Devices and methods for controlling multiple accesses in a mobile network

Abstract

A control plane entity (160; 180) is disclosed for supporting control of a plurality of radio access networks, RANs, (120a-n) by one or more further control plane entities (190) of a core network, CN, of a mobile network (100), wherein each RAN (120a-n) provides one or more communication links to a user equipment, UE, (110) based on a specific radio access technology, RAT. The control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and a first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first RAN (120a) control information based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN (120a) and vice versa. Moreover, the control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and a second RAN (120b) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a second RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN (120b) control information based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN (120b) and vice versa.

Description

[0001] DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING MULTIPLE ACCESSES IN A MOBILE NETWORK

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for controlling multiple accesses in a mobile communication system, in particular a 3GPP mobile network.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] 5G and future wireless mobile networks like 6G are expected to provide various services to billions of globally distributed users and support complex applications like Artificial Reality(AR) / Virtual Reality(VR), holographic communications, and the like, with stringent performance requirements. Moreover, with increasing rate of mobility, large number of small cell base stations in 5G, and an increased interest to improve the Quality of Service (QoS) and network resource utilization, UEs are increasingly equipped with multiple network interfaces e.g., 4G, 5G and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), and will most likely be extended to include 6G and NTN related interfaces. Therefore, interoperation amongst these heterogeneous networks is deemed necessary. Consequently, multi-connectivity has gained interest in recent years as it has the potential to improve reliability, scalability, and throughput along with a noticeable reduction in latency experienced by current mobile end users. 3GPP standards also provide solutions like Multi Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) and Access Traffic Steering, Switching & Splitting (ATSSS) (5G and Wi-Fi) which enable a UE to have two simultaneous connections (4G and 5G) over heterogeneous or homogeneous networks to leverage the benefits of multiple connections.

[0006] So far in the evolution of mobile communication technology and its corresponding 3GPP standards, every new access technology has resulted in a corresponding new Core Network (CN) with separate Access Stratum (AS) protocols and Non- Access Stratum (NAS) protocols. This practice has resulted in multiple heterogeneous mobile networks today with enhancements to interoperate with legacy networks. Today, 5G has a separate interworking architecture to operate with 4G and a separate interworking architecture to operate with non-3GPP RAT like Wi-Fi. Moreover, in order to enable interoperation between two networks, additional components that combine the necessary parallel functionalities from the participating networks are introduced in both networks. To enable multi-connectivity and mobility in the presence of multiple heterogeneous access technologies, inter- working between heterogeneous networks is mandatory. However, the current interworking architectures require additional overhead in terms of signaling, additional components and policies, which cause non-negligible delay and issues such as multiple UE registrations. Moreover, both networks must support interworking architectures; if a target network does not support interworking architecture, then the UE must break the connection with the source network and establish a new session with the target network, interworking may be supported for only non-GBR QoS flows, and the like, to name a few cases.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide improved devices and methods for controlling multiple accesses in a mobile communication system, in particular a 3GPP mobile network.

[0009] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0010] According to a first aspect a control plane entity is provided for supporting control of a plurality of radio access networks, RANs, by one or more further control plane entities of a core network, CN, of a mobile network, wherein each RAN provides one or more communication links to a user equipment, UE, based on a specific radio access technology, RAT. The control plane entity according to the first aspect is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network and a first RAN of the plurality of RANs based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first RAN control information based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN. Moreover, the control plane entity according to the first aspect is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network and a second RAN of the plurality of RANs based on a second RAT different from the first RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN control information based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect allows handling the details of interactions with multiple different access networks, such that any RAT access node (legacy, current and future RAT) can operate with the (single) Core Network. In other words, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may manage the different RANs and the interactions between the single Core Network and the multiple RANs.

[0011] In a further possible implementation form, the control plane entity is further configured to: exchange control information between the first RAN based on the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network by translating first RAN control information based on the first communication protocol of the first RAN into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol; and exchange control information between the second RAN based on the second RAT different from the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network by translating second RAN control information based on the second communication protocol of the second RAN into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect allows handling the details of interactions with multiple different access networks, such that any RAT access node (legacy, current and future RAT) can operate with the single Core Network. In other words, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may manage the different RANs and the interactions between the single Core Network and the multiple RANs.

