Method and device for supporting execution of network sharing in mobile communication system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure KR2026001523_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Method and device for supporting the execution of network sharing in a mobile communication system
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the operation of a terminal, a base station, and a network entity in a mobile communication system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for dynamically performing network sharing in a mobile communication system.
[0002] 5G mobile communication technology defines a wide frequency band to enable fast transmission speeds and new services, and can be implemented not only in frequency bands below 6 GHz ('Sub 6 GHz'), such as 3.5 gigahertz (3.5 GHz), but also in ultra-high frequency bands called millimeter waves (mmWave), such as 28 GHz and 39 GHz ('Above 6 GHz'). In addition, for 6G mobile communication technology, which is referred to as a system beyond 5G, implementation in the terahertz band (e.g., the 3 terahertz (3 THz) band at 95 GHz) is being considered to achieve transmission speeds 50 times faster and ultra-low latency reduced to one-tenth compared to 5G mobile communication technology.
[0003] In the early stages of 5G mobile communication technology, aiming to satisfy service support and performance requirements for enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), technologies included beamforming and Massive MIMO to mitigate path loss and increase transmission distance in ultra-high frequency bands; support for various numerologies (such as operating multiple subcarrier spacings) and dynamic operation of slot formats for the efficient utilization of ultra-high frequency resources; initial access techniques to support multi-beam transmission and broadband; the definition and operation of Band-Width Parts (BWP); Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes for high-volume data transmission; new channel coding methods such as Polar Codes for the reliable transmission of control information; and L2 pre-processing (L2 Standardization has been carried out for pre-processing, network slicing which provides a dedicated network specialized for specific services, and other methods.
[0004] Currently, discussions are underway to improve and enhance the performance of the initial 5G mobile communication technology, taking into account the services that the 5G mobile communication technology was intended to support. Additionally, standardization of the physical layer is in progress for technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), which helps autonomous vehicles make driving decisions and enhance user convenience based on their own location and status information transmitted by the vehicle; NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed), which aims for system operation in unlicensed bands to comply with various regulatory requirements; NR terminal low power consumption technology (UE Power Saving); Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), which is direct terminal-satellite communication for securing coverage in areas where communication with the terrestrial network is impossible; and positioning.
[0005] In addition, standardization is underway in the field of wireless interface architecture / protocols for technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through linkage and convergence with other industries, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) which provides nodes for expanding network service areas by integrating wireless backhaul links and access links, Mobility Enhancement including Conditional Handover and Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) Handover, and 2-step Random Access (2-step RACH for NR) which simplifies random access procedures. Standardization is also underway in the field of system architecture / services for 5G baseline architectures (e.g., Service based Architecture, Service based Interface) for incorporating Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), which provides services based on the location of the terminal.
[0006] When such 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, connected devices, which are increasing explosively, will be connected to communication networks. Accordingly, it is expected that there will be a need to enhance the functionality and performance of 5G mobile communication systems and to integrate the operation of connected devices. To this end, new research is planned to be conducted on 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction, support for AI services, support for metaverse services, and drone communication using eXtended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) to efficiently support Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).
[0007] Furthermore, the advancement of these 5G mobile communication systems encompasses multi-antenna transmission technologies such as new waveforms to guarantee coverage in the terahertz band of 6G mobile communication technology, Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and large-scale antennas; metamaterial-based lenses and antennas to improve terahertz band signal coverage; high-dimensional spatial multiplexing technology using OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum); and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology; as well as Full Duplex technology for enhancing frequency efficiency and system networks in 6G mobile communication technology; AI-based communication technologies that realize system optimization by utilizing satellites and AI from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions; and the realization of services of complexity exceeding the limits of terminal computing capabilities by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources. It could serve as a foundation for the development of next-generation distributed computing technologies.
[0008] Through network sharing technology, it is possible to propose countermeasures against network function loss or paralysis caused by disasters and the reduction of energy consumption in communication systems. Conventional network sharing can be performed statically based on pre-configuration. This may require pre-determining specific regions for network sharing and manually completing the necessary connection creation and configurations in advance. However, the timing or regions requiring network sharing to reduce energy consumption can change in real time. Furthermore, since the location and time of events such as network paralysis caused by disasters or temporary population overcrowding cannot be specified in advance, existing network sharing technology based on pre-configuration is difficult to utilize in such situations.
[0009] Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes a method for dynamically performing network sharing in a mobile communication system.
[0010] Network sharing targets may include base stations and core networks, and a method is proposed to support network sharing between mobile carriers or network sharing between a mobile carrier and a third-party network provider.
[0011] We determine the network structure and necessity for supporting network sharing, and propose a specific method for dynamically creating and configuring connections required for network sharing.
[0012] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operation of a first network entity may be characterized by comprising: a step of obtaining information related to network sharing activation; a step of determining whether to execute the network sharing activation based on the information; a step of identifying a second network entity capable of providing network sharing; and a step of transmitting a first message to the second network entity requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity.
