Wireless communication system, base station, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

Provided are a wireless communication system, a base station, a terminal, and a communication method which enable realizing an environmentally-friendly service. The wireless communication system includes: a terminal; a base station; and a host network. The host network is for the base station. The wireless communication system includes a communication unit that performs communication corresponding to a quality-of-service class. An energy-related requirement is included as a quality requirement of a quality-of-service class for communication.

Description

Wireless communication system, base station, terminal, and communication method

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

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1, a standard for LTE (Long Term Evolution), defines a QoS Class Identifier (QCI) that identifies a Quality of Service (QoS) class. In Non-Patent Document 1, quality requirements such as resource type, priority level, packet delay budget, and packet error loss rate are defined for each QCI. A table that defines the quality requirements for each QCI is called a QCI table. For example, a base station performs bandwidth guarantee and priority control to satisfy the quality requirements of the QCI according to the QCI set for the bearer, in accordance with the definitions in the QCI table. Similarly, Non-Patent Document 2, a standard for 5G (5th Generation), defines a 5QI (5G QoS Identifier) ​​that corresponds to the QCI.

[0003] Meanwhile, in recent years, global warming has become a serious social issue, and efforts are being made to utilize green energy, such as renewable energy, in various systems and services.

[0004] 3GPP TS 23.203 V17.2.0 (2021-12)3GPP TS 23.501 V18.2.2 (2023-07)

[0005] However, the QCI table (or 5QI table) defined in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 only defines requirements related to communication quality, such as packet delay time and packet error loss rate, as quality requirements for QCI (or 5QI). Therefore, it is not possible to realize ecological services by taking into account requirements related to the energy of wireless communication systems.

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

[0007] A wireless communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system including a terminal, a base station, and an upper network of the base station, and is equipped with a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, and includes energy-related requirements as quality requirements of the service quality class.

[0008] A base station according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, and includes energy-related requirements as quality requirements of the service quality class.

[0009] A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, and includes energy-related requirements as quality requirements of the service quality class.

[0010] A communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method in a wireless communication system including a terminal, a base station, and an upper network of the base station, which performs communication according to a service quality class and includes energy-related requirements as quality requirements of the service quality class.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, ecological services can be realized.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a core network according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a core network according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a base station according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0013] 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.

[0014] (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 functions provided in a wireless communication system according to some embodiments.

[0015] 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).

[0016] As shown in the example of FIG. 2 , the wireless communication system 1 includes a communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 may be located in any device in the wireless communication system 1. The communication unit 11 performs communication among the upper network 30, the base station 10, and the terminal 20 in the wireless communication system 1. The communication unit 11 also performs communication according to a service quality class. The communication unit 11 performs communication so as to satisfy the quality requirements of the service quality class. For example, the service quality class is a QoS class, but may be another class indicating the required quality of service. For example, the QoS class is identified by a QCI, and quality requirements are specified for each QCI. It is not limited to a QCI, but may be a 5QI or other service quality class identifier.

[0017] Energy-related requirements are included as quality requirements for a service quality class. For example, in a QCI table that defines the quality requirements for a QCI, energy-related requirements are defined for each QCI. That is, energy-related requirements are associated with each QCI. Energy-related requirements may be defined for a QCI already defined in a standard, or may be defined for a new QCI (e.g., a QCI for ecological communication). For example, the energy-related requirements are requirements for energy-related information related to the upper network 30. The energy-related information may include the type of energy supplied to the components of the upper network 30, the amount of energy generated, the surplus amount of energy supplied, the environmental performance index of the supplied energy, or the amount of CO2 emissions resulting from the generation of the supplied energy.

[0018] 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). FIG. 3 shows an example configuration of a base station in a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. As in the example of FIG. 3, the base station 10 may include a communication unit 11.

[0019] The terminal 20 is a mobile station that performs wireless communication with the base station 10. For example, the terminal 20 may be a UE (User Equipment). Fig. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a terminal in a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. As in the example of Fig. 4, the terminal 20 may include a communication unit 11.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 5, the wireless communication system 1 performs communication according to a quality of service class (S11). This process may be executed by any device in the wireless communication system 1. For example, it may be executed by the base station 10 or the terminal 20. The wireless communication system 1 performs communication among an upper network 30, the base station 10, and the terminal 20 according to a quality of service class that includes energy-related requirements as quality requirements. The wireless communication system 1 may acquire energy-related information about the upper network 30 and control communication based on the energy-related requirements and the energy-related information. For example, the control of communication may involve controlling the scheduling of wireless resources between the base station 10 and the terminal 20, controlling the upper network 30 to which the terminal 20 is connected, or controlling handover of the terminal 20.

[0021] In this manner, in the embodiment, the energy-related requirements are included as quality requirements for a service quality class, and communication is performed according to this service quality class. This allows communication to be performed in a manner that satisfies the energy-related requirements according to the service quality class, making it possible to provide ecological services.

[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 requirements of QCI and energy-related information of a core network.

[0023] Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 6, the wireless communication system 2 includes a plurality of 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 or LTE 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 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, core networks 300a and 300b are connected to the base station 100 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.

[0025] The core network 300 is a backbone network in the wireless communication system 2. The core network 300 is an upper network located 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. 6 , the core network 300a relays communication of the bearer BE1 with the terminal 200, and the core network 300b relays communication of the bearer BE2 with the terminal 200. Note that the bearers BE1 and BE2 may be terminated on the same device (the terminal 200 or a device on the other side) or on different devices. A bearer is an example of an end-to-end communication path for communication between the terminal 200 and another device, and is not limited to a bearer and may be another communication path (communication flow or communication path).

[0026] 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).

[0027] 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. 7 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. 7, 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.

[0028] FIG. 8 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. 8, 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.

