Energy-Aware Communication Network Functions via UDR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems do not consider user demands related to energy consumption, efficiency, and renewable energy usage, as these factors are not included in subscription data, leading to suboptimal communication processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a first NF to hold energy-related information for each user terminal and a second NF to perform communication processes based on this information, considering energy conditions such as consumption, efficiency, and renewable energy use, enabling informed decision-making for network functions like policy generation and slice selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy-related information is not included in subscription data, then subscription data structure remains simple and existing, but communication processes cannot optimize for energy consumption, efficiency, and renewable energy usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing energy-related subscription information (energy consumption preferences, energy efficiency requirements, renewable energy usage conditions) in the UDR before communication processes occur. This allows the AMF, SMF, and PCF to retrieve and apply this information during communication establishment and management, enabling optimized decision-making regarding energy consumption without adding complexity to real-time processing.
2Loss of energy
If energy conditions are considered in communication processes, then energy optimization is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional information handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the UDR (Unified Data Repository) as an intermediary to store and manage energy-related subscription information. Instead of embedding energy management logic directly in multiple network functions, the UDR serves as a centralized intermediary that stores energy preferences and allows various NFs (AMF, SMF, PCF) to retrieve and apply this information independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy optimization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by having the UDR serve multiple functions: storing user subscription data, storing energy-related information, and providing this information to multiple different network functions (AMF, SMF, PCF). This multi-functional approach consolidates the system architecture, avoiding the need for separate specialized storage and management mechanisms for each NF, thereby reducing system complexity while enabling comprehensive energy optimization.
3Productivity
If energy-related subscription data is stored and utilized, then communication can be optimized for energy conditions, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UDR is designed as a universal data repository that handles multiple types of subscription data (user information, service preferences, energy-related conditions) in a unified manner. This allows the system to manage energy-related data without creating separate complex management systems, as the UDR's existing multi-functional architecture already supports diverse data types and access patterns required by different network functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes: a first NF (Network Function) configured to hold, for each of a plurality of user terminals, first information including conditions related to energy in communication; and a second NF configured to perform, based on the first information about a first user terminal included among the plurality of user terminals, a predetermined process related to communication of the first user terminal. The conditions related to energy in communication include at least any of a condition about energy consumption, a condition about energy efficiency, and a condition about use of renewable energy.