Model selection and testing for functionality / model change

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for model selection and testing. The method comprises: determining that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; based on the determination, obtaining, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; and transmitting, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

Description

MODEL SELECTION AND TESTING FOR FUNCTIONALITY / MODEL CHANGECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from, and the benefit of, US Provisional Application No. 63 / 518268, filed August 8, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELDS

[0002] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for model selection and testing, especially for network device-assisted model selection and testing for Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI / ML)-enabled features / functionalities.BACKGROUND

[0003] A study of AI / ML for New Radio (NR) air interface is now ongoing in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). One goal of the study is to explore the benefits and specification aspects (extension of existing frameworks and / or creation of new frameworks) of augmenting the air interface with features enabling improved support of AI / ML-based algorithms for enhanced performance and / or reduced complexity / overhead.

[0004] Several use cases are considered to enable the identification of a common AI / ML framework, including functional requirements of AI / ML architecture, which could be used in subsequent projects. The study should also identify areas where AI / ML could improve the performance of air-interface functions. Specification impact will be assessed to improve the overall understanding of what would be required to enable AI / ML techniques for the air interface.SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises 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: determine that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; based on the determination, obtain, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; and transmit, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality. Hereinafter the term “functionality” may also be replaced by a model, a logical model, and / or a feature, which may be considered as having an equal or similar meaning with the functionality in some scenarios.

[0006] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises 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: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, receive, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0007] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a third apparatus. The third apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus at least to: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtain at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; determine at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models; and transmit at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

[0008] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fourth apparatus. The fourth apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus at least to: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, provide at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

[0009] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: determining that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; based on the determination, obtaining, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; and transmitting, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0010] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, receiving, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0011] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtaining at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; determining at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models; and transmitting at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

[0012] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, providing at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

[0013] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for determining that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; means for based on the determination, obtaining, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0014] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for in a functionality and / or model changeprocedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, receiving, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a third apparatus. The third apparatus comprises means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtaining at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; means for determining at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models; and means for transmitting at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fourth apparatus. The fourth apparatus comprises means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, providing at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

[0017] In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fifth aspect.

[0018] In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the sixth aspect.

[0019] In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the seventh aspect.

[0020] In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the eighth aspect.

[0021] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling chart for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling chart for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a signaling chart for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling chart for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a signaling chart for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a third apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a fourth apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0037] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0038] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0039] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” ..., etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0040] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the listof 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.

[0041] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0043] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and(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(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.

[0044] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the termcircuitry 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, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0045] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0046] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaveslike a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0047] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0048] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, there are a plurality of communication devices, for example, a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120. The second apparatus 120 can communicate with the first apparatus 110.

[0050] In some scenarios, the first apparatus 110 may be a server or a node or a network device that provides positioning related services. For example, the first apparatus 110 may be a RAN network device, for example, a gNB, or a core network node, or a management entity such as a Location Management Function (LMF). The second apparatus 120 may be a terminal device, for example, a UE.

[0051] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a network device and the second apparatus 120 operating as terminal device. However, it is to be understood that the above examples are just discussed for purpose of illustrations rather than limitations.

[0052] The communication environment 100 may also comprise a third apparatus 130. for example, the third apparatus 130 may act as a model selection entity. The third apparatus 130 may be internal or external to the second apparatus 120 and perform at least functionalities related to checking and ensuring that the performance of the models that will be deployed meets the requirements. The model selection entity may also perform functions related to model verification and validation.

[0053] The communication environment 100 may also comprise a fourth apparatus 140. for example, the third apparatus 140 may act as a model selection entity. The fourth apparatus 140 may store the ML model architecture and the corresponding ML physical model. The fourth apparatus 140 may internal or external to the second apparatus 120.

[0054] In some embodiments, procedures and message may exchange between the third apparatus 130 and the fourth apparatus 140, as well as the first apparatus 110 and second apparatus 120, which ensure that only the models that are expected to perform well under the given radio conditions are deployed at the second apparatus 120.

[0055] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G),the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple -Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0056] As described above, during the study of AI / ME for NR air interface, the following was agreed:Table 1Table 2

[0057] The current paradigm in supporting AI / ML-enabled features for wireless systems is that these are configured by the Network (NW) based on the capabilities and (applicable) conditions reported from the User Equipment (UE). Upon the reception of the information from the UE, the NW configures certain functionality, which is then supported by different models available at the UE. The performance of the functionality is monitored by the NW, and, if the UE fails to meet the performance requirements, the NW can choose to configure a new functionality. Supporting the newly configured functionality, would require the UE to download new models. Moreover, during the operation of a certain functionality the UE may need to download new models depending on the internal parameters available in the UE (e.g., battery power, temperature, processing, and storage resources, propagation conditions, mobility (low speed / high speed), environment (urban vs rural) etc.).

[0058] In this situation, some of the main challenges associated with selecting the models needed to support a functionality are summarized as below.

