WO2023204738A1

WO2023204738A1 - Methods, wireless device and network nodes for handling communication in a wireless communications network

Info

Publication number: WO2023204738A1
Application number: PCT/SE2022/050379
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrik Rugeland; Mårten ERICSON
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2022-04-19
Filing date: 2022-04-19
Publication date: 2023-10-26

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to, for example, a method performed by a wireless device (10)for handling a service at the wireless device in a wireless communications network. Thewireless device transmits a request in a radio resource control, RRC, message to a radionetwork node (12), to offload one or more computations of a task related to the service atthe wireless device, from the wireless device to one or more computational resources inthe wireless communications network.

Description

METHODS, WIRELESS DEVICE AND NETWORK NODES FOR HANDLING

COMMUNICATION IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a first network node, a second network node, a wireless device, and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to handling communication in a wireless communications network. The project leading to this application has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101015956.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communications network, wireless devices, also known as user equipments (UE), wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or communication devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, with each service area or cell area being served by radio network node such as an access node e.g. a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB. The service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. One or more radio network nodes operate on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the wireless devices within range of the radio network node. Respective radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the wireless device and the wireless device communicates over an uplink (UL) to the respective radio network node.

A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g., as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, such as 6G networks and development of 5G such as New Radio (NR). The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

With the 5G technologies such as NR, the use of very many transmit- and receiveantenna elements may be of great interest as it makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions.

In the next generation mobile network, also known as the sixth generation (6G), it is envisioned that the network will provide computational capabilities to all nodes and devices which needs it in a so-called Network Compute Fabric.

Apart from connectivity and communication, the network will offer computation and storage of data and information in a flexible manner so that devices and network nodes can offload computations of services, applications, functions, or tasks to another node and receive the computational output. The output could be for instance a data set or an instruction which the device or network node can e.g., forward, display, or act upon.

The benefit of this is that devices and network nodes can be deployed using much simpler processors and memory storages and utilizing the connectivity to the network to access computational resources in the Radio Access Network (RAN), Core Network (CN) or the cloud, see Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows integration of compute and storage capabilities in the edge to support both network and 3rd party applications, see for example https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2020/2/distributed-compute-and-storage-technology- trend.

In Ericsson White Paper, GFTL-20:001402, November 2020 it is stated that: 6G will bring all physical things into the realm of compute. It will act not only as a connector but also as a controller of physical systems — ranging from simple terminals, complex and performance-sensitive robot control, and augmented reality applications — hosting computing intertwined with communication in a network compute fabric for the highest efficiency.

Service providers can utilize their assets by integrating compute and storage into increasingly virtualized networks to provide applications with maximum performance, reliability, low jitter, and millisecond latencies. The Network Compute Fabric will thus provide tools and services beyond connectivity, such as accelerated compute and data services for customer segments and verticals, including enterprises and industries.

Such a system can only be realized via the collaboration of a broad set of actors working in the same federated ecosystem. Network and cloud providers, application developers, service providers, and device and equipment vendors all have a role to play. Much of the interaction between the players will happen in software, where a broker-less marketplace will help the ecosystem to scale, featuring automated contract negotiation and fulfillment supporting sales, delivery, and charging operations. Such an ecosystem can be viewed as a combination of the existing ecosystems around the air interface, the internet, and cloud services.

Applications developed to interact with physical reality need to be highly distributed in order to be close to data sources and data consumers, such as sensors and actuators, in the cases of, for example, radio beamforming, closed-loop control of mission- critical processes, and intelligent aggregation of large amounts of data. This poses several new challenges to computing. New ways of combining, placing, and executing software are needed to meet real-time deadlines even in the face of user mobility or failures. Stringent energy requirements will also have to be met by, for example, exposure and optimal utilization of energy-efficient, specialized computational hardware.

Service based architecture (SBA).

In 3GPP TS 23.501 V.17.1.0, the concept of service-based architecture is introduced as seen in Fig. 2, where network functions, e.g., Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), within the Control Plane (CP) enables other authorized network functions to access their services. This representation also includes point-to-point reference points where necessary. Thus, each of the network functions (NF) exposes certain functionalities, which can be accessed by the other NFs via the interfaces. The AMF and session management function (SMF) also have point-to-point interfaces to the user plane function (UPF), radio access network (RAN) or access network (AN), and wireless device (UE).

SUMMARY

As part of developing embodiments herein one or more problems have been identified. Wireless devices running, or intending to run, a function, an application, a program, or a service will always require moderate or significant amount of computation. As long as the application is easy to run, the wireless device can handle this by itself. However, if the wireless device needs to perform very demanding applications, e.g., applications such as extended reality (XR), advanced machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (Al) evaluations, sensing applications, localization applications, gaming applications etc., the wireless device may experience problems with the wireless device computing processes. For example, computations on the wireless device may take too long time or consume too much energy for the application to operate satisfactorily. For instance, the computation may introduce too large latencies or drain the battery too much to satisfy a quality-of-experience (QoE) criterium.

An object herein is to provide a mechanism to enable service handling in an efficient manner in a wireless communications network.

According to an aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a wireless device for handling a service at the wireless device in a wireless communications network. The wireless device transmits a request in a radio resource control (RRC) message to a radio network node, to offload, from the wireless device to one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network, one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device.

According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a first network node, such as core network node or a radio access network node, for handling a service of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The first network node obtains an indication of a need of one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device, one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device. The first network node then triggers a process to provide the one or more computational resources for the wireless device taking the indication into account. For example, the first network node may provide the one or more computational resources from itself or from another network node, and/or may request provision of the one or more computational resources from another network node.

According to yet another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a second network node, such as core network node or a radio access network node, for handling a service of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The second network node obtains a request from a first network node for one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device, one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device. The second network node transmits to the first network node, a response confirming or rejecting, at least partly, said request.

According to still another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a wireless device for handling a service at the wireless device in a wireless communications network. The wireless device is configured to transmit a request in a RRC message to a radio network node, to offload, from the wireless device to one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network, one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device.

According to yet still another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a first network node, such as core network node or a radio access network node, for handling a service of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The first network node is configured to obtain an indication of a need of one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device, one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device. The first network node is further configured to trigger a process to provide the one or more computational resources for the wireless device taking the indication into account. For example, the first network node may be configured to provide the one or more computational resources from itself or from another network node, and/or to request provision of the one or more computational resources from another network node.

According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to embodiments herein, by providing a second network node, such as core network node or a radio access network node, for handling a service of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The second network node is configured to obtain a request from a first network node for one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device, one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device. The second network node is further configured to transmit to the first network node, a response confirming or rejecting, at least partly, said request.

