Network node

Abstract

This network node includes: a reception unit for receiving, from a first network node, a first session establishment request by which a subscriber requests a computational resource; a control unit for determining whether the first session establishment request is permitted to the subscriber, and when the first session establishment request is determined as being permissible, specifying a computational resource to be provided to the subscriber and selecting a second network node which provides the specified computational resource; and a transmission unit for transmitting, to the second network node, a second session establishment request of requesting generation of the specified computational resource. The reception unit receives a response to the second session establishment request from the second network node, and the transmission unit transmits a response to the first session establishment request to the first network node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node in a communication system.

Background Art

[0002] In 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), in order to achieve further increase in system capacity, further increase in data transmission speed, further reduction in latency in the radio section, etc., a radio communication system called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, this radio communication system is referred to as "5G" or "NR") is being studied. In 5G, various radio technologies are being studied in order to meet the requirement of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more and reducing the latency in the radio section to 1 ms or less.

[0003] In NR, a network architecture including 5GC (5G Core Network) corresponding to EPC (Evolved Packet Core), which is the core network in the network architecture of LTE (Long Term Evolution), and NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) corresponding to E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), which is the RAN (Radio Access Network) in the network architecture of LTE, is being studied (for example, Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

[0005] It is envisioned that telecommunications carriers will provide subscribers with a service that leases computing resources within the network and the execution environment on those resources. However, with existing technologies, it has been difficult for subscribers to use these computing resources and execution environment as the endpoint for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide subscribers with computing resources and execution environments on a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, a network node is provided which includes: a receiving unit that receives a first session establishment request from a first network node in which a subscriber requests computing resources; a control unit that determines whether the first session establishment request is permissible to the subscriber, and if it is determined to be permissible, determines the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber and selects a second network node that provides the determined computing resources; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second session establishment request to the second network node requesting the generation of the determined computing resources, wherein the receiving unit receives a response to the second session establishment request from the second network node, and the transmitting unit transmits a response to the first session establishment request to the first network node. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, computing resources and execution environments on the network can be leased to subscribers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. [Figure 2]This diagram illustrates an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the CRMF session establishment procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a CRMF session modification procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a service request procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the CRMF session release procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to those described below.

[0011] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present invention, existing technologies may be used as appropriate. However, such existing technologies include, for example, existing LTE, but are not limited to existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" as used herein has a broad meaning that includes LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced and later methods (e.g., NR), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), unless otherwise specified.

[0012] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from the network node 30 or terminal 20 are configured.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system consists of a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes 30. Hereafter, one network node 30 will be assigned to each function, however, one network node 30 may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes 30 may implement one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0014] The RAN (Radio Access Network) is a network node 30 having radio access functionality, which may include a base station 10, and is connected to the UE, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and UPF (User plane function). The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as terminating the RAN interface, terminating the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 interconnected with the DN (Data Network) and having functions such as a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point to the outside, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network in the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices may be constructed.

[0015] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services, namely Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0016] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, roaming function, etc. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selection of the network slice to which the UE connects, determination of the permitted NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determination of the configured NSSAI, determination of the set of AMFs to which the UE connects, etc. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of performing network policy control. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling an application server. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The UDM is a network node 30 that manages subscriber data and authentication data. The UDM is connected to a UDR (User Data Repository) that holds the data.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Figure 2, the network is composed of a UE which is a terminal 20 and a plurality of network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but a single network node 30 may implement a plurality of functions, or a plurality of network nodes 30 may implement a single function. Also, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0018] The RAN is a network node 30 with wireless access capabilities and is connected to the UE, AMF, and UPF. The AMF is a network node 30 with functions such as RAN interface termination, NAS termination, registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 interconnected with the DN and has functions such as external PDU session point, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS handling. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0019] AMF is connected to UE, RAN, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, AF, and SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy). AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services: Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0020] SMF is a network node 30 with functions such as session management, UE IP address assignment and management, DHCP functionality, ARP proxy, and roaming functionality. NEF is a network node 30 with the function of notifying other NFs of capabilities and events. NSSF is a network node 30 with functions such as selecting the network slice to which the UE connects, determining the allowed NSSAI, determining the NSSAI to be configured, and determining the AMF set to which the UE connects. PCF is a network node 30 with the function of controlling network policy. AF is a network node 30 with the function of controlling application servers. NRF is a network node 30 with the function of discovering NF instances that provide services. SEPP is an opaque proxy that filters control plane messages between PLMNs (Public Land Mobile Networks). vSEPP shown in Figure 2 is SEPP in the visited network, and hSEPP is SEPP in the home network.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the UE is in a roaming environment connected to the RAN and AMF in the VPLMN (Visited PLMN). The VPLMN and HPLMN (Home PLMN) are connected via vSEPP and hSEPP. The UE can communicate with the HPLMN's UDM, for example, via the VPLMN's AMF.

