Method and device for wireless resource management based on energy in wireless communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting higher data transmission rates. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: determining whether to change an energy mode for a user equipment (UE); when it is determined to change the energy mode for the UE, transmitting a policy update request message including information on the energy mode to a policy control function (PCF) entity; and receiving, from the PCF entity, a policy update response message including at least one piece of updated wireless resource-related priority information based on the information on the energy mode.

Description

Method and device for energy-based wireless resource management in a wireless communication system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and device for managing wireless resources considering energy usage in a wireless communication system.

[0002] 5G mobile communication technology defines a wide frequency band to enable fast transmission speeds and new services, and can be implemented not only in the sub-6GHz frequency band such as 3.5 gigahertz (3.5GHz), but also in the ultra-high frequency band called millimeter wave (mmWave) such as 28GHz and 39GHz ('Above 6GHz'). In addition, for 6G mobile communication technology, which is called the system after 5G communication (Beyond 5G), implementation in the terahertz band (for example, the 3 terahertz (3THz) band at 95GHz) is being considered to achieve a transmission speed that is 50 times faster than 5G mobile communication technology and an ultra-low latency time that is reduced to one-tenth.

[0003] In the early stages of 5G mobile communication technology, the goal is to support services and satisfy performance requirements for enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC). These include beamforming and massive MIMO to mitigate path loss of radio waves in ultra-high frequency bands and increase the transmission distance of radio waves, support for various numerologies (such as operation of multiple subcarrier intervals) and dynamic operation of slot formats for efficient use of ultra-high frequency resources, initial access technology to support multi-beam transmission and wideband, definition and operation of BWP (Bidth Part), new channel coding methods such as LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes for large-capacity data transmission and Polar Code for reliable transmission of control information, and L2 pre-processing (L2). Standardization has been made for network slicing, which provides dedicated networks specialized for specific services, and pre-processing.

[0004] Currently, discussions are underway to improve and enhance the initial 5G mobile communication technology in consideration of the services that 5G mobile communication technology was intended to support, and physical layer standardization is in progress for technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) to help autonomous vehicles make driving decisions and increase user convenience based on their own location and status information transmitted by vehicles, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) for the purpose of system operation that complies with various regulatory requirements in unlicensed bands, NR terminal low power consumption technology (UE Power Saving), Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), which is direct terminal-satellite communication to secure coverage in areas where communication with terrestrial networks is impossible, and Positioning.

[0005] In addition, standardization of wireless interface architecture / protocols is in progress for technologies such as intelligent factories (Industrial Internet of Things, IIoT) to support new services through linkage and convergence with other industries, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) that provides nodes for expanding network service areas by integrating wireless backhaul links and access links, Mobility Enhancement technology including Conditional Handover and Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover, and 2-step random access (2-step RACH for NR) that simplifies random access procedures. Standardization is also in progress for system architecture / services such as 5G baseline architecture (e.g., Service-based Architecture, Service-based Interface) for grafting Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) that provides services based on the location of the terminal.

[0006] Once these 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, an explosive increase in connected devices will be connected to the communication network, necessitating enhanced functionality and performance of 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operation of these connected devices. To this end, new research will be conducted on improving 5G performance and reducing complexity, supporting AI services, supporting metaverse services, and drone communications by utilizing eXtended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) to efficiently support Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

[0007] In addition, the development of these 5G mobile communication systems includes new waveforms to ensure coverage in the terahertz band of 6G mobile communication technology, multi-antenna transmission technologies such as Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), Array Antenna, and Large Scale Antenna, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas to improve the coverage of terahertz band signals, high-dimensional spatial multiplexing technology using Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology, as well as full duplex technology to improve the frequency efficiency and system network of 6G mobile communication technology, satellite, AI (Artificial Intelligence) from the design stage and AI-based communication technology that realizes system optimization by internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources to provide services with complexity that exceeds the limits of terminal computing capabilities. It can serve as a basis for the development of next-generation distributed computing technologies that can be realized by utilizing them.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a method and device for managing wireless resources in consideration of energy usage in a wireless communication system, and to managing wireless resources in order to respond to situations in which network energy usage must be reduced for purposes such as compliance with energy usage regulations and reduction of costs due to power consumption.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity in a wireless communication system includes the steps of: determining whether to change an energy mode for a user equipment (UE); transmitting a policy update request message including information about the energy mode to a policy control function (PCF) entity when determining to change the energy mode for the UE; and receiving, from the PCF entity, a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource-related priority information based on the information about the energy mode.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of a policy control function (PCF) entity in a wireless communication system includes the steps of: receiving a policy update request message including information on an energy mode for a UE from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity; and transmitting a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource-related priority information based on the information on the energy mode to the AMF entity.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a wireless communication system, an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity includes a transceiver; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine whether to change an energy mode for a user equipment (UE), and, when the processor determines to change the energy mode for the UE, transmit a policy update request message including information about the energy mode to a policy control function (PCF) entity, and receive, from the PCF entity, a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource-related priority information based on the information about the energy mode.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a wireless communication system, a policy control function (PCF) entity includes a transceiver; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a policy update request message including information on an energy mode for a UE from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, and transmit a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource-related priority information based on the information on the energy mode to the AMF entity.

