End-to-end high energy consumping protocol data unit (PDU) sessions identification

Abstract

Methods, computer program products, and apparatus are provided for determining which protocol data unit (PDU) sessions that have a high or the highest (end-to-end) Energy Consumption (EC) impact on a mobile network, as well as signaling to share such information between radio access network nodes and network functions of a mobile network. High EC PDU sessions can be defined, e.g., PDU sessions exceeding a threshold value (that can be per traffic type, energy credit, or QoS type etc.) relative to the rest of the PDU sessions. A radio access network node (e.g., gNB) or a network function of a core network can determine, store and process energy-related information of the PDU sessions that have a high EC, indicate that a PDU is a high energy consuming PDU session or UEs, and share this information with each other. A radio access network node can also include time information, such as the time period(s) during which a high energy consumption PDU session was observed or is expected and / or predicted in the future.

Description

END-TO-END HIGH ENERGY CONSUMPING PROTOCOL DATA UNIT (PDU) SESSIONS IDENTIFICATIONRelated Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 598381 filed November 13, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.Field

[0002] An example embodiment relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatuses, method, and computer programs for a communications system.Background

[0003] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices or provides communication devices access to a data network. A communication system may operate in accordance with standards such as those provided by 3 GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards are the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standards provided by 3GPP. Previous 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) releases of Fifth Generation Core network (5GC) have addressed sustainability, targeting energy savings in the communication device.Brief Summary

[0004] Increasing energy costs and energy shortages, along with large scale growth data traffic communicated across communication systems of mobile networks, places an increased demand for improving the energy efficiency of communication systems of mobile networks to reduce the energy consumed by communication systems to reduce costs cost related to operating a communication system. Demand for improved energy efficiency in the mobile network is further fueled by increasing operational expenditure (OPEX) costs incurred by operators of the mobile (e.g., mobile network operators (MNOs)) and / orcommunication service providers (CSPs) that are the result of increased energy costs and increased data traffic being communicated across their communication systems. Therefore, it is imperative to reduce the energy consumed by a communication system. Example embodiments disclosed herein improve the energy efficiency of a communication system by determining, tracking, and end-to-end energy consumption information within the communication system at a variety of levels of granularity, such as at the communication system level, region level, R(AN) level, slice level, eNB / gNB level, UE level, PDU session level, packet level, and / or the like, and communicating the end-to-end energy consumption information to one or more components or entities of the communication system, such that example embodiments may improve the energy efficiency of the communication system.

[0005] A Fifth Generation (5G) Access Network (AN) and / or Radio Access Network (NG-(RAN) as referenced herein may refer to a 3GPP access network (5G or 6G) or non- 3GPP access network as specified in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 23.501. A 5thGeneration core network as referenced herein may refer to a 3 GPP Core network that may provide communication devices access to a data network via a 5G-AN and / or NG-RAN and provide control signaling to communications devices and the AN.

[0006] A data flow (e.g., an IP flow) of a service is mapped to a QoS flow by a core network (e.g., a UPF of a 5GC) of a communication system (e.g., a 5GS). A QoS flow has associated QoS parameters. There are two types of QoS flows, a Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) QoS flow and non- GRB QoS flow. 3GPP TS 23.501 § 5.7.2.6 defines the following QoS parameters for a QoS flow: Aggregate Maximum Bit Rates (AMBR) for a data connection (e.g., PDU session) and user equipment (UE). Each protocol data unit (PDU) Session of a UE is associated with the following aggregate rate limit QoS parameter: per PDU Session Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (Session-AMBR). The Session-AMBR is signaled to an appropriate user plane function (UPF) of the core network, to the UE and to the (R)AN (to enable the calculation of a UE-AMBR). The Session-AMBR limits the aggregate bit rate and / or data rate that can be expected to be provided across all Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate (non-GBR) QoS Flows for a specific PDU Session. The Session-AMBR is measured over an AMBR averaging window which is a standardized value. The Session-AMBR is not applicable to GBR QoS Flows.

[0007] According to certain example embodiments, each UE is associated with the following aggregate rate limit QoS parameter: per UE Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (UE-AMBR). The UE-AMBR limits the aggregate bit rate that can be expected to be provided across all Non-GBR QoS Flows for a UE. Each (R)AN shall set its UE-AMBR to the sum of the Session-AMBR of all PDU Sessions with active user plane to this (R)AN up to the value of the UE-AMBR received from AMF. The UE-AMBR is a QoS parameter provided to the (R)AN by the AMF based on the value of the UE-AMBR for a subscriber retrieved from the Unified Data Manager (UDM) or the dynamic serving network UE-AMBR for a roaming UE retrieved from a Policy Control Function (PCF). The AMF provides the QoS parameter, such as the UE-AMBR, provided by PCF to (R)AN if available. The UE-AMBR is measured over an AMBR averaging window which is a standardized value. The UE- AMBR is not applicable to GBR QoS Flows.

[0008] Each group of PDU Sessions of the UE for the same network slice (e.g., a network slice identified by S-NSSAI) may be associated with the following aggregate rate limit QoS parameter: per UE per Slice-Maximum Bit Rate (UE-Slice-MBR). The UE-Slice-MBR limits the aggregate bit rate that can be expected to be provided across all GBR and Non- GBR QoS Flows corresponding to PDU Sessions of the UE for the same slice (S-NSSAI) which have an active user plane. Each supporting RAN shall set its UE-Slice-MBR to the sum of the Session-AMBR and MFBR for GBR QoS Flows of all PDU Sessions corresponding to the slice (S-NSSAI) with active user plane to this RAN up to the value of the UE-Slice-MBR corresponding to the slice (S-NSSAI) received from AMF. The UE- Slice-MBR is measured over an AMBR averaging window which is a standardized value. The UE-Slice-MBR is an optional parameter provided to the RAN by the AMF as described in 3GPP TS 23.501, clause 5.15.13.

[0009] It will be appreciated that certain example embodiments may communicate, store, and / or enforce QoS parameters, which may include various attributes or measurements relating to controlling traffic of a QoS flow, performance, and / or capacity in various communication channels of a UE and / or RAN. For example, a QoS parameter may include aggregate maximum traffic for one or more data connections (e.g., PDU sessions), and as referenced herein the aggregate maximum traffic may additionally or alternatively be referred to as a data rate, bit rate, AMBR, and / or the like. Similarly, a QoS parameter may include a PDU session specific parameter referred to herein as a Session-AMBR, a UE- specific parameter referred to herein as UE-AMBR, a UE and UE and network slice-specific parameter referred to herein as UE-Slice-MBR, and / or the like. Accordingly, term QoSparameter may refer to, AMBR, aggregate maximum traffic, and / or the like may be referenced herein interchangeably at least in some instances. In some embodiments, the term QoS parameter may also refer to some other QoS parameters like 5G QoS characteristics such as but not limited to Packet Delay Budget, Packet Error Rate, etc.

[0010] Certain embodiments may utilize Low Latency, Low Loss and Scalable Throughput (L4S). L4S is described in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Change (RFC) 9330 and IETF RFC 9331. L4S exposes congestion information by marking Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) bits in the Internet Protocol (IP) header of the user IP packets between the UE and the application server to trigger application layer rate adaptation.

[0011] In a 5thgeneration communication system (5GS), ECN marking for L4S may be supported. ECN marking for L4S is enabled on a per QoS Flow basis in the uplink and / or downlink direction and may be used for GBR and non-GBR QoS Flows. ECN marking for the L4S in the IP header is supported in either the NG-RAN (see clause TS 23.501 5.37.Y.2 and TS 38.300), or in the PSA UPF (see TS 23.501 clause 5.37.Y.3).

[0012] 3GPP TS 38.300 clause 15.4 discusses energy savings in a radio access network (NG-RAN). At least one objective of 3GPP TS 38.300 clause 15.4 is to reduce expenses related to operating a RAN through energy savings. In a RAN where capacity boosters can be distinguished from cells providing basic coverage, energy consumption of a NG-RAN where an E-UTRA or NR cell provides additional capacity via single or dual connectivity, may be reduced by switching off E-UTRA or NR cell when the additional capacity is no longer needed and re-activating the on an as-needed basis.

[0013] Intra-system energy saving builds upon the possibility for the NG-RAN node owning a capacity booster cell to autonomously decide to switch-off the capacity booster cell to lower energy consumption of the NG-RAN node. The decision to switch-off the capacity booster cell is typically based on cell load information, consistently with configured information. The decision to switch off a capacity booster cell may also be taken by Operations and Maintenance (O&M) system.

[0014] Example embodiments disclosed herein consider service impacts when 5G-AN supports partial operation (e.g., some cells switched off) due to energy-related states. Example embodiments disclosed herein further consider whether and / or how the information that the 5G-AN is working in some energy saving modes due to an energy-related state can be provided to 5GC and / or UE. According to certain embodiments 5G-AN connectivity is still provided to the UE even if the 5G-AN connectivity is a degraded due the 5G-AN being in an energy saving mode.

[0015] Previous releases of the 3 GPP standard have targeted energy savings in the UE. In contrast, example embodiments disclosed herein may reduce the energy consumed by a communication system in a mobile network when the communication system in is transmitting data received from a UE to an application server via a data network (e.g., uplink user plane traffic), and transmitting data received from the application server via the data network to a UE (e.g., downlink user plane traffic).

