Patent Application
20240224009
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0191209, filed on Dec. 30, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The disclosure relates to a mobile communication system (or a radio communication system) and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for configuring a policy in order to provide edge computing service information in a mobile communication system.
5th generation (5G) mobile communication technologies define broad frequency bands such that high transmission rates and new services are possible, and can be implemented not only in “Sub 6 GHz” bands such as 3.5 GHz, but also in “Above 6 GHz” bands referred to as mmWave including 28 GHz and 39 GHz. In addition, it has been considered to implement 6G mobile communication technologies (referred to as Beyond 5G systems) in terahertz (THz) bands (for example, 95 GHz to 3 THz bands) in order to accomplish transmission rates fifty times faster than 5G mobile communication technologies and ultra-low latencies one-tenth of 5G mobile communication technologies.
At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technologies, in order to support services and to satisfy performance requirements in connection with enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), there has been ongoing standardization regarding beamforming and massive MIMO for mitigating radio-wave path loss and increasing radio-wave transmission distances in mmWave, supporting numerologies (for example, operating multiple subcarrier spacings) for efficiently utilizing mmWave resources and dynamic operation of slot formats, initial access technologies for supporting multi-beam transmission and broadbands, definition and operation of BWP (BandWidth Part), new channel coding methods such as a LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code for large amount of data transmission and a polar code for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 pre-processing, and network slicing for providing a dedicated network specialized to a specific service.
Currently, there are ongoing discussions regarding improvement and performance enhancement of initial 5G mobile communication technologies in view of services to be supported by 5G mobile communication technologies, and there has been physical layer standardization regarding technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) for aiding driving determination by autonomous vehicles based on information regarding positions and states of vehicles transmitted by the vehicles and for enhancing user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) aimed at system operations conforming to various regulation-related requirements in unlicensed bands, NR UE Power Saving, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) which is UE-satellite direct communication for providing coverage in an area in which communication with terrestrial networks is unavailable, and positioning.
Moreover, there has been ongoing standardization in air interface architecture/protocol regarding technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through interworking and convergence with other industries, IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) for providing a node for network service area expansion by supporting a wireless backhaul link and an access link in an integrated manner, mobility enhancement including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Protocol Stack) handover, and two-step random access for simplifying random access procedures (2-step RACH for NR). There also has been ongoing standardization in system architecture/service regarding a 5G baseline architecture (for example, service based architecture or service based interface) for combining Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE positions.
As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, connected devices that have been exponentially increasing will be connected to communication networks, and it is accordingly expected that enhanced functions and performances of 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operations of connected devices will be necessary. To this end, new research is scheduled in connection with extended Reality (XR) for efficiently supporting AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality) and the like, 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support, and drone communication.
Furthermore, such development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve as a basis for developing not only new waveforms for providing coverage in terahertz bands of 6G mobile communication technologies, multi-antenna transmission technologies such as Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas and large-scale antennas, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving coverage of terahertz band signals, high-dimensional space multiplexing technology using OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum), and RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), but also full-duplex technology for increasing frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technologies and improving system networks, AI-based communication technology for implementing system optimization by utilizing satellites and AI (Artificial Intelligence) from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and next-generation distributed computing technology for implementing services at levels of complexity exceeding the limit of UE operation capability by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources.
With the development of communication systems, a demand for smooth provision of an edge service to a roaming user equipment (UE) has been increased.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.
In order to use an edge computing service via a home routed (HR) session, a roaming user equipment (UE) may make a breakout of the corresponding session into a local data network (or a local access part of a data network) in which an edge computing server of a visited network is installed.
In the case of the HR session, a method of interoperating with a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) and applying a roaming offloading policy (e.g., quality of service (QoS) and usage amount monitoring and the like) associated with a breakout session that diverges without intervention of a policy control function (PCF) or a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN) is not defined. Configuring a policy to control QoS and usage amount monitoring and the like associated with a breakout session may be essential to control a network resource for providing a service to a roaming UE and a normal subscriber UE.
In addition, even when a roaming UE uses an edge computing service via a local break out (LBO) session, the roaming UE makes a breakout of an LBO session and accesses a local data network (or a local access part of a data network). In this instance, it is needed to configure a roaming offloading policy associated with a breakout session and to control QoS and usage amount monitoring associated with the corresponding session.