[0013] Through this disclosure, network operators can achieve network energy savings through management of wireless resources of terminals to reduce energy consumption.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a 5G system.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing a PCR (policy control request) trigger based on an energy mode of a terminal in a registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for updating an RFSP (RAT (radio access technology) / frequency selection priority) index according to a change in the energy mode of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for selecting a policy control function (PCF) that supports network energy saving (NES) and a method for providing multiple RFSP indices (or RFSP indices that take NES into account) in a registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a method for applying a corresponding RFSP index to a UE by notifying a base station of energy mode information (or NES status) when the energy mode information (or NES status) of a terminal is changed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram illustrating a network entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] In describing this disclosure, descriptions of technical details that are well-known in the technical field to which this disclosure pertains and are not directly related to this disclosure will be omitted. This is to avoid obscuring the gist of this disclosure by omitting unnecessary explanations and to convey it more clearly. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions in this disclosure and may vary depending on the intent or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0022] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Furthermore, the dimensions of each component do not entirely reflect its actual size. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0023] Hereinafter, a base station (BS) is an entity that performs resource allocation of a terminal, and may be at least one of a gNode B, an eNode B, a Node B (or an xNode B (where x is an alphabet including g or e)), a wireless access unit, a base station controller, a satellite, an airborn, or a node on a network. A user equipment (UE) may include a mobile station (MS), a vehicle, a satellite, an airborn, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a computer, or a multimedia system capable of performing a communication function. In the present disclosure, a downlink (DL) is a wireless transmission path of a signal transmitted from a base station to a terminal, and an uplink (UL) is a wireless transmission path of a signal transmitted from a terminal to an air station. Additionally, a sidelink (SL) may exist, which means a wireless transmission path of a signal transmitted from a terminal to another terminal.

[0024] In addition, although LTE, LTE-A, or 5G systems may be described below as examples, embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to other communication systems having similar technical backgrounds or channel types. For example, this may include 5G-Advance or NR-Advance, or 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G) developed after 5G mobile communication technology (or new radio, NR), and the 5G described below may also include existing LTE, LTE-A, and other similar services. In addition, the present disclosure may be applied to other communication systems with some modifications within a range that does not significantly deviate from the scope of the present disclosure, as determined by a person having skilled technical knowledge.

[0025] At this time, it will be understood that each block of the processing flowchart drawings and combinations of the flowchart drawings can be performed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be installed in a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create a means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s). These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-available or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement the functions in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-available or computer-readable memory can also produce a manufactured item that includes an instruction means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s). Since the computer program instructions may be installed on a computer or other programmable data processing device, a series of operational steps may be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing device to create a computer-executable process, and the instructions that cause the computer or other programmable data processing device to perform the steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s) may also provide steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0026] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that contains one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions described in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks depicted in succession may actually be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on their respective functions.

[0027] Here, the term '~ part' used in this embodiment means software or hardware components such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and the '~ part' performs certain roles. However, the '~ part' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ part' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium or may be configured to play one or more processors. Therefore, as an example, the '~ part' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and '~ parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ parts' or further separated into additional components and '~ parts'. Additionally, the components and '~parts' may be implemented to activate one or more CPUs within a device or secure multimedia card. In addition, in an embodiment, the '~parts' may include one or more processors.

[0028] 3GPP, responsible for cellular mobile communications standards, is standardizing a new core network architecture called 5G Core (5GC) to facilitate the evolution of 4G LTE systems to 5G systems. Compared to the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), the network core for 4G, 5GC supports the following differentiated features:

[0029] 5GC introduces the Network Slice feature. As a requirement of 5G, 5GC must support a variety of terminal types and services, such as enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC). These terminals and services each have different requirements for the core network. For example, eMBB services may require high data rates, while URLLC services may require high reliability and low latency. To meet these diverse service requirements, Network Slice technology has been proposed.

[0030] Network slicing can refer to a method of virtualizing a single physical network to create multiple logical networks (e.g., network slices). An activated network slice can be called a network slice instance, and each network slice instance (NSI) can have different characteristics. By configuring a network function (NF) for each NSI according to its characteristics, mobile carriers can satisfy various service requirements according to terminals / services. For example, mobile carriers can efficiently support various 5G services (e.g., eMBB, URLLC, or mMTC) by allocating an NSI that matches the characteristics of the service required for each terminal.

[0031] 5GC can easily support the network virtualization paradigm by separating mobility management functions from session management functions. In 4G LTE, all terminals can receive services from the network through signaling exchanges with a single core entity called the mobility management entity (MME), which is responsible for registration, authentication, mobility management, and session management. In 5G, the number of terminals (including MTC terminals) will explode, and the mobility and traffic / session characteristics that must be supported depending on the terminal type will become more specialized. Therefore, supporting all functions from a single entity (such as the MME) will inevitably reduce scalability by adding entities for each required function. Therefore, various functions are being developed based on a structure that separates mobility management and session management functions to improve scalability in terms of functional / implementation complexity and signaling load of the core entity responsible for the control plane.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a 5G system.