[0012] In a further possible implementation form, the control plane entity is configured to select at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN based on the first RAT and / or at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN based on the second RAT for a session of the UE. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may determine the optimal links for scheduling UE sessions.

[0013] In a further possible implementation form, the control plane entity is configured to allocate traffic to and / or from the UE to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN based on the second RAT. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may manage single and multiple connections for UEs over heterogeneous RANs through facilitating the communication between RANs and Core Network, selecting optimal links for UE sessions, and scheduling UE sessions and providing instructions to UE, RANs and Core UPs on how to distribute the UEs traffic over the allocated resources.

[0014] In a further possible implementation form, for allocating traffic to and / or from the UE to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN based on the second RAT the control plane entity is configured to provide allocation control information to the UE, the first RAN based on the first RAT, and / or the second RAN based on the second RAT. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may efficiently manage single and multiple connections for UEs over heterogeneous RANs through facilitating the communication between RANs and Core Network, selecting optimal links for UE sessions, and scheduling UE sessions and providing instructions to UE, RANs and Core UPs on how to distribute the UEs traffic over the allocated resources.

[0015] In a further possible implementation form, the plurality of RANs comprises: a 6G RAN, a 5G RAN, a 4G RAN, a 3G RAN, a WLAN in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 framework of standards, and / or a non-terrestrial network, NTN, RAN. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may seamlessly handle the details of interactions with widely used current and future RANs.

[0016] In a further possible implementation form, the first RAN of the plurality of RANs is a 5G RAN and the control plane entity is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network and the first RAN of the plurality of RANs based on a first RAT via an AMF of the mobile network. Thus, the control plane entity according to the first aspect may be seamlessly implemented in a 5G mobile network.

[0017] According to a second aspect a method is provided of operating a control plane entity for supporting control of a plurality of radio access networks, RANs, by one or more further control plane entities of a core network, CN, of a mobile network, wherein each RAN provides one or more communication links to a user equipment, UE, based on a specific radio access technology, RAT. The method according to the second aspect comprises: exchanging control information between the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network and a first RAN of the plurality of RANs based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first RAN control information, i.e. control signaling based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN; and exchanging control information between the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network and a second RAN of the plurality of RANs based on a second RAT different from the first RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN control information, i.e. control signaling based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN. Thus, the method according to the second aspect allows handling the details of interactions with multiple different access networks, such that any RAT access node (legacy, current and future RAT) can operate with the (single) Core Network. In other words, by means of the method according to the second aspect the different RANs and the interactions between the single Core Network and the multiple RANs may be managed.

[0018] In a further possible implementation form, the method according to the second aspect further comprises: exchanging control information between the first RAN based on the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network by translating first RAN control information, i.e. control signaling based on the first communication protocol of the first RAN into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol; and exchanging control information between the second RAN based on the second RAT different from the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network by translating second RAN control information, i.e. control signaling based on the second communication protocol of the second RAN into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol. Thus, the method according to the second aspect allows handling the details of interactions with multiple different access networks, such that any RAT access node (legacy, current and future RAT) can operate with the single Core Network. In other words, by means of the method according to the second aspect the different RANs and the interactions between the single Core Network and the multiple RANs may be managed.

[0019] In a further possible implementation form, the method according to the second aspect further comprises selecting at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN based on the first RAT and / or at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN based on the second RAT for a session of the UE. Thus, the method according to the second aspect may determine the optimal links for scheduling UE sessions. In a further possible implementation form, the method according to the second aspect further comprises allocating traffic to and / or from the UE to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN based on the second RAT. Thus, by means of the method according to the second aspect single and multiple connections for UEs over heterogeneous RANs may be managed through facilitating the communication between RANs and Core Network, selecting optimal links for UE sessions, and scheduling UE sessions and providing instructions to UE, RANs and Core UPs on how to distribute the UEs traffic over the allocated resources.

[0020] In a further possible implementation form, the step of allocating traffic to and / or from the UE to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN based on the second RAT comprises providing allocation control information to the UE, the first RAN based on the first RAT, and / or the second RAN based on the second RAT. Thus, by means of the method according to the second aspect single and multiple connections for UEs over heterogeneous RANs may be managed through facilitating the communication between RANs and Core Network, selecting optimal links for UE sessions, and scheduling UE sessions and providing instructions to UE, RANs and Core UPs on how to distribute the UEs traffic over the allocated resources.