[0029] Fig. 9 shows an example of functions for realizing a core network 300 according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 9, the core network 300 includes an acquisition unit 301, a provision unit 302, and a communication unit 303. The acquisition unit 301, the provision unit 302, and the communication unit 303 may be included in any of the devices included in the core network 300. The core network 300 also includes other functions required for a core network, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0030] The acquisition unit 301 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300. The energy-related information is information about energy supplied to the components constituting the core network 300, such as the functions (devices) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The energy-related information may be, for example, information about energy supplied to all devices included in the core network 300, or information about energy supplied to any device included in the core network 300. If the core network 300 is implemented by a data center, the energy-related information is information about 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. For example, the energy-related information may be the type of energy supplied. The types of energy 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 renewable energy generated or the amount of surplus renewable energy. The amount of energy may be the ratio between the amount of renewable energy generated and the amount of fossil energy generated, 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 or the amount of CO2 emissions emitted from each device in the core network 300. 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, the environmental performance index of the energy, etc.

[0031] Furthermore, the acquiring unit 301 may acquire energy-related information from a power generation device, or may acquire energy-related information set in any device of the core network 300. The acquiring unit 301 may acquire energy-related information measured by any device of the core network 300. That is, the acquiring unit 301 may be a measuring unit that measures energy-related information. For example, the acquiring unit 301 may measure the amount of CO2 emissions emitted by power generation using supplied energy, or the amount of CO2 emissions emitted from each device of the core network 300.

[0032] The providing unit 302 provides the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300 to the base station 100 accommodated by the core network 300. The providing unit 302 is a transmitting unit that transmits the energy-related information. The providing unit 302 transmits the energy-related information via the S1 or NG interface between the base station 100 and the core network 300. The providing unit 302 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 302 may also transmit the energy-related information upon a predetermined event. For example, the providing unit 302 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 communication unit 303 performs connection processing necessary for a connection for the terminal 200 and communication processing via the connection. 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 or another terminal. The connection for the terminal 200 may include a connection at any layer. For example, the connection for the terminal 200 may include a connection such as a session or a bearer. The communication unit 303 performs processing specified to be performed by a function of the core network 300 in a predetermined connection procedure. For example, the connection procedure may include any of a registration procedure, an attach procedure, a PDU session establishment procedure, a bearer establishment procedure, a PDN connectivity procedure, a handover procedure, or another connection procedure. For example, the communication unit 303 may connect the terminal 200 to the core network 300 in response to a request from the terminal 200 via the base station 100. When a bearer is established with the terminal 200, the communication unit 303 may perform communication control according to the QCI set in the bearer.

[0034] The base station 100 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 realized by a single device or by 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).

[0035] Fig. 10 shows an example of functions for realizing a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 10, the base station 100 includes a storage unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a communication unit 103, and a scheduling unit 104. The base station 100 also includes other functions necessary for a base station.

[0036] The storage unit 101 stores information necessary for the operation of the base station 100. In this example, the storage unit 101 stores a QCI table that defines QCIs. In the case of 5G, a 5QI table that defines 5QIs may be stored instead of the QCI table. The QCI table defines, for each QCI, quality requirements such as resource type, priority, packet delay time, and packet error loss rate, as well as energy-related requirements. The energy-related requirements are requirements for the energy-related information of the core network 300. The energy-related requirements may be any of the energy type, energy amount, CO2 emissions, and energy environmental performance index included in the energy-related information, or a combination thereof. For example, the energy-related requirements may be an ecology level that indicates a level combining any information included in the energy-related information. Standards for the energy type, energy amount, CO2 emissions, and energy environmental performance index may be set for each ecology level. The base station 100 may obtain the QCI table from outside the base station 100. For example, the base station 100 may refer to a QCI table stored in a device external to the base station 100.

[0037] The acquisition unit 102 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 from the core network 300 above the base station. For example, the acquisition unit 102 acquires energy-related information from multiple core networks 300a and 300b connected to the base station. The acquisition unit 102 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 302 of the core network 300, the acquiring unit 102 may periodically receive the energy-related information. The cycle for receiving the energy-related information may be a preset cycle, or the acquiring unit 102 may instruct the core network 300. The acquiring unit 102 may also receive the energy-related information at the time of a predetermined event. For example, when the terminal 200 or the base station 100 needs the energy-related information, the acquiring unit 102 may request the energy-related information from the core network 300 and receive the energy-related information in response to the request. The acquiring unit 102 may acquire the energy-related information from a storage unit in the base station 100 or an external device.

[0039] The acquiring unit 102 may acquire the energy-related information of the core network 300 for each connection from the terminal 200 via the core network 300. For example, when a bearer BE1 via the core network 300a is set (established), the acquiring unit 102 may acquire the energy-related information of the core network 300a, and when a bearer BE2 via the core network 300b is set (established), the acquiring unit 102 may acquire the energy-related information of the core network 300b.

[0040] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 102 may predict current or future energy-related information from energy-related information acquired in the past. That is, the acquisition unit 102 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 102.

[0041] The communication unit 103 performs connection processing necessary for the connection for the terminal 200 and communication processing via the connection. Similar to the communication unit 303 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 communication unit 103 performs processing specified as being performed by the functions of the base station 100 in a predetermined connection procedure. As with the above, for example, the connection procedure may include any one of a registration procedure, an attach procedure, a PDU session establishment procedure, a bearer establishment procedure, a PDN connection procedure, a handover procedure, or other connection procedures. For example, the communication unit 103 may connect the terminal 200 to any core network 300 in response to a request from the terminal 200. When a bearer is established from the terminal 200 via the core network 300, the communication unit 303 refers to the QCI table in the storage unit 101 and performs communication control according to the QCI set for the bearer.

[0042] The scheduling unit 104 schedules radio resources for the terminal 200. That is, the scheduling unit 104 allocates radio resources to be used by the terminal 200 for wireless communication. The scheduling unit 104 may allocate radio resources in units of a predetermined resource block. The scheduling unit 104 allocates radio resources for each connection for the terminal 200. For example, the scheduling unit 104 allocates radio resources for each bearer used by the terminal 200 to communicate via the core network 300.