[0013] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operation of a second network entity may be characterized by comprising: receiving a first message from a first network entity requesting the provision of network sharing to a first base station associated with the first network entity; determining a second base station for providing network sharing based on the first message; transmitting a message instructing the activation of network sharing to the determined second base station; and transmitting a second message to the first network entity as a response to the request for network sharing.
[0014] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network entity comprises: at least one transceiver; at least one processor connected to communicate with the at least one transceiver; and one or more memories connected to communicate with the at least one processor and storing instructions that can be executed individually or in any combination by the at least one processor, wherein the instructions may be characterized in that the first network entity obtains information related to network sharing activation, determines whether to execute the network sharing activation based on the information, identifies a second network entity capable of providing network sharing, and transmits a first message to the second network entity requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity.
[0015] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network entity comprises: at least one transceiver; at least one processor connected to communicate with the at least one transceiver; and one or more memories connected to communicate with the at least one processor and storing instructions that can be executed individually or in any combination by the at least one processor, wherein the instructions may be characterized in that the second network entity receives a first message from a first network entity requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity, determines a second base station for the provision of network sharing based on the first message, transmits a message instructing the activation of network sharing to the determined second base station, and transmits a second message to the first network entity as a response to the request for the provision of network sharing.
[0016] A method performed by a first network entity in a mobile communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a step of obtaining information related to network sharing activation; a step of determining whether to execute the network sharing activation based on the information; a step of selecting a second network entity capable of providing network sharing; and a step of transmitting a network sharing provision request message to the second network entity. The technical problems to be solved in various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a network structure for supporting network sharing and the need for network sharing are determined, and network sharing can be prepared and executed dynamically.
[0018] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.
[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a communication system that supports dynamic network sharing.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure for the activation and preparation steps of network sharing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a registration procedure for a RAN node according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a registration procedure for a RAN node according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the structure of a base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a network entity according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] The operating principle of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In describing the present invention below, specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering their functions in the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intentions or conventions of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification.
[0026] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings have been exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Additionally, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual dimensions. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing have been assigned the same reference numbers.
[0027] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.
[0028] At this point, it will be understood that each block of the process flow diagrams and combinations of the flow diagrams can be executed by computer program instructions. Since these computer program instructions can be loaded into the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, the instructions executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create means to perform the functions described in the flow diagram block(s). Since these computer program instructions can also be stored in computer-available or computer-readable memory that can be directed toward the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement the function in a specific way, the instructions stored in computer-available or computer-readable memory can also produce a manufactured item containing instruction means to perform the function described in the flow diagram block(s). Since computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, instructions that perform a series of operation steps on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to create a process executed by the computer can also provide steps for executing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).
[0029] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or part of code containing one or more executable instructions for executing a specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative execution examples, the functions mentioned in the blocks may occur out of order. For instance, two blocks described in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may be executed in reverse order according to their corresponding functions.
[0030] In this embodiment, the term "part" refers to a software or hardware component such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and the "part" performs certain roles. However, the meaning of "part" is not limited to software or hardware. The "part" may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or may be configured to run one or more processors. Accordingly, as an example, the "part" includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and "parts" may be combined into a smaller number of components and "parts" or further separated into additional components and "parts." In addition, the components and 'parts' may be implemented to utilize one or more CPUs within the device or secure multimedia card. Also, in the embodiments, 'parts' may include one or more processors.
[0031] In describing the present disclosure below, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present disclosure, such detailed description will be omitted. An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.
[0032] Terms used in the following description to identify connected nodes, terms referring to network entities (NFs), terms referring to messages, terms referring to interfaces between NFs, terms referring to various identification information, etc., are examples provided for the convenience of explanation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms referring to objects having equivalent technical meanings may be used.
[0033] The terms used in this disclosure are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art described in this disclosure. Terms used in this disclosure that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this disclosure. In some cases, even terms defined in this disclosure are not to be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this disclosure.
[0034] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure described below, a hardware-based approach is described as an example. However, since the various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, the various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude a software-based approach.
[0035] For convenience, the present invention uses terms and names defined in the LTE and NR specifications, which are the most recent standards defined by the 3GPP (The 3rd Generation Partnership Project) among currently existing communication standards. However, the present invention is not limited by the above terms and names and can be applied equally to systems conforming to other standards. In particular, the present invention can be applied to 3GPP NR (5th generation mobile communication standard). Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to other communication systems having similar technical backgrounds or channel types. Additionally, one embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to other communication systems through some modifications at the judgment of a person with skilled technical knowledge, without significantly departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0036] The present disclosure relates to a mobile communication system. In a mobile communication system that supports real-time communication services, if packets constituting a media stream are processed according to the same policy—that is, if the difference in the impact of media data included in each packet on service quality is not considered—it becomes impossible to provide service quality optimized for the given network resources. Accordingly, a technology is described for improving media quality and conserving network resources by utilizing the difference in the impact of media data included in each packet on service quality in a wireless communication system.