[0021] In a further possible implementation form, the plurality of RANs comprises: a 6G RAN, a 5G RAN, a 4G RAN, a 3G RAN, a WLAN in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 framework of standards, and / or a non-terrestrial network, NTN, RAN. Thus, the method according to the second aspect may seamlessly handle the details of interactions with widely used current and future RANs.

[0022] In a further possible implementation form, the first RAN of the plurality of RANs is a 5G RAN and the method according to the second aspect comprises exchanging control information between the one or more further control plane entities of the CN of the mobile network and the first RAN of the plurality of RANs based on a first RAT via an AMF of the mobile network. Thus, the method according to the second aspect may be seamlessly integrated in a 5G mobile network.

[0023] The method according to the second aspect can be performed by the control plane entity according to the first aspect. Thus, further features of the method according to the second aspect result directly from the functionality of the control plane entity according to the first aspect as well as its different implementation forms described above and below.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program code which causes a computer or a processor to perform the method according to the third aspect, when the program code is executed by the computer or the processor.

[0025] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail with reference to the attached figures and drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile telecommunication system comprising a control plane entity according to an example for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a core network, CN, of the mobile telecommunication system;

[0028] Figs. 2a and 2b are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary mobile telecommunication systems with a plurality of RANs with specific RATs;

[0029] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile telecommunication system in the form of a 6G mobile network comprising a control plane entity according to an example for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a CN of the 6G mobile network;

[0030] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a mobile telecommunication system comprising a control plane entity according to an example, which is implemented as a component of or collocated with an AMF, for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a CN of the mobile telecommunication system;

[0031] Fig. 5 is a signalling diagram illustrating operations and interactions of a control plane entity according to an example with other network entities of a mobile telecommunication system for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a CN of the mobile telecommunication system;

[0032] Fig. 6 is a signalling diagram illustrating operations and interactions of a control plane entity according to an example with other network entities of a mobile telecommunication system for supporting single access control of a plurality of RANs with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a CN of the mobile telecommunication system; and

[0033] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for operating a control plane entity according to an example for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a CN of a mobile telecommunication system.

[0034] In the following, identical reference signs refer to identical or at least functionally equivalent features.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which form part of the disclosure, and which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure or specific aspects in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be used. It is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in other aspects and comprise structural or logical changes not depicted in the figures. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0037] For instance, it is to be understood that a disclosure in connection with a described method may also hold true for a corresponding device or system configured to perform the method and vice versa. For example, if one or a plurality of specific method steps are described, a corresponding device may include one or a plurality of units, e.g. functional units, to perform the described one or plurality of method steps (e.g. one unit performing the one or plurality of steps, or a plurality of units each performing one or more of the plurality of steps), even if such one or more units are not explicitly described or illustrated in the figures. Moreover, if a specific apparatus is described based on one or a plurality of units, e.g. functional units, a corresponding method may include one step to perform the functionality of the one or plurality of units (e.g. one step performing the functionality of the one or plurality of units, or a plurality of steps each performing the functionality of one or more of the plurality of units), even if such one or plurality of steps are not explicitly described or illustrated in the figures. Further, it is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments and / or aspects described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0038] Before describing detailed embodiments for establishing multi-connectivity communication in a mobile network the following acronyms / abbreviations are defined:

[0039] 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP

[0040] 5thGeneration Mobile Communication Technology 5G

[0041] 6thGeneration Mobile Communication Technology 6G

[0042] Access and Mobility Management Function AMF

[0043] Access Network AN

[0044] Application Programming Interface API

[0045] Artificial Reality AR

[0046] Access Stratum AS

[0047] Access Traffic Steering, Switching & Splitting ATSSS

[0048] Base Station BS

[0049] Core Network CN

[0050] Control Plane CP

[0051] Down Link DL

[0052] Data Network DN

[0053] Evolved Packet Core EPC

[0054] Evolved Packet System EPS

[0055] Multiple Access Control MAC

[0056] Multiple Access Connection Management MACM

[0057] Master Cell Group MCG

[0058] Mobility Management Entity MME

[0059] Master Node MN

[0060] Multipath Transmission Control Protocol MPTCP

[0061] Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity MR-DC

[0062] Non Access Stratum NAS

[0063] Network Function NF

[0064] Non-Terrestrial Network NTN

[0065] Policy Control Function PCF

[0066] Protocol Data Unit PDU

[0067] PDU Session Anchor PSA

[0068] Quality of Service QoS

[0069] Radio Access Network RAN

[0070] Radio Access Technology RAT

[0071] Radio Resource Control RRC

[0072] Secondary Cell Group SCG

[0073] Service Data Adaptation Protocol SDAP

[0074] Session Management Function SME

[0075] Secondary Node SN User Equipment UE

[0076] Up Link UL

[0077] User Plane UP

[0078] User Plane F unction UPF

[0079] User Plane Manager UPM

[0080] Virtual Reality VR

[0081] Wireless Fidelity Wi-Fi

[0082] Wireless Local Area Network WLAN

[0083] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile telecommunication system 100 (also referred to as mobile network 100) comprising a control plane entity 160 (referred to as Multiple Access Control, MAC, entity 160 in figure 1) according to an embodiment for supporting control of a plurality of radio access networks, RANs, 120a-n by one or more further control plane entities 190, such as network functions, NF s, 190, of a core network, CN, of the mobile network 100. Each RAN 120a- n provides one or more communication links to a user equipment, UE, 110 based on a specific radio access technology, RAT, for instance, for accessing a DN 150 via one or more user plane, UP, entities 130 of the mobile network 100. Figures 2a and 2b are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary mobile telecommunication systems 100 with a plurality of RANs 120a-n with different specific RATs, such as a 5G RAN 120a, a LTE RAN 120b, a NTN RAN 120c, a Wi-Fi 120d, and a xNB RAN 120e. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 is implemented together with the AMF as a component of a control plane entity 180 located in a control plane 200 of the mobile network 100.

[0084] As will be described in more detail in the following under further reference to figure 3, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 (or in further embodiments the control plane entity 180 comprising the MAC entity 160 and the AMF 170) is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities 190 of the CN of the mobile network 100 and a first RAN 120a of the plurality of RANs 120a-n based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first control information based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN 120a. Moreover, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 (or in further embodiments the control plane entity 180 comprising the MAC entity 160 and the AMF 170) is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities 190 of the CN of the mobile network 100 and a second RAN 120b of the plurality of RANs 120a-n based on a second RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN control information based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN.

[0085] In an embodiment, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 (or in further embodiments the control plane entity 180 comprising the MAC entity 160 and the AMF 170) is further configured to exchange control information between the first RAN 120a based on the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities 190 of the CN of the mobile network 100 by translating first RAN control information based on the first communication protocol of the first RAN 120a into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol. In this embodiment the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 (or in further embodiments the control plane entity 180 comprising the MAC entity 160 and the AMF 170) is further configured to exchange control information between the second RAN 120b based on the second RAT and the one or more further control plane entities 190 of the CN of the mobile network 100 by translating second RAN control information based on the second communication protocol of the second RAN into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol.

[0086] Thus, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 (or in further embodiments the control plane entity 180 comprising the MAC entity 160 and the AMF 170) allows to ease the handling of inter-operation between different mobile communication technologies, i.e. RATs in a mobile communication network, such as the mobile networks illustrated in figures 1, 2a, b and 3. As illustrated in the embodiment shown in figure 3, the MAC entity 160 may comprise a controller 160a, a scheduler 160b and a multiple access connection management, MACM, entity 160c, which are configured to interact with a user plane manager 140, and proprietary access management functions 161 like MME 121a, AMF 170 (or alternatively an Access Management entity 170a and a Mobility Management entity 170b), ANF 121b, N3GPP 121c, and the like to efficiently handle the details of interactions among the multiple different access networks 120a-n , such that any RAT access node (legacy, current, and future RAT) may operate with the Core Network that supports multi-access by design. As will be appreciated, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 is ideally located at the interfacing point between the RANs 120a-n and the Core Network such that the RANs 120a-n communicate with Core Network and vice versa via the MAC entity 160 which handles the intricacies of operating between heterogeneous RANs 120a-n and the Core Network. Thus, by means of the MAC entity 160 a single 6G Core may be able to effectively support multiple different RANs with respective RATs 120a-n so that interoperations between different Cores are no longer necessary. For example, a 6G network 100 may implement the MAC entity 160 to support multi-access by design enabling any RAN to operate with the 6G Core Network. The MAC entity 160 enables the Core Network and RAN to evolve independently in the future.

