Network node, base station, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

This network node comprises: a control unit for configuring a change condition including a condition related to a time slot for which communication quality is to be changed; a transmission unit for transmitting, to a base station, a message requesting power supply information related to a power supply of the base station; and a reception unit for receiving a message including the power supply information from the base station. On the basis of the change condition and the power supply information, the control unit determines to change the communication quality. On the basis of the determination, the transmission unit transmits, to the base station, a message requesting a change of a radio wave output system.

Description

Network node, base station, terminal, and communication method

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node, a base station, a terminal, and a communication method in a communication system.

[0002] 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is currently studying a wireless communication system called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, the wireless communication system will be referred to as "5G" or "NR") in order to achieve a larger system capacity, a higher data transmission speed, and a lower latency in wireless sections. Various wireless technologies are being studied for 5G to meet the requirements of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more while keeping latency in wireless sections to 1 ms or less.

[0003] In NR, a network architecture including 5GC (5G Core Network) or 5GS (5G System) corresponding to EPC (Evolved Packet Core), which is the core network in the network architecture of LTE (Long Term Evolution), and NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) corresponding to E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), which is the RAN (Radio Access Network) in the network architecture of LTE, is being considered (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, 3GPP Rel-19 is studying improvements to energy efficiency in 5GS (for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

[0005] 3GPP TS 23.501 V18.5.0 (2024-03) 3GPP TR 23.700-66 V0.6.0 (2024-04) 3GPP TS 23.502 V18.5.0 (2024-03)

[0006] In recent years, in order to provide flexible networks, portable base stations or relay stations using drones have been under consideration. The use of battery-powered base stations or relay stations makes it possible to build flexible networks, but since battery operation has a limited power capacity, there are cases where communication quality is lower than usual in order to reduce power consumption, for example.

[0007] However, the user cannot know that the terminal is connected to a battery-operated base station or relay station and that the communication quality will be changed to reduce power consumption.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to notify a user of a terminal of a change in communication quality when the terminal is connected to a battery-powered base station or relay station.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, a network node is provided that includes a control unit that sets change conditions including conditions related to the time period during which communication quality is changed, a transmission unit that transmits a message to the base station requesting power supply information related to the type of power supply of the base station, and a reception unit that receives a message including the power supply information from the base station, wherein the control unit decides to change communication quality based on the change conditions and information related to the power supply information, and the transmission unit transmits a message to the base station requesting a change in radio wave output method based on the decision.

[0010] According to the disclosed technology, when a terminal is connected to a battery-powered base station or relay station, it is possible to notify the user of a change in communication quality.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 and a network node 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 and a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0013] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technology is used as appropriate. However, the existing technology is, for example, the existing LTE, but is not limited to the existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" used in this specification has a broad meaning including LTE-Advanced, and systems subsequent to LTE-Advanced (e.g., NR), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), unless otherwise specified.

[0014] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" radio parameters and the like may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that radio parameters notified from the network node 30 or the terminal 20 are set.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system is composed of a UE, which is a terminal 20, and multiple network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0016] The RAN (Radio Access Network) is a network node 30 having a radio access function, which may include a base station 10, and is connected to a UE, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and a UPF (User plane function). The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as terminating the RAN interface, terminating the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 having functions such as a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point to the outside that interconnects with a DN (Data Network), packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and the DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0017] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are mutually connected via interfaces based on their respective services, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0018] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming function. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selecting a network slice to which a UE connects, determining an allowed NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determining an NSSAI to be set, and determining an AMF set to which a UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The UDM is a network node 30 that manages subscriber data and authentication data. The UDM is connected to a UDR (User Data Repository) that stores the data.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Fig. 2, the network is composed of a UE, which is a terminal 20, and multiple network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0020] The RAN is a network node 30 having a radio access function, and is connected to the UE, the AMF, and the UPF. The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as RAN interface termination, NAS termination, registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 having functions such as a PDU session point to the outside that interconnects with the DN, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS handling. The UPF and the DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0021] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, AF, and SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via respective service-based interfaces, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0022] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP address allocation and management, DHCP function, ARP proxy, and roaming function. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selecting a network slice to which a UE connects, determining an allowed NSSAI, determining a configured NSSAI, and determining an AMF set to which a UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The SEPP is a non-transparent proxy that filters control plane messages between PLMNs (Public Land Mobile Networks). The vSEPP shown in FIG. 2 is a SEPP in the visited network, and the hSEPP is a SEPP in the home network.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, a UE is in a roaming environment connected to a RAN and an AMF in a Visited PLMN (VPLMN). The VPLMN and a Home PLMN (HPLMN) are connected via a vSEPP and an hSEPP. The UE can communicate with a UDM in the HPLMN via the AMF in the VPLMN, for example.