[0033] A 5G mobile communication network is composed of a 5G UE (100) (user equipment, terminal), a 5G RAN (110) (radio access network, base station, gNB (5g nodeB), eNB (evolved nodeB, etc.), and a 5G core network. The 5G core network may be composed of NFs such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) (120) that provides a mobility management function of the UE, a session management function (SMF) (135) that provides a session management function, a user plane function (UPF) (130) that performs a data transfer role, a policy control function (PCF) (140) that provides a policy control function, a unified data management (UDM) (145) that provides a data management function such as subscriber data and policy control data, and a unified data repository (UDR) that stores data of various network functions (NFs) such as UDM.

[0034] The 5G core network may be configured to further include NFs such as NSSF (network slice selection function) (160), NWDAF (network data analytic function) (165), AF (application function) (170), DN (data network) (175), and NSACF (network slice admission control function) (180).

[0035] In the 3GPP system, a conceptual link connecting NFs within a 5G system is defined as a reference point. The following illustrates a reference point included in the 5G system architecture depicted in Figure 1.

[0036] - N1: Reference point between UE and AMF

[0037] - N2: Reference point between (R)AN and AMF

[0038] - N3: Reference point between (R)AN and UPF

[0039] - N4: Reference point between SMF and UPF

[0040] - N5: Reference point between PCF and AF

[0041] - N6: Reference point between UPF and DN

[0042] - N7: Reference point between SMF and PCF

[0043] - N8: Reference point between UDM and AMF

[0044] - N9: Reference point between two core UPFs

[0045] - N10: Reference point between UDM and SMF

[0046] - N11: Reference point between AMF and SMF

[0047] - N12: Reference point between AMF and AUSF

[0048] - N13: Reference point between UDM and authentication server function (AUSF)

[0049] - N14: Reference point between two AMFs

[0050] - N15: Reference point between PCF and AMF for non-roaming scenarios, reference point between PCF and AMF in visited network for roaming scenarios.

[0051] In 5G systems, network slicing technology refers to the technology and architecture that enables multiple virtualized, independent, logical networks within a single physical network. To meet the specialized requirements of services / applications, network operators configure virtual end-to-end networks called network slices to provide services. At this time, network slices are identified by an identifier called single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI). During the UE registration procedure (e.g., UE registration procedure), the network transmits a set of allowed slices (e.g., allowed NSSAI(s)) to the UE, and the UE transmits and receives application data through a PDU (protocol data unit) session created through one of these S-NSSAIs (i.e., network slices).

[0052] Meanwhile, the RFSP (RAT / frequency selection priority) index is a parameter applied to each UE, and is a parameter for applying a radio resource management (RRM) strategy to enable the UE to use a specific radio access type (RAT) (e.g., E-UTRA or NR) and / or frequency band, etc., and can be referred to as radio resource-related priority information. The RFSP index is determined by the 5G core network and then transmitted to the base station (RAN). When the base station receives the RFSP index for the UE, it can apply a specific RRM strategy to the RFSP index based on internally defined configuration information.

[0053] The present disclosure proposes a method for a network to dynamically determine an energy saving status for a UE and dynamically change an RFSP index for the UE based on energy saving status information for the UE. For example, when network energy saving is activated for a UE, the core network can update the RFSP index for the UE to an RFSP index that consumes less network energy than the current RFSP index (e.g., an RFSP index for a low frequency band). Alternatively, the present invention describes a method for determining multiple RFSP indices for a UE that has agreed to activate network energy saving and providing them to a base station. In this case, the multiple RFSP indices may include an RFSP index for a case where network energy saving is disabled for the UE and an RFSP index for a case where network energy saving is activated. When the base station receives multiple RFSP indices in this way, the base station can determine an RFSP index to be applied to the UE depending on whether the UE currently activates network energy saving and can apply a radio resource management strategy for the corresponding RFSP index.

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing a PCR (policy control request) trigger according to an energy mode of a terminal in a registration procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] In step 201, the terminal may transmit an RRC message containing a registration request message to the RAN. The registration request message may include at least one of the following information:

[0056] -UE ID (identifier): This is the identifier information of the terminal. If the terminal has an available 5G-GUTI (globally unique temporary identity) allocated from the network, it is included. If not, the SUCI (subscription permanent identifier) ​​may be included.

[0057] -Requested NSSAI: May contain S-NSSAI(s) information requested by the UE.

[0058] -UE MM Capability: May contain information about features supported by the UE. If the UE supports Network Energy Saving (NES), Support of NES may be included.

[0059] In step 202, the RAN may transmit a registration request message received from the terminal to the AMF.

[0060] In steps 203 and 204, the AMF may send a message requesting subscription information of the UE to the UDM, and may receive a subscription information response message including subscription information of the UE from the UDM.