[0037] Terms referring to signals, channels, control information, network entities, and device components used in the following description are examples provided for the convenience of explanation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms having equivalent technical meanings may be used.
[0038] Additionally, the present disclosure describes various embodiments using terms used in some communication standards (e.g., 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project)), but this is merely illustrative. Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be easily modified and applied to other communication systems.
[0039] The operating principle of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions in the present invention. Since these may vary depending on the intentions or conventions of the user or operator, their definitions should be determined according to the content throughout this specification.
[0040] Terms used in this publication to refer to network entities or network functions, objects of wireless communication systems, messages, identification information, etc., are examples provided for the convenience of explanation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms referring to objects having equivalent technical meanings may be used.
[0041] For convenience, the present invention uses terms and names that may be applied to next-generation communication systems or defined in 5G system standards, but is not limited by said terms and names and may be similarly applied to wireless communication systems that follow other standards or next-generation standards.
[0042] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a communication system that supports dynamic network sharing.
[0043] A communication system structure supporting dynamic network sharing may include various network functions (NF), and FIG. 1 illustrates a serving UE function that may include a network sharing management function (NSMF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), and a session management function (SMF), unified data management (UDM), a user plane function (UPF), an application function (AF), a (radio) access network ((R)AN), and a terminal (user equipment, UE).
[0044] Each NF can support the following functions.
[0045] - The Network Sharing Management Function (NSMF) can support overall functions related to network sharing. The NSMF can perform operations to detect and determine in real-time whether network sharing is required by interacting with other NFs or base stations. The NSMF can determine whether to perform network sharing and perform search and selection operations for other networks capable of providing network sharing. The NSMF can perform connection and configuration between the NF or base station of another network providing network sharing (hereinafter referred to as the network sharing host network) and the network NF requesting network sharing. Although the NSMF is depicted as a separate network function or device in FIG. 1, it may be represented as an auxiliary function included in part of the Operation and Management system that manages other network functions or network functions and devices.
[0046] - The Serving UE function may include an AMF or an SMF, and may refer to network functions that provide enhanced capabilities in future next-generation communication systems. The AMF provides functions for connectivity and mobility management at the UE level, and by default, one AMF can be connected to one UE. The SMF provides session management functions, and if a UE has multiple sessions, each session can be managed by a different SMF.
[0047] - UDM can store user sign-up data, policy data, etc.
[0048] - A UPF can forward downlink PDUs received from the data network to the UE via the (R)AN, and forward uplink PDUs received from the UE to the DN via the (R)AN. ULCL (uplink classifier) can refer to a UPF that has the function of classifying and transmitting uplinks. L-UPF (local UPF) can perform the role of a session endpoint (PDU Session Anchor) for sessions transmitted to a local part of the DN.
[0049] - AF can provide service-related information or application-related information to NF service consumers. Through AF, NF service consumers can subscribe to or unsubscribe from regular notifications and / or notifications related to the detection of subscribed events.
[0050] - The base station of the (R)AN constituting the wireless access network can not only transmit and receive signals for communication but also detect the need for network sharing and report it to the NSMF.
[0051] According to the present disclosure, a base station or network function of a network that is provided by requesting network sharing may be specified as a network sharing participant base station (Network sharing participant RAN, P-RAN) or a network sharing participant network function (Network sharing participant NF, P-NF).
[0052] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure for the activation and preparation steps of network sharing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] For the sake of convenience of explanation, optional steps have been included in the following description; however, depending on various settings and scenarios within the system, not all steps described below must be performed, and some steps may be omitted.
[0054] Step 1. NSMF may receive information such as the occurrence of situations related to network sharing activation or network resource status from at least one network function or device among P-RAN, network functions, and AF.
[0055] At this time, steps 1a to 1c described below may be performed optionally or simultaneously.
[0056] For example, the P-RAN may transmit a report message to the NSMF that includes at least one of a RAN identifier, the number of terminals currently connected to the P-RAN, the ratio (or amount) of resources in use, an overload event identifier, a network failure event identifier, and an event identifier for a disaster condition fulfillment event following a disaster.
[0057] - Step 1a. If a direct interface between the P-RAN and the NSMF is supported, messages sent by the P-RAN to the NSMF can be sent directly to the NSMF without passing through other network functions.
[0058] - Step 1b. If a direct interface between the P-RAN and the NSMF is not supported, the P-RAN may transmit information such as the occurrence of network sharing activation events or network conditions to the NSMF via the AMF (or 6G access and mobility management NF).
