GB2601396A - Improvements in and relating to Prose group management - Google Patents

Improvements in and relating to Prose group management Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2601396A
GB2601396A GB2110712.3A GB202110712A GB2601396A GB 2601396 A GB2601396 A GB 2601396A GB 202110712 A GB202110712 A GB 202110712A GB 2601396 A GB2601396 A GB 2601396A
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group
prose
ues
established
lead
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GB2601396A9 (en
GB202110712D0 (en
Inventor
Shariat Mehrdad
Watfa Mahmoud
Bennett Andrew
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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Priority claimed from GBGB2012328.7A external-priority patent/GB202012328D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB2106073.6A external-priority patent/GB202106073D0/en
Application filed by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd filed Critical Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority to PCT/KR2021/010404 priority Critical patent/WO2022031106A1/en
Publication of GB202110712D0 publication Critical patent/GB202110712D0/en
Publication of GB2601396A publication Critical patent/GB2601396A/en
Publication of GB2601396A9 publication Critical patent/GB2601396A9/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/06—Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
    • H04W4/08—User group management
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H04L67/104—Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
    • H04L67/1042—Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks using topology management mechanisms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H04L67/104—Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
    • H04L67/1044—Group management mechanisms 
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/06—Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S40/00—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
    • Y04S40/18—Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A method of managing a network is described. The network comprises a set of user equipment, UEs. The method comprises: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS. Establishing the ProSe group comprises providing a group identifier to the set of UEs by the ProSe AL. Each UE performs a group discovery using the group identifier by exchanging application discovery messages over a PC5 reference point between the UEs of the set.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PROSE GROUP MANAGEMENT
Field
The present invention relates to the Group management for interactive Proximity Services (ProSe).
Background to the invention
Proximity Services (ProSe) (specifically the direct communication) have been enhanced to support V2X services over LTE. For Fifth Generation Systems (5G5), the proximity services are expected to be an important system wide enabler to support various applications and services including public safety.
Another class of commercial services has recently emerged termed as Network-controlled Interactive services (NCIS) that share some commonality of requirements with public safety services and applications. NCIS refers to a kind of service which needs at least 2 UEs to join and share data, e.g. interactive gaming or data sharing.
For either public safety or NCIS services, a group can be determined externally at application layer (e.g. via coordination with a ProSe Application Server) where the UEs grouped form the same public safety or NCIS session together.
The ProSe group management may happen at the ProSe Application Server. For group communication over PC5 reference point, the application server (via the application layer) may provide group identifier information (e.g. application-layer group ID, ProSe Layer-2 Group ID, group member ID or group size) over PC1 reference point to the UEs. Then, the group identifier information is passed to ProSe layer of each UE and is converted into a destination Layer-2 ID used for groupcast communication at Access stratum level.
When the group identifier information is not provided by the ProSe application layer, the UE may determine the destination Layer-2 ID based on configuration of the mapping between ProSe service type and Layer-2 ID. Such configuration information can be provided from policy control function (PCF). Alternatively, the mobile network operator may pre-configure the UEs (e.g. in Universal integrated circuit card-UICC or Mobile Equipment-ME) with the required mapping information, without the need for the UEs to connect to the 5GC. This option can be in particular useful for public safety applications with known and established service types.
10 15 20 When it comes to commercial applications like NCIS, group identifier information can be more temporarily and dynamically assigned in an on-demand manner. The UEs may not always be pre-configured for required mapping information. Such dynamic identifier information may have limited validity time, subject to expiry. Frequent sharing of such information via PCF may result in control-plane level network congestion. Another challenge is, part of the UEs intended as group members may temporarily move out of coverage of the network (while still in proximity of other group members to continue the ProSe group communications). Without access to either the ProSe Application Server or 5GC to receive up-to-date dynamic group identifier information, such UEs are obliged to leave the group.
Hence, there is a need to improve ProSe.
Summary of the Invention
A first aspect provides a method of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasfing, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
A second aspect provides a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, wherein the network is configured to: establish, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcast, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and manage, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
Detailed Description of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a method, as set forth in the appended claims. Also provided is a network. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description that follows.
Method The first aspect provides a method of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
Additionally and/or alternatively, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of group management in a system where a 5G DDNMF entity and/ or the ProSe Application server may assist on group management.
To address the above challenges, the method according to the first aspect provides: 1. On demand group identifier management (e.g. for commercial/ NCIS applications) to be handled by a 5G Direct Discovery Name Management Function (DDNMF) per PLMN and / or ProSe Application Server (i.e. either in data plane over a direct interface between 5G DDNMF and UEs, e.g. PC3-like reference point or via coordination with ProSe Application Server and then via PC1 reference point between application server and UEs).This is in addition to the PCFbased provisioning that can be triggered by ProSe Application Server. Here, ProSe Application Server may determine the path (PC1, PC3, or PCF-based) to provision the group identifiers (along any other policy /parameters) to the UE based on different criteria (e.g. based on the level of load on each interface). ProSe Application Server ensures that parameters to be shared across different paths are not in conflict (e.g. by avoiding to provide the same set of parameters from multiple paths unless the precedence is predefined).
