Communication device, RIC, method, and program

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a communication device that makes it possible to collect measurement items required for identification of communication quality degradation factors. This communication device communicates with a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), and includes: a reception unit that receives, from a RIC 10, a request message requesting that measurement data relating to a transport block transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be associated with each communication terminal and reported; and a transmission unit that, upon receiving the request message, transmits, to the RIC, a message including the measurement data associated with each terminal.

Description

Communication device, RIC, method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a RIC, a method, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, radio access networks have been adopted that separate the baseband and radio sections of base stations and connect them via a fronthaul. The O-RAN (Open-Radio Access Network) fronthaul specifications established by the O-RAN Alliance define the fronthaul specifications between the O-RU (Radio Unit), which corresponds to the radio section, and the O-DU (Distributed Unit) and O-CU (Central Unit), which correspond to the baseband section. One of the goals of the O-RAN fronthaul specifications is to facilitate the connection of O-RUs from different vendors to O-DUs, thereby realizing multi-vendor radio access networks.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 defines technical specifications defined by the O-RAN Alliance. Specifically, Non-Patent Document 1 defines the E2 Service Model (E2SM) "Key Performance Measurement" (KPM). The E2SM KPM defines the operation of reporting cell-level performance measurement results related to RAN (Radio Access Network) functions in 5G (5th Generation) networks.

[0004] Furthermore, in Chapter 7.9 of Non-Patent Document 1, a list of measurement items that can be collected for each UE (User Equipment) is shown, among the measurement items defined in Non-Patent Document 2, which is a technical specification of 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), and the measurement items defined in Chapter 7.10 of Non-Patent Document 1.

[0005] By measuring the performance of RAN functions in 5G networks, it is expected that the communication quality of the RAN can be monitored and the measurement results can be used to improve communication quality.

[0006] O-RAN.WG3.E2SM-KPM-v02.033GPP TS28.552 V18.0.0 (2022-09)

[0007] One factor that can degrade communication quality in a RAN is delay caused by retransmission control. Retransmission control is performed when a transmission error occurs. Specifically, retransmission control is performed using Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) in the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. Whether delay is caused by retransmission control in the MAC layer can be determined by monitoring, for each UE, whether errors occur in the transport blocks constituting the MAC layer. However, Non-Patent Document 1 does not specify any items related to the transport blocks constituting the MAC layer as measurement items that can be collected for each UE. Therefore, Non-Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is unable to identify delay caused by retransmission control as a factor in communication quality degradation. Furthermore, Non-Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is unable to identify other factors in communication quality degradation that can be identified by monitoring whether errors occur in the transport blocks for each UE. Other factors that can degrade communication quality include, for example, a decrease in throughput and an increase in the error rate due to the selection of an inappropriate Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index in the MAC layer.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device, RIC, method, and program that enable the collection of measurement items necessary to identify the causes of degradation in communication quality.

[0009] A communication device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a communication device that communicates with a RIC (Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller), and includes: a receiving unit that receives a request message from the RIC requesting that measurement data related to a transport block transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be associated with each of the communication terminals and reported; and a transmitting unit that, upon receiving the request message, transmits a message to the RIC including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals.

[0010] A RIC according to a second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a transmitting unit that transmits a request message to a communication device requesting that measurement data related to a transport block transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each of the communication terminals, and a receiving unit that receives a message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals from the communication device that has received the request message.

[0011] A communication method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a method implemented by a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), and includes the steps of: transmitting a request message to the communication device requesting that measurement data related to a transport block transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each of the communication terminals; and receiving a message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals from the communication device that has received the request message.

[0012] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to send a request message to a communication device requesting that measurement data related to a transport block transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each of the communication terminals, and receive a message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals from the communication device that has received the request message.

[0013] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a communication device, a RIC, a method, and a program that enable collection of measurement items necessary to identify the cause of degradation in communication quality.

[0014] 1 is a configuration diagram of a RIC according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method executed in a RIC according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method executed in a communication device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a Near-RT RIC according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a configuration diagram of an O-DU according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram of a process flow relating to collection of measurement data according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram of a format of a RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram of a format of Subscription Information according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram of a data table indicating measurement data that can be set in a Measurement Name according to the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram of a data table indicating measurement data that can be set in a Measurement Name according to the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram of a format of a RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE according to the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram of a process flow for transmitting measurement data according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a diagram of a format of a RIC INDICATION MESSAGE IE according to the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a diagram of a format of a RIC INDICATION MESSAGE IE according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a Near-RT RIC, O-CU, and O-DU according to the present disclosure.

