A method of policy-based target reliability level selection for dynamic reliability supporting netowrk slice

Abstract

Described is a computer apparatus (1200) for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment, UE, (107) configured to: obtain a reliable connectivity selection request (202) for the UE (107), the reliable connectivity selection request (202) requesting a selection of a solution (701) of a plurality of solutions (701a-c) wherein each of the plurality of solutions (701a-c) representing a connectivity of the UE (107), each of the plurality of solutions (701a-c) meeting a required reliability level; obtain a selection policy for the selection of a solution (701) of the plurality of solutions (701a-c), the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions (701a-c); and select (204) a solution (701) of the plurality of the solutions (701a-c) based on the selection policy. In this way, a solution (701) may be selected using the criteria in the selection policy.

Description

[0001] A METHOD OF POLICY-BASED TARGET RELIABILITY LEVEL SELECTION FOR DYNAMIC RELIABILITY SUPPORTING NETOWRK SLICE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to an apparatuses and methods for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The extreme service requirements of hyper-reliable and low latency communication (HRLLC) in Industrial scenarios (e.g., Human-Robot collaboration (HRC)) leads the development of Dynamic Reliability (DR) solutions for 6G Systems. Compared to the traditional URLLC solutions in 5G or 5G-Advanced Systems DR is identified as time varying values or ranges of Reliability requirement which is dependent on Operational Conditions (OC) at the Factory or the adaptive requirements of the Application. The example of OC is time varying conditions at a Factory related to the position, movement, and / or operations of User Equipment, UEs (i.e., robotic devices and / or human). Instead of resource overprovisioning mechanism from 5G solutions (e.g., dual connectivity for URLLC), the DR mechanisms are introduced for the 6G system with the energy and communication resources efficiency.

[0006] To support DR mechanisms for HRLLC (or enhanced URLLC) type of communication, the system requires at least three features: (i) The detection of the Dynamic reliability requirement for the UE, hence, the 6G system knows when it needs to support the required reliability level to the UE;

[0007] (ii) The determination of reliable connectivity solutions, where each connectivity can support the required reliability, hence, the 6G system is able to support the target reliable communication for the UE; and

[0008] (iii) The enforcement of the reliable connectivity, hence, the 6G system is able to support dynamic reliability communication for the UE according to the network enforcement criteria.

[0009] Assuming that the network supports the first two features or there exists multiple solutions achieving DR requirement. When multiple reliable connectivity solutions achieve the DR requirement, it is necessary that the 6G system needs to enforce a selection of a reliable connectivity solution based on the network criteria. Multiple network criteria include, but are not limited to, sustainability, load balancing, signalling reduction, etc. Among them, sustainability in terms of reduction of network energy consumption, network related carbon emissions, and network related environmental impact is a key capability to be improved in both 6G and Industry revolution (e.g., Industrial 5.0 framework) compared to 5G systems.

[0010] A prior art system (TARGET RELIABILITY LEVEL SELECTION FOR DYNAMIC RELIABILITY CONFIGURAHON IN A NETWORK SLICE) introduces Dynamic Reliability technology for 6G Systems and highlights the detection of the dynamic reliability requirement for the UE, hence the system knows when the UE will be needed to support communication with different reliability requirement. If the system is aware of the target reliability, in the prior art (DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PATH DETERMINATION), how the network can determine the connectivities, where each connectivity can support reliability requirement of the UE based on Analytics. These prior arts do not address how the network can enforce a reliable solution for the UE.

[0011] Based on the above-mentioned prior arts, a simplify solution of the enforcement of a reliable solution for the UE is to select a solution arbitrarily without considering Network criteria.

[0012] Considering network criteria, 3GPP defines Route Selection Policy (URSP) where URSP rule is used by the UE to determine how to route outgoing traffic. For the dual connectivity based URLLC mechanism, it is possible to use URSP or not. When URSP is used and provided by the network, the PCF determines and provides two distinct URSP rules to support end to end redundant user plane pathsfor the duplicated traffic of an application. The PCF determines the URSP rules based on e.g. deployment, terminal implementation or policies per group of UE(s) and provide it to the UE for route selection.

[0013] In the prior art URSP rules-based solution, the rules for fixed or static connectivity are provisioned to the UE by the PCF which is used to instruct the network for the enforcement of how the traffic should be routed. To support dynamic reliability communication, the rule selection instructions to the UE for the enforcement do not satisfy the dynamicity of the connectivity requirements of the UE. One of the reasons is that Network conditions and the need of DR requirement change over the time and too much dynamicity of URSP rules might create instability of the network conditions and which cannot be guaranteed the reliability requirement of the UE in real-time. Due to the stringent requirement of the dynamic reliability requirement of the UE, the enforcement by the network is significantly better than UE based enforcement mechanisms.

[0014] In addition to the technical issues, the URSP rules for dual connectivity do not consider some policy criteria, such as sustainability, signalling or combination of these criteria. In particular, sustainability criterion is a key capability to be supported and improved in 6G Systems. Sustainability, or environmental sustainability, refers to the ability of both the network and devices to minimize CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

[0015] To reduce CO2 emission and the subsequence climate change and environmental degradation, the focus on renewable energy sources has intensified.

[0016] It is desirable to develop an apparatus and method, for example for next generation telecommunication network, that overcomes the above problems.

[0017] SUMMARY

[0018] According to a first aspect, there is provided a computer apparatus for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment, UE, the functionalities of the computer apparatus being supported by one or more network entities, the computer apparatus comprising one or more processors and a memory storing in non-transient form data defining program code executable by the one or more processors, wherein the program code is executable by the one or more processors so that the computer apparatus is configured to: obtain a reliable connectivity selection request for the UE, the reliable connectivity selection request requesting a selection of a solution of a plurality of solutions wherein each of the plurality of solutions representing a connectivity of the UE, each of the plurality of solutions meeting a required reliability level; obtain a selection policy for the selection of a solution of the plurality of solutions, the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions; and select a solution of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy. In this way, an optimal solution may be selected using the criteria in the selection policy.

[0019] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to obtain the plurality of solutions for use in the selection of the solution, wherein: the reliable connectivity selection request comprises the plurality of solutions; and / or the plurality of solutions are received from a further network entity distinct from the one or more network entities. In this way, solutions may be provided from other entities in the network to the policy entity.

[0020] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to obtain a policy configuration or the apparatus may be configured with the policy configuration. The policy configuration may form part of the selection policy. In this way, the policy entity may be configured to use the policy configuration in the selection.In some implementations, the policy configuration may comprise policy criteria. The policy criteria may comprise a required level for one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of solutions. In this way, the policy entity may select the solution based on if required criteria are met.

[0021] In some implementations, the policy configuration may comprise one or more policy actors. The one or more policy actors may configure the policy criteria for the policy configuration. In this way, the policy entity may select the solution based on the policy configuration of the one or more policy actors.

[0022] In some implementations, the policy configuration may comprise policy procedures. The policy procedures may define how the policy actors configure the policy criteria. In this way, the policy configuration may control the policy criteria.

[0023] In some implementations, the reliable connectivity selection request may comprise one or more of: an identification of the UE, the plurality of solutions each representing a connectivity of the UE, a current configuration of the connectivity of the UE, and an identification of an application of the UE. In this way, the policy entity may be triggered to carry out the selection.