[0061] In one embodiment, the subscription information of the UE received by the AMF from the UDM in step 204 may include at least one of an energy saving (ES) Allowed indication, information related to a time when energy saving can be applied, Subscribed S-NSSAI(s), and a subscribed RFSP index.

[0062] In one embodiment, the Subscribed S-NSSAI(s) may include information on whether each S-NSSAI is a default S-NSSAI.

[0063] In step 205, the AMF may transmit a policy creation request message requesting an Access and Mobility management policy (AM policy) to the PCF. In one embodiment, the AMF may include the ES Allowed indication in the AM policy request message transmitted to the PCF if the message received from the UDM in step 204 includes the ES Allowed indication or if the UE supports the NES function (i.e., if the information included in the registration request includes Support of NES). In one embodiment, the AMF may include the SUPI (UE identifier) ​​and the Subscribed RFSP index in the message transmitted to the PCF.

[0064] In step 206, the PCF may include a PCR (policy control request) trigger for a change of energy mode in the policy generation response message sent to the AMF. In one embodiment, the PCF may include a PCR trigger for a change of energy mode in the response message sent to the AMF if the message received in step 205 includes an ES Allowed indication or if the PCF supports Network Energy Saving.

[0065] In one embodiment, when the AMF receives a PCR trigger for a change of energy mode, it may perform an operation of notifying the PCF about a change in the energy mode of the UE when the energy mode of the UE changes. In one embodiment, the energy mode of the UE is a parameter that controls network energy consumption for the UE and may have two or more stages. For example, the energy mode may be set to one of three forms: a non-energy saving mode, a low energy saving mode (a mode for low energy saving), and a high energy saving mode (i.e., a mode for high energy saving), or may be set to one of two forms: a normal mode and an energy saving mode.

[0066] In step 207, AMF may include RFSP index for allowed NSSAI, Allowed NSSAI, and registration accept messages in the N2 message transmitted to RAN.

[0067] In step 208, the RAN may include the registration accept message received from the AMF in the RRC message transmitted to the UE. In one embodiment, if the RAN receives an RFSP (RAT / Frequency Selection Priority) index from the AMF, the RAN may include the cell re-selection priority and / or the absolute radio-frequency channel number (ARFCN) stored as configuration information for the RFSP index in the RRC message.

[0068] In step 209, the UE may perform cell reselection based on a cell reselection priority included in a message received from the RAN. In one embodiment, the cell reselection priority included in the message received by the UE from the RAN may be set to preferentially select a cell supporting a lower frequency, in which case the UE may reselect a cell supporting a lower frequency.

[0069] FIG. 3 illustrates an RFSP index update method based on a change in energy mode of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] If the AMF determines that energy saving is necessary in step 301, the AMF may change the energy mode (or enable energy saving) for one or more of the UEs for which energy saving is allowed.

[0071] In one embodiment, when the AMF changes the energy mode for the UE (or activates energy saving for the UE), it may send a message to the PCF notifying the energy mode (or energy saving activation indicator) for the UE.

[0072] In one embodiment, the message informing the PCF of the energy mode (or energy saving activation indicator) for the UE may include a policy update request message. The message may include at least one of SUPI (UE identifier information), Energy mode, and Subscribed RFSP index. In one embodiment, if the AMF determines that network energy saving is unnecessary, it may change the energy mode of at least one UE whose energy mode is the energy saving mode (or at least one UE whose energy saving activation indicator indicates enabled) to a mode that does not require energy saving (e.g., normal mode) or to a mode in which the energy saving activation indicator indicates disabled.

[0073] In step 302, if the message received from AMF includes energy mode, PCF can update the RFSP index and send a policy update response message including the updated RFSP index.

[0074] In one embodiment, if a message received from AMF includes a subscribed RFSP index and an energy mode, the PCF may determine an RFSP index that considers the energy mode among the subscribed RFSP indices.

[0075] For example, the PCF may determine that the RFSP index represents a frequency band that consumes less energy (e.g., a lower frequency band) when the energy mode changes to a mode that requires higher energy savings or when the energy saving is changed from an energy saving disabled state to an energy saving enabled state.

[0076] For example, if the PCF changes from an energy mode that does not require energy saving (e.g., normal mode) or from an energy saving enabled state to an energy saving disabled state, the PCF may determine the RFSP index to represent a frequency band that consumes higher energy in energy saving mode (e.g., a frequency band that is normally operated).

[0077] In step 303, if the message received from the PCF includes an updated RFSP index, the AMF may include the updated RFSP index in the N2 message transmitted to the RAN. In addition, if the energy mode for the UE is changed in step 301, the AMF may change the Allowed NSSAI accordingly. For example, if the energy mode is changed to a mode requiring higher energy saving, the AMF may exclude one or more S-NSSAIs from the Allowed NSSAIs or replace the previously included S-NSSAIs with S-NSSAIs that consume less energy. For example, if the energy mode of the UE is changed to a mode that does not require energy saving (e.g., normal mode) or is changed from an energy saving enabled state to an energy saving disabled state, the AMF may replace the S-MSSAI included in the Allowed NSSAI back to the S-NSSAI that was included when the energy saving mode was not applied.