[0022] Here, some of the use cases for 5G Advanced / 6G share common requirements, as shown in 1) and 2) below.

[0023] 1) A telecommunications carrier provides a service that leases computing resources within the network and the execution environment on those computing resources to subscribers. In the case of a cloud environment, this may be equivalent to the telecommunications carrier providing containers to subscribers. However, it does not presuppose any specific technology related to containers. 2) Subscribers shall use the said computing resources and execution environment as the endpoint for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0024] However, it was difficult to achieve the above requirements with existing technologies.

[0025] Therefore, a new function called UCRF (User Computing Resource Function) may be introduced, which allows the above container to be configured for each subscriber. Furthermore, a new function called CRMF (Computing Resource Management Function) may be introduced to control UCRF. Note that the names UCRF and CRMF are just examples, and these functions may be called by other names.

[0026] Regarding the procedures related to the session, CRMF may be considered as SMF and UCRF as UPF. For example, the following 1)-3) may be defined.

[0027] 1) Between the UE and the CRMF, procedures similar to those related to PDU sessions may be defined for establishing a CRMF session, modifying a CRMF session, and releasing a CRMF session.

[0028] 2) Procedures for establishing a UCRF session, modifying a UCRF session, and releasing a UCRF session may be defined between CRMF and UCRF, similar to the procedures for PFCP (Packet Forwarding Control Protocol) sessions.

[0029] 3) A service request procedure for activating a deactivated container may be defined.

[0030] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the CRMF session establishment procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. In step S101, UE20 sends a CRMF session establishment request to AMF30A. UE20 may set the CRMF session ID related to the termination in AMF and the requested resource capacity indicating the capacity of the requested computing resources in the CRMF session establishment request. Note that the term "computation resource capacity" as described below may include not only the capacity of computing resources but also the execution environment, capabilities, etc.

[0031] In the subsequent step S102, AMF30A sends a CRMF session establishment request to CRMF30B. AMF30A may include the CRMF session ID set by UE20 and the requested resource capacity set by UE20 in the CRMF session establishment request.

[0032] In the following step S103, CRMF30B sends a subscriber information confirmation to UDM30E to obtain subscriber information. In the following step S104, UDM30E sends a subscriber information response to CRMF30B. Based on the obtained subscriber information, CRMF30B determines whether the CRMF session establishment request from UE20 is acceptable. If the determination indicates that the CRMF session establishment request from UE20 is acceptable, the process may proceed to step S105. On the other hand, if the determination indicates that the CRMF session establishment request from UE20 is not acceptable, CRMF30B may send a response to AMF30A indicating that the CRMF session establishment request has been rejected. AMF30A may send this response to UE20.

[0033] In the following step S105, CRMF30B transmits the requested resource capacity obtained from the CRMF session establishment request to PCF30D. In the following step S106, PCF30D determines the capacity of computing resources to be provided to UE20 based on the information contained in the obtained requested resource capacity and the telecommunications carrier's policy, and transmits information including the determined capacity to CRMF30B as a requested resource capacity response.

[0034] For example, PCF30D may decide to provide UE20 with computing resources of the same capacity as the requested resource capacity, or it may decide to provide UE20 with computing resources of a capacity less than the requested resource capacity, or it may decide to provide UE20 with computing resources of a capacity greater than the requested resource capacity.

[0035] In the following step S107, CRMF30B selects UCRF30C. For example, CRMF30B may select UCRF30C that is close to UE20 based on the location information of UE20. In the following step S108, CRMF30B sends a UCRF session establishment request to UCRF30C. CRMF30B sets a computing resource generation request in the UCRF session establishment request. The computing resource generation request may be set based on the requested resource capacity, or it may include information indicating the capacity of computing resources based on the requested resource capacity response obtained from PCF30D.