[0024] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to obtain policy criteria-based information. The policy criteria-based information may form part of the selection policy. The policy criteria-based information may comprise one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of solutions. In this way, the policy entity may select the solution based on information about the policy.

[0025] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured so that the policy criteria-based information is received by the one or more network entities from one or more further network entities distinct from the one or more network entities. The one or more further network entities may comprise one or more of: an operations, administration and maintenance, OAM, unit in connectivity with the apparatus; a core network network function, CN NF, unit in connectivity with the apparatus; and a radio access network, RAN, unit in connectivity with the apparatus. In this way, the policy entity may receive the information about the policy from other entities in the network.

[0026] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to select the solution of the plurality of the solutions based on one or more of the characteristics of the solution meeting the required level. In this way, the policy entity may select the solution based on guidance from the characteristics of the policy criteria.

[0027] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to send a reliable connectivity selection response for the UE. The reliable connectivity selection response may comprise the selected solution of the plurality of solutions. The apparatus may be configured to send the reliable connectivity selection response for the UE to a further network entity distinct from the one or more network entities. In this way, the policy entity may provide the selected reliable connectivity solution in response to the reliable connectivity selection request.

[0028] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to determine the plurality of solutions which meet the required reliability level. In this way, the apparatus on which the policy entity is implemented may also carry out the solution determination based on the obtained policy criteria-based information.

[0029] In some implementations, the apparatus may be configured to detect the required reliability level of the UE from which the plurality of solutions which meet the required reliability level are determined. In this way, the apparatus on which the policy entity is implemented may also carry out the reliability level detection and the plurality of reliable solutions determination.In some implementations, the one or more network entities comprise: a policy controlling function unit; or a policy controlling function unit and a session management function unit being in connectivity, and optionally wherein: the policy controlling function unit is configured to configure the selection policy and / or provide the selection policy; and the session management function unit is configured to receive the reliable connectivity selection request for the UE and select the solution of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy. In this way, the policy entity may be implemented on a single centralized DRE-based solution, or on a distributed DRE-based solution with functional split.

[0030] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment, UE, carried out by a computer apparatus, the functionalities of the computer apparatus being supported by one or more network entities, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a reliable connectivity selection request for the UE, the reliable connectivity selection request requesting a selection of a solution of a plurality of solutions wherein each of the plurality of solutions representing a connectivity of the UE, each of the plurality of solutions meeting a required reliability level; obtaining a selection policy for the selection of a solution of the plurality of solutions, the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions; and selecting a solution of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy. In this way, a solution may be selected using the criteria in the selection policy.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] The disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment.

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary dynamic reliability enforcement unit.

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary policy configuration procedure of the disclosed system.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary request triggering procedure of the disclosed system.

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary general procedure with detailed policy criteria-based information collection of the disclosed system.

[0038] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary general procedure with detailed reliable connectivity selection of the disclosed system.

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of exemplary reliable connectivity solutions for a UE.

[0040] Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary first embodiment of the general procedure of the disclosed system.

[0041] Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary second embodiment of the general procedure of the disclosed system.

[0042] Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary third embodiment of the general procedure of the disclosed system.

[0043] Figure 11 shows an example of a computer implemented method of the procedure of the disclosed system.

[0044] Figure 12 shows an example of a computer apparatus configured to perform the methods described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The apparatuses and methods described herein concern dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment.

[0046] Embodiments of the disclosure may tackle one or more of the problems previously mentioned by: obtain a reliable connectivity selection request for the UE, the reliable connectivity selection request requesting a selection of a solution of a plurality of solutions wherein each of the plurality of solutions representing a connectivity of the UE, each of the plurality of solutions meeting a required reliability level; obtain a selection policy for the selection of a solution of the plurality of solutions, the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions; and select a solution of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy. In this way, a solution may be selected using the criteria in the selection policy.

[0047] The following acronyms are used herein:

[0048] Ultra-Reliable Low Latency communications URLLC

[0049] Hyper-Reliable Low Latency communications HRLLC Application Function AF

[0050] Session Management Function SMF

[0051] Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF

[0052] Energy Information Function EIF

[0053] Network Data Analytics Function NWDAF

[0054] User Plane F unction UPF

[0055] Network Function NF

[0056] Operational Conditions OC

[0057] Network Conditions NC

[0058] Human Robot Interaction HRI

[0059] Human Robot Collaboration HRC

[0060] 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP

[0061] The fifth-generation technology standard for mobile network 5G

[0062] The advanced fifth-generation technology standard for mobile network 5G-A

[0063] The sixth-generation technology standard for mobile network 6G

[0064] Mobile Network Operator MNO

[0065] Operations, Administration and Maintenance OAM

[0066] Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information S-NSSAI

[0067] Access Network or Access Node AN

[0068] Radio Access network RAN

[0069] The present system is related to the core network architecture solution, specifically, Policy enhancement to enforce dynamic reliability connectivity for the UE. The technical field of the current invention is related to the enforcement of dynamic reliability communication of the UE, which can be the enhanced URLLC feature or HRLLC feature for 6G Industrial scenarios (e.g.,HRC).

[0070] The key technologies for the enforcement of dynamic reliability communication of the UE are policy criteria, policy and the policy based reliable connectivity selection for the UE. To support the key technologies, a new network entity is proposed to identify policy criteria, policy and perform policy decision for the enforcement of dynamic reliability communication of the UE. The policy decision is for the reliable connectivity selection for the enforcement of dynamic reliability communication ofthe UE. In addition, this invention covers procedures of policy configuration and policy based reliable connectivity selection of the UE for the enforcement.

[0071] In the present system, it is proposed to select a reliable connectivity based on one or more Policy criteria identified by the different policing entity and this policy is enforced directly by the network without provisioning to a device.

[0072] In the next generation telecommunication network, the System is expected to support energy and resource efficient communications. The dynamic reliability (DR) is introduced to support efficient URLLC or HRLLC type of communications. DR technology support in 6G is proposed in the prior art, for example, addressing DR feature for the detection of the required reliability level for the UE and addressing the DR feature for the determination of the reliable connectivity solutions. A missing feature from these is how the network can select a reliable connectivity solution, taking into consideration of the selection criteria (e.g., operator’s policy, network optimization, Application requirements), for the enforcement of the target reliability level of the UE. On the other hand, growing concerns about climate change and environmental degradation leads to improve green environment in telecommunication systems where sustainability in terms of energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emission becomes a key capability to be improved for the next generation telecommunication systems.

[0073] To support the completeness of DR features for the next generation telecommunication systems, in this present system, the motivation is highlighted on the missing technology gaps of DR for the selection of a reliable connectivity based on the criteria related to the enhanced or new capabilities expected in the next generation telecommunication networks.

[0074] The technical problem to be solved by the present system may be related to the selection of a dynamic reliability connectivity for the UE based on the policy identified by the Network or Operator or other network entities. In particular, when multiple reliable connectivity solutions can achieve the DR requirement of the UE, the prior art 5G solutions may not be feasible to enforce a selection of a solution based on the policy criteria (such as sustainability, energy efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions) expected in the next generation telecommunication networks.

[0075] The main point of this present system is identifying a policy entity supporting dynamic reliability connectivity selection for the dynamic reliability enforcement of the UE. The key features of the policy entity may be:

[0076] 1. Policy configuration for Reliable Connectivity Selection.

