Network node, base station, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

A network node according to the present invention comprises: a reception unit that receives, from a plurality of base stations, notification information including information relating to a wireless state; and a control unit that executes user plane control on the basis of the notification information. The notification information includes, as the information relating to the wireless state, at least one from among a downlink data retention time, a retained downlink data size, a downlink data transmission volume per unit time, a number of data discard packets, an anticipated transmittable volume of downlink data per unit time, information relating to a buffer of an accommodated terminal, and information relating to wireless quality, at the base stations.

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] In 3GPP (Registered Trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), in order to achieve further increase in system capacity, further increase in data transmission speed, and further reduction in latency in the radio section, etc., a wireless communication method called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, this wireless communication method is referred to as "5G" or "NR") is being studied. In 5G, various wireless technologies are being studied in order to meet the requirement of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more and reducing the latency in the radio section to 1 ms or less.

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

[0004] Also, in 6G, which is the next generation of 5G, it is assumed that a terminal will be simultaneously connected to a plurality of RATs (Radio Access Technologies).

[0005] 3GPP TS 23.501 V18.7.0 (2024-09) 3GPP TR 23.700-54 V1.1.0 (2024-09) 3GPP TS 38.425 V18.1.0 (2024-06)

[0006] As a configuration in which a terminal connects to multiple RATs simultaneously, for example, core network aggregation (CN), which aggregates 6GC (6G Core Network) and 5GC, is being considered (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). When implementing core network aggregation, a user plane control method is being considered in which the user plane function in the core network distributes data to multiple RATs. In this method, it is considered necessary to consider the state of the wireless section in each RAT, but existing specifications do not allow information related to the wireless state to be notified to the core network.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to perform user plane data communication in a wireless communication network that takes into account the wireless states of multiple RATs.

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, a network node is provided having a receiving unit that receives notification information containing information about radio conditions from a plurality of base stations, and a control unit that performs user plane control based on the notification information, wherein the notification information includes, as information about radio conditions, at least one of the following at the base station: downlink data dwell time, dwell downlink data size, downlink data transmission rate per unit time, number of discarded packets, estimated downlink data transmission capacity per unit time, information about buffers of accommodated terminals, and information about radio quality.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, user-plane communication that takes into account the radio states of multiple RATs can be performed in a wireless communication network.

[0010] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of an option to connect with two RATs in 6G. This is a diagram illustrating an example of an option to connect with three RATs in 6G. This is a diagram illustrating an example of an option to connect with three RATs in 6G. This is a diagram illustrating Dual stack in 6G. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and network node 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to those described below.

[0012] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present invention, existing technologies may be used as appropriate. However, such existing technologies include, for example, existing LTE, but are not limited to existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" as used herein has a broad meaning that includes LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced and later technologies (e.g., NR), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), unless otherwise specified.

[0013] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters means that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from the network node 30 or terminal 20 are configured.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system consists of a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes 30. Hereafter, one network node 30 will be assumed to correspond to each function, however, one network node 30 may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes 30 may implement one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection. In the following description, " / " means "and / or" unless otherwise specified, or unless it is clear from the context that it has a different meaning.

[0015] The RAN (Radio Access Network) is a network node 30 having wireless access functionality, which may include a base station 10, and is connected to a UE, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and 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 interconnected with the DN (Data Network) and having functions such as a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point to the outside, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network in the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0016] AMF is connected to 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). AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services: Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0017] The SMF is a network node 30 that has functions such as session management, IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management for UEs, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) functionality, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming functionality. The NEF is a network node 30 that has the function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 that has functions such as selecting the network slice to which the UE connects, determining the allowed NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determining the NSSAI to be set, and determining the AMF set to which the UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 that has the function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 that has the function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 that has the 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 the UDR (User Data Repository) that holds the said data.

