until T3448 expires.

[0065] <Modification 1 of Aspect 1> In step 6, when the SMF / PGW-C receives the Nnsacf_NumberofPDusPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response, it decides to maintain the number of UEs registered with NSCAF for the number of UEs in the S-NSSAI. That is, the SMF / PGW-C does not send an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate request with the update flag set to "decreased." When the SMF / PGW-C receives a session setup request message for the APN associated with the S-NSSAI, it sends only an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDusPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message to increase the number of PDU sessions in the S-NSSAI.

[0066] <Modification 2 of Aspect 1> In steps 3 to 8, instead of the SMF / PGW-C sending the three request messages in steps 3, 5, and 7, the SMF / PGW-C sends only one composite message. For example, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsandPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message to the NSACF requesting that it register both the UE and the PDU session. Upon receiving the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsandPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message, the NSACF may be able to take the following actions:

[0067] If the maximum number of UEs on the network slice has not been reached and the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice has not been reached, a normal result parameter is provided to the SMF / PGW-C.

[0068] If the maximum number of UEs on the network slice is reached and the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice is not reached but a UE ID is found in the list of UEs already registered on that network slice, the NSACF provides a normal result parameter to the SMF / PGW-C. In this case, the NSACF does not increase the UE counter, but the NSACF increases the PDU session counter. That is, the NSACF does not increase the number of UEs, but the NSACF increases the number of PDU sessions.

[0069] If either or both of the maximum number of UEs on the network slice and the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice are reached (or if at least one of the maximum number of UEs on the network slice and the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice is reached), a failure result parameter is provided. In this case, the NSACF does not increase the UE counter, but the NSACF increases the PDU session counter. That is, the NSACF does not increase the number of UEs, but the NSACF increases the number of PDU sessions.

[0070] <Modification 3 of Aspect 1> If the SMF / PGW-C finds multiple S-NSSAIs associated with the APN, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "increase" to the NSACF for the first network slice associated with the APN according to step 3 of Figure 2. If the NSACF returns a successful result in step 4, the SMF / PGW-C continues the PDN connection registration with the NSACF for the same associated network slice according to step 5 of Figure 2.

[0071] If the NSACF returns a failure result in step 4, the SMF / PGW-C sends another Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "increase" to the NSACF for the next relevant network slice (e.g., the second network slice associated with the APN).

[0072] If the NSACF returns a successful result to another Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request, the SMF / PGW-C continues the PDN connection registration with the NSACF for the second network slice and sends an Nnsacf_NumberofPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF with the update flag set to "increase" for the second network slice, according to step 5 of Figure 2.

[0073] If the NSACF returns a failure result for the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request, the SMF / PGW-C sends another Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF with the update flag set to "increase" for the next associated network slice (e.g., the third network slice associated with the APN). If multiple network slices are associated with the APN, the SMF / PGW-C may attempt UE registration with the NSACF and PDN connection registration with the NSACF in turn if the previous attempt failed.

[0074] As an example, if multiple S-NSSAIs are associated with an APN, the SMF+PGW-C first selects an S-NSSAI for which EPS counting is not required in the EPS for establishing a PDN connection. If the PDN connection procedure fails for all S-NSSAIs that do not require EPS counting, the SMF+PGW-C selects an S-NSSAI for a PDN connection that requires EPS counting.

[0075] <Modification 4 of Aspect 1> In one example, in step 2, if multiple S-NSSAIs are mapped to an APN and one of the S-NSSAIs is not subject to the NSAC procedure, the SMF / PGW-C first selects an S-NSSAI that is not subject to NSAC and associates that S-NSSAI with the PDN connection. If the PDN connection fails (e.g., the SMF / PGW-C receives an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response indicating that the UE cannot use the S-NSSAI due to quota limitations), the network selects another S-NSSAI that is subject to NSAC for PDN connection establishment.

[0076] For example, aspect 1 and the variant of aspect 1 can provide solutions to various situations in which an NSAC procedure is not defined when a PDN connection procedure is established on an EPS that supports interoperation with 5GS.

[0077] For example, aspect 1 and a variant of aspect 1 can solve the unresolved problem of how to control the number of UEs registered in a network slice and the number of PDU sessions / PDN connections established on the network slice when EPS and 5GS interoperate and flow.

[0078] For example, aspect 1 and the modified example of aspect 1 can solve the problem in Non-Patent Document 4 that the behavior of the network and the behavior of the UE are unknown when the establishment of a PDN connection fails due to network slice admission control in the EPS.

[0079] For example, the first aspect and the modified example of the first aspect can solve the problem that it is unclear what the SMF+PGW-C should do when the NSACF accepts the admission control of the UE but does not accept the admission control of the PDU session.

[0080] <Aspect 2: Processing of network slice admission control when N1 mode function is disabled after successful establishment of PDN connection in EPS> When a UE supporting N1 mode and S1 mode establishes a PDN connection to an APN in EPS, the SMF / PGW-C (or SMF / PGW-C) maps the APN to a network slice based on the local configuration. The SMF / PGW-C performs NSAC procedures for the network slice, checks the availability of the network slice and updates the number of UEs, and checks the availability of the network slice and updates the number of PDU sessions. However, if the UE disables the N1 mode function, the network behavior and UE behavior regarding the NSAC procedures are undefined.

[0081] Aspect 2 discloses the behavior of the UE and the behavior of the network when the UE disables the N1 mode function after successfully establishing a PDN connection with the SMF+PGW-C in the EPS.

[0082] In this aspect, two procedures are described: Figure 3 shows the procedure for successful establishment of a PDN connection in the EPS; and Figure 4 shows the procedure for disabling N1 mode functionality after successful establishment of a PDN connection.

[0083] Step 0. The UE initiates either an ATTACH procedure (step 0-1) or a UE-requested PDN connection procedure (step 0-2). The NAS message sent by the UE during the procedure may include UE capability information. The UE capability information may be "N1 mode supported" in the UE network capability parameters. If "N1 mode supported", the UE can interoperate with 5GS. The MME stores "N1 mode supported" in the UE's MM context. For example, the MME receives the UE capability information from the UE during the ATTACH procedure or the UE-requested PDN connection procedure.

[0084] Another UE capability information may also indicate whether the UE can process procedures related to network slice admission control, i.e., whether the UE supports the NSAC function (or NSAC procedure). For example, the other UE capability information indicates whether the UE can receive and process parameters related to network slice admission control from the EPC. The UE sends this capability information to the MME in an NAS message during the ATTACH procedure or in an EPS session management message (such as a PDN connection request) during the PDN connection establishment procedure. In one example, the UE includes this capability information in the PCO parameter of the NAS message with the intention of sending it to the PGW-C. The MME sends this capability information to the S-GW (such as an SGW-C) in a session setup request message, and the S-GW (such as an SGW-C) further sends this capability information to the P-GW (such as an SMF / PGW-C) in a session setup request message. The P-GW (e.g., an SMF / PGW-C) stores this UE capability information for NSAC support information. If the UE's capability information indicates that the UE supports the NSAC procedure (e.g., if the capability information indicates that the UE can process network slice admission control-related procedures), the P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) performs at least one of checking and updating the availability of the number of UEs per network slice and checking and updating the availability of the number of PDUs per network slice. If the UE's capability information does not exist, or if it exists but indicates that the UE does not support the NSAC procedure, the P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) shall not initiate checking and updating the availability of the UE per network slice and checking and updating the number of PDUs per network slice.

[0085] Step 1. The MME selects an SGW-C and a PGW-C. Then, the MME sends a session setup request message to the SGW-C, including the APN, N1 mode parameters, registered S-NSSAI list, and PCO parameters.

[0086] For example, during an ATTACH procedure or a UE-requested PDN connection procedure, the MME selects an SGW-C and a PGW-C and transmits a session setup request message to the SGW-C. The session setup request message may be transmitted during the ATTACH procedure or the UE-requested PDN connection procedure. For example, an APN may be associated with the ATTACH procedure or the UE-requested PDN connection procedure. The APN may be referred to as information indicating the APN or information associated with the APN.

[0087] The N1 mode parameter is included if the MME receives "N1 mode supported" in the UE network capability parameters in step 0.

[0088] The PCO parameter includes the UE support of NSAC processing capability received from the UE in step 0. For example, the UE support of NSAC processing capability may be referred to as NSAC UE or NSAC UE parameter. For example, NSAC UE indicates that the UE supports the NSAC function (or NSAC procedure).

[0089] If the MME has kept or stored registered S-NSSAIs for the UE registrations in the NSACF from a previous PDN connection establishment procedure, the MME shall include the registered S-NSSAIs in the Registered S-NSSAI List parameter, e.g., the Registered S-NSSAI List parameter may contain one or more pairs of S-NSSAIs and their associated APNs.

[0090] For example, the registered S-NSSAI list parameter includes a list of pairs of S-NSSAI and APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI, and the MME includes the registered S-NSSAI list in the session setup request message.

[0091] For example, during a previous PDN connection establishment procedure (e.g., a previous ATTACH procedure related to an APN or a previous UE-requested PDN connection procedure related to an APN), the MME communicates with the SMF / PGW-C or NSACF via the SGW-C, and if NSAC for the S-NSSAI is successfully completed (e.g., if the number of UEs registered in the network slice related to the S-NSSAI has not reached the maximum number and the number of PDU sessions established on the network slice related to the S-NSSAI has reached the maximum number), the MME receives the S-NSSAI corresponding to the APN from the SMF / PGW-C or NSACF via the SGW-C. In this case, the MME associates the APN with the received S-NSSAI and saves the pair of the APN and the received S-NSSAI in a registered S-NSSAI list parameter. For example, the registered S-NSSAI list includes the pair of the S-NSSAI for which NSAC has been completed and the APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI.

[0092] Step 2. The SGW-C sends a session setup request message to the SMF / PGW-C, including the APN, registered S-NSSAI list, N1 mode parameters, and PCO parameters. For example, if the SGW-C receives a session setup request message from the MME, the SGW-C sends the session setup request message to the SMF / PGW-C.

[0093] Step 3. The SMF / PGW-C finds the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN based on the received APN and local configuration. For example, when the SMF / PGW-C receives a Session Setup Request message from the SGW-C, it finds the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN. Next, if the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameter includes an S-NSSAI associated with another set of APNs, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the Update flag set to "increase" and the NSAC UE parameter set to the NSACF. For example, if the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameter does not include an S-NSSAI associated with another set of APNs, the SMF / PGW-C may not send an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the Update flag set to "increase" and the NSAC UE parameter set.

[0094] For example, if the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameters include a pair of S-NSSAI1 and APN1, and the SMF / PGW-C finds that S-NSSAI1 is associated with the received APN2 based on the local configuration in step 3, the SMF / PGW-C determines that the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameters include a pair of an associated S-NSSAI (i.e., S-NSSAI1) and another APN (i.e., APN1), and sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF with the update flag set to "increase" and the NSAC UE parameter. For example, the SMF / PGW-C may determine whether the pair of S-NSSAI and the received APN in step 2 is included in the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameters. If the SMF / PGW-C determines that the pair of the S-NSSAI and the received APN in step 2 is not included in the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameter, it may send an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0095] For example, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to check whether the UE attachment or registration is allowed.