Embodiments herein introduce methods for a wireless device as well as for network nodes to enable offloading of one or more computations, of a task related to a service at the wireless device, from the wireless device and/or informing the wireless device that network computational capacity are available for the wireless device to offload resource heavy computations of the task related to the service. Thus, the task as such may be performed more efficiently upon request from the wireless device. A network node, such as the first network node, may configure the wireless device in order provide access to the one or more computational resources, and to provide outputs from the one or more computations to the wireless device.

Embodiments herein may further comprise methods performed by the wireless device to inform the network of its capability to offload computations, and to request the one or more computational resources from the network, to offload the one or more computations to the network and to receive outputs from the computations.

Thus, embodiments herein enable handling a service, comprising one or more computations, in an efficient manner in the wireless communications network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview depicting integration of compute and storage capabilities in the edge to support both network and 3rd party applications according to prior art;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic overview depicting service-based architecture according to prior art;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 4 shows a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a wireless device according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a first network node according to embodiments herein; Fig. 7 shows a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a second network node according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 8 is a schematic overview depicting network nodes or functions in the wireless communication network according to embodiments herein;

Figs. 9a-9c show network placements of the computational resources according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 10 is schematic flowchart depicting a method according to some embodiments herein;

Fig. 11a-11 b are schematic overviews depicting embodiments of a wireless device according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 12a-12b are schematic overviews depicting embodiments of a first network node according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 13a-13b are schematic overviews depicting embodiments of a second network node according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 14 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer;

Fig. 15 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection; and Figs. 16-19 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein relate to wireless communications networks in general. Fig. 3 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 1 . The wireless communications network 1 comprises, e.g., a radio communication network comprising one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a New Radio (NR) context, however, embodiments are also applicable in further development of existing wireless communications systems such as e.g. LTE or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).

In the wireless communications network 1 , a wireless device 10 such as a mobile station, a user equipment (UE), a non-access point (non-AP) station (STA), a STA, and/or a wireless terminal, is comprised communicating via e.g. one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. the RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “wireless device” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, UE, Internet of things (loT) capable device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable of communicating using radio communication with a radio network node within an area served by the radio network node.

The wireless communications network 1 comprises a radio network node 12 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 or first cell, of a radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar. The radio network node 12 may serve the wireless device 10 in the first service area 11. The radio network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a wireless device within the area served by the radio network node depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used. The radio network node may be referred to as a serving radio network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a serving cell, and the serving network node communicates with the wireless device in form of DL transmissions to the wireless device and UL transmissions from the wireless device. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.

The wireless communications network 1 may further comprise one or more network nodes related to computational resources such as a first network node 13 and a second network node 14. The first network node 13 may comprise a controlling network node 15 providing a controlling role keeping track of the network nodes such as the second network node 14 comprising potential computational resources in the wireless communications network 1. It should here be noted that the first network node 13 may be exemplified as a core network node denoted as network processing function (NPF) being an example of the controlling network node 15 but may also in some embodiments be exemplified as the radio network node 12. The second network node 14 may be exemplified as any node providing computational resources and may be denoted as computational and processing function (CPF). Embodiments herein relate to methods for enabling offloading one or more computations of a task, such as a function, an application, a program, or a service, at the wireless device 10. If a wireless device 10 wants to offload computations to the network, there is currently no mechanism to do this. Performing an over the top (OTT) solution would add significant delay to the one or more computations. Some embodiments herein disclose methods for the wireless device 10 to request computational offloading, and for the first network node 13 to determine the availability of computational resources and to facilitate communication between the wireless device 10 and the wireless communications network 1 to prepare, execute and provide the output from the offloaded one or more computations.

According to embodiments herein, the wireless device 10 signals a requirement that the wireless communications network needs to assist with computational offloading. The wireless device 10 may transmit a RRC message to the radio network node 12 indicating, e.g., how much computations are expected and thereafter the radio network node 12 may forward this to a network function such as the controlling network node 15 that provide or at least locate the one or more computational resources, for example, at the second network node 14. The wireless device 10 may receive an address and/or a configuration indicating where the computational resources may be found and may send input parameters and/or computation or computations to said address or using said configuration. It should here be noted that in the embodiment wherein the first network node 13 is exemplified as the radio network node 12, it is the radio network node 12 that provides (or guide to) the one or more computational resources to perform the one or more computations.

Fig. 4 shows a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein.

Action 401. The wireless device 10 may determine to offload one or more computations of a service, such as an XR application, from the wireless device 10. This determination may be based on capability, detected latency, or similar.

Action 402. The wireless device 10 may then request offloading assistance from the first network node 13.

For example, the wireless device 10 may, via the radio network node 12 to the controlling network node 15 or to the radio network node 12, request offloading by indicating number of computational resources or a request of computational capacity in terms of, e.g., latency, memory capacity, processing capacity or similar. Action 403. The first network node 13 may then select a network node such as the second network node 14 to provide one or more resources to assist in offloading the one or more computations of the service at the wireless device 10. For example, the first network node 13 may comprise a stored list or similar indicating available computational resources in the wireless communications network or may request one or more computational resources from one or more second network nodes 14 registered at the first network node 13 or another network node.

Action 404. The first network node 13 may further transmit a request to the selected second network node 14. The request may indicate number of computational resource requested in terms of a value or index related to a requested maximum latency, memory capacity, and/or processing capacity. Alternatively, or additionally, the request may be for requesting a report of available computational resources at the second network node 14.

Action 405. The second network node 14 may determine available computational resources. For example, the second network node 14 may detect or retrieve data, from a memory or from one or more network nodes, indicating number of available computational resources.

Action 406. The second network node 14 may then transmit a response back to the first network node 13 indicating confirmation or rejection, at least partly, of said request. Partly herein meaning that the response may indicate available resources that only partly corresponds to the requested resources, and/or the response may be a simple yes or no indication.

Action 407. In case the second network node 14 confirmed or indicating one or more computational resources available to the first network node 13, the first network node 13 may transmit an indication to the requesting wireless device 10 indicating contact information of the second network node 14 for the wireless device 10 and/or number of computational resources available.

Action 408. The wireless device 10 may then send input data and/or one or more computations to the second network node 14.

Action 409. The second network node 14 may perform the one or more computations using the input and/or the one or more computations received from the wireless device 10.

