Network node and control method

Abstract

This network node comprises: a transmitting unit that transmits, to another network node, a first message requesting discovery of a network function, the first message including information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; a receiving unit that receives, from the other network node, a second message including identifiers of a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile associated with the identifiers and including information relating to a current energy price; and a control unit that selects, on the basis of the second message, a user plane function for providing a user plane route.

Description

Network Node and Control Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node and a control method in a communication system.

[0002] In 3GPP (Registered Trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), in order to achieve further increases in system capacity, further increases in data transmission speed, 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 while 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] For a communication carrier (operator), reduction of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions due to such consumption are important issues. Also, from a business perspective, the cost that a communication carrier pays for energy occupies a large proportion in the operating expenses (OPEX (Operating Expenditure)).

[0005] In today's energy market, energy prices are not fixed but fluctuate, set and controlled by the providers. For example, electricity providers may charge higher rates during the day than at night, and electricity rates may vary by region. Alternatively, telecommunications providers may have extremely cheap (or even free) power systems powered by solar energy.

[0006] 3GPP TS 23.501 V18.7.0 (2024-09) 3GPP TS 23.502 V18.7.0 (2024-09) 3GPP TS 28.510 V18.8.0 (2024-09) 3GPP TS 28.554 V18.7.0 (2024-09)

[0007] The energy costs of network entities are not the same for all entities; energy costs may differ depending on the location, time, and other factors of the network entities. In this context, solutions that improve energy efficiency have the effect of reducing energy consumption and thus energy costs.

[0008] However, no solution is provided that explicitly takes into account energy costs that fluctuate depending on time, location, etc., when operating and controlling a network. Therefore, a solution is needed to consider the different energy prices for network entities depending on time, location, etc., in order to reduce the energy costs paid by operators. In other words, it is necessary to consider how to take into account the different energy prices for network entities when operating and controlling a network.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to enable operation and control in a network that takes energy prices into consideration.

[0010] The disclosed technology provides a network node comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits a first message to other network nodes requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; a receiving unit that receives a second message from the other network nodes, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile including information on current energy prices associated with the identifiers; and a control unit that selects a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on the second message.

[0011] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to perform operations and controls in the network that take energy prices into consideration.

[0012] 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 a network architecture in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of a sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 and a network node 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 and a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters, etc., may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from the network node 30 or terminal 20 are configured.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the network architecture in an embodiment of the present invention. In multi-sourcing of power, when consumers such as telecommunications carriers (operators) purchase power from multiple suppliers rather than just a single supplier, they need to consider strategies such as reliability and risk avoidance in cost reduction. In the market, multiple power providers sell power, and the amount and price of the electricity energy offered fluctuate depending on the time, place, and type (e.g., renewable energy).

[0026] Telecommunications operators enter into contracts with multiple power suppliers, taking into account requirements, policies, and market prices. In some cases, a telecommunications operator may use power from its own power sources within its network. Furthermore, the power supplied to network entities located at specific sites / locations may be a mixture of power from different power sources / suppliers.

[0027] For example, a notification may be received regarding the proportion of electricity supplied by each power supplier to the base station at Site 1. Such notification may include information indicating, for example, that 50% of the electricity comes from supplier 1, 30% from supplier 2, and 10% from the solar panels installed at Site 1. Furthermore, these proportions may be fixed values ​​or dynamically changing values.

[0028] The OAM (Orchestration and Management) / EMS (Energy Management System) is a network node 30 that has the function of collecting and monitoring power information related to the supplied power. The OAM / EMS may also determine energy attributes based on the power information and send a message containing the energy attributes to other network nodes 30 / base stations 10, etc. Here, the energy attributes may include information on the proportion of multiple power providers, information on the proportion of renewable energy, and information on energy costs (power costs) (e.g., charging rate, price per watt).

[0029] Furthermore, information regarding energy costs (electricity costs) may include information such as the current electricity price for each electricity supplier, the proportion of electricity supplied by each electricity supplier, and the amount of electricity consumed, for the electricity supplied to the network node 30 / base station 10, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the network node 30 / base station 10 may assume that the power cost at the network node 30 / base station 10 is known, that the power cost differs for each network node 30 / base station 10, and that the power cost fluctuates over time. The causes of such fluctuations may include changes in electricity rates by power suppliers, changes in the proportion of supply from multiple power suppliers, and changes in power consumption.

[0031] Furthermore, the network node 30 / base station 10 may assume that different / dynamically changing energy attributes include information about power costs and are explicitly considered and used in network processing and control.

[0032] (Example) Network node 30 may assume that a newly defined element is used in the network function profile (NF profile) to indicate information about the current energy price. This element may include information about the price of at least one current energy (i.e., electricity) supplied to the specified network function (network node 30 having) and may be expressed as, for example, "Current Energy Price". The element may also include information included in the aforementioned Energy Attributes.

[0033] The SMF may determine the path (and the UPF providing it) with the lowest energy price for a PDU session based on the current energy price information in the network function profile (NF profile) for the UPF. Here, the SMF may perform this path determination when establishing a PDU session (see, for example, section 4.3.2 of Non-Patent Literature 2) or when modifying an established PDU session (see, for example, section 4.3.3 of Non-Patent Literature 2).

[0034] Alternatively, the SMF may request the NRF to discover user plane functions that have a network function profile (NF profile) that includes information on the current energy price, and obtain the network function profile (NF profile) of the discovered user plane functions.

[0035] The procedure for traffic routing based on energy prices will be explained below using a sequence diagram. In this sequence, the SMF30B performs rerouting based on energy prices for already established PDU sessions. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. The processing of each step will be explained below.