[0078] In one embodiment, when the AMF changes the Allowed NSSAI due to an energy mode change for the UE, the AMF may include a UCU (UE configuration update) message including the Allowed NSSAI together with the Allowed NSSAI in the N2 message transmitted to the RAN.

[0079] In step 304, if the message received from the AMF includes an updated RFSP index, the RAN may include the cell re-selection priority and / or the ARFCN (Absolute radio-frequency channel number) stored as configuration information for the RFSP index in the RRC message transmitted to the UE. In addition, if the message received from the AMF includes a UCU (UE configuration update) message, the RAN may include the UCU message in the RRC message transmitted to the UE.

[0080] If the message received by the UE from the RAN at step 305 includes a cell re-selection priority, the UE may perform cell re-selection based on this. For example, if the energy mode of the UE is changed to a mode requiring higher energy saving or if the energy saving is changed from a disabled state to an enabled state, the cell re-selection priority included in the message received by the UE from the RAN may be set to preferentially select a cell supporting a lower frequency, in which case the UE may re-select a cell supporting a lower frequency.

[0081] For example, if the energy mode of the UE is changed to a mode that does not require energy saving (e.g., normal mode) or if the energy saving is enabled and changed to energy saving disabled, the cell re-selection priority included in the message received by the UE from the RAN may be set to preferentially select a cell supporting a higher frequency than the frequency indicated in the energy saving mode, in which case the UE may re-select a cell supporting a lower frequency.

[0082] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for selecting a PCF supporting NES and a method for providing multiple RFSP indices (or RFSP indices considering NES) in a registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] In step 401, the terminal may transmit an RRC message containing a registration request message to the RAN. The message may include at least one of the following information:

[0084] -UE ID: Terminal identifier information. If the terminal has an available 5G-GUTI allocated from the network, it may include this. If not, SUCI may be included.

[0085] -Requested NSSAI: May contain S-NSSAI(s) information requested by the UE.

[0086] -UE MM Capability: May contain information about features supported by the UE. If the UE supports Network Energy Saving (NES), Support of NES may be included.

[0087] In step 402, the RAN may transmit a registration request message received from the terminal to the AMF.

[0088] In steps 403 and 404, the AMF may send a message requesting subscription information of the UE to the UDM, and may receive a subscription information response message containing subscription information of the UE from the UDM.

[0089] In one embodiment, the subscription information of the UE received by the AMF from the UDM in step 404 may include an energy saving (ES) Allowed indication, information related to a time when energy saving can be applied, and at least one of the Subscribed S-NSSAI(s) and the subscribed RFSP index. The Subscribed S-NSSAI(s) may include information on whether each S-NSSAI is a default S-NSSAI.

[0090] In step 405, the AMF may send a message to the NRF requesting the address of a PCF supporting NES if the AMF supports NES, if the UE supports NES, or if the UE is an energy saving enabled UE (e.g., if the message received from the UDM includes an ES Allowed indication). In one embodiment, the AMF may include an NF type set to PCF and a PCF capability indicating Support of NES in the NF discover request message sent to the NRF.

[0091] In step 406, if the NF discovery message received from the AMF includes information indicating which PCFs support NES (e.g., the PCF capability includes Support of NES), the NRF may include addresses (e.g., fully qualified domain names (FQDNs)) for the PCF(s) supporting NES.

[0092] In step 407, the AMF may select a PCF supporting the NES based on configuration information (e.g., if the configuration information stores the address of the PCF supporting the NES) or the address of the PCF(s) supporting the NES received from the NRF, and may send a message requesting an Access and Mobility management policy (AM policy) to the selected PCF.

[0093] In one embodiment, the AMF may include the ES Allowed indication in the AM policy request message sent to the PCF if the message received from the UDM includes the ES Allowed indication or if the UE supports the NES function (i.e., if the information included in the registration request includes Support of NES). In addition, the AMF may include the SUPI (UE identifier) ​​and the Subscribed RFSP index in the message sent to the PCF.

[0094] In step 408, the PCF may include in the response message to the AMF multiple RFSP indices (or RFSP indices per energy mode) for the UE if the message received in step 407 includes an ES Allowed indication or information indicating that the UE supports NES. The multiple RFSP indices may include an RFSP index per current network energy saving level (e.g., energy mode or NES status) for the UE.

[0095] In one embodiment, at this time, the energy mode of the UE is a parameter for controlling the energy consumed by the network for the UE (network energy consumption), and may have two or more stages. For example, the energy mode may be set to one of three forms: non-energy saving mode, low energy saving mode (i.e., a mode for low energy saving), and high energy saving mode (i.e., a mode for high energy saving), or may be set to one of two forms: normal mode and energy saving mode.

[0096] For example, multiple RFSP indices (or RFSP indices that take NES into account) may include an RFSP index for cases where NES is disabled, an RFSP index for cases where NES is enabled, etc.

[0097] In step 409, the AMF may include at least one of the NES-aware RFSP index (or RFSP index for energy mode), energy mode (or NES status), allowed NSSAI, or registration accept message in the N2 message transmitted to the RAN.