[0096] The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the UE ID and the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN. For example, since the SMF / PGW-C stores mapping information between the S-NSSAI and the APN, the SMF / PGW-C can determine the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN based on the APN received from the SGW-C.

[0097] Step 4. When the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is set to "increase", the following process is performed.

[0098] If the UE ID is not in the list of UE IDs registered in the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI and the maximum number of UEs registered in the network slice has not yet been reached, the NSACF adds the UE ID to the list of UEs registered in the network slice and increases the current number of UEs registered in the network slice. For example, the list of UEs registered in the network slice is stored and managed by the NSACF. The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the UE has successfully registered in the S-NSSAI. For example, the NSACF may send an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the increase in the number of UEs registered in the network slice has been successfully completed.

[0099] However, if the maximum number of UEs registered in the network slice has been reached and the UE ID is found in the list of UEs registered in the network slice, the NSACF does not add the UE ID to the list of UEs registered in the network slice and does not increase the current number of UEs registered in the network slice. The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the UE has been successfully registered in the S-NSSAI.

[0100] If NASC UE parameters are included in step 3, the NSACF retains the NSAC UE parameters along with the UE ID. The NSACF may use the NSAC UE parameters for statistical measurement purposes.

[0101] Step 5. The SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "increase" to the NSACF. Furthermore, the Nnsacf_NumberofPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the NSAC UE parameter if the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameter includes an S-NSSAI associated with another set of APNs. For example, the SMF / PGW-C may determine whether the received Registered S-NSSAI List parameter includes an S-NSSAI associated with another set of APNs in a manner similar to step 3. Furthermore, the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the UE ID and the S-NSSAI associated with the received APN.

[0102] For example, when the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF, the SMF / PGW-C may also send an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0103] For example, when the SMF / PGW-C receives an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF, the SMF / PGW-C may send an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0104] Step 6. When the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is set to "increase", the following process is performed.

[0105] If the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI has not yet been reached, the NSACF increases the current number of PDU sessions registered on the network slice.

[0106] The NSACF associates the NSAC UE parameters with the received S-NSSAI if they were included in step 5. The NSACF may use the NSAC UE parameters for statistical measurement purposes.

[0107] The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response to the SMF / PGW-C along with the result parameter. If the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI has not yet been reached, the NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response to the SMF / PGW-C indicating that the PDU session establishment is allowed. The Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response may include information indicating that the UE can use the S-NSSAI.

[0108] For example, upon receiving an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response or an Nnsacf_NumberofPDusPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response, the SMF / PGW-C may store information indicating that the UE has registered with the NSACF at the APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI. For example, upon receiving an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response or an Nnsacf_NumberofPDusPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response, the SMF / PGW-C may store information indicating the pair of the APN and S-NSSAI to which the UE is registered.

[0109] Step 7. The SMF / PGW-C sends a Session Setup Response message to the SGW-C, including the PCO parameter, the Registered S-NSSAI, and the NSAC parameter set to "Yes." The Registered S-NSSAI indicates that the S-NSSAI associated with the APN is registered with the NSACF for the UE registered in the network slice count. For example, the Registered S-NSSAI indicates that the S-NSSAI associated with the APN is successfully registered with the NSACF for NSAC.

[0110] The PCO parameters include the S-NSSAI associated with the APN. In the example of FIG. 3, the S-NSSAI included in the PCO parameters may be the same as the S-NSSAI sent in step 3 or 5.

[0111] If the SMF / PGW-C performs network slice admission control for the PDN connection, the SMF / PGW-C includes an NSAC parameter set to 'yes'. For example, the NSAC parameter set to 'yes' may indicate that the SMF / PGW-C performs network slice admission control for the PDU session of the S-NSSAI corresponding to the APN. For example, the NSAC parameter set to 'yes' may indicate that the SMF / PGW-C has successfully completed the network slice admission control for the PDN connection. For example, the NSAC parameter set to 'yes' may indicate that the SMF / PGW-C performs network slice admission control for the APN received in step 2. For example, the NSAC parameter set to 'yes' may indicate that the SMF / PGW-C performs network slice admission control for the S-NSSAI corresponding to the APN received in step 2.

[0112] For example, an NSAC parameter set to "Yes" may indicate that the network slice associated with the APN is subject to NSAC, i.e., that active PDN connections are already counted in the number of PDN connections established on the associated network slice.

[0113] Step 8. The SGW-C sends a session setup response message to the MME, including the PCO parameters, the registered S-NSSAI, and the NSAC parameters included by the SMF / PGW-C in step 7. When the registered S-NSSAI is received, the MME adds a pair of the received S-NSSAI and the APN to a registered S-NSSAI list in the MME context. For example, the MME may manage MME contexts on a per-UE basis. For example, when the registered S-NSSAI is received, the MME may add a pair of the received S-NSSAI in the PCO parameters and the APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI to a registered S-NSSAI list in the MME context. The APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI may be the APN sent in step 1.

[0114] Step 9. The network and the UE complete the PDN connection establishment procedure.

[0115] Step 10. The MME sends an NAS message containing the PCO parameter to the UE. The MME stores the NSAC parameter as "Yes" in the SM context of the PDN connection.

[0116] Step 11. Based on the parameters of the NAS message in step 10, the following processing may be applied to the UE: The UE associates the APN indicated in step 0 with the S-NSSAI included in the PCO parameters received in step 10. For example, the UE associates the APN with the S-NSSAI and stores the pair of the APN and the S-NSSAI.

[0117] FIG. 4 illustrates the message flow when a UE performs deactivation of N1 mode functionality when at least one PDN connection is established, as described in FIG.

[0118] Step 0. The UE has established at least one PDN connection, as shown in Figure 3.

[0119] Step 1. The UE disables the N1 mode capability. For example, the UE changes the UE capability information from "N1 mode supported" to "N1 mode not supported" based on the local configuration. For example, the UE may be in CM-IDLE mode.

[0120] Step 2. The UE sends a TAU request to the MME indicating that the N1 mode is not supported in the UE network capability IE. For example, the UE sends a TAU request to the MME including a UE network capability IE indicating that the N1 mode is not supported. The TAU request may include information for identifying the UE. The TAU request may be referred to as a TAU request message.

[0121] Step 3. The MME checks the UE's MM context to see if the UE supports N1 mode. If the MME determines that the UE has an MM context indicating that it supports N1 mode, the TAU request message contains "N1 mode not supported" in the UE network capability IE, and the MME determines, based on the SM context of an already active PDN connection to the APN, that the network slice associated with the APN is subject to NSAC, i.e., the active PDN connection is already counted in the number of PDN connections established on the associated network slice, the MME proceeds to step 4. Otherwise, the MME proceeds to step 12.

[0122] Step 4. The MME sends a session modification request message to the SGW-C, with the N1 mode parameter set as "not supported". The N1 mode parameter set as "not supported" may indicate that the UE does not support the N1 mode or that the UE cannot interoperate with 5GS. The session modification request message may include information identifying the UE.

[0123] Step 5. The SGW-C sends a session modification request message with the N1 mode parameter set to "not supported" to the SMF / PGW-C. For example, if the SGW-C receives a session modification request message from the MME, the SGW-C sends a session modification request message to the SMF / PGW-C.

[0124] Step 6. The SMF / PGW-C finds the relevant S-NSSAI based on the information received from the SGW-C and its local configuration, and sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "increase" to the NSACF.

[0125] The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the S-NSSAI associated with the UE ID and the APN.

[0126] For example, the MME may determine the APN based on a UE network capability IE indicating that the N1 mode is not supported in the UE, information identifying the UE, and an MME context of the UE. In particular, for example, the MME may determine the APN of the UE based on the MME context and information identifying the UE. Then, the MME sends a session modification request including the N1 mode parameter set to "not supported" and the determined APN to the SMF / PGW-C via the SGW-C.

[0127] Upon receiving the session modification request, the SMF / PGW-C may determine the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN based on local configuration (e.g., S-NSSAI to APN mapping information), and may send an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF, including the update flag set to "decreased", the UE ID, and the S-NSSAI associated with (or related to) the received APN.

[0128] Step 7. When the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is set to "decreased", the following process is performed. If the received UE ID is included in the UE ID list, the NSACF removes the UE ID from the list of UEs registered in the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI and reduces the current number of UEs registered in that network slice. The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the UE has successfully deregistered with the NSACF for the S-NSSAI.

[0129] Step 8. The SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "decreased" to the NSACF.

[0130] The Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the S-NSSAI associated with the UE ID and the APN.

[0131] For example, when the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF, the SMF / PGW-C may also send an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0132] For example, when the SMF / PGW-C receives an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF, the SMF / PGW-C may send an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF.

[0133] For example, the SMF / PGW-C may determine the S-NSSAI associated with (or corresponding to) the APN based on local configuration (e.g., mapping information between S-NSSAI and APN) in a manner similar to step 6.

[0134] Step 9. If the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is “decreased”, perform the following process. The NSACF decreases the current number of PDU sessions registered in the network slice. The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response to the SMF / PGW-C with the result parameter, e.g., the NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate response indicating that the reduction of the number of PDU sessions for the S-NSSAI has been completed successfully.

[0135] Step 10. The SMF / PGW-C sends a session modification response message to the SGW-C, including the NSAC parameter set to "No". For example, the NSAC parameter set to "No" may indicate that the network slice associated with the APN is not subject to NSAC, i.e., the active PDN connection is not counted in the number of PDN connections established on the associated network slice.

[0136] Step 11. The SGW-C sends a session modify response message including the NSAC parameters to the MME.

[0137] Step 12. The MME sends a TAU accept message to the UE. The MME stores the NSAC parameter set as "No" in the SM context of the PDN connection based on the NSAC parameter received in step 11. The TAU accept message may be referred to as a TAU accept.

[0138] <Modification 1 of Aspect 2> Steps 4, 5, 10 and 11 may be a Modify Bearer Request message, a Modify Bearer Request message, a Modify Bearer Response message and a Modify Bearer Response message, respectively.

[0139] For example, in step 4, a Modify Bearer Request message may be sent instead of a Modify Session Request message.

[0140] For example, in step 5, a Modify Bearer Request message may be sent instead of a Modify Session Request message.

[0141] For example, the parameters sent in the Modify Bearer Request message may be the same as the parameters in the Modify Session Request message.

[0142] For example, in step 10, a Modify Bearer Response message may be sent instead of a Modify Session Response message.

[0143] For example, in step 11, a Modify Bearer Response message may be sent instead of a Modify Session Response message.

[0144] For example, the parameters sent in the Modify Bearer Response message may be the same as the parameters in the Modify Session Response message.

