Method and device for supporting network function considering energy in wireless communication system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method performed by a network entity in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a request message including information about network energy to a network repository function (NRF) entity; and receiving a response message from the NRF entity in response to the request message.

Description

Method and device for supporting energy-conscious network functions in a wireless communication system

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication system or a mobile communication system. Specifically, it relates to a method and device for supporting energy-conscious network functions in a wireless communication system.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0008] The present disclosure provides a method and device for supporting energy-conscious network functions in a wireless communication system or a mobile communication system.

[0009] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a step of receiving a first control signal transmitted from a base station, a step of processing the received first control signal, a step of generating a second signal based on the processing, and a step of transmitting the generated second control signal to the base station, in a method for processing a control signal in a wireless communication system.

[0010] The disclosed embodiment provides a device and method capable of effectively providing a service in a mobile communication system.

[0011] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned in the various embodiments, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a 5G system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a network function (NF) registration procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an NF update procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an NF discovery procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an NF subscription procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure for selecting a user plane function (UPF) considering energy-related information and reselecting a UPF considering energy-related information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a UPF relocation request procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a network entity according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that, where possible, identical components are represented by identical reference numerals throughout the attached drawings. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present disclosure will be omitted.

[0023] In describing the embodiments in this specification, descriptions of technical details that are well known in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains and are not directly related to the present disclosure will be omitted. This is to avoid obscuring the gist of the present disclosure by omitting unnecessary explanations and to convey the gist more clearly.

[0024] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Furthermore, the dimensions of each component do not entirely reflect its actual size. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0025] The advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure is defined solely by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a 5G system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] The 5G mobile communication network is composed of a 5G UE (user equipment, terminal) (100), a 5G RAN (radio access network, base station), gNB (5g nodeB), eNB (evolved nodeB, etc.) (110), and a 5G core network. The 5G core network may be composed of NFs such as an AMF (access and mobility management function) (120) that provides a mobility management function of the UE, a SMF (session management function) (135) that provides a session management function, a UPF (user plane function) (130) that performs a data transfer role, a PCF (policy control function) (140) that provides a policy control function, a UDM (unified data management) (145) that provides a data management function such as subscriber data and policy control data, and a UDR (unified data repository) that stores data of various network functions (NFs) such as UDM. The 5G core network may be composed of a NSSF (network slice selection function) (160), a NWDAF (network data analytic It can be configured to include additional NFs such as function)(151), AF (application function)(170), DN (data network)(175), NSACF (network slice admission control function)(180).

[0028] In the 3GPP system, a conceptual link connecting NFs within a 5G system is defined as a reference point. The following illustrates a reference point included in the 5G system architecture depicted in Figure 1.

[0029] - N1: Reference point between UE and AMF

[0030] - N2: Reference point between (R)AN and AMF

[0031] - N3: Reference point between (R)AN and UPF

[0032] - N4: Reference point between SMF and UPF

[0033] - N5: Reference point between PCF and AF

[0034] - N6: Reference point between UPF and DN

[0035] - N7: Reference point between SMF and PCF

[0036] - N8: Reference point between UDM and AMF

[0037] - N9: Reference point between two core UPFs

[0038] - N10: Reference point between UDM and SMF

[0039] - N11: Reference point between AMF and SMF

[0040] - N12: Reference point between AMF and AUSF

[0041] - N13: Reference point between UDM and authentication server function (AUSF)

[0042] - N14: Reference point between two AMFs

[0043] - N15: Reference point between PCF and AMF for non-roaming scenarios, reference point between PCF and AMF in visited network for roaming scenarios.

[0044] In 5G systems, network slicing technology refers to a technology and architecture that enables multiple virtualized, independent, logical networks within a single physical network. To meet the specialized requirements of services / applications, network operators configure virtual end-to-end networks called network slices to provide services. At this time, network slices are identified by an identifier called single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI). During a terminal registration procedure (e.g., a UE registration procedure), the network transmits a set of allowed slices (e.g., allowed NSSAI(s)) to the terminal, and the terminal transmits and receives application data through a protocol data unit (PDU) session created through one of these S-NSSAIs (i.e., a network slice). In the following embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation of NF may be understood as the operation of orchestration and management (OAM).