[0059] On the one hand, the performance of the model(s) is highly dependent on the radio conditions, which are dynamic and deviate from the training phase. For AI / ML model identification and model-ID-based life cycle management (LCM) of UE-sided models and / or UE-part of the two-sided models, the model-ID-based LCM operates based on identified models, wherein a model may be associated with UE capability of an AI / ML- enabled feature / feature group (FG) and additional conditions (e.g., scenarios, sites, and datasets) as determined / identified between UE-side and NW-side. This is different from traditional approaches, wherein the assumption is that the (conformance) testing of the models, algorithms and features should be done before every modem firmware update is deployed in the field. Therefore, the transmission of new models to the UE should be optimized. This ensures that the usage of radio resources together with the overhead arising from deploying AI / ML models are optimized.

[0060] On the other hand, the full-scale pre-deployment (conformance) testing of UE with updated / changed AI / ML models may not be applicable and demonstrate real in-filed performance. Typically, the performance of rule-based algorithms is stable under the assumption of predictable conditions / behaviors, however this is difficult to confirm in thecase of AI / ML algorithms. There are many reasons for this, such as (but not limited to), the fact that the configured models / functionalities might be updated dynamically over time (e.g., in reinforcement learning) or that radio propagation conditions might be difference from the one used for training. The models can also be fine-tuned to enable the support of the configured functionality.

[0061] Furthermore, Re-testing or validation for all the models would also not be desirable / feasible. If this is done on the UE-side, then a lot of computational effort would need to be invested to enable the re-test. This becomes even more challenging in the cases when mobility (across cells covered by devices belonging to different NW equipment vendors) is considered.

[0062] When all the models are transmitted to the UE, the models may be verified whether they can meet the performance requirements, which may also lead several problems.

[0063] First, transfer of the models may occupy a significant amount of resources (e.g., radio resources and bandwidth, also storage of information about these models etc.), especially when these models are large and / or the functionality is dynamically updated over time.

[0064] Second, re-training (or fine tuning) the models on the UE side might be highly suboptimal as it would again consume a lot of resources from the UE. On the other hand, transferring the models back and forth from / to the UE for optimization / re-training can cause a lot of overhead as well.

[0065] Third, the presence of the underperforming models (i.e., models that do not perform in-field as well as they were expected to perform due to the difference in between training and real conditions) would cause oscillations of the observed performance of the newly configured functionality.

[0066] Fourth, detecting the underperforming models and preventing the UE from deploying / using them would also incur increased signaling and resources.

[0067] Fifth, during functionality (or model) switching, all the models for the target functionalities may not be available by default. For instance, the UE can (by default) have a generic model to support the functionality. Then, if the NW configures the functionality, the UE might need to load optimized model(s) depending on the radio conditions.

[0068] Therefore, different NW-assisted approaches may be expected to facilitate the selection of new AIML models to be downloaded to the UE with the purpose of supporting a newly configured functionality by the NW.

[0069] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for model selection and testing. In this solution, after determining the functionality / model change is required at second apparatus 120, the first apparatus 110 obtains at least one target model supporting a functionality required by the second apparatus a functionality / model change procedure and transmits, to the second apparatus 120, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0070] In this way, only such models that are expected to perform well at the second apparatus 120 under the current radio conditions could be download to the second apparatus 120.

[0071] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the term “a model” used hereinafter may be referred to an AI / ML based model. A model may be used to achieve a functionality to be required by the second apparatus 120, for example, positioning, beam prediction, CSI prediction, etc. The model descried hereinafter may also be considered as a logical model.

[0073] In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood the term “functionality” may also be replaced by a model, a logical model, and / or a feature, which may be considered as having an equal or similar meaning with the functionality in some scenarios.

[0074] In some embodiments, one or more models may be stored in the fourth apparatus 140 (that stores the ML model architecture and the corresponding ML physical model), which can be internal or external to the first apparatus 110.

[0075] Besides the models, the fourth apparatus 140 may also contain information on the meta-information of the models (e.g., required inputs, outputs, number of flops, expected performance etc.), as well as information on the UE-sided key performance indicators (KPIs) (as an example for the use-case of beam management these can bethroughput, top K-beams with 95% CI etc.).

[0076] To enable the selection of the models prior to their transmission to the second apparatus 120, the third apparatus 130 may need to check and ensure that the performance of the models that will be transferred and deployed at the second apparatus 120 meets the requirements. The third apparatus 130 may also perform functions related to model verification and validation.

[0077] Depending on the exact location of the apparatus, different procedures would be needed to enable the transfer of the well-performing models. The messages can be exchanged between the apparatus operating in the live NW and over standardized 3GPP RAN interfaces.

[0078] The model selection may be required in following scenarios:1. In use-cases which are enabled by using two-sided models (e.g., channel state information (CSI) prediction), there could be a change of the configured functionality at the second apparatus 120, or new models may be available for the second apparatus 120 to load.2. In use-cases which are enabled using one-sided models (e.g., beam prediction), there could be a change of the configured functionality at the second apparatus 120, or new models may be available for the second apparatus 120 to load.