[0077] The policy configuration may include identifying policy criteria and the procedures of how the policy criteria is configured for the policy decision of a reliable connectivity selection for a UE.

[0078] 2. Receiving a trigger of a reliable connectivity selection upon the policy.

[0079] This feature may identify the procedure of how the policy entity receives the trigger of a reliable connectivity selection for a UE. 3. Policy criteria-based information collection of the reliable connectivity

[0080] To support the trigger for a reliable connectivity selection for a UE, based on the policy criteria, this feature may include identifying the policy criteria-based information and the corresponding procedures for the information collection for the reliable connectivity selection.

[0081] 4. Selection of reliable connectivity for the enforcement of the UE connectivity.

[0082] Based on the policy and the collected policy criteria-based information, the policy entity may determine the plurality of solutions which meet the required reliability level and select a reliable connectivity for the dynamic reliability enforcement of the UE.

[0083] Industrial scenario (e.g., HRI or HRC) may benefit from the dynamic reliability (DR) feature to achieve an efficient use of communication resources. In the next generation telecommunication systems, it is assumed that DR is supported for HRLLC (or enhanced URLLC) type of communication.Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system 100 for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment. The system 100 may be a 5G-A or 6G system 100 with network components supporting dynamic reliability features. One or more UEs 106, 107 may be in connectivity with a network 105. The network 105 may be in connectivity with dynamic reliability features 101, 102, 103, 104. The UEs 106, 107 may comprise personal devices 106, such as mobile phones, and / or industrial devices 107, such as robots. The 3rdparty AF (3P AF) 101 may input the policy criteria to the Dynamic Reliability Requirement Selection (DRRS). The reference 107 is used herein for all UEs.

[0084] The system 100 may have one or more of the following features:

[0085] The first feature DRRS 102 may be responsible for the detection and selection of the Dynamic reliability requirement for the UE 107 where the detection is based on the operational conditions of the factory area and selection is based on the inputs provided by the 3rd Party Application Function (3P AF). The in advanced detection of the reliability requirement for the UE 107 may be needed, hence, the system 100 may know when it needs to support the dynamic reliability and which required reliability level to the UE 107. Put simply, the DRRS 102 may determine the required reliability level of the UE 107.

[0086] The second feature Analytic-based Reliable Path (ARP) 103 may be responsible for the determination of solutions where each solution represents the connectivity for the UE 107 achieving the target reliability level provided by the DRRS 102. For example, Analytics-based solutions may be provided by ARP 103 by considering network conditions and correlations between the paths, based on that, the system 100 may be able to support reliable connectivity solutions for the UE 107. Put simply, the ARP 103 may determine the plurality of solutions which meet the required reliability level.

[0087] The third feature Dynamic Reliability Enforcement (DRE) 104 may be responsible for the enforcement of the reliable connectivity for the UE 107.

[0088] This present application may focus on the third feature of DRE 104, in particular, how the system 100 is able to support the selection of a reliable connectivity for the UE 107 for the DR enforcement.

[0089] This present system proposes a policy entity 104 supporting dynamic reliability connectivity selection for the dynamic reliability enforcement of the UE 107. An overview of the policy entity 104, which can be considered as dynamic reliability enforcement (DRE) entity 104 for the next generation telecommunication systems (e.g., 6G), is given herein.

[0090] In the next generation telecommunication systems (e.g., 5G-A or 6G), the system includes a Dynamic Reliability Enforcement (DRE) entity 104. To support DR feature, first, Dynamic Reliability Requirement Selection (DDRS) 102 may perform detection of the DR requirements for the UE 107, then, based on the detected DR requirement, Analytics supported Reliability Paths (ARP) 103 may support Analytics-based reliable connectivity solutions achieving the DR requirement for the UE 107. Among the Analytics-based reliable connectivity solutions, a reliable connectivity solution may be selected and enforced for the UE 107 based on the Policy criteria and functionalities supported by DRE 104.

[0091] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary dynamic reliability enforcement unit 104. The high-level description of DRE 104 functionalities are presented in Figure 2. A DRE support policy (i.e., step 1) 201 for the selection of a reliable connectivity for a UE. Upon receiving a triggering request with multiple reliable connectivity solutions (i.e., step 2) 202, DRE 104 may collect the requiring information of each reliable connectivity solution based on policy (i.e., step 3) 203 and may calculate and determine each solution according to the policy criteria and select a reliable connectivity solution for the DR enforcement of the UE (i.e., step 4) 204.The key features of the policy entity, DRE 104 may be:

[0092] 1. Policy configuration for Reliable Connectivity Selection 201.

[0093] The policy configuration 201 may include identifying policy criteria and the procedures of how the policy criteria is configured for the policy decision of a reliable connectivity selection.

[0094] 2. Receiving a trigger of a reliable connectivity selection upon the policy 202.

[0095] This feature may identify the procedure of how the policy entity receives the trigger 202 of a reliable connectivity selection for aUE 107.

[0096] 3. Policy criteria-based information collection of the reliable connectivity 203.

[0097] To support the trigger 202 for a reliable connectivity selection for a UE 107, based on the policy criteria, this feature includes identifying the policy criteria-based information 203 and the corresponding procedures for the information collection for the reliable connectivity selection.

[0098] 4. Selection of reliable connectivity for the enforcement of the UE 204.

[0099] Based on the policy and the collected policy criteria-based information 203, the policy entity 104 may determine selection 204 of a reliable connectivity for the dynamic reliability enforcement of the UE 107.

[0100] The policy entity 104 may obtain a selection policy for the selection of a solution. The selection policy may be independent of the reliability of the solutions. The selection policy may not be based on the reliability level or value of the solutions. The selection policy may be based on different characteristics of the solutions than the reliability of the solutions. An example characteristic of the solutions is sustainability in terms of reduction of network energy consumption, network related carbon emissions, and network related environmental impacts. The policy entity 104 may select the solution based on the selection policy. The policy entity 104 may use the selection policy to select the solution.

[0101] The policy configuration 201 may form part of the selection policy. The policy entity 104 may be configured to obtain the policy configuration 201 and / or the policy entity 104 may be configured with the policy configuration 201.

[0102] The Policy configuration 201 intends to make policy decision for dynamic reliability connectivity selection 204 for the UE 107.

[0103] The policy configuration 201 may include three main parts: (i) identifying of policy criteria, (ii) identifying of policy configuration actors and (iii) procedures for policy configuration.

[0104] (i) Policy Criteria

[0105] The policy configuration 201 may comprise policy criteria. The policy criteria may comprise a required level for one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of solutions.

[0106] In the present system, the policy criteria for the reliable connectivity selection may be defined based on the expected capabilities of the next generation telecommunication systems. In particular, sustainability aspects in terms of the renewable energy usage increase, carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency and / or energy saving criteria. The term renewable energy may be defined as the energy from renewable sources or energy from renewable non-fossil sources. For example (but not limited to) wind, solar, aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal energy. In addition to the policy criteria related to sustainability aspect, other aspects, such as cost reduction, load balancing or signaling reduction in terms of the number of paths in each connectivity are not limited to this invention and these aspects can be considered as constraints together with the above-mentioned policy criteria.According to the various analysis, it may be shown that the radio access network (RAN) and data transmission of the UE 107 managed by user plane (UP) entity may be the most energy consuming entities. Hence, the policy criteria of the sustainability aspects of the network may be focused on RAN and User Plane entity of the network.