[0098] In one embodiment, if a message received from an AMF includes an energy mode (or NES status, which may indicate either NES activation or deactivation) together with an NES-aware RFSP index (or RFSP index for energy mode), the RAN may apply, to the UE, an RFSP index corresponding to the energy mode (or NES status) received from the AMF among the RFSP indices included in the NES-aware RFSP index (or RFSP index for energy mode).

[0099] In one embodiment, the RAN may apply an RRM strategy for the selected RFSP index. If the message received by the RAN from the AMF contains only an NES-aware RFSP index and not an energy mode (or NES status), the RAN may consider the NES for the UE to be not activated and determine an RFSP index for the corresponding status among the RFSP indexes included in the NES-aware RFSP index.

[0100] In step 410, the RAN may include the registration accept message received from the AMF in the RRC message transmitted to the UE. In one embodiment, if the RAN determines an RFSP index for the UE in step 409, the RAN may also include in the RRC message a cell re-selection priority and / or an absolute radio-frequency channel number (ARFCN) stored as configuration information for the RFSP index.

[0101] In step 411, the UE may perform cell reselection based on a cell reselection priority included in a message received from the RAN. In one embodiment, the cell reselection priority included in the message received by the UE from the RAN may be set to preferentially select a cell supporting a lower frequency, in which case the UE may reselect a cell supporting a lower frequency.

[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates a method for applying a corresponding RFSP index to a UE by notifying a base station of energy mode information (or NES status) when the AMF changes the energy mode information (or NES status) of the UE according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] More specifically, FIG. 5 relates to an embodiment in which the RAN receives and stores an NES-aware RFSP index (or RFSP index for energy mode) including one or more RFSP indices from an AMF, as in FIG. 4.

[0104] In step 501, if the AMF determines that energy saving is necessary, it may change the energy mode (or activate energy saving) for one or more UEs that are allowed to save energy, and notify the RAN of this via an N2 message.

[0105] In one embodiment, when AMF changes the energy mode for a UE (or activates energy saving for the UE), it may include the new energy mode for the UE in a message transmitted to the RAN.

[0106] In one embodiment, when the energy mode for the UE changes, the AMF may change the Allowed NSSAI accordingly. For example, when the energy mode changes to a mode requiring higher energy savings, one or more S-NSSAIs may be excluded from the Allowed NSSAI or an existing S-NSSAI may be replaced with an S-NSSAI that consumes less energy. When the AMF changes the Allowed NSSAI due to the energy mode change for the UE, the AMF may include a UCU (UE configuration update) message containing the Allowed NSSAI together with the Allowed NSSAI in the N2 message transmitted to the RAN.

[0107] In step 502, if the message received from the AMF includes an energy mode (or NES status, which may indicate either NES activation or deactivation), and if the RAN stores an NES-aware RFSP index (or RFSP index for energy mode) including one or more RFSP indices for the UE, the RAN may select an RFSP index corresponding to the energy mode (or NES status) received from the AMF among the RFSP indices included in the NES-aware RFSP index (or RFSP index for energy mode), for the UE. For example, if the message received from the AMF does not include an energy mode (or NES status), the RAN may consider that energy saving is not applied to the UE and select the corresponding RFSP index.

[0108] In one embodiment, the RAN may include the cell re-selection priority and / or the absolute radio-frequency channel number (ARFCN) stored as configuration information for the selected RFSP index in the RRC message transmitted to the UE. In one embodiment, the RAN may also include a UE configuration update message in the RRC message transmitted to the UE if the message received from the AMF includes the message.

[0109] In one embodiment, if the energy mode included in the message received by the RAN from the AMF indicates the energy saving mode (or the NES status indicates activation), the RAN may store corresponding information related to the energy mode in the UE context for the corresponding UE and limit the energy consumption for the corresponding UE. For example, if the energy mode included in the message received by the RAN from the AMF indicates the energy saving mode (or the NES status indicates activation), the energy consumption mode for each UE in the RAN may be changed to the energy saving mode.

[0110] For example, if the energy mode included in the message received by the RAN from the AMF indicates a mode other than the energy saving mode (e.g., normal mode) (or if the NES status indicates disabled), the RAN may store the corresponding information related to the energy mode in the UE context for the corresponding UE and lift the energy consumption restriction for the corresponding UE. For example, if the energy mode included in the message received by the RAN from the AMF indicates a mode other than the energy saving mode (e.g., normal mode) (or if the NES status indicates disabled), the energy consumption mode per UE in the RAN may be changed to normal mode.

[0111] In step 503, the UE may perform cell reselection based on a cell reselection priority included in a message received from the RAN. In one embodiment, the cell reselection priority included in the message received by the UE from the RAN may be set to preferentially select a cell supporting a lower frequency, in which case the UE may reselect a cell supporting a lower frequency.

[0112] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram illustrating a network entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] The network entities illustrated in FIG. 6 may include all of the network entities according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, such as AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, UDM, and RAN.