[0079] For the sake of clarity, the embodiment to be described below are taken from the beam management use-case. The signaling charts shown in FIGS. 2-6 are applicable also to the CSI use-case with the modification that the collected measurements are related to CSI information and the KPIs could be intermediate KPIs (e.g., SGCS), eventual KPIs (e.g., throughput, hypothetical block error rate (BLER), BLER, acknowledgment (ACK) / non- acknowledgment (NACK)) etc.

[0080] In the embodiment to be described below, the first apparatus 110 may be considered as a gNB. In another implementation, e.g., for the positioning use-case, the first apparatus 110 could be the LMF and the KPIs could be Fl -score, Kolmogorov- Smirnov test, precision, recall, Area Under Roc (AUC) etc.

[0081] FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling chart 200 for model selection and testing according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling chart 200 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, by usingthe first apparatus 110 (e.g., a gNB), the second apparatus 120 (e.g., a terminal device), the third apparatus 130 (e.g., the model selection entity) and the fourth apparatus 140 (e.g., the model storage entity).

[0082] In this case, the fourth apparatus 140 may be external to the first apparatus 110.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 2, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120 may be initiated by the second apparatus 120 or the fourth apparatus 140.

[0084] As descried above, “changing to the functionality and / or model” may also be considered as changing to a feature, and / or a logical model.

[0085] For example, based on internal parameters of the second apparatus 120 (e.g., battery power, change of the current cell configuration, changes in set B configuration, changes in the input-output mapping from the second apparatus 120 due to the usage of positioning-related information etc.) which may or may not be transparent to the first apparatus 110. Then the third apparatus 130 may indicate that the second apparatus 120 cannot support the current functionality by transmitting (205), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0086] As another option, the second apparatus 120 may also inform the first apparatus 110 directly that it cannot support the configured functionality by means of an uplink indication, e.g., by transmitting (210), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0087] Furthermore, the action 205 and 210 may also include a signaling related to the need for the second apparatus 120 to load new models without the need to change the functionality.

[0088] To configure the new functionality (or to evaluate the suitability of the new models that need to be deployed in the second apparatus 120), the first apparatus 110 needs to first collect more information on the underlying radio conditions at the second apparatus 120.

[0089] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (215) a request of measurement data collection to the second apparatus 120. As an example, the first apparatus 110 can require from the second apparatus 120 the measurement logs for which the performance of thedeployed models was not satisfactory. For instance, the first apparatus 110 may require cell quality indicators, as well as preferred configurations from the second apparatus 120 etc. The second apparatus 120 may also share internal information with the first apparatus 110 (e.g., battery power, memory status etc.).

[0090] The second apparatus 120 may provide (220) the collected measurement data to the first apparatus 110. For example, the second apparatus 120 may forwards to the first apparatus 110 at least the data that is needed for the assessment of the suitability of the newly selected models.

[0091] Then first apparatus 110 initiates a model transfer session with the fourth apparatus 140. For example, the first apparatus 110 transmits (225) to the fourth apparatus 140 a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change.

[0092] Then the fourth apparatus 140 provide (230) one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change to the first apparatus 110. For example, the fourth apparatus 140 may provide the models that it expects to perform well at the second apparatus 120 (as measured by KPIs available in the model storage entity, e.g., UE-measured throughput, top K-beams prediction of 95% CI or above) to the first apparatus 110.

[0093] Then the first apparatus 110 may forward (235) the measurement data collected from the second apparatus 120 and the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change to the third apparatus 130.

[0094] The third apparatus 130 may evaluate whether the one or more candidate models satisfy at least one performance indicators associated with the functionality and / or model change and select (240) the at least one target model from the one or more candidate models based on the evaluation.

[0095] For example, the third apparatus 130 may assess the models based on its internal measurements and KPIs transparent to the second apparatus 120 (e.g., the number of beam switches, additional overhead in the beam switching procedure, resource-reservation, e.g., set of Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, channel state information reference signal (CSI RS) resources of NW, impact to the mobility KPIs such as handover success rate, number of ping-pongs in lower-layer triggered mobility, number of random access failures during beam switching, deployment scenario awareness, e.g., physicalantenna configurations, transmission powers and energy-efficiency related constrains).

[0096] Then the third apparatus 130 may inform (245) the first apparatus 110 an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved and the selected at least one target model that can be loaded in the second apparatus 120 to support the new functionality.

[0097] In one particular implementation, the third apparatus 130 can “host” the model architecture that was received and feed inputs based on the measurement logs provided by the second apparatus 120 and additional network measurements, to check the model performance.

[0098] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (250) to the second apparatus an ACK for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model, to approve the functionality / model change.

[0099] In case none of the models that were sent from the fourth apparatus 140 meet the performance requirements, then the first apparatus 110 may request the second apparatus 120 to switch to a fallback functionality / model.

[0100] Upon receiving the ACK and the at least one target model, the second apparatus 120 may switch (255) the functionality and the monitoring at the second apparatus 120 may continue.

[0101] FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling chart 300 for model selection and testing according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling chart 300 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, by using the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, the third apparatus 130 and the fourth apparatus 140.

