RU apparatus, control apparatus, and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a radio unit (RU) apparatus, a control apparatus, a method, and a program that are capable of exchanging information useful for recognizing an actual power consumption amount of the RU apparatus. The RU apparatus transmits, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

Description

RU APPARATUS, CONTROL APPARATUS, AND METHOD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an RU apparatus, a control apparatus, a method, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, a radio access network in which a baseband unit and a radio unit of a base station are separated from each other, and the baseband unit and the radio unit are connected to each other via a fronthaul has been used. Open radio access network (O-RAN) fronthaul specification defined in the O-RAN alliance defines fronthaul specification between an O-RAN radio unit (O-RU) being equivalent to the radio unit and an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU) being equivalent to the baseband unit. The O-RAN fronthaul specification has one object that connecting to the O-RU of a vendor different from a vendor of the O-DU is facilitated, and the radio access network with multi-vendor is achieved. Note that, the O-DU may also be simply referred to as a DU. Further, the O-RU may also be simply referred to as an RU.

[0003] In Non-Patent Literature 1, energy, power and environmental (epe)-stats is defined as one of measurement groups of an RU apparatus. The epe-stats includes power of a specific hardware element as a measurement object. A DU apparatus transmits, to the RU apparatus, a first time at which the RU apparatus starts measurement of the epe-stats, a second time at which the RU apparatus ends measurement of the epe-stats, and a measurement interval of the epe-stats between the first time and the second time (i.e., a time length of one measurement period (i.e., a measurement unit period)). The RU apparatus performs measurement of the epe-stats, based on the first time, the second time, and the measurement interval of the epe-stats.

[0004] Further, Non-Patent literature 1 and Non-Patent literature 2 define energy saving of the RU apparatus.

[0005] NPL 1: O-RAN.WG4.MP.0-R003-v14.00 Technical Specification, "O-RAN Working Group 4 (Open Fronthaul Interfaces WG) Management Plane Specification", February 2024 NPL 2: O-RAN.WG4.CUS.0-R003-v14.00 Technical Specification, "O-RAN Working Group 4 (Open Fronthaul Interfaces WG) Control, User and Synchronization Plane Specification", February 2024

[0006] Meanwhile, it is conceivable that recognizing an actual power consumption amount of an RU apparatus in a state of an energy saving mode is useful for saving power of a network. However, Non-Patent Literature 1 has not yet sufficiently studied this point.

[0007] An example object of the present disclosure is to provide an RU apparatus, a control apparatus, a method, and a program that are capable of exchanging information useful for recognizing an actual power consumption amount of the RU apparatus. Note that, this object is merely one of a plurality of the objects to be achieved by a plurality of example embodiments disclosed in the present description. Other objects or problems, and novel features will be apparent from the description of the present description or the accompanying drawings.

[0008] In a first example aspect, an RU apparatus according to the present disclosure includes at least one memory, and at least one processor configured to be coupled to the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor transmits, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

[0009] In a second example aspect, a control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes at least one memory, and at least one processor configured to be coupled to the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor receives information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus, and calculates a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

[0010] In a third example aspect, a method according to the present disclosure is a method to be executed by a radio unit (RU) apparatus, the method including transmitting, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

[0011] In a fourth example aspect, a method according to the present disclosure is a method executed by a control apparatus, the method including receiving information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus, and calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

[0012] In a fifth example aspect, a program according to the present disclosure is a program causing a radio unit (RU) apparatus to execute processing, the processing including transmitting, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

[0013] In a sixth example aspect, a program according to the present disclosure is a program causing a control apparatus to execute processing, the processing including receiving information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus, and calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

[0014] The present disclosure can provide an RU apparatus, a control apparatus, a method, and a program that are capable of exchanging information useful for recognizing an actual power consumption amount of the RU apparatus.

[0015] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of certain example embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating one example of a procedure for collecting a measurement result;Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a system;Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example of processing operation of an RU apparatus and a control apparatus according to the present disclosure;Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of setting of transmission of a notification message and transmission of a notification message according to the present disclosure;Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of setting of transmission of a notification message and transmission of a notification message according to the present disclosure;Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating another specific example of setting of transmission of a notification message and transmission of a notification message according to the present disclosure;Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of the RU apparatus and the control apparatus according to the present disclosure;Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of the RU apparatus and the control apparatus according to the present disclosure;Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a system;Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of the RU apparatus and the control apparatus according to the present disclosure;Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of the RU apparatus according to the present disclosure;Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control apparatus;Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a DU apparatus;Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RU apparatus; andFig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an SMO apparatus.

[0016] Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the present disclosure, the drawings may be associated with one or more example embodiments. Further, each element of the drawings may apply to one or more example embodiments. Further, in the example embodiments, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0017] A plurality of example embodiments described below can be implemented independently, or can be implemented in combination as appropriate. The plurality of example embodiments have novel features that are different from each other. Therefore, the plurality of example embodiments contributes to solving objects or problems being different from each other, and contributes to achieving advantageous effects being different from each other.

