EP4260578A1

EP4260578A1 - Apparatus, methods and computer programs for edge services

Info

Publication number: EP4260578A1
Application number: EP20964647.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Maeder; Sean Kelley; Eva PEREZ; Shubhranshu Singh; Peter Leis; Yang Shen
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2020-12-10
Filing date: 2020-12-10
Publication date: 2023-10-18
Also published as: WO2022120709A1; WO2022120709A9; CN116830608A

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.

Description

Apparatus, methods and computer programs for edge services

Field

This disclosure relates to communications, and more particularly to apparatus, methods and computer programs in a wireless communication system. More particularly the present invention relates to edge services.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication between two or more devices such as user terminals, machine-like terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing communication channels for carrying information between the communicating devices. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying data for voice, electronic mail (email) , text message, multimedia and/or content data communications and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.
In a wireless system at least a part of communications occurs over wireless interfaces. A user can access a communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal capable of communicating with a base station. Hence nodes like base stations are often referred to as access points. A communication device of a user is often referred to as user equipment (UE) .
A communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined.
Since introduction of fourth generation (4G) services increasing interest has been paid to the next, or fifth generation (5G) standard. 5G may also be referred to as New Radio (NR) .
Edge computing, or mobile edge computing (MEC) aims to provide resources, such as processing and storage, close to an end user
Summary
According to a first aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to some examples the condition comprises the apparatus entering a location area to which the second entity is bound.
According to some examples the location area of the second entity comprises one or more of: a traffic area; a local area data network.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform receiving information of availability of the second entity, when the apparatus registers in the location area of the second entity.
According to some examples the one or more first control plane services comprises one or more of: a mobility management service; session management; registration of the apparatus.
According to some examples the one or more second control plane services has a low latency requirement.
According to some examples the one or more second control plane services comprise an edge service.
According to some examples the edge service comprises a location service.
According to some examples the means are further configured to use location management functions of the second entity, when it is determined by the apparatus that a location request originates from an edge-based client.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises a user equipment.
According to some examples the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.
According to a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, circuitry for establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; circuitry for performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and circuitry for performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to some examples the condition comprises the apparatus entering a location area to which the second entity is bound.
According to some examples the location area of the second entity comprises one or more of: a traffic area; a local area data network.
According to some examples the method comprises receiving information of availability of the second entity, when the apparatus registers in the location area of the second entity.
According to some examples the one or more first control plane services comprises one or more of: a mobility management service; session management; registration of the apparatus.
According to some examples the one or more second control plane services has a low latency requirement.
According to some examples the one or more second control plane services comprise an edge service.
According to some examples the edge service comprises a location service.
According to some examples the method comprises using location management functions of the second entity, when it is determined by the apparatus that a location request originates from an edge-based client.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises a user equipment.
According to a fifth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to a sixth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between an apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to a seventh aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to an eighth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between an apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
According to a ninth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to some examples the area of the user equipment comprises a local area data network in which the user equipment is located.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform reading an indication in a message from the user equipment containing the non-access stratum information, and using the indication to determine whether to send the non-access stratum information to the first entity or the second entity.
According to some examples the indication comprises one of: a radio resource control level indication; a non-access stratum level indication provided in a header of the message.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises a radio access node.
According to some examples the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.
According to a tenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to an eleventh aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to a twelfth aspect there is provided a method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to some examples the area of the user equipment comprises a local area data network in which the user equipment is located.
According to some examples the method comprises reading an indication in a message from the user equipment containing the non-access stratum information, and using the indication to determine whether to send the non-access stratum information to the first entity or the second entity.
According to some examples the indication comprises one of: a radio resource control level indication; a non-access stratum level indication provided in a header of the message.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises a radio access node.
According to a thirteenth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to a fourteenth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to a fifteenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to a sixteenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
