A method for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance (30), comprising the following steps at a network function (10) of a 3GPP core network (20): - Establishing (101) a subnetwork for enabling the exchange of context specific information within the subnetwork, - Initiating (102) a setup of a virtual cluster at a cloud instance (30) associated with the subnetwork, and - Initiating (103) a transfer of one or more virtual functions (45, 55), which are associated with a respective user device (40, 50) of the subnetwork and are running outside of the cloud instance (30), to the virtual cluster for enabling a coordinated exchange of information within the virtual cluster.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title

[0003] A method for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance

[0004] The invention relates to a method for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program, a network function, in particular a subnetwork controller, and a storage medium for this purpose.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] A 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network such as a 4G- or 5G communications network provides a number of mechanisms to enable private communication among two or more end devices. Such concepts might include APNs and DNNs, which serve as a kind of gateway for a group of communication participants, Local Area Network- Virtu a I Networks), Virtual Local Area Networks and, apart from the 3GPP system, Virtual Private Networks. However, the 3GPP- related mechanisms do not support or extend a virtual function running in a cloud environment like for example a container or a virtual machine. Cloud environment techniques often include virtual machines, containerization, VPN, and physical isolation i.e., separate compute nodes, servers to isolate functions or groups of functions from each other in order to provide a sufficient level of security. However, at the intersection of the 3GPP network and the cloud environment, such an isolation or grouping needs to be extended, because disadvantageously an automatic set up of a private communication with a guaranteed performance of virtual functions in the cloud does not exist within a 3GPP network represented by the known mechanisms. An appropriate concept regarding an efficient and effective extension of private communication via subnetworks does not exist in 3GPP. Personal loT Networks as in 3GPP TR 23.700 only provide some attempts to realize a subnetwork concept, but without considering offloaded functions.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The above object is solved by a method with the features of claim 1 , a network function with the features of claim 8, a computer program with the features of claim 10 and a computer-readable storage medium with the features of claim 11 . Further features and details of the invention are disclosed in the respective dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in the context to the method according to the invention also corresponds to the computer program according to the invention, the network function according to the invention as well as the computer-readable storage medium according to the invention, and vice versa in each case so that with respect to the disclosure concerning the individual aspects of the invention reference can always be made mutually.

[0009] The object is particularly solved by a method for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance, comprising the following steps at a network function, preferably of a 3GPP core network: Establishing a subnetwork for enabling the exchange of context specific information within the subnetwork, Initiating a setup of a virtual cluster at a cloud instance associated with the subnetwork, and Initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions, which are associated with a respective user device of the subnetwork and are running, specifically in the user device and / or in the cloud but, outside of the cloud instance, to the virtual cluster for enabling a coordinated exchange of information within the virtual cluster.

[0010] This allows to advantageously form a similar network of virtual functions at the cloud belonging to the user device. Further, this has the advantage that offloaded virtual functions can interact with each other in the virtual cluster being set up. Furthermore, this allows to significantly improve the interaction and communication of virtual functions with each other in an associated virtual cluster. Further, the virtual functions can advantageously communicate and interact in a secure and coordinated manner.

[0011] A cloud instance can be understood as a term that refers to a virtual machine or server hosted on a cloud computing platform or edge computing cloud. It can be a building block of a cloud infrastructure, providing on-demand computing resources to user devices. These instances can be customized to meet specific computational and storage requirements. They offer scalability, allowing user devices to easily adjust resources as needed, whether it might be for running complex data analysis, or supporting various software applications.

[0012] It is a possibility that the method comprises the further following steps:

[0013] Providing an interface between the virtual cluster and the subnetwork for mapping a structure of the subnetwork to the virtual cluster with respect to a secure and private communication.

[0014] Such an interface for mapping the subnetwork and the virtual cluster enables a significantly improved communication between the virtual functions. It further allows to improve for example a trajectory planning, specifically for automated driving, of different vehicles because of their respective virtual functions being efficiently coordinated within the virtual cluster.