Therefore, the disclosure provides a method of efficiently configuring and applying a policy associated with a session of a roaming UE. Specifically, there are provided methods of configuring a policy to support a roaming service via a HR session and an LBO session. In addition, the disclosure provides a method in association with a process in which a network entity (e.g., a session management function (SMF) entity) of a visited network obtains a roaming offloading policy and a process in which a PCF of a visited network or a home network produces/allows/corrects a session management policy for the corresponding HR session.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by a first SMF entity of a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) is provided. The method comprises: transmitting, to a policy control function (PCF) entity of the HPLMN, a first message for requesting an offloading policy for a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN), the first message including information indicating that a protocol data unit (PDU) session of the VPLMN supports a home routed session breakout (HR-SBO); and receiving, from the PCF entity of the HPLMN, a second message as a response to the first message, the second message including the offloading policy for the VPLMN based on the information.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by a PCF entity in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a first SMF entity of a HPLMN, a first message for requesting an offloading policy for a VPLMN, the first message including information indicating that a PDU session of the VPLMN supports HR-SBO; and transmitting, to the first SMF entity of the HPLMN, a second message as a response to the first message, the second message including the offloading policy for the VPLMN based on the information.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a first SMF entity is provided. The first SMF entity comprises: a transceiver; and a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to: transmit, to a PCF entity of the HPLMN, a first message for requesting an offloading policy for a VPLMN, the first message including information indicating that a PDU session of the VPLMN supports a HR-SBO, and receive, from the PCF entity of the HPLMN, a second message as a response to the first message, the second message including the offloading policy for the VPLMN based on the information.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a PCF entity is provided. The PCF entity comprises: a transceiver; and a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to: receive, from a first SMF entity of a HPLMN, a first message for requesting an offloading policy for a VPLMN, the first message including information indicating that a PDU session of the VPLMN supports a HR-SBO, and transmit, to the first SMF entity of the HPLMN, a second message as a response to the first message, the second message including the offloading policy for the VPLMN based on the information.
According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a process of configuring and applying a roaming offloading policy needed for providing an edge computing service to a roaming UE may be efficiently performed. In addition, network resources respectively provided to the service of a normal UE and the service of a roaming UE may be dynamically and efficiently controlled via a roaming offloading policy.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.
Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computer readable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.
Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the drawings, the same or like elements are designated by the same or like reference signs as much as possible. Furthermore, a detailed description of known functions or configurations that may make the subject matter of the disclosure unclear will be omitted.
In describing the embodiments, descriptions related to technical contents well-known in the art and not associated directly with the disclosure will be omitted. Such an omission of unnecessary descriptions is intended to prevent obscuring of the main idea of the disclosure and more clearly transfer the main idea.
For the same reason, in the accompanying drawings, some elements may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. Further, the size of each element does not completely reflect the actual size. In the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are provided with identical reference numerals.
The advantages and features of the disclosure and ways to achieve them will be apparent by making reference to embodiments as described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, but may be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided only to completely disclose the disclosure and inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure, and the disclosure is defined only by the scope of the appended claims. Throughout the specification, the same or like reference numerals designate the same or like elements.
Herein, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer usable or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.
Furthermore, each block of the flowchart illustrations may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.
As used herein, the “unit” refers to a software element or a hardware element, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs a predetermined function. However, the “unit” does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. The “unit” may be constructed either to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors. Therefore, the “unit” includes, for example, software elements, object-oriented software elements, class elements or task elements, processes, functions, properties, procedures, sub-routines, segments of a program code, drivers, firmware, micro-codes, circuits, data, database, data structures, tables, arrays, and parameters. The elements and functions provided by the “unit” may be either combined into a smaller number of elements, or a “unit,” or divided into a larger number of elements, or a “unit.” Moreover, the elements and “units” or may be implemented to reproduce one or more CPUs within a device or a security multimedia card. Furthermore, the “unit” in the embodiments may include one or more processors.
In the following description, terms for identifying access nodes, terms referring to network entities, terms referring to messages, terms referring to interfaces between network entities, terms referring to various identification information, and the like are illustratively used for the sake of descriptive convenience. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited by the terms as used below, and other terms referring to subjects having equivalent technical meanings may be used.
In the following description, the disclosure will be described using terms and names defined in the 3rd generation partnership project long term evolution (3GPP LTE) or new radio (NR) standards for the sake of descriptive convenience. However, the disclosure is not limited by these terms and names, and may be applied in the same way to systems that conform other standards.