[0016] An apparatus is provided, such as an access node in an access network supporting a data connection for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in a container in a Tunneling Protocol. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) packet. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of information for uplink traffic and information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information includes at least one of: at least one of an energy consumption indication and a data volume, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for the data volume; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume; or an energy source indication.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions to the downlink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the oneor more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the PDU session user plane protocol message is sent in association to sending real user data payload or a dummy payload generated for the purpose of sending the indication regarding the energy related information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: receiving, at the radio access network node (gNB), configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0018] A method is provided, such as may be performed by an access node of an access network, for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the method comprising determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in a container in a Tunneling Protocol. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) packet. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of information for uplink traffic and information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information includes at least one of: at least one of an energy consumption indication and a data volume, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for the data volume; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume; or an energy source indication.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions to the downlink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the PDU session user plane protocol message is sent in association to sending real user data payload or a dummy payload generated forthe purpose of sending the indication regarding the energy related information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: receiving, at the radio access network node (gNB), configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0020] A computer program product is provided for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to cause performance of at least determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in a container in a Tunneling Protocol. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) packet. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of information for uplink traffic and information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information includes at least one of: at least one of an energy consumption indication and a data volume, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for the data volume; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume; or an energy source indication.

[0021] In some embodiments, the program code instructions can further cause performance of: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions to the downlink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, thePDU session user plane protocol message is sent in association to sending real user data payload or a dummy payload generated for the purpose of sending the indication regarding the energy related information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: receiving, at the radio access network node (gNB), configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0022] A method is provided, such as one performed by an access node of an access network, for supporting a data connection for a user equipment, the method comprising receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0023] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In some embodiments, theNF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF 1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0024] A computer program product of an access node or access network is provided, for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in the access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computerexecutable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to cause performing: receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0025] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the computer program instructions can further cause performing of: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the NF 1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF 1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0026] An apparatus in a core network is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor at least one memory comprising instructions for a user plane function (UPF),wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0027] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF 1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0028] A method, such as one performed by a user plane function, is provided, the method comprising receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or moreenergy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0029] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF 1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0030] A computer program product is provided, such as one executable by a user plane function, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, atleast one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0031] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF 1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0032] An apparatus, such as embodied by a user plane function, is provided, the apparatus comprising means for receiving, at the first function (NF 1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In someembodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0033] An apparatus for a communication system is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor at least one memory comprising instructions for a session management function, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receiving, at the first function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0034] A method for a session management function is provided, the method including receiving, at the first function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiencyhas reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0035] A computer program product is provided, as may be executed by a session management function, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to receiving, at the first function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for acumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0036] An apparatus, such as a Session Management Function (SMF) entity or a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF) entity is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor at least one memory comprising instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0037] A method, such as may be performed by a Session Management Function (SMF) or a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF), the method comprising receiving, at asecond network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0038] A computer program product, such as executed by a Session Management Function (SMF) or a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF), is provided, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions to cause an apparatus to perform at least receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumptionor the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0039] A method can be carried out that comprises: requesting, at a third network function (NF3) of a core network (CN) in a public land mobile network (PLMN), reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN; and receiving, at third network function (NF3) entity, from a second network function (NF2) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0040] In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate / throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, anetwork slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0041] An apparatus can be provided that comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: determining energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN.

[0042] In some embodiments, the indication is sent in a container in a Tunneling Protocol. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) packet. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of information for uplink traffic and information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information includes at least one of: at least one of an energy consumption indication and a data volume, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for the data volume; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication can be a label, an index, a category for a data volume; or an energy source indication.

[0043] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to perform at least: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions to the downlink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the PDU session user plane protocol message is sent in association with the sending of a real user data payload or a dummy payload generated for the purpose of sending the indication regarding the energyrelated information. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to perform at least: receiving configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0044] An apparatus can be provided that comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0045] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further causes the apparatus to perform at least: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In someembodiments, the apparatus is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0046] An apparatus can be provided that comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a Network Function (NF) entity in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0047] An apparatus can be provided that comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a first Network Function (NF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumptionor the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a second NF entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0048] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the first NF is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the first NF is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the second NF is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the second NF is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0049] An apparatus can be provided that comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: requesting reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and receiving, from a network function (NF) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0050] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or morePDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate / throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0051] A computer program product can be provided for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN.

[0052] In some embodiments, the indication is sent in a container in a Tunneling Protocol. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) packet. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of information for uplink traffic and information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information includes at least one of: at least one of an energy consumption indication and a data volume, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for the data volume; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication can be a label, an index, a category for a data volume; or an energy source indication. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: associating / correlating the uplinktraffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions to the downlink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the PDU session user plane protocol message is sent in association to sending real user data payload or a dummy payload generated for the purpose of sending the indication regarding the energy related information. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0053] A computer program product can be provided for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions; mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0054] In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0055] A computer program product can be provided for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at the first function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0056] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0057] A computer program product can be provided for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions; and providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0058] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a NetworkExposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0059] A computer program product can be provided for supporting a data connection for a user equipment in an access network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: requesting, at a third network function (NF3) of a core network (CN) in a public land mobile network (PLMN), reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN; and receiving, at third network function (NF3) entity, from a second network function (NF2) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0060] In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate / throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0061] According to some embodiments, a method can be carried out that comprises: determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of apublic land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information. In some embodiments, the gNB is configured with policies of the CN or Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) Protocols based on thresholds and / or algorithms related to at least one of: radio resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, UE cell edge / center location, transmission power usage, receiver power usage, UE radio conditions, radio key performance indicators (KPIs), a Singla to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRP), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a block error rate (BLER), a quality of service (QoS) value, a 5G QoS indicator (5QI), or a UE latency budget. In some embodiments, the determining and / or sending energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on policies received from the CN of the PLMN.

[0062] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining and the sending. In some embodiments, the user plane message comprises a container, the energy related information being stored within the container. In some embodiments, the user plane message comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet and the energy related information is included in an extension header of the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of energy related information for uplink traffic and energy related information for downlink traffic.

[0063] In some embodiments, the energy related information for uplink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for uplink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of uplink traffic; a data volume for uplink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for uplink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0064] In some embodiments, the energy related information for downlink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for downlink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volumeof downlink traffic; a data volume for downlink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for downlink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0065] In some embodiments, the user plane message includes a real uplink user data payload or a dummy payload generated by the radio access network node (gNB) if no uplink user data is available for the PDU session for an amount of time. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving, at the radio access network node (gNB), configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0066] According to some embodiments, a method can be carried out that comprises: receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining uplink data traffic volume information or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the energy related information for the PDU session; mapping the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information received for the PDU session; estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the PDU session, a cumulative energy consumption value or a cumulative energy efficiency value for a cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over a specific period of time; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN, at least one of: the cumulative energy consumption value, the cumulative energy efficiency value, the cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over the specific period of time, a mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached or exceeded a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0067] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise providing / forwarding, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN the energy related information received at the UPF. In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session.

[0068] In some embodiments, the estimating of the cumulative energy consumption further comprises estimating the energy consumed at the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this estimated energy consumption information at the UPF, to the first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining a second energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this second energy related information, to the first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN.

[0069] In some embodiments, the UPF is configured with policies by CN or 0AM based on thresholds and or algorithms related to at least one of: NF resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, QoS / 5QI, UE latency budget. In some embodiments, the determining, estimating and / or providing information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on the received policies. In some embodiments, the determining and / or providing the second energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on the received policies.

[0070] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from among a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining, the estimating and / or the providing. In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0071] According to some embodiments, a method can be carried out that comprises: receiving, at the first network function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping ofthe data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; estimating, based at least on one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for the PDU session; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0072] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0073] According to some embodiments, a method can be carried out that comprises: receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first network function (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising information about energy usage or energy efficiency of a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN; estimating, based at least on information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session, one or more of: uplink data traffic volume information for the PDU session, downlink data traffic volume information, a cumulative energy consumption value, a cumulative energy efficiency value, a mapping of the uplink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, a mapping of the downlink data traffic volume to the PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; and providing, to a third NetworkFunction (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, the information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session.

[0074] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0075] According to some embodiments, a method can be carried out that comprises: requesting, at a third network function (NF3) of a core network (CN) in a public land mobile network (PLMN), reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN; and receiving, at third network function (NF3) entity, from a second network function (NF2) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with the PDU session between the UE and the CN of the PLMN.

[0076] In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate / throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions.

[0077] In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0078] According to some embodiments, an apparatus configured for use in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: determining energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF) of the CN of the PLMN, a user plane message comprising the energy related information. In some embodiments, the gNB is configured with policies of the CN or Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) Protocols based on thresholds and / or algorithms related to at least one of: radio resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, UE cell edge / center location, transmission power usage, receiver power usage, UE radio conditions, radio key performance indicators (KPIs), a Singla to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRP), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a block error rate (BLER), a quality of service (QoS) value, a 5G QoS indicator (5QI), or a UE latency budget. In some embodiments, the determining and / or sending energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on policies received from the CN of the PLMN.

[0079] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining and the sending. In some embodiments, the user plane message comprises a container, the energy related information being stored within the container. In some embodiments, the user plane message comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet and the energy related information is included in an extension header of the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of energy related information for uplink traffic and energy related information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information for uplink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for uplink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of uplink traffic; a data volume for uplink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of:a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for uplink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0080] In some embodiments, the energy related information for downlink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for downlink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of downlink traffic; a data volume for downlink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for downlink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0081] In some embodiments, the user plane message includes a real uplink user data payload or a dummy payload generated by the radio access network node (gNB) if no uplink user data is available for the PDU session for an amount of time. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: receiving configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0082] According to some embodiments, an apparatus configured for use in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining uplink data traffic volume information or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the energy related information for the PDU session; mapping the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information received for the PDU session; estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the PDU session, a cumulative energy consumption value or a cumulative energy efficiency value for a cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over a specific period of time; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN, at least one of: the cumulative energy consumption value, the cumulative energy efficiency value, the cumulative uplinkand downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over the specific period of time, a mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached or exceeded a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0083] In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: providing / forwarding, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN the energy related information received at the UPF. In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session.