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an NF registration procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, in step 1, the NF (or OAM) may transmit an NF registration request message to the NRF. The NF registration request message may include at least one of the following pieces of information, although the present disclosure is not limited to the examples below.

[0047] -NF type: May contain information indicating the NF type. For example, the NF type may include AMF, SMF, or UPF.

[0048] -NF instance ID: May contain unique identifier information that can identify the NF instance.

[0049] -FQDN or IP address of NF: The address information of NF, such as FQDN (fully qualified domain name) or IP (internet protocol) address, may be included.

[0050] -PLMN (public land mobile network) ID: May include the PLMN identifier of the NF.

[0051] -S-NSSAI (single network slice selection assistance information)(s): May contain identifier information of the network slice(s) supported by the NF (i.e., to which the NF belongs).

[0052] -Energy-related Information: Energy-related information of the NF may be included. If the OAM provides energy-related information of the NF, it may be transmitted in a separate message from the NF's registration request message. Alternatively, the energy-related information of the NF may be transmitted together with the NF's registration request message. The energy-related information of the NF may include one or more of the following information, but is not limited to the examples below.

[0053] -Energy consumption information: For example, Energy consumption information is energy consumption information of NF. It may include energy consumption of NF or energy consumption per unit time. Energy consumption information may include measured energy consumption (e.g., joule or watt) or information for estimating energy consumption (e.g., at least one of data volume (or bitrate), number of N4 sessions, number of transactions in case of UPF, number of registered UEs, number of transactions (or number of transactions per unit time) in case of AMF, number of PDU sessions, or number of transactions (or number of transactions per unit time) in case of SMF). In addition, Energy consumption information may include at least one of a set energy consumption (e.g., target or allowable energy consumption) or information for estimating set energy consumption (e.g., information for estimating target or allowable energy consumption). Energy consumption information may be information set by OAM.

[0054] -Energy efficiency information: Energy efficiency information is information that indicates the performance of NF relative to its energy consumption. For example, it can represent the amount of data processed per unit time (e.g., number of bits or number of transactions) divided by the amount of energy consumed. Furthermore, energy efficiency information may include configured energy efficiency information (e.g., target or allowable energy efficiency information) in addition to measured energy efficiency information. Energy efficiency information may be information configured by OAM.

[0055] -NF Energy consumption restriction level: In the case of NFs whose energy consumption is limited to a specific range, the NF Energy consumption restriction level may include information indicating the allowable energy consumption range. The NF Energy consumption restriction level may be information set by the OAM.

[0056] In step 2, the NRF may transmit a response message to the NF for the NF registration request message. Specifically, the NRF may authenticate the registration request message to the NF. The NRF may reject the NF registration request message based on the energy-related information included in the message of step 1. For example, if the NF registration request message of step 1 includes a set energy consumption (e.g., a target or allowable energy consumption) and the NRF determines that the set energy consumption value is not appropriate (e.g., the set energy consumption value is too high), the NRF may transmit a response message indicating failure or include the adjusted set energy consumption in the response message indicating success. Similarly, if the message of step 1 includes set energy efficiency information in Energy efficiency information and the NRF determines that the energy efficiency value is not appropriate (e.g., the NRF determines that the energy efficiency value is too low), the NRF may transmit a response message indicating failure or include the adjusted set energy efficiency information in the response message indicating success.

[0057] If the message in step 1 includes an NF energy consumption restriction level, NRF may send a response message indicating failure if it determines that the NF energy consumption restriction level value is not appropriate, or may include an adjusted NF energy consumption restriction level in the response message indicating success.

[0058] The NF may receive a response message from the NRF containing the processing result of the registration (e.g., information indicating success or failure). If the response message includes the configured energy consumption amount, configured energy efficiency, and configured NF energy consumption restriction level, the NF may update each stored piece of information with the newly received information. Furthermore, the NF may control energy consumption, energy consumption efficiency, and energy consumption amount based on the NF energy consumption level.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates an NF update procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, at step 0, the NF can identify whether information about energy related information for an NF instance has changed.