[0107] Regarding renewable energy usage increase, in this present system, the following policy criteria may be defined:

[0108] • Maximize renewable energy usage of one or more RAN or one or more UP entity or both related to the connectivity of the UE 107.

[0109] In the case of renewable energy cost is considered as constraints, in addition to the maximizing renewable energy usage policy criteria, the policy may combine the associated renewable energy cost such as to minimize the associated renewable energy cost or to limit the cost with a threshold value.

[0110] Regarding carbon emission reduction, in this present system, the following policy criteria may be defined:

[0111] • Minimize carbon emission of one or more RAN or one or more UP entity or both related to the connectivity of the UE 107.

[0112] Depending on the different source of energy types (e.g., coal, solar, fossil fuel), the carbon emission level differs. For example, renewable energy's carbon emission is far less than non-renewable energy’s carbon emission (e.g., coal, fossil fuel) and different type of renewable energy sources produces different level of carbon emission. Hence, the type of energy source and the corresponding level or the statistics of carbon emission value are taken into consideration.

[0113] Regarding energy efficiency and / or energy saving, the following policy criteria may be defined:

[0114] • Maximize energy efficiency and / or energy saving at one or more RAN or one or more UP entity or both related to the connectivity of the UE 107.

[0115] The energy efficiency or energy saving criteria for selection of a connectivity of the UE 107 may or may not be dependent with the type of energy sources. The goal of this criteria may be to minimize energy consumption; hence, energy efficiency and energy saving are maximized by the network. The definition of energy efficiency and energy saving are defined in 3GPP TR 23.700-66.

[0116] As mentioned in the above policy criteria, an example of the connectivity of the UE 107 is a connectivity with one or more PDU (packet data unit) Sessions (or paths) achieving a target reliability level of the UE 107 where the target reliability level of the UE 107 may change over the time.

[0117] (ii) Policy Configuration Actors

[0118] The policy configuration may comprise policy actors. The policy actors may configure the policy criteria.

[0119] The above-mentioned policy criteria can be configured by different Actors, in particular, Operator, Network functions or Application for different purposes. If the operator configures the policy, it can be based on its own internal purpose, example, Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) of the telecommunication system configures that the selection of a reliable connectivity for a UE 107 shall be based on minimizing of carbon emission at RAN and / or UP entities based on the regulations. If NF configures the policy, an example is based on the optimization purpose such that the selection 204 of a reliable connectivity for a UE 107 shall be based on maximizing of the total renewable energy usage (i.e., renewable energy usage of RANs and UP entities) while the total energy cost shall be lower than a threshold value, “X”. If application definesthe policy, an example may be based on the energy efficiency / saving such that the selection 204 of a reliable connectivity for a UE 107 shall be based on minimization of the consumed energy of UP entities towards the Application Servers / DNN.

[0120] (iii) Procedures of Policy Configuration

[0121] The policy configuration may comprise policy procedures. The policy procedures may define how the policy actors configure the policy criteria.

[0122] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary policy configuration procedure 300 of the present system. Figure 3 shows the procedure 300 of how policy configuration can be done by the different actors.

[0123] In Figure 3, an example of policy configuration based on renewable energy (RE) policy criteria configured by OAM 301 (option A) 304, CN NFs 302 (option B) 305 and AF 303 (option C) 306 are presented. Depending on the policy configured actor 301, 302, 303, the policy decision to the enforcement entity may be different. An example is the policy decision 306 for a reliable connectivity is enforced to the list of UEs 107 using App-ID “X” and the UP entities related renewable energy usage may be collected based on RE policy configuration to UP entities by AF 303. Another example is the policy decision 305 for a reliable connectivity is applied to RAN (and independent with UE and Application), hence, RAN(s) related renewable energy usage shall be collected based on the policy configured by CN NFs 302, e.g., for RAN RE optimization purpose.

[0124] Upon different options of the policy configuration for a reliable connectivity enforcement, DRE 104 may configure policy 307 for reliable connectivity solution. In particular, the policy may include policy criteria and the related parameters and the required data to be collected for the parameters if this policy decision is made.

[0125] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary request triggering procedure 400 of the present system. The request 202 may be received by the policy entity 104. For example, the request 202 may be sent from the CN NF 302 to the DRE 104.

[0126] The reliable connectivity selection request 202 for the UE 202 may request a selection of a solution of a plurality of solutions. Each of the plurality of solutions may represent a connectivity of the UE 107. Each of the plurality of solutions may meet a required reliability level.

[0127] The request 202 itself may comprise the plurality of solutions which meet the require reliability level. Alternatively, the plurality of solutions may be obtained by the policy entity 104 in a different form.

[0128] The request 202 may be received from a further network entity which is distinct from the policy entity 104. In a situation where the policy entity 104 comprises more than one sub-entity (see Figure 9 for example), the request 202 may be received from a further network entity which is distinct from the one or more network entities of the policy entity 104.

[0129] The plurality of solutions may also be obtained from a further network entity which is distinct from the policy entity 104 and the further network entity providing the request 202. In a situation where the policy entity 104 comprises more than one subentity (see Figure 9 for example), the plurality of solutions may be received from a further network entity which is distinct from the one or more network entities of the policy entity 104 and the further network entity providing the request 202.

[0130] The DRE 104 may receive a request 202 for a reliable connectivity selection of a UE (step 1). The request 202 may include one or more of the identification of the UE, the plurality of solutions each representing a connectivity of the UE 107, a current configuration of the connectivity of the UE 107, optionally, the identification of the application of the UE 107.A connectivity solution or the current configuration of the UE 107 may be defined as a connectivity composes of one or more paths achieving the target requirements of the UE 202, such as the reliability requirement. An example of a path is the PDU Session. The target requirements of the UE 202 may vary over the time, hence, the request 202 with multiple solutions achieving the target requirements may be received by DRE 104 together with the current configuration of the connectivity of the UE. The path information in the request 202 may include one or more of the E2E path information of the identifications of Network Slice (e.g., S-NSSAI or NSI-ID), the access node information and potentially the expected resources needed for that path, the Session management entity related information, the UP entity related information and the identification of the Data Network.

[0131] An example of the path information in 5G systems may include the information of S-NSSAI, RAN identification with expected resources blocks (RB) of the path, SMF identification, UPF identification and DNN information.

[0132] Based on the request 202, DRE 104 may retrieve the policy 201 to be applied and may collect the required data 203 based on the policy (step 2). Then the policy decision is made in selection 204 of a reliable connectivity among multiple solutions (step 3). The selected reliable connectivity may be provided to the requested entity as a response 401 of the request 202.

[0133] The policy entity 104 may send the reliable connectivity selection response 401 for the UE 107. The reliable connectivity selection response 401 may comprise the selected solution of the plurality of solutions. The policy entity 104 may send the reliable connectivity selection response for the UE 107 to a further network entity distinct from the one or more network entities of the policy entity. Figure 4 shows an example in which the response 401 is sent to the CN NF 302. In this example, the CN NF 302 was the sender of the request 202.

[0134] A reliable connectivity solution of the UE 107 may be defined as a connectivity solution achieving the target reliability requirements. An example scenario of a UE 107 with three reliable connectivity solutions (SI, S2 and S3) achieving the target reliability (e.g. ,1-105) is illustrated in the Figure 7.