[0043] The scheduling unit 104 refers to the QCI table in the storage unit 101 and allocates radio resources to each bearer according to the QCI set (assigned) to the bearer. The scheduling unit 104 controls the allocation of radio resources to the bearer based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 acquired by the acquisition unit 102, in accordance with the energy-related requirements defined in the QCI of the bearer. The scheduling unit 104 controls the allocation of radio resources to be used by the terminal 200 in the bearer based on the requirements defined as the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, such as the type of energy, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index, and the requirements included in the energy-related information of the core network 300 through which the acquired bearer passes. For example, the scheduling unit 104 may preferentially allocate radio resources to bearers that pass through the core network 300 and satisfy the energy-related requirements of the QCI.

[0044] The terminal 200 is a mobile station that accesses a radio access network including the base station 100 and communicates with a data network or the like 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, or the like. The terminal 200 may also be an application device such as a robot, a drone, or an autonomous vehicle that implements terminal functions.

[0045] Fig. 11 shows an example of functions for realizing a terminal according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 11, terminal 200 includes a communication unit 201. Terminal 200 also includes other functions necessary for a terminal.

[0046] The communication unit 201 performs connection processing necessary for a connection for the terminal 200 and communication processing via the connection. Similar to the communication unit 303 of the core network 300 and the communication unit 103 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 communication unit 201 performs processing specified as being performed by the functions of the terminal 200 in a predetermined connection procedure. As with the above, for example, the connection procedure may include any one of a registration procedure, an attach procedure, a PDU session establishment procedure, a bearer establishment procedure, a PDN connection procedure, a handover procedure, or other connection procedures. For example, the communication unit 201 may request a connection with the core network 300 from the base station 100 and connect to the requested core network 300. When a bearer is established from the terminal 200 via the core network 300, the communication unit 201 may perform communication control according to the QCI set for the bearer.

[0047] 12 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 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300a (S101). For example, the communication unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to establish the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a in order to communicate with a counterpart terminal or the like. 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 terminal 200, the communication unit 103 of the base station 100 requests the core network 300a to establish the bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300a. In response to the request from the base station 100, the communication unit 303 of the core network 300a sets the bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300a and performs processing required to establish the bearer BE1.

[0048] Furthermore, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE2 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300b (S102). As in S101, for example, the communication unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to establish the bearer BE2 via the core network 300b. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the communication unit 103 of the base station 100 requests the core network 300b to establish the bearer BE2 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300b. In response to the request from the base station 100, the communication unit 303 of the core network 300b sets the bearer BE2 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300b and executes the processing required to establish the bearer BE2. Note that the establishment processing of the bearer BE1 (S101) and the establishment processing of the bearer BE2 (S102) may be executed either first, or both may be executed in parallel. In this example, two bearers are established and the scheduling of the two bearers is controlled, but one bearer may be established and the scheduling of one bearer may be controlled.

[0049] 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 102 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 102 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.

[0050] Next, the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S104). For example, when the acquisition unit 301 of the core network 300a receives the energy-related information request from the base station 100, it acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a. For example, the acquisition unit 301 acquires the requested energy-related information. For example, the acquisition unit 301 may acquire any of the type of energy, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions, the energy environmental performance index, etc. If the information requested in the energy-related information request is specified, the acquisition unit 301 may acquire the specified information.

[0051] Then, the providing unit 302 of the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response including the acquired 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 the 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. If a transmission timing is specified in the energy-related information request, the providing unit 302 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 102 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 302 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 102 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information response. Also, when the acquisition unit 102 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response.

[0055] The scheduling unit 104 controls the allocation of radio resources for the bearer BE1 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes, acquired by the acquisition unit 102, in accordance with the energy-related requirements of the QCI set for the bearer BE1. Furthermore, the scheduling unit 104 controls the allocation of radio resources for the bearer BE2 based on the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes, acquired by the acquisition unit 102, in accordance with the energy-related requirements of the QCI set for the bearer BE2. The scheduling control for the bearer BE1 and the scheduling control for the bearer BE2 may be performed at different times. For example, the scheduling unit 104 may control scheduling when a bearer is established, when the energy-related information changes, when a request is received from the terminal 200, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous scheduling control, or the like.

[0056] For example, when an energy type is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the scheduling unit 104 controls the amount of radio resources allocated in accordance with the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300. For example, when renewable energy is defined as the energy type in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes is renewable energy, the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be increased to satisfy the energy-related requirements. When the energy-related information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes satisfies the energy-related requirements of the QCI but the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes does not satisfy the energy-related requirements of the QCI, the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be increased and the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2 may be decreased. Furthermore, if the type of energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes is fossil energy, the energy-related requirements are not satisfied, and therefore the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may not be changed or may be reduced. If the energy-related information of the core network 300a through which the bearer BE1 passes does not satisfy the energy-related requirements of the QCI, but the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes satisfies the energy-related requirements of the QCI, the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE1 may be reduced and the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2 may be increased.

[0057] For example, when the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer define the amount of power generation or surplus of renewable energy, the scheduling unit 104 controls the amount of radio resources allocated in accordance with the amount of power generation or surplus of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300. For example, when a reference value for the amount of power generation or surplus of renewable energy is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE2, if the amount of power generation or surplus of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes is greater than the reference value of the energy-related requirement, the scheduling unit 104 may increase the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2 to satisfy the energy-related requirement. In this case, if the amount of power generation or surplus of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes is smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirement, the energy-related requirement is not satisfied, and therefore the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2 may not be changed or may be reduced. Furthermore, the amount of radio resources allocated may be increased as the amount of power generated or the surplus amount of renewable energy increases.