[0087] In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the controller 160a of the MAC entity 160 is configured to manage the different RANs 120a-n and the interactions between the Core Network and the RANs 120a-n in the way already described above. The scheduler 160b of the MAC entity 160 is configured to dynamically determine the optimal link(s) and schedule the UE sessions over the optimal link(s). The MACM entity 160c of the MAC entity 160 is configured to manage multiple connections for UEs by providing, e.g., rules for traffic distribution on the allocated radio resources, such as the ATSSS rules disclosed in 3GPP TS 24.193. In other words, the MACM entity 160c of the MAC entity 160 is configured to allocate traffic to and / or from the UE 110 to the selected communication links of the different RANs 120a-n by providing allocation control information to the UE 110, the access nodes of the different RANs 120a and / or the UP entities 130 supporting the UE traffic. In an embodiment, the allocation control information may be generated by the MACM entity 160c of the MAC entity 160 in the way described in PCT / EP2023 / 070879, which is fully incorporated by reference herein. PCT / EP2023 / 070879 discloses an approach for leveraging multi-connectivity in a mobile network and distributing the packets from a QoS flow on all available connections, thereby improving the throughput and latency experienced by UEs and improve the resource utilization in the network. More specifically, a mechanism is disclosed for distributing the traffic from a service flow across all available connections regardless of their access technologies using a Service Data Flow (SDF) Distribution Table (SDT) and a Service data flow Distribution Manager (SDM) in the UE and User Plane (UP) of both RAN and Core Networks. Thus, according to an embodiment, the UE 110, the RAN nodes, and / or the UP entities may make use of the SDT (which essentially defines a mapping table) for establishing and using multi-connectivity communication between the UE 110 and, for instance, an end-point application via a data network 150, such as the Internet 150. Further details are disclosed in PCT / EP2023 / 070879, which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the User Plane Manager, UPM, entity 140 is configured to assist the Core Network User Plane to transparently forward UL / DL traffic on available links over the heterogeneous access networks 120a-n. The Multi-access User Plane Management entity 140 sets up the required tunnels / data paths and link specific configurations with the respective access nodes to enable transmission of UP traffic. In principle, it hides the complexities of connecting and managing multiple user plane tunnels like N3 tunnels in 5G with multiple different types of ANs from core UP entity like UPF in 5G. It enables the Core UP entity like UPF to connect to a BS in any RAN without the complexities of setting up and maintaining various different connections / tunnels specific to each RAT.

[0089] As will be appreciated, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 abstracts the details of the Access Network’s interactions with the Core Network, such that any RAT access node (legacy, current and future RAT) may directly operate with the Core Network. Thus, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 essentially hides the implementation details of the access networks 120a-n from the Core Network, enabling the Core Network to easily operate with any and all available access nodes in the heterogeneous access network environment. Moreover, according to an embodiment, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160, in particular the scheduler 160b thereof may determine the optimal links for scheduling UE sessions and manages multiple connections for UEs over heterogeneous access networks. The control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 allows a seamless integration of any new / old access node (of any access technology) into the mobile network through defining the common set of functionalities, services, interfaces and APIs in the Core Network, which the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 converts into access specific signalling, i.e. control information to enable easy addition and operation for any RAT access node into the mobile network 100.

[0090] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of the 3GPP mobile network 100 for implementing the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in figure 4 the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 is implemented as a component of or collocated with the AMF 170 (similar to the embodiment shown in figure 1) for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs 120a-n with specific RATs and the UPM entity 140 is implemented as a component of or collocated with the UPF(s) 130. As can be taken from figure 4, in addition to the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 and the AMF 170 the mobile network 100 may comprise one or more of the following network functions: NRF 171, PCF 172, NWDAF 173, AF 174, SMF 175, NEF 176, UDM 177. As already described above, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 during the interactions between the different RANs 120a-n and the Core Network essentially maps the proprietary communication from each RAN 120a-n to the common set of functionalities defined by the Core Network and vice versa.

[0091] Figure 5 is a signalling diagram illustrating operations and interactions of the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 according to an embodiment with other network entities of the mobile network 100 for supporting multiple access control of a plurality of RANs 120a-n with specific RATs by one or more further control plane entities of a CN of the mobile network 100. More specifically, figure 5 illustrates the operation of the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160, when the UE 110 is requesting the network to provide a multiple-access session over available heterogeneous RATs.