[0061] In step 1, if energy-related information changes, the NF may transmit a message to the NRF requesting an update of the changed information. The update request message may include information that can identify the NF (e.g., the NF instance ID) and the energy-related information for which the update occurred. The energy-related information included in the update request message transmitted by the NF to the NRF may include at least one of the following pieces of information. The present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0062] -Energy consumption information: The energy consumption information of the NF may include the energy consumption of the NF or the energy consumption per unit time. The energy consumption information of the NF may include measured energy consumption (e.g., joule or watt) or information for estimating energy consumption (e.g., at least one of data volume (or bitrate), number of N4 sessions, number of transactions in the case of UPF, number of registered UEs, number of transactions (or number of transactions per unit time) in the case of AMF, number of PDU sessions, or number of transactions (or number of transactions per unit time) in the case of SMF). In addition, the energy consumption information of the NF may include at least one of a set energy consumption (e.g., target or allowable energy consumption) or information for estimating the set energy consumption (e.g., information for estimating the target or allowable energy consumption). The energy consumption information of the NF may be information set by the OAM.

[0063] -Energy efficiency information: This information represents the performance of NF relative to its energy consumption. For example, it can represent the amount of data processed per unit time (e.g., number of bits or number of transactions) divided by the amount of energy consumed. Furthermore, in addition to measured energy efficiency information, energy efficiency information can include configured energy efficiency information (e.g., target or allowable energy efficiency information). This energy efficiency information can be information set by OAM.

[0064] -NF Energy consumption restriction level: For NFs whose energy consumption is limited to a specific range, information indicating the allowable energy consumption range may be included. The NF Energy consumption restriction level may be information set by the OAM.

[0065] In step 2, the NF may receive a response message from the NRF containing the processing result for the update (e.g., information indicating success or failure).

[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates an NF discovery procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, in step 1, the NF may transmit an NF discovery request message to the NRF. The NF discovery request message may include at least one of the following pieces of information, but is not limited to the examples below.

[0068] -target NF type: May contain information indicating the target NF type. For example, the target NF type can be AMF, SMF, or UPF.

[0069] -Consumer NF type: Information indicating the NF type of Consumer NF may be included.

[0070] -Access Type: Access Type (3GPP access, non-3GPP Access) may be included.

[0071] -RAT Type: If the Access Type is 3GPP access, the RAT (radio access technology) type (e.g., NR, E-UTRA, low-Earth orbit NR, medium-Earth orbit NR, or NB-IoT) may be included.

[0072] -PLMN ID: May contain the PLMN identifier of the NF.

[0073] -Energy-related Information requirement: Energy-related information required for the target NF (e.g., minimum, maximum (or range)) may be included. Energy-related information requirement information may include at least one of the following information, but is not limited to the examples below.

[0074] -Energy consumption information: Information on the required energy consumption of the NF, which may include the energy consumption of the NF or the energy consumption per unit time. The energy consumption information may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of the required energy consumption (e.g., joule or watt), or a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of information for estimating the required energy consumption (e.g., at least one of data volume (or bitrate) in the case of UPF, the number of N4 sessions, the number of transactions, the number of registered UEs, the number of transactions (or the number of transactions per unit time) in the case of AMF, the number of PDU sessions, or the number of transactions (or the number of transactions per unit time) in the case of SMF). In addition, the energy consumption information may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of a set energy consumption (e.g., a target or allowable energy consumption) in addition to the measured energy consumption or information for estimating the energy consumption, or information for estimating the set energy consumption (e.g., information for estimating the target or allowable energy consumption) may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval.

[0075] -Energy efficiency information: Information indicating the performance of the required NF relative to its energy consumption (e.g., minimum, maximum, or range) may be included. Furthermore, energy efficiency information may include required set energy efficiency information (e.g., target or allowable energy efficiency information) in addition to the required energy efficiency information.

[0076] -NF Energy consumption restriction level: May contain information indicating the required allowable energy consumption range.

[0077] In step 2, the NRF may transmit a response message to the discovery request message to the Consumer NF. Specifically, the NRF may identify at least one NF that satisfies the information included in the discovery request message for the NF, and then transmit the NF profile of at least one NF that satisfies the information included in the discovery request message to the Consumer NF. The response message may include the NF profile of each NF and energy-related information of each NF. The energy-related information may also be included in the NF profile.