According to a seventeenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and wherein the means are further configured to perform communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform sending identity information of the edge computing entity to the user equipment, for assisting the user equipment in establishing a connection with the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform sending identity information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform sending subscription information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform sending a security context of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform sending information to the edge computing entity of whether the user equipment is in an idle mode or an active mode.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform sending mobility information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform, in response to receiving a location request for the user equipment and determining that the user equipment is in a local area data network, selecting a local location management function of the local area data network, and providing an identity of the edge computing entity to the location management function.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises an access and mobility management function.
According to some examples the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.
According to an eighteenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to a nineteenth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and wherein the means are further configured to perform communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to a twentieth aspect there is provided a method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and wherein the means are further configured to perform communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the method comprises sending identity information of the edge computing entity to the user equipment, for assisting the user equipment in establishing a connection with the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the method comprises sending identity information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the method comprises sending subscription information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the method comprises sending a security context of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the method comprises sending information to the edge computing entity of whether the user equipment is in an idle mode or an active mode.
According to some examples the method comprises sending mobility information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
According to some examples the method comprises, in response to receiving a location request for the user equipment and determining that the user equipment is in a local area data network, selecting a local location management function of the local area data network, and providing an identity of the edge computing entity to the location management function.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises an access and mobility management function.
According to a twenty first aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to a twenty second aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to a twenty third aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to a twenty fourth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
According to a twenty fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to some examples the apparatus is bound to a location area, and the means are further configured to perform establishing the second connection when the user equipment enters the location area of the apparatus.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform receiving a security context of the user equipment from the access and mobility management function.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform subscribing to activity notifications of the user equipment.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform triggering a network-based service request to the access and mobility management function when it is determined that the user equipment is in an idle state.
According to some examples the means are further configured to perform receiving information of mobility events of the user equipment from the access and mobility management function.
According to some examples the one or more control plane services comprises an edge service.
According to some examples the edge service comprises a location service.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises an edge computing entity.
According to some examples the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.
According to a twenty sixth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to a twenty seventh aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; circuitry for communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and circuitry for using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to a twenty eighth aspect there is provided a method carried out by an apparatus, the method comprising: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to some examples the apparatus is bound to a location area, and the means are further configured to perform establishing the second connection when the user equipment enters the location area of the apparatus.
According to some examples the method comprises receiving a security context of the user equipment from the access and mobility management function.
According to some examples the method comprises subscribing to activity notifications of the user equipment.
According to some examples the method comprises triggering a network-based service request to the access and mobility management function when it is determined that the user equipment is in an idle state.
According to some examples the method comprises receiving information of mobility events of the user equipment from the access and mobility management function.
According to some examples the one or more control plane services comprises an edge service.
According to some examples the edge service comprises a location service.
According to some examples the apparatus comprises an edge computing entity.
According to a twenty ninth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to a thirtieth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to a thirty first aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to a thirty second aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
According to a thirty third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to thirty fourth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to a thirty fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for, in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and circuitry for sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to a thirty sixth aspect there is provided a method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to a thirty seventh aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to a thirty eighth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to a thirty ninth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
According to a fortieth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
Brief description of Figures
The invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 provides a schematic overview of the proposed concept;
Figure 2A and Figure 2B schematically show dual NAS connection;
Figure 3 schematically shows protocol architecture;
Figure 4 schematically shows architecture of local area data network (LADN) based location services;
Figure 5 is a signalling diagram according to one example;
Figure 6 is a signalling diagram according to one example;
Figure 7 is a signalling diagram according to one example;
Figure 8 schematically shows features of a user equipment according to an example;
Figure 9 schematically shows features of a control apparatus according to an example;
Figures 10 to 14 schematically show flow charts of methods according to some examples;
Figure 15 schematically shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of some embodiments.