[0018] The plurality of example embodiments described below are described with an RU apparatus and a control apparatus in accordance with O-RAN technical specification, as a main target. However, the example embodiments may be applied to another system that supports a technique similar to the RU apparatus and the control apparatus.

[0019] When being used in the present description, depending on a context, "(if)" may be interpreted to mean "(when)", "at or around the time", "after", "upon", "in response to determining", "in accordance with a determination", or "in response to detecting". These expressions may be interpreted as having the same meaning depending on the context.

[0020] First, the related art will be described. The individual example embodiment is based on these techniques. In other words, these techniques may be incorporated into individual example embodiment.

[0021] (Protocol) 　　A control (C)-Plane is a protocol for transferring a control signal. A user (U)-Plane is a protocol for transferring user data. In the C / U-Plane, a protocol stack that transmits a signal used in eCPRI or radio over Ethernet (RoE) via directly an Ethernet, and a protocol stack that transmits a signal optionally via a user datagram protocol (UDP) / IP are supported.

[0022] A synchronization (S)-Plane is a protocol for achieving synchronization between apparatuses. In the S-Plane, a protocol stack that transmits a signal used in a precision time protocol (PTP) and a synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) via the Ethernet is supported.

[0023] A management (M)-Plane is a protocol handling a maintenance monitoring signal. In the M-Plane, a protocol stack that transmits a signal used in a network configuration protocol (NETCONF) via Ethernet / IP / transmission control protocol (TCP) / secure shell (SSH) and optionally Ethernet / IP / transmission control protocol (TCP) / transport layer security (TLS) is supported.

[0024] (Logical architecture) 　　In the open-radio access network (O-RAN) alliance, a configuration in which a communication processing function of RAN can be separated into three components that are a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), and a central unit (CU) is employed. Further, a "RAN intelligent controller (RIC)" being a platform achieving optimization of radio resource management and automation of operation, and "service management and orchestration (SMO)" as a framework performing maintenance and orchestration of the RAN are defined.

[0025] The RU and the DU are connected to each other via an open fronthaul. Via the open fronthaul between the RU and the DU, a CUS / M-Plane signal is transmitted. Note that, the RU and the SMO may be connected to each other via an open fronthaul, and a M-Plane signal may be transmitted via the open fronthaul. Even in this case, a CUS-Plane signal is transmitted via the open fronthaul between the RU and the DU.

[0026] Further, the DU and the SMO are connected to each other via an O1 interface. Further, the CU and the SMO are also connected to each other via the O1 interface.

[0027] The RU to be managed associates to a NETCONF server, and an apparatus (RU controller) that manages (controls) the RU associates to a NETCONF client. The NETCONF client may be arranged in the DU, or may be arranged in the SMO.

[0028] (Support of energy-saving function) 　　The DU can instruct to the RU with respect to an opportunity to enter an energy saving mode by using a command of a C-Plane protocol. For example, the command is TRX_CONTROL (st4CmdType = 3), or an advanced sleep mode (ASM) (st4CmdType = 4). In the following, the command may be referred to as a "sleep command". The sleep command includes a sleep command in which a period is not defined (undefined-duration sleep command) and a sleep command in which a period is defined (defined-duration sleep command). The defined-duration sleep command includes information related to a period of time to "sleep". On the other hand, the undefined-duration sleep command does not include information related to the period of time to "sleep". For this reason, the DU transmits a wake-up command to the RU in order to wake up the RU that has entered the energy saving mode by the sleep command.

[0029] (Collection and report of measurement result) 　　Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating one example of a procedure for collecting a measurement result. In Fig. 1, the RU controller transmits a remote procedure call (RPC) message indicating <create-subscription> to the RU. In other words, the RU controller subscribes to one or both of a measurement group and a measurement object by transmitting a <create-subscription> request to the RU. As a result, the RU transmits (reports and notifies), to the RU controller, a measurement result of one or both of the measurement group and the measurement object (measurement-object(s)). The measurement group is, for example, energy, power and environmental (epe)-stats. The epe-stats includes power of a specific hardware element as a measurement object.

[0030] In the <create-subscription> request message, the RU controller may set a time (startTime) at which a notification of the measurement result of one or both of the measurement group and the measurement object is started, and a time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended. Further, the RU controller may set an interval (notification-interval) of a notification of the measurement result. The RU periodically transmits a notification message to the RU controller according to the set notification interval (notification-interval). The notification message includes the measurement result of one or both of the measurement group and the measurement object that are subscribed to. Note that, the notification interval may or may not coincide with an interval (measurement-interval) measured by the RU. When the notification interval is greater than the measurement interval, one notification message may include one or a plurality of measurement results.