[0024] <Example> A procedure for notifying a terminal user of a change in communication quality when the terminal is connected to a battery-operated base station or relay station will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal 20 connects to a portable base station 10 via a relay station 40 using a drone or the like, or directly. The terminal 20 receives a notification indicating that it is connected to a temporary use relay station 40 / base station 10 (S1). The base station 10 connects to a core network 50 having an AMF, an SMF, a PCF, a UPF, etc.

[0025] Here, since the power of the relay station 40 and the base station 10 is supplied by a battery (storage battery), it is necessary to reduce power consumption in order to extend the operating time as much as possible. In this embodiment, a network node having an EECF (Energy Efficiency Control Function) function is introduced to enable long-term battery operation in the base station 10 or the relay station 40 and to provide a minimum level of service quality to users. The EECF may be included in the same network node as the network node having an NWDAF (Network Data Analysis Function) function.

[0026] In the core network 50, if the base station 10 / relay station 40 is battery-powered, the EECF changes the radio wave output method to reduce power consumption when certain conditions are met (S2). The certain conditions include, for example, the current time being nighttime (e.g., from 10 PM to 5 AM) or the remaining battery charge being below a threshold. Furthermore, the EECF and the base station 10 notify the terminal 20 of the change in communication quality (S3).

[0027] Furthermore, the communication quality may be reduced only for terminals 20 that have been given permission by the user, or the service quality may be reduced for all terminals 20. Also, stages may be set according to the remaining power. For example, if the communication quality has been reduced only for terminals 20 that have been given permission, and the remaining power decreases further, the service quality may be reduced for all terminals 20.

[0028] The details of the processing in this embodiment will be described below using a sequence diagram. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. The processing of each step will be described below. Note that in the steps shown below, messages transmitted and received between the base station 10 and the EECF / NWDAF 30A may be transmitted and received via another network node such as the AMF 30B.

[0029] S101: The EECF / NWDAF 30A sets a change condition for changing communication quality when connected to a relay station 40 / base station 10 operating on battery power (temporary use). The change condition may be a first change condition related to a time period during which communication quality is reduced (e.g., an eco-friendly operation time period (10:00 PM to 5:00 AM)). Alternatively, the change condition may be a second change condition related to the remaining power in the battery of the relay station 40 / base station 10 (e.g., whether the remaining power is equal to or less than a threshold). The threshold is set, for example, as a ratio (e.g., 40%) of the remaining power to the battery's power capacity (hereinafter referred to as "power capacity"). The EECF / NWDAF 30A may set at least one of the first change condition and the second change condition. Furthermore, when both the first change condition and the second change condition are set, the EECF / NWDAF 30A may determine that the change condition is met when both conditions are met, or when at least one condition is met.

[0030] S102: The EECF / NWDAF 30A transmits a request message to the base station 10, requesting power source information related to the power source of the base station 10. The power source information includes first power source information related to the type of power source and second power source information related to the power capacity. The first power source information is, for example, information indicating whether the type of power source is battery operation (temporary use) or not (i.e., whether power is supplied by a storage battery or not).

[0031] S103: The base station 10 transmits a response message to the request message received in S102. The response message includes first power source information related to the type of power source, and further includes second power source information related to the power capacity if the first power source information indicates battery operation. Furthermore, if the base station 10 is connected to a relay station 40, the base station 10 may include the power source information of the relay station 40 in the response message.

[0032] The following processes in S104 and S105 may be executed only when the EECF / NWDAF 30A sets the second change condition in S101.

[0033] S104: The EECF / NWDAF 30A requests the base station 10 for a subscription to notify the remaining power amount.

[0034] S105: The base station 10 periodically notifies the EECF / NWDAF 30A of the remaining power amount.

[0035] S106: Based on the procedure of the existing specification, a PDU session is established between the terminal 20, the base station 10, and the core network 50. For details of this procedure, see, for example, Section 4.3.2 of Non-Patent Document 3.