In the following description, a base station (BS) is an entity that allocates resources to terminals, and may be at least one of a radio access network (RAN) node, a gNode B (next generation node B, gNB), an eNode B (evolved node B, eNB), a Node B, a wireless access unit, a base station controller, and a node on a network. In the disclosure, the term “eNB” may be interchangeably used with the term “gNB.” That is, a base station described as “eNB” may indicate “gNB.”
In the following description, a terminal may include a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a cellular phone, a smartphone, a computer, or a multimedia system capable of performing communication functions. Of course, examples of the base station and the terminal are not limited thereto.
In the disclosure, terms referring to network entities, network functions (NFs), network nodes, and edge computing system entities, terms referring to messages, terms referring to identification information, and the like are illustratively used for the sake of descriptive convenience. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited by the terms as used below, and other terms referring to subjects having equivalent technical meanings may be used. For example, in the following description, the term “terminal” may refer to an MAC entity in each terminal that exists for each of a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG).
In particular, the disclosure may be applied to 3GPP NR (5th generation mobile communication standards). In addition, the disclosure may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, healthcare, digital education, retail business, security and safety-related services, etc.) on the basis of 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. The term “terminal” may refer to mobile phones, NB-IOT devices, sensors, and other wireless communication devices.
A wireless communication system is advancing to a broadband wireless communication system for providing high-speed and high-quality packet data services using communication standards, such as high-speed packet access (HSPA) of 3GPP, LTE {long-term evolution or evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA)}, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Pro, high-rate packet data (HRPD) of 3GPP2, ultra-mobile broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.16e, and the like, as well as typical voice-based services.
As a typical example of the broadband wireless communication system, an LTE system employs an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme in a downlink (DL) and employs a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) scheme in an uplink (UL). The uplink indicates a radio link through which a user equipment (UE) (or a mobile station (MS)) transmits data or control signals to a base station (BS) (eNode B), and the downlink indicates a radio link through which the base station transmits data or control signals to the UE. The above multiple access scheme separates data or control information of respective users by allocating and operating time-frequency resources for transmitting the data or control information for each user so as to avoid overlapping each other, that is, so as to establish orthogonality.
Since a 5G communication system, which is a post-LTE communication system, must freely reflect various requirements of users, service providers, and the like, services satisfying various requirements must be supported. The services considered in the 5G communication system include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communication, massive machine-type communication (mMTC), ultra-reliability low-latency communication (URLLC), and the like.
According to an embodiment, eMBB aims at providing a data rate higher than that supported by existing LTE, LTE-A, or LTE-Pro. For example, in the 5G communication system, eMBB must provide a peak data rate of 20 Gbps in the downlink and a peak data rate of 10 Gbps in the uplink for a single base station. Furthermore, the 5G communication system must provide an increased user-perceived data rate to the UE, as well as the maximum data rate. In order to satisfy such requirements, transmission/reception technologies including a further enhanced multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission technique are required to be improved. In addition, the data rate required for the 5G communication system may be obtained using a frequency bandwidth more than 20 MHz in a frequency band of 3 to 6 GHz or 6 GHz or more, instead of transmitting signals using a transmission bandwidth up to 20 MHz in a band of 2 GHz used in LTE.
In addition, mMTC is being considered to support application services such as the Internet of Things (IOT) in the 5G communication system. mMTC has requirements, such as support of connection of a large number of UEs in a cell, enhancement coverage of UEs, improved battery time, a reduction in the cost of a UE, and the like, in order to effectively provide the Internet of Things. Since the Internet of Things provides communication functions while being provided to various sensors and various devices, it must support a large number of UEs (e.g., 1,000,000 UEs/km2) in a cell. In addition, the UEs supporting mMTC may require wider coverage than those of other services provided by the 5G communication system because the UEs are likely to be located in a shadow area, such as a basement of a building, which is not covered by the cell due to the nature of the service. The UE supporting mMTC must be configured to be inexpensive, and may require a very long battery life-time such as 10 to 15 years because it is difficult to frequently replace the battery of the UE.
Lastly, URLLC, which is a cellular-based mission-critical wireless communication service, may be used for remote control for robots or machines, industrial automation, unmanned aerial vehicles, remote health care, emergency alert, and the like. Thus, URLLC must provide communication with ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability. For example, a service supporting URLLC must satisfy an air interface latency of less than 0.5 ms, and also requires a packet error rate of 10-5 or less. Therefore, for the services supporting URLLC, a 5G system must provide a transmit time interval (TTI) shorter than those of other services, and also may require a design for assigning a large number of resources in a frequency band in order to secure reliability of a communication link.