[0031] <System Configuration Example> 　　Next, an example of a configuration of a system common to a plurality of example embodiments will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the system. In Fig. 2, a system 1 includes a DU apparatus 10, an RU apparatus 20, and an SMO apparatus 30.

[0032] The DU apparatus 10 may be a logical node that performs functions in a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a media access control (MAC) layer, and further an upper-level function in a physical layer, or may be a physical apparatus on which the logical node is mounted. The upper-level function of the physical layer may be, for example, encoding and modulation processing, further decoding and demodulation processing, and the like. The function in the PDCP layer may be performed in a logical node referred to as a central unit (CU) (not illustrated).

[0033] The RU apparatus 20 may be a logical node that performs a lower-level function (PHY-Low) in the physical layer and radio frequency (RF) processing, or may be a physical apparatus on which the logical node is mounted. The lower-level function of the physical layer may be, for example, fast Fourier transform (FFT) / inverse FFT (IFFT) processing, beam forming (BF) processing, and the like.

[0034] The SMO apparatus 30 performs maintenance and orchestration of a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) being a platform achieving optimization of radio resource management and automation of operation and a radio access network (RAN).

[0035] In Fig. 2, the DU apparatus 10 includes a control unit (control apparatus) 11. The control unit (control apparatus) 11 may associate to the NETCONF client. The RU apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21. The RU apparatus 20 itself or the control unit 21 may associate to the NETCONF server.

[0036] Further, in Fig. 2, the DU apparatus 10 and the SMO apparatus 30 are connected to each other via an O1 interface. Further, the DU apparatus 10 and the RU apparatus 20 are connected to each other via an open fronthaul. The open fronthaul can transmit a CUS-Plane signal and a M-Plane signal.

[0037] Note that, the control unit (control apparatus) 11 (NETCONF client) may be provided in the SMO apparatus 30 instead of the DU apparatus 10. At this time, the RU apparatus 20 and the SMO apparatus 30 may also be connected to each other via the open fronthaul. In this case, the open fronthaul connecting the DU apparatus 10 and the RU apparatus 20 transmits the CUS-Plane signal, while the open fronthaul connecting the RU apparatus 20 and the SMO apparatus 30 transmits the M-Plane signal.

[0038] Hereinafter, the DU apparatus 10 or the SMO apparatus 30 may be referred to as an "upper-level apparatus" of the RU apparatus 20.

[0039] <First Example Embodiment> 　　A configuration of a system according to a first example embodiment may be the same as the example illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example of processing operation of an RU apparatus and a control apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0040] An RU apparatus 20 transmits a first message to a control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10) (step S11). The first message is a message for the RU apparatus 20 to transmit "information used for calculating a power consumption amount" to the control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10). In other words, the first message may be, for example, a notification message for notifying "information used for calculating a power consumption amount". The notification message may be a notification message in which the notification message described with reference to Fig. 1 is reused, or may be a notification message newly introduced.

[0041] The first message includes information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus 20, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. The information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 is, for example, a start time and an end time of the ES period. Further, at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 overlaps, for example, at least a part of the ES period. For example, the at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 may be one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 is longest. Further, the at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 may be at least one measurement period of the above-described epe-stats.

[0042] Herein, the RU apparatus 20 may transmit the first message triggered by receiving a second message transmitted from the control apparatus 11. The second message is a message for requesting that the control apparatus 11 transmits "information used for calculating a power consumption amount" to the RU apparatus 20. In other words, the second message may be, for example, a request message.

[0043] Alternatively, the RU apparatus 20 may autonomously transmit the first message, for example, periodically. For example, the RU apparatus 20 may transmit the first message according to setting by the control apparatus 11. The setting by the control apparatus 11 may be performed by, for example, an RPC message indicating the above-described <create-subscription>, or may be performed by another message. The RU apparatus 20 may periodically transmit the first message until receiving a message indicating an end of the setting. Alternatively, the control apparatus 11 may set the number of times of transmitting the first message by the RU apparatus 20. In other words, the RPC message indicating the above-described <create-subscription> or the another message may include information related to the number of times of transmission (or transmission period) of the first message. In this case, when the RU apparatus 20 transmits the first message by the number of times of transmission, the transmission of the first message is ended.

[0044] The control apparatus 11 receives information included in the first message transmitted from the RU apparatus 20. In other words, the control apparatus 11 receives the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. Then, the control apparatus 11 calculates a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 (step S12). For example, the control apparatus 11 may calculate the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20 by multiplying a time length of the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and a measurement result (power) of one measurement period in which the time length of the overlapping portion with the ES period is longest together.

[0045] Herein, as described above, the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) can instruct the RU apparatus 20 with respect to an opportunity of entering an energy saving mode by a sleep command. Further, the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) can wake up the RU apparatus 20 that has entered the energy saving mode by transmitting a wake-up command to the RU apparatus 20. Thus, the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) may be able to roughly recognize the ES period of the RU apparatus 20, but cannot recognize the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20. Further, the time length (in some cases on the order of milliseconds, in some cases on the order of several seconds) of the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 may be different from the time length (defined as a minimum of one second) of a measurement period of the epe-stats. Then, there is a possibility that the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement period of the epe-stats deviate from each other. Thus, the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) cannot recognize the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20. When the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 cannot be recognized, the control apparatus 11 cannot accurately calculate the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20 in the ES period.