[0015] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1A illustrates a configuration example of a communication system 10 including a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) 20 and a communication device 30. The communication device 30 may be, for example, a base station device. Alternatively, the communication device 30 may be an O-RAN Central Unit (O-CU) or an O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) constituting the RAN architecture defined by the O-RAN Alliance. The O-CU and O-DU may be referred to as a CU and a DU. The RIC 20 may be a logical node that optimizes RAN elements or RAN resources. The logical node may perform processing equivalent to a function. Alternatively, the RIC 20 may be a physical device corresponding to an entity. The name "RIC" is not limited to this. That is, the RIC 20 described in this embodiment may be a logical node or physical device (e.g., a management node or a management device) with a different name that has the same function as the RIC 20. The O-CU and O-DU may similarly be logical nodes or physical devices.

[0016] Here, an example configuration of the RIC 20 shown in Fig. 1A will be described. The RIC 20 has a transmitting unit 21 and a receiving unit 22. The transmitting unit 21 and the receiving unit 22 may be software or modules that perform processing when a processor executes a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the transmitting unit 21 and the receiving unit 22 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

[0017] The RIC 20 communicates with the communication devices 30. For example, the RIC 20 collects information held by each communication device 30 in order to design parameters of the communication devices 30, which are RAN elements, or to optimize the operation of the communication devices 30. Specifically, the transmitter 21 transmits a request message to the communication device 30, requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communication device 30 and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each communication terminal. Note that the RIC 20 in this embodiment may be a Near-RT (Near-Real-Time) RIC. Alternatively, the RIC 20 may be a Non-RT (Non-Real-Time) RIC.

[0018] A transport block indicates a unit of data mapped to a physical channel such as a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) or a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) or a physical layer. Mapping of transport blocks to physical channels is performed in the MAC layer. Measurement data related to transport blocks is data indicating measurement results of data in units of transport blocks. The measurement data may be, for example, the number of transport blocks transmitted between a communication terminal and the communication device 30, the number of transport blocks in which errors occurred, etc. The measurement data may also include measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted from the communication terminal to the communication device 30 and measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted from the communication device 30 to the communication terminal. Data transmission from the communication terminal to the communication device 30 corresponds to communication related to the uplink, and data transmission from the communication device 30 to the communication terminal corresponds to communication related to the downlink.

[0019] The receiving unit 22 receives a message including measurement data associated with each communication terminal from the communication device 30 that has received the request message.

[0020] Next, a configuration example of the communication device 30 shown in Fig. 1B will be described. The communication device 30 has a receiving unit 31 and a transmitting unit 32. The receiving unit 31 and the transmitting unit 32 may be software or modules that are executed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the receiving unit 31 and the transmitting unit 32 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

[0021] The receiving unit 31 receives a request message from the RIC 20 requesting that measurement data related to a transport block transmitted between the communication device 30 and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each communication terminal.

[0022] When the transmission unit 32 receives the request message, it transmits a message including measurement data associated with each communication terminal to the RIC 20. The communication device 30 may collect measurement data associated with each communication terminal from other communication devices. Alternatively, the communication device 30 may generate measurement data related to a transport block for each communication terminal. The communication device 30 transmits a message including identification information of the communication terminal and the measurement data associated with the identification information to the RIC 20.

[0023] 1C, a method executed in the RIC 20 will be described. First, the transmitter 21 transmits to the communication device 30 a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communication device 30 and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each communication terminal (S1). Next, the receiver 22 receives a message including the measurement data associated with each communication terminal from the communication device 30 that has received the request message (S2).

[0024] 1D, a method executed in the communication device 30 will be described. First, the receiver 31 receives a request message from the RIC 20 requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communication device 30 and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each communication terminal (S5). Next, upon receiving the request message, the transmitter 32 transmits a message including the measurement data associated with each communication terminal to the RIC 20 (S6).

[0025] As described above, the RIC 20 requests the communication device 30 to report measurement data related to the transport block associated with each communication terminal, and acquires the measurement data associated with each communication terminal from the communication device 30. This enables the RIC 20 to analyze data related to the transport block for each communication terminal. This enables the RIC 20 to identify the cause of communication quality degradation. Specifically, the RIC 20 can determine whether the cause of communication quality degradation is related to the occurrence of an error in the transport block.

[0026] (Embodiment 2) Next, an example of the configuration of a communication system will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The communication system of Fig. 2 includes a Near-RT (Near-Real-Time) RIC 40, an E2 node 50, an O-RU 80, an SMO (Service Management and Orchestration) 90, and a UE 110. Furthermore, the E2 node 50 includes an O-CU 60 and an O-DU 70. Furthermore, the SMO 90 includes a Non-RT (Non-Real-Time) RIC 100. Each device included in the communication system may be a computer device that operates when a processor executes a program stored in a memory.

