Base station, radio communication system, and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a base station, a radio communication system, and a method that make it possible to achieve more ecological communication. The base station is in a radio communication system that includes a host network, a terminal, and the base station. The base station comprises a reference unit and a control unit. The reference unit refers to energy-related information that is of the base station and that pertains to the host network. The control unit controls a radio resource of the terminal that communicates with the host network on the basis of the energy-related information which has been referred to by the reference unit.

Description

Base station, wireless communication system and method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a base station, a wireless communication system and a method.

[0002] In recent years, global warming has become a serious social issue, and efforts are underway to utilize green energy, such as renewable energy, in various systems and services.

[0003] As a related technology, for example, Patent Document 1 describes that in a wireless communication system, a base station acquires greenness information of the base station and sets handover determination parameters based on the acquired greenness information.

[0004] JP 2012-005120 A

[0005] However, related technologies such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 only consider information related to the energy of the base station itself, and therefore cannot realize more ecological communications by considering information related to the energy of other components that make up the wireless communication system.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a base station, a wireless communication system, and a method that can realize more ecological communication.

[0007] A base station according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a reference unit that references energy-related information related to an upper network of the base station, and a control unit that controls radio resources of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

[0008] A wireless communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system including a base station and a terminal, wherein the base station includes a reference unit that references energy-related information related to an upper network of the base station, and a control unit that controls wireless resources of the terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

[0009] A method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method in a base station, which refers to energy-related information regarding an upper network of the base station and controls radio resources of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, more ecological communication can be realized.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a core network according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a core network according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a core network according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as necessary.

[0013] (Outline of the embodiments) First, an outline of the embodiments will be described. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a base station in the wireless communication system according to some embodiments.

[0014] In the example of Fig. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes an upper network 30, a base station 10, and a terminal 20. The upper network 30 is a network higher than the base station 10 and connected to the base station 10. The upper network 30 is a core network in the wireless communication system 1, and may be, for example, a 5G Core network (5GC) or an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The upper network 30 is composed of multiple devices (nodes). Note that the configuration or operation of any device in the upper network (core network) may be described as the configuration or operation of the upper network (core network).

[0015] The base station 10 is connected to an upper network 30 and provides base station functions to the terminal 20. For example, the base station 10 may be a next generation Node B (gNB) or an evolved Node B (eNB). In the example of FIG. 2 , the base station 10 includes a reference unit 11 and a control unit 12.

[0016] The reference unit 11 refers to energy-related information related to the upper network 30 of the base station 10. The reference unit 11 may refer to energy-related information related to the upper network 30 connected to the base station 10, or may refer to energy-related information related to an upper network 30 connected to another base station different from the base station 10 (for example, an adjacent base station). The reference unit 11 may refer to energy-related information acquired from the upper network 30 or other devices. The reference unit 11 may refer to energy-related information stored in a memory unit of the base station 10.

[0017] The control unit 12 controls the radio resources of the terminal 20 communicating with the upper network 30 based on the referenced energy-related information. As the control of the radio resources of the terminal 20, the control unit 12 may control the allocation (scheduling) of the radio resources of the terminal 20 or may control handover of the terminal 20. For example, the control unit 12 may control the allocation of the radio resources used by the terminal 20 for communication with the upper network 30 based on the energy-related information related to the upper network 30 of the own station. The control unit 12 may control handover of the terminal 20 communicating with the upper network 30 based on the energy-related information related to the upper network 30 of an adjacent base station.

[0018] The terminal 20 is a mobile station that performs wireless communication with the base station 10. For example, the terminal 20 is a UE (User Equipment) or the like. The terminal 20 performs wireless communication using wireless resources controlled by the base station 10. For example, the terminal 20 may perform wireless communication using wireless resources allocated by scheduling control by the base station 10, or may perform handover to a base station 10 instructed by handover control by the base station 10.

[0019] 3 shows an example of the operation of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 3, the base station 10 refers to energy-related information related to its upper network 30 (S11). The referred energy-related information is information related to energy supplied to components of the upper network 30. For example, the energy-related information may be the type of energy supplied to the components of the upper network 30, the amount of power generated from the supplied energy, the surplus amount of energy supplied, an environmental performance index for the supplied energy, or the amount of CO2 emissions resulting from the power generation of the supplied energy.

[0020] Next, the base station 10 controls the radio resources of the terminal 20 communicating with the upper network 30 based on the referenced energy-related information (S12). For example, the base station 10 performs scheduling control and handover control as the control of the radio resources based on the energy-related information.

[0021] In this manner, in the embodiment, the base station references energy-related information of the upper network, which is the core network, and controls the radio resources of the terminal based on the referenced energy-related information. For example, it becomes possible to preferentially allocate radio resources to communication in the ecological core network, or to hand over the terminal so that it connects to the ecological core network. This makes it possible to realize more ecological communication.

[0022] (First Embodiment) Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment. In this embodiment, for example, a base station controls scheduling based on energy-related information of a core network above the base station.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 4, the wireless communication system 2 includes an application device 400, multiple core networks 300 (e.g., 300a and 300b), a base station 100, and a terminal 200. Note that the wireless communication system 2 is a system defined by, for example, 5G (5th Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution) standards, but is not limited to these systems. For example, the wireless communication system 2 may be a system defined by a next-generation standard including 6G, or may be a system defined by a standard of another generation.

[0024] The application device 400 is a communication device that performs application-related communication with the terminal 200. For example, the application device 400 is an application server that provides a predetermined application (service) to the terminal 200. The application device 400 may be one or more physical servers, or may be a virtualized server built on a virtualization platform. The application device 400 may be a cloud server on the cloud, or an on-premise server installed at a predetermined location. The application device 400 and the core network 300 are communicatively connected via any network. For example, the application device 400 may be connected to the core network 300 via a data network such as the Internet. In the example of FIG. 4 , the application device 400 is connected to the core networks 300a and 300b.

[0025] For example, the application device 400 can communicate with the terminal 200 via a bearer established between the application device 400 and the terminal 200. The bearer is an example of an end-to-end communication path for communication between the terminal 200 and the application device 400, and is not limited to a bearer and may be another communication path (communication flow or communication path). The application device 400 may terminate multiple bearers (e.g., bearers BE1 and BE2) between the application device 400 and the terminal 200. One application device 400 may terminate multiple bearers, or multiple application devices 400 may each terminate a different bearer. The multiple bearers may have different routes between the application device 400 and the terminal 200. In the example of FIG. 4 , the bearer BE1 connects the application device 400 and the terminal 200 via the core network 300a and the base station 100. The bearer BE2 connects the application device 400 and the terminal 200 via the core network 300b and the base station 100.

[0026] The core network 300 and the base station 100 are communicatively connected via a backhaul. The core network 300 and the base station 100 are communicatively connected, for example, via an S1 or NG interface. Note that an interface is a connection interface defined by a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving data and messages, and includes logical transmission paths and networks, as well as physical transmission paths and networks. In this example, the base station 100 is connected to the core networks 300a and 300b via the S1 or NG interface, respectively. Note that the number of core networks 300 is not limited to two, and any number of core networks 300 may be connected to the base station 100.