[0015] It is possible that the method comprises the further following step:

[0016] Receiving a function identifier related to (at least) one of the virtual functions associated with the user device with respect to an application running at the user device, wherein during the initiation of the transfer, the method comprises the further following steps:

[0017] Identifying the one or more virtual functions and / or a virtual function repository based on the received function identifier,

[0018] Initiating a transfer of the identified one or more virtual functions to the virtual cluster, wherein the virtual cluster is associated with a dedicated computing node, Enabling a bidirectional mapping between the application running at the user device within the subnetwork and the virtual function within the virtual cluster based on the function identifier.

[0019] This has the advantage that the speed of the procedure to set up the virtual cluster can be significantly increased for enabling a quick interaction within the virtual cluster or the subnetwork.

[0020] It is further possible that the method comprises the further following step: Controlling an addition and / or a removal of the one or more virtual functions to / from the virtual cluster, wherein the addition and / or the removal is dependent on a location of the user device in relation to a geographical area of the subnetwork.

[0021] This allows to adapt the participation of new members or virtual functions to the cluster or subnetwork more quickly and dynamically. Further, this advantageously increases the security of user devices or vehicles in case of an interaction in a specific road traffic related scenario such as a scenario at an intersection or at a parking garage.

[0022] It is conceivable that the method comprises the further following step:

[0023] Receiving a request from a user device joining the subnetwork to transfer the one or more virtual functions running, specifically in the user device and / or in the cloud but, outside of the cloud instance to the virtual cluster.

[0024] This allows to improve the performance of the function of the requesting user device joining the subnetwork.

[0025] It is a possibility that the method comprises the further following step: Establishing a specified form of a private communication for the one or more virtual functions within the virtual cluster such as using a routing table and / or a virtual private network.

[0026] This allows to advantageously increase the secure communication between the virtual functions and / or the user devices.

[0027] It is possible that the subnetwork comprises at least two vehicles as user devices, and each of the virtual functions is a virtual vehicle function for trajectory planning, specifically for automated driving, wherein during the initiating of the transfer the method comprises the further following step:

[0028] Enabling a direct exchange of information regarding the trajectory planning between the virtual vehicle functions of the at least two vehicles within the virtual cluster.

[0029] This has the advantage that the coordination regarding automated driving of a vehicle can be significantly improved.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention, a network function for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance, may be provided, which is configured to execute the method according to the invention. The network function comprises an interface between the virtual cluster at the cloud instance and a subnetwork, preferably of a 3GPP communications network. The interface is configured to map a structure of the subnetwork to the virtual cluster. As the network function, for example, a computer can be provided, which executes the computer program according to the invention. The computer may include at least one processor that can be used to execute the computer program. Also, a non-volatile data memory may be provided in which the computer program may be stored and from which the computer program may be read by the processor for being carried out.

[0031] It is possible that the network function is a subnetwork controller and / or wherein the network function is at least partly associated to a, preferably 3GPP, core network.

[0032] In another aspect of the invention, a computer program may be provided, in particular a computer program product, comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the invention. Thus, the computer program according to the invention can have the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention a computer-readable storage medium may be provided which comprises the computer program according to the invention and / or instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention. The storage medium may be formed as a data storage device such as a hard disk and / or a non-volatile memory and / or a memory card and / or a solid state drive. The storage medium may, for example, be integrated into the computer.

[0034] Furthermore, the method according to the invention may be implemented as a computer-implemented method.

[0035] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this context, the features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. Showing:

[0036] Fig. 1 : A method, computer program, a network function, and a storage medium according to embodiments of the invention,

[0037] Fig. 2: A schematic diagram according to embodiments of the invention,

[0038] Fig. 3: A further schematic diagram according to embodiments of the invention.