[0027] The UE 110 is used as a general term for a communication terminal. For example, the UE 110 may be a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone terminal, or an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal. The UE 110 may support a wireless communication standard known as 5G in order to perform wireless communication with the O-RU 80.

[0028] The E2 node 50 is a logical node that terminates the E2 interface. The E2 interface is an interface defined between the E2 node 50 and the Near-RT RIC 40. That is, the E2 interface is an interface defined between the O-CU 60 and the Near-RT RIC 40, and further between the O-DU 70 and the Near-RT RIC 40. The E2 node 50 may be a physical device corresponding to either the O-CU 60 or the O-DU 70, or may be a physical device in which the O-CU 60 and the O-DU 70 are integrated. When the E2 node 50 is a physical device in which the O-CU 60 and the O-DU 70 are integrated, the E2 interface is an interface defined between the Near-RT RIC 40 and the physical device in which the O-CU 60 and the O-DU 70 are integrated.

[0029] The O-CU 60 may be, for example, a logical node that hosts RRC (Radio Resource Control) and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol). Alternatively, the O-CU 60 may be a physical device that includes the O-CU, which is a logical node. Hosting the RRC and PDCP may be rephrased as terminating the RRC protocol and PDCP, or executing processing related to the RRC protocol and PDCP, etc. Furthermore, hosting the RRC and PDCP by the O-CU 60 may be rephrased as executing processing related to the RRC layer and the PDCP layer, etc. In the following description, the term "host" may be rephrased as described above.

[0030] An O-CU that performs processing related to the C-Plane (Control Plane) part of the PDCP may be referred to as an O-CU-CP (C-Plane).Furthermore, an O-CU that performs processing related to the U-Plane (User Plane) part of the PDCP may be referred to as an O-CU-UP (U-Plane).

[0031] The O-DU 70 may be a logical node that hosts Radio Link Control (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC). Furthermore, the O-DU 70 may be a logical node that hosts higher-level functions of the physical (PHY) layer. Alternatively, the O-DU 70 may be a physical device that incorporates the O-DU, which is a logical node. Furthermore, the O-DU 70 may perform PDCP-related processing instead of or together with the O-CU 60. The higher-level functions of the physical layer may be, for example, encoding and modulation processing, and further decoding and demodulation processing.

[0032] The O-RU 80 may be a logical node that hosts or executes lower-level physical layer functions and RF (Radio Frequency) processing. Alternatively, the O-RU 80 may be a physical device that incorporates the O-RU, which is a logical node. The lower-level physical layer functions may be, for example, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) / Inverse FFT (IFFT) processing, Beam Forming (BF) processing, etc.

[0033] The SMO 90 manages or supports the RAN domain. In other words, the SMO 90 performs control or optimization of the RAN domain. The RAN domain may be, for example, a network including the O-CU 60, the O-DU 70, and the O-RU 80.

[0034] For example, the SMO 90 may support FCAPS for the Near-RT RIC 40, the O-CU 60, and the O-DU 70 via the O1 interface. FCAPS indicates functions for performing fault management, configuration management, accounting management, performance management, and security management. The SMO 90 may also support FCAPS for the O-RU 80.

[0035] Furthermore, the Non-RT RIC 100 included in the SMO 90 may execute processing related to RAN optimization by, for example, communicating with the Near-RT RIC 40 via the A1 interface. RAN optimization may involve, for example, generating a control policy related to the RAN and notifying the Near-RT RIC 40 of the control policy.

[0036] The Near-RT RIC 40 is a logical function that performs near real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources. Alternatively, the Near-RT RIC 40 may be a physical device equipped with a logical function that performs near real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources. The RAN elements may be, for example, the O-CU 60 and the O-DU 70. Specifically, the Near-RT RIC 40 collects fine-grained data from the O-CU 60 or the O-DU 70 via the E2 interface. The near-real-time control may be performed, for example, at a cycle of approximately 10 ms to 1 s. The detailed data may be referred to, for example, as near-real-time information. The near-real-time information may be, for example, information on a UE basis or a cell basis.

[0037] Next, an example configuration of the Near-RT RIC 40 will be described using Figure 3. The Near-RT RIC 40 has a control unit 41 and a communication unit 42. The control unit 41 and the communication unit 42 may be software or modules that perform processing when a processor executes a program stored in memory. Alternatively, the control unit 41 and the communication unit 42 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

[0038] In order to collect information from the E2 node 50, the control unit 41 generates a request message requesting the E2 node 50 to report information. The information collected by the control unit 41 may be, for example, measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the UE 110 and the O-RU 80. The measurement data related to the transport blocks may be data related to the MAC layer. Processing related to the MAC layer is performed in the O-DU 70. Therefore, the control unit 41 may set the destination of the request message to the O-DU 70. In other words, when collecting measurement data related to transport blocks, the Near-RT RIC 40 may transmit a request message to the O-DU 70 as the E2 node 50.