[0027] The core network 300 is a backbone network in the wireless communication system 2. The core network 300 is an upper network arranged above (upstream of) the base station 100, and accommodates a radio access network (RAN) including the base station 100. The core network 300 may accommodate multiple base stations 100 (radio access networks). The core network 300 is connected to an upstream data network such as the Internet, and transfers user data of the terminal 200 between the data network. In the example of FIG. 4 , the core network 300a relays communication of a bearer BE1 between the application device 400 and the terminal 200, and the core network 300b relays communication of a bearer BE2 between the application device 400 and the terminal 200.

[0028] Core network 300 is composed of multiple functions. Core network 300 including multiple functions may be implemented by a single device or multiple devices. The multiple devices that make up core network 300 may be located in the same location or in different locations. The devices that make up core network 300 may include physical devices (computers) or virtual machines running on a virtualization platform. For example, core network 300 is implemented by a data center (computer system) that provides physical devices or virtual machines. Core network 300a and core network 300b may be implemented by different data centers. That is, core network 300a (first core network) may be configured in a first data center (first computer system), and core network 300b (second core network) may be configured in a second data center (second computer system).

[0029] The core network 300 may be, for example, 5GC, which is a 5G core network, or EPC, which is an LTE core network, or may be another core network. FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of 5GC as an example of the configuration of a core network according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 5, the core network 300 may include an AMF 31, an SMF 32, and a UPF 33 that configure 5GC. The AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) 31 is connected to a radio access network including the base station 100 and performs access authentication and mobility management for the terminal 200. The SMF (Session Management Function) 32 is connected to the UPF 33 and performs session management. The UPF (User Plane Function) 33 performs user data transfer processing between the radio access network and an upstream data network. The core network 300 is not limited to these, and may also include other functions (devices) necessary for 5GC. For example, the core network 300 may include a Network Exposure Function (NEF), a Network Repository Function (NRF), a Unified Data Management (UDM), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), an Application Function (AF), etc.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of an EPC as another example of the configuration of a core network according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 6, the core network 300 may include an MME 34, an S-GW 35, and a P-GW 36 that constitute the EPC. The MME (Mobility Management Entity) 34 is connected to a radio access network including a base station 100 and performs mobility management, authentication, bearer management, etc. for the terminal 200. The S-GW (Serving Gateway) 35 is connected to the radio access network and performs relay processing of user data between the radio access network and the P-GW 36. The P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway) 36 is connected to an upstream data network and performs relay processing of user data between the S-GW 35 and the data network. The core network 300 is not limited to these, and may also include other functions (devices) necessary for the EPC. For example, the core network 300 may include a PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) etc.

[0031] Fig. 7 shows an example of functions for realizing core network 300 according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 7, core network 300 includes a providing unit 301 and a connecting unit 302. The providing unit 301 and the connecting unit 302 may be included in any of the devices included in core network 300. Core network 300 also includes other functions required for a core network, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0032] The providing unit 301 provides energy-related information of the core network 300 to the base station 100 accommodated by the core network 300. The providing unit 301 is a transmitting unit that transmits the energy-related information. The providing unit 301 transmits the energy-related information via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300. The providing unit 301 may periodically transmit the energy-related information to the base station 100. The cycle for transmitting the energy-related information may be a preset cycle or a cycle instructed by the base station 100 or another device. The providing unit 301 may also transmit the energy-related information upon a predetermined event. For example, the providing unit 301 may transmit the energy-related information when requested by the base station 100, when the energy-related information has changed, or when a bearer has been set (established).

[0033] The energy-related information is information about the energy supplied to the components constituting the core network 300, for example, the functions (devices) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . For example, the energy-related information may be information about the energy supplied to all devices included in the core network 300, or information about the energy supplied to any device included in the core network 300. If the core network 300 is implemented as a data center, the energy-related information is information about the energy supplied to the data center. The device (power generation facility) that generates and supplies energy may be installed on the same premises as the data center or may be installed externally. The energy-related information may be acquired from the power generation facility, or may be set or measured in any device of the core network 300. For example, the energy-related information may be the type of energy supplied. Energy types include renewable energy and fossil energy. Renewable energy is energy derived from resources that are always present in nature, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass, and is energy that does not emit CO2. Renewable energy is also called green energy or non-fossil energy. Fossil energy is energy derived from finite resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas, and emits CO2. The energy-related information may also be the amount of energy supplied. The amount of energy may be the amount of power generated by renewable energy or the amount of surplus renewable energy. The amount of energy may be the ratio between the amount of power generated by renewable energy and the amount of power generated by fossil energy, or the ratio between the amount of surplus renewable energy and the amount of surplus fossil energy. The energy-related information may also be the amount of CO2 emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) emitted by the power generation of the supplied energy. The energy-related information may also be an environmental performance index of the supplied energy. The environmental performance index may be a level indicating the greenness of the energy, the degree of environmental protection, or the degree of environmental friendliness. The energy-related information may also be an index based on any combination of the type of energy, the amount of energy, the CO2 emissions from the power generation of the energy, the environmental performance index of the energy, etc.

[0034] The connection unit 302 performs connection processing necessary for a connection for the terminal 200. The connection for the terminal 200 is a connection necessary for the terminal 200 to communicate with any device or network. The connection for the terminal 200 may include any of a connection for communication between the terminal 200 and the base station 100, a connection for communication between the terminal 200 and the core network 300, and a connection for communication between the terminal 200 and another network, another terminal, an application device 400, etc. The connection for the terminal 200 may include a connection at any layer. For example, the connection for the terminal 200 includes a bearer connection between the terminal 200 and the application device 400, but may also include other connections such as a session. The connection unit 302 performs processing defined as being performed by a function of the core network 300 in a predetermined connection procedure. For example, the connection procedure includes a bearer establishment procedure for a bearer, but may also include other connection procedures such as a registration procedure, an attach procedure, a PDU session establishment procedure, a PDN connectivity procedure, a handover procedure, etc. For example, connection unit 302 may connect terminal 200 and application device 400 via core network 300 in response to a request from terminal 200 via base station 100.

[0035] The base station 100 also constitutes a radio access network in the radio communication system 2. The radio access network may include multiple base stations 100. The base station 100 is connected to the core network 300 and performs radio communication with the terminal 200. The base station 100 provides a cell capable of radio communication with the terminal 200 and provides base station functions necessary for the terminal 200 to communicate. The base station 100 may be, for example, a gNB (next generation Node B), which is a 5G base station, an eNB (evolved Node B), which is an LTE base station, or another base station (NB; Node B, etc.). The base station 100 is configured with multiple functions. The base station 100 including multiple functions may be implemented by a single device or multiple devices. The multiple devices constituting the base station 100 may be located in the same location or in different locations. The devices constituting the base station 100 may include a physical device (computer) or a virtual machine operating on a virtualization platform. For example, the base station 100 may include a remote radio head (RRH) and a base band unit (BBU). The base station 100 may also include a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), and a centralized unit (CU). The base station 100 may also include a virtual DU (vDU) and a virtual CU (vCU) that constitute a virtual RAN (vRAN). The base station 100 may also include an O-RAN DU (O-DU) and an O-RAN CU (O-CU) that constitute an Open RAN (O-RAN).