Detailed description

As briefly mentioned above, edge computing, or mobile edge computing (MEC) aims to provide resources, such as processing and storage, close to an end user. For example, an edge computer or edge computing entity may be in physical proximity to a user requiring a service. A network may comprise of a plurality of physically distributed edge computing entities, so that each edge entity can provide edge services to devices in its location.
The present disclosure has identified that there are many control-plane services which may benefit from edge deployment as well. The present disclosure has identified that one specific example of a control-plane service which may benefit from edge deployment are location services (LCS) . There are many use cases like AGV (automated guided vehicle) control, logistics, drones, vehicular/network assisted driving, AR/VR processing which require low-latency, high-accuracy, high performance location information and processing in edge sites.
Currently, LCS is centralized, requiring the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to correlate UE and RAN (radio access network) node IDs to allow location information requests to specific nodes. Each location information message needs to traverse several hops through the network before the client can be served. Some concepts have been proposed in studies in SA2 (5G_eLCS_ph2, TR 23.731) and RAN3 (TR 38.855 section 9.3.1) . However, these proposed solutions are either RAN-based (LMC) or still involve the AMF, thus increasing overall latency.
Some problems that have been considered in the present disclosure include the following:
● How to avoid AMF involvement in C-plane procedures, or other procedures involving Edge network functions, as far as possible without moving all functionality into RAN/duplicating functionality in RAN.
● How to realize C-Plane service-specific functions -hosted currently in AMF -at the edge, without moving access and mobility management as a whole into edge. Note that mobility management is typically considered a “critical” function which is intentionally kept centralized/in core in virtually all operator deployments
● How to re-use as much functionality as possible from existing C-Plane functions
● How to lower signaling load to CN.
As briefly described above, the problems can be applied to a multitude of C-plane services which may benefit from edge deployment. Following on from this, further issues which have been considered in the present disclosure include:
● How to enable C-plane services in edge without compromising essential central C-plane functions like mobility
● C-plane messages are transported to the UE via Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. Specifically to NAS, one issue is how to enable N1 NAS communication to C-plane function in edge, in conjunction with NAS termination in central AMF:
● Moreover, NAS is a peer-to-peer protocol with integrity protection and ciphering; with no access for in-between nodes to payload type. Visible information (TS 24.501, TS 24.007) includes:
■ Extended Protocol Discriminator; security header type; message authentication code; sequence number
■ routing (e.g. in RAN) of LPP messages to another end-point only possible if e.g. EPD is extended with additional information
■ End-points use NAS COUNT to prevent re-play attack from man-in-the-middle. This effectively also prevents NAS handling of the same connection in two different end-points. It follows that a transparent “routing” solution would require Extended Protocol Discriminator (EPD) extension and a complex NAS COUNT “synchronization” between AMF and Edge C-plane component for every message, which may not be a realistic solution.
The proposed concept is illustrated with respect to Figure 1, where the upper part of the Figure, designated 102, shows the current system architecture, and the lower part of the Figure, designated 104, shows the proposed architecture. Of note in the new proposal is the Edge C-Plane component 108, located in edge area 106. In terms of communication routing the Edge C-Plane Component 108, which may be more generally referred to as an edge computing entity, sits between the UE 110 and RAN 112 on one side and the CN (core network) 114 on the other side. In this way the Edge C-Plane Component 108 acts as a conduit of information to end-user applications 116 in the edge area 106.
Currently, in order to address low latency for location services some studies have been made in 3GPP WG SA2 (5G_eLCS_ph2, TR 23.731) and RAN3 (TR 38.855 section 9.3.1) . However, none of these disclose a “Dual NAS” protocol as will be discussed further in the present disclosure.
In the existing eLCS (enhanced location services) architecture, the signaling between a UE and LMF (LPP) , the signaling between a RAN node and LMF (NRPPa) and the signaling between a LCS client/AF and LMF (location management function) have to traverse a centrally deployed AMF.
In an edge computing environment, when LCS client/AF, GMLC (gateway mobile location centre) and LMF are all deployed at the local network and the AMF has to be deployed in the core network, the signaling for delivering LCS request and result and for UE positioning has to traverse between RAN and CN, which will then lead to high latency and unnecessary control signaling to core network.
In an attempt to resolve this, it has been proposed in studies in SA2 (5G_eLCS_ph2, TR 23.731) and RAN3 (TR 38.855 section 9.3.1) to introduce the LMC (location management component) into gNB. LMC performs the LMF functionality, so that AMF is not involved in UE positioning procedures. However, there are security concern e.g. location result provided by RAN is untrusted and the risk of exposing UE location privacy at RAN. More details of the LMC can be found in TR 38.856, “Study on local NR positioning in NG-RAN” .
Considering these issues, the present disclosure proposes a dual non-access stratum connection for the UE. This will be further explained with respect to Figures 2A and 2B, which show communications between a UE 210, a RAN node 212, edge computing component 208, and AMF 220. In some examples (for example Figure 2A) the edge computing component 208 comprises an edge control-plane component (ECP) . In some examples (for example Figure 2B) the edge computing component 208 comprises a Location Services Edge Component (LS-EC) .