[0036] S101: SMF30B sends a request message (Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, see, for example, section 5.3 of Non-Patent Document 3) to NRF30A requesting the discovery of a network function (NF) for a UPF having a network function profile (NF profile) that includes information on the current energy price. The request message may also include information indicating that the type of network function (NF) being requested is a UPF (NF type = UPF).

[0037] S102: NRF30A sends a response message (Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Req.Response) to SMF30B for the request message received in S101. The response message may include identifiers for multiple UPFs and a network function profile (NF profile) associated with each identifier, which includes information on the current energy price.

[0038] S103: SMF30B selects a UPF that provides a user plane route (PDU session) based on the information regarding the current energy price for multiple UPFs received in S102. For example, SMF30B may select the UPF that provides the user plane route (PDU session) with the lowest energy price.

[0039] S104: Based on the selection made in S103, SMF30B sends messages to UPF30C (e.g., UPF30C1, UPF30C2, ..., UPF30Cn) regarding the reconfiguration of traffic routing. For example, if the route is reconfigured to UPF30Cn, which has the lowest energy price, SMF30B sends a message to reconfigure traffic routing so that PDU sessions going through UPF30C1 and UPF30C2 also go through UPF30Cn.

[0040] (Modification) A modification of the above embodiment will now be described. In this modification, in S103, the SMF30B may select a UPF that provides a user plane path (PDU session) using, in addition to the information on the current energy price for a plurality of UPFs received in S102, a preference for energy prices and at least one of load information at the UPF.

[0041] The preference may, for example, be information indicating the maximum energy price allowed in the network function, or it may be information indicating the maximum energy price allowed in the network function as a percentage of the lowest current energy price (for example, allowing prices up to 150% of the lowest price). Furthermore, the preference may be set for each terminal 20, for example.

[0042] Furthermore, the additional information may include, for example, at least one of the number of PDU sessions established in the UPF, the average traffic volume in the UPF, and the CPU load in the UPF.

[0043] Note that the network node 30 (such as NRF30A) in this embodiment is not limited to the 5G network node 30, and may be a network node 30 in another generation (for example, 6G, etc.).

[0044] (Effect) According to the above embodiment, the function of OAM / EMS is extended to consider the energy price in the market, and regarding the energy supplied to the network node, it is possible to calculate the current energy price for each network node. Also, in the processing related to the operation and control of the network, it is possible to use parameters for explicitly considering the energy price. That is, it is possible to perform operation and control considering the energy price in the network.

[0045] (Device Configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described so far will be described. The base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 include the functions for implementing the above-described embodiment. However, the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 may each have only some of the functions in the embodiment.

[0046] <Base Station 10 and Network Node 30> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and network node 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the base station 10 has a transmission unit 110, a reception unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiments of the present invention can be performed, the functional division 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.

[0047] The transmitting 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 receiving unit 120 includes a function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and obtaining information of a higher layer, for example, from the received signals. A communication unit including the transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120 may be configured.

[0048] The setting unit 130 stores setting information set in advance and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device, and reads it out from the storage device as necessary.

[0049] The control unit 140 performs the processing and the like described in the embodiments. A functional unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmitting unit 110, and a functional unit related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the receiving unit 120.

[0050] <Terminal 20> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 20 includes a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiments of the present invention can be performed, the functional division and the names of the functional units may be anything. Further, a communication device serving as a resource holder may have a functional configuration similar to that of the terminal 20.

[0051] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and obtains a signal of a higher layer from the received physical layer signal. Further, the receiving unit 220 has a function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signal, reference signal, etc. transmitted from the network node 30. A communication unit including the transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 may be configured.

[0052] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the network node 30 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device, and reads it out from the storage device as necessary. Further, the setting unit 230 also stores setting information set in advance.

[0053] The control unit 240 performs the processing described in the embodiment. The signal transmission function in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0054] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 5 and 6) 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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 7 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 5 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 6 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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).

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 8, 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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).

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.).

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] <Notes> (Note 1) A network node comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits a first message to another network node requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; a receiving unit that receives a second message from the other network node, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile including information on the current energy price associated with the identifiers; and a control unit that selects a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on the second message. (Note 2) The network node according to Note 1, wherein the control unit selects a user plane function that provides a user plane route with the lowest energy price. (Note 3) The network node according to Note 1, wherein the control unit selects a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on at least one of an energy price preference and user plane function load information, in addition to the second message. (Note 4) A network node having: a receiving unit that receives a first message from another network node requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message to the other network node, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile including information on current energy prices associated with the identifiers. (Note 5) A control method performed by a network node having: the step of transmitting a first message to another network node requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; the step of receiving a second message from the other network node, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile including information on current energy prices associated with the identifiers; and the step of selecting a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on the second message.

[0078] Any of the provisions of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5 will enable network operations and control that take energy prices into consideration.

[0079] (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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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).

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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).

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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).

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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)). 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 inter-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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."

[0103] 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.

[0104] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0105] 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."

[0106] 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.

[0107] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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."

[0111] 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).

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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 transmitting unit that transmits a first message to other network nodes requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; a receiving unit that receives a second message from the other network nodes, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile including information on current energy prices associated with the identifiers; and a control unit that selects a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on the second message.

2. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a user plane function that provides the user plane route with the lowest energy price.

3. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on at least one of the following: an energy price preference and load information of the user plane function, in addition to the second message.

4. A network node having: a receiving unit that receives a first message from another network node requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message to the other network node, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile that includes information on current energy prices associated with said identifiers.

5. A control method performed by a network node, comprising: sending a first message to another network node requesting the discovery of a network function, which includes information indicating that the type of network function is a user plane function; receiving a second message from the other network node, which includes identifiers for a plurality of user plane functions and a network function profile including information on current energy prices associated with the identifiers; and selecting a user plane function that provides a user plane route based on the second message.

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