[0046] In contrast, as described above, the RU apparatus 20 transmits, to the control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10), the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. Then, the control apparatus 11 can receive the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. Thus, the control apparatus 11 can accurately calculate the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20 in the ES period.

[0047] Note that, in the above description, the description has been made assuming that the information related to the actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 are included in one notification message, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The information related to the actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 may be included in a separate notification message and transmitted. In the following, a specific example of setting of transmission of the information related to the actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus 20 will be described.

[0048] <Specific Example 1> 　　Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a specific example of setting of transmission of a notification message and transmission of a notification message according to the present disclosure.

[0049] The control apparatus 11 transmits, to the RU apparatus 20, a subscription for applying to the RU apparatus 20 for notification of information related to the actual ES period (step S101). As described above, the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 is, for example, the start time (sleep-time) and the end time (wake-up time) of the ES period. The information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 may be defined as a new measurement group (nes-stats) different from the epe-stats.

[0050] Then, when receiving the subscription from the control apparatus 11, the RU apparatus 20 periodically transmits a notification message (Notification) including at least information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 (step S102).

[0051] Then, the control apparatus 11 transmits, to the RU apparatus 20, a subscription (Close subscription) for causing the RU apparatus 20 to end the notification of the information related to the actual ES period (step S201).

[0052] The RU apparatus 20 transmits, to the control apparatus 11, a notification (Terminated notification) for notifying the control apparatus 11 of an end of the notification of the information related to the actual ES period (step S202).

[0053] <Specific Example 2> 　　Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating another specific example of setting of transmission of a notification message and transmission of a notification message according to the present disclosure.

[0054] The control apparatus 11 transmits, to the RU apparatus 20, a subscription for applying to the RU apparatus 20 for notification of information related to the actual ES period (step S301). The subscription includes information related to the number of times of transmission (N times (N is a natural number)).

[0055] When receiving the subscription from the control apparatus 11, the RU apparatus 20 periodically transmits a notification message (Notification) including at least information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 N times (steps S302-1 to S302-N).

[0056] The RU apparatus 20 transmits, to the control apparatus 11, a notification (Terminated notification) for notifying the control apparatus 11 of an end of the notification of the information related to the actual ES period (step S303).

[0057] <Specific Example 3> 　　The information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 may be transmitted by an existing notification message based on network energy saving. For example, the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 may be included in the existing message as an item (e.g., ro time-of-state-change) of an information element (IE) including information related to an ES target in the existing message.

[0058] <Specific Example 4> 　　The RU apparatus 20 may notify the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) of the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 by file management processing. For example, the RU apparatus 20 creates a folder including the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20. The DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) transmits, to the RU apparatus 20, an instruction message for instructing upload of the folder. In response to receiving the instruction message, the RU apparatus 20 uploads the folder.

[0059] <Specific Example 5> 　　The RU apparatus 20 may notify the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) of the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 by using event-streams. "energy-saving-results" may be defined as one event-stream of the event-streams. The DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) acquires information related to the event-streams supported by the RU apparatus 20. The DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11) subscribes to "energy-saving-results" by an <rpc> message indicating <edit-config>. When an event occurs, the RU apparatus 20 transmits, to the DU apparatus 10 (control apparatus 11), a notification message including the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20.

[0060] <Second Example Embodiment> 　　A configuration of a system according to a second example embodiment may be the same as the example illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of an RU apparatus and a control apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0061] An RU apparatus 20 transmits a third message to a control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10) (step S21). Similarly to a first message, the third message is a message for the RU apparatus 20 to transmit "information used for calculating a power consumption amount" to the control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10). In other words, the third message may be, for example, a notification message for notifying "information used for calculating a power consumption amount". The notification message may be a notification message in which the notification message described with reference to Fig. 1 is reused, or may be a notification message newly introduced.

[0062] The third message includes, together with information related to an actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of a plurality of measurement periods of power consumption of the RU apparatus 20, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results. For example, when a notification interval is greater than a measurement interval as described above, a plurality of measurement results may be included in one notification message. The information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 is, for example, a start time and an end time of the ES period. Further, the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is, for example, a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. Further, the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount may be, for example, a flag attached to the measurement result. Alternatively, the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount may be, for example, information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which the time length of the overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. The information related to the reference time may be information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of the measurement period in which the time length of the overlapping portion with the ES period is longest.

[0063] Herein, similarly to the first example embodiment, the RU apparatus 20 may transmit the third message triggered by receiving a second message transmitted from the control apparatus 11. Alternatively, similarly to the first example embodiment, the RU apparatus 20 may autonomously transmit the third message, for example, periodically.