[0092] In step 1 of figure 5, the nodes of the plurality of RANs 120a-n perform an access node registration. As illustrated in figure 5, this access node registration may be performed with an access management entity 170a (which may be implemented as an AMF) in accordance with the procedure standardized in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0093] In steps 2 to 4 of figure 5, the network receives the request from the UE 110 to establish a multi-access PDU session for the UE 110 as defined in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0094] In step 5 of figure 5, the Session Management Function, SMF, 175 retrieves the policy from the network for establishing the requested session.

[0095] In step 6 of figure 5, the Access Management Function, AMF, 170a sends the policy and a request to the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 to setup Multiple Access for UE’s PDU session. The Access Management Function 170a may have pre-configured policies or it may retrieve the policies from a policy control function, PCF.

[0096] In step 7 of figure 5, the Session Management Function, SMF, 175 generates the N4 rules for the Core Network User Plane.

[0097] In step 8 of figure 5, the Session Management Function, SMF, 175 configures the N4 rules in the Core Network User Plane. In step 9 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 receives periodic reports from the Access Network Nodes either directly or via the proprietary Access Management Functions of the Radio Access Networks 120a-n.

[0098] Based on the received reports, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 determines in step 10 of figure 5 the state of the access network nodes of the RANs 120a-n.

[0099] In step 11 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 assigns quality markers to the links provided by the access network nodes of the RANs 120a-n.

[0100] In steps 12 to 17 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 selects the optimal RATs for the UE 110 based on the state of the access networks 120a-n, policy of the network, UE’s mobility context and UE’s radio capabilities.

[0101] In step 18 of figure 5, the mobility context of the UE 110 is updated, for instance, in accordance with the standardized procedure defined in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0102] In steps 19 to 22 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 requests the resources to be allocated on the access nodes in the selected optimal RAT(s).

[0103] In step 23 of figure 5, the selected access nodes from the optimal RATs allocate the resources for the UE 110.

[0104] In step 24 of figure 5, the access networks 120a-n send the profile of the allocated resources to the control plane entity 160.

[0105] In step 25 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 creates and maintains a mapping of ANs 120a-n and the PDU sessions allocated to the access networks 120a-n.

[0106] In steps 26 and 27 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 sends the request to the Multiaccess User Plane Management entity 140 in the Core Network User Plane to configure data transport configurations with the allocated access nodes.

[0107] In step 28 of figure 5, the Multi-access User Plane Management entity 140 sets up the required tunnels / data paths and link specific configurations with the respective access nodes.

[0108] In step 29 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 generates the SDTs for the UE 110, the AN nodes of the RANs 120a-n and UP nodes 130 for the allocated resources. Further details about the use of SDTs for allocating the traffic to the selected links are disclosed in PCT / EP2023 / 070879, which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

[0109] In steps 30 and 31 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 sends the SDTs to the AN nodes.

[0110] In step 32 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 sends the SDT to the UE 110.

[0111] In step 33 of figure 5, the control plane entity 160 sends the SDT to the Multi-Access User Plane Management.

[0112] In steps 34 to 38 of figure 5, the UE 110 sends and receives uplink and downlink data over the allocated multi-access resources. Figure 6 shows a variant of the signaling diagram shown in figure 5 for the case that the UE 110 is requesting the network to provide a single-access session over available heterogeneous RATs. Thus, the main difference to the embodiment shown in figure 5 is that in the embodiment shown in figure 6 only one RAN of the plurality of available RANs 120a-n is allocated for the session of the UE 110, while in the embodiment shown in figure 5 multiple RANs 120a-n are used for the session of the UE, as described above. More specifically, the differences are in steps 2-4, 6, 12-17, 19-22, 23, 26-27, 28, 29, 34-38.

[0113] In step 1 of figure 6, the nodes of the plurality of RANs 120a-n perform an access node registration. As illustrated in figure 6 and already described above, this access node registration may be performed with an access management entity 170a (which may be implemented as an AMF) in accordance with the procedure standardized in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0114] In steps 2 to 4 of figure 6, the network receives the request from the UE 110 to establish a PDU session for the UE 110 as defined in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0115] In step 5 of figure 6, the Session Management Function 175 retrieves the policy from the network for establishing the requested session.