[0039] Furthermore, the control unit 41 may use the measurement data received from the E2 node 50 to determine whether an error has occurred in a transport block between the UE 110 and the O-RU 80. Furthermore, when the control unit 41 detects that the error occurrence rate in a transport block is higher than a predetermined value, the control unit 41 may analyze the cause of the degradation in communication quality occurring between the UE 110 and the O-RU 80. Alternatively, when the control unit 41 detects that the error occurrence rate is lower than a predetermined value, the control unit 41 may analyze the cause of the degradation in communication quality occurring between the UE 110 and the O-RU 80.

[0040] The communication unit 42 transmits a request message requesting an information report to the E2 node 50 via the E2 interface, and further receives a message including measurement data.

[0041] Next, a configuration example of the O-DU 70 will be described using Fig. 4. The O-DU 70 has a control unit 71 and a communication unit 72. The control unit 71 and the communication unit 72 may be software or modules that perform processing when a processor executes a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the control unit 71 and the communication unit 72 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

[0042] The control unit 71 receives a request message requesting reporting of measurement data related to transport blocks from the Near-RT RIC 40 via the communication unit 72. Upon receiving the request message, the control unit 71 generates a message including measurement data related to the transport blocks. The control unit 71 transmits the message including the measurement data to the Near-RT RIC 40 via the communication unit 72. The control unit 71 includes, in the message, information on the number of transport blocks in which errors have occurred in the MAC layer, and further the number of transport blocks transmitted and received between the UE 110 and the O-RU 80, as measurement data.

[0043] Next, the flow of processing related to collection of measurement data in the Near-RT RIC 40 and the E2 node 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that in Fig. 5, since the purpose is to collect measurement data related to the MAC layer, the E2 node 50 may specifically be an O-DU 70. Fig. 5 also refers to O-RAN.WG3.E2AP-v02.02, which defines specifications related to E2AP (E2 Application Protocol) in the O-RAN Alliance.

[0044] First, the Near-RT RIC 40 transmits a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message to the E2 node 50 (S11). The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes a RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE as an information element.

[0045] The RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE may be used to request execution of the E2 REPORT service in the O-DU 70. Requesting execution of the E2 REPORT service may be rephrased as triggering the E2 REPORT service. The E2 REPORT service may simply be referred to as the REPORT service. The REPORT service may, for example, be exposing information about RAN control and UEs held by the O-DU 70. Exposing the information about RAN control and UEs by the O-DU 70 may be transmitting the information about RAN control and UEs to the Near-RT RIC 40. The information exposed by the O-DU 70 may be, for example, information about cells, information about E2 nodes, or information about UEs. Every time execution of the Report service is requested by the Near-RT RIC 40, the O-DU 70 may transmit the information about cells, information about E2 nodes, or information about UEs to the Near-RT RIC 40. The information about the cell, the information about the E2 node, and the information about the UE may be, for example, E2 Node Information, Cell related Information, and UE Information used to monitor changes that occur in the cell, the E2 node, and the UE.

[0046] The Near-RT RIC 40 selects a format corresponding to the collection of measurement data and sets information specifying the measurement data to be collected in the selected format. For example, the Near-RT RIC 40 collects measurement data on a UE basis or on transport blocks for each UE. In this case, format 2 may be set, which allows setting of a UE ID, which is identification information for the UE from which measurement data is to be collected. Here, the format refers to E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Formats 1 to 5 specified in Non-Patent Document 1. For example, format 2 corresponds to E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 2, and format 1 corresponds to E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 1.

[0047] Here, Format 2, which can be selected as the format of the RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE, will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, Format 2 indicates a format in which a UE ID can be set. Furthermore, Format 1, in which measurement data to be collected can be set, is set in the Subscription Information in Format 2.

[0048] Here, Format 1, which can be selected as a format type of Subscription Information, will be described using Fig. 7. Measurement data to be collected may be set, for example, to the Measurement Name shown in Format 1. Here, using Figs. 8 and 9, a data table showing measurement data that can be set to the Measurement Name shown in Format 1 will be described. The data tables shown in Figs. 8 and 9 show a list of measurement data that can be measured on a UE-by-UE basis. Although the data tables are divided into Figs. 8 and 9 due to drawing constraints, a single data table may be shown. That is, like Fig. 8, Fig. 9 also shows data related to "The type of the original measurements", "The corresponding per-UE and per-UE-per slice measurements", "The corresponding per-QoS-flow and per-slice-per-QoS flow measurements", and "Notes".