A first or Primary NAS (P-NAS) connection is made between the UE 210 and the AMF 220. In the examples of Figures 2A and 2B the P-NAS connection is made between UE 210 and AMF 220, via RAN 212. The P-NAS connection is designated schematically by the line shown at 222. In examples, the P-NAS 222 handles c-plane functions like in a current system such as mobility management, session management, UE registration, etc.
A second or Secondary NAS (S-NAS) connection is made between the UE 210 and edge computing component 208. In the examples of Figures 2A and 2B the S-NAS is shown schematically by line 224. In examples, the S-NAS 224 is made between UE 210 and edge computing component 208, via RAN node 212. In some examples, the S-NAS is used to connect the UE 210 to edge-bound c-plane services such as edge-based LCS.
According to some examples, the edge computing component 208 is associated with a location area. In some examples it may be considered that the edge computing component 208 is bound to an area of interest. For example, the area of interest may comprise a set of Traffic Areas (TAs) . Additionally or alternatively the area of interest may comprise an existing LADN (Local Area Data Network) area. It may be considered that the UE is in the location area.
According to some examples, the AMF 220 uses LADN information (or similar information) during registration procedure of the UE 210 to provide the UE 210 with information of availability of edge computing component 210 in a LADN area.
According to some examples, the S-NAS signalling connection 224 to edge computing component 208 is established in response to a condition being met. According to some examples, the condition comprises the UE 210 entering a location area (e.g. LADN) of the edge computing component 208.
According to some examples, the UE 210 either uses L2 indication in access stratum (AS) signaling message (RRC) for RAN to enable routing of S-NAS, or extends EPD (Extended Protocol Discriminator, as defined in TS 24.501) .
According to some examples, when the UE 210 leaves the location (e.g. area of interest/LADN area) of the edge computing component 208, the AMF 220 terminates S-NAS 224 in edge computing component 208 Namf, or other CN-based interface via P-NAS message.
According to some examples, subscription data is pushed to edge computing component 208 by AMF 220 or UDM (unified data management) via Namf at UE registration time.
According to some examples, edge computing component 208 uses Namf services to AMF 220 to obtain security context of the UE 210. According to some examples, this takes place at the time of UE establishment of -NAS connection.
According to some examples, the edge computing component 208 is configured with UE identities which are subscribed to the LADN LS (location service) service.
Some examples will now be explained in more detail, starting with Figure 3 which shows a protocol architecture having P-NAS (5GMM, 5GCM) and S-NAS (edge-c protocol) . The radio resource control (RRC) layer is schematically shown at 330. The 5G Mobility Management (5GMM) layer is schematically shown at 332, and the edge-c (i.e. edge control plane) protocol layer is shown at 336. The RRC layer 330 can use edge_c protocol to communicate with the edge-c protocol layer 336 on S-NAS, but does not use the edge_c protocol to communicate with the 5GMM layer 332 on P-NAS. As schematically shown, the 5GMM layer 332 and the edge-c protocol layer 336 can bidirectionally communicate with each other. The 5G connection management (5GCM) layer is schematically shown at 334.
According to some examples, the S-NAS connection uses its own protocol discriminator value in Extended Protocol Discriminator (EPD) . That is, according to some examples, the S-NAS connection may be considered to have a dedicated discriminator value. For example the discriminator value could be “Edge_C” . According to some examples the S-NAS is configured to use a limited set of messages. This may simplify communication and reduce overhead. In some examples, a purpose of S-NAS is to transport containers between the UE and the Edge-C-Plane component in uplink and downlink direction. Therefore the limited set of messages that the S-NAS is configured to use may be for this purpose. In other words, it may be considered that the S-NAS is configured to use a limited set of messages, the limited set of messages being for facilitating communication of containers between the UE and the edge computing entity.
According to some examples, the S-NAS component (i.e. edge-c protocol layer 336) communicates with the 5GMM sublayer 332 for one or more of the following:
- UE Security context management
- UE Identity handling
- UE transition to connected mode
According to some examples the interaction of S-NAS component (i.e. edge-c protocol layer 336) and 5GMM is carried out via Namf between edge-c-plane component 336 and AMF
With reference back to Figures 2A and 2B, routing of S-NAS in RAN will now be discussed.
According to some examples, for an uplink NAS message received from the UE 210, the RAN node 212 is configured to determine whether the uplink NAS message is a P-NAS message that should be transferred to the AMF 220, or an S-NAS message that should be transferred to the edge C-plane component 208 (e.g. LS-EC) . In some examples, the P-NAS messages are transferred to AMF on NG interface. In some examples, the S-NAS messages are transferred to edge component 208 on NLx interface. That is it may be considered that the RAN node is configured to selectively route non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment
In some examples, the RAN 212 is configured so that certain uplink NAS messages will always be routed towards the AMF 220. For example, an initial NAS message during connection setup and/or connection resume of the UE 210 will always be routed to AMF 220. In some examples, for other uplink NAS messages (for example NAS messages received from the UE in an RRC: ULInformationTransfer) , there are at least two options for the RAN 212 to distinguish between a P-NAS and S-NAS message, so that those messages can be routed accordingly:
Option 1: An explicit RRC-level indication. In some examples, the explicit RRC-level indication is provided in the ULInformationTransfer (e.g. secondaryNAS IE) , which is set by the UE 210 based on information received from upper layers. In other words, for an S-NAS message the upper layers provide a secondaryNAS indication in addition to the NAS PDU. In some examples, option 1 impacts the UE and the RRC protocol.
Option 2: An explicit NAS-level indication. In some examples the explicit NAS-level indication is provided in the NAS message header. For example, in the Extended Protocol Discriminator, a new value could be introduced such as “Edge_C” , “5GS mobility management –secondary NAS” or “secondary NAS” (see Table 11.2.3.1.1A. 1 of TS 24.007) . In some examples, option 2 impacts only the NAS layer.
According to some examples, a new interface is provided between RAN 212 and edge computing component 208. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, this interface may comprise an NLx interface. According to some examples, the NLx implements a subset of NGAP procedures. For example, the subset of NGAP procedures may comprise one or more of: Interface Management procedures; NRPPa Transport procedures; NAS Transport procedures.
A worked example will now be described with respect to Figure 4, which shows some parts of a 5G network 400, including a LADN area 448. Of note in Figure 4 are UE 410, RAN 412, AMF 420, edge computing entity 408, GMLC 440 and LCS client or apps 442. The edge computing entity 408 may comprise, for example, a location services management function (LS-AMF) or a location services edge component (LS-EC) . In some examples the edge computing entity 408 is in communication with a location management function (LMF) 444. In other examples the LS-EC 408 and LMF 444 could be combined into a local location services entity (LLSE) . The NLx interface is shown between RAN 412 and edge computing entity 408 e.g. for NRPPa/LPP transport. In the example of Figure 4 the GMLC 440 and LCS client or apps 442 are located in the edge area i.e. LADN area 448, for low latency.
According to the example of Figure 4, the AMF 420 uses LADN information during registration procedure of the UE 410 in the LADN area 448, to provide UE 410 with LS-EC 408 availability in the LADN 448. That is it may be considered that the AMF 420 is configured to send identity information of the edge computing entity 408 to the user equipment 410, for assisting the user equipment 410 in establishing a connection with the edge computing entity 408. In examples the AMF 420 is also configured to send UE identity information and subscription information to the edge computing entity 408.
In some examples, the edge computing entity 408 is configured with identities of UEs which are subscribed to the LADN LS service.
In some examples, edge computing entity 408 is configured to subscribe to UE reachability notification and/or UE mobility events for one or more UE identities in the LADN area. In some examples the edge computing entity 408 subscribes to UE identities subscribed and authorized in the LADN area.
According to some examples and as previously discussed, the edge computing entity 408 handles location-service specific procedures. In examples, mobility management responsibility remains in the AMF.
According to some examples the (local) GMLC 440 is pre-configured with the address of the edge computing entity 408. In examples, the GPSI/SUPI is provided by LCS client 442. According to some examples the GMLC may request routing information and/or target UE privacy information from the UDM, as per TS 23.273 section 4.3.3) .
According to some examples, when it is determined by the edge computing entity 408 that the UE 410 is in idle mode (e.g. as indicated by UE activity notification) , the edge computing entity 408 is configured to trigger a network service request to AMF 420 e.g. via Namf. In other words it may be considered that the edge computing entity 408 is configured to perform triggering a network-based service request to the access and mobility management function when it is determined that the user equipment is in an idle state.
According to some examples, when there is a request from external LCS client 451 to central GMLC 450, the AMF 420 or GMLC 450 is configured to select the edge LMF 444 or edge computing entity 408 respectively, according to two options set-out below.
● Option 1: The LCS 451 request is sent to AMF 420 via the centrally deployed GMLC 450. If UE 410 is in a LADN area (e.g. LADN area 448) , the AMF 420 is configured to select the edge LMF 444 in the LADN area 448. According to some examples, the AMF 420 provides an indication (assuming that LMF 444 is configured with the ID of the edge computing entity 408) , or the LS-EC ID is sent to the LMF 444 when triggering the positioning procedure to allow local positioning. In some examples the positioning is performed at edge LMF 444 and the edge computing entity 408. In examples, the location result is sent to AMF 420 by the LMF 444. Option 1 is explained in more detail with respect to Figure 6.
● Option 2: When the GMLC 450 queries UDM for the AMF address, and if LS-EC ID is included, the GMLC 450 sends the LCS request to the edge computing entity 408. Further steps are similar to option 1. Option 2 is explained in more detail with respect to Figure 7.
According to some examples the subscription data at edge computing entity 408 is obtained via AMF 420 or UDM 446 via Namf at UE registration time.
A further example, will now be discussed with respect to the signalling diagram of Figure 5 which shows a call flow of LADN-LS 5GC-MT-LR procedure for commercial location services. The entities shown in Figure 5 are UE 510, RAN node 512, edge computing entity (in this case LS-EC) 508, LMF 544, AMF 520, GMLC 540, and external client 542.