[0145] <Modification 2 of Aspect 2> Steps 4, 5, 10 and 11 may be a remote UE reporting notification message, a remote UE reporting notification message, a remote UE reporting confirmation message and a remote UE reporting confirmation message, respectively.

[0146] For example, in step 4, a remote UE report notification message may be sent instead of a session modification request message.

[0147] For example, in step 5, a remote UE report notification message may be sent instead of a session modification request message.

[0148] For example, the parameters sent in the remote UE report notification message may be the same as the parameters in the session modification request message.

[0149] For example, in step 10, a remote UE reporting confirmation message may be sent instead of a session modification response message.

[0150] For example, in step 11, a remote UE reporting confirmation message may be sent instead of a session modification response message.

[0151] For example, the parameters sent in the remote UE reporting confirmation message may be the same as the parameters in the session modification response message.

[0152] <Modification 3 of Aspect 2> Steps 4, 5, 10 and 11 may be a change notification request message, a change notification request message, a change notification response message and a change notification response message, respectively.

[0153] For example, in step 4, a change notification request message may be sent instead of a session modification request message.

[0154] For example, in step 5, a change notification request message may be sent instead of a session modification request message.

[0155] For example, the parameters sent in the change notification request message may be the same as the parameters in the session modification request message.

[0156] For example, in step 10, a change notification response message may be sent instead of a session modification response message.

[0157] For example, in step 11, a change notification response message may be sent instead of a session modification response message.

[0158] For example, the parameters sent in the change notification response message may be the same as the parameters in the session modification response message.

[0159] <Modification 4 of Aspect 2> Steps 4, 5, 10, and 11 may be a delete session request message, a delete session request message, a delete session response message, and a delete session response message, respectively. For example, in step 4, a delete session request message may be sent instead of a modify session request message.

[0160] For example, in step 5, a delete session request message may be sent instead of a modify session request message.

[0161] For example, the parameters sent in the delete session request message may be the same as the parameters in the modify session request message.

[0162] For example, in step 10, a delete session response message may be sent instead of a modify session response message.

[0163] For example, in step 11, a delete session response message may be sent instead of a modify session response message.

[0164] For example, the parameters sent in the delete session response message may be the same as the parameters in the modify session response message.

[0165] <Modification 5 of Aspect 2> The MME in Figures 3 and 4 may be an S4-SGSN.

[0166] <Modification 6 of Aspect 2> The message in step 4 or 11 is an existing or new message defined between the MME and the S-GW (e.g., SGW-C). The message in step 5 or 12 is an existing or new message defined between the S-GW (e.g., SGW-C) and the SMF / PGW-C.

[0167] <Seventh Modification of Aspect 2> In one example, if in step 6 the SMF / PGW-C determines that the UE no longer supports N1 mode, the SMF / PGW-C does not send an Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request or an Nnsacf_NumberofPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to update the NSAC.

[0168] For example, if the SMF / PGW-C determines that the UE no longer supports N1 mode, the SMF / PGW-C does not send the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request and the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request.

[0169] <Modification 8 of Aspect 2> In one example, if the UE indicates that it supports the N1 mode by sending an existing information element in the PCO to the PGW-C (e.g., SMF / PGW-C), for example, if the UE sends a PDU session ID in the PCO to the PGW-C during PDN connection establishment, the PGW-C (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) determines that the UE supports the N1 mode.

[0170] If the UE does not support the N1 mode, i.e., if the UE has disabled the N1 mode, the UE initiates an ESM procedure and sends a PCO in an ESM message during the ESM procedure (or a UE-initiated EPS Bearer Context Modification procedure) that includes an indicator that the PDU session ID (or the PDU session identified by the PDU session ID) has been released for the PDN connection. Upon receiving the PCO, the MME sends this PCO to the SGW-C using existing procedures between the MME and the SGW-C. The SGW-C then further sends the PCO to the PGW-C (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) using existing procedures. When the P-GW (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) receives the PCO with the indicator that the PDU session ID has been released for the PDN connection, the PGW-C (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) determines that the UE does not support the N1 mode.

[0171] <Modification 9 of Aspect 2> In addition to the session setup procedure in Figure 3, a similar mechanism is applied to the network slice admission control for the session deletion procedure. The following modifications to Figure 3 are applied to the session deletion procedure:

[0172] The session establishment request message is replaced with a session deletion request message.

[0173] The session establishment response message is replaced with a session deletion response message.

[0174] In step 3 of Figure 3, a Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF has the update flag set to "decreased" in the NSAC UE parameters.

[0175] In step 5 of Figure 3, the update flag in the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF is set to "decreased".

[0176] In steps 7 and 8 of Figure 3, the session setup response message and registered S-NSSAI parameters are replaced with the session deletion response message and deregistered S-NSSAI. When the MME receives the deregistered S-NSSAI, it deletes the received S-NSSAI together with the associated set of APNs from the registered S-NSSAI list of the MME context.

[0177] Steps 9, 10 and 11 in Figure 3 are replaced by a procedure for releasing the signaling connection between the UE and the MME.

[0178] Furthermore, steps 1 to 11 of Figure 3 with modifications applied by variant 9 of aspect 2 also apply when the UE disables N1 mode or when the HSS / UDM subscriber data is changed and the UE cannot access 5GC due to core network type restrictions.

[0179] Please note that the core network type restriction data is transferred from the HSS to the MME via the S6a interface in the Update Location Confirm message or the Insert Subscriber Data message.

[0180] <Modification 10 of Aspect 2> In one example, steps 4 to 11 of Figure 4 may be initiated by the MME when the MME receives a subscriber data insertion message from the HSS indicating that the UE cannot access 5GC due to core network type restrictions.

[0181] <Modification 11 of Aspect 2> As an example, if the SMF / PGW-C receives subscriber data for a UE whose core network type restriction does not allow the UE to access 5GC, steps 3 to 6 in Figure 3 may not be performed.

[0182] It should be noted that the SMF / PGW-C may receive the core network type restriction parameter in the subscriber data from the UDM via the Nudm_SDM_Get service or the Nudm_SDM_Notification service.

[0183] <Modification 12 of Aspect 2> As an example, if the SMF / PGW-C receives a subscriber data update notification from the UDM indicating that the UE cannot access 5GC due to core network type restrictions, steps 6 to 9 in Figure 4 may not be performed.

[0184] It should be noted that the SMF / PGW-C may receive the updated core network type restriction parameter in the subscriber data from the UDM via the Nudm_SDM_Notification service.

[0185] For example, aspect 2 and the variant of aspect 2 can provide solutions to various situations in which an NSAC procedure is not defined when a PDN connection procedure is established on an EPS that supports interoperation with 5GS.

[0186] For example, the second aspect and the modified example of the second aspect can solve the problem that the network behavior and the UE behavior are not defined regarding the NSAC procedure when the UE disables the N1 mode function.

[0187] <Aspect 3: Processing of network slice admission control when multiple PDNs are connected to the same S-NSSAI> When a UE supporting N1 mode and S1 mode establishes a PDN connection to an APN in EPS, the SMF / PGW-C (or SMF / PGW-C) maps the APN to a network slice based on local configuration. There may be scenarios where multiple APNs are mapped to the same network slice. In such cases, multiple PDN connections are associated with the same network slice, but it is unclear how to perform the NSAC procedure to check availability and update the number of UEs registered in the network slice and the number of PDU sessions established in the network slice.

[0188] Aspect 3 discloses network slice admission control when multiple PDNs are connected to the same S-NSSAI.

[0189] FIG. 5 shows the procedure for a PDN connection request.

[0190] Please note that this embodiment assumes that at least one PDU session has been established, as shown in FIG. 3 of embodiment 2.

[0191] Step 0. The UE has established at least one PDN connection with APN1 corresponding to S-NSSAI, as shown in Figure 3.

[0192] Step 1. The UE is triggered by an application that it needs to establish a new PDN connection with APN2.

[0193] Step 2. The UE sends a PDN connection request to the MME using APN2.

[0194] Step 3. The MME performs PGW-C (e.g., SMF / PGW-C) selection, which results in the selection of the same SMF / PGW-C as APN2.

[0195] Step 4. The MME sends a session setup request message to the SGW-C using APN2.

[0196] Step 5. The SGW-C sends a session setup request message to the SMF / PGW-C using APN2.

[0197] Step 6. The SMF / PGW-C finds the associated S-NSSAI based on the received APN2 and local configuration (such as the mapping information between S-NSSAI and APN). For example, in this case, the associated S-NSSAI also corresponds to APN1.

[0198] If the SMF / PGW-C finds that the UE is registered with the NSACF with the APN1 corresponding to the S-NSSAI, it does not register the UE with the NSAC, but registers the UE with the PDU session.

[0199] In this case, the SMF / PGW-C sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF with the update flag set to "increase". The Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request may include the UE ID and the S-NSSAI associated with the APN2.

[0200] For example, the SMF / PGW-C detects that the UE is registered with the NSACF at APN1 based on the associated S-NSSAI and information indicating the pair of APN and S-NSSAI at which the UE is registered.

[0201] For example, if the SMF / PGW-C receives the Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response in step 4 of Figure 3, it may send an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request that includes the update flag set to "increase", the UE ID, and an S-NSSAI associated with APN2.

[0202] Step 7. When the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request message is received and the update flag parameter from the SMF / PGW-C is set to "increase", the following process is performed.

[0203] The NSACF increases the current number of PDU sessions registered in the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI.

[0204] The NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response to the SMF / PGW-C along with the result parameter. If the maximum number of PDU sessions established on the network slice associated with the received S-NSSAI has not yet been reached, the NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response to the SMF / PGW-C indicating that the PDU session establishment is allowed. The Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response may include information indicating that the UE can use the S-NSSAI.

[0205] Step 8. The SMF / PGW-C sends a session setup response message to the SGW-C. For example, upon receiving the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response, the SMF / PGW-C sends a session setup response message to the SGW-C.

[0206] Step 9. The SGW-C sends a session setup response message to the MME. For example, upon receiving a session setup response message from the SMF / PGW-C, the SGW-C sends a session setup response message to the MME.

[0207] Step 10. The MME sends a PDN connection acknowledgement message to the UE. For example, upon receiving a session setup response message from the SGW-C, the MME sends a PDN connection acknowledgement message to the UE.

[0208] <Modification 1 of Aspect 3> The MME in Figures 3 and 5 may be an S4-SGSN.

[0209] <Modification 2 of Aspect 3> In one example, in step 6, the SMF / PGW-C also sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request with the update flag set to "increase" to update the number of UEs in the S-NSSAI.

[0210] <System Overview> FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile (cellular or wireless) telecommunications system 1 to which the above aspects apply.

[0211] The communication system 1 represents an overview of a system capable of end-to-end communication, e.g., UEs 3 (or user equipment, "mobile devices" 3) communicating with other UEs 3 or service servers in a data network 20 via respective (R)AN nodes 5 and a core network 7.