[0036] S107: The base station 10 transmits a message to the terminal 20 notifying the terminal 20 that the base station 10 is a temporary use base station (battery operated). Based on the received message, the terminal 20 may display information indicating that the base station 10 is a temporary use base station on the screen of the terminal 20.

[0037] S108: The EECF / NWDAF 30A detects that the change condition set in S101 has been satisfied. For example, the EECF / NWDAF 30A performs this detection based on whether the current time is within the time period set as the first change condition in S101. The EECF / NWDAF 30A also determines this detection based on whether the percentage of remaining power is equal to or less than the threshold set as the second change condition in S101. Here, the EECF / NWDAF 30A may calculate the percentage of remaining power by dividing the remaining power notified from the base station 10 in S105 by the power capacity received in S103.

[0038] S109: The EECF / NWDAF 30A transmits a request message to the base station 10, requesting a change in the radio wave output method. Examples of the radio wave output method after the change include light sleep, micro sleep, and MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) sleep. Light sleep is a method of periodically shutting down an RU (Radio Unit), micro sleep is a method of partially shutting down functions when traffic is low, and MIMO sleep is a method of shutting down some transmitters in an RU that use an RF (Radio Frequency) channel. The EECF / NWDAF 30A may include designation information specifying the radio wave output method after the change in the request message, or may not include the designation information, assuming that the radio wave output method will be changed to a predetermined one.

[0039] S110: The base station 10 sends a message to the EECF / NWDAF 30A notifying that the change requested in the request message received in S109 has been completed.

[0040] S111: The EECF / NWDAF 30A transmits a request message to the PCF 30D, requesting a change (decrease) in the quality of service of the service (QoS flow) provided via the base station 10.

[0041] S112: The PCF 30D executes a process to change the communication quality of the QoS flow in response to the request message received in S109. This process is executed among the AMF 30B, SMF 30, PCF 30D, and UPF 30E based on an existing procedure (for example, see Section 4.3.3 (PDU Session Modification) of Non-Patent Document 3). Furthermore, the PCF 30D may transmit a response message to the request message received in S111 to the EECF / NWDAF 30A.

[0042] S113: SMF 30D notifies information about the QoS flow whose communication quality has been changed in S112 to AMF 30B, base station 10, relay station 40, and terminal 20. AMF 30B, base station 10, relay station 40, and terminal 20 execute processing related to the QoS flow based on the changed service quality.

[0043] S114: The EECF / NWDAF 30A transmits a message to the base station 10 notifying that the communication quality has been changed (degraded). The message may include information indicating that the condition set in S101 has been satisfied as the reason for the change in communication quality. For example, the message may include information indicating that the eco operation time period (10:00 PM to 5:00 AM) is in effect, that the battery level of the base station 10 is low, etc.

[0044] S115: The base station 10 transmits a message to the terminal 20 notifying that the communication quality has been changed (degraded). The terminal 20 notifies the user by displaying a notification indicating that the communication quality has been changed on the screen of the terminal 20 based on the received message. The terminal 20 may also display information on the reason for the change in communication quality, which is included in the message, on the screen of the terminal 20.

[0045] (Effects) The above-described embodiment helps extend the battery life of battery-powered relay stations / base stations that can establish temporary communication areas, and enables users to continue to receive the minimum necessary services for a long period of time. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment makes it possible to notify the user of a terminal of a change in communication quality when the terminal is connected to a battery-powered base station or relay station.

[0046] (Device Configuration) Next, a description will be given of an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described above. The base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 include functions for performing the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 may each include only a part of the functions of the embodiments.

[0047] <Base Station 10 and Network Node 30> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and the network node 30. As shown in Fig. 5, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 5 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. Note that the network node 30 may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Furthermore, a network node 30 having multiple different functions in the system architecture may be composed of multiple network nodes 30 separated by function.

[0048] The transmitter 110 includes a function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and transmitting the signal by wire or wirelessly. The receiver 120 includes a function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and acquiring, for example, information of a higher layer from the received signal. A communication unit including the transmitter 110 and the receiver 120 may be configured.

[0049] The setting unit 130 stores preset setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device, and reads out the information from the storage device as needed.

[0050] The control unit 140 performs the processes described in the embodiments. The function unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmitting unit 110, and the function unit related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the receiving unit 120.

[0051] <Terminal 20> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 6, the terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 6 is merely an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. In addition, the communication device that becomes the resource holder may have the same functional configuration as the terminal 20.