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Figure 2, the network consists of a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes 30. Hereafter, one network node 30 will be assigned to each function, but one network node 30 may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes 30 may implement one function. Also, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0019] The RAN is a network node 30 having wireless access functionality and is connected to the UE, AMF, and 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 interconnected with the DN, having functions such as external PDU session point, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS handling. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0020] AMF is connected to UE, RAN, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, AF, and SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy). AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services: Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0021] SMF is a network node 30 that has functions such as session management, IP address allocation and management for UEs, DHCP functionality, ARP proxy, and roaming functionality. NEF is a network node 30 that has the function of notifying other NFs of capabilities and events. NSSF is a network node 30 that has functions such as selecting the network slice to which the UE connects, determining which NSSAIs are allowed, determining which NSSAIs are configured, and determining which AMF set the UE connects to. PCF is a network node 30 that has the function of controlling network policies. AF is a network node 30 that has the function of controlling application servers. NRF is a network node 30 that has the function of discovering NF instances that provide services. SEPP is an opaque proxy that filters control plane messages between PLMNs (Public Land Mobile Networks). In Figure 2, vSEPP is the SEPP in the visited network, and hSEPP is the SEPP in the home network.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the UE is in a roaming environment connected to the RAN and AMF in the Visited PLMN. The Visited PLMN and Home PLMN are connected via vSEPP and hSEPP. The UE can communicate with the UDM of the Home PLMN, for example, via the AMF of the Visited PLMN.

[0023] Furthermore, in 6G, the next generation after 5G, it is envisioned that a terminal will be simultaneously connected to multiple RATs (Radio Access Technologies). In this scenario, terminal 20 may register with one or more core networks. Terminal 20 may also be simultaneously connected to two or more RAN nodes (base stations 10). For example, terminal 20 may be simultaneously connected to 5G and 6G networks, or simultaneously connected to 4G, 5G, and 6G networks.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of an option for connecting to two RATs in 6G. As shown in Figure 3, the options for connecting to two RATs in 6G are Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3, which are Dual Connectivity between 5G and 6G RANs, and Option 2, which is Core Network Aggregation (CN) between 5G and 6G CNs.

[0025] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an example of the options for connecting to three RATs in 6G. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the options for connecting to three RATs in 6G are Option 5, Option 7, Option 8, and Option 9, which are multi-connectivity between 4G, 5G, and 6G RANs, and Option 6, which is core network aggregation between 4G, 5G, and 6G CNs.

[0026] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating Dual stack in 6G. As shown in Figure 6, terminal 20, which supports Dual stack, is capable of handling protocol stacks (PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, NAS) in both 5G and 6G. Furthermore, terminal 20 may be capable of Dual registration, registering with both 5GC and 6GC simultaneously, or it may be capable of registering with only one of 5GC or 6GC.

[0027] In this core network aggregation configuration, coordination between 5G and 6G RAN nodes is unnecessary, and user plane data is distributed to either 5G or 6G within the core network.

[0028] Furthermore, in implementing core network aggregation, user plane control using two 3GPP Access services (e.g., 5G and 6G) ​​is being considered (see Section 6.1, Solutions for DualSteer, Non-Patent Document 2).

[0029] However, in the currently considered method, when implementing core network aggregation, the user plane function (UPF) cannot take into account the status of the wireless section. That is, the network node 30 in the core network cannot obtain information about the wireless status from the RAN (base station 10). Here, it is possible to indirectly estimate the status of the wireless section (amount of data that can be sent, delay time, etc.) from the response when a data packet is sent to the terminal 20 in the core network. However, due to the time required to perform this estimation and the difficulty of accurate estimation due to the inclusion of multiple factors other than the wireless status, it may not be possible to perform appropriate user plane control, potentially leading to problems such as reduced throughput and increased delay time.

[0030] (Example) This section describes a method for enabling user plane control in a wireless communication network that takes into account the wireless states of multiple RATs.

[0031] The base station 10 may notify the network node 30 of information related to the radio state. The network node 30 may store the received information in its own device and perform user plane control based on that information. This user plane control may be control related to data distribution to multiple RATs when using core network aggregation. The network node 30 that has received the information from the base station 10 may transmit the information to other network nodes 30.

[0032] Here, the base station 10 may be a RAN node in 5G, such as a gNB, gNB-CU (Central Unit), gNB-CU-CP (C-plane), or gNB-CU-UP (U-plane), or it may be a RAN node in 6G (corresponding to the gNB, gNB-CU, gNB-CU-CP, and gNB-CU-UP of 5G).

[0033] Furthermore, the network node 30 may be, for example, an AMF / UPF in 5G, or a network node 30 equivalent to an AMF / UPF in 6G.

[0034] Furthermore, the notification may be transmitted from the 5G base station 10 to the AMF via the N2 interface (NGAP), or from the 5G base station 10 to the UPF via the N3 interface (NG-U). Alternatively, the notification may be transmitted from the 6G base station 10 to the network node 30 corresponding to the 6G AMF and UFP via the 6G interfaces corresponding to the 5G N2 and N3 interfaces.