[0049] The Near-RT RIC 40 may store the data tables shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in memory or the like. Specifically, in Non-Patent Document 2, a list of parameter names in the group corresponding to "The type of the original measurements" shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be stored in memory or the like as a data table. For example, for "TB related" in FIG. 9, parameter names such as "Total error number of DL TBs" in the "TB related Measurements" group in Non-Patent Document 2 may be stored in memory or the like. In this case, the Near-RT RIC 40 may refer to the data table and select measurement data to be set in the Measurement Name of Format 1. Furthermore, the Near-RT RIC 40 may output an error message when instructed to set measurement data other than that shown in the data tables shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0050] As measurement data related to transport blocks, Figure 9 shows "Total number of UL initial TBs", "Total number of DL initial TBs", "Initial error number of DL TBs", "Error number of UL initial TBs", "Total number of UL TBs", "Total number of DL TBs", "Total error number of UL TBs", "Total error number of DL TBs", "Residual error number of UL TBs", and "Residual error number of DL TBs".

[0051] For example, "Total number of (UL / DL) TBs" indicates the number of transport blocks transferred between a specified UE and the O-RU 80. The Near-RT RIC 40 can also specify whether to collect the number of transport blocks in the uplink or the number of transport blocks in the downlink by specifying UL or DL. Alternatively, the Near-RT RIC 40 can specify the total number of transport blocks in the uplink and downlink.

[0052] Furthermore, the "Total error number of (UL / DL) TBs" indicates the number of transport blocks containing errors among the transport blocks transferred between the specified UE and the O-RU 80. As with the "Total number of (UL / DL) TBs," the Near-RT RIC 40 can also specify the uplink or downlink for the "Total error number of (UL / DL) TBs," or can also specify the uplink and downlink.

[0053] Furthermore, instead of Format 2, Format 5 shown in Fig. 10 may be used as a format capable of setting the UE ID. Format 5 corresponds to E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 5. Alternatively, Format 3 or Format 4 may be used, which specifies predetermined conditions and returns measurement data for UEs that meet the conditions on a UE-by-UE basis. Format 3 and Format 4 correspond to E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 3 and E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 4, respectively.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 5 , upon receiving the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message, the E2 node 50 transmits a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message (S12). The Near-RT RIC 40 may start a timer when transmitting the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message. The timer may be used, for example, to determine whether or not a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message has been received within a predetermined period after the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message has been transmitted. The timer may expire and be stopped when the predetermined period has elapsed. Alternatively, the timer may expire and start counting the predetermined period again.

[0055] If the Near-RT RIC 40 receives a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message within a predetermined period, it may determine that the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message has been successfully accepted at the E2 node 50. In this case, the Near-RT RIC 40 may end the timer when it receives the RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message. If the Near-RT RIC 40 does not receive a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message within a predetermined period, it may determine that the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message has not been successfully accepted. In this case, the Near-RT RIC 40 may retransmit the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message or terminate processing related to the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST.

[0056] Alternatively, if the E2 node 50 determines not to execute the Report service, the Near-RT RIC 40 may receive a RIC SUBSCRIPTION FAILURE message from the E2 node 50. If the Near-RT RIC 40 receives the RIC SUBSCRIPTION FAILURE message, it may terminate the timer.

[0057] Next, the measurement data transmission process will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The E2 node 50 receives the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message in the process of Fig. 5. After that, the E2 node 50 generates measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted and received between the O-RU 80 and the UE identified from the information in the RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE.

[0058] The E2 node 50 transmits a RIC INDICATION message including the generated measurement data to the Near-RT RIC 40 (S21). The RIC INDICATION message may be a message used for executing the REPORT service. The RIC INDICATION message includes a RIC INDICATION MESSAGE IE in which the measurement data is set.

[0059] The E2 node 50 selects a format corresponding to the measurement data report and sets the generated measurement data in the selected format. Here, using FIG. 12 , format 1 selected as the format of the RIC INDICATION MESSAGE IE will be described. The format refers to E2SM-KPM Indication Message Formats 1 to 3 described in Non-Patent Document 1. If E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 2 is selected in step S11 of FIG. 5 , the E2 node 50 selects format 1 (E2SM-KPM Indication Message Format 1). Also, if E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 3 is selected in step S11 of FIG. 5 , the E2 node 50 selects format 2 (E2SM-KPM Indication Message Format 2). Also, if E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 4 or 5 is selected in step S11 of FIG. 5 , the E2 node 50 selects format 3 (E2SM-KPM Indication Message Format 3).