[0039] The core of the invention can be a novel architecture caused by a new network function at a, preferably 3GPP, communications network and a novel procedure to reflect the setting up, registration and / or de-registration of a user device 40, 50 such as a vehicle to and / or from a subnetwork to virtual, cloud-based functions 45, 55 associated with the respective user device 40, 50. In doing so, the user device 40, 50 can provide information to a subnetwork controller 10, which may control and initiate the setup of virtual functions 45, 55 in a virtual cluster. The subnetwork controller 10, which for example can potentially be a PIN MF (Personal loT Network Management Function) or another entity new to a 3GPP network. Further, this means as an example that the subnetwork controller 10 can be part of a core network function 20 of a 3GPP network or a Cellular Core 20. Depending on the different tasks of the subnetwork controller 10 functional parts of the subnetwork controller 10 can belong to the Cellular Core 20 and other functions might not. The idea of this invention is to form a similar network of virtual functions belonging to the vehicles running in the user device and / or in the cloud, but outside of a specific cloud instance. Nevertheless, this idea can be extended to any other application, domain, scenario or "in-X subnetwork", in which offloaded functions interact with each other in the cloud. Examples can be collaborating robots, interacting machines, or group AR / VR applications, and where the (wireless) communication between end devices happen in such a subnetwork. The "in-X subnetwork" can refer to a set of communication nodes within one entity, such as a car or production cell. Also, the cloud refers to a cloud instance either in the backend, in an arbitrary datacentre, at the edge of the network (edge cloud) far or close to the subnetwork, or a compute node within the subnetwork itself. In case of the "in-X subnetwork" the compute node can also be within the respective entity, e.g., a car or production cell. A further aspect of the invention refers to an adding and / or removing of subnetwork members such as user devices and associated virtual functions, as well as a coordination of communication between virtual functions. Another important aspect of the invention is the extension towards the virtual functions associated to the communicating entities within the subnetwork.

[0040] A private, high-performance communication within a certain group of participants can be necessary for collaborative actions in certain, well-defined scenarios. In a vehicular traffic scenario, for example, different vehicles meet and can form a group such as a group within a subnetwork, in which information exchange is desired to perform collaborative actions. Such a scenario could, for instance, be the coordination of automated driving-enabled vehicles at a traffic intersection. One aspect could be a formation of a (ad-hoc) subnetwork, which can be seen as a semi-autonomous communication network with an appropriate quality of service in relation to throughput, latency, reliability, authentication, or other network functions. The communication participants like user devices or vehicles in such subnetworks can dynamically change depending on, for example, their vicinity to each other or their level of possible interaction. Such a subnetwork can be fully or partly managed by a 3GPP network such as a 5G- or 6G-network, for example, with respect to the management of radio resources. A subnetwork can also be a logical network with wireless or wired connectivity links or both, including 3GPP-conform communication links. A subnetwork is also considered to be local within a certain radius, such as for example a radius of 100 metres. Another aspect can be a number of essential vehicle functions operating in the edge cloud or the backend, while their interaction can bring considerable benefits to the communication partners. As 5G / 6G-networks tend to integrate compute functionalities that are offered to mobile participants, such functions can run on the 5G / 6G- infrastructure.

[0041] Fig. 1 depicts a method, a computer program, a storage medium and a network function according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a method 100 for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster 2 at a cloud instance 30. The method 100 comprises the following steps at a network function 10, preferably of a 3GPP core network 20: In step 101 a subnetwork for enabling the exchange of context specific information within the subnetwork is established. At step 102, a setup of a virtual cluster at a cloud instance 30 associated with the subnetwork is initiated. Then at step 103, a transfer is initiated of one or more virtual functions 45, 55, which are associated with a respective user device 40, 50 of the subnetwork and are running outside the cloud instance to the virtual cluster for enabling a coordinated exchange of information within the virtual cluster.

[0042] Fig. 1 further shows a network function 10, in particular a subnetwork controller 10, which comprises a computer 11 and a computer-readable storage medium 15. The computer-readable storage medium 15 comprises a computer program 90.

[0043] In the following, two sequence diagrams are shown that summarize some of the aspects according to the invention. In a possible final implementation, the procedure or sequence could be different, or other components or network functions could be involved or could take over some of the functionalities.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 2 illustrates as an example the sequential steps between a subnetwork controller 10, a core network function 20, preferably of a 3GPP network, a cloud 30 or cloud function 30, two user devices 40, 50 and its respective virtual functions 45, 55 for each of the user devices 40, 50. Further, an application 51 operated at the user device 50 is shown. Further, the user device 40 or a vehicle 40 is shown in Fig. 2, which can already be associated with the subnetwork and in parallel, consequently the respective virtual function 45 can be associated with the virtual cluster.