[0135] For the selection 204 of a reliable connectivity for the UE 107, the provided multiple reliable connectivity solutions may be compared based on the policy criteria. Depending on the policy, the required data and the source of data (i.e., network entities) may be identified and may be collected for each reliable connectivity solution.

[0136] The policy entity 104 may be configured to obtain the policy criteria-based information 203. The policy criteria-based information 203 may form part of the selection policy. The policy criteria-based information 203 may comprise one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of solutions.

[0137] The policy entity 104 may be configured to select the solution of the plurality of the solutions based one or more of the characteristics of the solution meeting the required level. In other word, the policy entity 104 may be determined the plurality of the solutions based on the collected policy criteria-based information 203. For example, the solution with the highest number of met requirements may be selected. Alternatively, the solution with the highest values for each requirement may be selected if the policy is to select the maximum values.

[0138] The policy criteria-based information 203 may be received from a further network entity which is distinct from the policy entity 104. In a situation where the policy entity 104 comprises more than one sub-entity (see Figure 9 for example), the policy criteria-based information 203 may be received from a further network entity which is distinct from the one or more network entities of the policy entity 104.The one or more further network entities comprise one or more of: an operations, administration and maintenance, OAM, unit 301 in connectivity with the policy entity 104: a core network network function, CN NF, unit 302 (including a User Plane NF) in connectivity with the policy entity 104: and a radio access network, RAN, unit 501 in connectivity with the policy entity 104.

[0139] The policy criteria-based information 203 may comprise one or more of (i) Energy Efficiency or Energy saving related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); (ii) Renewable energy related KPIs; (iii) Carbon emission related KPIs; and (iv) procedure of KPIs collection for the reliable connectivity Selection.

[0140] (i) Energy Efficiency or Energy saving related KPIs

[0141] If the policy of the selection 204 of the reliable connectivity for the UE 107 is related to the energy efficiency or energy saving, the following KPIs are identified. For the particular energy efficiency or energy saving related policy, one or more KPIs may be collected for each reliable connectivity solution for the evaluation of energy saving or energy efficiency criteria.

[0142] • RAN and / or UPF energy / power consumption.

[0143] • RAN and / or UPF total data volume in a given interval (e.g., last measurement interval).

[0144] • UE data volume in a given interval (e.g., last measurement interval).

[0145] • RAN and / or UPF energy cost.

[0146] The energy consumption may be defined as the total consumed energy of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) in a given time unit or measurement interval. The average value is considered for a given time unit, e.g., hours, days. The power consumption of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) refers to the consumed energy per unit time.

[0147] The total data volume may be defined as the total transmitted data volume (i.e., units of information measured in bits or bytes) of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) in a given time unit or measurement interval.

[0148] The UE data volume refers to the transmitted data volume (i.e., units of information measured in bits or bytes) of the UE in a given time unit or measurement interval. The granularity of UE data volume is further defined as per UE, per PDU session or per QoS flow.

[0149] The energy cost refers to the average energy cost (using a mixed energy) measured in kilowatt hour (kWh) of the the dedicated communication network entity for the consumed energy, e.g., the transferred data volume related consumed energy and / or computing related consumed energy and / or hardware / software related consumed energy.

[0150] Using the energy and / or power consumption and the total data volume of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF), the (average) energy consumption rate (i.e., the consumed energy per bit or byte) of the dedicated communication network entity may be calculated. The energy consumption of the UE 107 at a given granularity (e.g., PDU Session or QoS flow or all traffic of the UE 107), the corresponding consumed energy is achieved by multiplying the data volume of the UE 107 with the (average) energy consumption rate of the dedicated communication network entity. If multiple network entity involves, the total consumed energy of the UE 107 at a given granularity is the sum of the corresponding consumed energy of each dedicated communication network entity. The approximate cost of the consumed energy of the dedicated communication network entity or UE can be calculated by using the energy cost KPI.(ii) Renewable energy related KPIs

[0151] If the policy of the selection of the reliable connectivity for the UE is related to the renewable energy usage, one or more of the KPIs in (i) and the renewable energy related KPIs are considered and the corresponding information is collected for each reliable connectivity solution for the evaluation.

[0152] • RAN and / or UPF renewable energy ratio

[0153] • RAN and / or UPF renewable energy cost

[0154] The renewable energy ratio may be defined as the ratio of the energy or power usage of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower energy, bioenergy, etc.) to the total energy or power usage of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) in a given time unit.

[0155] The renewable energy cost is associated with the cost of associated renewable energy sources (e.g., solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower energy, bioenergy, etc.) connected by the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) in a given time unit.

[0156] The renewable energy usage can be achieved by multiplying the renewable energy ratio of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) and energy consumption of the dedicated communication network entity (e.g., RAN, UPF) (i.e., defined in (i)). The approximate cost of the consumed renewable energy can be calculated by using the energy consumption and the renewable energy cost of the dedicated communication network entity or UE 107.

[0157] (iii) Carbon emission related KPIs

[0158] 3GPP defines Carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2 equivalent (CO2e) as follows:

[0159] The amount of carbon dioxide emission that would cause the same integrated radiative forcing, over a given time horizon, as an emitted amount of a greenhouse gas or a mixture of greenhouse gases. The equivalent carbon dioxide emission is obtained by multiplying the emission of a greenhouse gas by its Global Warming Potential for the given time horizon. For a mix of greenhouse gases it is obtained by summing the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions of each gas. Equivalent carbon dioxide emission is a common scale for comparing emissions of different greenhouse gases but does not imply equivalence of the corresponding climate change responses. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is an index, which is based on radiative properties of greenhouse gases, measuring the radiative forcing following a pulse emission of a unit mass of a given greenhouse gas in the present-day atmosphere integrated over a chosen time horizon, relative to that of carbon dioxide. The GWP represents the combined effect of the differing times these gases remain in the atmosphere and their relative effectiveness in causing radiative forcing. For example, the GWP for methane is 25 and for nitrous oxide 298. This means that emissions of 1 million metric tonnes of methane and nitrous oxide respectively is equivalent to emissions of 25 and 298 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide.

[0160] For each type of energy sources, it is assumed that the system is aware of the average value of greenhouse gas emission. Using this information and the type of energy source, renewable energy ratio, and the (total) energy consumption, the carbon emission related KPIs of the dedicated communication network entity or UE 107 can be computed.

[0161] (iv) Procedure of KPIs collection for the reliable connectivity Selection

[0162] The procedure of how the policy based KPIs are collected from the network entities upon receiving of the trigger of the reliable connectivity solution request is presented at steps 2a-2c in Figure 5.Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary general procedure 500 with detailed information collection 203 of the present system.

[0163] Step 1. The DRE 104 receives a request 202 for a reliable connectivity selection of a UE 107 (the same step as step 1 in Figure 4).

[0164] Step 2. The DRE 104 retrieves policy 201 for information collection and policy decision.

[0165] Step 2a. Based on the policy 201, DRE 104 collects the KPIs 203a for each path of the reliable solution from OAM 301. The data collection request to OAM 301 includes the path information received from step 1, the policy based KPI information for each path (e.g., RAN’s energy sources and costs, RAN’s renewable energy ratio, UPF’s energy sources and costs, UPF’s renewable energy ration).

