Apparatus, methods and computer programs supporting event subscriptions

Abstract

A first apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to perform: receiving a subscription or request from a second apparatus for one or more events; and determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus, of one or more events associated with the subscription is to be modified when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS SUPPORTING EVENT

[0002] SUBSCRIPTIONS

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] Various example embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to communication systems and in particular but not exclusively to apparatus, methods and computer programs supporting event subscriptions.

[0005] Background

[0006] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless network is one example of a communication system.

[0007] Such communication systems operate in according with standards such as those provided by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards are the so-called 5G (5thGeneration) standards provided by 3GPP.

[0008] Summary

[0009] Several aspects of the various example embodiments are detailed as follows.

[0010] According a first aspect, there is provided a first apparatus: means for receiving a subscription or request or request from a second apparatus for one or more events; and means for determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus , of one or more events associated with the subscription or request is to be modified when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0011] The subscription or request or request received from the second apparatus comprises the reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0012] The priority information may comprise default priority information which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0013] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be muted.

[0014] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be less frequent. The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is dependent on a changed reporting threshold.

[0015] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be made with a changed sampling ratio.

[0016] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request.

[0017] The determining may comprise determining that one or more of the event reporting parameters is to be changed based on the reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0018] The first apparatus may comprise means for notifying the second apparatus about one or more of the one or more changed event reporting parameters.

[0019] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0020] The one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode or the first apparatus is overloaded comprise one or more of: a reporting threshold parameter; a granularity of dynamics parameter, a partitioning criteria parameter; a sampling ratio parameter: and an event reporting mode parameter.

[0021] The determining may be further based on the one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0022] The determining may use an event reporting policy.

[0023] The first apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a producer network function.

[0024] According a second aspect, there is provided a first apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to perform: receiving a subscription or request or request from a second apparatus for one or more events; and determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus , of one or more events associated with the subscription or request is to be modified when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0025] The first apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a producer network function.

[0026] According to a third aspect, there is provided a first apparatus comprising least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to perform: receiving a subscription or request from a consumer network function for one or more events when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded; ; and determining if the subscription or request is to be accepted, wherein the determining is based on the reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving a subscription or request from a second apparatus for one or more events; and determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus ,of one or more events associated with the subscription or request is to be modified when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0028] The subscription or request or request received from the second apparatus comprises the reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0029] The priority information may comprise default priority information which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0030] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be muted.

[0031] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be less frequent.

[0032] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is dependent on a changed reporting threshold.

[0033] The determining may comprise determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be made with a changed sampling ratio.

[0034] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request. The determining may comprise determining that one or more of the event reporting parameters is to be changed based on the reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0035] The method may comprise notifying the second apparatus about one or more of the one or more changed event reporting parameters.

[0036] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0037] The one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode or the first apparatus is overloaded comprise one or more of: a reporting threshold parameter; a granularity of dynamics parameter, a partitioning criteria parameter; a sampling ratio parameter: and an event reporting mode parameter.

[0038] The determining may be further based on the one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0039] The determining may use an event reporting policy.

[0040] The method may be performed by the first apparatus. The first apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a producer network function.

[0041] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a second apparatus comprising: means for sending a subscription or request to a first apparatus for one or more events, said subscription or request comprising a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0042] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request.

[0043] The second apparatus may comprise means for receiving a notification from the first apparatus about one or more of the one or more changed event reporting parameters being used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0044] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0045] The second apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a consumer network function.

[0046] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a second apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to perform: sending a subscription or request to a first apparatus for one or more events, said subscription or request comprising a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0047] The second apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a consumer network function.

[0048] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method comprising: sending a subscription or request to a first apparatus for one or more events, said subscription or request comprising a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0049] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request.

[0050] The method may comprise receiving a notification from the first apparatus about one or more of the one or more changed event reporting parameters being used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0051] The subscription or request may comprise one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0052] The method may be performed by the second apparatus. The second apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a consumer network function.

[0053] According to a further aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods set out previously.

[0054] According to a further aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed cause any of the methods set out previously to be performed. According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which when run cause any of the methods set out previously to be performed.