[0102] In this case, the fourth apparatus 140 may be external to the first apparatus 110.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 3, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120 may be initiated by the second apparatus 120 or the fourth apparatus 140.

[0104] For example, based on internal parameters of the second apparatus 120 (e.g., battery power, change of the current cell configuration, changes in set B configuration, changes in the input-output mapping from the second apparatus 120 due to the usage ofpositioning-related information etc.) which may or may not be transparent to the first apparatus 110. Then the third apparatus 130 may indicate that the second apparatus 120 cannot support the current functionality by transmitting (305), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0105] As another option, the second apparatus 120 may also inform the first apparatus 110 directly that it cannot support the configured functionality by transmitting (310), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0106] In some other embodiments, the second apparatus 120 or the fourth apparatus 140 can inform that they have new models which can support the functionality configured for the second apparatus 120 and need to transfer those models to the second apparatus 120.

[0107] To configure the new functionality (or filter the models which may be suitable to be loaded in the second apparatus 120 to support the current functionality given the underlying radio conditions at the second apparatus 120), the first apparatus 110 needs to first collect more information on the underlying radio conditions at the second apparatus 120.

[0108] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (315) a request of measurement data collection to the second apparatus 120. As an example, the first apparatus 110 can require from the second apparatus 120 the measurement logs for which the performance of the deployed models was not satisfactory. For instance, the first apparatus 110 may require cell quality indicators, as well as preferred configurations from the second apparatus 120 etc. The second apparatus 120 may also share internal information with the first apparatus 110 (e.g., battery power, memory status etc.).

[0109] The second apparatus 120 may provide (320) the collected measurement data to the first apparatus 110. For example, the second apparatus 120 may forwards to the first apparatus 110 at least the data that is needed for the assessment of the suitability of the newly selected models.

[0110] Then the first apparatus 110 may transmit (325) measurement data collected from the second apparatus 120 and measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus 110based on status information of the second apparatus 120 to the fourth apparatus 140. As an option, the fourth apparatus 140 can subscribe to a Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) procedure in the NW and be identified by a trusted IP address (i.e., can serve as a Trace Collection Entity).

[0111] Then the fourth apparatus 140 may assesses which of the models might work well at the second apparatus 120 (e.g., by evaluating throughput of the models it has available, or how they would perform at predicting the top K-beams etc.) and generate (330) a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change with respect to the measurement data, e.g., containing the necessary and sufficient information (e.g., KPI information on performance of the models given the underlying channel conditions, delay information associated with inference etc.), for the third apparatus 130 to make a decision on which models can be deployed in the second apparatus 120.

[0112] Then the fourth apparatus 140 may inform (335) the first apparatus 110 one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change and the report a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models. The first apparatus 110 then forward (340) the report and the one or more candidate models to the third apparatus 130. Furthermore, the first apparatus 110 may also provide related NW-internal information along with the report.

[0113] The third apparatus 130 may evaluate whether the one or more candidate models satisfy at least one performance indicators associated with the functionality and / or model change and select (345) the at least one target model from the one or more candidate models based on the evaluation.

[0114] For example, the third apparatus 130 may assess the models based on its internal measurements and KPIs transparent to the second apparatus 120 (e.g., the number of beam switches, additional overhead in the beam switching procedure, resource-reservation, e.g., set of Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, channel state information reference signal (CSI RS) resources of NW, impact to the mobility KPIs such as handover success rate, number of ping-pongs in lower-layer triggered mobility, number of random access failures during beam switching, deployment scenario awareness, e.g., physical antenna configurations, transmission powers and energy-efficiency related constrains).

[0115] Then the third apparatus 130 may inform (350) the first apparatus 110 anindication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved and the selected at least one target model that can be loaded in the second apparatus 120 to support the new functionality.

[0116] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (355) to the second apparatus an ACK for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model, to approve the functionality / model change.

[0117] In case none of the models that were sent from the fourth apparatus 140 meet the performance requirements, then the first apparatus 110 may request the second apparatus 120 to switch to a fallback functionality / model.

[0118] Upon receiving the ACK and the at least one target model, the second apparatus 120 may switch (360) the functionality and the monitoring at the second apparatus 120 may continue.

[0119] FIG. 4 illustrates a signaling chart 400 for model selection and testing according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling chart 400 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, by using the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, the third apparatus 130 and the fourth apparatus 140.

[0120] In this case, the fourth apparatus 140 may be internal to the first apparatus 110.

[0121] Similar with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120 may be initiated by the second apparatus 120 or the fourth apparatus 140.

[0122] As an option, the third apparatus 130 may indicate that the second apparatus 120 cannot support the current functionality by transmitting (405), to the third apparatus 130, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0123] As another option, the second apparatus 120 may inform the first apparatus 110 directly that it cannot support the configured functionality by means of an uplink indication, e.g., by transmitting (410), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0124] Furthermore, the action 405 and 410 may also be applicable in case new modelsneed to be loaded in the second apparatus 120 without the need to change the functionality (i.e., logical model update).