[0212] The (R)AN node 5 supports any radio access including 5G radio access technology (RAT), E-UTRA radio access technology, 5G and later RATs, 6G RATs, and non-3GPP RATs including wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

[0213] The (R)AN node 5 can be divided into a Radio Unit (RU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Centralized Unit (CU), which may be interconnected to form the (R)AN node 5 by adopting an architecture defined by the Open RAN (O-RAN) Alliance, where the units are referred to as the O-RU, O-DU, and O-CU, respectively.

[0214] The (R)AN node 5 may be split into control plane functions and user plane functions. Additionally, multiple user plane functions may be allocated to support communications. In some aspects, user traffic may be distributed across multiple user plane functions, and user traffic on each user plane function may be aggregated at both the UE 3 and the (R)AN node 5. This split architecture may be referred to as "dual connectivity" or "multi-connectivity."

[0215] The (R)AN node 5 may also support communications using satellite access. In some aspects, the (R)AN node 5 may support satellite and terrestrial access.

[0216] Additionally, the (R)AN node 5 may also be referred to as an access node for non-wireless access, including fixed-line access as defined by the Broadband Forum (BBF) and optical access as defined by Innovative Optical and Wireless Networks (IOWN).

[0217] The core network 7 may include logical nodes (or “functions”) for supporting communications within the communication system 1. For example, the core network 7 may be a 5G Core Network (5GC) including, among other things, control plane functions and user plane functions. Each function within a logical node may be considered a network function. A network function may be provided to another node by adapting a Service Based Architecture (SBA). Furthermore, for example, the core network 7 may include control plane functions and user plane functions in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). For example, the core network 7 may include an MME, an SGW-C, and a PGW-C. The MME may include transceiver circuitry operable to send signals to and receive signals from other nodes (including nodes within the core network 7) via a network interface, and a controller operable to control operation of the MME in accordance with software stored in a memory of the MME. The SGW-C may include transceiver circuitry operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from other nodes (including nodes in the core network 7) via a network interface, and a controller operable to control operation of the SGW-C in accordance with software stored in a memory of the SGW-C.

[0218] By applying network virtualization technology defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute Network Functions Virtualization (ETSI NFV), network functions can be deployed as distributed, redundant, stateless, and scalable services delivered from multiple locations with multiple running instances at each location.

[0219] The core network 7 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0220] As is well known, as the UE 3 moves within the geographic area covered by the communication system 1, it may move in and out of areas (i.e., radio cells) served by the (R)AN nodes 5. To track the UE 3 and facilitate movement between different (R)AN nodes 5, the core network 7 comprises at least one access and mobility management function (AMF) 70. The AMF 70 communicates with the (R)AN nodes 5 coupled to the core network 7. Some core networks may use a mobility management entity (MME) or a mobility management node for beyond 5G or a mobility management node for 6G instead of the AMF 70.

[0221] The core network 7 also includes, among other things, a Session Management Function (SMF) 71, a User Plane Function (UPF) 72, a Policy Control Function (PCF) 73, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 74, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 75, a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) 76, and a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) 77. The core network 7 may also include an SMF+PGW-C. When the UE 3 is roaming in a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN), the home public land mobile network (HPLMN) of the UE 3 provides the UDM 75 and at least some of the functions of the SMF 71, UPF 72, and PCF 73 for the roaming-out UE 3.

[0222] The UE 3 and each serving (R)AN node 5 are connected via an appropriate air interface (e.g., the so-called "Uu" interface and / or similar). Adjacent (R)AN nodes 5 are connected to each other via appropriate inter-(R)AN node 5 interfaces (the so-called "Xn" interface and / or similar). Each (R)AN node 5 is also connected to a node of the core network 7 (the so-called core network node and / or similar) via an appropriate interface (such as the so-called "N2" / "N3" interface). The core network 7 also provides a connection to a data network 20. The data network 20 may be the Internet, a public network, an external network, a private network, or an internal network of a PLMN. If the data network 20 is provided by a PLMN operator or a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services may be provided by that data network 20. The UE 3 can connect to the data network 20 using IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6, Ethernet, or unstructured data types.

[0223] The "Uu" interface may include the control plane of the Uu interface and the user plane of the Uu interface.

[0224] The user plane of the Uu interface is responsible for carrying user traffic between the UE 3 and the serving (R)AN node 5. The user plane of the Uu interface may have a layered structure with SDAP, PDCP, RLC and MAC sublayers over the physical connection.

[0225] The control plane of the Uu interface is responsible for establishing, modifying, and releasing connections between the UE 3 and the serving (R)AN node 5. The control plane of the Uu interface may have a layered structure with RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers over the physical connection.

[0226] For example, to support AS signaling, the following messages are communicated over the RRC layer:

[0227] RRC Setup Request message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the (R)AN node 5. In addition to the parameters disclosed by aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may also be included in the RRC Setup Request message: Establishment cause and UE ID. The value of UE ID can be ng-5G-S-TMSI-Part1 or a random value.

[0228] RRC Setup Message: This message is sent from the AN node 5 to the (R)UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may also be included in the RRC Setup message: Master Cell Group and Radio Bearer Configuration

[0229] RRC Setup Complete message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the (R)AN node 5. In addition to the parameters disclosed by aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may also be included in the RRC Setup Complete message: Guami type, iab node authentication, idleMeasAvailable, mobility state, ng-5G-S-TMSI-Part2, registered AMF, selected PLMN ID

[0230] The UE 3 and the AMF 70 are connected via a suitable interface (e.g., the so-called N1 interface and / or similar). The N1 interface serves to provide communication between the UE 3 and the AMF 70 to support NAS signaling. The N1 interface may be established over a 3GPP access or a non-3GPP access. For example, the following messages are communicated over the N1 interface:

[0231] RRC Setup Request message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the AMF node 70. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may also be included in the registration request message: 5GS Registration Type, ngKSI, 5GS Mobile ID, Non-Current Native NAS Key Set Identifier, 5GMM Capabilities, UE Security Capabilities, Requested NSSAI, Last Visited Registration TAI, S1UE Network Capabilities, Uplink Data Status, PDU Session Status, MICO Indication, UE Status, Additional GUTI, Allowed PDU Session Status, UE Usage Configuration, Requested DRX Parameters, EPS NAS Message Container, LADN Indication, Payload Container Type, Payload Container, Network Slicing Indication, 5GS Update Type, Mobile Station Class Mark 2, Supported Codecs, NAS Message Container, EPS Bearer Context Status, Requested Extended DRX Parameters, T3324 Value, UE Radio Capability ID, Requested Mapped NSSAI, Requested Additional Information, Requested WUS Assistance Information, N5GC Indication, and Requested NB-N1 Mode DRX Parameters.

[0232] Registration Acceptance Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be included together in the registration acceptance message: 5GS Registration Result, 5G-GUTI, Equivalent PLMN, TAI List, Allowed NSSAI, Rejected NSSAI, Configured NSSAI, 5GS Network Capability Support, PDU Session Status, PDU Session Reactivation Result, PDU Session Reactivation Result Error Cause, LADN Information, MICO Indication, Network Slicing Indication, Service Area List, T3512 Value, Non-3GPP Deregistration Timer Value, T3502 Value, Emergency Number List, Extended Emergency Number List, SOR Transparent Container, EAP Message, NSSAI Inclusion Mode, Operator Defined Access Category Definition, Negotiated DRX Parameters, Non-3GPP NW policy, EPS bearer context status, negotiated extended DRX parameters, T3447 value, T3448 value, T3324 value, UE radio capability ID, UE radio capability ID removal instruction, pending NSSAI, ciphering key data, CAG information list, truncated 5G-S-TMSI configuration, negotiated WUS assistance information, negotiated NB-N1 mode DRX parameters, and extended rejected NSSAI.

[0233] Registration Complete Message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the AMF 70. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be included together in the registration complete message: ··SOR transparent container.

[0234] Authentication Request Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be included together in the Authentication Request message: ··ngKSI, ABBA, authentication parameter RAND (5G authentication challenge), authentication parameter AUTN (5G authentication challenge), and EAP message.

[0235] Authentication Response Message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the AMF 70. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the authentication response message: ··Authentication response message ID, authentication response parameters, and EAP message.

[0236] Authentication Result Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the Authentication Result Message: ··ngKSI, EAP messages, ABBA.

[0237] Authentication Failure Message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the AMF 70. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the authentication failure message: ··Authentication failure message ID, 5GMM cause, and authentication failure parameters.

[0238] Authentication Rejection Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the authentication rejection message: EAP messages.

[0239] Service Request Message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the AMF 70. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the service request message: ··ngKSI, Service Type, 5G-S-TMSI, Uplink Data Status, PDU Session Status, Grant PDU Session Status, NAS Message Container.

[0240] Service Authorization Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the service authorization message: PDU session status, PDU session reactivation result, PDU session reactivation result error cause, EAP message, T3448 value.

[0241] Service Rejection Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the service rejection message: ··5GMM cause, PDU session status, T3346 value, EAP message, T3448 value, and CAG information list.

[0242] Configuration Update Command Message: This message is sent from the AMF 70 to the UE 3. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the Configuration Update Command message: Configuration update instruction, 5G-GUTI, TAI list, allowed NSSAI, service area list, network full name, network short name, local time zone, universal time and local time zone, network daylight saving time, LADN information, MICO instruction, network slicing instruction, configured NSSAI, rejected NSSAI, operator-defined access category definition, SMS indication, T3447 value, CAG information list, UE radio capability ID, UE radio capability ID deletion indication, 5GS registration result, truncated 5G-S-TMSI configuration, additional configuration indication, and extended rejected NSSAI.

[0243] Configuration Update Complete Message: This message is sent from the UE 3 to the AMF 70. In addition to the parameters disclosed by the aspects of the present disclosure, the following parameters may be entered together in the Configuration Update Complete message: ··Configuration update complete message ID.

[0244] <User Equipment (UE)> FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a mobile device 3 (UE 3). As illustrated, the UE 3 includes a transceiver circuit 31 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from connected nodes via one or more antennas 32. The UE 3 may also include a user interface 34 for inputting and outputting information from the outside. Although not necessarily illustrated, the UE 3 may have all the usual functions of a conventional mobile device, which may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software, and firmware. The software may be pre-installed in memory and / or downloaded, for example, via a communication network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The controller 33 controls the operation of the UE 3 in accordance with software stored in the memory 36. The software includes, among other things, an operating system 361 and a communication control module 362 having at least a transmission / reception control module 3621. The communication control module 362 (using its transmission / reception control module 3621) is responsible for signaling and handling (generation / transmission / reception) of uplink / downlink data packets between the UE 3 and other nodes, such as the (R)AN node 5 and the AMF 10. Such signaling may include, for example, appropriately formatted signaling messages (e.g., registration request messages and associated response messages) related to access and mobility management procedures (for the UE 3). The controller 33 interoperates with one or more Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) 35. If equipped with multiple USIMs 35, the controller 33 may activate only one USIM 35 or may activate multiple USIMs 35 simultaneously.