[0036] Fig. 8 shows an example of functions for implementing a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 8, a base station 100 includes an acquisition unit 101, a connection unit 102, and a scheduling unit 103. The base station 100 also includes other functions required for a base station.

[0037] The acquisition unit 101 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 from the core network 300 above the base station. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires energy-related information from multiple core networks 300a and 300b connected to the base station. The acquisition unit 101 receives the energy-related information via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300.

[0038] Like the providing unit 301 of the core network 300, the acquiring unit 101 may periodically receive energy-related information. The cycle for receiving the energy-related information may be a preset cycle, or the acquiring unit 101 may instruct the core network 300. The acquiring unit 101 may also receive the energy-related information upon a predetermined event. For example, when the terminal 200 or the base station 100 needs it, the acquiring unit 101 may request energy-related information from the core network 300 and receive the energy-related information in response to the request. The acquiring unit 101 may also acquire the energy-related information from a storage unit within the base station 100 or another external device. For example, energy-related information input by an operator or the like may be stored in the storage unit, and the acquiring unit 101 may function as a reference unit that references the energy-related information stored in the storage unit. The acquiring unit 101 may acquire the energy-related information of the core network 300 for each connection between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300. For example, when a bearer BE1 is set (established) via core network 300a, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire energy-related information of core network 300a, and when a bearer BE2 is set (established) via core network 300b, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire energy-related information of core network 300b.

[0039] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 101 may predict current or future energy-related information from energy-related information acquired in the past. That is, the acquisition unit 101 may include a prediction unit. For example, the current or future energy power generation amount may be predicted from the history of the energy power generation amount for the past month or the history of the energy power generation amount for the same month last year. The prediction of the energy-related information may be performed using a predetermined algorithm or simulation, or may be performed using a prediction model that is machine-learned to predict current or future data from past data. The prediction of the energy-related information may be performed by the core network 300, and the predicted energy-related information may be acquired by the acquisition unit 101.

[0040] The connection unit 102 performs connection processing necessary for a connection for the terminal 200. Similar to the connection unit 302 of the core network 300, the connection for the terminal 200 is a connection necessary for the terminal 200 to communicate with any device or network. The connection unit 102 performs processing defined as being performed by the function of the base station 100 in a predetermined connection procedure. As in the above, for example, the connection procedure includes a bearer establishment procedure, but may also include other connection procedures such as a registration procedure, an attach procedure, a PDU session establishment procedure, a PDN connection procedure, and a handover procedure. For example, the connection unit 102 may request the core network 300 to connect the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300 in response to a request from the terminal 200.

[0041] The scheduling unit 103 schedules radio resources for the terminal 200. That is, the scheduling unit 103 allocates radio resources to be used by the terminal 200 for wireless communication. The scheduling unit 103 may allocate radio resources in units of a predetermined resource block. The scheduling unit 103 allocates radio resources for each connection for the terminal 200. For example, the scheduling unit 103 allocates radio resources for each bearer used by the terminal 200 to communicate with the application apparatus 400. The scheduling unit 103 may allocate radio resources for each bearer in accordance with a quality of service class set (assigned) to the bearer. For example, the quality of service class is a quality of service (QoS) class, and is identified by a QoS class identifier (QCI). The quality of service class may also be another class indicating a required quality of service.

[0042] In this example, the scheduling unit 103 is a control unit that controls scheduling based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 acquired by the acquisition unit 101. That is, the scheduling unit 103 controls the allocation of radio resources to the terminal 200 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300. Specifically, the scheduling unit 103 controls the allocation of radio resources to be used by the terminal 200 for each bearer based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 through which each bearer passes. The scheduling unit 103 may control scheduling based on the QCI of the bearer and the energy-related information of the core network 300. The scheduling unit 103 may determine a scheduling priority based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 and control the amount of radio resources allocated in accordance with the priority. The scheduling unit 103 may control the amount of radio resources allocated to the radio resources of one bearer based on the energy-related information of one core network 300.

[0043] For example, the scheduling unit 103 controls the radio resources of the bearers BE1 and BE2 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300a for the bearer BE1 and the energy-related information of the core network 300b for the bearer BE2. The scheduling unit 103 compares the energy-related information of the core network 300a with the energy-related information of the core network 300b, and preferentially allocates radio resources to bearers via a more ecological core network 300. The scheduling unit 103 may allocate radio resources based on any one or a combination of the energy-related information, such as the type of energy, the amount of energy, the CO2 emissions due to the power generation of the energy, and the energy environmental performance index. For example, the scheduling unit 103 may preferentially allocate radio resources to bearers via, among the multiple core networks 300, a core network 300 that uses renewable energy, a core network 300 that generates a larger amount of renewable energy than the others, a core network 300 that has a larger surplus amount of renewable energy than the others, or a core network 300 that emits less CO2 than the others. The allocation of radio resources to a predetermined bearer with higher priority includes allocating a larger amount of radio resources to the predetermined bearer than to other bearers, or allocating a smaller amount of radio resources to other bearers than to the predetermined bearer. The scheduling unit 103 may control the scheduling priority and the allocation amount of radio resources according to the amount of power generated by renewable energy, the amount of surplus renewable energy, and the level of CO2 emissions.

[0044] In this example, the radio resources of bearers BE1 and BE2 terminated in the same application apparatus 400 are controlled, but the application apparatus 400 that terminates the bearers is not limited. That is, the scheduling unit 103 may control the radio resources to be allocated to multiple bearers terminated in the same application apparatus 400 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300, or may control the radio resources to be allocated to multiple bearers terminated in different application apparatuses 400 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300.

[0045] The terminal 200 is a mobile station that accesses a radio access network including the base station 100 and communicates with a data network, other terminals, the application device 400, etc. via the base station 100 and the core network 300. The terminal 200 performs wireless communication with the base station 100 in a cell provided by the base station 100. For example, the terminal 200 may be a UE, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal, etc. The terminal 200 may also be a device that implements terminal functions, such as a robot, a drone, or an autonomous vehicle. The terminal 200 is capable of communicating with the application device 400 via a bearer and terminates the bearer. The terminal 200 may terminate multiple bearers (e.g., bearers BE1 and BE2) between the terminal 200 and the application device 400. One terminal 200 may terminate multiple bearers, or multiple terminals 200 may each terminate a different bearer.

[0046] Fig. 9 shows an example of functions for realizing a terminal according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 9, terminal 200 includes connection unit 201. Terminal 200 also includes other functions necessary for a terminal.