[0084] In some embodiments, the estimating of the cumulative energy consumption further comprises: estimating the energy consumed at the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this estimated energy consumption information at the UPF, to the first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: determining a second energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this second energy related information, to the first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN.

[0085] In some embodiments, the UPF is configured with policies by CN or 0AM based on thresholds and or algorithms related to at least one of: NF resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, QoS / 5QI, UE latency budget. In some embodiments, the determining, estimating and / or providing information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on the received policies. In some embodiments, the determiningand / or providing the second energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on the received policies. In some embodiments, the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from among a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining, the estimating and / or the providing. In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0086] According to some embodiments, an apparatus configured for use in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; estimating, based at least on one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for the PDU session; and providing, to a Network Function (NF) entity of a core network (CN) of the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0087] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0088] According to some embodiments, an apparatus configured for use in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor;and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a first network function (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising information about energy usage or energy efficiency of a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; estimating, based at least on information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session, one or more of: uplink data traffic volume information for the PDU session, downlink data traffic volume information, a cumulative energy consumption value, a cumulative energy efficiency value, a mapping of the uplink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, a mapping of the downlink data traffic volume to the PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, the information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session.

[0089] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0090] According to some embodiments, an apparatus configured for use in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: requesting reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and receiving, from a Network Function (NF) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that thecumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with the PDU session between the UE and the CN of the PLMN.

[0091] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate / throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0092] According to some embodiments, a computer program product for supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of the PLMN, energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between the UE and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information.

[0093] In some embodiments, the gNB is configured with policies of the CN or Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) Protocols based on thresholds and / or algorithms related to at least one of: radio resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, UE cell edge / center location, transmission power usage, receiver power usage, UE radio conditions, radio key performance indicators (KPIs), a Singla to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRP), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a block error rate (BLER), a quality of service (QoS) value, a 5G QoS indicator (5QI), or a UE latency budget. In some embodiments, the determining and / or sending energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on policiesreceived from the CN of the PLMN. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining and the sending.

[0094] In some embodiments, the user plane message comprises a container, the energy related information being stored within the container. In some embodiments, the user plane message comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP- U) packet and the energy related information is included in an extension header of the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet for the PDU session. In some embodiments, the energy related information comprises at least one of energy related information for uplink traffic and energy related information for downlink traffic. In some embodiments, the energy related information for uplink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for uplink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of uplink traffic; a data volume for uplink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for uplink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0095] In some embodiments, the energy related information for downlink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for downlink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of downlink traffic; a data volume for downlink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for downlink traffic; or an energy source indication. In some embodiments, the user plane message includes a real uplink user data payload or a dummy payload generated by the radio access network node (gNB) if no uplink user data is available for the PDU session for an amount of time. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at the radio access network node (gNB), configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should bedetermined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0096] According to some embodiments, a computer program product for supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; determining uplink data traffic volume information or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the energy related information for the PDU session; mapping the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information received for the PDU session; estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the PDU session, a cumulative energy consumption value or a cumulative energy efficiency value for a cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over a specific period of time; and providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN, at least one of: the cumulative energy consumption value, the cumulative energy efficiency value, the cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over the specific period of time, a mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached or exceeded a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0097] In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: providing / forwarding, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN the energy related information received at the UPF. In some embodiments, the data traffic volume information for the PDU session comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session.

[0098] In some embodiments, the estimating of the cumulative energy consumption further comprises estimating the energy consumed at the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this estimated energy consumption information at the UPF, to the first Network Function (NF1) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: determining a second energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this second energy related information, to the first Network Function (NFl) entity of the core network (CN) in the PLMN. In some embodiments, the UPF is configured with policies by CN or 0AM based on thresholds and or algorithms related to at least one of: NF resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, QoS / 5QI, UE latency budget.

[0099] In some embodiments, the determining, estimating and / or providing information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on the received policies. In some embodiments, the determining and / or providing the second energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on the received policies. In some embodiments, the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from among a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining, the estimating and / or the providing. In some embodiments, the NFl is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NFl is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0100] According to some embodiments, a computer program product for supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program codeinstructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at the first network function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; estimating, based at least on one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for the PDU session; and providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0101] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0102] According to some embodiments, a computer program product for supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first network function (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising information about energy usage or energy efficiency of a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN; estimating, based at least on information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDUsession, one or more of: uplink data traffic volume information for the PDU session, downlink data traffic volume information, a cumulative energy consumption value, a cumulative energy efficiency value, a mapping of the uplink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, a mapping of the downlink data traffic volume to the PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; and providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, the information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session.

[0103] In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the NF1 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Charging Function (CHF). In some embodiments, the NF2 is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Network Exposure Function (NEF). In some embodiments, the NF3 is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0104] According to some embodiments, a computer program product for supporting a data connection for a user equipment (UE) in a public land mobile network (PLMN) can be provided, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause performance of at least: requesting, at a third network function (NF3) of a core network (CN) in a public land mobile network (PLMN), reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN; and receiving, at third network function (NF3) entity, from a second network function (NF2) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with the PDU session between the UE and the CN of the PLMN.

[0105] In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate / throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions. In some embodiments, the third network function (NF3) is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0106] The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments of the disclosure so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments, some of which will be further described below, in addition to those here summarized.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0107] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0108] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured in accordance with certain example embodiments;

[0109] Figure 2 is a block diagram of showing a mobile network, according to an example embodiment;

[0110] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing network functions and interfaces of the mobile network of Figure 2, according to an example embodiment;

[0111] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing network functions and interfaces of the mobile network of Figure 2, according to another example embodiment;

[0112] Figure 5 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a node, element, or function of an access network (AN), according to certain embodiments;

[0113] Figure 6 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a node, element, or function of an Access Network (AN) / radio access network (RAN), according to certain embodiments;

[0114] Figure 7 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a node, element, or function of an AN / RAN, according to certain embodiments;

[0115] Figure 8 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a user plane function (UPF) entity, according to certain example embodiments;

[0116] Figure 9 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a UPF entity, according to certain example embodiments;

[0117] Figure 10 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by an element or function of a core network, according to certain example embodiments;

[0118] Figure 11 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by an element or function of a core network, according to certain example embodiments;

[0119] Figure 12 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by policy control function (PCF), according to certain example embodiments;

[0120] Figure 13 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a node, element, or function of an AN / RAN, according to certain embodiments;

[0121] Figure 14 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a node, element, or function of an AN / RAN, according to certain embodiments;

[0122] Figure 15 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a node, element, or function of an AN / RAN, according to certain embodiments;

[0123] Figure 16 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by a UPF entity of a core network, according to certain example embodiments;

[0124] Figure 17 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by an element or function of a core network, according to certain example embodiments;

[0125] Figure 18 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by an element or function of a core network, according to certain example embodiments; and

[0126] Figure 19 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by an element or function of a core network, according to certain example embodiments.Detailed Description

[0127] Increasing wireless network traffic, performance demands (coverage, throughput, latency) and energy requirements for operating mobile networks will cause mobile network operators (MNOs) to seek out a balance between service quality and network energy consumption. Network energy saving can be achieved by optimizing the network operations through advanced algorithms for energy efficiency using sleep modes, particularly in the radio access network (RAN), which often consumes -80% of the entire mobile network energy. Particularly sleep or muting modes are beneficial in the radio unit (RU), which consumes most of the energy in a base station (BTS), and where the Power Amplifier (PA) module is the most energy consuming component in RU. With the introduction of massive multiple input / multiple output (MIMO) technology in new radio and fifth-generation (5G) technologies and networks, the consumption of the RU is further increased due to the presence of larger antenna arrays. The use of sleep modes and muting techniques that shutdown some of the hardware components help reduce power consumption especially at low to medium load scenarios, in which the capacity demands are lower.

[0128] Although the power consumption in the rest of the mobile network (e.g., core network functions and transport) is much lower compared to the RAN energy consumption, those domains are being scrutinized for energy saving so that energy consumption can be decreased in the network in an end-to-end (E2E) fashion.

[0129] Early identification of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions and / or user equipment (UEs) having high E2E energy consumption will help the network to be prepared to define and enforce actions for such UEs issuing such PDU sessions so that their energy consumption could be mitigated.

[0130] In order to save energy, the network (RAN and Core) takes decisions (e.g., turn off / sleep some network elements) based on the current and predicted load of a gNB or NF (thresholds and / or algorithms). However, in some cases, because of the high energy consumption of a PDU session, the triggering threshold for energy optimization is not reached for the particular network element, which causes missing a saving opportunity, e.g., by offloading the PDU sessions and turning off the network element. In other cases, new and / or incoming PDU sessions, may require the network to provide a large amount of (additional) resources, and as a result may significantly impact (increase) the network energy consumption, and / or may impact negatively other PDU sessions begin served.

[0131] To take effective action, the E2E energy impact per UE / PDU session needs to be known. However, there are currently no mechanisms to estimate or calculate the impact of individual UEs (or their individual PDU sessions) to total E2E energy consumption (EC). Although RAN and the core have their own mechanisms to monitor the PDU sessions, this information is not exchanged between each other. In addition, although RAN can recognize the PDU sessions with high energy consumptions by itself, this information is lost when the UE moves to an idle state and cannot be reused when the UE reconnects back to the network. Likewise, there is currently no signaling for exchanging such information across network domains. Therefore, the identification of which UEs or PDU sessions should be targeted for effective energy saving reduction actions is not currently possible.