[0166] Step 2b. Based on the policy 201, DRE 104 collects the KPIs 203b for each path of the reliable solution from CN NF(s) 302. The data collection request to CN NF(s) 302 includes the policy based KPI information for each path (e.g., UPF energy / power consumption rate, UPF total data volume in the last measurement interval, UE’s data volume in the last measurement interval).

[0167] Step 2c. Based on the policy 201, DRE 104 collects the KPIs 203c for each path of the reliable solution from RAN(s) 501. The data collection request to RAN(s) 501 includes the policy based KPI information for each path (e.g., RAN energy / power consumption rate, RAN total data volume in the last measurement interval, UE’s data volume in the last measurement interval).

[0168] Steps 2a-2c may for each path in each reliable connectivity solution included in the request from step 1. Any combination of steps 2a, 2b and 2c may be executed w.r.t. the retrieve policy 201.

[0169] Step 3. A reliable connectivity solution is selected 204 among multiple reliable connectivity solutions based on the collected data 203 and Policy decision 201.

[0170] Step 4. The selected reliable connectivity for the UE 107 is provided to the requested entity as a response 401 of the request from step 1.

[0171] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary general procedure 600 with detailed reliable connectivity selection 204 of the present system.

[0172] Steps 1-2 and 4 may be the same as the steps from Figure 5.

[0173] Step 3a. Based on the collected KPIs 203 and policy 201, DRE 104 executes 204a each reliable connectivity solution. For example, DRE 104 executes the carbon emission of the particular reliable connectivity solution if the selection policy is related to carbon emission reduction.

[0174] Step 3b. After evaluation of the provided multiple reliable connectivity solutions from step 1, DRE 104 selects 204b a reliable connectivity for the UE 107 and / or App-ID based on the policy decision 201. For example, DRE 104 selects 204b a solution that can minimize the carbon emission if the policy decision is to minimize carbon emission.

[0175] A particular example of how the policy decision is made in selecting a reliable connectivity solution for a UE 107 and / or App-ID with reference to Figure 7.The procedure of how the policy decision is made by selecting a reliable connectivity solution based on the collected KPIs is outlined in (i) Example of Reliable connectivity selection based on RE Policy, (ii) Algorithm of Policy based Reliable connectivity selection.

[0176] (i) Example of Reliable connectivity selection based on RE Policy

[0177] Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of exemplary reliable connectivity solutions for a UE 107. An example scenario of a UE 107 with three reliable connectivity solutions (SI, S2 and S3) 701a-c achieving the target reliability (e.g., 1-105) is illustrated in Figure 7. The reliable connectivity solution, SI 107a composes of two paths: path #1 (NSI#5 via AN (R#4) and UPF#3) and path #2 (NSI#3 via AN (R#3) andUPF#2). The reliable connectivity solution, S2 107b composes of two paths: path #1 (NSI#4 via AN (R#3) andUPF#3) and path #2 (NSI#2 via AN (R#2) andUPF#2). The reliable connectivity solution, S3 107c composes of one path: path #1 (NSI#1 via AN (R#l) and UPF#1). In this example, the UE 107 has three reliable connectivity solutions where each solution achieves the target reliability requirement (e.g. ,1-105).

[0178] In this example, it is assumed that the policy for the selection of the reliable connectivity for the UE 107 is to maximize total renewable energy usage and minimize the total renewable energy cost. For example, Table 1 shows an example of the collected data from the network entities to compute the renewable energy usage and cost of the multiple connectivity solutions.

[0179] Table 1 : Example of the collected data from the network entities to compute the renewable energy usage.

[0180]

[0181] Rr, Rd, Re, Rc are the renewable energy ratio, the total data volume generated in the last measurement interval, the energy / power consumption in the last measurement interval and the renewable energy cost of RAN, respectively. Ur, Ud, Ue, Uc are the renewable energy ratio, the total data volume generated in the last measurement interval, the energy / power consumption in the last measurement interval and the renewable energy cost of UP entity (UPF), respectively. UEd is the data volume transferred by UE in last measurement interval.

[0182] With the formulation in Equation 1, the renewable energy usage of each connectivity solution of the UE (Si)" " can be computed:

[0183] Renewable

[0184]

[0185] The total energy cost of each reliable connectivity solution can be computed by Equation 2:

[0186] T otal Energy Cost of a Reliable Connectivity (Sf) = RECost+ fc. NREC

[0187] Equation 2

[0188] where, the renewable energy cost of each reliable connectivity solution can be computed by Equation 3:

[0189] Renewable Energy cost of Conne

[0190] Equation

[0191]

[0192] Using the above formulation and the exemplary data provided in Table 2, Table 2 presents the cost values of each reliable connectivity solution.

[0193] Table 2: Example of the cost values of reliable connectivity solutions for the UE.

[0194]

[0195] In this example, the connectivity solution, S2 is selected as the reliable connectivity solution for the UE based on the policy decision of minimization of total renewable energy and minimization of total energy cost for the selection of the connectivity solution.

[0196] (ii) Algorithm of Policy based Reliable connectivity selection

[0197] A general algorithm, i.e., selection of a reliable connectivity for the UE 107 based on a Policy is presented in Table 3.

[0198] Table 3: Algorithm of policy based reliable connectivity selection.

[0199] &

[0200]

[0201]

[0202] The following outlines Reliable Path Selection Service Operations:

[0203] (i) Reliable connectivity selection Policy configuration service operations

[0204] Table 4: Policy configuration for Dynamic reliability connectivity selection Service Operations

[0205]

[0206] (ii) Reliable connectivity selection service operations

[0207] Table 5: Dynamic reliability connectivity selection Service Operations

[0208]

[0209]

[0210] The present system may be implemented as shown in the embodiments in Figures 8 to 10. The embodiments are categorized for two systems (i) 5G-Advanced System in first and second embodiments and (ii) 6G System in the third embodiment.

[0211] Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary first embodiment of the general procedure 800 of the present system. The scope of this first embodiment is intended for 5G-Advanced System. The first embodiment is related to the centralized solution of DRE104 where 5G-A network function, PCF 801 hosts the functionalities of DRE 104 for policy configuration 307 and the selection of reliable connectivity 204. The procedure and method of PCF supported policy configuration and selection of reliable connectivity is presented Figure 8.

[0212] Put simply, the one or more network entities may comprise a policy controlling function unit 801.

[0213] In this first embodiment, the dynamic reliability connectivity selection policy is configured at PCF 801 and PCF 801 provides the policy decision 201 based on the Policy when the request is obtained from the network entity. To provide the policy decision, PCF 801 also supports the functionalities of data collection 203 for the evaluation of the solutions. In this first embodiment, a particular example of renewable energy-based policy is configured by network entities and the policy decision is made based on the renewable energy usage or consumption of the provided reliable connectivity solutions based on the collected data 203 of the solutions.

[0214] Initially, three options of policy configuration at PCF are considered.

[0215] Option A: OAM 801 configures renewable energy (RE) related policy for one or more UE w.r.t operator policy 304. The policy criteria are as described herein.

[0216] Option B: Energy information function (EIF) (orNWDAF) 804 configures renewable energy (RE) related policy independent with UE information. Optionally, this configuration can be done for one or more dedicated UEs 305. The policy criteria are as described herein.