[0045] Step 201 a, 201 b illustrates a communication between an on-board vehicle application 51 and an offloaded function 55 in the cloud 30. The on-board vehicle application 51 determines in step 202, whether there will be a new context, such as a traffic intersection, where the vehicle 50 could join the associated subnetwork with respect to the context. Joining can happen in multiple ways, for example positioning based.

[0046] At step 203 the user device 50 or the vehicle 50 can request to join the subnetwork. In this case the vehicle 50, in particular the application 51 , which is an application for automated driving, and which is operated at the vehicle 50, would like to improve its trajectory planning. Therefore, at step 204, the vehicle

[0047] 50 can send a request to the core network function 20 of the 3GPP network. If the vehicle 50 or the user device 50 is allowed to join or to be added to the subnetwork associated with the context of the intersection in step 205, the core network function 20 might grant the request and can send an information regarding this decision to a base station 60 of the 3GPP network.

[0048] Further, in step 206, if the vehicle 50 might be allowed to join the subnetwork, the core function 20 may grant the request and also send an information to the subnetwork controller 10 of the subnetwork.

[0049] The base station 60 may assign the necessary radio resources for the user device 50 or vehicle 50 in step 207 and send a message to the subnetwork controller 10 accordingly.

[0050] At step 208, the subnetwork controller 10 can grant the vehicle 50 the access to the subnetwork with relation to the context. Alternatively, this last step can also be carried out by another network function 10 instead of the subnetwork controller 10.

[0051] At step 209, the grant information can be received by the application 51. Then, indicated by step 210, a communication between the vehicles 40, 50 can be carried out within the subnetwork. At step 211 , the vehicle 50 or the application

[0052] 51 can offer a virtual vehicle function 55 to the associated virtual function cluster, which was already set up in parallel to the subnetwork, when the first vehicle 40 was added. This can be formally accomplished by the vehicle 50 via the subnetwork controller 10 to the virtual vehicle function cluster at step 212. The respective communication of the vehicle 50 may include all information regarding the necessary requirements. The subnetwork controller 10 and the cloud function 30 or cloud 30 can coordinate this request at step 213. Then, at step 214, the virtual function 55 may be reconfigured and / or transferred to the virtual cluster according to the requirements provided. With this last step, the virtual function 55 is ready for interacting with other virtual functions 45 within the virtual cluster. The cloud 30 can send an acknowledgement message to the subnetwork controller 10 at step 216. This acknowledgement can be forwarded by the subnetwork controller 10 to the vehicle 50 in step 217 and may be received at the application 51 in step 218. Thus, at step 219, a communication between the virtual functions 45, 55 can take place in the virtual function cluster. In case, the vehicle 50 may leave the subnetwork in step 220, because the vehicle 50 may, for example, leave the area of an intersection (context) associated with the subnetwork, a deregistration procedure or removing process will be started. The vehicle 50 can send a formal request to the subnetwork controller 10 for leaving the subnetwork at step 221. Alternatively, this last step can also be carried out by another network function 10 instead of the subnetwork controller 10. At step 222, the subnetwork controller 10 can send an information to the cloud instance 30 or cloud function 30, which can trigger the de-registration of the virtual function 55 from the virtual cluster. The steps 223 to 227 illustrate the final de-registration steps to revoke the respective communication rights and exchange the corresponding acknowledgment messages.

[0053] It should be noted, that in the above-described case a re-instantiation or transfer of the joined virtual function 55 might be sufficient to fulfil all requirements associated with the inter-function communication within the virtual cluster. For example, in a larger configuration of subnetworks and more virtual functions 45, 55, additional measures can be necessary by the subnetwork controller 10 according to the invention to efficiently coordinate the setup of the virtual cluster and / or coordinate an effective mapping of the structure of the subnetwork and the virtual cluster. The subnetwork controller as an additional instance either within the cloud 30 or the network core function 20 might be responsible and respectively monitoring and coordinating re-instantiation and migration of all relevant virtual functions.

[0054] The described procedure shown in Fig. 2 can delay the joining of the user device 40, 50 to the subnetwork and the availability of the virtual function 45, 55 in the virtual cluster, because of its rather reacting nature. This delay could be long, especially for example for large and stateful virtual functions. Therefore, the following embodiment shown in Fig. 3 is described.