[0060] The value of measurement data related to the transport block is set in Measurement Record defined in IE / Group Name of Format 1 shown in Figure 12. Specifically, the value of the measurement data is set to Integer Value in CHOICE Measured Value. Furthermore, a measurement item related to the measurement data is set in Measurement Name in CHOICE Measurement Type defined in IE / Group Name of Format 1 shown in Figure 12. Specifically, any one of "Total number of DL initial TBs", "Initial error number of DL TBs", "Total number of DL TBs", "Total error number of DL TBs", "Residual error number of DL TBs", "Total number of UL initial TBs", "Error number of UL initial TBs", "Total number of UL TBs", "Total error number of UL TBs", and "Residual error number of UL TBs" may be set in Measurement Name. 12 and 13 may be used for each measurement item. That is, if there are two measurement items, the format of FIG. 12 may be used for each measurement item. In other words, multiple formats may be set in the RIC INDICATION MESSAGE IE depending on the number of measurement items.

[0061] Here, E2SM-KPM Indication Message Format 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Multiple UE IDs can be specified in E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 5, which can be set in step S11 of Fig. 5. Therefore, in E2SM-KPM Indication Message Format 3, at least one UE ID to be reported and specified in E2SM-KPM-Action Definition Format 5 is set.

[0062] Next, the flow of the measurement data collection process executed in the Near-RT RIC 40 will be described using Figure 14. First, the communication unit 42 transmits a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message to the E2 node 50 (S31). The destination of the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message is set to, for example, the O-DU 70. Furthermore, the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes information for identifying the UE from which data is to be collected, such as a UE ID, and items of measurement data to be collected. Furthermore, the control unit 41 starts a timer when the communication unit 42 transmits the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message.

[0063] Next, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message has been received from the E2 node 50 within a predetermined period of time (S32). "Within a predetermined period of time" may be rephrased as "before the timer expires."

[0064] If the control unit 41 determines that it has received a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message within the predetermined period, it then receives a RIC INDICATION message (S33). If the control unit 41 determines that it has not received a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message within the predetermined period, it terminates the processing related to the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST. For example, the control unit 41 may send a RIC SUBSCRIPTION DELETE REQUEST message to the E2 node 50 to cancel the processing related to the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST. Furthermore, if the control unit 41 receives a RIC SUBSCRIPTION RESPONSE message or a RIC INDICATION message after the predetermined period has elapsed, it may ignore the received message. Ignoring the received message may be rephrased as discarding or deleting the received message.

[0065] 15, a flow of measurement data transmission processing executed in the E2 node 50 will be described. Here, a flow of measurement data transmission processing executed in the E2 node 50, specifically, in the O-DU 70, will be described.

[0066] First, the communication unit 72 receives a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message (S41). Next, the control unit 71 determines whether or not to execute the REPORT service in accordance with the RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE (S42). For example, the control unit 71 may determine not to execute the REPORT service if the setting contents of the RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE include an error or contradiction. The control unit 71 may also determine to execute the REPORT service if the setting contents of the RIC ACTION DEFINITION IE are appropriate.

[0067] When the control unit 71 determines to execute the REPORT Service, it transmits a RIC INDICATION message including measurement data to the Near-RT RIC 40 (S43). For example, the control unit 71 may use the number of transport blocks transmitted to the UE 110 in the MAC layer and the number of transport blocks received from the UE 110 as measurement data related to the "total number of DL TBs" and the "total number of UL TBs," respectively. Furthermore, the control unit 71 may determine the number of transport blocks in which errors occurred in the downlink by receiving feedback from the UE 110. Furthermore, the control unit 71 may check the number of transport blocks received from the UE 110 and determine the number of transport blocks in which errors occurred in the uplink. The number of transport blocks in which errors occurred may be used as measurement data related to the "total error number of DL TBs" and the "total error number of UL TBs," respectively.

[0068] When the control unit 71 determines not to execute the REPORT Service, it may send a RIC SUBSCRIPTION FAILURE message to the Near-RT RIC 40 (S44).

[0069] As described above, the Near-RT RIC 40 can collect measurement data related to transport blocks associated with the UE from the E2 node 50. This allows the Near-RT RIC 40 to determine whether or not degradation of communication quality is occurring based on whether or not an error has occurred in the transport block. Note that, in this embodiment, the Near-RT RIC 40 collects measurement data related to transport blocks associated with the UE, but this is not limited to this. That is, the Non-RT RIC 100 may collect measurement data related to transport blocks associated with the UE from the E2 node 50. In this case, the Non-RT RIC 100 may collect measurement data related to transport blocks associated with the UE from the E2 node 50 using the O1 interface shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the Non-RT RIC 100 may collect measurement data related to transport blocks associated with the UE from the E2 node 50 using an interface other than the O1 interface shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the Non-RT RIC 100 may report the measurement data collected from the E2 node 50 to the Near-RT RIC 40 using the A1 interface.