[0064] The control apparatus 11 receives information included in the third message transmitted from the RU apparatus 20. In other words, the control apparatus 11 receives, together with the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20, information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results. Then, the control apparatus 11 calculates the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result indicated by the above-described information for specifying (step S22).

[0065] For example, when the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a flag attached to the measurement result, the control apparatus 11 specifies a measurement result to which the flag is attached. Then, the control apparatus 11 may calculate the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20 by multiplying the specified measurement result (power) and the time length of the ES period together.

[0066] Alternatively, for example, when the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is the reference time of the measurement period in which the time length of the overlapping portion with the ES period is longest, the control apparatus 11 specifies a measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount, based on the reference time. Then, the control apparatus 11 may calculate the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20 by multiplying the specified measurement result (power) and the time length of the ES period together.

[0067] <Third Example Embodiment> 　　A configuration of a system according to a third example embodiment may be the same as the example illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of an RU apparatus and a control apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0068] An RU apparatus 20 transmits a fourth message to a control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10) (step S31). Similarly to a first message, the fourth message is a message for the RU apparatus 20 to transmit "information used for calculating a power consumption amount" to the control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10). In other words, the fourth message may be, for example, a notification message for notifying "information used for calculating a power consumption amount". The notification message may be a notification message in which the notification message described with reference to Fig. 1 is reused, or may be a notification message newly introduced.

[0069] The fourth message includes information related to an actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of a plurality of measurement periods of power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. For example, when a notification interval is greater than a measurement interval as described above, a plurality of measurement results may be included in one notification message. The information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 is, for example, a start time and an end time of the ES period. At least one of the plurality of measurement periods of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 overlaps at least a part of the actual ES period.

[0070] Herein, similarly to the first example embodiment, the RU apparatus 20 may transmit the fourth message triggered by receiving a second message transmitted from the control apparatus 11. Alternatively, similarly to the first example embodiment, the RU apparatus 20 may autonomously transmit the fourth message, for example, periodically.

[0071] The control apparatus 11 receives information included in the fourth message transmitted from the RU apparatus 20. In other words, the control apparatus 11 receives the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. It is assumed that the control apparatus 11 sets a time (startTime) at which notification of the measurement result is started and a time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended, and also recognizes a measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20. In this case, the control apparatus 11 can specify the start time and the end time of each measurement period. Furthermore, the control apparatus 11 can specify the measurement period associated to the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount from the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the start time and the end time of each measurement period. The measurement period associated to the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is, for example, a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. Then, the control apparatus 11 calculates the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount (step S32).

[0072] Note that, when the control apparatus 11 sets the time (startTime) at which the notification of the measurement result is started and the time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended, but does not recognize a measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20, the RU apparatus 20 may include the measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20 in the fourth message. As a result, the control apparatus 11 can specify the start time and the end time of each measurement period. Furthermore, the control apparatus 11 can specify the measurement period associated to the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount from the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the start time and the end time of each measurement period.

[0073] <Fourth Example Embodiment> 　　A function of a control apparatus 11 described above may be included in an SMO apparatus 30. Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a system. In Fig. 9, a system 2 includes a DU apparatus 40, an RU apparatus 20, and an SMO apparatus 50.

[0074] In Fig. 9, the DU apparatus 40 includes a control unit 41. The control unit 41 may associate to a NETCONF client. Further, the SMO apparatus 50 includes a control unit (control apparatus) 51. The control unit (control apparatus) 51 may associate to the NETCONF client instead of the control unit 41.

[0075] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of an RU apparatus and a control apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0076] The RU apparatus 20 transmits a first message to the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) (step S41).

[0077] The DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) transfers the first message to the control unit (control apparatus) 51 (step S42).

[0078] The control apparatus 51 receives information included in the first message. In other words, the control apparatus 51 receives information related to an actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus 20. Then, the control apparatus 51 calculates a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of the power consumption of the RU apparatus 20 (step S43).

[0079] <Modification Example 1 of Fourth Example Embodiment> 　　In step S41, the RU apparatus 20 may transmit a third message to the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41).

[0080] In step S42, the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) transfers the third message to the control unit (control apparatus) 51.

[0081] The control apparatus 51 receives information included in the third message. In other words, the control apparatus 51 receives, together with the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of a plurality of measurement periods of power consumption of the RU apparatus 20, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results. Then, the control apparatus 51 calculates the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result indicated by the above-described information for specifying (step S43).

[0082] <Modification Example 2 of the Fourth Example Embodiment> 　　In step S41, the RU apparatus 20 may transmit a fourth message to the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41).

