Service-Level Energy Efficiency Control in Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3GPP energy efficiency activities focus primarily on network components, with little emphasis on managing or controlling energy consumption and efficiency at the service or application level, and neither MDAF nor NWDAF support analytics related to service-level energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Service-Level Energy Efficiency Control Function (SEECF) to manage and control energy efficiency at the service level by receiving requests, obtaining energy information, determining policies, and configuring network nodes and functions to operate accordingly, along with a Data Analytics Function (DAF) to provide EE analytics and an Energy Analytics Data Repository (EADR) to store and retrieve EE information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy efficiency management is implemented at the network component level using existing MDAF or NWDAF, then network-wide energy monitoring is achieved, but service-level energy efficiency control is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy efficiency management into two distinct levels: network component level (handled by existing MDAF/NWDAF) and service level (handled by the new SEECF). This segmentation allows each level to operate independently with appropriate granularity, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision at component level and adaptability at service level.
2Reliability
If a comprehensive energy efficiency management system is implemented at both network and service levels, then complete energy control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SEECF acts as an intermediary layer between the service level and the network component level. It receives energy efficiency requirements from services, translates them into actionable policies, and coordinates with existing MDAF/NWDAF systems. This intermediary approach maintains reliability by ensuring complete energy control while managing complexity through clear interface definitions and standardized communication protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If service-level energy efficiency policies are implemented, then energy efficiency requirements of individual services are met, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SEECF is designed as a universal platform that can handle energy efficiency requirements for multiple different services through standardized interfaces and policies. Instead of implementing separate solutions for each service, the universal SEECF provides multi-functional capability to manage energy efficiency across diverse services, thereby reducing deployment complexity while maintaining service-specific adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods for a service-level energy efficiency (EE) control function (SEECF) of a communication network. Such methods include receiving an EE management request related to a service provided to end users via the communication network and obtaining, from a data analytics function (DAF) of the communication network, EE information related to the service's operation in the communication network. Such methods include determining an EE policy for the service based on the EE management request and on the obtained EE information. Such methods include configuring one or more of the following in the communication network to operate according to the determined EE policy: one or more network nodes or functions (NNFs) that carry or facilitate data traffic for the service, one or more management functions, (MFs) that control or manage the NNFs. Other embodiments include complementary methods for DAFs, EADRs, and NNFs, and network equipment configured to implement such methods.