[0055] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

[0056] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods set out previously.

[0057] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions which when executed cause any of the methods set out previously to be performed.

[0058] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-volatile tangible memory medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

[0059] In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above.

[0060] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and in the claims.

[0061] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0062] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system in which some example embodiments may be provided;

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus which may implement a respective network function according to some example embodiments;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a first example procedure of some example embodiments;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a first method of some example embodiments; and

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a second method of some example embodiments.

[0068] Detailed Description

[0069] In the following, some example embodiments are provided in a 5G system. However, this is by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only and other embodiments may be provided in other systems.

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a communication system operating based on a 5thgeneration radio access technology (generally referred to as a 5G system (5GS)) and in which some embodiments may be implemented. The 5GS may comprise a (radio) access network ((R)AN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application functions (AF) and one or more data networks (DN). A user equipment (UE) may access or connect to the one or more DNs via the 5GS.

[0071] The 5G (R)AN may comprise one or more base stations or radio access network (RAN) nodes, such as a gNodeB (gNB). A base station or RAN node may comprise one or more distributed units connected to a central unit. The 5G (R)AN may also comprise non-3GPP access related entities such as one or more of a non-3GPP inter working function (N3IWF),a trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF), and a wireline access gateway function (W- AGF).

[0072] The 5GC may comprise various network functions, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), an authentication server function (AUSF), a location management function (LMF), a user data management (UDM), a user plane function (UPF), a network data repository (NRF), a network exposure function (NEF), a service communication proxy (SCP), edge application server discovery function (EASDF), a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a policy control function (PCF), network slice access control function (NSACF), network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF), and / or network slicing selection function (NSSF).

[0073] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200. The apparatus 200 may comprise or implement one or more of the network functions shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 200 may have at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions of one or more the network functions shown in FIG. 1 that, when executed by at least one of the at least one processor cause operations or actions of the one or more network functions to be performed. In this example, the apparatus 200 may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, and / or at least one read only memory (ROM) 211b. The apparatus 200 may comprise at least one processor 212, 213 and / or a network interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the at least one memory which in this example is the RAM 211a and the ROM 21 lb. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may, for example, include software code of one or more of the network functions shown in FIG. 1, including software code which allows the apparatus to perform one or more operations of one or more of the present aspects.

[0074] Some embodiments relate to the notifying of events from one network function to another. The network function which receives the events is referred to as a consumer network function NFc. The network function which notifies the events to the consumer network function is referred to as a producer network function NFp.

[0075] The consumer network function may send a request for a subscription for one or more events or a request for one or more events to a producer network function. The producer network function provides one or more events as indicated in the subscription or request to the consumer network function, when those one or more events are available.

[0076] The notifying of events from the producer network function to the consumer network function is sometimes referred to as event exposure.

[0077] Notifying of events can require a significant amount of CPU (computer processing unit) resource from NF(s). This may mean that a NF may use a relatively large amount of energy to power the CPU resource.

[0078] Thus, an NFp that is running in an EE (energy efficient or energy saving) mode may wish to reduce the amount of energy expended on event exposure. Where the NFp is in an EE mode, the NFp may work in a degraded mode to save energy. An EE mode is a lower energy saving state of the NFp. The EE mode can be regarded as a reduced energy state or mode. The normal mode or non-EE mode of the NFp is a higher energy state. When a NFp is in an EE mode, the NFp will generally consume less power than when the NFp is in the normal mode.

[0079] A NFp which is running in an overload condition may be configured to reduce the amount processing consumed by the NFp. The NFp may be overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). For example, the NFp may be configured to reduce the amount of power consumed by moving from an overload condition to, for example, a more normal mode of operation.

[0080] Some NFps may provide events to a relatively large number of NFc.

[0081] Some NFps may provide a relatively large number of events to a NFc. The events may be of the same type or may be a plurality of different types of events.

[0082] In some embodiments, the NFc (NF service consumer) of event exposure may provide priority information to the NFp. The priority information indicates whether and / or how an event exposure subscription should be handled when the NFp provider of the event exposure cannot serve all event exposure requests. This may be because the NFp is to reduce its energy consumption or because it is overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). This may be because the NFp is running in an EE mode.