[0132] Described herein are systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for identifying / flagging PDU sessions in the system and how the system can learn how to classify a session as high energy consumption.

[0133] As such, described herein are approaches and mechanisms for determining the PDU sessions that have a high or the highest (end-to-end) Energy Consumption (EC) impact on the network, as well as signaling to share such information between network domains. High EC PDU sessions can be defined, e.g., PDU sessions exceeding a threshold value (e.g., per traffic type, energy credit, or QoS type, etc.) relative to the rest of the PDU sessions. Such determination can be enabled at the time of PDU session establishment and / or for an already established PDU session. Also disclosed is the identification of the UEs sourcing these PDU sessions and related signaling of the same.

[0134] In some embodiments, the tracking / determination of E2EEC values / rankings can be tracked at the finest granularity, e.g., per PDU session. In some embodiments, using the tracking of E2E EC values / rankings for each UE / subscriber PDU sessions, policies for UEs / subscribers can be adjusted or implemented more effectively.

[0135] In some embodiments, a RAN (e.g., gNB) and / or core network may derive, store and process energy -related information of the PDU sessions that have a high EC. RAN and Core can independently flag (and potentially rank) high energy consuming PDU sessions or UEs and share this information with each other. This flag can also include time information, such as the time period(s) during which the high energy consumption was observed or is expected / predicted in the future.

[0136] By creating this knowledge and depending on the current and predicted energy impact of such PDU sessions (and related UEs), the network can define new polices and take appropriate action(s) in order to minimize this impact, both from an energy consumption perspective and with respect to other PDU sessions and UEs.

[0137] In some embodiments, new analytics can be provided by NWDAF or the UE abnormal behavior analytics can be extended with UE / Subscriber high EC information. While many of the disclosed examples and embodiments are related to 5G networks and New Radio technologies, the mechanisms, signaling, flags / rankings, approaches, apparatuses, methods, and / or the like disclosed herein can apply or be used as well in other networks and technologies, such as 6G. For the sake of simplicity, 5G terminology (e.g., gNB and 5GC / 5GS) is used herein - but it should be understood that many or all of the disclosed examples and embodiments can be applied equally well to 6G technologies and 6G networks, as well as other networks and technologies, including legacy technologies and legacy networks.

[0138] In some embodiments, E2E EC information tracked and stored at entities in the CN can be assisted by some energy consumption labeling of the UL data, such as by an access network or other network entities adding to the GTP-U extension header some bit string information that provides per GTP-SDU (i.e. IP or ethernet or unrestricted data packet / frame) certain indication(s) of energy consumption which has local meaning in the PLMN. For example, a bit string can be added to the GTP-U extension header that indicates a type of resources used, or a local per bit power consumption estimation range for a PDU session / UE / slice and / or the like.

[0139] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any suchterms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0140] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device. The evolution of new communication technologies such as Fifth Generation (5G) and Sixth Generation (6G) have improved upon existing technologies such as second generation (2G) technologies, Third Generation (3G) technologies, Fourth Generation (4G) technologies and Long Term Evolution (LTE) technologies and has thus resulted in improved network connectivity.

[0141] Apparatus 10 of Figure 1 is one example of an apparatus for a communications system such as the communication system 100 shown in Figures 2A-2C and described in further detail below. The apparatus 10 that may be configured as a network entity and / or network function of the communication system 100 (e.g., a network function, such as UPF, PCF, SMF, AMF of the core network 101). The apparatus 10 may also be for an access network (e.g., RAN 104) or the UE 102. In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be UE 102. As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 includes processing circuity 20 (generally referred to herein as a processor), a memory device 60 (generally referred to herein as memory), and a communication interface 40. The processing circuitry 20 may be in communication with the memory device 60 via a bus for passing information between the processing circuitry 40 and the memory 60 of the apparatus 10. The memory 60 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device 60 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device 60 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various operations in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device 60 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry 20. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device 60 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry 20.

[0142] The apparatus 10 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein. The apparatus 10, in some embodiments, may be computing device, such as a standalone computer, a distributed computing system, or a cloud computing system. For example, the apparatus 10 may be for the core network 102 and may comprise one or more of the network functions (e.g., UPF, SMF, PCF, AMF, etc.) of the core network 102.

[0143] The processing circuitry 20 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry 20 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Microcontroller Unit (MCU), a central processing unit (CPU), a multi-core CPU, a graphic processing unit (GPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computerchip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading.

[0144] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 20 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 60 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry 20. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry 20 is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 20 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry 20 may include, among other things, a clock, an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

[0145] The communication interface 40 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks or the like. In this regard, the communication interface 40 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling wireless communications. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of wireless or radio signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt ofwireless or radio signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

[0146] According to example embodiments, apparatus 10 may implement example embodiments and / or components thereof disclosed herein.

[0147] Figures 2-4 illustrate various examples a mobile network 100 comprising a user equipment 102 connected to an application server 112 via a radio access network 104 and core network 101 (which together form a communication system) and a data network 116. In some embodiments, the mobile network 100 can comprise any suitable configuration, number, orientation, positioning, and / or dimensions of components and specialized equipment configured to provide an air interface (e.g., New Radio (NR)) for communication or connection between a User Equipment 102 (UE 102) and a Data Network 116 (DN 116) via a Core Network 101 (CN 101) of the communications system. As illustrated in Figure 2A, a mobile network 100 can be provided in which the UE 102 is in operable communication with a 5G Access Network (5G-AN) (e.g., (R)AN 104). In some embodiments, UE 102 may be in operable communication with another access network (AN) (not shown) which connects UE 102 to the core network 101. Examples of other ANs include Wireline Access network terminated at a W-AGF or an Untrusted Non 3GPP access Network terminated at a N3IWF. An access network may include one or more base stations, an access points, a access network nodes, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the 5G access network (5G-RAN) 104 can communicate with the CN 101 or a network entity or network function thereof using reference points. In some embodiments, the CN 101 can provide a data connection (e.g., PDU session) between the UE 102 and the DN 116, such as for sending data, messages, requests, and / or the like. However, it will be appreciated that where embodiments are described in conjunction with 5G-AN (e.g., RAN), R(AN), and 5G, other types of access networks may be developed in the future.

[0148] In some embodiments, the DN 116 or the CN 101 can be in communication with an Application Server (AS) or Application Function (AF) 112 hosed on the AS). The (R)AN 104, CN 101, DN 116, and / or AS / AF 112 can be associated with a Network RepositoryFunction (NRF) 124, Secure Copy Protocol (SCP), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Policy Control Function (PCF) 114, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0149] In the context of a mobile network, such as the mobile network illustrated in Figures 2B and 2C, the communications network 100 can comprise a series of connected network devices and specialized hardware that is distributed throughout a service region, state, province, city, or country, and one or more network entities, which can be stored at and / or hosted by one or more of the connected network devices or specialized hardware. In some embodiments, the UE 102 can connect to the (R)AN 104, which can then relay the communications between the UE 102 and the CN 101, the CN 101 being connected to the DN 116, which can be in communication with one or more AS (or AF 112 hosted on the AS). In some embodiments, the UE 102 can be in communication with a (R)AN 104 depicting any 5G-AN, which can act as a relay between the UE 102 and other components or services of the CN 101. For instance, in some embodiments, the UE 102 can communicate with the (R)AN 104, which can in turn communicate with an Access and Mobility Management Function 108 (AMF 108). In other instance or embodiments, the UE 102 can communicate directly with the AMF 108. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 can be in communication with one or more network functions (NFs), such as an Authentication Server Function 120 (AUSF 120), a Network Slice Selection Function 122 (NSSF 122), a Network Repository Function 124 (NRF 124), a Policy Control Function 114 (PCF 114), a Network Data Analytics Function 126 (NWDAF 126), a Unified Data Management function 118 (UDM 118), the AS / AF 112, a Session Management Function 110 (SMF 110), and / or the like using service based interfaces.

[0150] In some embodiments, the SMF 110 can be in communication with one or more User Plane Functions 106 (UPF 106, UPF 106a, UPF 106b, collectively “UPF 106”). By way of example only, in some embodiments, the UPF 106 can be in communication with the (R)AN 104 and the DN 116. In other embodiments, the DN 116 can be in communication with a first UPF 106a and the (R)AN 104 can be in communication with a second UPF 106b, while the SMF 110 is in communication with both the first and second UPFs 106a, 106b and the first and second UPFs 106a, 106b are in communication each with the other.

[0151] In some embodiments, the UE 102 can comprise a single-mode or a dual-mode device such that the UE 102 can be connected to one or more (R)ANs 104. In some embodiments, the (R)AN 104 can be configured to implement one or more Radio AccessTechnologies (RATs), such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), LTE or 5G NR, among others, that can be used for communicating with the UE 102 and the CN 101. In some embodiments, the (R)AN 104 can implement one or more base stations, for control plane communications between the UE 102 and the AMF 108 of the CN 101.

[0152] In some embodiments, the mobile network 100 or components thereof (e.g., base stations, towers, etc.) can be configured to communicate with a communication device (e.g., the UE 102) such as a cell phone or the like over multiple different frequency bands, e.g., FR1 (below 6 GHz), FR2 (mm Wave), other suitable frequency bands, sub-bands thereof, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the communications network 100 can comprise or employ massive Multiple Input and Multiple Output (massive MIMO) antennas. In some embodiments, the UE 102 and / or the RAN 104 can comprise multi-user MIMO (MU- MIMO) antennas. In some embodiments, the communications network 100 can employ edge computing wherein computing systems of the data network 116 are communicatively, physically, computationally, and / or temporally closer to the communications system (e.g., the UPF of the core network 101) in order to reduce latency and data traffic congestion. In some embodiments, the RAN 104 can employ other technologies, devices, or techniques, such as small cell, low-powered RAN, beamforming of radio waves, WIFI-cellular convergence, Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), channel coding, and the like.