[0078] Alternatively, even if the NRF does not receive the energy-related information requirement in step 1, it may preferentially include NF profile(s) with low energy efficiency in the response message to increase energy efficiency, or it may preferentially include NF profile(s) with low energy consumption in the response message to distribute energy consumption.

[0079] In step 3a, if the Consumer NF has an energy-related requirement but has not received NF profiles that satisfy the energy-related requirement in step 2 (e.g., the NRF cannot process the energy-related information requirement), the Consumer NF may send a message to the NWDAF requesting energy-related information for NF instances for the target NF type. The energy-related information request message may include at least one of the target NF type, S-NSSAI(s), PLMN ID, Access Type, Analytics ID, or energy-related requirement. In this case, the Analytics ID may be set to a value indicating analytics for the energy-related information.

[0080] In step 3b, the NWDAF can perform an operation to collect energy-related information for the NFs (or NF instances) for the request message of step 3a. The NWDAF can transmit a request to collect energy-related information for the NF instances for the request message of step 3a. For example, when the NWDAF receives a request for analysis information on energy-related information, the NWDAF can directly request and receive energy consumption information from the NF instances for the request message of step 3a. Alternatively, the NWDAF can request and receive information for estimating energy consumption (e.g., including at least one of data volume (or bitrate) for UPF, number of N4 sessions, number of transactions, number of registered UEs, number of transactions (or number of transactions per unit time) for AMF, number of PDU sessions, or number of transactions (or number of transactions per unit time) for SMF) from the NF instances for the request message of step 3a, and calculate energy consumption information of the NF based on the received information.

[0081] In step 3c, if the request message of step 3a does not include an Energy-related information requirement, NWDAF may include in the response message the energy-related information for each NF instance corresponding to the target NF type and all NF instances corresponding to the information received in step 3a. The response message may include, for one or more NFs, information that can identify each NF (e.g., NF instance ID), Energy-related information of the NF, and Energy-related information predicted by NWDAF for the NF.

[0082] In step 4, if the Consumer NF receives NF profile information (e.g., including at least one of FQDN or IP address information of the NF instance) and energy-related information per NF instance in step 2, the Consumer NF may select an NF (e.g., select an NF profile) based on the information included in the message in step 2a. Alternatively, if the Consumer NF receives NF profile information (e.g., including at least one of FQDN or IP address information of the NF instance) in the message received in step 2 and energy-related information per NF in step 3c, the Consumer NF may combine the two pieces of information to determine energy-related information per NF instance. And the Consumer NF may finally select an NF (e.g., select an NF profile).

[0083] FIG. 5 illustrates an NF subscription procedure in various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 5, in step 1, a Consumer NF can send a subscription request message to an NRF regarding changes in information about at least one NF (e.g., when an NF satisfying energy requirements is newly registered, an NF profile including energy-related information of the NF is changed, or energy-related information of the NF is changed). The NRF can determine the NF instances that are subscription targets. In addition, the NRF can send a notification message to the Consumer NF when the status information of the determined NF instances is changed.

[0085] The notification message may include at least one of the following information, including but not limited to the examples below:

[0086] -Callback URI: May contain address information for receiving notifications.

[0087] -NF type: The NF type of the notification target may be included.

[0088] -NF instance ID: May contain the identifier(s) of the NF instance to be notified.

[0089] -NF Set: May contain information to identify the NF set.

[0090] -NF Group Identity: May contain an NF group identifier.

[0091] -NF service name: NF service name may be included

[0092] -NF Service Set: May contain information to identify the NF Service set.

[0093] -S-NSSAI, DNN (data network name): Can indicate the notification target S-NSSAI, DNN.

[0094] -changes trigger a notification: This may include properties that are the target of monitoring and notifications. This may include energy-related information.

[0095] -Energy related information notification trigger: May contain information for conditions that trigger notifications of changes in energy-related information.

[0096] You can request that a notification be sent when an NF instance satisfies or fails to satisfy the following information, although this is not limited to the examples below.

[0097] -Energy-related Information requirement: Energy-related information required for the target NF (e.g., minimum, maximum (or interval)) may be included. The Energy-related Information requirement may include at least one of the following information, but is not limited to the examples below.