[0058] For example, if a CO2 emission amount is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the scheduling unit 104 controls the allocation amount of radio resources according to the CO2 emission amount included in the energy-related information of the core network 300. For example, if a reference value for CO2 emission is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, the scheduling unit 104 collects CO2 emission measurement values ​​from multiple devices in the core network 300a on the path of the bearer BE1 (not limited to multiple devices on the path) and determines whether the measured total CO2 emission amount is smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements. If the measured total CO2 emission amount of the core network 300a is smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements, the allocation amount of radio resources for the bearer BE1 may be increased. If the measured total CO2 emission amount of the core network 300a is larger than the reference value of the energy-related requirements, the allocation amount of radio resources for the bearer BE1 may not be changed or may be reduced. Furthermore, the allocation amount of radio resources may be increased as the CO2 emission amount decreases.

[0059] For example, when an ecology level is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the scheduling unit 104 controls the amount of radio resources allocated in accordance with any combination of information included in the energy-related information of the core network 300. For example, when a high ecology level is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE2, if the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes indicates that the type of energy is renewable energy, that the amount of power generated by renewable energy is large, that the amount of surplus renewable energy is large, and that CO2 emissions are small, the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2 may be increased to satisfy the energy-related requirements. In this case, if the energy-related information of the core network 300b through which the bearer BE2 passes indicates that the type of energy is renewable energy, that the amount of power generated by renewable energy is small, that the amount of surplus renewable energy is small, and that CO2 emissions are large, the energy-related requirements are not satisfied, so the amount of radio resources allocated to the bearer BE2 may not be changed or may be reduced. The thresholds for determining the amount of power generated by renewable energy, the amount of surplus renewable energy, and the amount of CO2 emissions may be set according to the ecological level. Furthermore, the amount of wireless resources allocated may be increased as the difference between the amount of power generated by renewable energy, the amount of surplus renewable energy, or the amount of CO2 emissions and the threshold increases.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the base station controls scheduling based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the 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 according to the QCI set for the bearers, thereby realizing more eco-friendly communication.

[0061] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, for example, a base station switches a core network to which it is connected based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the energy-related information of the core network. This embodiment can be implemented in combination with the first embodiment, and the configurations shown in the first embodiment may be used as appropriate. For example, the configuration of the wireless communication system 2 is the same as the example in FIG. 6. The configuration of the core network 300 is the same as the example in FIG. 9. The configuration of the terminal 200 is the same as the example in FIG. 11.

[0062] Fig. 13 shows an example of the configuration of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 13, the base station 100 includes a storage unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, and a communication unit 103 similar to those in Fig. 10, and further includes a connection switching unit 105. The base station 100 may also include a scheduling unit 104 similar to that in Fig. 10.

[0063] The connection switching unit 105 switches the core network 300 to which the terminal 200 is connected. For example, the connection switching unit 105 switches the core network 300 to which a bearer terminated by the terminal 200 is connected. In other words, the connection switching unit 105 switches the core network 300 through which the bearer passes. The connection switching unit 105 refers to the QCI table in the storage unit 101, and switches the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected in accordance with the QCI set for the bearer. The connection switching unit 105 selects and switches the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 acquired by the acquisition unit 102, in accordance with the energy-related requirements defined in the QCI of the bearer. The connection switching unit 105 is also a selection unit that selects the core network 300 to which the bearer (terminal 200) is connected.

[0064] The connection switching unit 105 selects a core network 300 to which the bearer is connected based on requirements such as the type of energy, the amount of energy, the amount of CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index, which are defined as energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, and the energy type, the amount of energy, the CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index, etc., which are included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300 connected to the own station. For example, the connection switching unit 105 selects a core network 300 that satisfies the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer as the connection destination of the bearer, and switches the connection destination of the bearer.

[0065] 14 shows an example of operation of the wireless communication system according to some embodiments, in which the connection destination of the bearer BE1 is switched while the bearer BE1 is established.

[0066] In the example of Fig. 14, similar to S101 of Fig. 12, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300a (S201). Next, similar to S103 to S106 of Fig. 12, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S202), and the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S203). Furthermore, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S204), and the core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S205).

[0067] Next, the base station 100 selects a core network 300 to which the bearer BE1 (terminal 200) is connected based on the energy-related information (S206). The connection switching unit 105 selects a core network 300 to which the bearer BE1 is connected (via) based on the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station (via which the bearer BE1 passes) and the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station (via which the bearer BE1 does not pass), in accordance with the energy-related requirements of the QCI set for the bearer BE1. For example, the connection switching unit 105 may select a core network 300 to which the bearer BE1 is connected when a bearer is established, when the energy-related information has changed, when a request is made by the terminal 200, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous connection switching, or the like.

[0068] For example, when the type of energy is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the connection switching unit 105 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected, according to the energy type included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300. For example, when renewable energy is defined as the energy type in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a is fossil energy and the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b is renewable energy, the connection switching unit 105 may select the core network 300b that satisfies the energy-related requirements as the connection destination of the bearer BE1.

[0069] For example, when the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer define the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy, the connection switching unit 105 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected, in accordance with the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300. For example, when a reference value for the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a is smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements and the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b is larger than the reference value of the energy-related requirements, the connection switching unit 105 may select the core network 300b that satisfies the energy-related requirements as the connection destination of the bearer BE1.

[0070] For example, when CO2 emissions are defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the connection switching unit 105 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected in accordance with the CO2 emissions included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300. For example, when a reference value for CO2 emissions is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, the connection switching unit 105 collects CO2 emission measurements from multiple devices in the core network 300a on the path of the bearer BE1 (not limited to multiple devices on the path), and determines whether the measured total CO2 emissions are smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements. When the measured total CO2 emissions of the core network 300a are larger than the reference value of the energy-related requirements and the measured total CO2 emissions of the core network 300b are smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements, the connection switching unit 105 may select the core network 300b as the connection destination of the bearer BE1. The total CO2 emissions of the core network 300b may be the CO2 emissions measured by multiple devices on the path of the bearer BE1 assumed in the core network 300b, or may be the CO2 emissions of the entire core network 300b.