[0055] Fig. 3 depicts a further schematic diagram according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 3 illustrates as an example the sequential steps between a subnetwork controller 10, a core network function 20 , preferablyof a 3GPP network, a cloud 30 or cloud function 30, two user devices 40, 50 and its respective virtual functions 45, 55 for each of the user devices 40, 50. Further, an application 51 operated at the user device 50 is shown.

[0056] Further, the user device 40 or a vehicle 40 is shown in Fig. 3, which can already be associated with the subnetwork and in parallel, consequently the respective virtual function 45 can be associated with the virtual cluster.

[0057] Step 301 a, 301 b illustrates a communication between an on-board vehicle application 51 and an offloaded function 55 in the cloud 30. The on-board vehicle application 51 determines in step 302, whether there will be a new context, such as a traffic intersection, where the vehicle 50 could join the associated subnetwork with respect to the context. This can happen in multiple ways, for example positioning based. In contrast to Fig. 2 the context or subnetwork in this embodiment is predicted. The prediction is for example carried out locationbased, and potentially might using context information from other sources and / or machine learning methods.

[0058] Once the subnetwork, reflecting the context, is anticipated in step 303, the user device 50 or the vehicle 50 running the application 51 can send a trigger to the cloud 30 to prepare a virtual function 55 to join a virtual function cluster that is associated with the subnetwork or context.

[0059] Based on the previous steps, at step 304, the virtual function 55 can be preconfigured, re-instantiated or migrated according to the requirements provided to become ready in step 305. At step 306 the cloud 30 pre-registers the virtual function 55 for the virtual function cluster associated with the subnetwork or context at the subnetwork controller 10. The subnetwork controller 10 knows what virtual function would need to be enabled once the corresponding user device 50 wants to join the subnetwork.

[0060] The subnetwork controller 10 can acknowledge a respective configuration in step 307.

[0061] The cloud 30 acknowledges the successful preparation of the virtual function 55 for virtual cluster respective the associated subnetwork.

[0062] At step 309 the subnetwork may become an accessible subnetwork and the user device 50 or vehicle 50 can request to join the subnetwork, for example, with the goal to improve its trajectory planning. Then, at step 310, the vehicle 50 can make a formal request to the 3GPP System 20 or Core network function 20. If the vehicle 50 is allowed to join, the core network function 20 grants and informs the base station 40 serving the vehicle 50 in step 311. If the vehicle 50 is allowed to join the subnetwork, the core network function 20 may grant and can inform the subnetwork controller 10. After that at step 312 the base station 60 can assign the necessary radio resources to the vehicle 50 and may inform the subnetwork controller 10 accordingly. Then, at step 314, the subnetwork controller 10 can trigger the cloud 30 to enable the virtual function 55 in the virtual function cluster. This means for example that the controller 10 can enable all permitted communication paths, so that one or more different virtual functions 45 can interact with the virtual function 55. Following that, the subnetwork controller 10 can grant in step 315 the vehicle 50 or user device 50 the access to the subnetwork. Alternatively, this last step can also be carried out by another network function 10 instead of the subnetwork controller 10.

[0063] At step 316 in Fig. 3 the application 51 of the vehicle 50 can receive the grant message.

[0064] Step 317 illustrates that the user devices 40, 50 or the vehicles 40, 50 can now communicate with each other within the subnetwork. Such a communication can for example happen between sensors of the user devices 40, 50 for exchanging sensor information directly within the subnetwork. In parallel, as shown by step 318 in Fig. 3, the respective virtual functions 45, 55 can communicate with each other in the virtual cluster associated with the subnetwork comprising the user devices 40, 50.

[0065] At step 319 a procedure regarding the removing or de-registration of the subnetwork can start for the vehicle 40, 50. As illustrated in step 320 the vehicle 50 can send a (formal) request to the subnetwork controller 10 requesting to leave or to be removed from the subnetwork. Alternatively, this de- registration may also be carried out by another network function.

[0066] At step 321 , the subnetwork controller can inform the cloud 30 with respect to the de-registration, for example by sending a message, and may also trigger the removing or de-registration of the respective virtual function 55. Steps 322 to 326 illustrates the final formal messages such as for example a corresponding acknowledgment.