[0070] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a Near-RT RIC 40, an O-CU 60, and an O-DU 70 (hereinafter referred to as Near-RT RIC 40, etc.). Referring to FIG. 16, the Near-RT RIC 40, etc. includes a network interface 1201, a processor 1202, and a memory 1203. The network interface 1201 is used to communicate with each other's network nodes. The network interface 1201 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) conforming to the IEEE 802.3 series. Here, IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0071] The processor 1202 reads and executes software (computer programs) from the memory 1203 to perform the processing of the Near-RT RIC 40 and the like described using flowcharts in the above-described embodiments. The processor 1202 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. The processor 1202 may include multiple processors.

[0072] The memory 1203 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 1203 may include storage located remotely from the processor 1202. In this case, the processor 1202 may access the memory 1203 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0073] 16, the memory 1203 is used to store software modules. The processor 1202 reads these software modules from the memory 1203 and executes them to perform the processing of the Near-RT RIC 40 and the like described in the above-described embodiment.

[0074] As explained using FIG. 16, each of the processors of the Near-RT RIC 40 and the like in the above-described embodiments executes one or more programs including a group of instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithm explained using the drawings.

[0075] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0076] The technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0077] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note 1) A communications device that communicates with a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), comprising: a receiver that receives from the RIC a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communications device and at least one communications terminal be reported in association with each communications terminal; and a transmitter that, upon receiving the request message, transmits to the RIC a message including the measurement data associated with each communications terminal. (Supplementary Note 2) The communications device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the request message includes information specifying the communications terminal to which the measurement data is to be reported. (Supplementary Note 3) The communications device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the request message further includes measurement items related to the communications terminal to be reported. (Supplementary Note 4) The communications device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the measurement items related to the communications terminal are items used to measure an error rate of a transport block. (Supplementary Note 5) The communication device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 4, wherein the request message includes a first format in which information specifying the communication terminal can be set, among a plurality of formats that define an action to be executed by the communication device. (Supplementary Note 6) The communication device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the communication device is an E2 node, the request message is a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message transmitted between the RIC and the communication device, and the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 2, E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 3, E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 4, or E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 5 as the first format in which information specifying the communication terminal and measurement items related to the communication terminal are set.(Supplementary Note 7) A RIC comprising: a transmitter that transmits to a communication device a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each of the communication terminals; and a receiver that receives from the communication device that has received the request message a message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals. (Supplementary Note 8) The RIC according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the request message includes information specifying the communication terminal to which the measurement data is to be reported. (Supplementary Note 9) The RIC according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the request message further includes measurement items related to the communication terminal to which the measurement data is to be reported. (Supplementary Note 10) The RIC according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the measurement items related to the communication terminal are items used to measure an error rate of a transport block. (Supplementary Note 11) The RIC according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the request message includes a first format, among a plurality of formats defining an action to be performed by the communication device, in which information specifying the communication terminal can be set. (Supplementary Note 12) The RIC according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the communication device is an E2 node, the request message is a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message transmitted between the RIC and the communication device, and the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 2, E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 3, E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 4, or E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 5 as the first format in which information specifying the communication terminal and measurement items related to the communication terminal are set.(Supplementary Note 13) A method implemented by a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), comprising the steps of: transmitting to a communication device a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each of the communication terminals; and receiving from the communication device that has received the request message a message in which the measurement data is associated with each of the communication terminals. (Supplementary Note 14) A program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: transmitting to the communication device a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported in association with each of the communication terminals; and receiving from the communication device that has received the request message a message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals. (Supplementary Note 15) A method implemented by a communications device, comprising the steps of: receiving from a RIC (Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller) a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communications device and at least one communications terminal be reported in association with each communications terminal; and, upon receiving the request message, transmitting to the RIC a message including the measurement data associated with each communications terminal. (Supplementary Note 16) A program causing a computer to execute the steps of: receiving from a RIC (Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller) a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communications device and at least one communications terminal be reported in association with each communications terminal; and, upon receiving the request message, transmitting to the RIC a message including the measurement data associated with each communications terminal.(Supplementary Note 17) A communications system comprising a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) and a communications device, wherein the RIC transmits to the communications device a request message requesting that measurement data related to transport blocks transmitted between the communications device and at least one communications terminal be reported in association with each communications terminal, and the communications device, upon receiving the request message, transmits to the RIC a message including the measurement data associated with each communications terminal. (Supplementary Note 18) The communications system according to Supplementary Note 17, wherein the RIC transmits to the communications device the request message including information specifying the communications terminal to which the measurement data is to be reported. (Supplementary Note 19) The communications system according to Supplementary Note 18, wherein the RIC transmits to the communications device the request message further including measurement items related to the communications terminal to be reported. (Supplementary Note 20) The communications system according to Supplementary Note 19, wherein the measurement items related to the communications terminal are items used to measure an error rate of transport blocks. (Supplementary Note 21) The communication system according to any one of Supplements 18 to 20, wherein the request message includes a first format in which information specifying a communication terminal can be set, among a plurality of formats that define an action to be executed by the communication device. (Supplementary Note 22) The communication system according to Supplementary Note 21, wherein the communication device is an E2 node, the request message is a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message transmitted between the RIC and the communication device, and the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 2, E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 3, E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 4, or E2SM-KPM Action Definition Format 5 as the first format in which information specifying the communication terminal and measurement items related to the communication terminal are set.(Supplementary Note 23) A management device comprising: a transmitter that transmits to a communication device a request message requesting that measurement data related to a transport block transmitted between the communication device and at least one communication terminal be reported for each of the communication terminals; and a receiver that receives from the communication device that has received the request message a message in which the measurement data for each of the communication terminals is associated.