[0036] In the following step S109, UCRF30C configures a container. This container may be configured based on the capacity of computing resources obtained from CRMF30B. In the following step S110, UCRF30C sends a UCRF session establishment response to CRMF30B.

[0037] In the following step S111, CRMF30B sends a CRMF session establishment response to AMF30A. In the following step S112, AMF30A sends a CRMF session establishment response to UE20.

[0038] Furthermore, in step S113, the UCRF30C may obtain an external communication IP address from, for example, the interface with DN. Also, in step S114, the UCRF30C may start an application within the container. This application may be a communication application that uses the obtained external communication IP address.

[0039] Furthermore, from step S114 onward, UE20 may use the container configured on UCRF30C to receive services from a telecommunications carrier.

[0040] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a CRMF session modification procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. In step S200, the CRMF session is assumed to be in an established state.

[0041] In step S201, UE20 sends a CRMF session change request to AMF30A, specifying the CRMF session ID. UE20 may also set the CRMF session change request with information requesting changes to the resource capacity, capabilities, and execution environment of the container to be modified.

[0042] In the following step S202, AMF30A sends a CRMF session change request to CRMF30B. AMF30A may include the CRMF session ID set by UE20 and the change resource capacity set by UE20 in the CRMF session change request.

[0043] In the following step S203, CRMF30B determines whether the CRMF session change request from UE20 is permissible based on the subscriber information already obtained at its own node. If the CRMF session change request from UE20 is permissible, the process may proceed to step S204.

[0044] In the following step S204, CRMF30B transmits the modified resource capacity obtained by the CRMF session change request to PCF30D. In the following step S205, PCF30D determines the capacity of computing resources to be provided to UE20 based on the information contained in the acquired modified resource capacity and the telecommunications carrier's policy, and transmits information including the determined capacity to CRMF30B as a modified resource capacity response.

[0045] For example, PCF30D may decide to provide UE20 with computing resources of the same capacity as the changed resource capacity, or it may decide to provide UE20 with computing resources of a capacity less than the changed resource capacity, or it may decide to provide UE20 with computing resources of a capacity greater than the changed resource capacity.

[0046] In the subsequent step S206, CRMF30B sends a UCRF session change request to UCRF30C. CRMF30B sets a computing resource change request in the UCRF session change request. The computing resource change request may be set based on the capacity of the resources to be changed, or it may include information indicating the capacity of the computing resources based on the capacity of the resources to be changed obtained from PCF30D.

[0047] In the following step S207, UCRF30C modifies the container based on the UCRF session change request. The container may be modified based on the capacity of computing resources obtained from CRMF30B. In the following step S208, UCRF30C sends a UCRF session change response to CRMF30B.

[0048] In the following step S209, CRMF30B sends a CRMF session change response to AMF30A. In the following step S210, AMF30A sends a CRMF session change response to UE20.

[0049] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a service request procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. In step S300, the CRMF session is assumed to be established.

[0050] In step S301, the UCRF30C detects that the container is not in use. In the subsequent step S302, the UCRF30C deactivates the container. The UCRF30C may deactivate the container based on the carrier's policy if the container has not been used for a certain period of time.

[0051] In step S303, UE20 sends a service request to AMF30A, specifying the CRMF session ID in the list of containers requiring activation. In the following step S304, AMF30A sends a context update request to CRMF30B, which includes an Information Element (IE) indicating the container status set to "Activated". The value of the Information Element indicating the container status may be set to "Activated", "Activated", or "Deactivated".

[0052] In the subsequent step S305, CRMF30B sends a UCRF session change request to UCRF30C. CRMF30B sets a computing resource change request in the UCRF session change request. CRMF30B may also set an information element in the computing resource change request that indicates the container state obtained from the context update request.

[0053] In the following step S306, UCRF30C activates the container based on the UCRF session change request. In the following step S307, UCRF30C sends the UCRF session change response to CRMF30B.

[0054] In the following step S308, CRMF30B sends a context update response to AMF30A. In the following step S309, AMF30A sends a service response to UE20.

[0055] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a CRMF session release procedure in an embodiment of the present invention. In step S400, the CRMF session is assumed to be established.

[0056] In step S401, UE20 sends a CRMF session release request to AMF30A, specifying the CRMF session ID. In the following step S402, AMF30A sends a CRMF session release request to CRMF30B.