The above-described three services considered in the 5G communication system, that is, eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC, may be multiplexed and transmitted in a single system. In order to satisfy different requirements of the respective services, different transmission/reception techniques and transmission/reception parameters may be used between the services. However, the above mMTC, URLLC, and eMBB are merely examples of different types of services, and service types to which the disclosure is applied are not limited to the above examples.
In the following description of embodiments of the disclosure, the LTE, LTE-A, LTE Pro, 5G (or NR), or 6G system will be described by way of example, but the embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to other communication systems having similar backgrounds or channel types. Furthermore, based on determinations by those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to other communication systems through some modifications without significantly departing from the scope of the disclosure.
In the following description of the disclosure, terms and names defined in the 5G system standards are used for the sake of descriptive convenience. However, the disclosure is not limited by these terms and names, and may be applied in the same way to systems that conform other standards.
A 5G system structure that supports home routed (HR) roaming may include various network functions (NF), and
Each NF may support the following functions:
A network function or network entities illustrated in
A series of procedures illustrated in
In the case of the UDM and UDR, whether HR roaming session breakout is allowed and a roaming offloading policy may be configured for each VPLMN ID. In addition, whether the HR roaming session breakout is allowed and roaming offloading policy information may be configured to be different for each DNN and S-NSSAI. For example, information associated with whether HR roaming session breakout is allowed and a roaming offloading policy may be configured for each combination of a PLMN ID, a DNN, and an S-NSSAI. The roaming offloading policy may include values, such as an AMBR for a subscribed session of a local part of a DN, a subscribed data traffic volume threshold for a local part of a DN, and the like.
After completing the procedures described with reference to
V-UPF1 that acts as an uplink classifier or branch point may perform UL session AMBR enforcement configured by the V-SMF, and may perform usage amount monitoring with respect to a local part of a DN and the entire HR session.
V-UPF 2 that acts as a PSA for a local part of a DN may perform enforcement of a DL session AMBR configured by the V-SMF and an AMBR for a DL session of a local part of a DN, and may perform usage amount monitoring with respect to a local part of DN.
In addition, the H-UPF may perform DL session AMBR enforcement and usage amount monitoring with respect to a HR roaming session configured by the H-SMF.
An operation in which the H-SMF in the procedures of
In addition, the H-SMF may obtain edge deployment information in the VPLMN from the V-SMF in order to produce a roaming offloading policy to be applied in the VPLMN, the information may be configured in advance in the H-SMF, or the information may be obtained via a H-NEF. In addition, the H-SMF may determine a roaming offloading policy based on autonomously configured information without interoperation with the H-PCF, and may provide the same to the V-SMF. For example, in a network in which the H-PCF is not used, the H-SMF may configure a roaming offloading policy based on the UDM or autonomously configured information.
For reference: the UPF that functions as an uplink classifier or a branchpoint may also function as a PDU session anchor for a local part of a DN. In addition, instead of the UPF that functions as an uplink classifier or branchpoint, a separate V-UPF may be configured and may be used as a PDU session anchor for a local part of a DN. In this instance, for the UPF that functions as a PDU session anchor with respect to a local part of a DN, the V-SMF may configure a roaming offloading policy related to a session for a local part of a DN that is configured for the UPF that functions as an uplink classifier or branchpoint.
As illustrated in
The transceiver 510 is the collective name for the receiver of the UE and the transmitter of the UE, and may be capable of performing signal transmission or reception with a base station or a network entity. The signal transmitted or received by the base station may include control information and data. To this end, the transceiver 510 may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies a received signal and down-converts the frequency of the signal, and the like. This is merely an example of the transceiver 510, and the component elements of the transceiver 510 are not limited to an RF transmitter and an RF receiver.
In addition, the transceiver 510 may include a wired or wireless transceiver, and may include various configurations for signal transmission or reception. In addition, the transceiver 510 may receive a signal via a wireless channel and may output the same to the UE controller 530, and may transmit a signal output from the UE controller 530 via a wireless channel. In addition, the transceiver 510 may receive a communication signal and may output the same to the UE controller 530, and may transmit a signal output from the UE controller 530 to a base station or a network entity via a wired or wireless network.
The memory 520 may store a program and data needed when the UE operates. In addition, the memory 520 may store control information or data included in a signal obtained by the UE. The memory 520 may be configured as a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, and the like, or a combination of storage media.