As initial or “pre-steps” (prior to the location service request) the UE 510 will set-up an S-NAS component internally in the UE 510. The AMF 520 then informs LS-EC 508 to also setup S-NAS. The AMF 520 also sends information of UE identity and security context to LS-EC 508. In examples, based on LADN subscription information, LS-EC 508 is configured to subscribe to UE activity notifications. Then, LS-EC 508 is notified by AMF 520 if the mobility state changes of a UE (e.g. UE 510) subscribed to location service in the LADN area. In some examples, LS-EC 508 is subscribed to UE mobility event for the LADN area using Namf_EventExposure_Subscribe. Some further steps will now be described.
At step 1 an LCS service request is sent from external client 542 to GMLC 540. In some examples this service request includes SUPI/GPSI (subscription permanent identifier /generic public subscription identifier) .
At step 2 the location request is sent from the GMLC 540 to the LS-EC 508.
At step 3, when UE activity state is CM-IDLE, the LS-EC 508 triggers a service request procedure. In examples, the LS-EC may obtain the information that the UE is idle based on a UE reachability notification service that the LS-EC 508 has subscribed to. A message is sent from LS-EC 508 to AMF 520, as shown at step 4. A purpose of the message is to indicate to AMF 520 to trigger UE status change i.e. to change UE 510 from idle state to active state so that UE 510 can then initiate a location request procedure. In some examples the message at step 4 comprises a Namf_Communication_N1 N2MessageTransfer message. In some examples it may be considered that the service request is network triggered (see step 5) . In some examples the service request procedure includes LS-EC ID and LMF ID.
At step 6, the LS-EC 508 waits for a UE activity indication status from AMF 520. In some examples the activity status that is waited for comprises a CM-CONNECTED activity status. In some examples, the LS-EC 508 starts a timer T at S6. If the CM-CONNECTED state is not indicated after the timer T expires, subsequent steps 8 to 11 are skipped and failure is indicated to GMLC 540.
At step 7, AMF indicates to LS-EC 508 a connected state of UE 510. In some examples, this is carried out by way of a Namf_EventExposure_Notify message.
Steps 8 to 13 are conventional and known from TS 23.273 6.1.2.
An example will now be described with respect to Figure 6 where a location request originates from a central or home GMLC (HGMLC) 650, after HGMLC 650 receives a location request from external LCS client 651. Entities shown in this Figure are UE 610, NG-RAN 612, LMF (edge) 644, LS-EC 608, AMF 620, visited GMLC (VGMLC) 640, HGMLC 650, UDM 652, LCS client 651, NEF 654 and AF 656. The procedure shown in Figure 6 is the same as 5GC-MT-LR Procedure for the commercial location service defined in clause 6.1.2 of TS 23.273, with the following differences:
● At Step 10: the AMF 620 selects an LMF 644 based on UE location. For example, the AMF 620 selects the LMF 644 based on whether UE 610 is in LADN area
● At Step 11: AMF 620 includes either an indicator or LS-EC ID in the location request, which in some examples comprises a Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation Request
● At Step 12: UE positioning is carried out, and corresponding positioning messages are exchanged among UE 610, NG-RAN 612 and LS-EC 608.
An example will now be described with respect to Figure 7 where there is a location request from an external client to central GMLC 750. Entities shown in this Figure are UE 710, NG-RAN 712, LMF (edge) 744, LS-EC 708, AMF 720, visited GMLC (VGMLC) 740, HGMLC 750, UDM 752, external LCS client 751, NEF 754 and AF 756. The procedure shown in Figure 7 is the same as 5GC-MT-LR Procedure for the commercial location service defined in clause 6.1.2 of TS 23.273, with the following differences:
● At step 3: UDM 752 returns both AMF ID and LS-EC ID, if LS-EC ID is available due to the UE moving into the LADN area
● At step 5: VGMLC 740 sends the request to LS-EC 708 instead of AMF 720.
● After Step 5, LS-EC 708 takes the role of AMF 720 for the LCS procedure due to UE 710 moving into LADN area.
By way of summary, it may be considered that the present disclosure introduces a NAS connection to an edge computing entity. The edge computing entity may be more specifically considered an edge control-plane (C-plane) entity or edge control-plane component. The NAS connection to the edge C-plane entity may be considered a secondary NAS connection (S-NAS) . A first or primary NAS connection (P-NAS) may be considered to correspond to the legacy NAS connection to AMF. According to some examples, the P-NAS is a pre-requisite for establishment of S-NAS. That is, in some examples it may be considered that the P-NAS between UE, RAN and AMF is used for establishment of the S-NAS.
According to some examples, the present disclosure introduces setup and removal of S-NAS based on area of interest specific for the edge C-plane entity. For example the S-NAS may be setup in response to UE entering the area of interest. The S-NAS may be removed in response to UE leaving the area of interest. According to some examples the area of interest comprises LADN.
According to some examples, security context of a UE is provided to the edge C-plane entity by the AMF during Secondary NAS establishment, while UE is in the LADN area. In some examples the security context is provided to the edge C-plane entity via Namf interface.
According to some examples, the routing of S-NAS messages in RAN is either by NAS protocol extension, or by information provided via RRC.
According to some examples the edge computing entity is informed by AMF, via UE reachability notification, whether UE is in idle or connected mode. The edge computing entity can then trigger a network-based service request to AMF. According to some examples, the network-based service request is sent to AMF via Namf interface.
According to some examples the edge computing entity is informed of UE mobility events by AMF. According to some examples the edge computing entity is informed of UE mobility events by AMF via Namf interface.
According to examples, the dual-NAS approach (P-NAS and S-NAS) is used for edge-based location services, using the edge computing entity. According to examples, edge location management functions are utilized if the location request originates from a central client.