[0083] The DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) receives the fourth message. It is assumed that the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) sets a time (startTime) at which notification of the measurement result is started and a time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended, and also recognizes a measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20. In this case, the DU apparatus 40 (the control unit 41) may transmit, to the control unit (control apparatus) 51, a fifth message including the information included in the fourth message, the time (startTime) at which the notification of the measurement result is started and the time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended, and the measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20 (step S42).

[0084] The control apparatus 51 receives information included in the fifth message. Then, the control apparatus 51 can specify the start time and the end time of each measurement period by using the information included in the fifth message. Furthermore, the control apparatus 51 specifies a measurement period associated to the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount from the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the start time and the end time of each measurement period. Then, the control apparatus 51 calculates the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus 20, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 and the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount (step S43).

[0085] Note that, when the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) sets the time (startTime) at which the notification of the measurement result is started and the time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended, but does not recognize the measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20, the RU apparatus 20 may include the measurement interval of the RU apparatus 20 in the fourth message. In this case, the DU apparatus 40 (control unit 41) may transmit, to the control unit (control apparatus) 51, the fifth message including the information included in the fourth message, the time (startTime) at which the notification of the measurement result is started, and the time (stopTime) at which the notification is ended (step S42).

[0086] <Other Example Embodiments> 　　<1> Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing operation of an RU apparatus of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 11, an RU apparatus 20 may measure a power consumption amount in an actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the measurement of the power consumption amount in the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 may be performed in addition to regular measurement of an epe-stats. Then, the RU apparatus 20 transmits, to a control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10), a message including information related to the power consumption amount in the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20. As a result, calculation of the power consumption amount by the control apparatus 11 becomes unnecessary. The information related to the power consumption amount in the actual ES period in the RU apparatus 20 may be transmitted from the RU apparatus 20 to the control apparatus 11 (DU apparatus 10) in the same message as a regular measurement result of the epe-stats, or may be transmitted in a message different from the regular measurement result of the epe-stats.

[0087] <2> Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control apparatus. In Fig. 12, a control apparatus 100 includes a processor 101, and a memory 102. Each of control apparatuses 11 and 51 may have the configuration illustrated in Fig. 12. The processor 101 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a micro processing unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 101 may include a plurality of processors. The memory 102 is configured by a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 102 may include a plurality of physically independent memory devices. The volatile memory is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory may be a masked read only memory (MROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. The memory 102 may include a storage located away from the processor 101. In this case, the processor 101 may access the memory 102 via a not-illustrated input(I) / output(O) interface.

[0088] The memory 102 may store one or more of software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing processing by the control apparatuses 11 and 51 described in a plurality of the above example embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 101 may be configured in such a way as to read the software module from the memory 102 and execute the read software module, and thereby perform the processing of the control apparatuses 11 and 51 described in the above example embodiments.

[0089] <3> Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a DU apparatus. In Fig. 13, an apparatus 200 includes a network interface 201, a processor 202, and a memory 203. Each of DU apparatuses 10 and 40 may have the configuration illustrated in Fig. 13.

[0090] The network interface 201 is used, for example, for communicating with a network element (e.g., SMO apparatuses 30 and 50, and another RAN node). The network interface 201 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) compliant with IEEE 802.3 series.

[0091] The processor 202 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. The processor 202 may include a plurality of processors.

[0092] The memory 203 is configured by a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 203 may include a plurality of physically independent memory devices. The volatile memory is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory may be a masked read only memory (MROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. The memory 203 may include a storage located away from the processor 202. In this case, the processor 202 may access the memory 203 via the network interface 201 or an I / O interface.

[0093] The memory 203 may store one or more of software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing processing by the DU apparatuses 10 and 40 described in a plurality of the above example embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 202 may be configured in such a way as to read the software module from the memory 203 and execute the read software module, and thereby perform processing of the DU apparatuses 10 and 40 described in the above example embodiments.

[0094] <4> Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an RU apparatus. In Fig. 14, an apparatus 300 includes an antenna array 301, a radio frequency transceiver 302, a network interface 303, a processor 304, and a memory 305. The RU apparatus 20 may have the configuration illustrated in Fig. 14. The RF transceiver 302 performs analog RF signal processing for communicating with UEs. The RF transceiver 302 may include a plurality of transceivers. The RF transceiver 302 is coupled to the antenna array 301 and the processor 304. The RF transceiver 302 receives modulation symbol data from the processor 304, generates a transmission RF signal, and supplies the generated transmission RF signal to the antenna array 301. Further, the RF transceiver 302 generates a baseband reception signal, based on a reception RF signal received by the antenna array 301, and supplies the generated baseband reception signal to the processor 304. The RF transceiver 302 may include an analog beamformer circuit for beamforming. The analog beamformer circuit includes, for example, a plurality of phase shifters and a plurality of power amplifiers.

[0095] The network interface 303 is used for communicating with a network node (e.g., a DU apparatus 10, an SMO apparatus 30). The network interface 303 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) compliant with IEEE 802.3 series.