[0217] Option C: Application function (AF) 805 configures renewable energy (RE) related policy for the dedicated application at PCF 801 (via NEF) 306. Optionally, AF 805 configures this policy to be applied to one or more dedicated UEs. The policy criteria are as described herein.

[0218] 0. The PCF 801 obtains the information to configure the policy 307 for the reliable connectivity selection based on one or more options described above. The PCF 801 configures and stores the policy configuration 307.

[0219] 1. The PCF 801 obtains the request 202 of the reliable connectivity selection for the renewable energy policy criteria from 5GC NF, SMF 802. The request includes the identification of the UE 107, the identification of the Application, information oftwo or more reliable connectivity solutions, the current connectivity solution of the UE 107. The SMF 802 may receive the reliable connectivity solutions for the UE 107 from NWDAF 804. The details of a reliable connectivity solution or the current connectivity solution is described herein.

[0220] 2a. Upon receiving the request 202, the PCF 801 retrieves 201 the renewable energy-based policy for the provided UE 107 or provided Application in the request.

[0221] 2b. For each reliable connectivity solution included in step 1 , based on the policy and the KPIs from step 2a, the renewable energy related information is collected 203 from the dedicated communication network entity. The detailed procedure is described in herein.

[0222] 3a. Based on the collected information 203, the renewable energy usage or consumption of each reliable connectivity solution is computed 204a.

[0223] The steps 2b and 3a may run for each path in each connectivity solution indicated by step 1.

[0224] 3b. After calculation 204a of the renewable energy usage of each solution provided in step 1 , the PCF 801 determines 204b the policy decision and select a reliable solution for the UE 107.

[0225] 4. The selected reliable solution for the UE 107 is provided to the SMF 802 for the enforcement of new connectivity solution for the UE 107.

[0226] Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary second embodiment of the general procedure 900 of the present system. The scope of this second embodiment is intended for 5G-Advanced System. The second embodiment is related to the distributed solution of DRE 104 where 5G-A network functions, PCF 801 and I-SMF 901 hosts the functionalities of DRE 104 for policy configuration 201 and the selection of a reliable connectivity 204. The procedure and method of distributed DRE 104 functionalities hosted by PCF 801 and (I-)SMF 901 for the selection of reliable connectivity is presented in Figure 9.

[0227] Put simply, the one or more network entities may comprise a policy controlling function unit 801 and a session management function unit 901 being in connectivity. The policy controlling function unit 801 may be configured to configure the selection policy 307 and / or provide the selection policy. The session management function unit 901 may be configured to receive the reliable connectivity selection request 202 for the UE 107 and select the solution 204 of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy.

[0228] Three options 304, 305, 306 of policy configuration 307 at PCF 801 are the same as the centralized DRE-based first embodiment.

[0229] The key difference with the centralized DRE-based first embodiment and the distributed DRE-based second embodiment is DRE 104 functional split as follows:

[0230] In distributed DRE-based solution, PCF 104 supports the Policy related functionalities, in particular, policy configuration 307 and provisioning of policy decision 201 for the selection of reliable connectivity for the UE.

[0231] In distributed DRE-based solution, I-SMF 901 supports the functionalities of selection 204 of a reliable connectivity for the UE, in particular, the functionalities of obtaining the request 202, policy retrieval 201, data collection 203 of the corresponding KPIs based on policy 201, selection 204 of a solution based on the calculated values and provided policy 201 and providing the response 401 to the requested network entity.The interaction with PCF 801 and I-SMF 901 is expected for the policy decision retrieval 201 (including the policy update) upon receiving of the dynamic reliability connectivity selection request 202 for the UE 107.

[0232] Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary third embodiment of the general procedure 1000 of the present system. The scope of this third embodiment is intended for 6G System. The third embodiment is related to the centralized solution of DRE 104 where 6G network entity, DRE 104 hosts the functionalities for policy configuration 307 and the selection of reliable connectivity 204. The procedure and method of DRE 104 supported policy configuration 307 and selection 204 of reliable connectivity is presented in Figure 10.

[0233] The procedures are the same as PCF based-centralized first embodiment for 5G-A systems. For 6G systems, a new network component, DRE 104 is considered to host the functionalities of policy configuration 307, policy decision 201, receiving the request for selection of reliable connectivity solution 202 and selection 204 of the reliable connectivity solution for the UE 107.

[0234] The present system may have the following innovative features and corresponding advantages:

[0235] A network entity in a communication network or subnetwork supporting feature of a general policy configuring and policy decision for the selection of the dynamic reliability connectivity for the UE, where the policy configuration is based on one or more policy criteria, e.g., reduction of carbon emission, renewable energy usage or consumption increase, etc.

[0236] The advantageous effects of this feature in 5G-Advanced or 6G System is that the policy based reliable connectivity selection allows the system flexibility to configure different policy criteria by different actors such as operator, Application and Network entity for dedicated purpose, e.g., MNO’s policy, Application’s requirement, Network optimization, respectively.

[0237] A network entity in a communication network or subnetwork further supports the feature of providing Renewable Energy based Policy for selection of Reliable Connectivity for a UE.

[0238] The advantageous effects of this feature are that 5G-Advanced or 6G System ability to provide a sustainable Network with an increase of green energy usage and a lower carbon footprint / emission.

[0239] For instance, the MNO configures the renewable energy-based policy for selection of a reliable connectivity, which not only minimizes the total energy also based on the selection of the type of renewable energy sources towards sustainable future with lower carbon footprints.

[0240] A network entity in a communication network or subnetwork further supports the feature of Reliable Connectivity selection for a UE upon the pre-defined Policy.

[0241] The advantageous effects of this feature are that 5G-Advanced or 6G System ability to provide efficient DR feature by supporting efficient selection of a dynamic reliability connectivity for the UE by leveraging network resource and network energy efficient way.

[0242] Interface, Procedures, and Information exchanged related to the policy configuration, the trigger of reliable connectivity selection, policy-based information collection.The advantageous effect of this innovation point is that 5G-Advanced or 6G System ability to allow flexibility to configure different policy criteria by different actors, based on that the request for the selection of the reliable connectivity solution can be accomplished.

[0243] Policy criteria identifying related to the selection of the reliable connectivity for the UE.

[0244] The advantageous effect of this innovation point is that 5G-Advanced or 6G System ability to allow flexibility to configure different policy criteria by different actors, based on that the request for the selection of the reliable connectivity solution can be accomplished.

[0245] This technical field of the present system is related to the enhancement of URLLC Network Slicing for Industrial scenarios (e.g., HRI / HRC) which requires the dynamic reliability feature for efficient resource and efficient energy usage. The technical solutions proposed in this present system is also relevant to the other technical fields of service robots use cases and / or collaborative robots use cases, which require the interaction or collaboration between humans and robotic devices or between robotic devices. The key technologies defined in this present system is related to policy configuration and policy decision provisioning for the selection of a reliable connectivity selection for the enforcement of the dynamic connectivity for the UE.

[0246] A general policy framework with configuration of different policy criteria for the selection of a reliable connectivity for the UE targeting for the capabilities to be supported and improved in future communication networks, such as sustainability aspects in terms of renewable energy usage increase, carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency and / or energy saving. Additional network aspects, such as load balancing, signalling reduction can be added as constraints.

[0247] Some details of a particular policy configuration and selection of a reliable connectivity for the UE based on the renewable energy policy criteria is also provided.