[0047] The connection unit 201 executes connection processing necessary for a connection for the terminal 200. Similar to the connection unit 302 of the core network 300 and the connection unit 102 of the base station 100, the connection for the terminal 200 is a connection necessary for the terminal 200 to communicate with any device or network. The connection unit 201 executes processing specified as being performed by the function of the terminal 200 in a predetermined connection procedure. As in the above, for example, the connection procedure includes a bearer establishment procedure, but may also include other connection procedures such as a registration procedure, an attach procedure, a PDU session establishment procedure, a PDN connection procedure, and a handover procedure. For example, the connection unit 201 may request the base station 100 to connect to the application device 400 via the core network 300.

[0048] 10 shows an example of operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 10, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300a (S101). For example, the connection unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to establish the bearer BE1 with the application device 400. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the connection unit 102 of the base station 100 requests the core network 300a to establish the bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300a. The terminal 200 or the base station 100 may select which core network 300 the bearer BE1 passes through. In response to the request from the base station 100, the connection unit 302 of the core network 300a sets the bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300a, and performs processing required to establish the bearer BE1.

[0049] Furthermore, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300b (S102). As in S101, for example, the connection unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to establish a bearer BE2 with the application device 400. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the connection unit 102 of the base station 100 requests the core network 300b to establish a bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300b. In response to the request from the base station 100, the connection unit 302 of the core network 300b sets a bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300b, and executes processing required to establish the bearer BE2. Note that the process for establishing the bearer BE1 (S101) and the process for establishing the bearer BE2 (S102) may be executed first, or both may be executed in parallel.

[0050] Next, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S103). At any timing after the establishment of the bearer BE1, the base station 100 transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes, and acquires energy-related information from the core network 300a. For example, the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300a connected to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300a. Specifically, the energy-related information request is transmitted to any device included in the core network 300a. The energy-related information request is a message for requesting energy-related information from the core network 300. The energy-related information request may be included in a message specified by the S1 or NG interface. For example, the transmitted message may specify the requested information, the timing of transmitting the information, or the like. For example, the acquisition unit 101 may periodically request energy-related information from the core network 300a. The energy-related information request may be sent to either the core network 300a or the core network 300b first, or may be sent to both the core network 300a and the core network 300b in parallel.

[0051] Next, the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S104). For example, when the providing unit 301 of the core network 300a receives the energy-related information request from the base station 100, the providing unit 301 transmits an energy-related information response including energy-related information of the core network 300a to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300a. The energy-related information response is a message for providing energy-related information of the core network 300 in response to the energy-related information request. The energy-related information response may be included in a message specified by the S1 or NG interface. The energy-related information response includes the requested energy-related information. For example, the energy-related information response may include any of the type of energy, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions due to power generation of the energy, and an environmental performance index of the energy. If the requested information is specified in the energy-related information request, the providing unit 301 may transmit the specified information. If a transmission timing is specified in the energy-related information request, the providing unit 301 may transmit the energy-related information response at the specified timing.

[0052] Next, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S105). At any timing after the establishment of the bearer BE2, the base station 100 transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes, and acquires energy-related information from the core network 300b. As in S103, for example, the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300b connected to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300b.

[0053] Next, the core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S106). As in S104, for example, the providing unit 301 of the core network 300b transmits the energy-related information response including the energy-related information of the core network 300b to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300b.

[0054] Next, the base station 100 controls scheduling based on the energy-related information (S107). For example, when the acquisition unit 101 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information response. Also, when the acquisition unit 101 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response.

[0055] Then, the scheduling unit 103 controls the scheduling of the bearers BE1 and BE2 based on the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes and the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes. The scheduling unit 103 controls the scheduling priority and the amount of radio resources allocated for each bearer. Note that the scheduling unit 103 may control scheduling when an energy-related information response is received, or may store the energy-related information included in the received energy-related information response and control scheduling at another timing. For example, the scheduling may be controlled when a bearer is established, when the energy-related information has changed, when a request is received from the terminal 200, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous scheduling control, etc.

[0056] For example, when the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a for the bearer BE1 is renewable energy and the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b for the bearer BE2 is fossil energy, the scheduling unit 103 may preferentially allocate radio resources to the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a. That is, in this case, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be higher than the scheduling priority of the bearer BE2, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be greater than the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2. The priority and the amount of radio resources allocated may be changed depending on the type of renewable energy or fossil energy. For example, when solar light is used as the renewable energy, the priority may be the highest and the amount of radio resources allocated may be the largest. For example, when coal is used as the fossil energy, the priority may be the lowest and the amount of radio resources allocated may be the smallest.

[0057] Furthermore, when the amount of power generation from renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a of the bearer BE1 is greater than the amount of power generation from renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b of the bearer BE2, the scheduling unit 103 may preferentially allocate radio resources to the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a. That is, in this case, depending on the difference in the amounts of power generation from renewable energy, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be made higher than the scheduling priority of the bearer BE2, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be made larger than the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2. For example, as the difference in the amounts of power generation from renewable energy increases, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be made higher, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be made larger.

[0058] Furthermore, when the surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a of the bearer BE1 is greater than the surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b of the bearer BE2, the scheduling unit 103 may preferentially allocate radio resources to the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a. That is, in this case, depending on the difference in the surplus amounts of renewable energy, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be made higher than the scheduling priority of the bearer BE2, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be made larger than the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2. For example, as the difference in the surplus amounts of renewable energy increases, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be made higher, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be made larger.

[0059] Furthermore, when the CO2 emissions included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a of the bearer BE1 are smaller than the CO2 emissions included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b of the bearer BE2, the scheduling unit 103 may preferentially allocate radio resources to the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a. That is, in this case, depending on the difference in CO2 emissions, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be higher than the scheduling priority of the bearer BE2, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be larger than the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2. For example, as the difference in CO2 emissions increases, the scheduling priority of the bearer BE1 may be higher, or the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be larger.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the base station acquires energy-related information of the core network above the base station and controls scheduling based on the acquired energy-related information of the core network. This allows, for example, to preferentially allocate radio resources to bearers via a core network that uses renewable energy, thereby realizing more eco-friendly communications.

[0061] (Embodiment 2) Next, embodiment 2 will be described. In this embodiment, for example, a base station controls handover of a terminal based on energy-related information of a core network higher than the base station itself and energy-related information of a core network higher than an adjacent base station. Note that this embodiment can be implemented in combination with embodiment 1, and each configuration shown in embodiment 1 may be used as appropriate.

[0062] 11 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 11, the wireless communication system 2 includes an application device 400, multiple core networks 300 (e.g., 300a and 300b), multiple base stations 100 (e.g., 100a and 100b), and a terminal 200.

[0063] The base stations 100 are communicatively connected to each other via, for example, an X2 or Xn interface. In this example, the base station 100a and the base station 100b are connected to each other via an X2 or Xn interface. The number of base stations 100 is not limited to two, and any number of base stations 100 may be deployed and connected to each other via an X2 or Xn interface. For example, the base station 100a and the base station 100b are adjacent base stations. In an area where the cells provided by the base station 100a and the base station 100b overlap, the terminal 200 can perform handover. Furthermore, for example, a core network 300a is connected to the base station 100a, and a core network 300b is connected to the base station 100b. As in the example described in the first embodiment, any number of core networks 300 may be connected to each of the base stations 100a and 100b. 11 , when a Bearer BE is established between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a, the terminal 200 performs a handover to the base station 100b, thereby switching the path of the Bearer BE to a path via the base station 100b and the core network 300b. Note that the configurations of the core network 300 and the terminal 200 are the same as those in the example described in the first embodiment.