[0245] The UE 3 may, for example, support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0246] The UE3 may be, for example, production or manufacturing equipment and / or energy-related machinery (e.g., equipment or machinery such as: boilers; engines; turbines; solar panels; wind turbines; hydroelectric generators; thermal power generators; nuclear generators; batteries; nuclear systems and / or related equipment; heavy electrical machinery; pumps including vacuum pumps; compressors; fans; blowers; hydraulic equipment; pneumatic equipment; metalworking machinery; manipulators; robots and / or application systems thereof; tools; molds or dies; rolls; conveying equipment; lifting equipment; material handling equipment; textile machinery, sewing machines, printing machinery and / or related machinery, paper-making machinery, chemical machinery, mining machinery and / or construction machinery and / or related equipment, agricultural machinery and / or implements, safety equipment and / or environmental protection equipment, tractors, precision bearings, chains, gears, power transmission equipment, lubrication equipment, valves, pipe fittings, and / or application systems such as the aforementioned equipment or machinery).

[0247] The UE3 may be, for example, a transportation device (e.g., a rail vehicle, a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a train, a bus, a cart, a rickshaw, a ship, other seaplane, an aircraft, a rocket, a satellite, a drone, a balloon, etc.).

[0248] The UE 3 may be, for example, an information and communication device (for example, an information and communication device such as an electronic computer and related devices, communication and related devices, or electronic components).

[0249] The UE3 may be, for example, a refrigerator, a refrigerator application product, trade and / or service industry equipment, a vending machine, an automatic service machine, an office machine or equipment, consumer electronics and electronic devices (e.g., consumer electronics such as audio equipment, video equipment, loud speakers, radios, televisions, microwave ovens, rice cookers, coffee makers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, electronic fans or related equipment, cleaners, etc.).

[0250] The UE 3 may be, for example, an electrical application system or device (eg, an X-ray device, a particle accelerator, a radioisotope device, a sonic device, an electromagnetic application device, an electronic power application device, etc.).

[0251] UE3 may be, for example, an electronic lamp, lighting fixture, measuring instrument, analyzer, tester, or surveying and detection equipment (e.g., surveying and detection equipment such as smoke alarms, human alarm sensors, motion sensors, radio tags, etc.), a wristwatch or clock, laboratory equipment, optical equipment, medical equipment and / or systems, weapons, blades, hand tools, etc.

[0252] UE3 may be, for example, a personal digital assistant or related device with wireless capabilities (such as a wireless card or module designed to be attached to or inserted into another electronic device (e.g., a personal computer, an electrical measuring device)).

[0253] The UE 3 may be part of a device or system that uses various wired and / or wireless communication technologies to provide applications, services, and solutions, hereinafter referred to as the "Internet of Things (IoT)."

[0254] Internet of Things devices (or "Things") may be equipped with appropriate electronics, software, sensors, network connectivity, and / or the like, allowing these devices to collect and exchange data with each other and with other communicating devices. IoT devices may comprise automated devices that follow software instructions stored in their internal memory. IoT devices may operate without the need for human supervision or interaction. IoT devices may also remain stationary and / or inactive for long periods of time. IoT devices may be implemented as part of (largely) stationary equipment. IoT devices may also be incorporated into non-stationary equipment (e.g., vehicles) or attached to animals or people being monitored / tracked.

[0255] It is understood that IoT technologies may be implemented in any communicating device that is capable of connecting to a communications network to send and receive data, whether such communicating device is controlled by human input or by software instructions stored in a memory.

[0256] It should be understood that an IoT device may also be referred to as a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device, a Machine-to-Machine (2M) communication device, or a Narrow Band-IoT UE (NB-IoT UE). It should be understood that a UE 3 supports one or more IoT or MTC applications.

[0257] The UE 3 may be a smartphone or a wearable device (e.g., smart glasses, a smart watch, a smart ring, or a hearable device).

[0258] The UE3 may be an automobile, or a connected car, or an autonomous vehicle, or a vehicle device, or a motorcycle, or a V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication module (e.g., a vehicle-to-vehicle communication module, a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication module, a vehicle-to-human communication module, and a vehicle-to-network communication module).

[0259] <(R)AN node> FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a preferred (R)AN node 5, e.g., a base station (eNB in LTE, gNB in 5G, 5G or later base station, 6G base station). As shown, the (R)AN node 5 includes transceiver circuitry 51 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from connected UEs 3 via one or more antennas 52, and to transmit signals to and receive signals from other network nodes (directly or indirectly) via a network interface 53. A controller 54 controls the operation of the (R)AN node 5 in accordance with software stored in memory 55. The software may be pre-installed in the memory and / or downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 551 and a communications control module 552 having at least a transmission / reception control module 5521.

[0260] The communication control module 552 is responsible (e.g., directly or indirectly) for processing (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the (R)AN node 5 and other nodes such as the UE 3, another (R)AN node 5, the AMF 70, and the UPF 72 using its transmission and reception control sub-module. The signaling may include appropriately formatted signaling messages related to, for example, wireless connections (for a specific UE 3) and connections to the core network 7, particularly connection establishment and maintenance (e.g., RRC connection establishment and other RRC messages), NG Application Protocol (NGAP) messages (i.e., messages via the N2 reference point), and Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) messages (i.e., messages via the Xn reference point). Such signaling may also include, for example, broadcast information (such as master information and system information) in the transmission case.

[0261] The controller 54 is also configured (by software or hardware) to process related tasks such as UE mobility estimation and / or movement trajectory estimation when implemented. The (R)AN node 5 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN). The NPN may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0262] <System Overview of the (R)AN Node 5 Based on the O-RAN Architecture> FIG. 9 schematically shows the (R)AN node 5 based on the O-RAN architecture to which the aspect of the (R)AN node 5 is applied.

[0263] The (R)AN node 5 based on the O-RAN architecture represents a system overview in which the (R)AN node is divided into a radio unit (RU) 60, a distributed unit (DU) 61, and a centralized unit (CU) 62. In some aspects, the units may be combined. For example, the RU 60 may be combined with the DU 61 as a combined / combined unit, and the DU 61 may be combined with the CU 62 as another combined / combined unit. Any functionality described for a unit (e.g., one of the RU 60, DU 61, and CU 62) may be implemented in the combined / combined unit. Furthermore, the CU 62 may be separated into two functional units, such as a CU Control plane (CP) and a CU User plane (UP). The CU CP performs the control plane function in the (R)AN node 5. The CU UP performs the user plane function in the (R)AN node 5. Each CU CP is connected to the CU UP via an appropriate interface (such as a so-called "E1" interface).

[0264] The UE 3 and each serving RU 60 are connected via a suitable air interface (e.g., the so-called "Uu" interface and / or similar). Each RU 60 is connected to a DU 61 via a suitable interface (a so-called "fronthaul", "open fronthaul", "F1" interface and / or similar). Each DU 61 is connected to a CU 62 via a suitable interface (a so-called "midhaul", "open midhaul", "E2" interface and / or similar). Each CU 62 is also connected to a node of the core network 7 (such as a so-called core network node) via a suitable interface (a so-called "backhaul", "open backhaul", "N2" / "N3" interface and / or similar). Furthermore, the user plane part of the DU 61 may also be connected to the core network node 7 via a suitable interface (a so-called "N3" interface and / or similar).

[0265] Depending on the functionality divided among the RU 60, DU 61, and CU 62, each unit provides a portion of the functionality provided by the (R)AN node 5. For example, the RU 60 may provide functionality for communicating with the UE 3 over the air interface, the DU 61 may provide functionality for supporting the MAC and RLC layers, and the CU 62 may provide functionality for supporting the PDCP, SDAP, and RRC layers.

[0266] <Radio Unit (RU)> FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a preferred RU 60, e.g., the RU portion of a base station (e.g., an eNB in LTE, a gNB in 5G, a 5G or later base station, or a 6G base station). As shown, the RU 60 includes a transceiver circuit 601 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from a connected UE 3 via one or more antennas 602, and to transmit signals to and receive signals from other network nodes or units (directly or indirectly) via a network interface 603. A controller 604 controls the operation of the RU 60 in accordance with software stored in memory 605. The software may be pre-installed in the memory and / or downloaded, for example, via a communication network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 6051 and a communication control module 6052 having at least a transmission / reception control module 60521.

[0267] The communication control module 6052 (using its transmission / reception control sub-module) is responsible (e.g., directly or indirectly) for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the RU 60 and other nodes or units, such as the UE 3, other RUs 60, and the DU 61. The signaling may, for example, include appropriately formatted signaling messages related to the radio connection and connection with the RU 60 (for a particular UE 3), in particular related to the MAC and RLC layers.

[0268] The controller 604, if implemented, is also configured (by software or hardware) to handle related tasks such as UE mobility estimation and / or motion trajectory estimation.

[0269] The RU 60 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0270] As mentioned above, the RU 60 can be integrated / combined with the DU 61 as an integrated / combined unit. Any functionality described for the RU 60 can be implemented in the integrated / combined unit.

[0271] <Distributed Unit (DU)> FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a preferred DU 61, e.g., the DU portion of a base station (eNB in LTE, gNB in 5G, 5G or later base station, 6G base station). As shown, the device includes a transceiver circuit 611 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from other nodes or units (including RU 60) via a network interface 612. A controller 613 controls the operation of the DU 61 in accordance with software stored in memory 614. The software may be pre-installed in memory 614 and / or downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 6141 and a communications control module 6142 having at least a transceiver control module 61421. The communication control module 6142 (using its transmission / reception control module 61421 ) is responsible for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the DU 61 and other nodes or units such as the RU 60 .

[0272] The DU 61 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0273] As mentioned above, the RU 60 can be integrated / combined with the DU 61 or the CU 62 as an integrated / combined unit. Any functionality described for the DU 61 can be implemented in one of the integrated / combined units described above.

[0274] <Centralized Unit (CU)> FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the CU portion of a preferred RU 62, e.g., a base station (eNB in LTE, gNB in 5G, 5G or later base station, 6G base station). As shown, the device includes a transceiver circuit 621 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from other nodes or units (including the DU 61) via a network interface 622. A controller 623 controls the operation of the CU 62 in accordance with software stored in memory 624. The software may be pre-installed in the memory 624 and / or downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 6241 and a communications control module 6242 having at least a transceiver control module 62421. The communications control module 6242 (using its transceiver control module 62421) is responsible for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the CU 62 and other nodes or units, such as the DU 61.

[0275] CU 62 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0276] As mentioned above, the CU 62 can be integrated / combined with the DU 61 as an integrated / combined unit. Any functionality described for the CU 62 can be implemented in the integrated / combined unit.

