Network node and control method

Abstract

This network node comprises: a communication unit that monitors individual domains in a mobile network; and a control unit that determines whether content associated with an operation and a change due to an artificial intelligence (AI) in each domain satisfy a criterion. When the control unit has determined that the content associated with the operation and the change in a certain domain do not satisfy the criterion, the communication unit requests a change to the certain domain so as to comply with the criterion.

Description

Network Node and Control Method

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

[0002] In 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), in order to achieve further increase in system capacity, further increase in data transmission speed, further reduction in latency in radio sections and the like, research is underway on a radio communication system called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, this radio communication system is referred to as "5G" or "NR"). In 5G, various radio technologies are being studied to satisfy the requirement that the delay in the radio section be 1 ms or less while achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more.

[0003] For NR, a network architecture including 5GC (5G Core Network) corresponding to EPC (Evolved Packet Core), which is the core network in the LTE (Long Term Evolution) network architecture, and NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) corresponding to E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), which is RAN (Radio Access Network) in the LTE network architecture, is under study (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2).

[0004] Furthermore, utilization of artificial intelligence / machine learning models (AI (Artificial Intelligence) / ML (Machine Learning) models) to implement various controls such as network management or automation is under study (e.g., Non-Patent Document 3).

[0005] 3GPP TS 23.501 V18.8.0 (2024-12)3GPP TS 23.502 V18.8.0 (2024-12)3GPP News & Events, Overview of AI / ML related Work in 3GPP, Juan Montojo, Feb 16, 2025

[0006] In 5G, AI is being utilized individually in various Network Functions (NFs). Further utilization of AI is expected in the future. However, when various domains related to mobile networks, such as NFs, RAN (Radio Access Network) nodes, and UE (User Equipment), individually utilize AI, there is a possibility that some domains may deviate from policies or rules.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to monitor AI (Artificial Intelligence) activities in each domain within a network.

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, the system includes a communication unit that monitors each domain within a mobile network, and a control unit that determines whether the actions and changes made by AI (Artificial Intelligence) in each domain meet the criteria. If the control unit determines that the actions and changes in a certain domain do not meet the criteria, the communication unit provides a network node that requests the domain to make changes to comply with the criteria.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to monitor AI (Artificial Intelligence) activity in each domain within the network.

[0010] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment (1). This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment (2). This is a sequence diagram illustrating monitoring in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 and a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

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

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system consists of a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes 30. Hereafter, one network node 30 will be assumed to correspond to each function, but one network node 30 may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes 30 may implement one function. Also, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

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

[0016] AMF is connected to UE, RAN, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services: Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

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

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example (1) of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Figure 2, the network consists of a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes 30. Hereafter, one network node 30 will be assumed to correspond to each function, but one network node 30 may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes 30 may implement one function. Also, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

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

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

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

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

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of a local breakout scenario in which user data is connected to the local network's DN. Control signals are exchanged between the local network and the home network via SEPP.

[0024] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment (2). Figure 3 is an example of a home-roamed scenario in which user data is connected to the home network's DN. Control signals are exchanged between the local network and the home network via SEPP, similar to the local breakout scenario.

[0025] The wireless communication system may be a wireless communication system conforming to a method called Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution, or 6G, or it may include a wireless communication system conforming to a method called Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 4G. The wireless communication system may support functions related to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications).

[0026] The NG-RAN includes a wireless base station (hereinafter referred to as base station 10). The specific configuration of the wireless communication system, including the number of gNBs (eNBs, etc.) and UEs, is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1.

[0027] Furthermore, the base station 10 may employ a fronthaul (FH) interface as defined by the Open Radio Access Network Alliance (O-RAN). The base station 10 may include an O-DU (O-RAN Distributed Unit) and an O-RU (O-RAN Radio Unit). The base station 10 can function as a type of NG-RAN node.

[0028] An NG-RAN actually includes multiple NG-RAN nodes, specifically gNBs (or ng-eNBs), and is connected to a 5G-compliant core network (5G Core network). In 5G, the concept of CUPS (Control and User Plane Separation), in which the functions of the user plane and the control plane are clearly separated, may be introduced.

[0029] The NG-RAN may be connected to the NF (Network Function) via the 5GC or directly from the NG-RAN. The NF may be interpreted as a logical node (which may also be called a network device) that provides network functions. The NF 50 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) that provides access and mobility management functions for the terminal 20, a Session Management Function (SMF) that provides session management functions, a User Plane Function (UPF) that relays and terminates the user plane of the PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session in the 5GC, and a Location Management Function (LMF) that is responsible for communication control related to location information services defined in the 5GC. In addition, a UDM / UDR (Unified Data Management / User Data Repository) may be connected to the AMF and / or SMF. Note that the NG-RAN and 5GC may simply be referred to as the "network".

[0030] Furthermore, NG-RAN may be connected to servers managed by a 3GPP service provider or servers managed by a party other than the said provider (3GPP or non-3GPP server).

[0031] Base station 10 is a wireless base station compliant with the NR and performs wireless communication with terminal 20 in accordance with the NR. Base station 10 may consist of a CU (Central Unit, first device) and a DU (Distributed Unit, second device), and the DU may be installed separately from the CU in a geographically different location. One or more DUs may be connected to the CU.