The UE controller 530 may control a series of processes such that the UE operates according to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure. The UE controller 530 may include at least one processor. For example, the UE controller 530 may include a communication processor (CP) that performs control for communication, and an application processor (AP) that controls an upper layer such as an application program or the like.
As illustrated in
The transceiver 610 is the collective name for the receiver of the base station and the transmitter of the base station, and may be capable of performing signal transmission or reception with a UE and/or a network entity. The transmitted or received signal may include control information and data. To this end, the transceiver 610 may include an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies a received signal and down-converts the frequency of the signal, and the like. This is merely an example of the transceiver 610, and the component elements of the transceiver 610 are not limited to an RF transmitter and an RF receiver. In addition, the transceiver 610 may include a wired or wireless transceiver, and may include various configurations for signal transmission or reception.
In addition, the transceiver 610 may receive a signal via a communication channel (e.g., a wireless channel) and output the same to the base station controller 630, and may transmit a signal output from the base station controller 630 via a communication channel. In addition, the transceiver 610 may receive a communication signal and may output the same to a processor, and may transmit a signal output from the processor to a UE or a network entity via a wired or wireless network.
The memory 620 may store a program and data needed when the base station operates. In addition, the memory 620 may store control information or data included in a signal obtained by the base station. The memory 620 may be configured as a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, and the like, or a combination of storage media.
The base station controller 630 may control a series of processes such that the base station operates according to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure. The controller 630 may include at least one processor. Methods stated in claims or specifications of the disclosure may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
As illustrated in
The transceiver 710 may be the collective name of the receiver of the network function (or network entity) and the transmitter of the base station, and may perform signal transmission or reception with a UE, a base station, and/or another network function (or another network entity). In this instance, the transmitted or received signal may include control information and data. To this end, the transceiver 710 may communicate with nodes in a core network via a wired or wireless transceiver. This is merely an example of the transceiver 710, and the component elements of the transceiver 710 may include an RF transmitter to up-convert and amplify the frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver to low-noise amplify a received signal and to down-convert a frequency, and the like, and may include various configurations to perform signal transmission or reception.
In addition, the transceiver 710 may receive a signal via a communication channel (e.g., a wireless channel or a channel of a core network) and output the same to the NF controller 730, and may transmit a signal output from the NF controller 730 via a communication channel. In addition, the transceiver 710 may receive a communication signal and may output the same to the NF controller 730, and may transmit a signal output from the NF controller 730 to a UE, a base station, or a network entity via a wired or wireless network.
The memory 720 may store a program and data needed when the network function (or network entity) operates. In addition, the memory 720 may store control information or data included in a signal obtained by the network function (or network entity). The memory 720 may be embodied as a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, and the like, or a combination of storage media.
The NF controller 730 may control a series of processes in which the network function (or network entity) operates according to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure. The NF controller 730 may include at least one processor. Methods stated in claims or specifications of the disclosure may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
The methods according to various embodiments described in the claims or the specification of the disclosure may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
When the methods are implemented by software, a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be configured for execution by one or more processors within the electronic device. The at least one program may include instructions that cause the electronic device to perform the methods according to various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and/or disclosed herein.
The programs (software modules or software) may be stored in non-volatile memories including a random access memory and a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVDs), or other type optical storage devices, or a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, any combination of some or all of them may form a memory in which the program is stored. Furthermore, a plurality of such memories may be included in the electronic device.
In addition, the programs may be stored in an attachable storage device which may access the electronic device through communication networks such as the Internet, Intranet, local area network (LAN), wide LAN (WLAN), and storage area network (SAN) or a combination thereof. Such a storage device may access the electronic device via an external port. Furthermore, a separate storage device on the communication network may access a portable electronic device.
In the above-described detailed embodiments of the disclosure, an element included in the disclosure is expressed in the singular or the plural according to presented detailed embodiments. However, the singular form or plural form is selected appropriately to the presented situation for the convenience of description, and the disclosure is not limited by elements expressed in the singular or the plural. Therefore, either an element expressed in the plural may also include a single element or an element expressed in the singular may also include multiple elements.
Although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the disclosure, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It will be apparent that, for example, a part or all of some embodiments may be combined with a part or all of other one or more embodiments and these combinations also fall within embodiments provided in the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should not be defined as being limited to the embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the disclosure, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should not be defined as being limited to the embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0191209 | Dec 2022 | KR | national |