[0153] As illustrated in Figure 4, the UE 102 can be configured to communicate with the (R)AN 104 via a Nl interface, e.g., using non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or message. In some embodiments, (R)AN 104 can be configured to communicate with the CN 101 or a network entity or network function thereof (e.g., the AMF 108) via a N2 interface, e.g., between a base station of the (R)AN 104 and the AMF 108. The N1 and N2 interfaces are control plane interfaces (otherwise referred to as reference points) In some embodiments, the (R)AN 104 can be configured to communicate with the UPF 106 via a N3 interface, e.g., in a user plane. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with other network entities or network function of the CN 101 using different interfaces (e.g., service based interfaces) and / or according to various different protocols. For instance, in some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the AUSF 120 using a Nausf interface or via a N12 interface. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured tocommunicate with the NSSF 122 using an Nnssf interface. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the NRF 124 using a Nnrf interface. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the PCF 114 using a Npcf interface or via a N7 interface. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the NWDAF 126 using a Nnwdaf interface. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the UDM 118 using a Nudm interface, via a N8 interface, or via a N10 interface. In some embodiments, the AMF 108 and / or the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the AS / AF 112 using a Naf interface. In some embodiments, the SMF 110 can be configured to communicate with the UPF 106 via a N4 interface, which can act as a bridge between the control plane and the user plane, such as acting as a conduit for a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session during which information is transmitted between, e.g., the UE 102 and the CN 101 or components / services thereof.

[0154] It will be appreciated that certain example embodiments described herein arise in the context of a telecommunications network, including but not limited to a telecommunications network that conforms to and / or otherwise incorporates aspects of a 5th generation (5G) architecture. While Figures 2-4 illustrate various configurations and / or components of an example architecture of the communications network 100, many other systems, system configurations, networks, network entities, and pathways / protocols for communication therein are contemplated and considered within the scope of this present disclosure.

[0155] While the methods, devices / apparatuses, and computer program products / codes described herein are described within the context of a 5th generation core network (5GC) and system, such as illustrated in Figures 2-4 and described hereinabove, the described methods, devices, and computer program products can nevertheless be applied in a broader context within any suitable telecommunications system, network, standard, and / or protocol. It will be appreciated that the described methods, devices, and computer program products can further be applied to yet undeveloped future networks and systems as would be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure.

[0156] At least one objective of example embodiments disclosed herein may include 5G- AN reporting E2E EC values / rankings or an abstraction of the same, such as labeling or a bit string, for a particular PDU session, UE, network slice, and / or the like. In someembodiments, the CN (or the application) can adapt UP (User Plane) traffic (e.g., sent towards the 5G-AN) and the resources required by the 5G-AN for sending and processing downlink UP traffic accordingly and / or ensure that UE can adapt its UP traffic accordingly for uplink. This is to ensure that the downlink (DL) / uplink (UE) traffic is adjusted allowing the 5G AN to save energy when it is in energy savings state. In some embodiments, traffic throttling, PDU session prioritization, emergency / always-on PDU session status, and / or the like can be managed in view of E2E EC values / rankings determined, stored, and signaled throughout the CN.

[0157] At least another objective of example embodiments disclosed herein is to adapt the user plane (UP) throughput for a UE considering a 5G-AN energy-related state. This should apply to adaptation of downlink / uplink traffic flow, Session-AMBR, UE-AMBR, UE-Slice-MBR and the data rate required for the UE, for uplink and downlink but may also apply to other Quality of Service (QoS) parameters like 5G QoS characteristics such as Packet Delay Budget, Packet Error Rate, and / or the like.

[0158] Example embodiments disclosed herein provide that 3GPP can define different E2E EC values that can be assigned to a PDU session. A ranking, such as a ranking of a particular PDU session or UE to other PDU sessions / UEs being compared, can be determined, stored, and / or communicated withing the CN and outside the CN in addition to or alternative to the raw E2E EC values. However, the type or number of different E2E EC values or rankings, scores, labels, or other value s / characters used to identify EC status of a PDU session, UE, network slice, or the like could vary, such as depending on implementation and / or configuration, such as based on local 5G-AN and UPF policies.

[0159] For the 5GC to take appropriate action, according to certain embodiments, the 5G-AN or an element / function of the 5GC communicates a current E2E EC value for UE and DL traffic and / or a ranking for a PDU session or UE or the like. According to certain embodiments, this information may be sent by the 5G-AN to the UPF over general packet radio service GPRS Tunnelling Protocol(GTP) GTP-u, per PDU session, QoS Flow, UE, network slice, or the like. In other embodiments, such signaling can be between the UPF and the PCF, between the PCF and the CHF, between the N3IWF and the PCF, and / or the like. According to certain embodiments, a new GTP-U header containing E2E EC information can be used.

[0160] According to certain embodiments, a dummy (e.g., empty) GTP-u packet can be used to communicate such E2E EC information, such as when the UE moves to a new cell and there is no actual UL traffic from the UE to be sent to the UPF or another entity of the 5GC.

[0161] In some embodiments, E2E EC information may be sent in the GTP-u header of all UL traffic or DL traffic, or both, within the 5GC, between the (R)AN and the 5GC, between different 5GCs, and / or the like. According to certain embodiments, the PCF (optionally based on subscription data in UDM / UDR, and / or an operator-configured policy) determines a session AMBR per energy-related state and a nominal session AMBR. According to certain embodiments, the PCF provides the SMF with the session AMBR for each E2E EC label / group and the nominal session AMBR in PDU session related policy information. The SMF can provide the 5G-AN, UPF and / or UE with E2E EC information (e.g., the PDU session AMBR and the nominal session AMBR (in PDU session resource information over N2 to the 5G-AN, over N4 to the UPF, and over NAS-N1 to the UE when the UE supports the feature). UE AMBR and UE-Slice-MBR per energy-related state coming from Subscription data received from UDM or from Policies coming from PCF serving the AMF are provided by AMF over N2 to the 5G-AN.

[0162] According to certain embodiments, the PCF for the AMF may change the current labeling / ranking for a PDU Session / UE. The PCF may provide to AMF the Authorized UE- Slice-MBR and / or the UE-Slice-MBR; the AMF forwards this information to the 5G-AN over the N2 interface. When 5G-AN is operating in normal mode with full performance, the 5G-AN offers the regular / nominal data rate as in UE-AMBR, UE-Slice-MBR.

[0163] According to certain embodiments, the 5G-AN or the UPF may use UP traffic marking (using the ECN bits as defined for L4S) to request the UE and the application to reduce rate of its traffic flow for UL and DL; this marking is done up to the point where the application adaptation of data rate remains below the session AMBR and / or UE-Slice-MBR and / or UE AMBR related to the current energy-related state of the 5G-AN. Alternatively, the 5G-AN may report its energy-related state towards the SMF / UPF and the UPF may use the energy-related state as a trigger to perform ECN marking for L4S.

[0164] According to certain embodiments, some protocols may be impacted as follows. Example embodiments may estimate, assign, or calculate an E2E EC value or ranking andsignal the same or account for E2E EC value / ranking per PDU session or per UE in the following ways:1. NAS PDU session establishment / modification procedures between SMF and UE (Nl, TS 24.501)2. PCC rules sent from PCF to SMF (N7, TS 29.512)3. PFCP session establishment / modification request from SMF to UPF (N4, TS 29.244)4. NGAP PDU Session Resource Setup / Modification (N2, TS 38.413)5. User subscription information between SMF and UDM (N10, TS 29.503)6. User subscription information between UDM and UDR (Nudr, TS 29.505)

[0165] Certain example embodiments may define UE AMBR per energy-related state in:1. NAS PDU session establishment / modification procedures between AMF and UE (Nl, TS 24.501)2. NGAP Initial Context Setup Request and Initial Context Modification Request, (N2, TS 38.413)3. User subscription information between AMF and UDM (N8, TS 29.503) and between UDM and UDR (Nudr, TS 29.505).4. Access and Mobility policies from AM-PCF to AMF (N15, TS 29.507)

[0166] In some embodiments, PDU session flagging by the 5GC and gNB can be performed in various granularities, such as inherited from subscription, applying by default to all PDU sessions related to this subscription, inherited policy from UE’s policy, applying by default to all PDU sessions related to this UE, per PDU session, on a dynamic / individual basis (i.e. at run time based on a learning process which assesses the actual power consumption), and / or the like.

[0167] In some embodiments, subscriptions, UE and / or PDU sessions can be “flagged” as “high-energy consuming” or not flagged (equivalent to “acceptable energy consuming”) (binary mode). In some embodiments, the exact energy consumption per UE / PDU Session is not required. In some embodiments, the needed information is the energy impact of UEs / PDU Sessions relative to each other (e.g., energy credit, high volume data). In some embodiments, the energy credit can consider different dimensions, such as impact of carbon emission or UE / UPF location and time.

[0168] In some embodiments, reporting can be all the PDU sessions that exceed a certain threshold value, or top K energy consuming PDU Sessions (where K is a configuration parameter in the network.). For the cases where flag reporting is for all PDU sessions abovea threshold, it would also be possible to have multiple reporting levels, i.e., associated with different action categories.

[0169] In some embodiments, as an alternative option of flagging, several levels and / or categories can be defined. Flagged subscriptions can apply for example to long-lasting high- data consuming subscribers (e.g., over lOOGb / month).