[0059] - Step 1c. The NSMF of the Participant Network may receive information from network devices other than the P-RAN that may be considered for determining network sharing activation. An Application Function (AF) may transmit a message to the NSMF containing at least one of the following: network sharing activation indicators, network sharing activation required indicators, occurrence of a disaster situation, occurrence of a disaster condition satisfying situation, and disaster situation occurrence area information (e.g., information that may be expressed as at least one or a combination of at least one of latitude / longitude information, PLMN ID, Tracking Area ID, cell ID, and RAN node ID). The corresponding message transmitted by the AF to the NSMF may be transmitted to the NSMF via the NEF. The AF transmitting the information that may be considered for network sharing activation described above to the NSMF may be a network function or device operated by a carrier or government authority. The AF may be a network function that is included in at least one of a disaster situation detection system, a network failure monitoring system, or an energy consumption monitoring system, or supports interoperability with at least one of such systems.
[0060] The NSMF of the Participant network (P-NSMF) can receive information that may be considered for determining network sharing activation from at least one network function or device among the P-RAN, network function, or AF, and can determine whether to perform a network sharing activation procedure. The P-NSMF can be configured to receive reports related to network sharing from both the P-RAN and the AF according to the Participant network operation policy. The P-NSMF can perform preliminary actions to receive such reports from the P-RAN and the AF. For example, the P-NSMF can request a subscription to a network sharing information reporting service from a P-RAN or AF included in a region where network sharing may occur or network sharing services may be requested. Alternatively, the P-NSMF can be configured to provide an API to (or open an API to) a P-RAN or AF in a region where network sharing may occur or network sharing services may be requested, so that network sharing information may be transmitted to the P-NSMF at any time. In order to receive network sharing-related information from the P-RAN or AF in this manner, the P-NSMF may pre-configure information to the P-RAN or AF for receiving a subscription to specific information or transmission of specific information. For example, the NSMF may pre-configure, subscribe to, or request the P-RAN to transmit information regarding at least one of the following: information on whether an overload situation has occurred, information on whether a network failure has occurred, information on whether a disaster has occurred, information on the number of terminals connected to the P-RAN, information on wireless resources being operated by the P-RAN, or information on available wireless resources.Additionally, NSMF may pre-configure, subscribe to, or request to provide AF with at least one of the following: information on whether a network failure has occurred, information on whether a disaster has occurred, and information on a request to enable network sharing services.
[0061] Step 2. The NSMF of the Participant Network (P-NSMF) may determine whether to enable network sharing by considering the information received from the RAN or AF in the previous step. The P-NSMF may perform discovery and selection operations for other networks (e.g., other PLMNs) that can receive network sharing by considering the information received from the RAN or AF in the previous step. The NSMF may perform discovery and selection of networks that can receive network sharing by considering the following information.
[0062] - Participant RAN node location information, cell ID, RAN node TRP (Transmission-Reception Point) location coordinate information
[0063] - Frequency bands in operation within the participant network (e.g., frequency bands or carrier frequency information used by participant RANs deployed in regions requiring network sharing)
[0064] - Participant network Radio Access Technology (RAT) type information. For example, it may represent RAT type information applied to a participant RAN deployed in a region requiring network sharing. It may include at least one of 6G Radio, NR, NB-IOT, Untrusted Non-3GPP, Trusted Non-3GPP, Trusted IEEE 802.11 Non-3GPP access, Wireline, Wireline-Cable, Wireline-BBF. It may be provided in correspondence with a RAN node identifier or cell ID.
[0065] - Information on functions or capabilities supported by participant RANs or network devices deployed in regions requiring network sharing. For example, whether the L4S marking function is supported.
[0066] The information described above may be information configured within the NSMF or information received from the Participant RAN and stored within the NSMF.
[0067] Step 3. The P-NSMF can select a network capable of providing network sharing and specify the NSMF (Network Sharing Host NSMF; H-NSMF) of the network sharing providing network to send a network sharing request message. To specify the H-NSMF, the P-NSMF may consider the network sharing support area information configured within the P-NSMF and the network sharing support service provider network information (PLMN ID). The information of the H-NSMF required to send the network sharing service request message (e.g., address information) can be obtained from the NRF of the host network configured within the P-NSMF or the network sharing service provider.
[0068] A network sharing service request message transmitted by H-NSMF to P-NSMF may include a PLMN ID, a network sharing service target area, a network sharing service support time, RAN node information (RAN node identifier, cell identifier), the number of terminals within the network sharing service target area, wireless resource demand information required for the network sharing service, a RAT type, frequency band information (e.g., at least one of frequency band or carrier frequency information currently in use by a participant RAN deployed in an area requiring network sharing), and at least one of a network sharing type (direct sharing or indirect sharing).
[0069] H-NSMF can select a RAN capable of providing network sharing by considering information received from P-NSMF. For example, H-NSMF can identify a service area requiring network sharing by considering information received from P-NSMF, and select one or more RAN nodes by considering RAN coverage information to select a RAN capable of covering that network sharing service area. As another example, some of the RAN nodes providing communication coverage that can include the network sharing service area can be selected by considering information such as RAT type, frequency band, and functions or capabilities required for support in the RAN or network device received from H-NSMF. Depending on the policy of the mobile operator providing network sharing or the agreement between operators participating in network sharing, it can be determined how much wider communication coverage (multiple) RAN nodes can be selected to provide compared to the area requiring network sharing services.