[0083] In some embodiments, the priority information is provided by one or more priority parameters. The one or more priority parameters may be provided in the event reporting information. This may be provided in the subscription request. Some embodiments may be provided in a 5G system. In some embodiments, the priority parameter may be provided as part of the event reporting information defined in 3 GPP TS 23.502.

[0084] Different priorities for NFc requested event exposure subscriptions can be defined. For example, there may be two or more priority options available.

[0085] In one example, the event subscription may have one of two priority options - priority or no priority.

[0086] In another example, a priority level of the event subscription may be defined as for example low, medium, or high.

[0087] In another example, a priority level of the event subscription may be defined by a numeric value, e.g. from 1 to 10, where 1 indicates the lowest priority and 10 indicates the highest priority (or vice versa). In any event, a given numeric value may be used to indicate an associated priority.

[0088] In another example, there may be more than one priority level associated with a subscription. An indication as each of the priority levels may be provided. The level of the priority may be as set out in one of the examples above.

[0089] Reference is made to FIG. 3 which shows an example procedure of some procedure of some embodiments.

[0090] As referenced at 1, the NFc determines a priority of a subscription. In some embodiments, the priority is determined by the NFc when the NFc makes a request or subscription for an event report. The subscription or request is for a report to be provided when a requested event occurs. When subscribing to event reporting, the NFc provides information, such as one or more event ID(s), event filter information, and / or event reporting information.

[0091] The event reporting information may provide meta information about the event subscription, such as how long the event subscription is meant to last and the like.

[0092] A single NFc may use different priorities for different event subscriptions. The priority associated with a respective event may be based on one or more of the following: the type of event the NFc is interested in; the type of information about the event; the service that the NFc provides; the target NFp; the slice the NFc belongs to; or

[0093] UE(s) being targeted by the event subscription (e.g., home vs roaming), etc. For the case the NFp would be in energy saving mode or overload mode as compared to a regular mode, the NFc can define the priority for a given type of information related with the event that the NFp reports to the NFc. . An example of type of information about an event may comprise an error or a warning. This may be provided as part of the reporting priority parameter in some embodiments. In other embodiments, this may alternatively or additionally be provided by the event reporting mode parameter.

[0094] In some embodiments, the event reporting mode comprise one or more parameter values for a “normal” mode and one or more parameter values for an overload mode or EE mode.

[0095] In some embodiments, there may be one or more parameter values each associated with a plurality of different EE and / or overload modes.

[0096] The rules to determine the priority may be provided to the NFc. The rules may be provided via 0AM (operations, administration and maintenance) configuration.

[0097] As referenced at 2, the NFc sends a subscription request to the NFp. The subscription request includes the determined priority. The subscription request may optionally indicate that event reporting may be based on the priority when the NFp is in a EE state or overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). .

[0098] As referenced at 3, the NFp determines that it is in an energy efficient state or is overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). . When the NFp determines that the NFp is overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). , the NFp takes steps to reduce its processing consumption, e.g. by reducing the amount of event reporting.

[0099] As referenced at 4, an event associated with the subscription is available. This may not be the first event of the subscription.

[0100] As referenced at 5, the NFp determines if the event to be provided or reported to the NFc using the priority information, taking into account that the NFp is in an EE state or is overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). . In the determining if the event is to be provided or reported to the NFc, the NFp may use the priority to determine that the corresponding notification is to be muted (e.g., determine that is the event is not reported). The NFp may use the priority to determine that a sampling ratio is to be applied or a stricter sampling ratio is to be applied such that some, but not all of the events of a particular type are reported. The NFp may use the priority to determine that a different periodicity of the notifications is to be applied. For example, the NFp will report notifications related to a subscription with a larger time interval between the notifications, thereby possibly aggregating or collecting multiple events that happened between two consecutive notifications. Events associated with a higher priority are more likely to be reported than events associated with a lower priority when the NFp is in an EE state or overloaded (e.g. in an overload state). .

[0101] When for a lower priority event subscription, NFp changes the sampling ratio due to energy efficiency or overload condition, the NFp may indicate the new sampling ratio being used to the NFc. This reporting from the NFp to the NFc maybe part of a dedicated event related report or as part of information added to the event being reported.