[0277] <amf> 13 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the AMF 70. As shown, the device includes a transceiver circuit 701 operable to transmit signals to other nodes (including UE 3) and receive signals from other nodes or units (including DU 61) via a network interface 702. A controller 703 controls the operation of the AMF 70 in accordance with software stored in memory 704. The software may be pre-installed in the memory 704 and / or may be downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 7041 and a communications control module 7042 having at least a transmission / reception control module 70421. The communications control module 7042 (using its transmission / reception control module 70421) is responsible for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the AMF 70 and other nodes, such as the UE 3 (e.g., via the (R)AN node 5) and other core network nodes (including core network nodes in the UE 3's HPLMN if the UE 3 is roaming in). Such signaling may include, for example, appropriately formatted signaling messages (e.g., registration request messages and associated response messages) related to access and mobility management procedures (for the UE 3).

[0278] The AMF 70 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0279] <smf> FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the SMF 71. As shown, the device includes a transceiver circuit 711 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from other nodes (including the AMF 70) via a network interface 712. A controller 713 controls the operation of the SMF 71 in accordance with software stored in a memory 714. The software may be pre-installed in the memory 714 and / or downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable memory device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 7141 and a communications control module 7142 having at least a transceiver control module 71421. The communications control module 7142 (using its transceiver control module 71421) is responsible for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the SMF 71 and other nodes, such as the UPF 72 and other core network nodes (including core network nodes in the UE 3's HPLMN if the UE 3 is roaming in). Such signaling may include, for example, suitably formatted signaling messages (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) restful methods based on service-based interfaces) related to session management procedures (towards UE3).

[0280] The SMF 71 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0281] The SMF+PGW-C (or SMF / PGW-C) may have the same components as the SMF 71. Furthermore, the SMF+PGW-C (or SMF / PGW-C) has the functions of the SMF 71 and the functions of the PGW-C. The functions of the PGW-C can be realized by the components of the SMF+PGW-C (or SMF / PGW-C).

[0282] <udm> FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the UDM 75. As shown, the device includes a transceiver circuit 751 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from other nodes (including the AMF 70) via a network interface 752. A controller 753 controls the operation of the UDM 75 in accordance with software stored in memory 754. The software may be pre-installed in the memory 754 and / or downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 7541 and a communications control module 7542 having at least a transceiver control module 75421. The communications control module 7542 (using its transceiver control module 75421) is responsible for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the UDM 75 and other nodes, such as the AMF 70 and other core network nodes (including core network nodes in the UE 3's VPLMN if the UE 3 is roaming out). Such signaling may include, for example, suitably formatted signaling messages (eg HTTP restful methods based on service-based interfaces) related to mobility management procedures (towards the UE 3).

[0283] The UDM 75 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN), which may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0284] <nsacf> 16 is a block diagram illustrating the major components of the NSACF 77. As shown, the device includes a transceiver circuit 771 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from other nodes (including the AMF 70, SMF 71, and SMF+PGW-C) via a network interface 772. A controller 773 controls the operation of the NSACF 77 in accordance with software stored in memory 774. The software may be pre-installed in memory 774 and / or may be downloaded, for example, via a communications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The software includes, among other things, an operating system 7741 and a communications control module 7742 having at least a transceiver control module 77421. The communication control module 7742 (using its transmission / reception control module 77421) is responsible for handling (generating / sending / receiving) signaling between the NSACF 77 and other nodes, such as the AMF 70 and other core network nodes (including core network nodes in the UE 3's Home Page Local Network if the UE 3 is roaming in). Such signaling may include, for example, appropriately formatted signaling messages (e.g., HTTP restful methods based on service-based interfaces) related to network data analysis function procedures (to the UE 3). The NSACF 77 may support a Non-Public Network (NPN). The NPN may be a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) or a Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).

[0285] <Fixes and Alternatives> Having described the embodiments in detail above, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the disclosure embodied therein, may make numerous modifications and alternatives to the above embodiments. For purposes of illustration, some of these alternatives and modifications will be described.

[0286] In the above description, the UE 3 and network devices are described, for ease of understanding, as having a number of separate modules (e.g., a communications control module). While these modules may be provided in this manner in certain applications, such as when an existing system is modified to implement the present disclosure, in other applications, such as systems designed from the beginning with the features of the present invention in mind, these modules may be incorporated into an overall operating system or code, and therefore may not be identifiable as separate entities. These modules may also be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0287] Each controller may comprise any suitable form of processing circuitry, including, but not limited to, for example, one or more hardware-implemented computer processors, microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), arithmetic logic units (ALUs), input / output (IO) circuitry, internal memory / cache (program and / or data), processing registers, communication buses (e.g., control buses, data buses and / or address buses), direct memory access (DMA) facilities, hardware or software-implemented counters, pointers and / or timers, and / or the like.

[0288] In the above embodiments, a number of software modules have been described. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the software modules may be provided in compiled or uncompiled form, and may be provided to the UE 3 and network devices as signals over a computer network or on a recording medium. Furthermore, the functions performed by some or all of this software may be performed using one or more dedicated hardware circuits. However, the use of software modules is preferred because they facilitate updating the functionality of the UE 3 and network devices.

[0289] In the above embodiment, 3GPP wireless communication (radio access) technology is used, but any other wireless communication technology (e.g., WLAN, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, etc.) and other fixed line communication technology (e.g., BBF access, cable access, optical access, etc.) may also be used according to the above embodiment.

[0290] Items of user equipment include, for example, mobile phones, smartphones, user devices, personal digital assistants, laptop / tablet computers, web browsers, e-book readers, and / or similar communication devices. Such mobile (or generally stationary) devices are typically operated by a user, although so-called "Internet of Things" (IoT) devices and similar machine-type communication (MTC) devices may also be connected to the network. For simplicity, reference will be made herein to mobile devices (or UEs), but it will be understood that the described techniques may be implemented in any communication device (mobile and / or generally stationary) that can connect to a communication network to transmit and receive data, regardless of whether such communication device is controlled by human input or software instructions stored in memory.

[0291] Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail here.

[0292] All or part of the above disclosed embodiment examples can be described as follows, but are not limited thereto.

[0293] 5.15.11.5 Support for Network Slice Admission Control and Interaction with EPC If EPS counting is required for a network slice, network slice admission control for the maximum number of UEs and / or the maximum number of PDU sessions per network slice is performed during PDN connection establishment during EPC interworking. To support NSAC for the maximum number of UEs and / or the maximum number of PDU sessions per network slice in the EPC, the SMF+PGW-C configures information indicating which network slices are subject to NSAC. During PDN connection establishment in the EPC, the SMF+PGW-C selects an S-NSSAI associated with the PDN connection as described in Section 5.15.7.1. If the S-NSSAI selected by the SMF+PGW-C is subject to NSAC, the SMF+PGW-C triggers interaction with the NSACF to check whether the network slice is available before providing the selected S-NSSAI to the UE. If the network slice is available, the SMF+PGW-C continues the PDN connection establishment procedure.

[0294] The NSACF performs the following to check the availability of the network slice before returning a response to the SMF+PGW-C:

[0295] What if, If the UE ID is already included in the list of UE IDs registered in the network slice (if network slice admission control regarding the maximum number of UEs applies) and the current number of PDU sessions is below the maximum number (if network slice admission control regarding the maximum number of sessions applies), or

[0296] If the UE ID is not included in the list of UE IDs registered in the network slice, and the current number of UE registrations has not reached the maximum number (if network slice authorization control regarding the maximum number of UEs is applied), and the current number of PDU sessions has not reached the maximum number (if network slice authorization control regarding the maximum number of sessions is applied),

[0297] The NSACF responds to the SMF+PGW-C with information that a network slice is available. If the UE ID is not already included in the list of UE IDs, the NSACF adds the UE ID to the list, increases the number of current UE registrations (if network slice admission control for the maximum number of UEs applies), and increases the number of current PDU sessions (if network slice admission control for the maximum number of sessions applies). If the NSACF returns that the S-NSSAI is unavailable, the SMF+PGW-C can select another S-NSSAI to be mapped to the APN. If the other S-NSSAI is also subject to NSAC, the SMF+PGW-C triggers a dialogue with the NSACF to confirm the availability of the network slice. If the NSACF indicates that the selected S-NSSAI is available, the SMF+PGW-C associates the selected S-NSSAI with the PDN connection.

[0298] When a UE with an ongoing PDN connection moves from EPC to 5GC, the SMF+PGW-C triggers a request to the NSACF to decrease the number of UE registrations, and when the UE registers with a new AMF, the AMF triggers a request to the NSACF to increase the number of UE registrations. If there are multiple PDN connections associated with an S-NSSAI, the NSACF can receive multiple requests for the same S-NSSAI from different SMF+PGW-Cs. When a UE with an ongoing PDU session moves from 5GC to EPC, the SMF+PGW-C triggers a request to the NSACF to increase the number of UE registrations, and when the UE is deregistered from the old AMF, the old AMF triggers a request to the NSACF to decrease the number of UE registrations. If there are multiple PDU sessions associated with an S-NSSAI, the NSACF can receive multiple requests for the same S-NSSAI from different SMF+PGW-Cs. The NSACF maintains a list of UE IDs based on requests from the SMF+PGW-C and AMF and adjusts the current registration count accordingly.

[0299] When a UE with an ongoing PDN connection moves from EPC to 5GC or from 5GC to EPC, session continuity is guaranteed because authorization was granted when the PDN connection was established.

[0300] Editor's note: The NSAC mechanism for mobility between EPC and 5GC can be reconsidered to align with the 5GC mechanism, i.e., mobility between AMFs.

[0301] The SMF+PGW-C triggers a request (i.e., a decrease) of the maximum PDU session count control per network slice to the NSACF if the PDN connections associated with the S-NSSAI are released in the EPC, or if the N1 mode is disabled, or if the UE cannot access 5GC due to core network type restrictions. The NSACF decides to decrease the current registration count and remove the UE ID from the UE ID list if all PDN connections associated with the S-NSSAI are released in the EPC.

[0302] Editor's Note: Whether one NSACF is responsible for registration and session admission control, or whether there are separate NSCAFs for registration and session admission control, is a deployment scenario decision FFS makes.

[0303] Note: EPC network slice admission control is not performed for attachments without a PDN connection.

[0304] If EPS counting is not required for a network slice, network slice admission control for the maximum number of UEs and / or the maximum number of PDU sessions is performed when the UE moves from the EPC to the 5GC, i.e., when the UE performs mobility registration from the EPC to the 5GC (network slice admission control for the maximum number of UEs per network slice), and / or when the PDN connection is handed over from the EPC to the 5GC (network slice admission control for the maximum number of PDU sessions per network slice). The SMF+PGW-C is configured with information indicating that the network slice is subject to NSAC only in 5GS. The PDN connection interworking procedure is performed as described in Section 5.15.7.1.

[0305] Editor's note: When a UE moves from EPC to 5GC, if either the maximum number of current UE registrations or the maximum number of current PDU sessions is reached, it is up to the FFS to decide whether and how to support session continuation.