[0064] Fig. 12 shows an example of the configuration of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 12, compared to Fig. 8, the base station 100 includes a handover control unit 104 instead of the scheduling unit 103. Note that the base station 100 may include both the scheduling unit 103 and the handover control unit 104.

[0065] In this example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 from the core network 300 above its own base station, and further acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 above the adjacent base station 100 from the adjacent base station 100. The acquisition unit 101 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 connected to the adjacent base station 100 from the adjacent base station 100 via the X2 or Xn interface.

[0066] The handover control unit 104 controls handover of the terminal 200. The handover control unit 104 selects a base station 100 as a handover destination for the terminal 200 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 of the own station and the energy-related information of the core network 300 of the adjacent base station 100 acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The handover control unit 104 also functions as a selection unit that selects a base station 100 as a handover destination for the terminal 200. The handover control unit 104 instructs the terminal 200 to perform handover to the selected base station 100 as a handover destination. For example, the handover control unit 104 compares the energy-related information of the core network 300 connected to the own station (e.g., a core network through which the bearer used by the terminal to communicate passes) with the energy-related information of the core network 300 connected to the adjacent base station 100 (e.g., a core network through which the bearer used by the terminal to communicate does not pass), and selects the base station 100 connected to a more ecological core network 300 as the handover destination. The handover control unit 104 may select a base station 100 connected to the core network 300 based on any one or a combination of the type of energy, the amount of energy, the CO2 emissions due to the power generation of the energy, the environmental performance index of the energy, etc. included in the energy-related information. For example, the handover control unit 104 may select, from among multiple core networks 300, a base station 100 connected to a core network 300 that uses renewable energy, a core network 300 that generates the most renewable energy, a core network 300 that has the most surplus amount of renewable energy, or a core network 300 that emits the least CO2.

[0067] 13 illustrates an example of the operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments, in which a handover is performed from a base station 100a (a source base station, a handover source base station, or a serving base station) to a base station 100b (a target base station or a handover destination base station).

[0068] 13 , the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a (S201). Similar to S101 in FIG. 10 , for example, the connection unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100a to establish a bearer BE with the application device 400. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the connection unit 102 of the base station 100a requests the core network 300a to establish a bearer BE between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300a. In response to the request from the base station 100a, the core network 300a sets a bearer BE between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a, and performs processing required to establish the bearer BE.

[0069] Next, the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S202). As in S103 of Fig. 10 , for example, the acquisition unit 101 of the base station 100a transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100a and the core network 300a.

[0070] Next, the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100a (S203). As in S104 of Fig. 10 , for example, the providing unit 301 of the core network 300a transmits the energy-related information response including the energy-related information of the core network 300a to the base station 100a via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100a and the core network 300a.

[0071] Next, the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information request to the base station 100b (S204). For example, the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information request to the neighboring base station 100b via the X2 or Xn interface between the base station 100a and the base station 100b. The energy-related information request may be included in a message defined by the X2 or Xn interface. As with a message transmitted from the base station 100 to the core network 300, the energy-related information request may specify, for example, the requested information or the timing of transmitting the information. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 101 may periodically request the energy-related information from the base station 100b. Note that the base station 100b may transmit the energy-related information request to the base station 100a. That is, the base station 100b may acquire the energy-related information from the base station 100a and instruct the terminal 200 to perform a handover.

[0072] Next, the base station 100b transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S205). As in S202, for example, when the acquisition unit 101 of the base station 100b receives the energy-related information request from the base station 100a, the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100b and the core network 300b. The transmitted energy-related information request includes the same information as the energy-related information request received from the base station 100a.

[0073] Next, the core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100b (S206). As in S203, for example, the provider 301 of the core network 300b transmits the energy-related information response including the energy-related information of the core network 300b to the base station 100b via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100b and the core network 300b.

[0074] Next, the base station 100b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100a (S207). For example, when the acquisition unit 101 of the base station 100b receives the energy-related information response from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response.

[0075] Then, the acquisition unit 101 of the base station 100b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100a via the X2 or Xn interface between the base station 100a and the base station 100b. The acquisition unit 101 is also a transmission unit that transmits the energy-related information response. The energy-related information response may be included in a message defined by the X2 or Xn interface. The transmitted energy-related information response includes the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300b. For example, the energy-related information response includes information elements of the core network 300b that include identification information of the core network 300b and the energy-related information of the core network 300b. When energy-related information is acquired from multiple core networks 300, the transmitted energy-related information response may include the acquired energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300b.

[0076] Next, the base station 100 selects a handover destination for the terminal 200 based on the energy-related information (S208). For example, when the acquisition unit 101 of the base station 100a receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information response. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 101 receives an energy-related information response from the base station 100b, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b included in the received energy-related information response. For example, from the energy-related information response, the acquisition unit 101 acquires information elements of the core network 300b including identification information of the core network 300b and the energy-related information of the core network 300b.

[0077] Then, the handover control unit 104 selects a base station 100 as a handover destination for the terminal 200 communicating via the bearer BE, based on the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a (via the bearer BE) and the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b (via the bearer BE). Specifically, the handover control unit 104 selects the core network 300 to which the terminal 200 connects (communicates via the bearer BE), and also selects a base station 100 as a handover destination below the core network 300. Note that the handover may be controlled (a handover destination selected) upon receiving an energy-related information response, or the energy-related information included in the received energy-related information response may be stored and the handover may be controlled at another timing. For example, the handover may be controlled when a bearer is established, when the energy-related information has changed, when a request is received from the terminal 200, or when a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous handover control.

[0078] For example, when the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a is fossil energy and the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b is renewable energy, the handover control unit 104 may select the core network 300b and also select the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b. Furthermore, when the amount of power generation from renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b is greater than the amount of power generation from renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a, the handover control unit 104 may select the core network 300b and also select the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b. Furthermore, when the surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b is greater than the surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a, the handover control unit 104 may select the core network 300b and also select the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b. Furthermore, when the CO2 emissions included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b are less than the CO2 emissions included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a, the handover control unit 104 may select the core network 300b and also select the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b.

[0079] Next, the base station 100a instructs the terminal 200 to perform a handover (S209). For example, when the terminal 200 selects a base station 100b different from the base station 100a to which it is currently connected as the handover destination, the handover control unit 104 transmits a handover instruction message to the terminal 200 to request a handover to the base station 100b. The handover instruction message includes identification information of the base station 100b as the handover destination. The handover instruction message may also include identification information of the core network 300b. Note that when the same base station 100a as the base station 100a to which the terminal 200 is currently connected is selected as the handover destination, a handover is not necessary, and therefore the handover control unit 104 does not need to transmit a handover instruction message.