[0098] -Energy consumption information: Information on the required energy consumption of the NF. This may include the energy consumption of the NF, or the energy consumption per unit time. The energy consumption information may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of the required energy consumption (e.g., joules or Watts), or may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of information for estimating the required energy consumption (e.g., at least one of data volume (or bitrate) in the case of UPF, the number of N4 sessions, the number of transactions, the number of registered UEs, the number of transactions (or the number of transactions per unit time) in the case of AMF, the number of PDU sessions, or the number of transactions (or the number of transactions per unit time) in the case of SMF). In addition, the energy consumption information may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of a set energy consumption (e.g., a target or allowable energy consumption), in addition to the measured energy consumption or information for estimating the energy consumption, or may include a minimum value, a maximum value, or an interval of information for estimating the set energy consumption (e.g., information for estimating the target or allowable energy consumption).

[0099] -Energy efficiency information: Information indicating the performance of the required NF relative to its energy consumption (e.g., minimum, maximum (or range)) may be included. Additionally, in addition to the required energy efficiency information, required set energy efficiency information (e.g., target or allowable energy efficiency information) may be included.

[0100] -NF Energy consumption restriction level: May contain information indicating the required allowable energy consumption range.

[0101] In step 2, the NRF can authenticate the request of the Consumer NF. Based on the information included in the message in step 1, the NRF can determine the NF instance(s) or NF service instance(s) to monitor status information. If the NF instance ID is not included, the NRF can monitor status information for the NF instances that satisfy the NF type and other parameters (e.g., S-NSSAI and DNN). If the changes trigger a notification in step 1 include energy-related information or energy-related information monitoring is enabled in the configuration information, the NRF can perform energy-related information monitoring for the target NF instances.

[0102] In step 3, the NRF may send a response message to the Consumer NF regarding the subscription. The response message may include a Subscription transaction ID.

[0103] In step 4, if the NRF receives the message of step 1, or if the NF discovery request message of step 1 of FIG. 4 includes an Energy-related information requirement, the NRF may monitor Energy-related information of the NF instance(s) corresponding to each message. If there is a change in information included in the Energy-related information for the NF instance(s) being monitored, or if an NF instance corresponding to the target NF instance is newly registered, the NRF may transmit a notification message to the Consumer NF. The notification message may include at least one of a Subscription correlation ID, NF instance identifier information for each NF instance for the corresponding NF instances, or Energy-related information. If the subscription includes an Energy-related information notification trigger (for example, if an NF changes its state so that it does not satisfy the Energy-related Information requirement (or an NF that did not satisfy it becomes satisfied) according to the Energy-related information notification trigger in the message received in step 1), the NRF can send a message to the Consumer NF to notify the above-described state. The notification message can include at least one of a Subscription correlation ID, NF instance identifier information for each NF instance for the corresponding NF instances, information indicating that the energy-related requirement is satisfied (or information indicating that it is not satisfied), or Energy-related information.

[0104] FIG. 6 illustrates a UPF selection process considering energy-related information and a UPF reselection process considering energy-related information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 6, in step 0, a PDU session establishment procedure for a UE may be performed. The SMF may perform UPF selection. At this time, an NF discovery request message including an energy-related information requirement (see FIG. 4) and NF type=UPF may be transmitted to the NRF. The SMF may determine whether to include the energy-related information requirement based on the UE subscriber information received from the UDM. For example, if the UE subscriber information includes some of the information corresponding to the energy-related information requirement, the information included in the UE subscriber information may be included in the NF discovery message transmitted to the NRF. The SMF may select a UPF (e.g., UPF1) that satisfies the energy-related information requirement and other requirements (e.g., S-NSSAI and DNN) based on the NF profile(s) received from the NRF (e.g., which may include energy-related information) or one or more NF profiles received from the NRF, as the serving UPF of the PDU session. The NRF can monitor energy-related information for target UPF(s). The NRF can perform monitoring when an NF discovery message received from an SMF includes energy-related information (see step 1 of FIG. 4) or when a subscription request message requesting notification of changes in energy-related information for target UPF(s) is received from the SMF (see step 1 of FIG. 5).

[0106] NRF can perform monitoring when an NF discovery message received from an SMF includes energy related information (see step 1 of FIG. 4) or when it receives a subscription request message requesting notification of changes in energy related information for target UPF(s) from the SMF (see step 1 of FIG. 5).