[0170] In some embodiments, some PDU sessions / UEs can be flagged by default or monitoring for flagging can be requested and flagging is done dynamically. For example, in one flagging option, subscription data in the UDR can contain information e.g., based on contract and / or analytics that all associated PDU sessions are by default high-energy consuming. This can be based on slice information (S-NSSAI, DNN or UE session behavior). This may correspond, e.g., to a high-resolution camera onboard a drone being used for environmental monitoring.

[0171] In another flagging option, a UE can be identified e.g., based on AF provisioning (e.g. “External Parameter Provisioning” see 23.502, 4.15.6) and / or from analytics (e.g., NWDAF UE-related analytics see 23.288 cl 6.7) that all associated PDU sessions are by default high-energy consuming. This may correspond, e.g., to a user tablet being used to watch high-resolution movies typically on high-speed trains.

[0172] In some embodiments, flagging can be carried out dynamically. For example, PDU sessions can be flagged dynamically by the UPF depending on their energy consumption, e.g., based on thresholds and / or algorithms, e.g., after persistently repeating un-efficient energy behaviors.

[0173] Various approaches can be used to request flagging PDU Sessions dynamically if they are high energy consuming, such as by a request directly from e.g., SMF etc., or indirectly from another NF, e.g., NWDAF, PCF, AF etc.

[0174] In some embodiments, flagging reporting can be carried out via a push or pull process, or the like. For example, a push approach can include flag producers periodically reporting flagged PDU sessions to consumers. For instance, UPF to SMF (in the session report through N4) which reports it in turn to PCF, based on extended PCC rules (see cl 7.3). Alternatively, UPF to AF (directly or indirectly via NEF using the Nupf_EventExposure API).

[0175] Alternatively, according to a pull approach, flag consumers retrieve flagged PDU sessions from flag producers. The 5GC can learn the energy consumption based oninspection of the labels that are included in the UL GTP packets headers. The UPF can report the label to the CHF that then derives an estimation of the energy consumption. This estimation can then be exposed to consumer functions interested in the energy consumption for a PDU session, for a slice, for a UE or a set of UEs identified by their SUPI (or Group Id if available).

[0176] In some embodiments, UE / PDU session flagging can be carried out by gNB. For example, this can be applied to the UEs, i.e., for example persistently repeating un-efficient energy behaviors. The flag is added by the gNB based on RAN-level identification of problematic UEs in respect of RAN energy consumption. The flag may further contain information about the time window during which problems arise.

[0177] The flag can include: UEs with poor radio quality, based on radio KPIs such as SINR, RSRP, CQI, BLER, Example can be the UEs at the edge of cells, UEs with large data volumes, UEs with tight latency budget, the flag can contain location information (e.g., cell ID. PLMN ID).

[0178] The flag can be the label identified above which then is included in GTP-UE header to allow the estimation of energy consumption by the CN. The CN then can provide the indication of "high energy consumption" after analysis by CHF.

[0179] The below section details how the flagging may be triggered by SMF.

[0180] Triggered by policies: gNB reports the flagged PDU Sessions (11, 12 in Fig 7-2) on the “PDU session establishment”. AMF to gNB through “PDU Session Resource Setup Request” for setting the request for flagging.

[0181] Triggered upon the request of Core NFs i.e., listed in 7.1): gNB is requested notifications on UEs with high EC, i.e., after PDU session establishment. AMF to gNB through “PDU Session Resource Modify Request” for setting the request for flagging.

[0182] Triggered for a group of UEs through new type of request message: N2 procedure.

[0183] Triggered by configuration from 0AM in gNB (e.g. the 0AM requests the gNB to systematically report the energy consumption label defined in clause 7.1)

[0184] gNB reports the flag to 5GC by two options, i.e., (a) is via the CP, and (b) is via the UP.

[0185] gNB reports the flag individually to AMF as an extension to the "PDU Session Resource Modify Indication" message (38.413, cl 8.2.5) and then it will be reported to SMF, which can possibly report back to PCF (see cl 7.4),

[0186] gNB to UPF over GTP-U by using a new GTP-U extension header field. The extension header includes the flag information described above to mark the individual QoS flows in a PDU session per UE. Alternatively, GTP-U tunnel status information can be extended to include the flag information per UE for one or more QoS flows. The flag information can be sent with each PDU in the UL or based on events (periodically every few packets, etc.) which can be configured by the operator policies, implementation specific constraints or by SMF. UPF then reports it back to SMF.

[0187] Some example actions that can be taken by the network after the reception of UE / PDU session high EC flagging report(s)

[0188] In some embodiments, a PCF can retrieve “high-energy” (and / or finer categories) flagged subscriptions from UDR. A PCF can subscribe to the NWDAF for predictions about “high-energy” subscriptions, UEs and / or PDU Sessions

[0189] According to some embodiments, a PCF can instruct, and subsequently receive information from SMF about Core (e.g., UPF) and RAN (e.g., gNB) “high-energy” PDU Sessions.

[0190] By combining information received above, the PCF can optionally establish a cross-domain end-to-end tags. UE / PDU sessions with high EC can be tagged with E2E high EC status if both core and RAN flagged the related UE / PDU session. Otherwise, the UE / PDU session is tagged as partial high EC status.

[0191] Then the PCF may take policy decisions, e.g., based on the RAN-flagged UE / PDU sessions, the Core-flagged UE / PDU sessions, or the E2E lagged UE / PDU sessions, and the related predictions. Examples of decisions are:

[0192] modify PDU session,

[0193] issue new (extended) PCC rules,

[0194] switching UPF to decrease Energy, and / or

[0195] inform the AMF to impact mobility / HO.

[0196] In some embodiments, CHF Processing of the energy consumption labels to estimate the energy consumption of a PDU session, and providing then the estimated valueto consumers (e.g., PCF, NWDAF) or directly indication of high energy consumption (e.g., to SMF) or check the estimation against a credit limit.

[0197] In some embodiments, SMF can receive new Policy Control Request Triggers (PCRT) (e.g., to be added in 3GPP TS 23.503, clause 6.1.3.5) from the PCF, e.g., to report “high-energy” PDU sessions information accordingly over Npcf / N7 to the PCF. SMF can also receive extended PCC rules from the PCF, e.g., to further instruct UPF over N4 via PFCP extensions to report “high-energy” PDU sessions information accordingly. SMF can also receive a list of “high-energy” PDU sessions from the RAN / gNB transmitted over N2 and transparently relayed by the AMF.

[0198] In some embodiments, NWDAF can consume the high EC flags by core and RAN. New analytics can be provided by NWDAF or the UE abnormal behavior analytics can be extended with UE / Subscriber high EC information.

[0199] In some embodiments, AF (directly or indirectly via the NEF) can get information on the high EC consumption flags and status of a user / group of users / all users from PCF or NWDAF or UPF (subject to privacy policies related with the AF); this aspect could be used in factory deployments to detect misbehaving devices that (e.g., due to misconfiguration) use the E2E network in an non-optimal way from network energy point of view, i.e. waste energy.

[0200] In some embodiments, in roaming / network sharing scenarios, the flag can include the PLMN ID. In some embodiments, the V-UPF can be configured with a per PLMN ID mapping to remap energy consumption label in Home routed case (i.e., a VPLMN label is translated in a mapped HPLMN value, assuming the values are set per PLMN and have a per PLMN meaning). For Local breakout sessions the VPLMN can report the energy consumption estimates from V-CHF to the H-CHF.

[0201] Figures 5-19 are flowcharts of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an access node of an access network supporting a data connection for a user equipment, a user plane function, a session management function, a policy control function, a charging function, an access and mobility management function, an N3IWF, a data network, or the like, according to certain embodiments. In Figure 5, the apparatus 10 embodied by an access node of a network or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for carrying out a method 200.

[0202] At operation 201 the apparatus 10 embodied by an access node of a network or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 202 the apparatus 10 embodied by an access node of a network or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN.

[0203] Figure 6 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by a radio access network according to certain embodiments to carry out a method 300. At operation 301, the apparatus 10 embodied by an RAN node or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 302, the apparatus 10 embodied by an RAN node or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN. At operation 303, the apparatus 10 embodied by an RAN node or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for associating / correlating the uplink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions to the downlink traffic volume information for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions.

[0204] Figure 7 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by a radio access network according to certain embodiments, to carry out a method400. At operation 401, the apparatus 10 embodied by a RAN node or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), configuration information comprising an indication of energy related information that is being requested from the gNB and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information. At operation 402, the apparatus 10 embodied by a RAN node or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining, at the gNB, energy related information associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 403, the apparatus 10 embodied by a RAN node or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), in a PDU session user plane protocol message, at least one indication regarding the energy related information associated with the respective PDU session of the one or more PDU sessions between respective UEs of the one or more UEs and the CN of the PLMN.

[0205] Figure 8 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by user plane function (UPF) entity according to certain embodiments, to perform a method 500. At operation 501, the apparatus 10 embodied by a UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information disclosed in claim A5 associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 502, the apparatus 10 embodied by a UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions. At operation 503, the apparatus 10 embodied by a UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. Atoperation 504, the apparatus 10 embodied by a UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions.