[0057] In the following step S403, CRMF30B sends a UCRF session release request to UCRF30C to release the UCRF session corresponding to the CRMF session specified by the received CRMF session release request. In the following step S404, UCRF30C releases the corresponding container based on the received UCRF session release request. In the following step S405, UCRF30C sends a UCRF session release response to CRMF30B.

[0058] In the following step S406, CRMF30B sends a CRMF session release response to AMF30A. In the following step S407, AMF30A sends a CRMF session release response to UE20.

[0059] As described above, a telecommunications carrier can lease computing resources and execution environments on its network to its subscribers, and subscribers can use these computing resources and execution environments as the endpoints for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0060] In other words, computing resources and execution environments on the network can be leased to subscribers.

[0061] (Device configuration) Next, we will describe an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described above. The base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 include the functions to perform the embodiments described above. However, the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 may each have only some of the functions in the embodiments.

[0062] <Base station 10 and network node 30> Figure 7 shows an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10. As shown in Figure 7, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Figure 7 is merely an example. The functional classifications and names of the functional units can be anything as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention. The network node 30 may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Furthermore, a network node 30 having multiple different functions on the system architecture may be composed of multiple network nodes 30 separated by function.

[0063] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or other network node 30 and transmitting the signal by wire or wireless. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or other network node 30 and obtaining information from the received signal, for example, information from a higher layer.

[0064] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device, and reads it from the storage device as needed. The content of the setting information includes, for example, settings related to computing resources.

[0065] As described in the embodiment, the control unit 140 performs processing related to computing resources in the network. The control unit 140 also performs processing related to communication with the terminal 20. The signal transmission function of the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function of the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0066] <Terminal 20> Figure 8 shows an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20. As shown in Figure 8, terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 8 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they enable the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and acquires signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The receiving unit 220 also has the function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals or reference signals transmitted from the network node 30.

[0068] The configuration unit 230 stores various configuration information received from the network node 30 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The configuration unit 230 also stores pre-configured configuration information. The content of the configuration information includes, for example, settings related to computing resources.

[0069] The control unit 240 performs processing related to connection control to the network and network slices, as described in the embodiment. The signal transmission function in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0070] (Hardware configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 7 and 8) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0071] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, judgment, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0072] For example, the network node 30, terminal 20, etc. in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 and terminal 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 30 may have a hardware configuration similar to that of the base station 10. The base station 10 and terminal 20 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0073] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0074] Each function in the base station 10 and terminal 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0075] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0076] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 7 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 8 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0077] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0078] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0079] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may include high-frequency switches, duplexers, filters, frequency synthesizers, etc., to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmit / receive antenna, amplifier section, transmit / receive section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmit / receive section may be implemented with physically or logically separated transmitting and receiving sections.

[0080] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0081] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0082] Furthermore, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0083] Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 10, vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0084] The drive unit 2002 consists of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel, which is operated by the user.

[0085] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0086] Signals from various sensors 2021-2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 which senses motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals obtained by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals obtained by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals obtained by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals obtained by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0087] The Information Services Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Services Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001.

[0088] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also sends and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0089] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via its communication port 2033 to the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0090] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information to and from external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0091] The communication module 2013 transmits current signals from current sensors input to the electronic control unit 2010 to an external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 also transmits, via wireless communication, other signals input to the electronic control unit 2010, including front and rear wheel rotation speed signals obtained by the rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals obtained by the air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by the acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals obtained by the accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals obtained by the brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by the shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by the object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0092] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, distance information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 installed in the vehicle 2001. The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external device in memory 2032, which is available to the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., installed in the vehicle 2001.

[0093] (Summary of the embodiments) As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a network node is provided which includes: a receiving unit that receives a first session establishment request from a first network node in which a subscriber requests computing resources; a control unit that determines whether the first session establishment request is permissible to the subscriber, and if it is determined to be permissible, determines the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber and selects a second network node that provides the determined computing resources; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second session establishment request to the second network node requesting the generation of the determined computing resources, wherein the receiving unit receives a response to the second session establishment request from the second network node, and the transmitting unit transmits a response to the first session establishment request to the first network node.

[0094] With the above configuration, telecommunications carriers can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to subscribers, and subscribers can use these computing resources and execution environments as the endpoints for sending and receiving communications related to them. In other words, they can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to subscribers.