[0096] The processor 304 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for radio communication. The processor 304 may include a plurality of processors. For example, the processor 304 may include a modem processor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)) that performs the digital baseband signal processing, and a protocol stack processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU)) that performs the control plane processing.

[0097] The processor 304 may include a digital beamformer module for beamforming. The digital beamformer module may include a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) encoder and precoder.

[0098] The memory 305 is configured by a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory may be a masked read only memory (MROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, or a hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. The memory 305 may include a storage located away from the processor 304. In this case, the processor 304 may access the memory 305 via the network interface 303 or a not-illustrated I / O interface.

[0099] The memory 305 may store one or more of software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing processing by the RU apparatus 20 described in a plurality of the above example embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 304 may be configured in such a way as to read the software module from the memory 305 and execute the read software module, and thereby perform processing of the RU apparatus 20 described in the above example embodiments.

[0100] <5> Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an SMO apparatus. In the example in Fig. 15, an SMO apparatus 400 is implemented as a computer system. A computer system 400 includes one or more processors 401, a memory 402, and a mass storage 403, and they communicate with each other via a bus 407. The one or more processors 401 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both of them. The computer system 400 may include another device such as one or more output devices 404, one or more input devices 405, and one or more peripherals 406. The one or more peripherals 406 may include a modem or a network adapter, or any combination thereof.

[0101] One or both of the memory 402 and the mass storage 403 include a computer-readable medium having one or more sets of instructions stored thereon. These instructions may be located, in part or in full, in a memory within the one or more processors 401. These instructions, when being executed in the one or more processors 401, cause the one or more processors 401 to provide a function of SMO apparatuses 30 and 50 described in the above example embodiments.

[0102] The program can be stored and provided to a computer using any type of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include any type of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic storage media (such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, etc.), optical magnetic storage media (e.g. magneto-optical disks), CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), CD-R (compact disc recordable), CD-R / W (compact disc rewritable), and semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.). The program may be provided to a computer using any type of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer readable media can provide the program to a computer via a wired communication line (e.g. electric wires, and optical fibers) or a wireless communication line.

[0103] While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to example embodiments thereof, the disclosure is not limited to these example embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.

[0104] Each drawing is merely illustrative of one or more example embodiments. Each drawing may be associated with one or more other example embodiments, rather than only one specific example embodiment. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, various features or steps described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features or steps illustrated in one or more other figures, for example, to create example embodiments not explicitly illustrated or described. All of the features or steps illustrated in any one of the figures to describe the example embodiments are not necessarily essential, and some features or steps may be omitted. An order of the steps described in any of the figures may be changed as appropriate.