[0080] Next, the terminal 200 requests a handover to the base station 100b (S210). For example, when the connection unit 201 receives a handover instruction from the base station 100a, it transmits a handover request message to the base station 100b, which is the handover destination indicated in the received handover instruction. For example, the handover request includes identification information of the base station 100b included in the received handover instruction. The handover request may also include identification information of the core network 300b.

[0081] Next, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a Bearer BE between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the base station 100b and the core network 300b (S211). That is, the wireless communication system 2 switches the path of the Bearer BE. For example, when the connection unit 102 of the base station 100b receives a handover request from the terminal 200, it performs processing necessary for the handover and switches the base station to which the terminal 200 is connected to the base station 100b. Furthermore, similar to S102 of FIG. 10 , the connection unit 102 of the base station 100b requests the core network 300b to establish a Bearer BE between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300b. In response to the request from the base station 100b, the core network 300b sets a Bearer BE between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the base station 100b and the core network 300b, and performs processing necessary to establish the Bearer BE.

[0082] As described above, in this embodiment, a base station controls handover of a terminal based on energy-related information of a core network higher than the base station itself and energy-related information of core networks higher than other base stations. This allows the base station to appropriately select a base station to which the terminal will connect upon handover based on the energy-related information of the core network. For example, by selecting a base station connected to a core network that uses renewable energy and performing handover, more eco-friendly communication can be achieved.

[0083] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, for example, when a terminal roams, a base station controls scheduling based on energy-related information of a core network on the home side. Note that this embodiment can be implemented in combination with the first or second embodiment, and the configurations shown in the first or second embodiment may be used as appropriate.

[0084] Fig. 14 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 14, the wireless communication system 2 includes an application device 400, multiple core networks 300 (e.g., 300a, 300b, and 300c), a base station 100, and a terminal 200. This example illustrates a case where a terminal 200 of a user in Japan roams from Japan (home) to the United States (destination). For example, the core networks 300a and 300b are located in Japan, the home side, and the core network 300c is located in the United States, the destination side.

[0085] The destination core network 300c and the home core networks 300a and 300b are connected via an interface between the core networks. The number of home core networks 300 is not limited to two, and any number of home core networks 300 may be connected to the destination core network 300. In the example of Fig. 14, bearer BE1 connects the application device 400 and the terminal 200 via the base station 100, core network 300c, and core network 300a. Bearer BE2 connects the application device 400 and the terminal 200 via the base station 100, core network 300c, and core network 300b. The configurations of the base station 100 and the terminal 200 are the same as those in the example described in the first embodiment.

[0086] Fig. 15 shows an example of the configuration of a core network according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 15, the core network 300 includes an acquisition unit 303 in addition to the provision unit 301 and connection unit 302 described in the example of Fig. 7. Fig. 15 shows, for example, an example of the configuration of a destination core network 300c. The home-side core networks 300a and 300c may have the same configuration as the example of Fig. 7.

[0087] The acquisition unit 303 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 from the home-side core network 300. For example, the acquisition unit 303 acquires energy-related information from a plurality of home-side core networks 300a and 300b connected to the own network (destination core network). The acquisition unit 303 receives the energy-related information via an interface between the core networks. For example, the acquisition unit 303 may acquire the energy-related information from the home-side core network 300 when requested by the base station 100, when the terminal 200 roams, or when a bearer via the home-side core network 300 is set (established).

[0088] FIG. 16 shows an example of operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 16, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core networks 300c and 300a (S301). Similar to S101 of FIG. 10, for example, the connection unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to establish the bearer BE1 with the application device 400. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the connection unit 102 of the base station 100 requests the core network 300a via the core network 300c to establish the bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core networks 300c and 300a. In response to the request from the base station 100, the core network 300a sets the bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core networks 300c and 300a, and performs processing required to establish the bearer BE1.

[0089] 10 , for example, the connection unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to establish the bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core networks 300c and 300b. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the connection unit 102 of the base station 100 requests the core network 300b via the core network 300c to establish the bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core networks 300c and 300b. In response to the request from the base station 100, the core network 300b sets the bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core networks 300c and 300b, and performs processing required to establish the bearer BE2.

[0090] Next, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300c (S303). As in S103 in Fig. 10 , for example, the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information request to the destination core network 300c connected to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300c. If the terminal 200 is a roaming terminal, the energy-related information request may request energy-related information from the home core network 300.

[0091] Next, the core network 300c transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S304). For example, when the acquisition unit 303 of the core network 300c receives the energy-related information request from the base station 100, if the terminal 200 is a roaming terminal or if the energy-related information request requests energy-related information of the home core network 300, the acquisition unit 303 transmits the energy-related information request to the home core network 300a via the interface between the destination core network 300c and the home core network 300a. The transmitted energy-related information request may include the same information as the energy-related information request received from the base station 100.

[0092] Next, the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the core network 300c (S305). As in S104 of Fig. 10 , for example, when the providing unit 301 of the core network 300a receives the energy-related information request from the destination core network 300c, the providing unit 301 transmits the energy-related information response including the energy-related information of the core network 300a to the destination core network 300c via the interface between the destination core network 300c and the home core network 300a.

[0093] Next, the core network 300c transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S306). As in S304, for example, when the acquisition unit 303 of the core network 300c receives the energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 303 transmits the energy-related information request to the home core network 300b via the interface between the destination core network 300c and the home core network 300b.

[0094] Next, the core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the core network 300c (S307). As in S305, for example, when the providing unit 301 of the core network 300b receives the energy-related information request from the destination core network 300c, the providing unit 301 transmits the energy-related information response including the energy-related information of the core network 300b to the destination core network 300c via the interface between the destination core network 300c and the home core network 300b.

[0095] Next, the core network 300c transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S308). For example, when the acquisition unit 303 of the core network 300c receives the energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 303 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information response. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 303 of the core network 300c receives an energy-related information request from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 303 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response.

[0096] Then, the providing unit 301 of the core network 300c transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300c. The transmitted energy-related information response includes the acquired energy-related information of the home-side core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300b. For example, the energy-related information response includes information elements of the core network 300a including identification information of the core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300a, and information elements of the core network 300b including identification information of the core network 300b and the energy-related information of the core network 300b. The energy-related information response may further include energy-related information of the destination core network 300c.

[0097] Next, the base station 100 controls scheduling based on the energy-related information (S309). For example, when the acquisition unit 101 of the base station 100 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300c, it acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response. For example, it acquires, from the energy-related information response, information elements of the core network 300a including identification information of the core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300a, and information elements of the core network 300b including identification information of the core network 300b and the energy-related information of the core network 300b. The acquisition unit 101 may acquire the energy-related information of the destination core network 300c from the energy-related information response.

[0098] 10 , the scheduling unit 103 controls the scheduling of the bearers BE1 and BE2 based on the acquired energy-related information of the home-side core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes and the energy-related information of the home-side core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes. The scheduling control method is the same as the example described in the first embodiment.