[0035] (Details of information related to wireless status) Information related to wireless status may include information for terminal 20 / communication channel (bearer, PDU session, etc.), and may include, for example, the following information at the RAN node: Downlink (DL) data dwell time, dwell DL data size, DL data transmission rate per unit time, number / size of discarded packets, estimated DL data transmission rate per unit time, information on buffer amount at the accommodating terminal 20 (empty buffer amount, etc.), information on wireless quality, auxiliary information (for example, information indicating recommendations for setting / releasing CN aggregation). The above-mentioned information on wireless quality may include, for example, measurement reports on wireless signals, CSI (Channel State Information), information on radio link failure (RLF), RLF reports, and Radio Quality Assistance Information (see Non-Patent Literature 3). Here, Radio Quality Assistance Information may include Average CQI (Channel Quality Indicator), Average HARQ Retransmissions, Uplink Radio Quality Index (UL Radio Quality Index), and Uplink / Downlink Link Delay Results (DL Delay DU Result / UL Delay DU Result) at the Distributed Unit (DU) of base station 10.

[0036] Furthermore, information related to the wireless state may include information for the RAN nodes (base stations 10) that the core network accommodates, and may include, for example, the following information: • Amount of free buffer at the RAN node • Number of terminals 20 accommodated by the RAN node (for example, the number of terminals 20 of each type). The base station 10 may perform measurement / calculation to obtain information related to the wireless state to be notified to the network node 30.

[0037] The network node 30 may transmit configuration information to the base station 10 that specifies information related to the radio state that the base station 10 will notify the network node 30 of (for example, any of the information described above).

[0038] (Triggers for notifying information related to the wireless state) In the triggers described below, the base station 10 may notify the network node 30 of information related to the wireless state. Here, the trigger may be set by the transmission of setting information, including the setting related to the trigger, from the network node 30 of the core network to the base station 10. The trigger may also be set by multiple settings, and conditions (such as AND conditions / OR conditions that decide whether to enable all settings or enable at least one setting) may be set for each setting. The trigger may also be set on a per-communication-path (bearer, PDU session, etc.) / QoS per unit, or on a per-communication-path (grouped) unit that combines the communication path and QoS. - When base station 10 receives a notification instruction from network node 30 - When a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous notification (the predetermined time may be set by network node 30) - When the amount / time of data remaining at base station 10 exceeds a threshold, or when the duration of that state exceeds a predetermined time (the predetermined time may be set by network node 30) - When the free buffer capacity at terminal 20 or base station 10 falls below a threshold, or when the duration of that state exceeds a predetermined time (the predetermined time may be set by network node 30) - When the cell to which terminal 20 belongs changes (i.e., when the number of terminals 20 accommodated by base station 10 increases / decreases) - When the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) terminating the communication path (bearer, PDU session, etc.) is changed (for example, the setting is changed), or when the PDCP is reset.

[0039] (L2 buffer amount at the terminal) The base station 10, terminal 20, and network node 30 may assume that a terminal capability regarding the Layer 2 buffer amount of terminal 20 is set when terminal 20 communicates with multiple RATs (base stations 10) simultaneously (for example, when using core network aggregation). The buffer amount may be defined by specifications considering the radio state of multiple RATs, or it may be notified to terminal 20 from the network (base station 10 / core network 30). Alternatively, terminal 20 may set the terminal capability and notify the network (base station 10 and network node 30). Terminal 20 may set the terminal capability in its own device and perform communication with multiple base stations 10.

[0040] For example, the total L2 buffer size for two RATs (RATa and RATb) bundled by core network aggregation may be set as follows: Buffersize1 = MaxULDataRate_RATa×RLCRTT_RATa + MaxULDataRate_RATb×RLCRTT_RATb + MaxDLDataRate_RATb×RLCRTT_RATb + MaxDLDataRate_RATa×RLCRTT_RATb The maximum value of Buffersize2 may be set as follows: Buffersize2 = MaxULDataRate_RATa×RLCRTT_RATa + MaxULDataRate_RATb×RLCRTT_RATb + MaxDLDataRate_RATa×RLCRTT_RATa + MaxDLDataRate_RATb×RLCRTT_RATa Here, MaxULDataRate_RATa is the maximum data rate for the uplink in RATA. MaxULDataRate_RATb is the maximum uplink data rate in RATb. MaxDLDataRate_RATa is the maximum downlink data rate in RATa. MaxDLDataRate_RATb is the maximum downlink data rate in RATb. RLCRTT_RATa is the round-trip time for radio link control in RATa. RLCRTT_RATb is the round-trip time for radio link control in RATb.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above example, RATa and RATb may be 3GPP access (access via 3GPP RAT) or non-3GPP access (e.g., access via wireless LAN).