[0107] When a UPF (or an OAM managing a UPF) is newly selected as the serving UPF for a PDU session from an SMF (e.g., when an N4 session is established), the UPF (or itself) can monitor energy-related information for that UPF. The remaining PDU session establishment procedures can then be performed.

[0108] In step 1a, the NRF can send a message to the SMF notifying that energy-related information among the UPF(s) being monitored has changed, or that there is a change among the UPF(s) being monitored that does not satisfy the energy-related information requirement (see step 4 of Fig. 5).

[0109] In step 1b, a UPF (e.g., UPF1) can send a message to the SMF notifying that energy-related information among the UPF(s) being monitored has changed, or that one of the UPF(s) being monitored has changed so that it does not satisfy the energy-related information requirement.

[0110] In step 2, when the SMF receives the message of step 1a or the message of step 1b, it can determine whether the existing UPF can continue serving the PDU session.

[0111] In step 3, if the SMF determines that the UPF (e.g., UPF1) can no longer serve the PDU session (e.g., does not satisfy the energy-related information requirement), the SMF may select a new UPF that satisfies the energy-related information requirement among the NF profile(s) included in the message received in step 1a, if such NF profile(s) are included. Alternatively, the SMF may send an NF discovery message to the NRF to receive the NF profile(s), and then select a new UPF (e.g., UPF2).

[0112] In step 4, a PDU session establishment procedure may be performed through a new UPF (e.g., UPF2). A PDU session through an existing UPF (e.g., UPF1) may be released. The existing PDU session may be released after a new PDU session (e.g., a PDU session through UPF2) is established (e.g., if the existing PDU session corresponds to SSC mode 3), or may be released before a new PDU session is established (e.g., if the existing PDU session corresponds to SSC mode 2).

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates a UPF relocation request procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 7, in step 1, if the energy efficiency is lower than the stored threshold, if a notification message to switch to power saving is received from OAM, or if, depending on the configuration information, the UPF may transmit an N4 request message including information that it can no longer handle the PDU session (or N4 session) to all SMF(s) connected to the N4 session. The N4 request message may include at least one of an N4 session ID or a cause (e.g., UPF relocation due to energy efficiency).

[0115] In step 2, each SMF can send a response message to the N4 request message to the UPF.

[0116] In step 3, each SMF may perform a procedure to select a different UPF for the PDU session.

[0117] In step 4, each SMF can send an N4 Release Request message including the N4 Session ID to the UPF.

[0118] In step 5, the UPF may send a response message to the N4 release request message to the SMF.

[0119] In step 6, UPF can operate in power saving mode (e.g., low power mode, or power off state) when all N4 sessions are released.

[0120] In step 6a, the UPF may transmit information to the NRF indicating that it has changed to power saving mode.

[0121] NRF may not include in the NF discovery response message the NF instance(s) that have changed to power saving mode.

[0122] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a terminal (UE) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 8, the terminal of the present disclosure may include a processor (810), a transceiver (820), and a memory (830). However, the components of the terminal are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the terminal may include more or fewer components than the components described above. Furthermore, the processor (810), the transceiver (820), and the memory (830) may be implemented in the form of a single chip.

[0124] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (810) may control a series of processes by which the terminal may operate according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above. For example, the processor (810) may control components of the terminal to perform a method for supporting energy-conscious network functions according to the embodiments described above. The processor (810) may control components of the terminal to perform the embodiments of the present disclosure described above by executing a program stored in the memory (830). In addition, the processor (810) may be an Application Processor (AP), a Communication Processor (CP), a circuit, an application-specific circuit, or at least one processor.

[0125] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver (820) can transmit and receive signals with a network entity, another terminal, or a base station. The signals transmitted and received with the network entity, another terminal, or a base station can include control information and data. The transceiver (820) can be configured with an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies and frequency-downconverts a received signal. However, the transceiver (820) is only one embodiment, and the components of the transceiver (820) are not limited to the RF transmitter and RF receiver. In addition, the transceiver (820) can receive a signal through a wireless channel, output it to the processor (810), and transmit the signal output from the processor (810) through the wireless channel.