[0067] In another embodiment according to the invention (not shown) there might be the following scenario:

[0068] In an example, automated vehicles 40, 50 can converge at an intersection, and their individual vehicle paths may need a synchronization with each other. The vehicles 40, 50 can compute their trajectories in the cloud 30, leveraging extensive data from the local infrastructure. When they 40, 50 arrive at the intersection, they may aim to form a subnetwork for coordinating and / or improving their trajectory planning at this intersection. This can be managed by a 3GPP entity like for example a network function 10 such as a subnetwork controller 10. The subnetwork may provide a platform to exchange necessary information securely and / or with guaranteed resources. Moreover, their virtual functions 45, 55 can communicate in parallel in their virtual cluster at a cloud instance 30 being set up in association with the corresponding subnetwork allowing for a coordinated and / or improved trajectory planning. This concept according to embodiments of the invention may introduce a secure and more efficient subnetwork system, primarily in vehicular scenarios, that can also be extended to other domains like robots and AR / VR (Augemented Reality / Virtual Reality) applications.

[0069] According to another embodiment according to the invention (not shown) before or at the time of a possible subnetwork formation or alteration, the vehicle 40, 50 or user device 40, 50 can trigger the core network function 20 or 3GPP System 20 or the associated subnetwork controller 10 to re-instantiate or migrate one or more virtual (vehicle) functions 45, 55 running in the vehicle 40, 50 or user devices 40, 50 and / or the cloud 30 but outside of a cloud instance of the virtual cluster to the communication group as a virtual cluster. For example, the vehicle 40, 50 can offer a function 45, 55 to cooperate with other existing functions of other vehicles in the cloud 30, for example to exchange information and react to this information. Such a virtual cluster of (vehicle) functions can perform an improved trajectory planning for automated driving. This arrangement of the virtual vehicle functions 45, 55 in the cloud 30, which could be also called a virtual vehicle function cluster, then can be altered according to the adapted subnetwork, reflecting the following aspects:

[0070] Private communication within a subnetwork can be complemented with private communication among different vehicle functions 45, 55 in the cloud 30. This can be achieved by, e.g., one or a combination of more than one of the following security levels:

[0071] - Ensuring logical communication by specifying direct communication relationships between functions 45, 55, e.g., through routing tables or firewalls;

[0072] - Setting up a virtual private network (VPN) across these vehicle functions 45, 55 with appropriate authentication and encryption;

[0073] - Usage of virtual machines (VMs) / containers;

[0074] - Usage of ETSI NFV and / or ETSI MEC frameworks;

[0075] - Possible physical isolation by either duplicating (re-instantiating) or migrating (stateful or stateless) vehicle functions 45, 55 to a dedicated compute node, e.g., even a local edge cloud compute node or a compute node as part of the subnetwork within the entity (e.g., vehicle):

[0076] - Such a compute node can be location-specific, e.g., at an intersection, where the set of participants 40, 50 in the subnetwork and hence the set of vehicle functions 45, 55 can change dynamically, e.g., through some means of geofencing;

[0077] - re-instantiation or migration process can be prepared - as it can take some time, especially for stateful application - before the subnetwork can be formed in a predictive, pro-active manner and released, when the subnetwork has been established or alteration is completed;

[0078] - choice of the privacy options can depend on the communication performance requirements of all entities, e.g., a function cluster with very high demands might be physically instantiated at a single compute node at the edge of the network, i.e., edge cloud 30; - a key exchange or authentication mechanism within the subnetwork or via an independent side-channel (such as UE-to-UE communication via sidelink) to proof physical presence in a context.

[0079] Ensuring appropriate communication performance within the virtual function cluster:

[0080] - the vehicle 40, 50 can provide information about the requirements of its virtual function(s) 45, 55 to the 3GPP System 20, e.g., to the subnetwork controller 10, wherein requirements might involve availability (e.g., by gaps due to migration / re-instantiation), interface definition / compatibility, security constraints (i.e., defining constraints for grant of communication in the virtual cluster,

[0081] - a proof of proximity, signature of code executed in the cloud, wherein a context information may involve a location of the vehicle and derivatives thereof (speed, heading, etc.), identification numbers of user devices in close proximity and related physical layer characteristics (RSSI, Channel State, etc.), or an information derived from 3GPP-based positioning.