[0070] H-NSMF can provide information about the previously selected RAN node(s) to P-NSMF. The information provided by H-NSMF may include information necessary to establish a connection between the RAN node and the Participant network device. For example, it may include information such as the interface (N2 interface) endpoint information between P-NSMF and H-RAN (Network Sharing host RAN), an FQDN that may indicate the H-RAN connection creation address, and security information necessary to establish the connection.
[0071] Step 4. P-NSMF transmits information necessary to create a connection between H-RAN and a Participant network function or device to P-AMF and P-SMF for network sharing provision, and can obtain connection creation information for the Participant network function or device necessary to create a connection between H-RAN and the control plane and user plane from P-AMF and P-SMF. The connection creation information for the Participant network function or device may include endpoint information of P-AMF (e.g., N2 interface endpoint information), endpoint information of the UPF managed by P-SMF (e.g., N3 interface endpoint information), etc.
[0072] Step 5. P-NSMF may send a network sharing enable request message to H-NSMF. The network sharing enable request message may include information in H-NSMF necessary to create a connection to a Participant network function or device. Such information may include P-AMF connection creation information, N3 connection configuration information, PLMN ID, etc., which P-NSMF obtained in the previous step or is stored within P-NSMF.
[0073] Step 6. H-NSMF may send a network sharing enable request message to RAN node(s) (H-RAN) that will provide network sharing services. The message may include Participant network function or device connection creation information received from P-NSMF. The information may include at least one of P-AMF connection creation information, N3 connection setup information, and PLMN ID.
[0074] Step 7. H-RAN can perform operations for system information broadcasting, N2 interface configuration, and N3 interface configuration based on information received from H-NSMF. For example, H-RAN can add a PLMN ID to the information broadcast, or perform operations for interface configuration necessary to create a connection with a Participant network function or device.
[0075] Step 8. H-RAN may send a response message to H-NSMF regarding the request to enable network sharing. The message may include result information regarding whether network sharing can be enabled.
[0076] Step 9. The H-NSMF may aggregate response messages to network sharing enable requests received from the H-RAN and transmit information to the P-NSMF regarding whether network sharing services can be successfully provided. For example, if network sharing services need to be provided through multiple H-RANs, the H-NSMF may aggregate information regarding whether all H-RANs that sent network sharing enable requests in the previous step can provide network sharing, or information regarding whether network sharing can be provided only through some H-RANs, and provide this information to the P-NSMF. The information provided by the H-NSMF to the P-NSMF may include information about the H-RAN(s) capable of providing network sharing.
[0077] Step 10. P-NSMF may send a connection establishment request message to a network function or device (e.g., P-AMF or P-SMF) that requires connection creation with an H-RAN providing network sharing services. The message may include H-RAN information (RAN node ID, N2 interface configuration information, N3 interface configuration information, H-RAN endpoint information, etc.) received from H-NSMF.
[0078] Step 11. A network function or device (e.g., P-AMF or P-SMF) that has received a network sharing connection setup request message from P-NSMF may perform an action to set up a connection with H-RAN. P-AMF may send a connection setup request message to H-RAN based on the information of the network sharing provider H-RAN received from P-NSMF and set up the N2 interface.
[0079] Step 12. A network function or device (e.g., P-AMF or P-SMF) that has received a network sharing connection setup request message from P-NSMF may perform an operation to set up a connection with H-RAN. P-SMF may set up an N3 interface for user plane connection setup with H-RAN. For example, P-SMF may select a UPF that can be used through network sharing among the UPFs it manages, and perform an N3 interface setup operation to set up a connection between the UPF and H-RAN. During this process, signals for setting up a connection between H-RAN and UPF may be exchanged, and a single UPF may be connected to multiple H-RANs. Additionally, a single H-RAN may be connected to multiple UPFs.
[0080] Step 13. When it is confirmed that the connection setup with the H-RAN(s) providing the network share is complete in the preceding Steps 11 and 12, the Participant's network function or device (e.g., P-AMF or P-SMF) may send a message to the P-NSMF indicating that the network share connection setup is complete.
[0081] Step 14. When P-NSMF confirms that the network sharing connection setup is complete, it may send a network sharing connection setup completion message to H-NSMF. H-NSMF may receive the network sharing connection setup completion message from H-RAN and may receive a message from P-NSMF confirming that the network connection setup is complete. P-NSMF confirms that the network connection setup is complete and may send a network sharing service initiation request message to H-RAN(s). The network sharing service initiation request may include information indicating that the network connection setup is complete.
[0082] Step 15. The H-RAN(s) that provide network sharing services and have received the network connection setup complete and network sharing service start request message may begin broadcasting the PLMN ID of the network participating in network sharing. The PLMN ID of the network participating in network sharing may be set to the PLMN ID used by the existing participant network, an equivalent PLMN ID, or a dedicated PLMN ID used for network sharing.