[0071] For example, when an ecology level is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the connection switching unit 105 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected, based on a combination of any information included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300. For example, when a high ecology level is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if the energy-related information of the core network 300a indicates that the type of energy is renewable energy, the amount of renewable energy power generation is low, the amount of surplus renewable energy is low, and CO2 emissions are high, and the energy-related information of the core network 300b indicates that the type of energy is renewable energy, the amount of renewable energy power generation is high, the amount of surplus renewable energy is high, and CO2 emissions are low, the connection switching unit 105 may select the core network 300b that satisfies the energy-related requirements as the connection destination of the bearer BE1. Thresholds for determining the magnitude of the amount of renewable energy power generation, the amount of surplus renewable energy, and the CO2 emissions may be set according to the ecology level.

[0072] Next, the base station 100 switches the connection destination of the bearer BE1 (S207). For example, when the connection switching unit 105 selects a core network 300b different from the currently connected core network 300a as the connection destination (transit destination) of the bearer BE1, the connection switching unit 105 requests the core network 300b to switch the connection destination (transit destination) of the bearer BE1 to the core network 300b. In response to the request from the base station 100, the communication unit 303 of the core network 300b executes processing required to switch the connection destination (transit destination) of the bearer BE1 to the core network 300b.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, the base station switches the core network to which it is connected based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the energy-related information of the core network. As a result, for example, the core network to which it is connected can be switched to a core network that uses renewable energy according to the QCI set for the bearer, thereby realizing more eco-friendly communication.

[0074] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, for example, a base station controls handover of a terminal based on energy-related requirements of a QCI and energy-related information of a core network. 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.

[0075] 15 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 15, the wireless communication system 2 includes a plurality of core networks 300 (e.g., 300a and 300b), a plurality of base stations 100 (e.g., 100a and 100b), and a terminal 200.

[0076] 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. In the example of Fig. 15, when a bearer BE1 is set from the terminal 200 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a, the terminal 200 performs a handover to the base station 100b, so that the route of the bearer BE1 can be switched to a route via the base station 100b and the core network 300b. The configuration of the core network 300 is the same as in the example of Fig. 9. The configuration of the terminal 200 is the same as in the example of Fig. 11.

[0077] Fig. 16 shows an example of the configuration of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 16, the base station 100 includes a storage unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, and a communication unit 103 similar to those in Fig. 10, and further includes a handover control unit 106. The base station 100 may include either or both of a scheduling unit 104 similar to that in Fig. 10 and a connection switching unit 105 in Fig. 13.

[0078] In this example, the acquisition unit 102 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 102 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.

[0079] The handover control unit 106 controls handover of the terminal 200. The handover control unit 106 refers to the QCI table in the storage unit 101 and selects a base station 100 as a handover destination for the terminal 200 that terminates the bearer, according to the QCI set for the bearer. The handover control unit 106 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 102, in accordance with the energy-related requirements defined in the QCI of the bearer. The handover control unit 106 also functions as a selection unit that selects a base station 100 as a handover destination for the terminal 200. The handover control unit 106 instructs the terminal 200 to perform handover to the selected base station 100 as a handover destination.

[0080] The handover control unit 106 selects the base station 100 as the handover destination based on requirements such as the type of energy, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index, which are defined as the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, and the energy type, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index, etc., included in the energy-related information of the core network 300 of the base station itself and adjacent base stations 100. For example, the handover control unit 106 selects a base station 100 connected to the core network 300 that satisfies the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer.

[0081] 17 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).

[0082] In the example of Fig. 17, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a (S301). As in S101 of Fig. 12, for example, the communication unit 201 of the terminal 200 requests the base station 100a to establish the bearer BE1 via the core network 300a. In response to the request from the terminal 200, the communication unit 103 of the base station 100a requests the core network 300a to establish the bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300a. In response to the request from the base station 100a, the core network 300a sets the bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a, and performs processing required to establish the bearer BE1.

[0083] Next, the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S302). As in S103 of Fig. 12 , for example, the acquisition unit 102 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.

[0084] Next, the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100a (S303). As in S104 of Fig. 12 , for example, the providing unit 302 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.

[0085] Next, the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information request to the base station 100b (S304). For example, the acquisition unit 102 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 102 may periodically request the energy-related information from the base station 100b. Alternatively, 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.

[0086] Next, the base station 100b transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S305). As in S302, for example, when the acquisition unit 102 of the base station 100b receives the energy-related information request from the base station 100a, the acquisition unit 102 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.

[0087] Next, the core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100b (S306). As in S303, for example, the providing unit 302 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.

[0088] Next, the base station 100b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100a (S307). For example, when the acquisition unit 102 of the base station 100b receives the energy-related information response from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response.

[0089] Then, the acquisition unit 102 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 102 is also a transmission unit that transmits the energy-related information response. The energy-related information response may be included in a message specified 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.

[0090] Next, the base station 100 selects a handover destination for the terminal 200 based on the energy-related information (S308). For example, when the acquisition unit 102 of the base station 100a receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information response. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 102 receives an energy-related information response from the base station 100b, the acquisition unit 102 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 102 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.

[0091] Then, the handover control unit 106 selects a handover destination base station 100 based on the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a (via the bearer BE1) and the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b (via the bearer BE1), in accordance with the energy-related requirements of the QCI set for the bearer BE1. Specifically, the handover control unit 106 selects the core network 300 to which the terminal 200 connects (communicates via the bearer BE1), and also selects a handover destination base station 100 below the core network 300. Note that the handover may be controlled (the 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 changes, when a request is received from the terminal 200, or when a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous handover control.

[0092] For example, when the energy type is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the handover control unit 106 selects the core network 300 and base station 100 to be connected to according to the energy type included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300. For example, when renewable energy is defined as the energy type in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if 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 106 may select the core network 300b that satisfies the energy-related requirements, and may also select the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b.