[0206] Figure 9 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by a UPF entity according to certain embodiments to carry out a method 600. At operation 601, the apparatus 10 embodied by an UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 602, the apparatus 10 embodied by an UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining / receiving data traffic volume information, associated with the energy related information, for the PDU session and one or more other PDU sessions. At operation 603, the apparatus 10 embodied by an UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for mapping the data traffic volume information for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. At operation 604, the apparatus 10 embodied by an UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for at least estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with data traffic volume information with related to the one or more PDU sessions, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. At operation 605, the apparatus 10 embodied by an UPF entity or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and anyindication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0207] Figure 10 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by network function (NF) or a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN) according to certain embodiments, to carry out a method 700. At operation 701, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at the first function (NF1) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. At operation 702, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. At operation 703, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0208] Figure 11 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 800. At operation801, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information. At operation 802, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for respective PDU sessions of the one or more PDU sessions. At operation 803, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session and the one or more other PDU sessions to the energy related information.

[0209] Figure 12 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 900. At operation 901, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for requesting, at a third network function (NF3) of a core network (CN) in a public land mobile network (PLMN), reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached athreshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN. At operation 902, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at third network function (NF3) entity, from a second network function (NF2) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN.

[0210] Figure 13 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an eNB according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1000. At operation 1001, the apparatus 10 embodied by an eNB or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 1002, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information.

[0211] Figure 14 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1100. At operation 1101, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 1102, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information. At operation 1103, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or thelike, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining / selecting, based on the received policies, from a plurality of PDU sessions, the PDU session for which to perform the determining and the sending.

[0212] Figure 15 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1200. At operation 1201, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining, at a radio access network node (gNB) in a radio access network (RAN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 1202, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information. At operation 1203, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at the radio access network node (gNB), configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of which of the energy related information should be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity of transmission of the energy related information.

[0213] Figure 16 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1300. At operation 1301, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at a user plane function (UPF) entity in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN. At operation 1302, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for determining uplink data traffic volume information or downlink data traffic volumeinformation associated with the energy related information for the PDU session. At operation 1303, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for mapping the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information received for the PDU session. At operation 1304, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the PDU session, a cumulative energy consumption value or a cumulative energy efficiency value for a cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over a specific period of time. At operation 1305, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for providing, to a first Network Function (NF1) entity of the CN, at least one of: the cumulative energy consumption value, the cumulative energy efficiency value, the cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over the specific period of time, a mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached or exceeded a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0214] Figure 16 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1400. At operation 1401, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at the first network function (NFl) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session. At operation 1402, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20,communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for estimating, based at least on one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for the PDU session. At operation 1403, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for providing, to a second Network Function (NF2) entity of the CN in the PLMN, at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0215] Figure 18 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1500. At operation 1501, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at a second network function (NF2) entity in a core network (CN) of a public land mobile network (PLMN), from a first network function (NF1) entity in the PLMN, one or more messages comprising information about energy usage or energy efficiency of a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN. At operation 1502, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for estimating, based at least on information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session, one or more of: uplink data traffic volume information for the PDU session, downlink data traffic volume information, a cumulative energy consumption value, a cumulative energy efficiency value, a mapping of the uplink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, a mapping of the downlink data traffic volume to the PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session. At operation 1503, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communicationinterface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for providing, to a third Network Function (NF3) entity of the CN in the PLMN, the information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session.

[0216] Figure 19 is a flowchart of operations that may be performed by apparatus 10 embodied by an NF according to certain embodiments to perform a method 1600. At operation 1601, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for requesting, at a third network function (NF3) of a core network (CN) in a public land mobile network (PLMN), reporting of at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the PLMN. At operation 1602, the apparatus 10 embodied by an NF or the like, may include means, such as processing circuity 20, communication interface 40, memory 60, and / or the like, for receiving, at third network function (NF3) entity, from a second network function (NF2) entity in the PLMN, at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with the PDU session between the UE and the CN of the PLMN.

[0217] Example embodiments disclosed herein provide numerous improvements, such as relating to energy efficiency, energy and resource utilization, and service continuity throughout a mobile network. According to example embodiments, QoS parameters are enforced at different communication channels of a network and can therefore optimize or improve energy usage throughout the network.

[0218] Improvements in energy efficiency and utilization can be realized by different components and / or operators, including MNOs and CSPs. Additionally or alternatively, the disclosed operations for selection QoS parameters based on an energy-related state, and the mobile network can therefore reduce its overall energy consumption by leveraging energysaving states / modes, which could entail switching off certain hardware components to save energy.

[0219] The network can therefore operate more efficiently, such as by reducing traffic when a component is in an energy saving state, or increasing traffic when a component is in a full performance mode or capacity.

[0220] Example embodiments therefore address energy-related risks throughout the mobile network and may further provide an improved standard for different operators or service providers operating within the network. Accordingly, example embodiments may further improve network service continuity throughout a mobile network.

[0221] Figures 5-19 signaling / message flow diagrams according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the message flows may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device 60 of an apparatus 10 employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by a processing circuity 20. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the figures. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the figures. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the figures.

[0222] Accordingly, blocks of the figures and message flows support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the figures, and combinations of blocks in the figures, can beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0223] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0224] Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0225] Although several variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. Further features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Moreover, the implementations described above may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and / or combinations and sub-combinations of several further features disclosed above. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.

[0226] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Although various aspects of some of the embodiments are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of some of the embodiments comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and / or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims. It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications that may be made without departing from the scope of some of the embodiments as defined in the appendedclaims. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. The term “based on” includes “based on at least.” The use of the phase “such as” means “such as for example” unless otherwise indicated.

[0227] Example Embodiments

[0228] Clause 1. A method for a radio access network node in a radio access network (RAN) of a mobile network comprising: determining energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the mobile network based on a first policy provided by the CN or an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) entity; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information.

[0229] Clause 2. The method of Clause 1, wherein the radio access node is configured with a first policy provided by the CN or the Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) entity including thresholds and / or algorithms related to at least one of: radio resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, UE cell edge, a UE center location, transmission power usage, receiver power usage, UE radio conditions, radio key performance indicators (KPIs), a Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRP), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a block error rate (BLER), a quality of service (QoS) value, a 5G QoS indicator (5QI), a UE latency budget, information related to energy consumption received in radio resource control (RRC) signaling from the user equipment or measurement reports received from the user equipment.

[0230] Clause 3. The method of Clause 2, wherein the sending energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on a second policy received from the CN of the mobile network.

[0231] Clause 4. The method of any of Clauses 1 to 3, further comprising: determining, based on a third policy received from the CN or the 0AM of the mobile network, the PDU session from a plurality of PDU sessions for which to perform the determining and the sending of the energy related information.

[0232] Clause 5. The method of any of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein the user plane message comprises a container, the energy related information being stored within the container.

[0233] Clause 6. The method of any of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the user plane message comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packetand the energy related information is included in an extension header of the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet for the PDU session.

[0234] Clause 7. The method of any of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the energy related information comprises at least one of energy related information for uplink traffic and energy related information for downlink traffic.

[0235] Clause 8. The method of any of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein the energy related information for uplink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for uplink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of uplink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the energy efficiency indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for uplink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0236] Clause 9. The method of any of Clauses 1 to 8, wherein the energy related information for downlink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for downlink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of downlink traffic; a data volume for downlink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the energy efficiency indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for downlink traffic; or an energy source indication.

[0237] Clause 10. The method of Clause 9, wherein the user plane message includes a real uplink user data payload or a dummy payload generated by the radio access network node based on no uplink user data being available for the PDU session for an amount of time.

[0238] Clause 11. The method of Clause 10, further comprising: receiving, at the radio access network node, configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of the energy related information for downlink traffic that is to be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity for sending the energy related information for downlink traffic.

[0239] Clause 12. A method for a user plane function (UPF) in a mobile network, the method comprising: receiving a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; based on the energy related information associated with the PDU sessionand a policy received from the CN or an Operations, Administrative, and Maintenance (0AM) entity, performing one of: determining at least one of uplink data traffic volume information or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the energy related information for the PDU session; generating a mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information received for the PDU session; or estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the PDU session, at least one of a cumulative energy consumption value or a cumulative energy efficiency value for a cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over a specific period of time; and providing, to a first network function of the CN of the PLMN, at least one of: the cumulative energy consumption value, the cumulative energy efficiency value, the cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over the specific period of time, the mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information for the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached or exceeded a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0240] Clause 13. The method of Clause 12, wherein the data traffic volume information for the PDU session comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information.

[0241] Clause 14. The method of any of Clauses 12-13, further comprising: associating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session.

[0242] Clause 15. The method of any of Clauses 12-14, further comprising: estimating energy consumed at the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing the energy consumed at the user plane function, to the first network function entity.

[0243] Clause 16. The method of any of Clauses 12-15, further comprising: determining a second energy related information associated with the protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this second energy related information, to the first network function.

[0244] Clause 17. The method of any of Clauses 12-16, wherein the UPF is configured with the policy received from the CN or the 0AM entity includes thresholds and or algorithms related to at least one of: resource usage of at least one NF of the CN, energy consumption of at least one NF of the CN, data volume of the PDU session, QoS for the PDU session, 5QI for the PDU session, UE latency budget.

[0245] Clause 18. The method of Clause 17 when dependent on Clause 16, wherein the determining and / or providing the second energy related information associated with the protocol data unit (PDU) session is further based on the received policy.

[0246] Clause 19. The method of Clause 18, further comprising: determining, based on a second policy, the PDU session from a plurality of PDU sessions for which to perform the determining, the estimating and / or the providing.

[0247] Clause 20. The method of any one of Clauses 12-19, wherein the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0248] Clause 21. The method of any one of Clauses 12-20, wherein the first network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0249] Clause 22. A method for a first network function in a core network (CN) of a mobile network comprising: receiving, from a user plane function (UPF) entity in the mobile network, at least one of a data traffic volume information with a mapping of the data traffic volume information to energy related information for a PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information to energy related information for the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for the PDU session; and providing, to a second network function of the CN in the PLMN, the at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information to the energy related information for the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and the indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session.