[0099] For example, when the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a on the home side of the bearer BE1 is renewable energy and the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b on the home side of the bearer BE2 is fossil energy, the scheduling unit 103 may preferentially allocate radio resources to the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a. Note that the scheduling may be controlled taking into account the energy-related information of the core network 300c of the destination.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, when a terminal roams, the base station controls scheduling based on the energy-related information of the home core network. This allows, for example, radio resources to be preferentially allocated to bearers via the home core network that uses renewable energy, thereby realizing more eco-friendly communication.

[0101] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, for example, a base station controls scheduling based on energy-related information and location information of a core network higher than the base station. Note that this embodiment can be implemented in combination with any of the first to third embodiments, and each configuration shown in any of the first to third embodiments may be used as appropriate. In this example, the wireless communication system 2 will be described as having the same configuration as the example described in the first embodiment, but this embodiment may also be applied to the configuration of the example described in the second or third embodiment. That is, similar to the second embodiment, a base station may control handover based on energy-related information and location information of a core network higher than the base station and energy-related information and location information of a core network higher than another base station. Similar to the third embodiment, when a terminal roams, a base station may control scheduling based on energy-related information and location information of a core network on the home side.

[0102] Fig. 17 shows an example of operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 17, similar to S101 of Fig. 10, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300a (S401). Also, similar to S102 of Fig. 10, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE2 between the terminal 200 and the application device 400 via the core network 300b (S402).

[0103] Next, the base station 100 transmits a request for energy-related information and location information to the core network 300a (S403). Similar to S103 in Fig. 10 , the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information and location information request to the core network 300a connected to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300a. The energy-related information and location information request is a message for requesting the energy-related information and location information of the core network 300. The energy-related information of the core network 300 and the location information of the core network 300 may be requested in separate messages. Because the location information of the core network 300 is unlikely to change, the acquired location information may be stored, and subsequent acquisition of location information from the core network 300 may be omitted.

[0104] Next, the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information and location information response to the base station 100 (S404). Similar to S104 in FIG. 10 , when the providing unit 301 of the core network 300a receives the energy-related information and location information request from the base station 100, the providing unit 301 transmits an energy-related information and location information response including the energy-related information and location information of the core network 300a to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300a. The energy-related information and location information response is a message for providing the energy-related information and location information of the core network 300 in response to the energy-related information and location information request. The energy-related information and location information response includes the requested energy-related information and location information. The location information may be, for example, location information of a data center implementing the core network 300, or location information of a device (power generation facility) that supplies energy to the data center. Note that the energy-related information of the core network 300 and the location information of the core network 300 may be transmitted in separate messages.

[0105] Next, the base station 100 transmits the energy-related information and the location information request to the core network 300b (S405). As in S403, for example, the acquisition unit 101 transmits the energy-related information and the location information request to the core network 300b connected to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300b.

[0106] Next, the core network 300b transmits the energy-related information and the location information response to the base station 100 (S406). As in S402, for example, when the providing unit 301 of the core network 300b receives the energy-related information and the location information request from the base station 100, the providing unit 301 transmits the energy-related information and the location information response, including the energy-related information and the location information of the core network 300b, to the base station 100 via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300b.

[0107] Next, the base station 100 controls scheduling based on the energy-related information and the location information (S407). For example, when the acquisition unit 101 receives the energy-related information and the location information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information and the location information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information and the location information response. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 101 receives the energy-related information and the location information response from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the energy-related information and the location information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information and the location information response.

[0108] 10 , the scheduling unit 103 controls the scheduling of the bearers BE1 and BE2 based on the acquired energy-related information and location information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes and the energy-related information and location information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes. For example, when the energy-related information of the core network 300a of the bearer BE1 and the energy-related information of the core network 300b of the bearer BE2 are the same or similar, the scheduling unit 103 may control the scheduling based on the location information. When the energy-related information of the core networks 300a and 300b both indicate renewable energy or when the difference in the amount of power generation of the renewable energy of the core networks 300a and 300b is within a predetermined range, the scheduling unit 103 may control the allocation of radio resources of the bearers based on the location information. When the energy-related information of the core networks 300a and 300b both indicates renewable energy, the location information of the core networks 300a and 300b may be compared, and radio resources may be preferentially allocated to, for example, the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a that is closer to the terminal 200. By allocating radio resources to the bearer of the closer core network, communication delays between the terminal and the core network can be reduced. Furthermore, the amount of power generation from renewable energy may be estimated from the location information of the core networks 300a and 300b. For example, weather information for each location may be obtained from an external weather information server or the like based on the location information of the core networks 300a and 300b, and the amount of power generation by solar power may be estimated from the weather at each location. Radio resources may be preferentially allocated to, for example, the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a that has a larger estimated amount of power generation.

[0109] As described above, in this embodiment, a base station controls scheduling based on energy-related information and location information of a core network above the base station, which allows radio resources to be allocated taking into account not only the energy-related information of the core network but also the location information of the core network, thereby achieving more eco-friendly communications.

[0110] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Each configuration in the above-described embodiments may be configured with hardware, software, or both, and may be configured with a single piece of hardware or software, or may be configured with multiple pieces of hardware or software. For example, each element (function) of a core network, a base station, a terminal, etc. may be implemented by a computer having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory serving as a storage device. For example, each element may be implemented by storing a program for performing processing (methods) in the core network, a base station, a terminal, etc. in the memory, and executing the program stored in the memory on the processor. Each element may be implemented, for example, as a network element on dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on the dedicated hardware, or as a virtualization function instantiated on an application platform.

[0111] 18 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a core network (core network device) according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 18, a core network 300 includes a network interface 311, a processor 312, and a memory 313.

[0112] The network interface 311 is used to communicate with other network devices (e.g., base stations) that make up the communication system. The network interface 311 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that complies with the IEEE 802.3 series. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The network interface 311 may also include an S1 / NG interface for communication between a core network and the base station.

[0113] The processor 312 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessing unit (MPU), or a CPU. The processor 312 may include multiple processors.

[0114] The memory 313 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and nonvolatile memory. The memory 313 may include multiple physically independent memory devices. The volatile memory is, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, mask read only memory (MROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, or a solid-state drive (SSD), or any combination thereof. The memory 313 may include storage located remotely from the processor 312. In this case, the processor 312 may access the memory 313 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0115] The memory 313 may store software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing the processes of the core network 300 described in the above-described embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 312 may be configured to read and execute the software modules from the memory 313, thereby performing the processes of the core network 300 described in the above-described embodiments.

[0116] 19 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 19, the base station 100 includes an RF transceiver 114, a network interface 111, a processor 112, and a memory 113.

[0117] The RF transceiver 114 performs analog RF signal processing for communication with the terminal 200. The RF transceiver 114 may include multiple transceivers. The RF transceiver 114 is coupled to the antenna 114a and the processor 112. The RF transceiver 114 receives a baseband transmit signal from the processor 112, generates a transmit RF signal, and provides the transmit RF signal to the antenna 114a. The RF transceiver 114 also generates a baseband receive signal based on the receive RF signal received by the antenna 114a and provides the baseband receive signal to the processor 112.