[0032] Furthermore, the base stations 10 (gNB-CU) may be connected by an Xn interface, and the CU and DU may be connected by an F1 interface. The base station 10 (CU) may be connected to the AMF, etc., by an NG interface.

[0033] The base station 10 and terminal 20 can support Massive MIMO, which generates a more directional beam by controlling the radio signals transmitted from multiple antenna elements; carrier aggregation (CA), which uses multiple component carriers (CCs) bundled together; and dual connectivity (DC), which enables simultaneous communication between the UE and each of the multiple NG-RAN Nodes.

[0034] Furthermore, in wireless communication systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning (ML) may be applied in the NG-RAN or core network. Specifically, a learning model (referred to here as an AI / ML model) may be used to optimize the mobility or handover (which may be rephrased as transitions, cell transitions, cell selections, etc.) of terminal 20.

[0035] AI / ML models may also be expressed using other terms that mean AI or ML, such as artificial intelligence (AI) models or machine learning (ML) models.

[0036] In a broad sense, the mobility of terminal 20 may mean the ease of movement and maneuverability of terminal 20. In this embodiment, it may also mean minimizing call drop, wireless link (including beam) failure, unnecessary handovers, ping-pong situations, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, in a wireless communication system, various states related to the network, including the terminal 20 or base station 10, may be predicted using such an AI / ML model.

[0038] End-to-end AI monitoring is also possible. In 5G, AI is being used individually in various Network Functions (NFs). Further use of AI is expected in the future. When various domains related to mobile networks, such as NFs, RAN (Radio Access Network) nodes, and UE (User Equipment), individually utilize AI, it is necessary to monitor and control the AI ​​to prevent it from taking actions that deviate from the operator's policies or rules.

[0039] For example, when an AI changes settings based on inference in a certain domain, a monitoring AI may perform monitoring and control to ensure that the settings do not deviate from the setting values or effects defined as criteria or rules.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining monitoring according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the AI controller may exist on any NF regardless of whether it is inside or outside the mobile network. The monitored domains are BS and AMF as examples, and may be any domain related to mobile networks such as core network, RAN, UE, etc.

[0041] In step S101 and step S102, the AI controller monitors each domain. For example, the AI controller may monitor the BS and AMF.

[0042] In step S103, inference and optimization of setting values are performed by the AI on the BS. In step S104, inference and optimization of setting values are performed by the AI on the AMF.

[0043] In step S105 and step S106, the AI controller monitors each domain. For example, the AI controller may monitor the BS and AMF.

[0044] In step S107, the AI controller monitors contents accompanying operations and changes by the AI in each domain. For example, if there is a change that cannot be satisfied from the viewpoint of quality that an operator must comply with (such as terms of service or policies) or user experience, a change request is sent to the domain. That is, the AI controller may determine whether or not the contents accompanying operations and changes in each domain satisfy the criteria.

[0045] For example, not only monitoring for each individual AI, but also overall monitoring such as the influence between AIs can be performed, and actions can be taken on each AI as necessary.

[0046] In step S108, by way of example, as a result of monitoring, since the BS has reduced resources and can no longer secure sufficient throughput, a notification is sent to control the BS to increase resources and secure sufficient throughput.

[0047] Note that the base station and network node shown in FIG. 4 are examples, and other network nodes may implement the same functions.

[0048] According to the above-described embodiment, when AI executes setting change based on inference in each domain, the monitoring AI can perform control so as not to deviate from criteria or rules.

[0049] That is, in the network, activities by AI (Artificial Intelligence) in each domain can be monitored.

[0050] (Device Configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10, the network node 30, and the terminal 20 that execute the processing and operations described so far will be described. The base station 10, the network node 30, and the terminal 20 include functions for implementing the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, the network node 30, and the terminal 20 may each be provided with only some of the functions in the embodiments.

[0051] <Base Station 10 and Network Node 30> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the base station 10 includes a transmission unit 110, a reception unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example. Any functional division and names of functional units are acceptable as long as the operations according to the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented. Note that the network node 30 may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Furthermore, the network node 30 having a plurality of different functions in terms of system architecture may be configured from a plurality of network nodes 30 separated for each function.

[0052] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or other network node 30 and transmitting the signal by wire or wireless. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or other network node 30 and obtaining information from the received signal, for example, information from a higher layer.

[0053] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device, and reads it from the storage device as needed. The contents of the setting information include, for example, settings related to the operation described in the embodiment.

[0054] The control unit 140 performs processing related to the operations described in the embodiment, as described in the embodiment. The control unit 140 also performs processing related to communication with the terminal 20. The signal transmission function in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function in the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0055] <Terminal 20> Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20. As shown in Figure 6, terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 6 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they enable the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and acquires signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The receiving unit 220 also has the function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals or reference signals transmitted from the network node 30.

[0057] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the network node 30 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores pre-configured setting information. The content of the setting information is, for example, settings related to the operation described in the embodiment.