[0306] <4.11.1.5.4.1 PDN connection request> If interworking with 5GS is supported, the UE requested PDN connection procedure specified in clause 5.10.2 of TS 23.401

[13] is affected as shown in Figure 4.11.1.5.4.1-1.

[0307] Figure 4.11.1.5.4.1-1: Impact on UE requested PDN connection procedure (see Figure 17)

[0308] Step 1. The UE sends a PDN connection request to the MME as specified in step 1 of clause 5.10.2 of TS 23.401

[13] with the following modifications: If the UE is 5GNAS capable and the request type is "initial request", the UE shall allocate a PDU Session ID and include it in the PCO. The PDU Session ID shall be unique across all other PDN connections of the UE.

[0309] Step 2. The relevant steps of the procedure specified in the figure above are executed. In step 4 of TS 23.401

[13] , the IP Session Establishment / Modification procedure is replaced by the SM Policy Association Establishment / Modification procedure as specified in subclause 4.16.4 and 4.16.5. Upon receiving a Session Setup Request message for an APN, the SMF+PGW-C determines the associated S-NSSAI for the APN. If the S-NSSAI is already registered with the NSCAF of the UE that counts the S-NSSAI, the SMF+PGW-C sends a Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityChecAndUpdate_Request message to the NSCAF with the update flag set to increment; otherwise, the SMF+PGW-C sends a Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityChecAndUpdate_Request with the update flag set to increment. When the SMF+PGW-C receives the Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate_Response message indicating that the operation procedure was successful, it remembers that the S-NSSA has been successfully registered with the NSACF and sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate_Request message to the NSCAF with the update flag set to increase. If the number of PDU sessions for the S-NSSAI has already reached the maximum threshold for the S-NSSAI, the NSCAF returns a message indicating that the operation is not successful. In this case, the PDN connection establishment procedure fails, and the NSACF sends an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate_Request message with the update flag set to decrease.

[0310] The Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate_Request message or the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckAndUpdate_Request message may include the APN of the PDN connection or the UE's current location (such as the ID of the current tracking area). The NSACF stores the APN for the UE ID in a database. The NSACF also stores the UE's current location. The MME sends the current location to the S-GW in the Session Setup Request message or in an existing message between the MME and the S-GW. The S-GW forwards the current location to the SMF+PGW-C. The SMF+PGW-C may send the current location to the NRF, and the NRF uses the current location to determine the NSCAF for UE counting or PDU session counting.

[0311] Step 3. Step 6 as specified in clause 5.10.2 of TS 23.401

[13] is performed with the following modifications:

[0312] If the SMF+PGW-C accepts the PDN connection to interoperate with the 5GC, the SMF+PGW-C allocates the 5G QoS parameters corresponding to the PDN connection (e.g., session AMBR, QoS rules, and QoS flow-level QoS parameters if required for the QoS flows associated with the QoS rules) and includes them in the PCO.

[0313] If the SMF+PGW-C accepts to provide interoperability of the PDN connection with 5GC, the SMF+PGW-C determines the S-NSSAI associated with the PDN connection based on the operator policy and sends the S-NSSAI together with the PLMN ID to the UE in the PCO.

[0314] If the SMF+PGW-C accepts PDN connection interoperation with 5GC, the SMF+PGW-C provides the UE with small data rate control parameters in the PCO if small data rate control is used.

[0315] Step 4. The relevant steps of the procedure specified in the diagram above are carried out.

[0316] Step 5. Step 8 as specified in clause 5.10.2 of TS 23.401

[13] is performed with the following modifications:

[0317] If the PCO contains 5G QoS parameters, the UE shall store them. If the PCO does not contain 5G QoS parameters, the UE shall note that session continuity for this PDN connection on mobility to 5G is not provided by the network.

[0318] If the S-NSSAI and PLMN ID related to the PDN connection are included in the PCO, the UE shall store them.

[0319] If the PCO contains small data rate control parameters, the UE shall store them.

[0320] Step 6. The relevant steps of the procedure specified in the diagram above are carried out.

[0321] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined herein. For example, the above embodiments are not limited to 5GS or EPS, and the embodiments may also be applicable to communication systems other than 5GS or EPS.

[0322] All or part of the above-disclosed embodiment examples can be described as follows, but are not limited to these.

[0323] <First Addendum> Supplementary Note 1. A method for a core network device, comprising: receiving a session setup request message from a Serving Gateway-C (SGW-C); wherein the session setup request message includes information indicating an Access Point Name (APN) and information indicating that an N1 mode is supported by a User Equipment (UE); If the session setup request message includes information indicating that the N1 mode is supported by the UE, sending a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) device; Wherein, the first Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) corresponding to the APN and information indicating an increase in the number of UEs for Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC), receiving a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that registration of the UE is permitted; If an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received, sending an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device; wherein the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating that the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of the NSAC is to be increased; receiving an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the UE is not authorized to use the S-NSSAI; sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device if the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating a decrease in the number of UEs in the NSAC; receiving a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction of the number of UEs of the NSAC has been successfully completed; The SGW-C and the Mobility Management Entity (MME) transmit to the UE the value of a timer for suppressing procedures related to the APN when a second Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received.

[0324] Appendix 2. A method for a User Equipment (UE), comprising: performing an ATTACH procedure associated with an Access Point Name (APN) or a UE-requested PDN connection procedure associated with the APN; receive, from a core network device, a value of a timer for suppressing a procedure related to a Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC) when the number of UEs increases, establishment of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session related to a Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) corresponding to the APN is not permitted by the NSAC, and the number of UEs decreases; While the timer is running, the procedure for the APN is maintained.

[0325] Appendix 3. A method for a core network device, comprising: receiving a first session setup request message from a Serving Gateway-C (SGW-C); Here, the first session setup request message includes information indicating an Access Point Name (APN), a list including a pair of Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) for which Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC) has been completed and the APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI, determining, based on the list, whether the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN is associated with another APN different from the received APN; When determining that the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN is associated with the other APN that is different from the received APN, sending a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN and information indicating an increase in the number of User Equipments (UEs) of the NSAC; receiving a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that registration of the UE is permitted; sending a first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device upon receiving the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating an increase in the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of the NSAC; receiving a first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the User Equipment (UE) is authorized to use the S-NSSAI; A message including the S-NSSAI and information indicating that the S-NSSAI is registered with the NSACF device is sent to the SGW-C.

[0326] Appendix 4. In the method of Appendix 3, receiving, from the SGW-C, information indicating that an N1 mode is not supported by the UE; sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device if information is received indicating that the N1 mode is not supported by the UE; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating a decrease in the number of UEs in the NSAC; receiving a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction of the number of UEs of the NSAC has been successfully completed; sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device upon receiving the second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating that the number of PDU sessions of the NSAC is to be reduced; receiving a second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberofPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction of the number of PDU sessions of the NSAC has been successfully completed; The method further includes, when receiving the second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response, sending information to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) via the SGW-C indicating that the network slice associated with the APN is not subject to the NSAC.

[0327] Appendix 5. In the method of Appendix 3, receiving a second session setup request message from the SGW-C; wherein the second session setup request message includes information indicating another APN different from the APN received in the first session setup request message; sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device upon receiving the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response; Here, the second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request further includes the S-NSSAI corresponding to another APN and another information indicating that the number of PDU sessions of the NSAC is to be increased.

[0328] Appendix 6. A core network device, comprising: means for receiving a session setup request message from a Serving Gateway-C (SGW-C); wherein the session setup request message includes information indicating an Access Point Name (APN) and information indicating that an N1 mode is supported by a User Equipment (UE); means for sending a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) device when the session setup request message includes information indicating that the N1 mode is supported by the UE; Wherein, the first Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) corresponding to the APN and information indicating an increase in the number of UEs for Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC), means for receiving a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that registration of the UE is permitted; means for sending an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device when an Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received; wherein the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating that the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of the NSAC is to be increased; means for receiving an Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the UE is not authorized to use the S-NSSAI; means for sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device when the Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating a decrease in the number of UEs in the NSAC; means for receiving a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction of the number of UEs of the NSAC has been successfully completed; and means for transmitting to the UE via the SGW-C and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) a value of a timer for suppressing procedures related to the APN when a second Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received.

[0329] Supplementary Note 7. A User Equipment (UE), comprising: means for performing an Access Point Name (APN) related ATTACH procedure or a UE requested PDN connection procedure related to said APN; means for receiving, from a core network device, a value of a timer for suppressing a procedure related to a Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC) when the number of UEs for the APN increases, establishment of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session related to a Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) corresponding to the APN is not permitted by the NSAC, and the number of UEs decreases; and means for maintaining a procedure regarding the APN while the timer is running.

[0330] Appendix 8. A core network device, comprising: means for receiving a first session setup request message from a Serving Gateway-C (SGW-C); Here, the first session setup request message includes information indicating an Access Point Name (APN), a list including a pair of Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) for which Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC) has been completed and the APN corresponding to the S-NSSAI, means for determining, based on the list, whether the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN is associated with another APN different from the received APN; means for sending a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) device when it is determined that the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN is associated with the other APN that is different from the received APN; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI corresponding to the received APN and information indicating an increase in the number of User Equipments (UEs) of the NSAC; means for receiving a first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that registration of the UE is permitted; means for sending a first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device upon receiving the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating an increase in the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of the NSAC; means for receiving a first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the first Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the User Equipment (UE) is authorized to use the S-NSSAI; and means for transmitting to the SGW-C a message including the S-NSSAI and information indicating that the S-NSSAI is registered with the NSACF device.

[0331] Appendix 9. The core network device of Appendix 8, means for receiving, from the SGW-C, information indicating that the N1 mode is not supported by the UE; means for sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device when receiving information indicating that N1 mode is not supported by the UE; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating a decrease in the number of UEs in the NSAC; means for receiving a second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberofUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction of the number of UEs of the NSAC has been successfully completed; means for sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device upon receiving the second Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request includes the S-NSSAI and information indicating that the number of PDU sessions of the NSAC is to be reduced; means for receiving a second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response from the NSACF device; wherein the second Nnsacf_NumberofPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response includes information indicating that the reduction of the number of PDU sessions of the NSAC has been successfully completed; The method further includes means for transmitting information indicating that the network slice associated with the APN is not subject to the NSAC to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) via the SGW-C when the second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response is received.

[0332] Supplementary Note 10. The core network device of Supplementary Note 8, means for receiving a second session setup request message from the SGW-C; wherein the second session setup request message includes information indicating another APN different from the APN received in the first session setup request message; means for sending a second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request to the NSACF device upon receiving the first Nnsacf_NumberOfUEsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate response; Here, the second Nnsacf_NumberOfPDUsPerSliceAvailabilityCheckUpdate request further includes the S-NSSAI corresponding to another APN and another information indicating that the number of PDU sessions of the NSAC is to be increased.