[0102] The NFp in EE mode or an overload situation may also update subscriptions that the NFp itself has with other event producers. For example, an NFp of type NWDAF may determine to modify event subscriptions with other event producers that are to generate analytics reports or train an AI / ML (artificial intelligence / machine learning) model. As an example, the NWDAF may request the other event producers to send less or less detailed reports, so that processing at the NWDAF is reduced.

[0103] The event is either reported to the NFc, as referenced at 6, reported later, or not reported.

[0104] It should be appreciated that the determining that the NFp is in an EE state or overloaded (e.g. in an overload state), does not necessarily take place between the receiving of the subscription and an event of the subscription being available. For example, this determining may be prior to the receiving of the subscription or after the receiving of the respective event. The determining if the NFp is in the EE state or overloaded (e.g. in an overload state), may be part of the determining if the event is to be provided to the NFc.

[0105] In some embodiments, if the NFc does not provide a reporting priority in its request, the NFp can apply a default reporting priority. The NFp may communicate the default reporting priority and communicate it to the NFc.

[0106] In some embodiments, the NFp may determine the priority of the subscription. This may be based on the type of the event (e.g., Event Id) and / or the NFc making the subscription request.

[0107] As discussed previously, in some embodiments, a priority parameter may be added to the event exposure parameters indicated in 3GPP TS 23.502 at Table 4.15.1-1. That table is reproduced below and has been modified to include a reporting priority as well as note 8. Optionally the event reporting mode may indicate that the event reporting may be based on the priority. Alternatively, or in addition, for some event reporting information parameters, one or more values may be provided corresponding to different NFp modes. For example, the first value may be applicable for when the NFp is in normal mode and a second value may apply when the NFp is in EE mode or overload mode.

[0108]

[0109]

[0110] The sampling ratio may also be provided by the NFc with a target sampling ratio (e.g., as currently defined in 3GPP TS 23.502 Table 4.15.1-1) and a minimum sampling ratio (e.g. this would require an update to the 3GPP TS 23.502 Table 4.15.1-1) that could be used by the NFp when in an energy efficiency mode and / or overload mode.

[0111] A NF is provided with a NF profile. A NFc will have its own profile and a NFp will have its own profile.

[0112] TS 29.510 defines in Table 6.2.6.2.3-1 : “Definition of type NFProfile” which may be used by some embodiments. The NF consumer may subscribe to an NF producer explicitly (e.g. via an explicit invocation of a subscribe operation). Alternatively, the NFc may subscribe to an NFp implicitly in which case the NFp uses the NRF profile of the NFc to get the default notification subscription parameters.

[0113] An NFp may report its energy saving planning and related capabilities in its NF profile in a NF repository function such as the NRF or report it directly to an NFc.

[0114] A NFp may be locally configured (for example by 0AM) with event reporting local policy information. Information may be provided per event reporting requested priority and per NFp internal status (e.g., energy saving state or overload level).

[0115] For example, reporting, for an event subscription with a low priority, is muted when the NFp is an EE state or overload state.

[0116] For example, reporting, for an event subscription with a medium priority, may have a reporting periodicity with a minimum value of X seconds when the NFp is an EE state or overload state.

[0117] For example, reporting, for an event subscription with a medium priority, may have a reporting threshold with a minimum value of Y, when the NFp is an EE state or overload state.

[0118] For example, in reporting for an event subscription with a high priority, the parameters in NFc request are strictly applied even when the NFp is an EE state or overload state. A NFp can indicate its event reporting local policy information in its NF profile. The profile may be provided to the NFc. The profile may be obtained in response to a look up request that the NFc sent to an entity which stores profile information. The entity which stores profile information may be an NRF. The NFp may be registered with the NRF. The NFc may also be registered with the NRF.

[0119] Alternatively, the event reporting local policy information may be provided to the NFc by the NFp. This may be in response to a request from the NFc.

[0120] The NFp may provide profile information to the NRF in a register request or an update request. For example, the register request may be aNnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister request. The update request may be a Nnrf_NFManagement_NFUpdate.