Action 410. The second network node 14 may further send output data and/or indications of the output data to the wireless device 10. Embodiments herein enable the wireless device 10 to offload the one or more computations directly to the wireless communications network, without a need to implement an over-the-top solution. This will reduce the latency of the one or more computations and allow the first network node 13 to forward the computations to a more suitable node in terms of computational capability.

The method actions performed by the wireless device 10 for handling a service at the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 5. Dashed boxes indicate optional features.

Action 501. The wireless device 10 may determine to offload the one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device 10. Thus, the wireless device 10 may detect a need to request the one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task. For example, the wireless device 10 may determine that the task, e.g., one or more of: a service, an application, a function, and a program, would benefit from offloading one or more computations to the network. The wireless device 10 may determine the one or more computations to offload: according to a standardized or preconfigured policy of which of the one or more of computations of which task should be offloaded; by determining that an execution time of the one or more of computations or the task is above a threshold; by determining that a required memory to execute the one or more of computations or the task is above a threshold; by determining that a required energy consumption to execute the one or more of computations or the task is above a threshold; and/or by receiving an instruction from the radio network node 12 that the one or more of computations or the task should be offloaded.

Action 502. The wireless device 10 transmits a request in an RRC message to the radio network node 12, to offload the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10, from the wireless device 10 to one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network 1. Thus, the wireless device requests that a computational task is offloaded to a computational resource in the wireless communications network 1. Thus, the one or more computations offloaded from the wireless device 10 are associated with one or more tasks related to one or more services at the wireless device 10. The request may comprise one or more of: a request for one or more computational resources; an expected quantity, e.g., number or amount, of computational resources; an expected size of memory, e.g., total memory size or space, to execute the one or more computations, and an acceptable computational delay. It should be noted that when the first network node 13 is exemplified as the radio network node 12 the request is thus transmitted to the first network node 13, and when the first network node 13 is exemplified as the controlling node 15 the request is thus transmitted to the first network node 13 via the radio network node 12.

Action 503. The wireless device 10 may receive the response to the request from the radio network node 12, wherein the response comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources.

Action 504. The wireless device 10 may further transmit computational input for the one or more computations and /or the one or more computations. The computational input may be based on the received response, for example, taking the address or configuration into account. The computational input may comprise, e.g., one or more parameters, one or more values, one or more executable program codes, one or more compiled or un-compiled program codes, one or more machine-readable codes, information about programming language or operating system, information about program version, and/or similar. The computational input may be transmitted to a network node related to a setup bearer for data, for example, an SMF, an UPF or the second network node 14. This may be the case when amount of data transmitted and/or received is above a threshold, for example, in computations related to a virtual reality application. Alternatively, or additionally, the computational input may be transmitted to the first network node 13 controlling one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network, to forward the computational input to the one or more computational resources. This may be the case when amount of data transmitted and/or received is below a threshold, for example, in less complex applications requiring a certain latency below a latency threshold.

Action 505. The wireless device 10 may further receive from the radio network node 12 the result of the one or more computations. Thus, the wireless device 10 may receive the result from the second network node 14 via the radio network node 12. The result may comprise one or more of the following output information from the executed program code: an indication or command based on an execution of the program code; and an error message from the execution of the program code.

The method actions performed by the first network node 13, e.g., the radio network node 12 or the controlling network node 15 such as the NPF, for handling the service of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 6. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes indicate optional features.

Action 601. The first network node 13 may receive a message comprising information of computational resources available in the second network node and/or other neighbouring network nodes.

Action 602. The first network node 13 may receive an indication of a capability of the wireless device 10 to offload one or more computations of a task. The first network node may thus receive a message comprising information of the computational offloading capabilities of the wireless device 10.

Action 603. The first network node 13 obtains an indication of a need of the one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10. In an example where the first network node is controlling computational resources, i.e. , when the first network node 13 is the controlling node 15, the first network node 13 may receive the indication from the radio network node 12. Thus, the first network node 13 may receive a message from the radio network node 12 or another network node requesting computational offloading for the wireless device 10. In another example where the first network node is the radio network node 12, the first network node 13 may receive, in the RRC message, the indication from the wireless device 10 or another radio network node. The first network node 13 may in some embodiments determine at itself the need of the one or more computational resources, for example, based on the capability of the wireless device 10. Thus, the first network node 13 may obtain the indication by receiving the indication from the wireless device 10, directly or indirectly, or by determining at the first network node 13 to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10. The first network node 13 may determine to offload from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations based on the received indication of the capability of the wireless device 10. Hence, the first network node 13 may by itself determine that the wireless device 10 is to offload the one or more computations. This may comprise one or more of the following: determining that the wireless device 10 is capable of offloading computations to the wireless communication network 1, for example, by receiving a message comprising the capability of the wireless device 10; receiving a request from the wireless device 10, requesting one or more computational resources from the wireless communication network; and receiving an indication from another network node that the wireless device 10 requires one or more computational resources. The request from the wireless device or the indication from another network node may comprise one or more of the following: a quantityof computational resources required; a maximum acceptable computational delay; information about what one or more computations are needed, e.g. one or more of: information about what processes should be computed, for example, executable program code; input data to the one or more computations; and requirements on the computations, e.g., maximum latency, expected memory requirements.

Action 604. The first network node 13 triggers a process to provide the one or more computational resources for the wireless device 10 taking the indication into account. The process may comprise determining or selecting the second network node that comprises the one or more computational resources. The first network node 13 may trigger the process by requesting the determined second network node 14 to provide the one or more computational resources, and further receiving a response confirming or rejecting said request. The process may comprise determining that the wireless device 10 requires computational resources from wireless communications network. Thus, the first network node 13 may determine which one or more network node shall execute the one or more computations and may configure the one or more network nodes to execute the one or more computations.

The process may comprise transmitting a message to another network node, such as an SMF or an AMF, for setting up a bearer for the service, or to the wireless device 10, wherein the message comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources. The message may comprise information enabling to use the setup bearer. Configuration may indicate which service the address is associated with. Thus, the first network node 13 may instruct the wireless device 10 to utilize the one or more computational resources. The first network node 13 may transmit an instruction message to the wireless device 10 indicating network address for the one or more computational resources.

The process may further comprise transmitting to the second network node 14 information related to offloading the one or more computations.

The process may further comprise providing the result such as output from the one or more computations to the wireless device 10. The first network node 13 may receive one or more computation outputs from the second network node 14, and transmit a message to the wireless device 10 comprising one or more outputs of the one or more computations.