[0126] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory (830) may store programs and data necessary for the operation of the terminal. Furthermore, the memory (830) may store control information or data included in signals transmitted and received by the terminal. The memory (830) may be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media, such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD. Furthermore, there may be a plurality of memories (830). Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the memory (830) may store a program for performing a method for supporting a network function that takes energy into account, as described above.

[0127] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 9, the terminal of the present disclosure may include a processor (910), a transceiver (920), and a memory (930). However, the components of the terminal are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the terminal may include more or fewer components than the components described above. Furthermore, the processor (910), the transceiver (920), and the memory (930) may be implemented in the form of a single chip.

[0129] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (910) may control a series of processes by which the terminal may operate according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above. For example, the processor (910) may control components of the terminal to perform a method for supporting energy-conscious network functions according to the embodiments described above. The processor (910) may control components of the terminal to perform the embodiments of the present disclosure described above by executing a program stored in the memory (930). In addition, the processor (910) may be an Application Processor (AP), a Communication Processor (CP), a circuit, an application-specific circuit, or at least one processor.

[0130] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver (920) can transmit and receive signals with a network entity, another base station, or a terminal. The signals transmitted and received with the network entity, another base station, or a terminal may include control information and data. The transceiver (920) may be configured with an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies and frequency-down-converts a received signal. However, the transceiver (920) is only one embodiment, and the components of the transceiver (920) are not limited to the RF transmitter and RF receiver. In addition, the transceiver (920) may receive a signal through a wireless channel and output it to the processor (910), and transmit a signal output from the processor (910) through the wireless channel.

[0131] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory (930) can store programs and data necessary for the operation of the terminal. In addition, the memory (930) can store control information or data included in signals transmitted and received by the terminal. The memory (930) can be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media, such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD. In addition, there can be a plurality of memories (930). In addition, according to one embodiment, the memory (930) can store a program for performing a method for supporting a network function that takes energy into account as described above.

[0132] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a network entity according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 10, a network entity of the present disclosure may include a processor (1010), a transceiver (1020), and a memory (1030). However, the components of the network entity are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the network entity may include more or fewer components than the components described above. In addition, the processor (1010), the transceiver (1020), and the memory (1030) may be implemented in the form of a single chip. In addition, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the network entity may refer to a network function (NF), and the NF may include a RAN, an AMF, a PCF, an UDM, an AF, a NEF, and a UTM.

[0134] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (1010) may control a series of processes by which the NF may operate according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above. For example, the processor (1010) may control components of a network entity to perform a method for supporting energy-conscious network functions according to the embodiments described above. The processor (1010) may control components of a terminal to perform the embodiments of the present disclosure described above by executing a program stored in the memory (1030). In addition, the processor (1010) may be an Application Processor (AP), a Communication Processor (CP), a circuit, an application-specific circuit, or at least one processor.

[0135] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver (1020) can transmit and receive signals with other network entities, base stations, or terminals. The signals transmitted and received with other network entities or terminals can include control information and data. The transceiver (1020) can be configured with an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies and frequency-converts a received signal. However, the transceiver (1020) is only one embodiment, and the components of the transceiver (1020) are not limited to the RF transmitter and RF receiver. In addition, the transceiver (1020) can receive a signal through a wireless channel, output it to the processor (1010), and transmit a signal output from the processor (1010) through the wireless channel.

[0136] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory (1030) may store programs and data necessary for the operation of a network entity. Furthermore, the memory (1030) may store control information or data included in signals transmitted and received by the network entity. The memory (1030) may be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media, such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD. Furthermore, there may be a plurality of memories (1030). Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the memory (1030) may store a program for performing a method for supporting a network function that takes energy into account, as described above.

[0137] It should be noted that the configuration diagrams, exemplary diagrams of control / data signal transmission / reception methods, and exemplary diagrams of operating procedures illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. That is, not all components, entities, or operational steps described in FIGS. 1 to 10 should be construed as essential components for the implementation of the disclosure, and the disclosure may be implemented without detriment to the essence of the disclosure even if only some components are included.

[0138] The operations of the embodiments described above can be realized by providing a memory device storing the corresponding program code in any component within the device. That is, the control unit within the device can execute the operations described above by reading and executing the program code stored in the memory device through a processor or a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0139] The various components and modules of the entity or terminal device described in the present disclosure may be operated using hardware circuits, such as logic circuits based on complementary metal oxide semiconductors, firmware, software, and / or hardware and firmware and / or software embedded in a machine-readable medium. For example, various electrical structures and methods may be implemented using electrical circuits such as transistors, logic gates, and application-specific semiconductors.