[0105] The whole or part of the example embodiments disclosed above can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 　　(Supplementary Note 1) 　　A radio unit (RU) apparatus comprising: 　　at least one memory; and 　　at least one processor configured to be coupled to the at least one memory, 　　wherein the at least one processor transmits, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 2) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period. 　　(Supplementary Note 3) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 4) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 3, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 5) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and the at least one processor transmits, to the upper-level apparatus, information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods. 　　(Supplementary Note 6) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and 　　the at least one processor transmits, to the upper-level apparatus, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results. 　　(Supplementary Note 7) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 6, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 8) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 7, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 9) 　　The RU apparatus according to supplementary note 8, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 10) 　　A control apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor configured to be coupled to the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor receives information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus, and calculates a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 11) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 10, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period. 　　(Supplementary Note 12) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 10 or 11, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 13) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 12, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 14) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 10 or 11, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and the at least one processor receives information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, and calculates a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and at least one measurement result of the plurality of measurement results. 　　(Supplementary Note 15) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 10 or 11, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and the at least one processor receives, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results, and calculates the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and a measurement result indicated by the information for specifying. 　　(Supplementary Note 16) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 15, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 17) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 16, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 18) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 17, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 19) 　　The control apparatus according to supplementary note 15, wherein the at least one processor calculates the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus by multiplying a measurement result of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest and a time length of the ES period together. 　　(Supplementary Note 20) 　　A method to be executed by a radio unit (RU) apparatus, the method comprising transmitting, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 21) 　　The method according to supplementary note 20, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period. 　　(Supplementary Note 22) 　　The method according to supplementary note 20 or 21, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 23) 　　The method according to supplementary note 22, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 24) 　　The method according to supplementary note 20 or 21, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and 　　the transmitting includes transmitting, to the upper-level apparatus, information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods. 　　(Supplementary Note 25) 　　The method according to supplementary note 20 or 21, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and 　　the transmitting includes transmitting, to the upper-level apparatus, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results. 　　(Supplementary Note 26) 　　The method according to supplementary note 25, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 27) 　　The method according to supplementary note 26, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 28) 　　The method according to supplementary note 27, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 29) 　　A method executed by a control apparatus, the method comprising: 　　receiving information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus; and 　　calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 30) 　　The method according to supplementary note 29, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period. 　　(Supplementary Note 31) 　　The method according to supplementary note 29 or 30, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 32) 　　The method according to supplementary note 31, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 33) 　　The method according to supplementary note 29 or 30, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, 　　the receiving includes receiving information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, and the calculating includes calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and at least one measurement result of the plurality of measurement results. 　　(Supplementary Note 34) 　　The method according to supplementary note 29 or 30, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, 　　the receiving includes receiving, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results, and the calculating includes calculating the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and a measurement result indicated by the information for specifying. 　　(Supplementary Note 35) 　　The method according to supplementary note 34, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 36) 　　The method according to supplementary note 35, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 37) 　　The method according to supplementary note 36, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 38) 　　The method according to supplementary note 34, wherein the calculating includes calculating the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus by multiplying a measurement result of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest and a time length of the ES period together. 　　(Supplementary Note 39) 　　A program causing a radio unit (RU) apparatus to execute processing, the processing comprising transmitting, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 40) 　　The program according to supplementary note 39, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period. 　　(Supplementary Note 41) 　　The program according to supplementary note 39 or 40, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 42) 　　The program according to supplementary note 41, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 43) 　　The program according to supplementary note 39 or 40, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and the transmitting includes transmitting, to the upper-level apparatus, information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods. 　　(Supplementary Note 44) 　　The program according to supplementary note 39 or 40, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and 　　the transmitting includes transmitting, to the upper-level apparatus, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results. 　　(Supplementary Note 45) 　　The program according to supplementary note 44, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 46) 　　The program according to supplementary note 45, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 47) 　　The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to supplementary note 46, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 48) 　　A program causing a control apparatus to execute processing, the processing comprising: 　　receiving information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus; and 　　calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 49) 　　The program according to supplementary note 48, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period. 　　(Supplementary Note 50) 　　The program according to supplementary note 48 or 49, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 51) 　　The program according to supplementary note 50, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus. 　　(Supplementary Note 52) 　　The program according to supplementary note 48 or 49, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, 　　the receiving includes receiving information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, and the calculating includes calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and at least one measurement result of the plurality of measurement results. 　　(Supplementary Note 53) 　　The program according to supplementary note 48 or 49, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus, the receiving includes receiving, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results, and the calculating includes calculating the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on information related to an actual ES period in the RU apparatus and a measurement result indicated by the information for specifying. 　　(Supplementary Note 54) 　　The program according to supplementary note 53, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 55) 　　The program according to supplementary note 54, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 56) 　　The program according to supplementary note 55, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest. 　　(Supplementary Note 57) 　　The program according to supplementary note 53, wherein the calculating includes calculating the power consumption amount of the RU apparatus by multiplying a measurement result of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest and a time length of the ES period together.

[0106] This application claims priority based on Indian patent application No. 202411048970 filed on June 26, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

[0107] 1 SYSTEM 2 SYSTEM 10 DU APPARATUS 11 CONTROL UNIT (CONTROL APPARATUS) 20 RU APPARATUS 30 SMO APPARATUS 40 DU APPARATUS 41 CONTROL UNIT 50 SMO APPARATUS 51 CONTROL UNIT (CONTROL APPARATUS)

Claims

1. A radio unit (RU) apparatus comprising: 　　at least one memory; and 　　at least one processor configured to be coupled to the at least one memory, 　　wherein the at least one processor transmits, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

2. The RU apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus is a start time and an end time of the ES period.

3. The RU apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is one measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest.

4. The RU apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus is at least one measurement period of epe-stats being one of measurement groups of the RU apparatus.

5. The RU apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 　　the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and 　　the at least one processor transmits, to the upper-level apparatus, information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods.

6. The RU apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus includes a plurality of measurement periods, and 　　the at least one processor transmits, to the upper-level apparatus, together with information related to the ES period and a plurality of measurement results associated to each of the plurality of measurement periods, information for specifying a measurement result used for calculating a power consumption amount among the plurality of measurement results.

7. The RU apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is a measurement result associated to a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest.

8. The RU apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information for specifying the measurement result used for calculating the power consumption amount is information related to a reference time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest.

9. The RU apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information related to the reference time is information related to at least one of a start time and an end time of a measurement period in which a time length of an overlapping portion with the ES period is longest.

10. A control apparatus comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor configured to be coupled to the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor receives information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus, and calculates a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

11. A method to be executed by a radio unit (RU) apparatus, the method comprising transmitting, to an upper-level apparatus, information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in the RU apparatus, and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

12. A method executed by a control apparatus, the method comprising: 　　receiving information related to an actual energy saving (ES) period in a radio unit (RU) apparatus and a measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus that are transmitted from the RU apparatus; and 　　calculating a power consumption amount of the RU apparatus, based on the information related to the actual ES period in the RU apparatus and the measurement result in at least one measurement period of power consumption of the RU apparatus.

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