[0125] The third apparatus 130 may also request (415) the first apparatus 110 to initiate a data collection session.

[0126] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (420) a request of measurement data collection to the second apparatus 120. As an example, the first apparatus 110 can require from the second apparatus 120 the measurement logs for which the performance of the deployed models was not satisfactory. For instance, the first apparatus 110 may require cell quality indicators, as well as preferred configurations from the second apparatus 120 etc.

[0127] The second apparatus 120 may provide (425) the collected measurement data to the first apparatus 110. For example, the second apparatus 120 may forwards to the first apparatus 110 at least the data that is needed for the assessment of the suitability of the newly selected models.

[0128] Then the first apparatus 110 may forward (430) the collected measurement data to the third apparatus 130.

[0129] The third apparatus 130 may initiate a model transfer session with the fourth apparatus 140. For example, the third apparatus 130 may transmit (435), to the fourth apparatus 140, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change. The fourth apparatus 140 may inform (440) the third apparatus 130 one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change, e.g., models that it expects to perform well (e.g., as measured by KPIs available in the model storage entity which were discussed in the earlier embodiments).

[0130] Based on the received measurements and candidate models, the third apparatus 130 then may determine (445) (e.g., based on its internal KPIs described in the earlier examples) at least one target model that can be deployed to the second apparatus 120 for supporting the functionality.

[0131] For example, the third apparatus 130 may assess the models based on its internal measurements and KPIs transparent to the second apparatus 120 (e.g., the number of beam switches, additional overhead in the beam switching procedure, resource-reservation, e.g., set of Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, channel state informationreference signal (CSI RS) resources of NW, impact to the mobility KPIs such as handover success rate, number of ping-pongs in lower-layer triggered mobility, number of random access failures during beam switching, deployment scenario awareness, e.g., physical antenna configurations, transmission powers and energy-efficiency related constrains).

[0132] Then the third apparatus 130 may inform (450) the first apparatus 110 an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved and the selected at least one target model that can be loaded in the second apparatus 120 to support the new functionality.

[0133] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (455) to the second apparatus an ACK for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model, to approve the functionality / model change.

[0134] In case none of the models that were sent from the fourth apparatus 140 meet the performance requirements, then the first apparatus 110 may request the second apparatus 120 to switch to a fallback functionality / model.

[0135] Upon receiving the ACK and the at least one target model, the second apparatus 120 may switch (460) the functionality and the monitoring at the second apparatus 120 may continue.

[0136] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling chart 500 for model selection and testing according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling chart 500 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, by using the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, the third apparatus 130 and the fourth apparatus 140.

[0137] In this case, the fourth apparatus 140 may be internal to the first apparatus 110.

[0138] Similar with the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120 may be initiated by the second apparatus 120 or the fourth apparatus 140.

[0139] For example, based on internal parameters of the second apparatus 120 (e.g., battery power, change of the current cell configuration, changes in set B configuration, changes in the input-output mapping from the second apparatus 120 due to the usage of positioning-related information etc.) which may or may not be transparent to the first apparatus 110. Then the third apparatus 130 may indicate that the second apparatus 120cannot support the current functionality by transmitting (505), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0140] As another option, the second apparatus 120 may also inform the first apparatus 110 directly that it cannot support the configured functionality by transmitting (510), to the first apparatus 110, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus 120.

[0141] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (515) a request of measurement data collection to the second apparatus 120. As an example, the first apparatus 110 can require from the second apparatus 120 the measurement logs for which the performance of the deployed models was not satisfactory. For instance, the first apparatus 110 may require cell quality indicators, as well as preferred configurations from the second apparatus 120 etc. The second apparatus 120 may also share internal information with the first apparatus 110 (e.g., battery power, memory status etc.).

[0142] The second apparatus 120 may provide (520) the collected measurement data to the first apparatus 110. For example, the second apparatus 120 may forwards to the first apparatus 110 at least the data that is needed for the assessment of the suitability of the newly selected models.

[0143] The first apparatus 110 may forward the measurements to the fourth apparatus 140 and request it to assess the suitability of the available models (as measured by the KPIs available in the fourth apparatus 140). For example, the first apparatus 110 may transmit (525), to the fourth apparatus 140, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change along with measurement data collected from the second apparatus.

[0144] The fourth apparatus 140 may determine (530) the one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change, i.e., models that it expects to perform well at the second apparatus 120 and forward (535) the one or more candidate models and corresponding measurement data to the third apparatus 130. In this process, the fourth apparatus 140 can also download new models.

[0145] Based on the received measurements and candidate models, the third apparatus 130 then may determine (540) (e.g., based on its internal KPIs described in the earlierexamples) at least one target model that can be deployed to the second apparatus 120 for supporting the functionality.

[0146] Then the third apparatus 130 may inform (545) the first apparatus 110 an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved and the selected at least one target model that can be loaded in the second apparatus 120 to support the new functionality.

[0147] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (550) to the second apparatus an ACK for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model, to approve the functionality / model change.