[0058] The control unit 240 performs the processing related to the operation described in the embodiment, as described in the embodiment. The control unit 240 also performs processing related to the capacity enhancement cell. The signal transmission function unit of the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function unit of the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0059] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 5 and 6) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0060] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0061] For example, the network node 30, terminal 20, etc. in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 and terminal 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 30 may have the same hardware configuration as the base station 10. The above-mentioned base station 10 and terminal 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0062] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be read as "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0063] Each function in the base station 10 and terminal 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0064] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0065] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 5 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 6 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0066] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital multipurpose disk, a Blu-ray® disk), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0068] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antenna, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0069] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0070] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0071] Furthermore, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0072] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 8, vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0073] The drive unit 2002 consists of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel, which is operated by the user.

[0074] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0075] Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 for sensing motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals acquired by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals acquired by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals acquired by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals acquired by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals acquired by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals acquired by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals acquired by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals acquired by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0076] The Information Services Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Services Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001.

[0077] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0078] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via the communication port 2033 between the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0079] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information with external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0080] The communication module 2013 transmits current signals from current sensors input to the electronic control unit 2010 to an external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 also transmits, via wireless communication, the following signals input to the electronic control unit 2010: front and rear wheel rotation speed signals acquired by the rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals acquired by the air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals acquired by the acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression amount signals acquired by the accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression amount signals acquired by the brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals acquired by the shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc., acquired by the object detection sensor 2028.

[0081] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, distance information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external device in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0082] (Summary of Embodiments) (1) A network node comprising a communication unit that monitors each domain within a mobile network, and a control unit that determines whether the content of AI (Artificial Intelligence) operations and changes in each domain meets the criteria, wherein the communication unit, when the control unit determines that the content of operations and changes in a domain does not meet the criteria, requests that the domain make changes to comply with the criteria. (2) The network node described in 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the content of AI operations and changes in each domain meets the terms and conditions or policies that operators must follow. (3) The network node described in 1, when the control unit determines whether the content of AI operations and changes in each domain meets the criteria from a user experience perspective. (4) The network node described in 1, which monitors the impact between multiple domains. (5) The network node described in 1, when the control unit determines that resources in a domain have decreased and sufficient throughput cannot be secured, requests that the domain increase resources and secure sufficient throughput. (Clause 6) A control method in which a network node performs the following steps: a procedure for monitoring each domain within a mobile network; a procedure for determining whether the actions and changes made by AI (Artificial Intelligence) in each domain meet the criteria; and a procedure for requesting a domain to make changes to comply with the criteria if it is determined that the actions and changes made in a certain domain do not meet the criteria.

[0083] In any of the above configurations, a technology is provided to monitor the activities of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in each domain within the network. According to paragraphs 2 to 5, when the AI ​​in each domain performs configuration changes based on inference, the monitoring AI can control it so as not to deviate from the standards or rules.

[0084] (Supplement to Embodiments) Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. The processing procedures described in the embodiments may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the network node 30 and terminal 20 have been described using a functional block diagram, but such devices may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the network node 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in any suitable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium.

[0085] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other methods. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0086] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of the following systems: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA®, GSM®, CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi®), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX®), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0087] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure refers to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 may apply to at least one system utilizing UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. Alternatively, multiple systems may be applied in combination (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0088] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0089] In this specification, specific operations performed by network node 30 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having network node 30, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with terminal 20 can be performed by network node 30 and at least one other network node (for example, MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides network node 30, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, MME and S-GW).

[0090] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0091] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0092] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0093] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0094] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0095] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0096] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0097] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0098] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0099] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0100] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0101] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0102] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0103] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0104] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0105] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the network node 30 described above has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0106] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0107] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0108] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0109] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0110] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0111] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0112] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0113] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0114] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0115] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0116] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0117] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0118] 10 Base station 110 Transmitting unit 120 Receiving unit 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitting unit 220 Receiving unit 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 30 Network node 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering unit 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift lever 2007 Front wheel 2008 Rear wheel 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic control unit 2012 Information service unit 2013 Communication module 2021 Current sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Air pressure sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object detection sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver assistance system unit 2031 Microprocessor 2032 Memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (I / O port)

Claims

1. A network node comprising: a communication unit that monitors each domain within a mobile network; and a control unit that determines whether the actions and changes made by AI (Artificial Intelligence) in each domain meet the criteria, wherein the communication unit requests the domain to make changes to comply with the criteria if the control unit determines that the actions and changes made in a certain domain do not meet the criteria.

2. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the content of the AI-driven operations and changes in each domain satisfies the terms and conditions or policies that the operator must adhere to.

3. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the content resulting from the AI's operation and changes in each domain meets the criteria from a user experience perspective.

4. The communication unit is a network node according to claim 1, which monitors the influence between multiple domains.

5. The network node according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit, when it determines that the resources in a certain domain have decreased and sufficient throughput cannot be secured, requests the domain to increase its resources and secure sufficient throughput.

6. A control method in which a network node performs the following steps: a procedure for monitoring each domain within a mobile network; a procedure for determining whether the actions and changes made by AI (Artificial Intelligence) in each domain meet the criteria; and a procedure for requesting a domain to make changes to comply with the criteria if it is determined that the actions and changes made in a certain domain do not meet the criteria.

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