[0333] Appendix 11. A method for a first core network device, comprising: Sending first information to a second core network device to confirm availability of the communication device regarding the network slice; receiving, from the second core network device, a response message to the first information indicating that the communication device has been successfully registered in the network slice; Sending second information to the second core network device to confirm availability of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session related to the network slice; receiving a response message to the second information indicating an establishment error of the PDU session from the second core network device; Send third information to a third core network device, the third information indicating a Protocol Data Network (PDN) connection error.

[0334] Supplementary Note 12. The method of Supplementary Note 11, wherein the first core network device: Sending fourth information to the second core network device to confirm availability of the communication device regarding the network slice; Receive a response message to the third information from the second core network device for reducing the number of PDU sessions of the network slice.

[0335] Appendix 13. A method for a first core network device, comprising: receiving fifth information from a third core network device, the fifth information indicating that the communication device cannot be registered in a second network system different from the first network system; transmitting sixth information to a second core network device for reducing the number of communication devices related to the network slice; receiving a response message to the sixth information from the second core network device, the response message indicating that the number of the communication devices has been successfully reduced; Send a response message to the fifth information to the third core network device indicating that the second core network device does not handle information related to the network slice.

[0336] Appendix 14. A method for a first core network device, comprising: receiving fifth information from a third core network device, the fifth information indicating that the communication device cannot be registered in a second network system different from the first network system; Sending seventh information to a second core network device for reducing the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions registered in the network slice; receiving a response message to the seventh information from the second core network device, the response message indicating that the number of PDU sessions has been successfully reduced; Send a response message to the fifth information to the third core network device indicating that the second core network device does not handle information related to the network slice.

[0337] Appendix 15. A method for a first core network device, comprising: receiving fifth information from a third core network device, the fifth information indicating that the communication device cannot be registered in a second network system different from the first network system; transmitting sixth information to a second core network device for reducing the number of communication devices related to the network slice; receiving a response message to the sixth information from the second core network device, the response message indicating that the number of the communication devices has been successfully reduced; Sending seventh information to a second core network device for reducing the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions registered in the network slice; receiving a response message to the seventh information from the second core network device, the response message indicating that the number of PDU sessions has been successfully reduced; Send a response message to the fifth information to the third core network device indicating that the second core network device does not handle information related to the network slice.

[0338] Appendix 16. A first core network device, comprising: means for detecting an Access Point Name (APN) of a communication device; means for receiving, from a third core network device, a first request message for setting up a session of a second APN; means for transmitting a first update message to a second core network device to update the number of the communication devices registered in the network slice; means for sending a second update message to a second core network device to update the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions registered in the network slice; means for receiving a response message to the second update message from the second core network device; A means for sending a response message to the first request message to the third core network device, and a means for sending the first update message to the second core network device does not send the first update message if the first core network device detects that the communication device is registered to a first APN that is different from the second APN.

[0339] <Second Note> Appendix 1. A means for requesting a network node for managing a network slice to update the number of user equipment (UE) registered in the network slice; A means for requesting a network node for managing a network slice to update the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of a specific network slice; A core network node comprising: means for receiving information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions.

[0340] Appendix 2. In the core network node of Appendix 1, The method further comprises: means for performing an information update related to the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs.

[0341] Appendix 3. In the core network node of Appendix 2, The means for invoking the update performs, based on the information indicating the failure, an update of information related to the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs.

[0342] Appendix 4. 4. A core network node according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The information indicating the failure is received after requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of UEs and after requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of PDU sessions.

[0343] Appendix 5. 4. A core network node according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

[0344] Appendix 6. 4. A core network node according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

[0345] Appendix 7. The network node for network slice management, means for receiving a request from a core network node to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice; means for receiving a request from a core network node to update a number of Protocol Data Units (PDUs) for a particular network slice; The method further comprises: transmitting information indicating a failure related to the number of PDU updates to a core network node.

[0346] Appendix 8. In the network node for network slice management of Appendix 7, The information indicating the failure is transmitted to the core network node to perform an information update related to the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs.

[0347] Appendix 9. In a network node for managing a network slice according to Supplementary Note 7 or 8, An update related to the number of UEs to reduce the UE count is invoked based on the failure indication.

[0348] Appendix 10. In a network node for managing a network slice according to Supplementary Note 7 or 9, The transmitting means transmits information indicating the failure after receiving a request to update the number of UEs and after receiving a request to update the number of PDUs.

[0349] Appendix 11. In a network node for network slice management according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 10, The core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

[0350] Appendix 12. In a network node for network slice management according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 11, The network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

[0351] Appendix 13. A method of a core network node, comprising: Requesting a network node for network slice management to update the number of user equipment (UE) registered in the network slice; Requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of Protocol Data Units (PDUs) of a specific network slice; The method includes receiving information indicating a failure related to the number of PDU updates from the network node for network slice management.

[0352] Appendix 14. In the method of Appendix 13, The method further includes performing an information update related to the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs.

[0353] Appendix 15. In the method of Appendix 14, A call for update information related to the number of UEs to decrease the UE count is called based on the information indicating the failure.

[0354] Appendix 16. In any one of claims 13 to 15, The information indicating the failure is received after requesting the network node for managing the network slice to update the number of UEs and after requesting the network node for managing the network slice to update the number of PDUs.

[0355] Appendix 17. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, The core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

[0356] Appendix 18. 18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, The network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

[0357] Appendix 19. 1. A method for a network node for network slice management, comprising: receiving a request from a core network node to update the number of user equipment (UE) registered in the network slice; receiving a request from a core network node to update a number of Protocol Data Units (PDUs) for a particular network slice; and transmitting information indicating a failure related to the number of PDU updates to a core network node.

[0358] Appendix 20. In the method of Appendix 19, The information indicating the failure is transmitted to the core network node to perform an information update related to the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs.

[0359] Appendix 21. In the method of Appendix 19 or 20, updating information related to the number of UEs to reduce the UE count is invoked based on the information indicating the failure;

[0360] Appendix 22. In any one of claims 19 to 21, The transmission occurs after receiving an update request for the number of UEs and after receiving an update request for the number of PDUs.

[0361] Appendix 23. In a network node for network slice management according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 10, The core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

[0362] Appendix 24. In a network node for network slice management according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 11, The network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

[0363] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments (and examples), the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments (and examples). Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0364] This application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202111032117, filed on July 16, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0365] 1. Communication Systems 3UE 5 (R)AN nodes 7 Core Network 20 Data Network 31 Transmitting and receiving circuit 32 Antenna 33 Controller 34 User Interface 35 USIM 36 memory 51 Transmitting and receiving circuit 52 Antenna 53 Network Interface 54 Controller 55 memory 60RU 61 DU 62 CU 70 AMF 71 SMF 72 UPF 73 PCF 74 NEF 75 UDM 76 NWDAF 77 NSACF 361 Operating Systems 362 Communication Control Module 551 Operating Systems 552 Communication Control Module 601 Transmitting and receiving circuit 602 Antenna 603 Network Interface 604 Controller 605 memory 611 Transmitting and receiving circuit 612 Network Interface 613 Controller 614 memory 621 Transmitting and receiving circuit 622 Network Interface 623 Controller 624 memory 701 Transmitting and receiving circuit 702 Network Interface 703 Controller 704 memory 711 Transmitting and receiving circuit 712 Network Interface 713 Controller 714 memory 751 Transmitting and receiving circuit 752 Network Interface 753 Controller 754 memory 771 Transmitting and receiving circuit 772 Network Interface 773 Controller 774 memory 3621 Transmit / Receive Control Module 5521 Transmit / Receive Control Module 6051 Operating System 6052 Communication Control Module 6141 Operating System 6142 Communication Control Module 6241 Operating System 6242 Communication Control Module 7041 Operating System 7042 Communication Control Module 7141 Operating System 7142 Communication Control Module 7541 Operating Systems 7542 Communication Control Module 7741 Operating System 7742 Communication Control Module 60521 Transmit / Receive Control Module 61421 Transmit / Receive Control Module 62421 Transmit / Receive Control Module 70421 Transmit / Receive Control Module 71421 Transmit / Receive Control Module 75421 Transmit / Receive Control Module 77421 Transmit / Receive Control Module< / nsacf> < / udm> < / smf> < / amf>

Claims

1. A means for requesting a network node for managing a network slice to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice; A means for requesting a network node for managing the network slice to update the number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of a specific network slice; means for receiving information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions; means for performing an update of the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs; Equipped with The means for performing an update performs an update of the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs based on the information indicating the failure. Core network node.

2. The information indicating the failure is received after requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of UEs and after requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of PDU sessions. The core network node of claim 1.

3. The core network node according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

4. 3. The core network node according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

5. means for receiving a request from a core network node to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice; means for receiving a request from the core network node to update a number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions for a particular network slice; means for transmitting information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions to the core network node; Information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions is sent to the core network node to perform an update of the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs. A network node for network slice management.

6. means for receiving a request from a core network node to update the number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice; means for receiving a request from the core network node to update a number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions for a particular network slice; means for transmitting information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions to the core network node; The update of the number of UEs to decrease the count of the UEs is invoked by the core network node based on information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions. A network node for network slice management.

7. 7. The network node for network slice management according to claim 6, wherein information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions is transmitted to the core network node to perform an update of the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs.

8. The network node for network slice management according to claim 5, wherein the core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

9. 6. The network node for network slice management according to claim 5, wherein the network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

10. Requesting a network node for network slice management to update the number of user equipment (UE) registered in the network slice; Requesting the network node for managing the network slice to update the number of Protocol Data Units (PDUs) of a specific network slice; receiving information indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions from the network node for network slice management; performing a number update of UEs to reduce the count of the UEs; Invoking a UE count update to decrease the UE count is based on the information indicating the failure. A method for a core network node.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information indicating the failure is received after requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of UEs and after requesting the network node for network slice management to update the number of PDUs.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the core network node is a combination of a session management function node and a PDN gateway control plane node (SMF+PGW-C).

13. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the network node for network slice management is a Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF).

14. receiving a request from a core network node to update a number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice; receiving a request from the core network node to update a number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions for a particular network slice; sending information to the core network node indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions; the information indicating the failure is transmitted to the core network node to perform a UE count update to reduce the UE count. A method for a network node for managing a network slice.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein updating the number of UEs to decrement the UE count is invoked by the core network node based on the information indicating the failure.

16. 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the sending occurs after receiving a number of UEs update request and after receiving a number of PDUs update request.

17. receiving a request from a core network node to update a number of user equipments (UEs) registered in the network slice; receiving a request from the core network node to update a number of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions for a particular network slice; sending information to the core network node indicating a failure related to updating the number of PDU sessions; an update of the number of UEs to reduce the count of the UE is invoked by the core network node based on the information indicating the failure; A method for a network node for managing a network slice.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information indicating the failure is transmitted to the core network node to perform a UE count update to reduce the UE count.

19. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the sending occurs after receiving a number of UEs update request and after receiving a number of PDUs update request.

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