[0148] In case none of the models that were sent from the fourth apparatus 140 meet the performance requirements, then the first apparatus 110 may request the second apparatus 120 to switch to a fallback functionality / model.

[0149] Upon receiving the ACK and the at least one target model, the second apparatus 120 may switch (555) the functionality and the monitoring at the second apparatus 120 may continue.

[0150] FIG. 6 illustrates a signaling chart 600 for model selection and testing according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling chart 600 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, by using the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120, the third apparatus 130 and the fourth apparatus 140.

[0151] In this case, the fourth apparatus 140 may be external or internal to the first apparatus 110.

[0152] Different from the embodiments as described above, in which a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus is initiated either by the second apparatus 120 or the fourth apparatus 140, the first apparatus 110 may also initiate a functionality and / or model change procedure.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 6, the first apparatus 110 transmit (605), to the second apparatus, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus and also a request for measurement data collection from the second apparatus 120.

[0154] The second apparatus 120 may provide (610) the collected measurement data to the first apparatus 110. For example, the second apparatus 120 may forwards to the first apparatus 110 at least the data that is needed for the assessment of the suitability of the newly selected models.

[0155] Then the first apparatus 110 may transmit (615), to the fourth apparatus 140, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change along with measurement data collected from the second apparatus.

[0156] The fourth apparatus 140 may determine (620) the one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change, i.e., models that it expects to perform well at the second apparatus 120 and forward (625) the one or more candidate models and corresponding measurement data to the third apparatus 130.

[0157] Based on the received measurements and candidate models, the third apparatus 130 then may determine (630) (e.g., based on its internal KPIs described in the earlier examples) at least one target model that can be deployed to the second apparatus 120 for supporting the functionality.

[0158] Then the third apparatus 130 may inform (635) the first apparatus 110 an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved and the selected at least one target model that can be loaded in the second apparatus 120 to support the new functionality.

[0159] The first apparatus 110 may transmit (640) to the second apparatus an ACK for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model, to approve the functionality / model change.

[0160] In case none of the models that were sent from the fourth apparatus 140 meet the performance requirements, then the first apparatus 110 may request the second apparatus 120 to switch to a fallback functionality / model.

[0161] Upon receiving the ACK and the at least one target model, the second apparatus 120 may switch (645) the functionality and the monitoring at the second apparatus 120 may continue.

[0162] Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable downloading only needed models to the UE, i.e., only such models that are expected to perform well as measured by the current radio conditions. In this way, a functionality / model change may beachieved flexibly.

[0163] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0164] At block 710, the first apparatus 110 determines that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus.

[0165] At block 720, based on the determination, the first apparatus 110 obtains, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure.

[0166] At block 730, the first apparatus 110 transmits, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus from at least one of the following: a second apparatus, or a fourth apparatus located external to the first apparatus, or the fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus,

[0168] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the third apparatus, a request for measurement data collection, wherein a request for changing to the functionality and / or model is to be transmitted from the fourth apparatus to the third apparatus.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: transmitting, to the second apparatus, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: transmitting, to the fourth apparatus, at least one of: a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change, or measurement data collected from the second apparatus, measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the fourth apparatus, one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; and forward the one or more candidate models and the measurement data to the third apparatus.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the fourth apparatus, a report indicating an evaluation of one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change with respect to the measurement data; and forward at least the report to the third apparatus.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: transmitting, to the third apparatus, the measurement data collected from the second apparatus.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the third apparatus, an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved along with the at least one target model selected from the one or more candidate models.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

[0177] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0178] At block 810, in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, the second apparatus 120 receives, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0180] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: receiving,from the first apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, measurement data associated with the functionality and / or model change.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device.

[0183] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example method 900 implemented at a third apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.

[0184] At block 910, in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, the third apparatus 130 obtains at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change.

[0185] At block 920, the third apparatus 130 determines at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models.

[0186] At block 930, the third apparatus 130 transmits at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: obtaining, from the first apparatus, at least one of: the one or more candidate models, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus, or a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models with respect to the measurement data performed at a fourth apparatus.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: receiving, from the fourth apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus; and transmitting a request for measurement data collection to the first apparatus.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that measurement data is received from the first apparatus, transmitting, to the fourth apparatus, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change; and receiving the one or more candidate models from the fourth apparatus.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: receiving, from the fourth apparatus, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus along with the one or more candidate models.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: determining whether the one or more candidate models satisfy at least one performance indicators associated with the functionality and / or model change; and selecting, based on the determination, the at least one target model from the one or more candidate models.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved along with the at least one target model.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

[0195] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example method 1000 implemented at a fourth apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1000 will be described from the perspective of the fourth apparatus 140 in FIG. 1.

[0196] At block 1010, in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, the fourth apparatus 140 provides at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the method 1000 further comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus or a third apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0198] In some example embodiments, the method 1000 further comprises: receiving, from a first apparatus, at least one of: a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change, or measurement data collected from the second apparatus, measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus.