[0093] For example, when the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer define the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy, the handover control unit 106 selects the core network 300 and base station 100 to be connected to in accordance with the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300. For example, when a reference value for the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a is smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements and the amount of power generation or surplus amount of renewable energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b is larger than the reference value of the energy-related requirements, the handover control unit 106 may select the core network 300b that satisfies the energy-related requirements and the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b.

[0094] For example, when CO2 emissions are defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the handover control unit 106 selects the core network 300 and base station 100 to be connected to according to the CO2 emissions included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300. For example, when a reference value for CO2 emissions is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, the handover control unit 106 collects CO2 emission measurements from multiple devices in the core network 300a on the path of the bearer BE1 (not limited to multiple devices on the path), and determines whether the measured total CO2 emissions are smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements. When the measured total CO2 emissions of the core network 300a are larger than the reference value of the energy-related requirements and the measured total CO2 emissions of the core network 300b are smaller than the reference value of the energy-related requirements, the handover control unit 106 may select the core network 300b and the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b. The total CO2 emissions of the core network 300b may be the CO2 emissions measured by multiple devices on the path of the bearer BE1 assumed in the core network 300b, or may be the CO2 emissions of the entire core network 300b.

[0095] For example, when an ecology level is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the handover control unit 106 selects the core network 300 and base station 100 to be connected to based on a combination of any information included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300. For example, when a high ecology level is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer BE1, if the energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a indicates that the type of energy is renewable energy, the amount of renewable energy power generation is low, the amount of surplus renewable energy is low, and CO2 emissions are high, and the energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b indicates that the type of energy is renewable energy, the amount of renewable energy power generation is high, the amount of surplus renewable energy is high, and CO2 emissions are low, the handover control unit 106 may select the core network 300b that satisfies the energy-related requirements and may also select the base station 100b connected to the core network 300b. Thresholds for determining the magnitude of the amount of renewable energy power generation, the amount of surplus renewable energy, and the CO2 emissions may be set according to the ecology level.

[0096] Next, the base station 100a instructs the terminal 200 to perform a handover (S309). 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 106 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 106 does not need to transmit a handover instruction message.

[0097] Next, the terminal 200 requests a handover to the base station 100b (S310). For example, when the communication 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.

[0098] Next, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the base station 100b and the core network 300b (S311). For example, when the communication unit 103 of the base station 100b receives a handover request from the terminal 200, the communication unit 103 executes processing required 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. 12 , the communication unit 103 of the base station 100b requests the core network 300b to establish a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300b. In response to the request from the base station 100b, the core network 300b sets the bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the base station 100b and the core network 300b, and executes processing required to establish the bearer BE1.

[0099] As described above, in this embodiment, the base station controls the handover of the terminal based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the energy-related information of the core network. This allows the terminal to appropriately select a base station to connect to by handover according to the QCI set in the bearer. 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.

[0100] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, for example, a terminal switches a core network to which it is connected based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the energy-related information of the core network. 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. For example, the configuration of the wireless communication system 2 is the same as the example in FIG. 6. The configuration of the core network 300 is the same as the example in FIG. 9.

[0101] Fig. 18 shows an example configuration of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 18, the base station 100 includes the same acquisition unit 102 and communication unit 103 as those in Fig. 10, and further includes a notification unit 107. Note that the base station 100 may include the notification unit 107 in addition to the configuration in Fig. 10, Fig. 13, or Fig. 16.

[0102] The notifying unit 107 notifies the terminal 200 of the energy-related information of the core network 300 acquired by the acquiring unit 102. The notifying unit 107 is a transmitting unit that transmits the energy-related information. For example, the notifying unit 107 notifies the terminal 200 of energy-related information of multiple core networks 300a and 300b connected to the base station 100. The notifying unit 107 may transmit the energy-related information to a specific terminal 200 by using, for example, a control message. The control message may be an upper layer signaling message or a physical layer signaling message. The upper layer signaling message may be an RRC message, a MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling message, or the like. The physical layer signaling message may be DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information), or the like. Furthermore, the notifying unit 107 may notify any terminal 200 of the energy-related information by using, for example, broadcast information. The broadcast information may be an SIB, an MIB (Master Information Block), or the like.

[0103] Fig. 19 shows an example of the configuration of a terminal according to some embodiments. In the example of Fig. 19, a terminal 200 includes a communication unit 201 similar to that of Fig. 11, and further includes a storage unit 202, an acquisition unit 203, and a connection switching unit 204.

[0104] The storage unit 202 stores information necessary for the operation of the terminal 200. In this example, the storage unit 202 stores a QCI table, similar to the storage unit 101 of the base station 100. Note that the terminal 200 may acquire the QCI table from outside the terminal 200. For example, the terminal 200 may refer to a QCI table stored in a device external to the terminal 200.

[0105] The acquisition unit 203 acquires energy-related information of the core network 300 above the base station 100 from the base station 100. For example, the acquisition unit 203 acquires energy-related information of a plurality of core networks 300a and 300b connected to the base station 100 that is accessed (in wireless communication) from the base station 100. The acquisition unit 203 may receive the energy-related information through a control message transmitted from the base station 100 to the terminal 200, similar to the notification unit 107 of the base station 100. The acquisition unit 203 may also receive the energy-related information through broadcast information broadcast from the base station 100. Note that the acquisition unit 203 may acquire the energy-related information of the core network 300 from a storage unit in the terminal 200 or another external device.

[0106] The connection switching unit 204 switches the core network 300 to which the terminal 200 is connected. Similar to the connection switching unit 105 of the base station 100, for example, the connection switching unit 204 switches the core network 300 to which a bearer terminated by the terminal 200 is connected. The connection switching unit 204 refers to the QCI table in the storage unit 202, and switches the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected according to the QCI set for the bearer. The connection switching unit 204 selects and switches the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected based on the energy-related information of the core network 300 acquired by the acquisition unit 203, in accordance with the energy-related requirements defined in the QCI of the bearer. The connection switching unit 204 is also a selection unit that selects the core network 300 to which the bearer (terminal 200) is connected.