It will thus be appreciated that the present disclosure provides C-plane services (like location services) without AMF (centralized function) interaction for edge deployments. The present disclosure may be applicable for any service which require c-plane involvement in the edge. Due to there being no AMF interaction in examples (e.g. edge location services) , extremely low latencies can be achieved. The disclosure may therefore be applicable for low-latency location service use cases (e.g. AGV (autonomous guided vehicle) control, logistics, drones, vehicular/network assisted driving, AR/VR processing) . Furthermore, according to examples, signaling to central node is avoided and signaling load is reduced. The disclosure may re-use existing NAS framework for a network-triggered service request in case that UE is idle (e.g. CM-IDLE state) . It will also be appreciated that sensitive information such as location information can stay locally in the edge (e.g. area of interest) , for better privacy.
A possible wireless communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 8 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 800. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’ , a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle) , personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email) , text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts and other information.
A wireless communication device may be for example a mobile device, that is, a device not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a stationary device. The wireless device may need human interaction for communication, or may not need human interaction for communication. In the present teachings the terms UE or “user” are used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.
The wireless device 800 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 807 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 8 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 806. The transceiver apparatus 806 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.
A wireless device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 801, at least one memory 802 and other possible components 803 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 804. The user may control the operation of the wireless device by means of a suitable user interface such as keypad 805, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 808, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a wireless communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.
Figure 9 shows an example of a control apparatus for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network such as an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity such as a spectrum management entity, or a server or host. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 900 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 900 comprises at least one memory 901, at least one data processing unit 902, 903 and an input/output interface 904. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example the control apparatus 900 or processor 901 can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions.
Figures 10 to 14 are flow charts of methods according to examples.
Figure 10 is a flow chart of a method performed by an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise a user equipment.
As shown at S1 the method comprises establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity. The first entity comprising an access and mobility management function.
At S2 the method comprises, in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity.
At S3 the method comprises performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity.
At S4 the method comprises performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
Figure 11 is a flow chart of a method performed by an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise a radio access network (RAN) node.
As shown at S1, the method comprises selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
Figure 12 is a flow chart of a method performed by an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise an access and mobility management function (AMF) .
As shown at S1 the method comprises communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment.
As shown at S2 the method comprises communicating with the edge computing entity.
Figure 13 is a flow chart of a method performed by an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise an edge computing entity.
As shown at S1, the method comprises communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection.
At S2, the method comprises communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection.
At S3, the method comprises sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
Figure 14 is a flow chart of a method performed by an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise a gateway mobile location centre.
As shown at S1 the method comprises, in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network.
As shown at S2, the method comprises sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
Figure 15 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1500a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD) ) and 1500b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and/or parameters 1502 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of Figures 10 to 14. In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.
In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.
As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) : (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit (s) and or processor (s) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.
The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.
Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.
The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) , application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) , FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.
Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.
The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