Thus, the first network node 13 may determine which network node to transmit information to, e.g., a network function handling and/or executing the offloaded one or more computations for the wireless device 10. The first network node 13 may further transmit a message to the second network node 14 comprising information related to the one or more computations, and may receive a message from the second network node 14 whether or not the wireless device 10 can offload the one or more computations to the wireless communications network. The message may comprise one or more out of: indication of acknowledging availability of sufficient computational resources for the wireless device 10; indication of detailing one or more characteristics of available one or more computational resources, e.g., a quantity of resources, a memory latency, or indication rejecting the availability of sufficient computational resources for the wireless device. In some embodiments the first network node 13 may estimate an inter-node signalling round trip time (RTT) based on the transmitted message and the received message.

The method actions performed by the second network node 14, for example, a network node enabled to execute one or more computations, such as an CPF or another radio network node, for handling the service of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 7. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes indicate optional features.

Action 701. The second network node 14 obtains the request from the first network node 13 for the one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10.

Action 702. The second network node 14 may determine whether the second network node 14 is able to provide the requested one or more computational resources.

Action 703. The second network node 14 transmits to the first network node 13, the response confirming or rejecting at least partly said request. The transmitted response may be based on the determination in action 702. The transmitted response may comprise an indication of one or more computational resources available at the second network node 14. The transmitted response may comprise an indication of an address related to the one or more computational resources. The response may then be forwarded to the wireless device 10.

Action 704. The second network node 14 may receive an input message, from the first network node 13 or the wireless device 10, related to the one or more computations. The input message may comprise one or more of the following: a request to execute computation; one or more computations; one or more input parameters and/or values for the one or more computations; boundary conditions for execution of the one or more computations, e.g. one or more of: maximum computational delay; memory requirement for the execution; and an address to the wireless device and/or other network nodes that will receive output of the one or more computations.

Action 705. The second network node 14 may execute the one or more computations, for example, based on the received input message. For example, execute a computation using input values and computation as indicated in the input message

Action 706. The second network node 14 may providing the output of the one or more computations to the wireless device 10 and/or another network node. The output may comprise one or more of the following: data such as graphical data, strings of text, Booleans, graphs, mathematical expressions, commands; input for another computation; statistics of the computation, e.g., processing time, memory used, processes used, concurrent functions requesting the same processing, error indication; and a recommendation for alleviating one or more errors.

Fig. 8 is a schematic overview depicting network nodes or functions in the wireless communication network 1 according to a network architecture with network compute functions. Fig. 8 shows an embodiment, detailing additional network functions providing computational resources to the wireless device. The dashed lines and boxes are the additions to the Service Based Architecture (SBA) currently considered for 5G in TS 23.501 V17.2.0.

It should be noted that the names of the network functions (NF) and interfaces proposed herein may be named differently when 3GPP standardizes them. The proposed names are placeholders to be able to easily distinguish them in the description.

Computational and processing function (CPF), being an example of the second network node 14, relates to a network function providing one or more computational resources to other network functions.

Interface Ncpf denotes a Service-based interface exhibited by CPF, this allows the CPF to receive computational configurations, input data to the one or more computations, and provide output data or error messages to a consumer of the NF. The output data could be transmitted to the NPF, or any other of the NFs.

Interface Nnpf denotes a Service-based interface exhibited by NPF. This allows the NPF to configure the CPF to perform the one or more computations

Network processing function (NPF), being an example the first network node 13, e.g. when being represented by the controlling network node 15, denotes a network function coordinating access to computational resources for the radio network nodes or network nodes and the wireless device 10, which are processed by the CPF. The NPF can also route data from the other NFs, e.g., the AMF and SMF to the CPF to be computed, e.g., if the wireless device 10 has a service requiring significant input data to the computational function, this could be transmitted as user-plane data and routed via the SMF to the CPF. The NPF also keeps track of the computational capabilities of different CPFs as well as the wireless device capabilities to offload one or more computations.

Interface NP1 denotes an interface between the radio network node 12 and the NPF. This allows the radio network node 12 to provide computational instructions and input to the NPF and to receive output from the one or more computations.

Interface NP2 denotes an interface between the wireless device 10 and the NPF. This allows the wireless device 10 to provide computational instructions and input to the NPF and to receive output from the one or more computations.

Figs. 9a-9c show network placements of the computational resources used for the one or more computations. Fig. 9a shows an example where the second network node 14 is co-located with the radio network node 12, i.e. , in the serving RAN node, in embodiments wherein the first network node 13 is exemplified as the radio network node 12. Fig. 9b shows an example where the second network node 14 may be a cloud distributed node in a cloud. Fig. 9c shows an example where the second network node 14 is a neighbouring RAN node, also referred to as a processing node.

The wireless device 10 may request one or more computational resources according to embodiments herein and the first network node 13 may decide where the one or more computational resources are available.

The wireless device 10, requiring computational offloading, transmits the RRC message to the radio network node 12. This message may, for example, be included into the II EAssistanceinformation message or a completely new RRC message. The message is indicating the need for computational offloading and may include an indication of how much computations are expected, e.g., a range 1k-1M floating-point operations per second (flops) or >1 Gflops. The message may also indicate the maximum computational latency that is acceptable and the expected memory required to execute the computations.

The radio network node 12 forwards the computational offloading request to an NPF 15’, being an example of the controlling network node 15, see Fig. 10. The NPF 15’ determines whether the request can be addressed, and which second network node 14, such as which CPF 14’, can handle the request, i.e. , provide computational resources. It should be understood that the network can configure multiple CPFs for each wireless device 10, e.g., associated to different network slices, different service, or different Quality of service (QoS) flows.

Is should be noted that the second network node such as the CPF may also be distributed across multiple physical nodes, performing e.g., multi-threaded or distributed computations. The CPF 14’, e.g., the second network node 14, may respond to the NPF 15’ with an acknowledgement and location information such as an address where the wireless device 10 can find computational offload resources that fulfills the requirement from the wireless device 10.

The NPF 15’ in turns responds to the UPF and the radio network node 12 with the address of the computational offload resources. Thus, the UPF now understands how to route the compute data to and from the wireless device 10 and the computational offload resource. The RAN also receives the computational offload resources and a configuration for the wireless device 10; these messages are can be transmitted transparently through the radio network node 12 to the wireless device 10, i.e., the radio network node 12 does not parse the information to transmit them to the wireless device 10, but instead forwards a bit-string inside a container in a message, and the RAN does not need to understand the message from the NPF 15’, similar to a non-access stratum (NAS) message from AMF to the wireless device 10.

The wireless device 10 receives the computational offload response with a configuration and the address to the computational offload resource node.