[0107] The method of selecting the core network 300 to connect to is the same as that of the connection switching unit 105 of the base station 100. The connection switching unit 204 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected based on requirements such as the type of energy, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index defined as the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, and the energy type, the amount of energy, CO2 emissions, and the energy environmental performance index included in the energy-related information of the multiple core networks 300 connected to the base station 100. For example, the connection switching unit 204 selects a core network 300 that satisfies the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer as the connection destination of the bearer, and switches the connection destination of the bearer.

[0108] Fig. 20 shows an example of operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. Similar to Fig. 14, Fig. 20 shows an example in which the connection destination of the bearer BE1 is switched while the bearer BE1 is established.

[0109] In the example of Fig. 20, similar to S201 in Fig. 14, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the core network 300a (S401). Next, similar to S202 to S205 in Fig. 14, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S402), and the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S403). Furthermore, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S404), and the core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100 (S405).

[0110] Next, the base station 100 transmits an energy-related information notification to the terminal 200 (S406). For example, when the acquisition unit 102 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300a, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a included in the received energy-related information response. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 102 receives an energy-related information response from the core network 300b, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300b included in the received energy-related information response.

[0111] Then, the notifying unit 107 transmits the energy-related information notification to the terminal 200 via an information transmission means between the base station 100 and the terminal 200. For example, the notifying unit 107 may include the energy-related information notification in an RRC message and transmit it to the terminal 200, or may include the energy-related information notification in an SIB and broadcast it. The energy-related information notification is a message for notifying the energy-related information of the core network 300. The energy-related information notification may be included in a message defined as an information transmission means (RRC message or SIB) between the base station 100 and the terminal 200. The transmitted energy-related information notification includes the acquired energy-related information of the core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300b. For example, the energy-related information notification 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.

[0112] The notifying unit 107 may transmit an energy-related information notification to the terminal 200 when acquiring energy-related information from the core networks 300a and 300b, or may transmit an energy-related information notification to the terminal 200 when receiving an energy-related information request from the terminal 200. The energy-related information of the core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300b may be transmitted by different messages. For example, when an energy-related information response is received from the core network 300a, the notifying unit 107 may transmit an energy-related information notification including the energy-related information of the core network 300a, and when an energy-related information response is received from the core network 300b, the notifying unit 107 may transmit an energy-related information notification including the energy-related information of the core network 300b.

[0113] Next, the terminal 200 selects a core network 300 to connect to (S407). For example, when the acquisition unit 203 receives an energy-related information notification from the base station 100, 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 notification. For example, from the energy-related information notification, it acquires 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.

[0114] Then, the connection switching unit 204 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer BE1 is connected (or via) 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 BE1 does not pass), in accordance with the energy-related requirements of the QCI set for the bearer BE1. Note that the core network 300 may be selected when an energy-related information notification is received, or the energy-related information included in the received energy-related information notification may be stored and the core network 300 may be selected at another time. For example, the core network 300 may be selected when a user performs an operation for communication or when a predetermined application starts communication.

[0115] For example, the connection switching unit 204 selects the core network 300 in the same manner as in S206 in Fig. 14. For example, when the type of energy is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the connection switching unit 204 selects the core network 300 to which the bearer is connected, depending on the type of energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a and the type of energy included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b.

[0116] Next, the terminal 200 requests the base station 100 to switch the core network 300 to which it is connected (S408). For example, when the connection switching unit 204 selects a core network 300b different from the currently connected core network 300a as the connection destination (transit point) of the bearer BE1, the connection switching unit 204 requests the base station 100 to switch the connection destination (transit point) of the bearer BE1 to the core network 300b. Note that when the connection switching unit 204 selects the currently connected core network 300, it is not necessary to transmit a connection destination switch request.

[0117] Next, the base station 100 switches the connection destination of the bearer BE1 (S409). For example, the communication unit 103 requests the core network 300b to switch the connection destination (transit point) of the bearer BE1 to the core network 300b in response to the request from the terminal 200. The communication unit 303 of the core network 300b executes processing required to switch the connection destination (transit point) of the bearer BE1 to the core network 300b in response to the request from the base station 100.

[0118] As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal switches the core network to which it is connected based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the energy-related information of the core network. As a result, for example, the terminal can switch the core network to one that uses renewable energy according to the QCI set for the bearer, thereby realizing more eco-friendly communication.

[0119] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, for example, a terminal selects a base station as a handover destination based on energy-related requirements of a QCI and energy-related information of a core network. This embodiment can be implemented in combination with any of the first to fourth embodiments, and each configuration shown in any of the first to fourth embodiments may be used as appropriate. For example, the configuration of a wireless communication system 2 is the same as the example in FIG. 15. The configuration of a core network 300 is the same as the example in FIG. 9. The configuration of a base station is the same as the example in FIG. 18. The configuration of a terminal 200 is the same as the example in FIG. 19.

[0120] Fig. 21 shows an example of operation of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments. Like Fig. 17, Fig. 21 shows an example of handover from base station 100a to base station 100b.

[0121] In the example of Fig. 21 , similar to S301 of Fig. 17 , the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the base station 100a and the core network 300a (S501). Subsequently, similar to S302 to S307 of Fig. 17 , the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information request to the core network 300a (S502), and the core network 300a transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100a (S503). Furthermore, the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information request to the base station 100b (S504), and the base station 100b transmits the energy-related information request to the core network 300b (S505). The core network 300b transmits an energy-related information response to the base station 100b (S506), and the base station 100b transmits the energy-related information response to the base station 100a (S507).

[0122] Next, the base station 100a transmits an energy-related information notification to the terminal 200 (S508). As in S406 in Fig. 20 , the notification unit 107 of the base station 100a transmits, to the terminal 200, an energy-related information notification including energy-related information of the core network 300a connected to the base station 100a and energy-related information of the core network 300b connected to the base station 100b.