[0121] The NFc may send a discovery request to the NRF for information relating to the NFp. The discovery request may be a Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request about the NFp.

[0122] In some embodiments, a NFp may reject a new request for event exposure from a NFc, depending on the priority of the subscription, when the NFp is an EE energy state or overload state in which the NFp can only serve a limited number of requests. This limited number of requests may be a fewer number of requests than when the NFp is not overloaded (e.g., in an overload state) or in an EE state. For example, if the priority is low or medium, the request may be rejected.

[0123] Alternatively, the NFp may accept the request when the NFp is an EE energy state or overload state such that the NFp can only serve a limited number of requests. In this case, the NFp will apply one of the mechanisms described above based on the priority.

[0124] The reporting priority may not impact the fulfilment of existing event reporting modes. One or more example event reporting modes may be seen from the table above. For example, a lower reporting priority may result in longer event reporting intervals, although the sampling ratio, maximum number of reports and / or or maximum subscription duration may still be met.

[0125] However, if based on one or more event reporting local policies, the NFp does not fulfil the requested criteria related to the requested event reporting mode, the NFp may notify the NFc that the NFp cannot fulfil properly the service request (e.g., subscription). Such a notification may be provided immediately or as part of the next event reporting opportunity. The notification may contain a highest reporting priority that the NFp is currently able to fulfil. This highest reporting priority will be less than the requested priority.

[0126] In some embodiments, one or more of the NFc requested event reporting parameters will take precedence over the local policy configured NFp behaviour based on the priority. In other embodiments, the local policy configured NFp behaviour based on the priority will take precedence over one or more the NFc requested event reporting parameters.

[0127] Which of the local policy configured NFp behaviour based on the priority and one or more the NFc requested event reporting parameters takes precedence may be based on local policies.

[0128] The event reporting parameter may be one or more of sampling ratio, muting, reporting threshold, partitioning criteria and / or any other of the parameters set out in the previous table.

[0129] In some embodiments, the NFc may not explicitly provide a reporting priority. In these embodiments, a default reporting priority may be provided. This defines a default reporting priority associated with subscriptions from a NFc that has not provided any explicit reporting priority.

[0130] By way of example, the default priority may be provided as part of default information used by the NFp where the corresponding parameter has not been provided by the NFc.

[0131] For example, for some 5G embodiments, the default priority may be defined in TS 29.510. In Table 6.2.6.2.4-1, definitions of type of NF service following parameters are provided. One of the parameters is a default notification subscription parameter - DefaultNotificationSubscription parameter.

[0132] The default notification subscription parameters are defined in Table 6.1.6.2.4-1 of TS 29.510. The table below shows part of the Table along with a default priority of some embodiments. This default priority attribute of some embodiments indicates the default reporting priority associated with subscriptions from a NFc that have not inserted any explicit reporting priority value.

[0133] Embodiments may be used with any suitable NFp and NFc.

[0134] By way of example only, one NFp may be aNWDAF. As a NFp, the NWDAF provides analytics or events to a plurality of NFcs. Embodiments allow the NWDAF to use the priority information to determine which of the event exposure subscription requests are to be prioritized when the NWDAF is overloaded (e.g. in an overload state) or in an EE state.

[0135] A SMF event exposure service (e.g., where the SMF is the NFp) may provide events related to PDU (packet data unit) Sessions towards consumer NF. The service operations exposed by this service allow other NFs (that is NFcs) to subscribe and be notified of events happening on PDU Sessions.

[0136] For example, a NFc can subscribe and unsubscribe for an event ID on PDU Session(s).

[0137] An NWDAF (e.g., acting as a NFc) may collect data for network data analytics from a SMF (e.g., acting as a NFp) and / or from a UPF (e.g., acting as a NFp).

[0138] The NFp may notify events on the PDU Session to the subscribed NFcs.

[0139] An AMF event exposure service (e.g., where the AMF is the NFp) may provide events towards a consumer NF.

[0140] It should be appreciated that any NF may be a producer and / or a consumer of events.

[0141] Reference is made to Fig. 4 which shows a method of some embodiments.

[0142] This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a producer network function.

[0143] The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method.

[0144] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below.

[0145] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 2.