[0052] The transmitter 210 creates a transmission signal from transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiver 220 receives various signals wirelessly and acquires higher layer signals from the received physical layer signals. The receiver 220 also has a function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, reference signals, and the like transmitted from the network node 30. A communication unit including the transmitter 210 and the receiver 220 may be configured.

[0053] The setting unit 230 stores various pieces of setting information received from the network node 30 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device, and reads them out from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores setting information that is set in advance.

[0054] The control unit 240 performs the processes described in the embodiments. The function unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmitting unit 210, and the function unit related to signal reception in the control unit 240 may be included in the receiving unit 220.

[0055] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (FIGS. 5 and 6) used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0056] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0057] For example, the network node 30, the terminal 20, etc. according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 30 may have the same hardware configuration as the base station 10. The above-described base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0058] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0059] Each function in the base station 10 and the terminal 20 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001, the memory device 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations, controls communication by the communication device 1004, and controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory device 1002 and the auxiliary memory device 1003.

[0060] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 140, control unit 240, etc. may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0061] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in FIG. 5 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in FIG. 6 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0062] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] The secondary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of the storage device 1002 and the secondary storage device 1003.

[0064] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, a transmission / reception antenna, an amplifier unit, a transmission / reception unit, a transmission path interface, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004. The transmission / reception unit may be implemented as a transmission unit and a reception unit that are physically or logically separated.

[0065] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0066] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0067] Furthermore, the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0068] Fig. 8 shows an example configuration of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 8, the vehicle 2001 includes an operating unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, and may be applied to the communication module 2013, for example.

[0069] The operating unit 2002 is configured, for example, by an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0070] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided in the vehicle 2001. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0071] The signals from the various sensors 2021 to 2029 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, a rotation speed signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, an air pressure signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

[0072] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing (outputting) various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs for controlling these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013 or the like to provide various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, a touch panel, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, a touch panel, etc.) that output information to the outside.

[0073] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions for preventing accidents and reducing the driving burden on the driver, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. In addition, the driving assistance system unit 2030 transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize the driving assistance function or the autonomous driving function.

[0074] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 to and from the operating unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 29, which are provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0075] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with an external device. For example, it transmits and receives various information to and from the external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, or the like.

[0076] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc. may be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include information based on the above-mentioned input.

[0077] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle-to-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on an information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the operating unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, etc. provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0078] <Additional Notes> (Additional Item 1) A network node comprising: a control unit that sets change conditions including a condition related to a time period for changing communication quality, a transmission unit that transmits to a base station a message requesting power source information related to a type of power source of the base station, and a reception unit that receives from the base station a message including the power source information, wherein the control unit decides to change communication quality based on the change conditions and information related to the power source information, and the transmission unit transmits to the base station a message requesting a change of a radio wave output method based on the decision. (Additional Item 2) The network node according to Additional Item 1, wherein the change conditions further include a condition related to whether remaining power is equal to or less than a threshold, the transmission unit transmits to the base station a message requesting information related to the remaining power, and the reception unit receives from the base station a message including information related to the remaining power, and the control unit decides to change communication quality based on the change conditions, the power source information, and information related to the remaining power. (Supplementary Item 3) A base station comprising: a receiver that receives from a network node a message requesting power source information regarding a type of power source of the base station; and a transmitter that transmits to the network node a message including the power source information indicating that the power source is a storage battery, and transmits to a terminal a message notifying that the base station is a temporary use base station, wherein the receiver receives from the network node a message requesting a change of a radio wave output method, and the transmitter transmits to the terminal a message notifying that communication quality has been changed based on the request. (Supplementary Item 4) The base station according to Supplementary Item 3, wherein the receiver receives from the network node a message requesting information regarding remaining power, and the transmitter transmits to the network node a message including the information regarding the remaining power.(Supplementary Item 5) A terminal comprising: a receiving unit that receives, from a base station, a message including information indicating that the base station is operating on a storage battery; and a control unit that displays, on a screen of the terminal, the information indicating that the base station is operating on a storage battery, wherein the receiving unit receives the message including information indicating that communication quality has been changed, and the control unit displays, on a screen of the terminal, the information indicating that communication quality has been changed. (Supplementary Item 6) A communication method executed by a network node, comprising: a step of setting change conditions including a condition related to a time period for changing communication quality, a step of transmitting to the base station a message requesting power source information related to a power source type of the base station, a step of receiving from the base station a message including the power source information, a step of deciding to change communication quality based on the change conditions and information related to the power source information, and a step of transmitting to the base station a message requesting a change of a radio wave output method based on the decision.