[0116] In step 6 of figure 6, the Access Management Function 170, 170a sends the policy and a request to the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 to setup a single Access for the PDU session of the UE. The Access Management Function 170a may have pre-configured policies or it may retrieve the policies from a policy control function.

[0117] In step 7 of figure 6, the Session Management Function, SME, 175 generates the N4 rules for the Core Network User Plane.

[0118] In step 8 of figure 6, the Session Management Function, SMF, configures the N4 rules in the Core Network User Plane.

[0119] In step 9 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 receives the periodic reports from the Access Network Nodes either directly or via the proprietary Access Management Functions of the Access Networks 120a-n.

[0120] Based on the received reports, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 determines in step 10 of figure 6 the state of the access network nodes.

[0121] In step 11 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 assigns the quality markers to the links provided by the access network nodes.

[0122] In steps 12 to 17 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 selects the optimal RAT for the UE 110 based on the state of the access networks 120a-n, policy of the network, UE’s mobility context and UE’s radio capabilities.

[0123] In step 18 of figure 6, the mobility context of the UE is updated as defined in 3GPP TS 23.502.

[0124] In steps 19 to 22 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 requests the resources to be allocated on the access nodes in the selected optimal RAT.

[0125] In step 23 of figure 6, the selected access nodes from the optimal RAT allocate the resources for the UE 110.

[0126] In step 24 of figure 6, the access network sends the profile of the allocated resources to the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160. In step 25 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 creates and maintains a mapping of ANs 120a-n and the PDU sessions allocated to the access networks 120a-n.

[0127] In steps 26 and 27 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 sends the request to the Multiaccess User Plane Management entity 140 in the Core Network User Plane to configure data transport configurations with the allocated access node.

[0128] In step 28 of figure 6, the Multi-access User Plane Management entity 140 sets up the required tunnels / data paths and link specific configurations with the respective access node.

[0129] In step 29 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 generates the SDTs for the UE 110, AN node and UP node 130 for the allocated resources.

[0130] In steps 30 and 31 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. MAC entity 160 sends the SDTs to the AN node.

[0131] In step 32 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 sends the SDT to the 110 UE.

[0132] In step 33 of figure 6, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 sends the SDT to the Multi-Access User Plane Management entity 140.

[0133] In steps 34 to 38 of figure 6, the UE 110 sends and receives uplink and downlink data over the allocated access resources.

[0134] Thus, as will be appreciated, according to embodiments disclosed herein the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 is configured to handle the details of interactions with multiple different access networks 120a-n, such that any RAT access node (legacy, current and future RAT) can operate with the (single) Core Network. In other words, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 may manage the different Access Networks 120a-n and the interactions between the (single) Core Network and the (Multiple) ANs 120a-n. Moreover, as described above, according to embodiments disclosed herein the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 may determine the optimal links for scheduling UE sessions. Furthermore, as described above, according to embodiments disclosed herein the control plane entity 160, i.e. the MAC entity 160 manages single and multiple connections for UEs 110 over heterogeneous access networks 120a-n through facilitating the communication between RANs and Core Network, selecting optimal links for UEs sessions, and scheduling UEs sessions and providing instructions to UE, RANs and Core UPs on how to distribute the UE traffic over the allocated resources.

[0135] Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 700 for operating the control plane entity 160, 180 according to an embodiment for supporting control of a plurality of RANs 120a-n with different RATs by one or more further control plane entities, such as the NFs 190 illustrated in figure 1, of a CN of a mobile network 100. As already described above, each RAN 120a-n provides one or more communication links to the UE 110 based on a specific RAT, such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi and the like. The method 700 comprises a step 701a of exchanging control information between the one or more control plane entities 190 of the CN of the mobile network 100 and a first RAN 120a of the plurality of RANs 120a-n based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first RAN control information based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN 120a. Moreover, the method 700 comprises a step 701b of exchanging control information between the one or more control plane entities 190 of the CN of the mobile network 100 and a second RAN 120b of the plurality of RANs 120a-n based on a second RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN 120b control information based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN 120b. Although figure 7 shows that the step 701b is performed after the step 701a, in further embodiments the step 701b may be performed before or substantially at the same time as the step 701a.

[0136] The method 700 shown in figure 7 can be performed by the control plane entity 160, 180 according to an embodiment. Thus, further features of the method 700 shown in figure 7 result directly from the functionality of the control plane entity 160, 180 as well as the different embodiments thereof described above and below.