An apparatus comprising means for performing:

establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and

in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity;

performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and

performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition comprises the apparatus entering a location area to which the second entity is bound.
The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the location area of the second entity comprises one or more of: a traffic area; a local area data network.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means are further configured to perform receiving information of availability of the second entity, when the apparatus registers in the location area of the second entity.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more first control plane services comprises one or more of: a mobility management service; session management; registration of the apparatus.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the one or more second control plane services has a low latency requirement.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more second control plane services comprise an edge service.
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the edge service comprises a location service.
The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the means are further configured to use location management functions of the second entity, when it is determined by the apparatus that a location request originates from an edge-based client.
An apparatus comprising means for performing:

selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means are further configured to perform reading an indication in a message from the user equipment containing the non-access stratum information, and using the indication to determine whether to send the non-access stratum information to the first entity or the second entity.
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the indication comprises one of: a radio resource control level indication; a non-access stratum level indication provided in a header of the message.
An apparatus comprising means for performing:

communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and

wherein the means are further configured to perform communicating with the edge computing entity.
The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the means are further configured to perform sending identity information of the edge computing entity to the user equipment, for assisting the user equipment in establishing a connection with the edge computing entity.
The apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the means are further configured to perform sending identity information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
The apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the means are further configured to perform sending a security context of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
The apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the means are further configured to perform sending information to the edge computing entity of whether the user equipment is in an idle mode or an active mode.
The apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the means are further configured to perform sending mobility information of the user equipment to the edge computing entity.
The apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 18, wherein the means are further configured to perform, in response to receiving a location request for the user equipment and determining that the user equipment is in a local area data network, selecting a local location management function of the local area data network, and providing an identity of the edge computing entity to the location management function.
An apparatus comprising means for performing:

communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection;

communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and

using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the apparatus is bound to a location area, and the means are further configured to perform establishing the second connection when the user equipment enters the location area of the apparatus.
The apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the means are further configured to perform receiving a security context of the user equipment from the access and mobility management function.
The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the means are further configured to perform subscribing to activity notifications of the user equipment.
The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the means are further configured to perform triggering a network-based service request to the access and mobility management function when it is determined that the user equipment is in an idle state.
The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the means are further configured to perform receiving information of mobility events of the user equipment from the access and mobility management function.
The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the one or more control plane services comprises an edge service.
The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the edge service comprises a location service.
An apparatus comprising means for performing:

in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and

sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
A method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and the second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
A method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
A method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
A method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
A method comprising: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.
A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: establishing a first connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and a first entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function; and in response to a condition being met, establishing a second connection for communicating non-access stratum information between the apparatus and the second entity, the second entity comprising an edge computing entity; performing one or more first control plane services with the first entity; and performing one or more second control plane services with the second entity.
A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: selectively routing non-access stratum information from a user equipment to a first entity or a second entity, the first entity comprising an access and mobility management function and the second entity comprising an edge entity located at an area of the user equipment.
A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: communicating information with a user equipment, at least some of the information for assisting the user equipment in communicating non-access stratum information with an edge computing entity that is in a location area of the user equipment; and communicating with the edge computing entity.
A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: communicating with an access and mobility management function using a first connection; communicating non-access stratum information with a user equipment using a second connection; and using the second connection for assisting the user equipment to perform one or more control plane services.
A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: in response to receiving a location request of a user equipment located in a local area data network, retrieving information of a location services edge computing entity of the local area data network, and sending a location request for the user equipment to the location services edge computing entity.