[0199] In some example embodiments, the method 1000 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, at least one of: one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change, or a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change with respect to the measurement data.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the method 1000 further comprises: receiving, from a third apparatus, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change; and transmitting, to the third apparatus, the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the method 1000 further comprises: transmitting, to a third apparatus, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus along with the one or more candidate models.

[0202] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device and the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device,

[0204] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

[0205] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for determining that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus;means for based on the determination, obtaining, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; and means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0207] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus from at least one of the following: a second apparatus, or a fourth apparatus located external to the first apparatus, or the fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus,

[0208] In some example embodiments, a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the third apparatus, a request for measurement data collection, wherein a request for changing to the functionality and / or model is to be transmitted from the fourth apparatus to the third apparatus.

[0209] In some example embodiments, a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the fourth apparatus, at least one of: a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change, or measurement data collected from the second apparatus, measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the fourth apparatus, one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; and forward the one or more candidate models and the measurement data to the third apparatus.

[0212] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the fourth apparatus, a report indicating an evaluation of one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change with respect to themeasurement data; and forward at least the report to the third apparatus.

[0213] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, the measurement data collected from the second apparatus.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the third apparatus, an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved along with the at least one target model selected from the one or more candidate models.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

[0216] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

[0217] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 700 or the first apparatus 110. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the first apparatus.

[0218] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0219] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, receiving, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

[0220] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0221] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the first apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0222] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, measurement data associated with the functionality and / or model change.

[0223] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device.

[0224] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 800 or the second apparatus 120. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the second apparatus.

[0225] In some example embodiments, a third apparatus capable of performing any of the method 900 (for example, the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The third apparatus may be implemented as or included in the third apparatus 130 in FIG. 1.

[0226] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus comprises means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtaining at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; means for determining at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models; and means for transmitting at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

[0227] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises: means for obtaining, from the first apparatus, at least one of: the one or more candidate models, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus, or a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models with respect to the measurement data performed at afourth apparatus.

[0228] In some example embodiments, a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the third apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the fourth apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus; and means for transmitting a request for measurement data collection to the first apparatus.

[0229] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that measurement data is received from the first apparatus, transmitting, to the fourth apparatus, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change; and means for receiving the one or more candidate models from the fourth apparatus.

[0230] In some example embodiments, a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the third apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the fourth apparatus, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus along with the one or more candidate models.

[0231] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises: means for determining whether the one or more candidate models satisfy at least one performance indicators associated with the functionality and / or model change; and means for selecting, based on the determination, the at least one target model from the one or more candidate models.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved along with the at least one target model.

[0233] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

[0234] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

[0235] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 900 or the third apparatus 130. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor;and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the third apparatus.

[0236] In some example embodiments, a fourth apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1000 (for example, the fourth apparatus 140 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1000. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The fourth apparatus may be implemented as or included in the fourth apparatus 140 in FIG. 1.

[0237] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus comprises means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, providing at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

[0238] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to a first apparatus or a third apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

[0239] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from a first apparatus, at least one of: a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change, or measurement data collected from the second apparatus, measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus.

[0240] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, at least one of: one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change, or a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change with respect to the measurement data.

[0241] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the fourth apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from a third apparatus, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change; and means for transmitting, to the third apparatus, the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change.

[0242] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus located internal to the firstapparatus, and wherein the fourth apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to a third apparatus, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus along with the one or more candidate models.

[0243] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device and the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

[0244] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device,

[0245] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

[0246] In some example embodiments, the fourth apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 1000 or the fourth apparatus 140. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the fourth apparatus.

[0247] FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1100 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1100 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 1100 includes one or more processors 1110, one or more memories 1120 coupled to the processor 1110, and one or more communication modules 1140 coupled to the processor 1110.

[0248] The communication module 1140 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 1140 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1140 may include at least one antenna.

[0249] The processor 1110 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1100 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slavedin time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0250] The memory 1120 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 1124, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 1122 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0251] A computer program 1130 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1110. The instructions of the program 1130 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 1130 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 1124. The processor 1110 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 1130 into the RAM 1122.

[0252] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 1130 so that the device 1100 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 10. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0253] In some example embodiments, the program 1130 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 1100 (such as in the memory 1120) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 1100. The device 1100 may load the program 1130 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 1122 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0254] FIG. 12 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1200 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1200 has the program 1130 stored thereon.

[0255] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method 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.

[0256] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non- transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0257] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0258] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrierinclude a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0259] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0260] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Eikewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0261] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. 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: determine that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; based on the determination, obtain, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; and transmit, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the third apparatus, a request for measurement data collection, wherein a request for changing to the functionality and / or model is to be transmitted from the fourth apparatus to the third apparatus.

3. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the third apparatus, the measurement data collected from the second apparatus.

4. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the first apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the second apparatus, a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

5. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:receive a request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus from at least one of the following: a second apparatus, or a fourth apparatus located external to the first apparatus, or the fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus.

6. The first apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the fourth apparatus, at least one of: a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change, or measurement data collected from the second apparatus, measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus.

7. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the fourth apparatus, one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; and forward the one or more candidate models and the measurement data to the third apparatus.

8. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the fourth apparatus, a report indicating an evaluation of one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change with respect to the measurement data; and forward at least the report to the third apparatus.

9. The first apparatus of any of claim 5-8, wherein the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

10. The first apparatus of any of claim 5-9, wherein the first apparatus is caused to: receive, from the third apparatus, an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved along with the at least one target model selected from the one or more candidate models.

11. The first apparatus of any of claim 1-10, wherein the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

12. 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: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, receive, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

13. The second apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

14. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: receive, from the first apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

15. The second apparatus of any of claims 12-14, wherein the second apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, measurement data associated with the functionalityand / or model change.

16. The second apparatus of any of claims 12-15, wherein the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device.

17. A third apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus at least to: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtain at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; determine at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models; and transmit at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

18. The third apparatus of claim 17, wherein the third apparatus is caused to: obtain, from the first apparatus, at least one of: the one or more candidate models, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus, or a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models with respect to the measurement data performed at a fourth apparatus.

19. The third apparatus of claim 17, wherein a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the third apparatus is caused to: receive, from the fourth apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus; andtransmit a request for measurement data collection to the first apparatus.

20. The third apparatus of claim 19, wherein the third apparatus is caused to: in accordance with a determination that measurement data is received from the first apparatus, transmit, to the fourth apparatus, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change; and receive the one or more candidate models from the fourth apparatus.

21. The third apparatus of claim 17, wherein a fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the third apparatus is caused to: receive, from the fourth apparatus, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus along with the one or more candidate models.

22. The third apparatus of any of claims 17-21, wherein the third apparatus is caused to: determine whether the one or more candidate models satisfy at least one performance indicators associated with the functionality and / or model change; and select, based on the determination, the at least one target model from the one or more candidate models.

23. The third apparatus of any of claims 17-22, wherein the third apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, an indication that the functionality and / or model change is to be approved along with the at least one target model.

24. The third apparatus of any of claims 17-23, wherein the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device, the second apparatus comprises a terminal device, the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

25. The third apparatus of any of claims 19-21, wherein the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

26. A fourth apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus at least to: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, provide at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

27. The fourth apparatus of claim 26, wherein fourth apparatus is caused to: transmit, to a first apparatus or a third apparatus, the request for changing to the functionality and / or model associated with the second apparatus.

28. The fourth apparatus of claim 26 or 27, wherein fourth apparatus is caused to: receive, from a first apparatus, at least one of: a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change, or measurement data collected from the second apparatus, measurement data evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus.

29. The fourth apparatus of claim 28, wherein fourth apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the first apparatus, at least one of: one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change, or a report indicating an evaluation of the one or more candidate models available forthe functionality and / or model change with respect to the measurement data.

30. The fourth apparatus of claim 26 or 28, wherein the fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein the fourth apparatus is caused to: receive, from a third apparatus, a request for model download for enabling the functionality and / or model change; and transmit, to the third apparatus, the one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change.

31. The fourth apparatus of claim 28, wherein the fourth apparatus located internal to the first apparatus, and wherein fourth apparatus is caused to: transmit, to a third apparatus, measurement data collected from the second apparatus and evaluated by the first apparatus based on status information of the second apparatus along with the one or more candidate models.

32. The fourth apparatus of any of claims 26-31, wherein the second apparatus comprises a terminal device and the fourth apparatus comprises a storage entity.

33. The fourth apparatus of any of claims 27-31, wherein the first apparatus comprises a radio access network device or a core network device,34. The fourth apparatus of claim 30 or 31, wherein the third apparatus comprises a selection entity.

35. A method comprising: determining, at a first apparatus, that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; based on the determination, obtaining, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionalityand / or model change procedure; and transmitting, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

36. A method comprising: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, receiving, at the second apparatus and from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

37. A method comprising: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtaining, at a third apparatus, at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; determining at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models; and transmitting at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

38. A method comprising: in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, providing, from a fourth apparatus, at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

39. A first apparatus comprising: means for determining that a functionality and / or model change is required at a second apparatus; means for based on the determination, obtaining, from a third apparatus, at least one target model associated with a functionality required by the second apparatus in a functionality and / or model change procedure; andmeans for transmitting, to the second apparatus, an acknowledge for the functionality and / or model change along with the at least one target model associated with the functionality.

40. A second apparatus comprising: means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with the second apparatus, receiving, from a first apparatus, an acknowledge for a functionality and / or model change along with at least one target model associated with the functionality.

41. A third apparatus comprising: means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, obtaining at least one or more candidate models available for the functionality and / or model change; means for determining at least one target model associated with the functionality from the one or more candidate models ; and means for transmitting at least the at least one target model to a first apparatus.

42. A fourth apparatus comprising: means for in a functionality and / or model change procedure initiated by a request for changing to a functionality associated with a second apparatus, providing at least one or more candidate models available for a functionality and / or model change.

43. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of claim 35 or the method of a claim 36 or the method of claim 37 or the method of claim 38.

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