[0042] Similar to the last term of Buffersize1 (MaxDLDataRate_RATa × RLCRTT_RATb) and the last term of Buffersize2 (MaxDLDataRate_RATb × RLCRTT_RATa), it is possible to reduce the possibility of buffer overflow by considering the influence between RATs when using core network aggregation.

[0043] According to the above embodiments, in a wireless communication network, user plane communication considering the wireless states of multiple RATs can be executed.

[0044] (Device Configuration) Next, a functional configuration example of the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 that implement the processes and operations described so far will be described. The base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 include functions for implementing the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 may each be provided with only some of the functions in the embodiments.

[0045] <Base Station 10 and Network Node 30> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and network node 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the base station 10 includes a transmission unit 110, a reception unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented, the functional divisions and the names of the functional units may be any. Note that the network node 30 may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Also, a network node 30 having a plurality of different functions in the system architecture may be composed of a plurality of network nodes 30 separated by function.

[0046] The transmission unit 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 reception unit 120 includes a function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and obtaining information of, for example, a higher layer from the received signals. A communication unit including the transmission unit 110 and the reception unit 120 may be configured.

[0047] The setting unit 130 stores the preset setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in the storage device, and reads it out from the storage device as necessary.

[0048] The control unit 140 performs the processes and the like described in the embodiments. A functional unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and a functional unit related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0049] <Terminal 20> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 8, the terminal 20 includes a transmission unit 210, a reception unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 8 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented, the functional divisions and the names of the functional units may be any. Also, the communication device serving as the resource holder may have a functional configuration similar to that of the terminal 20.

[0050] The transmission unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and wirelessly transmits the transmission signal. The reception unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and obtains signals of a higher layer from the received physical layer signals. Also, the reception unit 220 has a function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, reference signals, etc. transmitted from the network node 30. A communication unit including the transmission unit 210 and the reception unit 220 may be configured.

[0051] The setting unit 230 stores the various setting information received from the network node 30 by the reception unit 220 in the storage device, and reads it out from the storage device as necessary. Also, the setting unit 230 stores the preset setting information.

[0052] The control unit 240 performs the processes and the like described in the embodiments. A functional unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and a functional unit related to signal reception in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0053] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 7 and 8) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0054] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0055] For example, the network node 30, terminal 20, etc. in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 and terminal 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 30 may have the same hardware configuration as the base station 10. The above-mentioned base station 10 and 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.

[0056] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be read as "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0057] Each function in the base station 10 and terminal 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0058] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0059] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 7 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 8 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0060] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc 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 multipurpose disk, a Blu-ray® disk), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0062] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antenna, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0063] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0064] 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 different buses may be configured for each device.

[0065] Furthermore, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0066] Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 10, 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 this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0067] The operating unit 2002 consists of, for example, 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, which is operated by the user.

[0068] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0069] Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 for sensing motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals acquired by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals acquired by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals acquired by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals acquired by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals acquired by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals acquired by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals acquired by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals acquired by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0070] The Information Service Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing (outputting) various types of information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Service Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The Information Service Unit 2012 may include input devices that accept input from the outside (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, touch panel, etc.) and output devices that perform output to the outside (e.g., display, speaker, LED lamp, touch panel, etc.).

[0071] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0072] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via the communication port 2033 between the moving parts 2002, steering parts 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0073] 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 external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information with external devices 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 or a mobile station.

[0074] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of the following to an external device via wireless communication: signals from the various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on said signals, and information based on input from an external source (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc., may also be called input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include the information based on the above input.