[0083] Step 16. Terminals connected to the Participant network can perform a mobility procedure to connect to the H-RAN. Terminals within the network sharing area can perform an initial connection non-registration procedure by selecting a PLMN ID broadcast from the H-RAN. Terminals within the network sharing area can perform a handover procedure to connect to the H-RAN.
[0084] As described in Figure 2 above, when the operation for network sharing activation is performed and completed for the purpose of reducing energy consumption, the RAN of the Participant network within the network sharing area may enter an inactive state (which may also be expressed as a dormant state or RAN node off). The entry of the Participant network RAN into an inactive state may include stopping some functions of the RAN node or disconnecting the interface between the RAN node and the core network functions of the Participant network.
[0085] Although the description in FIG. 2 explains the operation for the preparation step for activating network sharing, the present invention may also include the operation of stopping the network sharing service while the network sharing service is active and returning the subscriber terminal to a state where it receives general services through the functions or devices of the existing subscribed network. The related operation to stop the network sharing service may be performed as follows.
[0086] P-NSMF can receive network sharing-related information as in Step 1 of Fig. 2 from a local RAN node (P-RAN node) that is receiving a network sharing service activated according to the operation of Fig. 2. The information may include information such as the RAN node load status, completion of network failure recovery, and entry into a RAN node active state, and based on this information, P-NSMF can decide whether to stop the network sharing service. If P-NSMF decides to stop the network sharing service, P-NSMF can send a network sharing service stop request message to the H-NSMF of the Host network that was providing the network sharing service.
[0087] Additionally, P-NSMF can receive network sharing-related information from AF via a path similar to the operation of step 2 in FIG. 2. Such information may include information that can be considered when deciding to stop network sharing, such as the completion of network failure recovery or the release of a disaster condition. P-NSMF can decide to stop the network sharing service by considering the information received from AF in this way. P-NSMF can transmit a network sharing service stoppage message to H-NSMF.
[0088] If P-NSMF decides to discontinue network sharing services based on information received from RAN nodes or AFs, it may perform actions to reactivate P-RAN nodes in the region that were receiving network sharing services. For example, P-NSMF may send a request to P-AMF and P-SMF to establish a connection with a RAN node or to set up a connection to perform actions to establish a connection between a RAN node and a network function (P-AMF or UPF).
[0089] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a registration procedure for a RAN node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, optional steps have been included in the following description, but depending on various settings and scenarios in the system, not all of the steps described below must be performed, and some steps may be omitted.
[0090] Step 1. A RAN node may register by transmitting network sharing-related capabilities and information to the NSMF. For example, a RAN node of a network capable of providing network sharing services (host network) may register at least one of the following information related to the provision of network sharing services with the NSMF: information on whether the network sharing service provision function is supported, the time or duration of the network sharing service provision, a RAN identifier, a cell identifier, RAN location information, information related to RAN coverage, and / or RAN transmission and reception point location information (information that can be expressed, e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates). Additionally, a RAN node of a network receiving network sharing services (participant network) may register with the NSMF information on whether it supports a function capable of providing information necessary for network sharing determination (whether the function for monitoring and reporting information related to network sharing determination is supported or enabled) in order to receive network sharing-related services. Additionally, a RAN node may register with the NSMF information related to whether it supports a function capable of dynamically entering an inactive state (or whether it supports a dynamic RAN off function, or whether it supports dynamic scaling).
[0091] Step 2. NSMF can store the information received from the RAN node and send it to the RAN node, including the result of whether it was successfully registered in a response message to Step 1.
[0092] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a registration procedure for a RAN node according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0093] Steps 1 and 2 of FIG. 3 described above can explain the operation in the case where a direct interface between a RAN node and an NSMF is supported. If direct communication between the RAN node and the NSMF is not supported, the RAN node can perform interoperability with an AMF to register network sharing-related information with the NSMF.
[0094] For the sake of convenience of explanation, optional steps have been included in the following description; however, depending on various settings and scenarios within the system, not all steps described below must be performed, and some steps may be omitted.
[0095] Step 1. The RAN node can transmit network sharing related capabilities and information to the AMF through the N2 interface. Network sharing related capabilities and information may include the information described in Step 1 of Figure 3 above.
[0096] Step 2. An AMF that has received network sharing information from a RAN node can transmit the information to an NSMF.
[0097] Step 3. NSMF can store network sharing information provided by RAN nodes received through AMF. Subsequently, it can transmit information including the successful registration result of said information to AMF.
[0098] Step 4. The AMF can send a message to the RAN node containing the registration result of network sharing information received from the NSMF.
[0099] The RAN, AMF, and NSMF described in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be devices and functions of the participant network or devices and functions of the host network.
[0100] Although the descriptions in Figures 3 and 4 describe a method in which the RAN directly performs an operation to register information or whether the network sharing-related function is supported in the NSMF, the Operation & Management system may also directly set the network sharing-related function support status or information of the RAN node in the NSMF.