[0079] Any of Supplementary Items 1 to 6 makes it possible to notify the user of the terminal of a change in communication quality when the terminal is connected to a battery-operated base station or relay station.

[0080] (Supplementary Notes on the Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, and substitutions. While specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention; matters described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and matters described in one item may apply to matters described in another item (as long as there is no contradiction). Boundaries between functional units or processing units in functional block diagrams do not necessarily correspond to boundaries between physical components. The operations of multiple functional units may be performed by a single physical component, or the operations of a single functional unit may be performed by multiple physical components. The order of processing steps described in the embodiments may be reversed as long as there is no contradiction. For convenience of processing description, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may each be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or any other suitable storage medium.

[0081] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling), broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0082] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be implemented using any of the following standards: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal number)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 ( The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and / or LTE-A with 5G).

[0083] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be rearranged unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0084] In this specification, a specific operation described as being performed by the base station 10 may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having the base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 may be performed by at least one of the base station 10 and another network node other than the base station 10 (such as, but not limited to, an MME or an S-GW). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (such as an MME and an S-GW).

[0085] The information, signals, etc. described in the present disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer), or may be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0086] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0087] In the present disclosure, the determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0088] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0089] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0090] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0091] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0092] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0093] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0094] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0095] In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "base station device," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

[0096] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the overall coverage area of ​​the base station can be partitioned into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services within that coverage.

[0097] In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

[0098] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0099] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0100] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be a mobile object that moves autonomously based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0101] Furthermore, a base station in the present disclosure may be read as a user terminal. For example, the aspects / embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D) or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)). In this case, the terminal 20 may be configured to have the functions of the base station 10 described above. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.

[0102] Similarly, the user terminal in the present disclosure may be read as a base station, in which case the base station may be configured to have the functions of the user terminal described above.

[0103] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0104] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0105] The reference signal may be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal) or may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0106] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0107] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0108] The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0109] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0110] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0111] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0112] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0113] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0114] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Controller 20 Terminal 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Controller 30 Network node 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device

Claims

1. A network node comprising: a control unit that sets change conditions including conditions related to the time period during which communication quality is changed; a transmission unit that transmits a message to the base station requesting power supply information related to the type of power supply of the base station; and a reception unit that receives a message including the power supply information from the base station, wherein the control unit decides to change communication quality based on the change conditions and information related to the power supply information, and the transmission unit transmits a message to the base station requesting a change in radio wave output method based on the decision.

2. The network node of claim 1, wherein the change condition further includes a condition regarding whether the remaining power is equal to or less than a threshold, the transmitter transmits a message to the base station requesting information regarding the remaining power, the receiver receives a message from the base station including information regarding the remaining power, and the controller decides to change communication quality based on the change condition, the power source information, and the information regarding the remaining power.

3. A base station comprising: a receiving unit that receives from a network node a message requesting power source information regarding the type of power source of the base station; and a transmitting unit that transmits to the network node a message including the power source information indicating that the power source is a storage battery; and that transmits to a terminal a message notifying that the base station is a temporary use base station, wherein the receiving unit receives from the network node a message requesting a change in radio wave output method, and the transmitting unit transmits to the terminal a message notifying that communication quality has been changed based on the request.

4. The base station according to claim 3, wherein the receiving unit receives a message requesting information about remaining power from the network node, and the transmitting unit transmits a message including the information about remaining power to the network node.

5. A terminal comprising: a receiving unit that receives from a base station a message including information indicating that the base station is operating on a storage battery; and a control unit that displays on the screen of the terminal the information indicating that the base station is operating on a storage battery, wherein the receiving unit receives a message including information indicating that communication quality has changed, and the control unit displays on the screen of the terminal the information indicating that communication quality has changed.

6. A communication method executed by a network node, comprising: a step of setting change conditions including conditions related to a time period for changing communication quality; a step of sending a message to a base station requesting power supply information related to the type of power supply of the base station; a step of receiving a message including the power supply information from the base station; a step of deciding to change communication quality based on the change conditions and information related to the power supply information; and a step of sending a message to the base station requesting a change in radio wave output method based on the decision.

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