[0248] The method and procedures of policy configuration, based on that, the selection of a reliable connectivity for the UE can be applicable for the 5G-Advance or 6G system where the dynamic reliability feature is supported and multiple reliable connectivity solutions are available, hence, the systems need to select a solution for the enforcement of the UE. An example of Analytics supported multiple reliable connectivity solutions achieving the target DR requirement is addressed in DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PATH DETERMINATION.

[0249] Figure 11 summarises an example of a method 1100. At step 1101, the method 1100 comprises obtaining a reliable connectivity selection request for the UE, the reliable connectivity selection request requesting a selection of a solution of a plurality of solutions wherein each of the plurality of solutions representing a connectivity of the UE, each of the plurality of solutions meeting a required reliability level. At step 1102, the method 1100 comprises obtaining a selection policy for the selection of a solution of the plurality of solutions, the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions. At step 1103, the method 1100 comprises selecting a solution of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy.

[0250] An example of computer apparatus 1200 configured to implement the method 1100 is schematically illustrated in Figure 12. The computer apparatus 1200 may carry out the procedures 300 to 600 and 700 to 1000 illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 and 7 to 10 respectively. The computer apparatus 1200 in Figure 1200 may correspond to the DRE 104, the PCT 801, the SMF 802 and / or the I-SMF 901. The computer apparatus 1200 may be implemented on an electronic device, such as a computer, a computer for a vehicle, laptop, tablet, or smart phone. The computer apparatus 1200 may be connected to the internet.The computer apparatus 1200 comprises a processor 1201 configured to process the datasets in the manner described herein. For example, the processor 1201 may be implemented as a computer program running on a programmable device such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The computer apparatus 1200 comprises a memory 1202 which is arranged to communicate with the processor 1201. Memory 1202 may be a non-volatile memory. The processor 1201 may also comprise a cache (not shown in Figure 12), which may be used to temporarily store data from memory 1202. The computer apparatus 1200 may comprise more than one processor 1201 and more than one memory 1202. The memory 1202 may store data that is executable by the processor 1201. The processor 1201 may be configured to operate in accordance with a computer program stored in non-transitory form on a machine-readable storage medium. The computer program may store instructions for causing the processor to perform its methods in the manner described herein. The method steps described herein may be carried out by a computer-readable storage medium. The method steps described herein may be carried out by a computer program product.

[0251] The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the disclosure may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A computer apparatus (1200) for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment, UE, (107) the functionalities of the computer apparatus (1200) being supported by one or more network entities (104, 801, 802, 901), the computer apparatus (1200) comprising one or more processors (1201) and a memory (1202) storing in non-transient form data defining program code executable by the one or more processors (1201 ), wherein the program code is executable by the one or more processors (1201) so that the computer apparatus (1200) is configured to:obtain a reliable connectivity selection request (202) for the UE (107), the reliable connectivity selection request (202) requesting a selection of a solution (701) of a plurality of solutions (701a-c) wherein each of the plurality of solutions (701a-c) representing a connectivity of the UE (107), each of the plurality of solutions (701a-c) meeting a required reliability level;obtain a selection policy for the selection of a solution (701) of the plurality of solutions (701a-c), the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions (701a-c); andselect (204) a solution (701) of the plurality of the solutions (701a-c) based on the selection policy.

2. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (1200) is configured to obtain the plurality of solutions (701a-c) for use in the selection (204) of the solution (701), wherein:the reliable connectivity selection request (202) comprises the plurality of solutions (701a-c); and / orthe plurality of solutions (701a-c) are received from a further network entity (301, 302, 303, 501, 803, 804, 805, 902) distinct from the one ormore network entities (104, 801, 802, 901).

3. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus (1200) is configured to obtain a policy configuration (201) or the apparatus (1200) is configured with the policy configuration (201), the policy configuration (201) forming part of the selection policy.

4. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 3, wherein the policy configuration (201) comprises policy criteria, the policy criteria comprising a required level for one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of solutions (701a-c).

5. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 4, wherein the policy configuration (201) comprises one or more policy actors, the one or more policy actors configuring the policy criteria.

6. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 5, wherein policy configuration (201) comprises policy procedures, the policy procedures defining how the one or more policy actors configure the policy criteria.

7. A computer apparatus (1200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the reliable connectivity selection request (202) comprises one or more of: an identification of the UE (107), the plurality of solutions (701a-c) each representing a connectivity of the UE (170), a current configuration of the connectivity of the UE (107), and an identification of an application of the UE (107).

8. A computer apparatus (1200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus (1200) is configured to obtain policy criteria-based information (203), the policy criteria-based information (203) forming part of the selection policy, and optionally wherein the policy criteria-based information (203) comprises one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of solutions (701a-c).

239. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus (1200) is configured so that the policy criteria-based information (203) is received by the one or more network entities (104, 801, 802, 901) from one or more further network entities (301, 302, 303, 501, 803, 804, 805, 902) distinct from the one or more network entities (104, 801, 802, 901), optionally wherein the one or more further network entities (301, 302, 303, 501, 803, 804, 805, 902) comprise one or more of:an operations, administration and maintenance, OAM, unit (801) in connectivity with the apparatus (1200);a core network network function, CN NF, unit (302) in connectivity with the apparatus (1200); anda radio access network, RAN, unit (501) in connectivity with the apparatus (1200).

10. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the apparatus (1200) is configured to select the solution (701) of the plurality of the solutions (701a-c) based one or more of the characteristics of the solution (701) meeting the required level.

11. A computer apparatus (1200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus (1200) is further configured to send a reliable connectivity selection response (401) for the UE (107), the reliable connectivity selection response (401) comprising the selected solution (701) of the plurality of solutions (701a-c), and optionally wherein the apparatus (1200) configured to send the reliable connectivity selection response (401) for the UE (107) to a further network entity distinct (301, 302, 303, 501, 803, 804, 805, 902) from the one or more network entities (104, 801, 802, 901).

12. A computer apparatus (1200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus (1200) is further configured to determine the plurality of solutions (701a-c) which meet the required reliability level.

13. A computer apparatus (1200) according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus (1200) is further configured to detect the required reliability level of the UE (107) from which the plurality of solutions (701a-c) which meet the required reliability level are determined.

14. A computer apparatus (1200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more network entities (104, 801, 802, 901) comprise:a policy controlling function unit (801); ora policy controlling function unit (801) and a session management function unit (901) being in connectivity, and optionally wherein:the policy controlling function unit (801) is configured to configure (307) the selection policy and / or provide the selection policy; andthe session management function unit (901) is configured to receive the reliable connectivity selection request (202) for the UE (107) and select the solution (701) of the plurality of the solutions (701a-c) based on the selection policy.

15. A method (1100) for dynamic reliability connectivity selection for a user equipment, UE, carried out by a computer apparatus, the functionalities of the computer apparatus being supported by one or more network entities, the method comprising the steps of:obtaining (1101) a reliable connectivity selection request for the UE, the reliable connectivity selection request requesting a selection of a solution of a plurality of solutions wherein each of the plurality of solutions representing a connectivity of the UE, each of the plurality of solutions meeting a required reliability level;obtaining (1102) a selection policy for the selection of a solution of the plurality of solutions, the selection policy being independent of the reliability of the solutions; andselecting (1103) a solution of the plurality of the solutions based on the selection policy.

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