[0137] The person skilled in the art will understand that the "blocks" ("units") of the various figures (method and apparatus) represent or describe functionalities of embodiments of the present disclosure (rather than necessarily individual "units" in hardware or software) and thus describe equally functions or features of apparatus embodiments as well as method embodiments (unit = step).

[0138] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described embodiment of an apparatus is merely exemplary. For example, the unit division is merely a logical function division and may be another division in an actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by using some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0139] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0140] In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control plane entity (160; 180) for supporting control of a plurality of radio access networks, RANs, (120a-n) by one or more further control plane entities (190) of a core network, CN, of a mobile network (100), each RAN (120a-n) providing one or more communication links to a user equipment, UE, (110) based on a specific radio access technology, RAT, wherein the control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to: exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities ( 190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and a first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first RAN (120a) control information based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN (120a); and exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and a second RAN (120b) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a second RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN (120b) control information based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN (120b).

2. The control plane entity (160; 180) of claim 1, wherein the control plane entity (160; 180) is further configured to: exchange control information between the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) by translating first RAN (120a) control information based on the first communication protocol of the first RAN (120a) into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol; and exchange control information between the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT and the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) by translating second RAN (120b) control information based on the second communication protocol of the second RAN (120b) into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol.

3. The control plane entity (160; 180) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to select at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and / or at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT for a session of the UE (110).

4. The control plane entity (160; 180) of claim 3, wherein the control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to allocate traffic to and / or from the UE (110) to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT.

5. The control plane entity of claim 4, wherein for allocating traffic to and / or from the UE (110) to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT the control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to provide allocation control information to the UE (110), the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT, and / or the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT.

6. The control plane entity (160; 180) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of RANs (120a-n) comprises: a 6G RAN, a 5G RAN, a 4G RAN, a 3G RAN, a WLAN, and / or a non-terrestrial network, NTN, RAN.

7. The control plane entity (160; 180) of claim 6, wherein the first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) is a 5G RAN and wherein the control plane entity (160; 180) is configured to exchange control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and the first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a first RAT via an AMF (170) of the mobile network (100).

8. A method of (700) operating a control plane entity (160; 180) for supporting control of a plurality of radio access networks, RANs, (120a-n) by one or more further control plane entities (190) of a core network, CN, of a mobile network (100), each RAN (120a-n) providing one or more communication links to a user equipment, UE, (110) based on a specific radio access technology, RAT, wherein the method (700) comprises: exchanging (701a) control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and a first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a first RAT by translating CN control information based on a CN communication protocol into first RAN (120a) control information based on a first communication protocol of the first RAN (120a); and exchanging (701b) control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and a second RAN (120b) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a second RAT by translating CN control information based on the CN communication protocol into second RAN (120b) control information based on a second communication protocol of the second RAN (120b).

9. The method (700) of claim 8, wherein the method (700) further comprises: exchanging control information between the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) by translating first RAN (120a) control information based on the first communication protocol of the first RAN (120a) into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol; and exchanging control information between the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT and the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) by translating second RAN (120b) control information based on the second communication protocol of the second RAN (120b) into CN control information based on the CN communication protocol.

10. The method (700) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the method (700) further comprises selecting at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and / or at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT for a session of the UE (110).

11. The method (700) of claim 10, wherein the method (700) comprises allocating traffic to and / or from the UE (110) to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT.

12. The method (700) of claim 11, wherein allocating traffic to and / or from the UE (110) to the at least one of the one or more of the communication links of the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT and / or the at least one of the one or moreof the communication links of the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT comprises providing allocation control information to the UE (110), the first RAN (120a) based on the first RAT, and / or the second RAN (120b) based on the second RAT.

13. The method (700) of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the plurality of RANs (120a-n) comprises: a 6G RAN, a5G RAN, a 4G RAN, a 3G RAN, a WLAN, and / or a non-terrestrial network, NTN, RAN.

14. The method (700) of claim 13, wherein the first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) is a 5G RAN and wherein the method comprises exchanging control information between the one or more further control plane entities (190) of the CN of the mobile network (100) and the first RAN (120a) of the plurality of RANs (120a-n) based on a first RAT via an AMF (170) of the mobile network (100).

15. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium for storing program code which causes a computer or a processor to perform the method (700) of any one of claims 8 to 14, when the program code is executed by the computer or the processor.

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