[0078] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 6 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 15 and 16 in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 6. Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 8 to 12 that are dependent on Supplementary Notes 7 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 13 and 14 in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 8 to 12. Some or all of the elements described in any Supplementary Note may be applicable to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

[0079] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0080] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may not relate to only one particular embodiment, but may also relate to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0081] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-179653, filed November 9, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0082] 10 Communication system 20 RIC 21 Transmitter 22 Receiver 30 Communication device 31 Receiver 32 Transmitter 40 Near-RT RIC 41 Controller 42 Communication unit 50 E2 node 60 O-CU 70 O-DU 71 Controller 72 Communication unit 80 O-RU 90 SMO 100 Non-RT RIC 110 UE

Claims

1. A communication device that communicates with a RIC (Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller), receiving means for receiving a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message that requests reporting, for each of the communication terminals, measurement data related to transmission errors in the physical layer of at least one communication terminal, associated with the RIC; A communication device comprising: transmission means for transmitting, to the RIC, a RIC Indication message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals after receiving the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message.

2. The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message The communication device according to claim 1, comprising information specifying the communication terminal that is the target for reporting the measurement data.

3. The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising measurement items related to the communication terminal that is the reporting target.

4. The measurement items related to the communication terminal The communication device according to claim 3, which are items used for measuring the occurrence rate of errors in transport blocks.

5. The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes a first format in which information specifying the communication terminal can be set, among a plurality of formats defining actions to be performed by the communication device. The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is an E2 node.

7. Transmission means for transmitting a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message that requests reporting, for each of the communication terminals, measurement data related to transmission errors in the physical layer of at least one communication terminal, associated with the communication device; A RIC comprising: receiving means for receiving, from the communication device that has received the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message, a RIC Indication message including the measurement data associated with each of the communication terminals.

8. The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message The RIC according to claim 7, comprising information specifying the communication terminal to which the measurement data is to be reported.

9. The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message further comprises The RIC according to claim 8, further comprising measurement items related to the communication terminal to be reported.

10. The measurement items related to the communication terminal are The RIC according to claim 9, which is an item used to measure the occurrence rate of errors in transport blocks.

11. The RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message includes a first format in which information specifying the communication terminal can be set among a plurality of formats defining actions performed by the communication device, according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. The communication device is an E2 node, according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

13. A method implemented by a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), comprising: transmitting a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message to the communication device, which requests reporting of measurement data related to transmission errors in the physical layer of the communication device and at least one communication terminal, associated for each communication terminal; receiving, from the communication device that has received the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message, a RIC Indication message including the measurement data associated for each communication terminal.

14. transmitting a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message to the communication device, which requests reporting of measurement data related to transmission errors in the physical layer of the communication device and at least one communication terminal, associated for each communication terminal; a program causing a computer to receive, from the communication device that has received the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message, a RIC Indication message including the measurement data associated for each communication terminal.

15. A method implemented by a communication device, comprising: Receiving, from a RIC (Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller), a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message that requests to report measurement data related to transmission errors in the physical layer of the communication device and at least one communication terminal, associated for each of the communication terminals; After receiving the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message, transmitting, to the RIC, a RIC Indication message including the measurement data associated for each of the communication terminals. A method having these steps. Receiving, from a RIC (Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller), a RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message that requests to report measurement data related to transmission errors in the physical layer of a communication device and at least one communication terminal, associated for each of the communication terminals; A program that causes a computer to transmit, to the RIC, a RIC Indication message including the measurement data associated for each of the communication terminals after receiving the RIC SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST message. ​