[0250] Clause 23. The method of Clause 22, wherein the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0251] Clause 24. The method of Clause 22, wherein the first network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0252] Clause 25. The method of any of Clauses 22-24, wherein the second network function is a Charging Function (CHF).

[0253] Clause 26. The method of any of Clauses 22-25, wherein the second network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0254] Clause 27. A method for a second network function in a core network (CN) of a mobile network, the method comprising: receiving, from a first network function in the mobile network, information about energy usage or energy efficiency of a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the mobile network; estimating, based at least on information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session, information comprising one or more of: uplink data traffic volume information for the PDU session, downlink data traffic volume information, a cumulative energy consumption value, a cumulative energy efficiency value, a mapping of the uplink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, a mapping of the downlink data traffic volume to the PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; and providing, to a third network function of the CN in the mobile network, the information.

[0255] Clause 28. The method of Clause 27, wherein the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0256] Clause 29. The method of Clause 27, wherein the first network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0257] Clause 30. The method of any of Clauses 27-29, wherein the second network function is a Charging Function (CHF).

[0258] Clause 31. The method of any of Clauses 27-29, wherein the second network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

[0259] Clause 32. The method of any of Clauses 27-31, wherein the third network function is a Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0260] Clause 33. The method of any of Clauses 27-31, wherein the third network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0261] Clause 34. A method for a third network function of a core network (CN) in a mobile network, the method comprising: requesting at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the mobile network; and receiving, at third network function , from a second network function entity in the mobile network, the at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with the PDU session between the UE and the CN of the mobile network.

[0262] Clause 35. The method of Clause 34, wherein the third network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate, throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions.

[0263] Clause 36. The method of Clause 34, wherein the third network function is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the mobile network.

[0264] Clause 37. A radio access network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least perform the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 11.

[0265] Clause 38. A radio access network node comprising: means for carrying out the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 11.

[0266] Clause 39. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of Clauses 12 to 36.

[0267] Clause 40. An apparatus comprising: means for carrying out the method of any one of Clauses 12 to 26.

[0268] Clause 41. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 36.

[0269] Clause 41. A computer program comprising instructions, which when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 36.

[0270] It should therefore again be emphasized that the various embodiments described herein are presented by way of illustrative example only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. For example, alternative embodiments can utilize different communication system configurations, user equipment configurations, base station configurations, identity request processes, messaging protocols and message formats than those described above in the context of the illustrative embodiments. These and numerous other alternative embodiments within the scope of the appended claims will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0271] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

Claims

Claims1. A method of a radio access network node of a radio access network (RAN) of a mobile network comprising: determining energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the mobile network based on a first policy provided by the CN or an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) entity; and sending, towards a user plane function (UPF), a user plane message comprising the energy related information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio access node is configured with a first policy provided by the CN or the Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) entity including thresholds and / or algorithms related to at least one of: radio resource usage, energy consumption, data volume, UE cell edge, a UE center location, transmission power usage, receiver power usage, UE radio conditions, radio key performance indicators (KPIs), a Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRP), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a block error rate (BLER), a quality of service (QoS) value, a 5G QoS indicator (5QI), a UE latency budget, information related to energy consumption received in radio resource control (RRC) signaling from the user equipment or measurement reports received from the user equipment.

3. The method of any prior claim 2, wherein the sending energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session is based on a second policy received from the CN of the mobile network.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: determining, based on a third policy received from the CN or the 0AM of the mobile network, the PDU session from a plurality of PDU sessions for which to perform the determining and the sending of the energy related information.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user plane message comprises a container, the energy related information being stored within the container.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user plane message comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet and the energy related information is included in an extension header of the General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTP-U) packet for the PDU session.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the energy related information comprises at least one of energy related information for uplink traffic and energy related information for downlink traffic.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the energy related information for uplink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for uplink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of uplink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the energy efficiency indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for uplink traffic; or an energy source indication.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the energy related information for downlink traffic includes at least one of: an energy consumption indication for downlink traffic, wherein the energy consumption indication is used to estimate the energy consumption for a data volume of downlink traffic; a data volume for downlink traffic; an energy efficiency indication, wherein the energy efficiency indication comprises one of: a label, an index, or a category for a data volume for downlink traffic; or an energy source indication.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the user plane message includes a real uplink user data payload or a dummy payload generated by the radio access network node based on no uplink user data being available for the PDU session for an amount of time.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, at the radio access network node, configuration information to perform the determining and the sending of energy related information, wherein the configuration information includes an indication of the energy related information for downlink traffic that is to be determined and sent and an indication regarding a desired frequency and / or a desired periodicity for sending the energy related information for downlink traffic.

12. A method of a user plane function (UPF) of a mobile network, the method comprising: receiving a message comprising energy related information associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and a core network (CN) of the PLMN; based on the energy related information associated with the PDU session and a policy received from the CN or an Operations, Administrative, and Maintenance (0AM) entity, performing one of: determining at least one of uplink data traffic volume information or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the energy related information for the PDU session; generating a mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information received for the PDU session; or estimating, based on the one or more energy related information associated with the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information associated with the PDU session, at least one of a cumulative energy consumption value or a cumulative energy efficiency value for a cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over a specific period of time; and providing, to a first network function of the CN of the PLMN, at least one of: the cumulative energy consumption value, the cumulative energy efficiency value, the cumulative uplink and downlink data traffic volume for the PDU session over the specific period of time, the mapping of the uplink or downlink data traffic volume information to the energy related information for the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative datatraffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached or exceeded a threshold value for the PDU session.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the data traffic volume information for the PDU session comprises uplink traffic volume information and downlink traffic volume information.

14. The method of any of claims 12 to 13, further comprising: associating the uplink traffic volume information for the PDU session to the downlink traffic volume information for the PDU session.

15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising: estimating energy consumed at the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing the energy consumed at the user plane function, to the first network function entity.

16. The method of any of claims 12 to 15, further comprising: determining a second energy related information associated with the protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the user plane function, based at least on data traffic volume information related to the PDU session; and providing this second energy related information, to the first network function.

17. The method of any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the UPF is configured with the policy received from the CN or the 0AM entity includes thresholds and or algorithms related to at least one of: resource usage of at least one NF of the CN, energy consumption of at least one NF of the CN, data volume of the PDU session, QoS for the PDU session, 5QI for the PDU session, UE latency budget.

18. The method of claim 17 when dependent on claim 16, wherein the determining and / or providing the second energy related information associated with the protocol data unit (PDU) session is further based on the received policy.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: determining, based on a second policy, the PDU session from a plurality of PDU sessions for which to perform the determining, the estimating and / or the providing.

20. The method of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF).

21. The method of any one of claims 12-20, wherein the first network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

22. A method of a first network function for a core network (CN) of a mobile network comprising: receiving, from a user plane function (UPF) of the mobile network, at least one of a data traffic volume information with a mapping of the data traffic volume information to energy related information for a PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume and an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; estimating, based at least on the one or more of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information to energy related information for the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, a cumulative energy consumption or energy efficiency value for a cumulative data traffic volume for the PDU session; and providing, to a second network function of the CN in the PLMN, the at least one of the data traffic volume information with the mapping of the data traffic volume information to the energy related information for the PDU session, the estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, the estimated cumulative energy efficiency for acumulative data traffic volume and the indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF).

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

25. The method of any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the second network function is a Charging Function (CHF).

26. The method of any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the second network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

27. A method of a second network function in a core network (CN) of a mobile network, the method comprising: receiving, from a first network function of the mobile network, information about energy usage or energy efficiency of a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the mobile network; estimating, based at least on information about the energy usage or the energy efficiency associated with the PDU session, information comprising one or more of: uplink data traffic volume information for the PDU session, downlink data traffic volume information, a cumulative energy consumption value, a cumulative energy efficiency value, a mapping of the uplink data traffic volume information to the PDU session, a mapping of the downlink data traffic volume to the PDU session, an estimated energy consumption for a data traffic volume, an estimated cumulative energy efficiency for a cumulative data traffic volume, and / or an indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value for the PDU session; and providing, to a third network function of the CN in the mobile network, the information.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first network function is a Session Management Function (SMF).

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

30. The method of any of claims 27-29, wherein the second network function is a Charging Function (CHF).

31. The method of any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the second network function is a Network Data Analytics Functions (NWDAF).

32. The method of any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the third network function is a Network Exposure Function (NEF).

33. The method of any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the third network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF).

34. A method of a third network function of a core network (CN) for a mobile network, the method comprising: requesting at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with a protocol data unit (PDU) session between a user equipment (UE) and the CN of the mobile network; and receiving, at third network function , from a second network function entity in the mobile network, the at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with the PDU session between the UE and the CN of the mobile network.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the third network function is a Policy Control Function (PCF) and further determining, based at least upon the energy consumption values for the one or more PDU sessions, whether to change one or more of: a data rate, throttling policy, a Quality of Service (QoS) policy, a charging policy, a control plane policy, a network slicing policy, a roaming policy, or a mobility management policy for the one or more UE and / or the one or more PDU sessions.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the third network function is a Network Exposure function (NEF) and further exposing to an Application Function (AF) at least one of energy consumption and energy efficiency value and cumulative energy consumption value and any indication that the cumulative energy consumption or the cumulative energy efficiency has reached a threshold value associated with one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions between one or more user equipment (UE) and the CN of the mobile network.

37. A radio access network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

38. A radio access network node comprising: means for carrying out the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

39. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 12 to 36.

40. An apparatus comprising: means for carrying out the method of any one of claims 12 to 26.

41. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 36.

42. A computer program comprising instructions, which when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 36.

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