[0101] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the structure of a base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 5, the base station may include a transceiver (10-05), a control unit (10-10), and a storage unit (10-15). The transceiver (10-05), the control unit (10-10), and the storage unit (10-15) may operate according to the communication method of the device described above. However, the components of the base station are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the base station may include more components or fewer components than the components described above. For example, the base station may include a transceiver (5-05) and a control unit (5-10). In addition, the transceiver (5-05), the control unit (5-10), and the storage unit (5-15) may be implemented in the form of a single chip.
[0103] The transceiver (5-05) can transmit and receive signals with a terminal, a network entity, or another base station. Here, the signal may include control information and data. To this end, the transceiver (5-05) may be composed of an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies a received signal and down-converts the frequency. However, this is merely one embodiment of the transceiver (5-05), and the components of the transceiver (5-05) are not limited to an RF transmitter and an RF receiver.
[0104] In addition, the transceiver (5-05) can receive a signal through a wireless channel and output it to a processor, and transmit the signal output from the processor through a wireless channel.
[0105] The storage unit (5-15) can store programs and data necessary for the operation of the base station. Additionally, the storage unit (5-15) can store control information or data included in signals transmitted and received by the base station. The storage unit (5-15) may be composed of a storage medium or a combination of storage media such as ROM, RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD. Additionally, there may be multiple storage units (5-15).
[0106] In the present disclosure, the control unit (5-10) may be defined as a circuit or an application-specific integrated circuit or at least one processor. The processor may include a communication processor (CP) that performs control for communication and an application processor (AP) that controls upper layers such as applications. The control unit (5-10) may control the overall operation of the device according to the embodiment proposed in the present disclosure. For example, the control unit (5-10) may control the signal flow between each block to perform the operation according to FIGS. 1 to 4 described above.
[0107] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a network entity according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0108] For example, network entities may refer to NSMF, AMF, SMF, UDM, UPF, AF, or UDM, etc., as described in FIGS. 1 to 4 above.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 6, the device may include a transceiver (6-05), a control unit (6-10), and a storage unit (6-15). The transceiver (6-05), the control unit (6-10), and the storage unit (6-15) may operate according to the communication method of the device described above. However, the components of the device are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the device may include more components or fewer components than the components described above. For example, the device may include a transceiver (6-05) and a control unit (6-10). In addition, the transceiver (6-05), the control unit (6-10), and the storage unit (6-15) may be implemented in the form of a single chip.
[0110] The transceiver unit (6-05) is a collective term for the receiver and transmitter of the above device and can transmit and receive signals with other devices (e.g., NSMF, AMF, SMF, UDM, UPF, AF, or UDM). To this end, the transceiver unit (6-05) may be composed of an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of the transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies the received signal and down-converts the frequency. However, this is merely one embodiment of the transceiver unit (6-05), and the components of the transceiver unit (6-05) are not limited to an RF transmitter and an RF receiver. Additionally, the transceiver unit (6-05) may include a wired / wireless transceiver unit (6-05) and may include various configurations for transmitting and receiving signals. Furthermore, the transceiver unit (6-05) may receive a signal through a wireless channel and output it to a control unit (6-10), and transmit the signal output from the control unit (6-10) through a wireless channel. Additionally, the transmitting and receiving unit (6-05) receives a communication signal and outputs it to a processor, and can transmit the signal output from the processor to a network entity through a wired or wireless network.
[0111] The storage unit (6-15) can store programs and data necessary for the operation of the device. Additionally, the memory can store control information or data included in signals obtained from the device. The storage unit (6-15) may be composed of a storage medium or a combination of storage media such as ROM, RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD.
[0112] In the present disclosure, the control unit (6-10) may be defined as a circuit or an application-specific integrated circuit or at least one processor. The processor may include a communication processor (CP) that performs control for communication and an application processor (AP) that controls upper layers such as applications. The control unit (6-10) may control the overall operation of the device according to the embodiment proposed in the present disclosure. For example, the control unit (6-10) may control the signal flow between each block to perform the operation according to FIGS. 1 to 4 described above.
[0113] Methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
[0114] When implemented as software, a computer-readable storage medium or computer program product storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. One or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium or computer program product are configured for execution by one or more processors within an electronic device. One or more programs include instructions that cause the electronic device to execute methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of this disclosure.
[0115] Such programs (software modules, software) may be stored in random access memory, non-volatile memory including flash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), magnetic disc storage devices, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), or other forms of optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes. Alternatively, they may be stored in memory composed of some or all of these. Additionally, each constituent memory may include multiple units.