[0075] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, inter-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit, which outputs information (for example, outputs information to devices such as displays and speakers 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 the external device 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 2021-2029, etc., provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0076] <Notes> (Note 1) A network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives notification information including information about the radio state from a plurality of base stations; and a control unit that performs user plane control based on the notification information, wherein the notification information includes, as information about the radio state, at least one of the following at the base station: downlink data dwell time; dwell downlink data size; downlink data transmission amount per unit time; number of discarded packets; expected downlink data transmission amount per unit time; information about the buffer of the terminals to be accommodated; and information about the radio quality. (Note 2) The network node according to Note 1, further comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits setting information regarding the trigger for notifying the base station of the notification information. (Note 3) A base station having: a control unit that acquires information relating to the wireless state of the device itself; and a transmission unit that receives notification information including the information relating to the wireless state from a network node, wherein the notification information includes, as information relating to the wireless state, at least one of the following: downlink data dwell time; dwell downlink data size; downlink data transmission amount per unit time; number of discarded packets; estimated downlink data transmission capacity per unit time; information relating to the buffer of the terminals to be accommodated; and information relating to the wireless quality. (Note 4) The base station according to Note 3, further having: a receiving unit that receives setting information relating to the trigger for notifying the notification information from the network node; and the transmission unit that transmits the notification information at the trigger set in the setting information. (Note 5) A terminal having: a control unit that sets capability information relating to the buffer amount of the device itself when communicating with a plurality of base stations 10 simultaneously; and a communication unit that performs communication with the plurality of base stations 10.(Appendix 6) A communication method performed by a network node, comprising the steps of: receiving notification information from a plurality of base stations, which includes information about the radio state; and performing user plane control based on the notification information, wherein the notification information includes, as information about the radio state, at least one of the following at the base station: downlink data dwell time; dwell downlink data size; downlink data transmission rate per unit time; number of discarded packets; assumed downlink data transmission rate per unit time; information about buffers of accommodated terminals; and information about radio quality.

[0077] By any of the provisions of Appendix 1 to Appendix 6, user-plane communication that takes into account the wireless states of multiple RATs can be performed in a wireless communication network.

[0078] (Supplement to Embodiments) Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but 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, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. The processing procedures described in the embodiments may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in any suitable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium.

[0079] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling), broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0080] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure refers to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), 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 (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), 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 802.20 may apply to at least one system utilizing UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. Alternatively, multiple systems may be applied in combination (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0081] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0082] In this specification, specific operations performed by the base station 10 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 can be performed by the base station 10 and at least one of the other network nodes (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0083] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0084] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0085] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0086] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0087] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0088] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0089] In addition, terms used 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 the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0090] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0091] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0092] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0093] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "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. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0094] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0095] In this disclosure, the transmission of information by a base station to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to perform control or operation based on the information.

[0096] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0097] 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 several other appropriate terms.

[0098] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body refers to a movable object, and its speed of movement is arbitrary. This also includes the case when the mobile body is stationary. The mobile body includes, but is not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcarts, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and items mounted on them. The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves autonomously based on operation commands. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). Furthermore, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may include devices that do 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.

[0099] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this 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, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the base station 10 has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0100] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0101] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0102] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean 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” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0103] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0104] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0105] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0106] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0107] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0108] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0109] In this 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 "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0110] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0111] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be 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 intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0112] 10 Base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 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 receiving unit that receives notification information containing information about radio status from multiple base stations; and a control unit that performs user plane control based on the notification information, wherein the notification information includes, as information about radio status, at least one of the following at the base station: downlink data dwell time; dwell downlink data size; downlink data transmission rate per unit time; number of discarded packets; expected downlink data transmission rate per unit time; information about buffers of accommodated terminals; and information about radio quality.

2. The network node according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits setting information relating to the trigger for notifying the base station of the notification information.

3. A base station comprising: a control unit that acquires information relating to the wireless state of the device itself; and a transmission unit that receives notification information including the information relating to the wireless state from a network node, wherein the notification information includes, as information relating to the wireless state, at least one of the following: downlink data dwell time; dwell downlink data size; downlink data transmission rate per unit time; number of discarded packets; estimated downlink data transmission rate per unit time; information relating to the buffer of the terminals to be accommodated; and information relating to the wireless quality.

4. The base station according to claim 3, further comprising a receiving unit that receives setting information relating to the trigger for notifying the notification information from the network node, and the transmitting unit transmitting the notification information at the trigger set in the setting information.

5. A terminal having a control unit that sets capacity information regarding the buffer amount of the device when communicating with multiple base stations 10 simultaneously, and a communication unit that performs communication with the multiple base stations 10.

6. A communication method performed by a network node, comprising the steps of: receiving notification information from multiple base stations, which includes information about the radio state; and performing user plane control based on the notification information, wherein the notification information includes, as information about the radio state, at least one of the following at the base station: downlink data dwell time; dwell downlink data size; downlink data transmission rate per unit time; number of discarded packets; expected downlink data transmission rate per unit time; information about buffers of accommodated terminals; and information about radio quality.

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