[0123] Next, the terminal 200 selects a base station 100 to connect to (S509). For example, the connection switching unit 204 receives the energy-related information notification and acquires the energy-related information of the core network 300a and the energy-related information of the core network 300b. In accordance with the energy-related requirements of the QCI set for the bearer BE1, the connection switching unit 204 selects a base station 100 as a handover destination to connect to, 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 BE1 does not pass). Specifically, the connection switching unit 204 selects a core network 300 to connect to (with which to communicate via the bearer BE1), and also selects a base station 100 as a handover destination that is subordinate to the core network 300.

[0124] For example, the connection switching unit 204 selects the base station 100 as the handover destination in the same manner as in S308 in Fig. 17. For example, when the energy type is defined in the energy-related requirements of the QCI of the bearer, the connection switching unit 204 selects the core network 300 and the base station 100 to be connected to, depending on the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300a and the energy type included in the energy-related information of the core network 300b.

[0125] Next, the terminal 200 requests a handover to the base station 100b (S510). For example, if the connection switching unit 204 selects a base station 100b different from the currently connected base station 100a, it transmits a handover request message to the selected base station 100b. For example, the handover request includes identification information of the base station 100b and identification information of the core network 300b, both of which are acquired from the received energy-related information notification. Note that if the connection switching unit 204 selects the currently connected base station 100a, there is no need to transmit a handover request.

[0126] Next, similarly to S311 in FIG. 17, the wireless communication system 2 establishes a bearer BE1 from the terminal 200 via the base station 100b and the core network 300b (S511).

[0127] As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal selects a base station as a handover destination based on the energy-related requirements of the QCI and the energy-related information of the core network. This allows the terminal to appropriately select a base station to connect to by handover according to the QCI set in the bearer. 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 22 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a core network (core network device) according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 22, a core network 300 includes a network interface 311, a processor 312, and a memory 313.

[0130] 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.

[0131] The processor 312 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessing unit (MPU), or a CPU. The processor 312 may include multiple processors.

[0132] 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).

[0133] 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.

[0134] 23 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a base station according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 23, the base station 100 includes an RF transceiver 114, a network interface 111, a processor 112, and a memory 113.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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).

[0140] 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.

[0141] 24 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal according to some embodiments. In the example of FIG. 24, a terminal 200 includes an RF transceiver 211, a processor 212, and a memory 213.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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.

[0149] 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.

[0150] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note 1) A wireless communication system including a terminal, a base station, and an upper network of the base station, comprising: a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, and including an energy-related requirement as a quality requirement of the service quality class. (Supplementary Note 2) The wireless communication system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the energy-related requirement is a requirement for energy-related information related to the upper network. (Supplementary Note 3) The wireless communication system according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the energy-related information includes a type of energy supplied to a component of the upper network, an amount of power generated from the energy, an amount of surplus energy, an environmental performance index of the energy, or CO2 emissions due to power generation of the energy. (Supplementary Note 4) The wireless communication system according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, further comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the energy-related information; and a control unit that controls the communication based on the energy-related requirement and the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 5) The wireless communication system according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the control unit controls scheduling of wireless resources between the terminal and the base station based on the energy-related requirements and the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 6) The wireless communication system according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the control unit controls the upper network to which the terminal connects based on the energy-related requirements and the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 7) The wireless communication system according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the control unit controls handover of the terminal based on the energy-related requirements and the energy-related information. (Supplementary Note 8) A base station, comprising: a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, wherein the quality requirements of the service quality class include energy-related requirements. (Supplementary Note 9) A terminal, comprising: a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, wherein the quality requirements of the service quality class include energy-related requirements.(Supplementary Note 10) A communication method in a wireless communication system including a terminal, a base station, and an upper network of the base station, wherein communication is performed according to a service quality class, and an energy-related requirement is included as a quality requirement of the service quality class.

[0151] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 7 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 (wireless communication system) may also be dependent on Supplementary Note 8 (base station), Supplementary Note 9 (terminal), and Supplementary Note 10 (communication method) in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 7. 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.

[0152] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-144587, filed September 6, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0153] 1, 2 Wireless communication system 10 Base station 11 Communication 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 Memory unit 102 Acquisition unit 103 Communication unit 104 Scheduling unit 105 Connection switching unit 106 Handover control unit 107 Notification unit 111 Network interface 112 Processor 113 Memory 114 RF transceiver 114a Antenna 200 Terminal 201 Communication unit 202 Memory unit 203 Acquisition unit 204 Connection switching unit 211 RF transceiver 211a Antenna 212 Processor 213 Memory 300, 300a, 300b Core network 301 Acquisition unit 302 Provision unit 303 Communication unit 311 Network interface 312 Processor 313 Memory

Claims

1. A wireless communication system including a terminal, a base station, and an upper network of the base station, the wireless communication system comprising a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, and including energy-related requirements as quality requirements of the service quality class.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the energy-related requirement is a requirement for energy-related information regarding the upper network.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 2, wherein the energy-related information includes the type of energy supplied to components of the upper network, the amount of energy generated, the surplus amount of energy, an environmental performance index of the energy, or the amount of CO2 emissions caused by the power generation of the energy.

4. The wireless communication system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the energy-related information; and a control unit that controls the communication based on the energy-related requirements and the energy-related information.

5. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls scheduling of wireless resources between the terminal and the base station based on the energy-related requirement and the energy-related information.

6. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the upper network to which the terminal is connected based on the energy-related requirement and the energy-related information.

7. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls handover of the terminal based on the energy-related requirement and the energy-related information.

8. A base station comprising a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, the service quality class including an energy-related requirement as a quality requirement.

9. A terminal comprising a communication unit that performs communication according to a service quality class, the terminal including an energy-related requirement as a quality requirement of the service quality class.

10. A communication method in a wireless communication system including a terminal, a base station, and an upper network of the base station, performing communication according to a service quality class, and including energy-related requirements as quality requirements of the service quality class.

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