[0082] The subnetwork controller 10 may manage the location and communication relationships between the virtual functions 45, 55 in combination or alignment with the cloud 30, while data rate, latency and reliability (e.g., Packet Error Rate) requirements can be met, and / or safety requirements might be met up to ASIL D (e.g., through redundant communication links, in parallel, synchronized instances of the function on different nodes, etc.).

[0083] The data structure of this information can have different forms, such as a list of structured elements, such as a specified guaranteed bitrate or end-to-end latency, or a form of a performance class identifier for (3GPP-) predefined compute service classes, which would be a new 3GPP aspect, or a mixture of both.

[0084] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other, provided that this is technically reasonable, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A method (100) for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions (45, 55) to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance (30), comprising the following steps at a network function (10) of a 3GPP core network (20):Establishing (101 ) a subnetwork for enabling the exchange of context specific information within the subnetwork, Initiating (102) a setup of a virtual cluster at a cloud instance (30) associated with the subnetwork, and Initiating (103) a transfer of one or more virtual functions (45, 55), which are associated with a respective user device (40, 50) of the subnetwork and are running outside of the cloud instance (30), to the virtual cluster for enabling a coordinated exchange of information within the virtual cluster.

2. The method (100) of claim 1 , characterized in that the method (100) comprises the further following step:Providing an interface between the virtual cluster and the subnetwork for mapping a structure of the subnetwork to the virtual cluster with respect to a secure and private communication.

3. The method (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the method (100) comprises the further following step:Receiving a function identifier related to one of the virtual functions (55) associated with the user device (50) with respect to an application (51) running at the user device (50), wherein during the initiation (103) of the transfer the method (100) comprises the further following steps:Identifying the one or more virtual functions (55) and / or a virtual function repository based on the received function identifier,Initiating a transfer of the identified one or more virtual functions (55) to the virtual cluster, wherein the virtual cluster is associated with a dedicated computing node,Enabling a bidirectional mapping between the application (51) running at the user device (50) within the subnetwork and the virtual function (55) within the virtual cluster based on the function identifier.

4. The method (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method (100) comprises the further following step:Controlling an addition and / or a removal of the one or more virtual functions (45, 55) to / from the virtual cluster, wherein the addition and / or the removal is dependent on a location of the user device (40, 50) in relation to a geographical area of the subnetwork.

5. The method (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method (100) comprises the further following step:Receiving a request from a user device (40, 50) joining the subnetwork to transfer the one or more virtual functions (45, 55) running outside of the cloud instance (30) to the virtual cluster.

6. The method (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method (100) comprises the further following step:Establishing a specified form of a private communication for the one or more virtual functions (45, 55) within the virtual cluster such as using a routing table and / or a virtual private network.

7. The method (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subnetwork comprises at least two vehicles as user devices (40, 50), and each of the virtual functions (45, 55) is a virtual vehicle function (45, 55) for trajectory planning, specifically for automated driving, wherein during the initiation (103) of the transfer the method (100) comprises the further following step:Enabling a direct exchange of information regarding the trajectory planning between the virtual vehicle functions (45, 55) of the at least two vehicles (40, 50) within the virtual cluster.

8. Network function (10) for initiating a transfer of one or more virtual functions to a virtual cluster at a cloud instance (30), comprising an interface between the virtual cluster at the cloud instance (30) and a subnetwork, preferably of a 3GPP communications network, wherein the interface is configured to map a structure of the subnetwork to the virtual cluster, and / or wherein the network function (10) is configured to carry out the method (100) of any one of the preceding claims.

9. Network function (10) of claim 8, characterized in that the network function (10) is a subnetwork controller and / or wherein the network function (10) is at least partly associated to a, preferably 3GPP, core network (20).

10. A computer program (90), comprising instructions which, when the computer program (90) is executed by a computer (11) of the network function (10), cause the computer (11) of the network function (10) to carry out the method (100) of any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. A computer-readable storage medium (15) comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer (11), cause the computer (11 ) to carry out the steps of the method (100) of any one of claims 1 to 7.

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