[0095] The transmitting unit may send a message to a third network node confirming information relating to the subscriber, the receiving unit may receive a response to the message from the third network node, and the control unit may determine, based on the response, whether the first session establishment request is acceptable to the subscriber. With this configuration, the telecommunications carrier can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to the subscriber, and the subscriber can use these computing resources and execution environments as the endpoint for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0096] The transmitting unit may transmit information indicating the computing resources requested by the subscriber to a fourth network node, the receiving unit may receive information indicating the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber from the fourth network node, and the control unit may determine which computing resources to provide to the subscriber based on the information indicating the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber. With this configuration, the telecommunications carrier can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to subscribers, and subscribers can use said computing resources and execution environments as the termination point for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0097] The control unit may select the second network node based on the location information of the terminal corresponding to the subscriber. With this configuration, the telecommunications carrier can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to the subscriber, and the subscriber can use these computing resources and execution environments as the endpoint for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0098] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a network node is provided which includes a receiving unit that receives a session establishment request from a network node requesting the generation of computing resources to be provided to a subscriber, a control unit that generates computing resources based on the session establishment request, and a transmitting unit that transmits a response to the session establishment request to the network node, wherein the receiving unit acquires an external communication address, and the control unit launches an application that uses the external communication address on the generated computing resources.

[0099] With the above configuration, telecommunications carriers can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to subscribers, and subscribers can use these computing resources and execution environments as the endpoints for sending and receiving communications related to them. In other words, they can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to subscribers.

[0100] The control unit may deactivate the generated computing resources if they have not been used for a period of time, the receiving unit may receive a session change request from the network node, the control unit may activate the generated computing resources based on the session change request, and the transmitting unit may transmit a response corresponding to the session change request to the network node. With this configuration, a telecommunications carrier can lease computing resources and execution environments on the network to subscribers, and subscribers can use said computing resources and execution environments as the endpoint for sending and receiving communications related to them.

[0101] (Supplement to the embodiment) While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. Regarding the processing procedures described in the embodiments, the order of processing may be changed as long as it does not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the network node 30 and terminal 20 have been described using a functional block diagram, but such devices may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the network node 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may each be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or any other suitable storage medium.

[0102] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the embodiments / models described herein and may be carried out by other methods. For example, the notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0103] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of the following systems: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0104] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), and IEEE This may apply to at least one system utilizing 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. It may also apply to a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0105] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0106] In this specification, specific operations performed by network node 30 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having network node 30, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with terminal 20 can be performed by network node 30 and at least one other network node (for example, MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides network node 30, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, MME and S-GW).

[0107] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0108] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0109] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0110] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0111] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0112] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0113] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0114] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0115] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0116] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0117] In this disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0118] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into several smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0119] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0120] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0121] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0122] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything)). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the network node 30 has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0123] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0124] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0125] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0126] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0127] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0128] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0129] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0130] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0131] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0132] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0133] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0134] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 10 base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting section 140 Control Unit 20 devices 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting section 240 Control Unit 30 network nodes 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive Unit 2003 Steering Department 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift Lever 2007 Front Wheel 2008 Rear wheel 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic Control Unit 2012 Information Services Department 2013 Communication Module 2021 Current Sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Pneumatic Sensor 2024 Vehicle Speed ​​Sensor 2025 Accelerometer 2026 Brake Pedal Sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object Detection Sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver Support Systems Department 2031 Microprocessor 2032 memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (I / O port)

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives a first session establishment request from a first network node in which a subscriber requests computing resources, A control unit that determines whether the first session establishment request is acceptable to the subscriber, and if it is deemed acceptable, determines the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber and selects a second network node to provide the determined computing resources, The system includes a transmission unit that transmits a second session establishment request to the second network node requesting the generation of the determined computing resources, The receiving unit receives a response to the second session establishment request from the second network node, The transmitting unit is a network node that transmits a response to the first session establishment request to the first network node.

2. The transmitting unit sends a message to the third network node to confirm the information relating to the subscriber. The receiving unit receives a response to the message from the third network node, The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines, based on the response, whether the first session establishment request is acceptable to the subscriber.

3. The transmitting unit transmits information indicating the computing resources requested by the subscriber to the fourth network node. The receiving unit receives information from the fourth network node indicating the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber based on information indicating the computing resources to be provided to the subscriber.

4. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects the second network node based on the location information of the terminal corresponding to the subscriber.

Images