[0114] A network entity according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a processor (620) that controls the overall operation of the network entity, a transceiver (600) including a transmitter and a receiver, and a memory (610). Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and the network entity may include more or fewer components than those illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0115] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver (600) can transmit and receive signals with other network entities or other network nodes. The signals transmitted and received with the network entities may include control information and data. In addition, the transceiver (600) can receive signals via a wireless channel, output them to the processor (620), and transmit the signals output from the processor (620) via the wireless channel.

[0116] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (620) can control a network entity to perform any one of the operations described above. Meanwhile, the processor (620), the memory (610), and the transceiver (600) do not necessarily have to be implemented as separate modules, and can of course be implemented as a single component in the form of a single chip. In addition, the processor (620) and the transceiver (600) can be electrically connected. In addition, the processor (620) can be an Application Processor (AP), a Communication Processor (CP), a circuit, an application-specific circuit, or at least one processor.

[0117] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network entity of FIG. 6 is an AMF entity, the processor (620) may determine whether to change an energy mode for a user equipment (UE). When the processor (620) determines to change the energy mode for the UE, the processor (620) may control transmitting a policy update request message including information about the energy mode to a policy control function (PCF) entity. The processor (620) may control receiving a policy update response message including at least one updated RFSP index based on the information about the energy mode from the PCF entity. The processor (620) may control transmitting an N2 message including the at least one updated RFSP index to a radio access network (RAN).

[0118] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (620) may control receiving a registration request message for the UE from the RAN. The processor (620) may control receiving a subscription information response message for the UE from a UDM entity. The processor (620) may control transmitting a policy generation request message to the PCF entity. In one embodiment, when the registration request message for the UE includes an energy saving indicator, or when the subscription information response message for the UE includes a first energy saving permission indicator, the policy generation request message may include a second energy saving permission indicator.

[0119] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (620) may control receiving a policy creation response message from the PCF entity. In one embodiment, if the policy creation request message includes the second energy saving permission indicator, or if the PCF entity supports energy saving, the policy creation response message may include a policy control request trigger (PCRT) for an energy mode change. In one embodiment, the policy update request message may be based on the PCRT. In one embodiment, the at least one updated RFSP index may include at least one updated RFSP index for at least one energy mode. In one embodiment, the processor (620) may control transmitting an N2 message including at least one updated RFSP index for at least one energy mode and information about the energy mode to the RAN.

[0120] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network entity of FIG. 6 is a PCF entity, the processor (620) may control receiving a policy update request message including information on an energy mode for a UE from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity. The processor (620) may control transmitting a policy update response message including at least one updated RFSP index based on the information on the energy mode to the AMF entity. In one embodiment, the at least one updated RFSP index may be included in an N2 message and transmitted to a radio access network (RAN).

[0121] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (620) may control receiving a policy creation request message from the AMF entity. In one embodiment, if the registration request message of the UE includes an energy saving indicator, or if a subscription information response message for the UE transmitted from the UDM entity includes a first energy saving permission indicator, the policy creation request message may include a second energy saving permission indicator.

[0122] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (620) may control transmitting a policy creation response message to the AMF entity. In one embodiment, if the policy creation request message includes the second energy saving permission indicator, or if the PCF entity supports energy saving, the policy creation response message may include a policy control request trigger (PCRT) for an energy mode change. In one embodiment, the policy update request message may be based on the PCRT.

[0123] In one embodiment, the at least one updated RFSP index may include at least one updated RFSP index for at least one energy mode. In one embodiment, the at least one updated RFSP index for at least one energy mode may be transmitted to the RAN along with information about the energy mode in an N2 message.

[0124] The methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0125] When implemented in software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium are configured for execution by one or more processors within an electronic device. The one or more programs include instructions that cause the electronic device to execute methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure.

[0126] These programs (software modules, software) may be stored in a non-volatile memory including random access memory, flash memory, read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disc storage devices, compact disc ROMs (CD-ROMs), digital versatile discs (DVDs) or other forms of optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, or may be stored in a memory configured as a combination of some or all of these. In addition, each configuration memory may be included in multiple numbers.

[0127] Additionally, the program may be stored on an attachable storage device that is accessible via a communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide local area network (WLAN), a storage area network (SAN), or a combination thereof. Such a storage device may be connected to a device implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure via an external port. Additionally, a separate storage device on the communication network may be connected to a device implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, components included in the present disclosure are expressed singularly or plurally, depending on the specific embodiment presented. However, the singular or plural expressions are selected to suit the presented situation for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Components expressed in plural may be composed of singular elements, or components expressed in singular may be composed of plural elements.

[0129] While the detailed description of this disclosure has described specific embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the claims described below, but also by equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. In a method of an AMF (access and mobility management function) entity in a wireless communication system, A step for determining whether to change the energy mode for UE (user equipment); When it is determined to change the energy mode for the UE, a step of transmitting a policy update request message including information about the energy mode to a policy control function (PCF) entity; and A method, characterized by comprising: receiving a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource related priority information based on information about the energy mode from the PCF entity.