Fig. 10 further shows a signaling diagram for offloading computations from wireless device, also referred to as UE, to the network.

The following describes Fig. 10 in detail:

Action 1. The wireless device 10 may determine that is needs to offload computation(s) related to a task of a service. The wireless device 10 may, thus, determine that it would benefit from offloading computations to the network, e.g., it has informed the network that it is capable of offloading, e.g., using the wireless device 10 capabilities signalling, and the network has indicated to the wireless device 10 that it is capable of handling computational offloading, e.g., through dedicated signalling or through broadcasted signalling. The determination may be based on e.g.: policies, e.g., always try to offload a particular service; configurations, the network informs the wireless device 10 that certain services should be offloaded if possible; application layer configuration, e.g., a program or application running on the wireless device 10 receives an indication from e.g., the user or the network to offload some of the computations. The wireless device 10 may also determine this by an estimation of how well it would be able to complete the computations by itself, e.g., based on computational time, memory used or energy consumed, or complexity of the computations, e.g., offloading the computations to a quantum computer, and decide that it would be beneficial to offload the computations.

Actions 2a-2b. The wireless device 10 may request the network to offload some computations by sending a message to the radio network node 12 which it is connected to. The message may comprise boundary conditions for the computations, e.g., maximum computation time, memory required, type of computations needed, etc.. The radio network node 12 may then forward the information to the NPF 15’, either by embedding the request in a container in another message or by parsing the information and requesting the NPF 15’ for computational resources for the wireless device 10. The request may comprise parameters, values, executable code, compiled or un-compiled code, machine-readable code, information about programming language/operating system, information about program version.

Action 3. The NPF 15’ determines whether the network can provide computational resources for the wireless device 10 and which one or more second network nodes are best suited to execute the computations. This could e.g., be based on policy, e.g., the wireless device 10 has a particular subscription allowing certain services to be offloaded to a particular server, or based on the dynamic momentaneous capabilities of the network, e.g., which node currently have available computational resources.

Action 4. The NPF 15’ may request one or more CPFs 14’ to provide computational resources to the wireless device 10. The request may comprise information about what type of computations it is, and what requirements there are for the computation(s). Action 5. The one or more CPF 14’ may respond to the NPF 15’ either acknowledging or denying the request for computational offloading. The response may also include an acknowledgement of a partial offloading, e.g., the CPF 14’ can handle a subset of the computations. The response may also include information about how the CPF 14’ would fulfill the requirements for the computations, e.g., expected computational time and transmission round-trip time. The response message may also include a network address for where the wireless device 10 can send input data to the computations, this address information may have been shared to the NPF at an earlier stage. The response may indicate parameters, values, information about programming language/operating system, information about program version

Action 6. The NPF 15’ may configure the SMF for how the wireless device 10 data for a computational offload can be forwarded to the CPF 14’. This configuration may include information about which service the address is associated with.

Actions 7a-7b. The NPF 15’ may, additionally or alternatively, respond to the radio network node 12 acknowledging the computational offloading, providing the configurations and address for offloading. The radio network node 12 may then configure the wireless device 10, either by transparently forwarding the information from the NPF 15’, or using RRC signalling directly to configure the wireless device 10.

Action 8a-8c. The wireless device 10 may provide input for the computations to the radio network node 12. In one embodiment, this information is transmitted already in steps 2a-b above. This information may include e.g. information about what code to execute, the actual code to execute, input parameters to include in the computation. The radio network node 12 may then forward this information to the NPF 15’ which configures the CPF 14’ to execute the computations.

Action 9a-9d. Alternatively or additionally, the wireless device 10 may provide input data to the computations over a setup bearer. This could e.g., be continuous input data for an augmented reality device which updates the content based on what the augmented reality device senses. This data is forwarded to the UPF and SMF, which is then forwarded to the CPF 14’ to execute the computations based on this input data. As sated above, the input data may be provided directly from the NPF 15’ without the need to be forwarded via the UPF and SMF, see actions 8a-8c. Another network function may forward data to the CPF 14’; e.g., the AMF providing mobility information for the wireless device 10 to the CPF 14’. Action 10. The CPF 14’ may then execute the computation(s) based on the configurations from NPF 15’ and possibly input data from the SMF and/or other network function.

Action 11a-11d. The CPF 14’ may provide the output data from the computations to the wireless device 10 e.g., via the same path it received the input data. In one embodiment, the CPF 14’ may transfer the output data via another path, e.g., via the NPF 15’, if the amount of output data is small.

Action 12a-12c. The CPF 14’ may provide status information about the computations to the NPF 15’, e.g., computation execution time, memory used, number of computations, number of concurrent users, current computational load. The status information may also include error messages from the computation. The NPF 15’ may then transmit this status information to e.g., the radio network node 12 or the wireless device 10. This status information can e.g., be transmitted continuously during the computation and/or upon completion of the computations.

Figs. 11a-11b are schematic overviews depicting embodiments of the wireless device 10 for handling a service at the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to embodiments herein.

The wireless device 10 may comprise processing circuitry 1101 , e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The wireless device 10 may comprise a transmitting unit 1102, e.g., a transmitter or transceiver. The wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the transmitting unit 1102 is configured to transmit the request in the RRC message to the radio network node 12, to offload one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10, from the wireless device to one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network. Thus, a computational task is offloaded to a computational resource in the network, wherein one or more computations offloaded from the wireless device 10 are associated with one or more tasks related to one or more services at the wireless device 10. The request may comprise one or more of: a request for one or more computational resources; an expected quantity of computational resources; an expected size of memory to execute the one or more computations, and an acceptable computational delay.

The wireless device 10 may comprise a determining unit 1103. The wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the determining unit 1103 may be configured to determine to offload the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10. Thus, the wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the determining unit 1103 may be configured to detect a need to request the one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task. For example, the wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the determining unit 1103 may be configured to determine that the task, e.g., one or more of: a service, an application, a function, and a program, would benefit from offloading one or more computations to the network. The wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the determining unit 1103 may be configured to determine the one or more computations to offload: according to a standardized or preconfigured policy of which of the one or more of computations of which task should be offloaded; by determining that an execution time of the one or more of computations or the task is above a threshold; by determining that a required memory to execute the one or more of computations or the task is above a threshold; by determining that a required energy consumption to execute the one or more of computations or the task is above a threshold; and/or by receiving an instruction from the radio network node 12 that the one or more of computations or the task should be offloaded.