[0146] The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions. The method may comprise as referenced Al receiving a subscription or request from a second apparatus for one or more events.

[0147] The method may comprise as referenced A2, determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus, of one or more events associated with the subscription or request is to be modified when at least one of the following: a first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

[0148] It should be appreciated that the method outlined in FIG. 4 may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

[0149] Reference is made to Fig 5, which shows a method of some embodiments.

[0150] This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to provide (e.g., operate as) a consumer network function.

[0151] The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method.

[0152] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below.

[0153] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 2.

[0154] The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

[0155] The method may comprise as referenced Bl, sending a subscription or request to a first apparatus for one or more events, said subscription or request comprising a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or when the first apparatus is overloaded.

[0156] It should be appreciated that the method outlined in FIG. 5 may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

[0157] Computer program code may be downloaded and stored in one or more memories of the apparatus described herein.

[0158] The various example embodiments have been described in the context of NFp and NFc which are part of the core network. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, one or more of the event producers and the event consumers may be provided in the RAN. It should be noted that in other embodiments, provided in a 5G system, the priority parameter may be indicated separately from the event reporting information defined in 3 GPP TS 23.502.

[0159] It should be appreciated that discussions of embodiments in relation to a 5G system is by way of example only and some embodiments may be used with other systems, such as future networks including 6G and beyond.

[0160] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0161] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0162] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0163] (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and

[0164] (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

[0165] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and

[0166] (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

[0167] (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor s) or a portion of a microprocessor s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

[0168] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, an integrated circuit.

[0169] The various embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus- readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

[0170] Further in this regard, it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the FIGS, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

[0171] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0172] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0173] Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate. The foregoing description has provided, by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, a full and informative description of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Indeed, there are further embodiments comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed. The scope of protection sought for some embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described herein that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure. It should be noted that different claims with differing claim scope may be pursued in related applications, such as divisional or continuation applications.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A first apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to perform: receiving a subscription or request from a second apparatus for one or more events; and determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus, of one or more events associated with the subscription is to be modified when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription.

2. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subscription received from the second apparatus comprises the reporting priority associated with the subscription which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

3. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the priority information comprises default priority information which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

4. The first apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the determining comprises determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be muted.

5. The first apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the determining comprises determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be less frequent.

6. The first apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the determining comprises determining that the reporting of one or more events is dependent on a changed reporting threshold.

7. The first apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the determining comprises determining that the reporting of one or more events is to be made with a changed sampling ratio.

8. The first apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the subscription comprises one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription.

9. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the determining comprises determining that one or more of the event reporting parameters is to be changed based on the reporting priority associated with the subscription.

10. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein in the first apparatus is caused to notify the second apparatus about one or more of the one or more changed event reporting parameters.

11. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the subscription comprises one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

12. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription when the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode or the first apparatus is overloaded comprise one or more of a reporting threshold parameter; a granularity of dynamics parameter, a partitioning criteria parameter; a sampling ratio parameter, and an event reporting mode parameter.

13. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the determining is further based on the one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

14. The first apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the determining uses an event reporting policy.

15. A second apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to perform: sending a subscription or request to a first apparatus for one or more events, said subscription or request comprising a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

16. The second apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the subscription or request comprises one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request.

17. The second apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second apparatus is caused to receive a notification from the first apparatus about one or more of the one or more changed event reporting parameters being used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

18. The second apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the subscription or request comprises one or more event reporting parameters for the reporting of one or more events associated with the subscription or request when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

19. A method comprising: receiving a subscription or request from a second apparatus for one or more events; and determining if the reporting, to the second apparatus, of one or more events associated with the subscription or request is to be modified when at least one of the following: a first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded, wherein the determining is based on a reporting priority associated with the subscription or request.

20. A method comprising: sending a subscription or request to a first apparatus for one or more events, said subscription or request comprising a reporting priority associated with the subscription orrequest which is to be used when at least one of the following: the first apparatus is in an energy saving mode; or the first apparatus is overloaded.

21. A computer program comprising computer executable code that when run on at least one processor causes the method of claim 19 or 20 to be performed.

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