[0116] Additionally, the program may be stored on an attachable storage device accessible via a communication network such as the Internet, Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide LAN (WLAN), or Storage Area Network (SAN), or a combination thereof. Such a storage device may be connected to the device performing the embodiment of the present disclosure through an external port. Additionally, a separate storage device on the communication network may be connected to the device performing the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0117] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the components included in the present disclosure are expressed in a singular or plural form according to the specific embodiments presented. However, the singular or plural expression is selected to suit the situation presented for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components; even if a component is expressed in the plural, it may be composed of a singular form, and even if a component is expressed in the singular form, it may be composed of a plural form.
[0118] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples provided to facilitate the explanation of the technical content of the present disclosure and to aid in understanding the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other variations based on the technical concept of the present disclosure are possible. Furthermore, each of the above embodiments may be combined and operated together as needed. For example, parts of one embodiment of the present disclosure and another embodiment may be combined to operate a base station and a terminal. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to other communication systems, and other variations based on the technical concept of the embodiments may also be possible. For example, the embodiments may be applied to LTE systems, 5G or NR systems, etc.
Claims
1. A method performed by a first network entity in a wireless communication system, Step of obtaining information related to network sharing activation; A step of determining whether to execute the network sharing activation based on the above information; A step of identifying a second network entity capable of providing network sharing; and A method comprising the step of transmitting a first message to the second network entity requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity.
2. In Paragraph 1, The step of identifying the second network entity described above is, A method characterized by being performed based on at least one of location information of a second base station associated with the second network, a frequency band operated by the second network entity, and Radio Access Technology (RAT) type information of the second network.
3. In Paragraph 1, The above first message is, A method characterized by including at least one of a network identifier (PLMN ID) associated with the first base station and connection setting information of a core network device associated with the first base station.
4. In Paragraph 1, In response to the first message, the step of receiving a second message containing information about a second base station determined for providing network sharing from the second network entity; and A method further comprising the step of transmitting information for establishing a connection with the second base station to a core network device associated with the first base station based on the second message.
5. A method performed by a second network entity in a wireless communication system, A step of receiving a first message from a first network entity requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity; A step of determining a second base station for providing network sharing based on the first message above; A step of transmitting a message instructing the activation of the network sharing to the second base station determined above; and A method comprising the step of transmitting a second message, which is a response to the request for network sharing, to the first network entity.
6. In Paragraph 5, The step of determining the second base station is, A method characterized by being performed by considering the coverage information of the first base station included in the first message and the coverage information of base stations related to the second network entity.
7. In Paragraph 5, The above second message is, A method characterized by including information necessary for a core network device associated with the first network entity and the second base station to establish a connection.
8. In Paragraph 5, The message instructing the activation of the above network sharing is, A method characterized by including at least one of a network identifier (PLMN ID) associated with the first base station and connection setting information of a core network device associated with the first base station.
9. In a first network entity in a wireless communication system, At least one transmitting and receiving unit; At least one processor connected to communicate with the above-mentioned at least one transmitting and receiving unit; and It includes one or more memories that are communicatably connected to the at least one processor and store instructions that can be executed individually or in any combination by the at least one processor. The above commands are for the above first network entity: Obtain information related to network sharing activation, and Based on the above information, determine whether to execute the network sharing activation, and Identify a second network entity capable of providing network sharing, and A first network entity that transmits a first message requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity to the second network entity.
10. In Paragraph 9, The above commands are for the above first network entity: A first network entity characterized by identifying the second network entity based on at least one of location information of a second base station associated with the second network, a frequency band operated by the second network entity, and Radio Access Technology (RAT) type information of the second network.
11. In Paragraph 9, The above first message is, A first network entity characterized by including at least one of a network identifier (PLMN ID) associated with the first base station and connection setting information of a core network device associated with the first base station.
12. In Paragraph 9, The above commands are for the above first network entity: In response to the first message above, a second message is received from the second network entity containing information about a second base station determined for providing network sharing, and A first network entity that transmits information for establishing a connection with the second base station to a core network device associated with the first base station based on the second message above.
13. In a second network entity in a wireless communication system, At least one transmitting and receiving unit; At least one processor connected to communicate with the above-mentioned at least one transmitting and receiving unit; and It includes one or more memories that are communicatably connected to the at least one processor and store instructions that can be executed individually or in any combination by the at least one processor. The above commands are for the above second network entity: Receive a first message from a first network entity requesting the provision of network sharing for a first base station associated with the first network entity, and Based on the first message above, a second base station for providing network sharing is determined, and A message instructing the activation of the network sharing is transmitted to the second base station determined above, and A second network entity that transmits a second message, which is a response to the network sharing provision request, to the first network entity.
14. In Paragraph 13, The above commands are for the above second network entity: A second network entity characterized by determining the second base station by considering the coverage information of the first base station included in the first message and the coverage information of base stations related to the second network entity.
15. In Paragraph 14, The second message above includes information necessary for the core network device associated with the first network entity and the second base station to establish a connection, and A second network entity characterized in that the message instructing the activation of the above network sharing includes at least one of a network identifier (PLMN ID) associated with the first base station and connection setting information of a core network device associated with the first base station.