The wireless device 10 may comprise a receiving unit 1104, e.g., a receiver or transceiver. The wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the receiving unit 1104 may be configured to receive the response to the request from the radio network node 12, wherein the response comprises one or more of the following: the address related to the one or more computational resources; and the configuration related to the one or more computational resources.

The wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101 , and/or the transmitting unit 1102 may further be configured to transmit computational input for the one or more computations and /or the one or more computations. The computational input may be based on the received response, for example, taking the address or configuration into account. The computational input may comprise, e.g., one or more parameters, one or more values, one or more executable program codes, one or more compiled or uncompiled program codes, one or more machine-readable codes, information about programming language or operating system, information about program version, and/or similar. The computational input may be transmitted to a network node related to a setup bearer for data, for example, an SMF, an UPF or the second network node 14. This may be the case when amount of data transmitted and/or received is above a threshold, for example, in computations related to a virtual reality application. Alternatively, or additionally, the computational input may be transmitted to the first network node 13 controlling one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network, such as the NPF. This may be the case when amount of data transmitted and/or received is below a threshold, for example, in less complex applications requiring a certain latency below a latency threshold.

The wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101 , and/or the receiving unit 1104 may be configured to receive from the radio network node 12 the result of the one or more computations. Thus, the wireless device 10, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the receiving unit 1104 may be configured to receive the result from the second network node 14 via the radio network node 12. The result may comprise one or more of the following output information from the executed program code; indication or command based on an execution of the program code; and an error message from the execution of the program code.

The wireless device 10 further comprises a memory 1105. The memory 1105 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as indications, configurations, measurements, input data, output data, computations, tasks, thresholds, data related to nodes, and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the wireless device 10 may comprise a communication interface 1108 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver and/or a transceiver, and/or one or more antennas.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the wireless device 10 are respectively implemented by means of, e.g., a computer program product 1106, see Fig. 11a, or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the wireless device 10. The computer program product 1106 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1107, see Fig. 11a, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1107, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the wireless device 10. In some embodiments, the computer- readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose a wireless device 10 for handling a service at the wireless device in a wireless communications network, wherein the wireless device 10 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said wireless device 10 is operative to perform any of the methods herein, see Fig. 11b.

Figs. 12a-12b are schematic overviews depicting embodiments of the first network node 13, e.g., the radio network node 12 or the controlling network node 15 such as the NPF, for handling the service of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to embodiments herein.

The first network node 13 may comprise processing circuitry 1201 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The first network node 13 may comprise an obtaining unit 1202, e.g., a receiver or a transceiver. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 is configured to obtain the indication of the need of the one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10. In an example where the first network node 13 is controlling computational resources, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201 , and/or the obtaining unit 1202 is configured to receive the indication from the radio network node 12. Thus, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to receive a message from the radio network node 12 or another network node requesting computational offloading for the wireless device 10. In an example where the first network node is the radio network node 12, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to receive, in the RRC message, the indication from the wireless device 12 or another radio network node. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201 , and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may in some embodiments be configured to determine at itself the need of the one or more computational resources, for example, based on a capability of the wireless device 10. Thus, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to obtain the indication by receiving the indication from the wireless device 10, directly or indirectly, or by determining at the first network node 13 to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may configured to determine to offload from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations based on the received indication of the capability of the wireless device 10. Hence, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to, by itself, determine that the wireless device 10 is to offload the one or more computations. This may comprise one or more of the following: determining that the wireless device 10 is capable of offloading computations to the wireless communication network 1, for example, by receiving a message comprising the capability of the wireless device 10; receiving a request from the wireless device 10, requesting one or more computational resources from the wireless communication network; and receiving an indication from another network node that the wireless device 10 requires one or more computational resources. The request from the wireless device or the indication from another network node may comprise one or more of the following: a quantity of computational resources required; a maximum acceptable computational delay; information about what one or more computations are needed, e.g. one or more of: information about what processes should be computed, for example, executable program code; input data to the one or more computations; and requirements on the computations, e.g., maximum latency, expected memory requirements.

The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201 , and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to receive a message comprising information of computational resources available in the second network node and/or other neighbouring network nodes.

The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201 , and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to receive an indication of the capability of the wireless device 10 to offload one or more computations of a task. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the obtaining unit 1202 may be configured to receive a message comprising information of the computational offloading capabilities of the wireless device 10.

The first network node 13 may comprise a triggering unit 1203. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201 , and/or the triggering unit 1203 is configured to trigger a process to provide the one or more computational resources for the wireless device 10 taking the indication into account. The process may comprise determining or selecting the second network node that comprises the one or more computational resources. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to trigger the process by requesting the determined second network node 14 to provide the one or more computational resources, and further may be configured to receive a response confirming or rejecting said request. The process may comprise determining that the wireless device 10 requires computational resources from the wireless communications network. Thus, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to determine which one or more network node shall execute the one or more computations and may configure the one or more network nodes to execute the one or more computations.

The process may comprise transmitting a message to another network node, such as an SMF or an AMF, for setting up a bearer for the service, or to the wireless device 10, wherein the message comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources. Configuration may indicate which service the address is associated with. Thus, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to instruct the wireless device 10 to utilize the one or more computational resources. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to transmit an instruction message to the wireless device 10 indicating network address for the one or more computational resources.

The process may further comprise providing the result such as output from the one or more computations to the wireless device 10. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to receive one or more computation outputs from the second network node 14, and to transmit a message to the wireless device 10 comprising one or more outputs of the one or more computations.

Thus, the first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to determine which network node to transmit information to, e.g., a network function handling and/or executing the offloaded one or more computations for the wireless device 10. The first network node 13, the processing circuitry 1201, and/or the triggering unit 1203 may be configured to transmit a message to the second network node 14 comprising information related to the one or more computations, and may receive a message from the second network node 14 whether or not the wireless device 10 can offload the one or more computations to the wireless communications network. The message may comprise one or more out of: indication of acknowledging availability of sufficient computational resources for the wireless device 10; indication of detailing one or more characteristics of available one or more computational resources, e.g., a quantity of resources, a memory latency, or indication rejecting the availability of sufficient computational resources for the wireless device. In some embodiments the first network node 13 may estimate an inter-node signalling round trip time (RTT) based on the transmitted message and the received message.

The first network node 13 further comprises a memory 1205. The memory 1205 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as indications, configurations, measurements, computational resources, computations, input data, output data, thresholds, data related to nodes, and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the first network node 13 may comprise a communication interface 1208 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver and/or a transceiver, and/or one or more antennas.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first network node 13 are respectively implemented by means of, e.g., a computer program product 1206, see Fig. 12a, or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 13. The computer program product 1206 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1207, see Fig. 12a, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1207, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 13. In some embodiments, the computer- readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose a first network node 13 for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the first network node 13 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said first network node 13 is operative to perform any of the methods herein, see Fig. 12b.