[0118] The network interface 111 is used to communicate with network nodes (e.g., core network nodes, other base stations). The network interface 111 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) conforming to the IEEE 802.3 series. The network interface 111 may include an S1 / NG interface for communication between the core network and base stations, and an X2 / Xn interface for communication between base stations.

[0119] The processor 112 performs data plane processing, including digital baseband signal processing, and control plane processing for wireless communication. For example, in the case of LTE and 5G, the digital baseband signal processing by the processor 112 may include signal processing of a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a MAC layer, and a PHY layer. Furthermore, the control plane processing by the processor 112 may include processing of an RRC protocol and MAC CE.

[0120] The processor 112 may include multiple processors. For example, the processor 112 may include a modem processor (e.g., a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)) that performs digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., a CPU or MPU) that performs control plane processing.

[0121] The memory 113 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 113 may include multiple physically independent memory devices. The memory 113 may also include storage located remotely from the processor 112. In this case, the processor 112 may access the memory 113 via the network interface 111 or an I / O interface (not shown).

[0122] The memory 113 may store software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing the processes of the base station 100 described in the above-described embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 112 may be configured to read and execute the software modules from the memory 113 to perform the processes of the base station 100 described in the above-described embodiments.

[0123] 20 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 20, a terminal 200 includes an RF transceiver 211, a processor 212, and a memory 213.

[0124] The RF transceiver 211 performs analog RF signal processing for communication with the base station 100. The RF transceiver 211 is coupled to the antenna 211a and the processor 212. The RF transceiver 211 receives a baseband transmit signal from the processor 212, generates a transmit RF signal, and provides the transmit RF signal to the antenna 211a. The RF transceiver 211 also generates a baseband receive signal based on the receive RF signal received by the antenna 211a and provides the baseband receive signal to the processor 212.

[0125] The processor 212 includes a baseband processor and an application processor. The baseband processor performs data plane processing, including digital baseband signal processing, and control plane processing for wireless communication. For example, in the case of LTE and 5G, the digital baseband signal processing by the baseband processor may include signal processing of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the MAC layer, and the PHY layer. The control plane processing by the baseband processor may also include processing of the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol, the RRC protocol, and MAC CE. The baseband processor may include a modem processor (e.g., a DSP) that performs digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., a CPU or MPU) that performs control plane processing.

[0126] The application processor is also referred to as a CPU, MPU, microprocessor, or processor core. The application processor may include multiple processors (multiple processor cores). The application processor executes a system software program (operating system (OS)) and various application programs read from the memory 213 or a memory not shown, thereby realizing various functions of the terminal 200. The application programs may be, for example, a call application, a web browser, a mailer, a camera operation application, or a music playback application.

[0127] The memory 213 is a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof. The memory 213 may include a plurality of physically independent memory devices. For example, the memory 213 may include an external memory device accessible from the processor 212. The memory 213 may also include an internal memory device integrated within the processor 212.

[0128] The memory 213 may store software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing the processes described in the above-described embodiments by the terminal 200. In some implementations, the processor 212 may be configured to read and execute the software modules from the memory 213, thereby performing the processes of the terminal 200 described in the above-described embodiments.

[0129] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0130] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0131] It should be noted that each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may not relate to only one particular embodiment, but may also relate to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessarily required to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0132] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary note 1) A base station comprising: a reference unit that references energy-related information related to an upper network of the base station; and a control unit that controls radio resources of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information. (Supplementary note 2) The base station according to supplementary note 1, wherein the energy-related information includes a type of energy supplied to components of the upper network, an amount of power generated from the energy, a surplus amount of the energy, an environmental performance index of the energy, or CO2 emissions due to power generation from the energy. (Supplementary note 3) The base station according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls scheduling allocation of the radio resources based on the energy-related information. (Supplementary note 4) The base station according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the radio resources for each bearer through which the upper network and the terminal communicate. (Supplementary note 5) The base station according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the radio resources of the terminal according to a service quality class. (Supplementary Note 6) The base station according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the reference unit references energy-related information related to an upper network of an adjacent base station, and the control unit controls handover of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 7) The base station according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the reference unit references energy-related information related to an upper network on a home side connected to the upper network of the base station when the terminal is roaming, and the control unit controls radio resources of the terminal communicating with the upper network on the home side based on the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 8) The base station according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the reference unit references location information of the upper network, and the control unit controls the radio resources based on the energy-related information and the location information.(Supplementary Note 9) A wireless communication system comprising a base station and a terminal, wherein the base station comprises: a reference unit that references energy-related information related to an upper network of the base station; and a control unit that controls wireless resources of the terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 10) A method in a base station, comprising: referring to energy-related information related to an upper network of the base station; and controlling wireless resources of the terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

[0133] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 8 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 (base station) may also be dependent on Supplementary Note 9 (wireless communication system) and Supplementary Note 10 (method) in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 8. Some or all of the elements described in any Supplementary Note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

[0134] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-144585, filed September 6, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0135] 1, 2 Wireless communication system 10 Base station 11 Reference unit 12 Control unit 20 Terminal 30 Upper network 31 AMF 32 SMF 33 UPF 34 MME 35 S-GW 36 P-GW 100, 100a, 100b Base station 101 Acquisition unit 102 Connection unit 103 Scheduling unit 104 Handover control unit 111 Network interface 112 Processor 113 Memory 114 RF transceiver 114a Antenna 200 Terminal 201 Connection unit 211 RF transceiver 211a Antenna 212 Processor 213 Memory 300, 300a, 300b, 300c Core network 301 Provision unit 302 Connection unit 303 Acquisition unit 311 Network interface 312 Processor 313 Memory 400 Application device

Claims

1. A base station comprising: a reference unit that references energy-related information related to an upper network of the base station; and a control unit that controls radio resources of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the energy-related information includes a type of energy supplied to components of the upper network, an amount of energy generated, a surplus amount of energy, an environmental performance index of the energy, or an amount of CO2 emissions due to the power generation of the energy.

3. The base station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the scheduling allocation of the radio resources based on the energy-related information.

4. The base station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the radio resources for each bearer over which the upper network and the terminal communicate.

5. The base station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls radio resources of the terminal according to a service quality class.

6. The base station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference unit refers to energy-related information relating to an upper network of an adjacent base station, and the control unit controls handover of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

7. The base station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference unit, when the terminal is roaming, refers to energy-related information regarding a home-side upper network connected to the upper network of the base station, and the control unit controls radio resources of the terminal communicating with the home-side upper network based on the energy-related information.

8. The base station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference unit refers to location information of the upper network, and the control unit controls the radio resources based on the energy-related information and the location information.

9. A wireless communication system comprising a base station and a terminal, wherein the base station comprises: a reference unit that references energy-related information relating to an upper network of the base station; and a control unit that controls wireless resources of the terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

10. A method in a base station, comprising: referring to energy-related information on an upper network of the base station; and controlling radio resources of a terminal communicating with the upper network based on the energy-related information.

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