[0140] The methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0141] When implemented in software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium are configured for execution by one or more processors within an electronic device. The one or more programs include instructions that cause the electronic device to execute methods according to embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure.

[0142] These programs (software modules, software) may be stored in random access memory, non-volatile memory including flash memory, read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disc storage devices, compact disc-ROMs (CD-ROMs), digital versatile discs (DVDs) or other forms of optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, or may be stored in memories formed by a combination of some or all of these. In addition, each configuration memory may include multiple copies.

[0143] Additionally, the program may be stored on an attachable storage device that is accessible via a communication network, such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a storage area network (SAN), or a combination thereof. Such a storage device may be connected to a device implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure via an external port. Additionally, a separate storage device on the communication network may be connected to a device implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, components included in the disclosure are expressed singularly or plurally, depending on the specific embodiment presented. However, the singular or plural expressions are selected to suit the presented situation for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Components expressed in plural may be composed of singular elements, or components expressed in singular may be composed of plural elements.

[0145] While the detailed description of this disclosure has described specific embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the claims described below, but also by equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network entity of a wireless communication system, A step of transmitting a request message containing information about network energy to an NRF (network repository function) entity; and A method comprising the step of receiving a response message to the request message from the NRF entity.

2. In paragraph 1, A method wherein the information about the network energy includes at least one of information about energy consumption, information about a performance metric, information about energy efficiency, or information about a network function (NF) energy consumption limit.

3. In paragraph 1, A method, wherein the request message includes a message for requesting registration of an NF profile of the network entity or a message for requesting an update of the NF profile.

4. In paragraph 1, If the above request message includes a message for requesting NF discovery, the information about the network energy includes at least one requirement for energy-related information corresponding to the target NF type, and A method wherein the above response message includes energy-related information of at least one NF.

5. In a method performed by an NRF (network repository function) entity of a wireless communication system, A step of receiving a request message containing information about network energy from a network entity; and A method comprising the step of transmitting a response message to the request message to the network entity.

6. In paragraph 5, A method wherein the information about the network energy includes at least one of information about energy consumption, information about a performance metric, information about energy efficiency, or information about a network function (NF) energy consumption limit.

7. In paragraph 5, A method, wherein the request message includes a message for requesting registration of an NF profile of the network entity or a message for requesting an update of the NF profile.

8. In paragraph 5, If the above request message includes a message for requesting NF discovery, the information about the network energy includes at least one requirement for energy-related information corresponding to the target NF type, and A method wherein the above response message includes energy-related information of at least one NF.

9. In the network entity of the wireless communication system, Transmitter and receiver; and At least one control unit connected to the above transceiver unit, At least one control unit: As an NRF (network repository function) entity, it sends a request message containing information about network energy, and A network entity configured to receive a response message to the request message from the NRF entity.

10. In paragraph 9, A network entity, wherein the information about the network energy includes at least one of information about energy consumption, information about a performance metric, information about energy efficiency, or information about a network function (NF) energy consumption limit.

11. In paragraph 9, A network entity, wherein the request message includes a message for requesting registration of an NF profile of the network entity or a message for requesting an update of the NF profile.

12. In paragraph 9, If the above request message includes a message for requesting NF discovery, the information about the network energy includes at least one requirement for energy-related information corresponding to the target NF type, and A network entity, wherein the above response message contains energy-related information of at least one NF.

13. In the NRF (network repository function) entity of a wireless communication system, Transmitter and receiver; and At least one control unit connected to the above transceiver unit, At least one control unit: Receive a request message containing information about network energy from a network entity, and An NRF entity configured to transmit a response message to the request message as the above network entity.

14. In paragraph 13, An NRF entity, wherein the information about the network energy includes at least one of information about energy consumption, information about a performance metric, information about energy efficiency, or information about a network function (NF) energy consumption limit.

15. In paragraph 13, An NRF entity, wherein the request message includes a message for requesting registration of an NF profile of the network entity or a message for requesting an update of the NF profile.

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