Figs. 13a-13b are schematic overview depicting embodiments of the second network node 14 such as a CPF, for handling the service of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to embodiments herein.

The second network node 14 may comprise processing circuitry 1301 , e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The second network node 14 may comprise an obtaining unit 1302, e.g., a receiver or a transceiver. The second network node 14, the processing circuitry 1301, and/or the obtaining unit 1302 is configured to obtain the request from the first network node 13 for the one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device 10, the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device 10.

The second network node 14 may comprise a determining unit 1303. The second network node 14, the processing circuitry 1301 , and/or the determining unit 1303 may be configured to determine whether the second network node 14 is able to provide the requested one or more computational resources.

The second network node 14 may comprise a transmitting unit 1304, e.g., a transmitter or a transceiver. The second network node 14, the processing circuitry 1301 , and/or the transmitting unit 1304 is configured to transmit to the first network node 13, the response confirming or rejecting at least partly said request. The transmitted response may be based on the determination. The transmitted response may comprise an indication of one or more computational resources available at the second network node 14. The transmitted response may comprise an indication of an address related to the one or more computational resources. The response may then be forwarded to the wireless device 10.

The second network node 14, the processing circuitry 1301 , and/or the obtaining unit 1302 may be configured to receive an input message, from the first network node 13 or the wireless device 10, related to the one or more computations. The input message may comprise one or more of the following: a request to execute computation; one or more computations; one or more input parameters and/or values for the one or more computations; boundary conditions for execution pf the one or more computations, e.g. one or more of: maximum computational delay; memory requirement for the execution; and address to the wireless device and/or other network nodes that will receive output of the one or more computations.

The second network node 14 may comprise an executing unit 1305. The second network node 14, the processing circuitry 1301 , and/or the executing unit 1305 may be configured to execute the one or more computations, for example, based on the received input message. For example, execute a computation using input values and computation as indicated in the input message.

The second network node 14, the processing circuitry 1301 , and/or the transmitting unit 1304 may be configured to provide the output of the one or more computations to the wireless device 10 and/or another network node. The output may comprise one or more of the following: data such as graphical data, strings of text, Booleans, graphs, mathematical expressions, commands; input for another computation; statistics of the computation, e.g., processing time, memory used, processes used, concurrent functions requesting the same processing, error indication; and a recommendation for alleviating one or more errors.

The second network node 14 further comprises a memory 1309. The memory 1309 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as indications, headers, identities, signal measurements, computations, input data, output data, thresholds, data related to nodes, and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the second network node 14 may comprise a communication interface 1306 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver and/or a transceiver, and/or one or more antennas.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second network node 14 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 1307, see Fig. 13a, or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 14. The computer program product 1307 may be stored on a computer- readable storage medium 1308, see Fig. 13a, e.g. a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1308, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 14. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose a second network node 14 for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the second network node 14 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said second network node 14 is operative to perform any of the methods herein, see Fig. 13b.

In some embodiments a more general term “network node” is used and it can correspond to any type of radio-network node or any network node, which communicates with a wireless device and/or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, master (M)eNB, secondary(S)eNB, a network node belonging to Master cell group (MCG) or Secondary cell group (SCG), base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio-network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), etc.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term wireless device or user equipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of wireless device are loT capable device, target device, device to device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

Embodiments are applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the wireless device receives and/or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. New Radio (NR), Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, that functions means or circuits may be implemented using digital logic and/or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and/or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.

Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware and/or program or application data. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

OTT scenarios may benefit from using embodiments herein as described below.

Fig. 14 shows a Telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to Fig. 14, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network 3210, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network 3211, such as a radio access network, and core network 3214. Access network 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points being examples of the radio network node 12 above, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to core network 3214 over a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first UE 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. While a plurality of UEs 3291, 3292 are illustrated in this example being examples of the wireless device 10 above, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 3212.

Telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud- implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 3221 and 3222 between telecommunication network 3210 and host computer 3230 may extend directly from core network 3214 to host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network 3220. Intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of Figure 14 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and host computer 3230. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. Host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and/or signalling via OTT connection 3250, using access network 3211 , core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection 3250 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station 3212 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 3291. Similarly, base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer 3230.

Fig. 15 shows a host computer communicating via a base station and with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Fig 15. In communication system 3300, host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 including communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 3300. Host computer 3310 further comprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry 3318 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 3310 further comprises software 3311 , which is stored in or accessible by host computer 3310 and executable by processing circuitry 3318. Software 3311 includes host application 3312. Host application 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 3330 connecting via OTT connection 3350 terminating at UE 3330 and host computer 3310. In providing the service to the remote user, host application 3312 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection 3350.

Communication system 3300 further includes base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with host computer 3310 and with UE 3330. Hardware 3325 may include communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 3300, as well as radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection 3370 with UE 3330 located in a coverage area (not shown in Fig. 15) served by base station 3320. Communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate connection 3360 to host computer 3310. Connection 3360 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Fig 15) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware 3325 of base station 3320 further includes processing circuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system 3300 further includes UE 3330 already referred to. It’s hardware 3333 may include radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE 3330 is currently located. Hardware 3333 of UE 3330 further includes processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE 3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored in or accessible by UE 3330 and executable by processing circuitry 3338. Software 3331 includes client application 3332. Client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 3330, with the support of host computer 3310. In host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via OTT connection 3350 terminating at UE 3330 and host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, client application 3332 may receive request data from host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in Fig. 15 may be similar or identical to host computer 3230, one of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of UEs 3291, 3292 of Fig. 14, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Fig. 15 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Fig. 14.