2. In paragraph 1, A step of receiving a registration request message of the UE from the UE; A step of receiving a subscription information response message for the UE from a UDM (unified data management) entity; and comprising the step of transmitting a policy creation request message to the above PCF entity; If the registration request message of the UE includes an energy saving indicator, or if the subscription information response message for the UE includes a first energy saving allow indicator, the policy creation request message includes a second energy saving allow indicator, and A method characterized in that whether to change the energy mode for the UE (user equipment) is determined based on the first energy saving allowance indicator.

3. In paragraph 2, comprising the step of receiving a policy creation response message from the PCF entity; If the above policy creation request message includes the second energy saving allowance indicator, or if the PCF entity supports energy saving, the policy creation response message includes a PCRT (policy control request trigger) for energy mode change, and A method characterized in that the above policy update request message is based on the above PCRT.

4. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a step of transmitting an N2 message including at least one of the updated wireless resource related priority information and the information on the energy mode to a radio access network (RAN); A method characterized in that the at least one updated radio resource related priority information includes at least one updated radio resource related priority information for at least one energy mode.

5. In a method of a PCF (policy control function) entity in a wireless communication system, A step of receiving a policy update request message including information on an energy mode for a UE (user equipment) from an AMF (access and mobility management function) entity; and A method characterized by comprising the step of transmitting, to the AMF entity, a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource related priority information based on the information about the energy mode.

6. In paragraph 5, comprising the step of receiving a policy creation request message from the above AMF entity; If the registration request message of the UE includes an energy saving indicator, or if the subscription information response message for the UE transmitted from a unified data management (UDM) entity includes a first energy saving allow indicator, the policy creation request message includes a second energy saving allow indicator, A method characterized in that whether to change the energy mode for the UE (user equipment) is determined based on the first energy saving allowance indicator.

7. In paragraph 6, comprising the step of sending a policy creation response message to the above AMF entity; If the above policy creation request message includes the second energy saving allowance indicator, or if the PCF entity supports energy saving, the policy creation response message includes a PCRT (policy control request trigger) for energy mode change, and A method characterized in that the above policy update request message is based on the above PCRT.

8. In paragraph 6, At least one of the above updated RFSP index and the information on the energy mode is included in an N2 message and transmitted to a RAN (radio access network), and A method characterized in that the at least one updated radio resource related priority information includes at least one updated radio resource related priority information for at least one energy mode.

9. In the AMF (access and mobility management function) entity in a wireless communication system, Transmitter and receiver; and comprising at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor comprises: Determines whether to change the energy mode for the UE (user equipment), When it is decided to change the energy mode for the UE, a policy update request message including information about the energy mode is transmitted to a policy control function (PCF) entity, and An AMF entity configured to receive a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource related priority information based on information about the energy mode from the PCF entity.

10. In the 9th paragraph, at least one processor, Receive a registration request message from the UE, Receive a subscription information response message for the UE from a UDM (unified data management) entity, and configured to send a policy creation request message to the above PCF entity, If the registration request message of the UE includes an energy saving indicator, or if the subscription information response message for the UE includes a first energy saving allow indicator, the policy creation request message includes a second energy saving allow indicator, An AMF entity characterized in that whether to change the energy mode for the UE (user equipment) is determined based on the first energy saving allowance indicator.

11. In the 10th paragraph, at least one processor, configured to receive a policy creation response message from the above PCF entity, If the above policy creation request message includes the second energy saving allowance indicator, or if the PCF entity supports energy saving, the policy creation response message includes a PCRT (policy control request trigger) for energy mode change, and An AMF entity characterized in that the above policy update request message is based on the above PCRT.

12. In the 9th paragraph, the processor, Further configured to transmit an N2 message including at least one of the updated radio resource related priority information and the information about the energy mode to a radio access network (RAN), An AMF entity, characterized in that the at least one updated radio resource related priority information comprises at least one updated radio resource related priority information for at least one energy mode.

13. In a wireless communication system, in the PCF (policy control function) entity, Transmitter and receiver; and comprising at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor comprises: Receive a policy update request message containing information about an energy mode for a UE (user equipment) from an AMF (access and mobility management function) entity, and A PCF entity configured to transmit a policy update response message including at least one updated radio resource related priority information based on information about the energy mode to the AMF entity.

14. In the 13th paragraph, at least one processor, configured to receive a policy creation request message from the above AMF entity, If the registration request message of the UE includes an energy saving indicator, or if the subscription information response message for the UE transmitted from a unified data management (UDM) entity includes a first energy saving allow indicator, the policy creation request message includes a second energy saving allow indicator, A PCF entity characterized in that whether to change the energy mode for the UE (user equipment) is determined based on the first energy saving allowance indicator.

15. In paragraph 14, at least one processor, configured to send a policy creation response message to the above AMF entity, If the above policy creation request message includes the second energy saving allowance indicator, or if the PCF entity supports energy saving, the policy creation response message includes a PCRT (policy control request trigger) for energy mode change, and A PCF entity characterized in that the above policy update request message is based on the above PCRT.

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