In Fig. 15, OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer 3310 and UE 3330 via base station 3320, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE 3330 or from the service provider operating host computer 3310, or both. While OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network). Wireless connection 3370 between UE 3330 and base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 3330 using OTT connection 3350, in which wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments make it possible for handling or managing computations of a task of a service the UE in an efficient manner resulting in a reduced delay of the service and a quick responsiveness.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 3350 between host computer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in software 3311 and hardware 3315 of host computer 3310 or in software 3331 and hardware 3333 of UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311, 3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station 3320, and itmay be unknown or imperceptible to base station 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signalling facilitating host computer 3310’s measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software 3311 and 3331 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

Fig. 16 shows methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 16 will be included in this section. In step 3410, the host computer provides user data. In substep 3411 (which may be optional) of step 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 3430 (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 3440 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Fig. 17 shows methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 17 will be included in this section. In step 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 3530 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Fig. 18 shows methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 18 will be included in this section. In step 3610 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 3620, the UE provides user data. In substep 3621 (which may be optional) of step 3620, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 3611 (which may be optional) of step 3610, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep 3630 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

Fig. 19 show methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 19 will be included in this section. In step 3710 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 3720 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 3730 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

Any appropriate actions, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS A method performed by a wireless device (10) for handling a service at the wireless device in a wireless communications network, the method comprising transmitting (502) a request in a radio resource control, RRC, message to a radio network node (12), to offload one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device, from the wireless device to one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining (501) to offload the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device (10). The method according to any of the claims 1-2, further comprising receiving (503) a response to the request from the radio network node (12), wherein the response comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, further comprising transmitting (504) computational input for the one or more computations and/or the one or more computations. The method according to claims 3 and 4, wherein transmitting (504) the computational input and/or the one or more computations is based on the received response. The method according to any of the claims 4-5, wherein the computational input and/or the one or more computations is transmitted to a network node related to a setup bearer for data, and/or to a first network node (13) controlling one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network. The method according to any of the claims 4-6, further comprising receiving (505) from the radio network node a result of the one or more computations. The method according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the request comprises one or more of: a request for one or more computational resources; an expected quantity of computational resources; an expected size of memory to execute the one or more computations, and an acceptable computational delay. A method performed by a first network node (13) for handling a service of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network, the method comprising obtaining (603) an indication of a need of one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device (10), one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device (10); and triggering (604) a process to provide the one or more computational resources for the wireless device (10) taking the indication into account. The method according to claim 9, wherein triggering (604) the process comprises determining a second network node (14) that comprises the one or more computational resources. The method according to claim 10, wherein triggering (604) further comprises requesting the determined second network node (14) to provide the one or more computational resources, and receiving a response confirming or rejecting said request. The method according to any of the claims 9-11, wherein obtaining (603) the indication comprises receiving the indication from the wireless device (10), or determining at the first network node to offload, from the wireless device (10), the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device (10). The method according to any of the claims 9-12, further comprising receiving (602) an indication of a capability of the wireless device (10) to offload one or more computations of a task. The method according to claims 12 and 13, wherein determining to offload from the wireless device (10), the one or more computations is based on the received indication of the capability of the wireless device (10). The method according to any of the claims 9-14, wherein the process comprises - transmitting a message to another network node for setting up a bearer for the service, or to the wireless device (10), wherein the message comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources. A method performed by a second network node (14) for handling a service of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network, the method comprising obtaining (702) a request from a first network node (13) for one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device (10), one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device (10); and transmitting (704) to the first network node (13), a response confirming or rejecting, at least partly, said request. The method according to claim 16, further comprising determining (703) whether the second network node is able to provide the requested one or more computational resources; wherein the transmitted response is based on the determination. The method according to any of the claims 16-17, wherein the transmitted response comprises an indication of one or more computational resources available at the second network node (14). The method according to any of the claims 16-18, wherein the transmitted response comprises an indication of an address related to the one or more computational resources. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-19, as performed by the wireless device, the first network node and the second network node, respectively. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-19, as performed by the wireless device, the first network node and the second network node, respectively. A wireless device (10) for handling a service at the wireless device in a wireless communications network, wherein the wireless device is configured to transmit a request in a radio resource control, RRC, message to a radio network node (12), to offload one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device, from the wireless device to one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network. The wireless device according to claim 22, wherein the wireless device is further configured to determine to offload the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device (10). The wireless device according to any of the claims 22-23, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive a response to the request from the radio network node (12), wherein the response comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources. The wireless device according to any of the claims 22-24, wherein the wireless device is further configured to transmit computational input for the one or more computations and/or the one or more computations. The wireless device according to claims 24 and 25, wherein the wireless device is configured to transmit the computational input and/or the one or more computations based on the received response. The wireless device according to any of the claims 25-26, wherein the computational input and/or the one or more computations is transmitted to a network node related to a setup bearer for data, and/or to a first network node controlling one or more computational resources in the wireless communications network. The wireless device according to any of the claims 25-27, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive from the radio network node a result of the one or more computations. The wireless device according to any of the claims 22-28, wherein the request comprises one or more of: a request for one or more computational resources; an expected quantity of computational resources; an expected size of memory to execute the one or more computations, and an acceptable computational delay. A first network node (13) for handling a service of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network, wherein the first network node is configured to obtain an indication of a need of one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device (10), one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device (10); and trigger a process to provide the one or more computational resources for the wireless device (10) taking the indication into account. The first network node (13) according to claim 30, wherein the first network node is configured to trigger the process by determining a second network node (14) that comprises the one or more computational resources. The first network node (13) according to claim 31 , wherein the first network node is configured to trigger the process by requesting the determined second network node (14) to provide the one or more computational resources, and by receiving a response confirming or rejecting said request. The first network node (13) according to any of the claims 30-32, wherein the first network node is configured to obtain the indication by receiving the indication from the wireless device (10), or by determining at the first network node to offload, from the wireless device (10), the one or more computations of the task related to the service at the wireless device (10). The first network node (13) according to any of the claims 30-33, wherein the first network node is further configured to receive an indication of capability of the wireless device (10) to offload one or more computations of a task. The first network node (13) according to claims 33 and 34, wherein the first network node is configured to determine to offload from the wireless device (10), the one or more computations based on the received indication of capability of the wireless device (10). The first network node (13) according to any of the claims 30-35, wherein the triggered process comprises transmitting a message to another network node for setting up a bearer for the service, or to the wireless device (10), wherein the message comprises one or more of the following: an address related to the one or more computational resources; and a configuration related to the one or more computational resources. A second network node (14) for handling a service of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network, wherein the second network node (14) is configured to obtain a request from a first network node (13) for one or more computational resources to offload, from the wireless device (10), one or more computations of a task related to the service at the wireless device (10); and transmit to the first network node (13), a response confirming or rejecting at least partly said request. The second network node (14) according to claim 37, wherein the second network node (14) is further configured to determine whether the second network node is able to provide the requested one or more computational resources; and wherein the transmitted response is based on the determination. The second network node (14) according to any of the claims 37-38, wherein the transmitted response comprises an indication of one or more computational resources available at the second network node (14). The second network node (14) according to any of the claims 37-39, wherein the transmitted response comprises an indication of an address related to the one or more computational resources.