2. When UEs in a group session move temporarily out of coverage, a UE still in coverage within the group (termed as the group lead UE, i.e. an initiating UE) may facilitate a delegated group identifier management (i.e. exchanging application discovery messages) over PC5 reference point via updating application layer group identifiers among intended group members. For such delegated group information update, the source Layer-2 ID is self-selected by each member UE intending to use delegated group information update. A specific Destination Layer-2 ID for sharing delegated group identifier information is determined based on a mapping provisioned by 5G DDNMF in coordination with application layer (when UE joins the group). This is different from the destination Layer-2 ID used for groupcast communication. A message type field within group information update message indicates that the payload is related to delegated group identifier management to distinguish it from other direct discovery messages. This is to be identified at the ProSe application layer of the UE. The message type field can be transparent to Access Stratum.
In one example, establishing the ProSe group comprises providing, by the ProSe AL, a group identifier to the set of UEs.
In one example, establishing the Prose group comprises performing, by the respective UEs of the set thereof, group discovery using the provided group identifier by exchanging application discovery messages, optionally wherein establishing the ProSe group is restricted to UEs of the set thereof having the same group identifier provided thereto.
In one example, exchanging the application discovery messages comprises exchanging the application discovery messages over a PC5 reference point between the UEs of the set thereof In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided one or more of enhanced signalling procedures, for delegated PC5 group information update via an in-coverage UE termed as the group lead UE.
In one example, establishing the ProSe group comprises selecting, by the respective UEs of the set thereof, respective source identifiers based on the provided group identifier and optionally, determining respective destination identifiers based on the provided group identifier.
In one example, establishing the ProSe group comprises providing group identifier information to the respective UEs of the set thereof, optionally wherein the group identifier information comprises group member identifiers and/or a group size.
In one example, the method comprises assigning, via the ProSe AS, a group lead UE from the established Prose group.
In one example, the method comprises reassigning, via the ProSe AS, the group lead UE from the established ProSe group.
In one example, reassigning, via the ProSe AS, the group lead UE from the established ProSe group is in response to receiving, from the group lead UE, a message indicating an intention of the group lead UE to leave the established ProSe group or become out-of-coverage.
In one example, reassigning, via the Prose AS, the group lead UE from the established ProSe group comprises updating, via the ProSe AS, the established ProSe group thereupon.
In one example, the method comprises transmitting, by an out-of-coverage UE of the established ProSe group, a message to the established ProSe group, wherein the message indicates an intention of the out-of-coverage UE to leave the established Prose group and providing, by the group lead UE, the message to the ProSe AS, in response to receiving the transmitted message.
In one example, the method comprises updating, via the ProSe AS and/or the group lead UE, the remaining UEs of the established ProSe group.
In one example, the method comprises joining, by a new UE, the established ProSe group and optionally transmitting by the group lead UE, a message to an out-of-coverage UE of the established ProSe group, in response to joining, by the new UE, the established ProSe group.
In one example, the method comprises transmitting, by an out-of-coverage UE of the established ProSe group, a message to the established ProSe group, wherein the message comprises a coverage report.
In one example, the method comprises providing, by the group lead UE to the established ProSe group, an update to group identifier information, in response to receiving the message.
In one example, the method comprises determining a destination layer 2 identifier based on a mapping provisioned by the AS.
In one example, the method comprises amending or deleting, by the ProSe AS, ProSe parameters provisioned via a path and/or a source (e.g. 5GC) within a Unified Data Repository, UDR, such that the ProSe parameters provisioned from another path and/or another source take effect.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method and enhanced signalling procedure for ProSe Application Server to amend or delete the policy / parameters on the UE in order to indicate the change of the path that the group identifiers (along other policy / parameters) to be provisioned.
In one example, the method comprises updating, via the Prose AS, a path for providing a group identifier to the set of UEs.
In one example, the the ProSe AS is integrated with a 5G Direct Discovery Name Management Function, 5G DDNMF.
Network The second aspect provides a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, wherein the network is configured to: establish, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcast, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and manage, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a Prose Application Server, AS.
The network, the set of UEs, the establishing, the ProSe group, the groupcasting, the established ProSe group, the groupcasfing, the managing, the ProSe AL and/or the ProSe AS may be as described with respect to the first aspect.
The network may be configured to implement any method step as described with respect to the first aspect.
In one example, the network comprises and/or is a 5G network.
Brief description of the drawings
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exemplary embodiments of the same may be brought into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic Figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a baseline group management, group discovery and group communication, according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 shows a representation of a call flow according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 shows a representation of a call flow according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 shows a representation of a call flow according to an exemplary embodiment; and Figure 5 shows a representation of a call flow according to an exemplary embodiment.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
The Figures show various network functions/entities, whose functions and definitions are known in the art in at least: 3GPP TS 23.287, and IS 23.303: User Equipment: UE ProSe Application Server: AS Direct Discovery Name Management Function: DDNMF (Radio) Access Network: (R)AN Access and Mobility Management Function: AMF Unified Data Repository: UDR It should be understood that the functions of these network functions/entities are adapted according to the method of the first aspect and/or the network according to the second aspect.
It should be understood that the respective steps described with respect to Figures 1 to 5 may be combined, in any combination, except where the respective steps are mutually exclusive.
Figure 1 shows a first scenario according to an exemplary embodiment. This scenario indicates that group management is carried out at application layer in coordination with AS and / or 5G DDNMF.
The method is of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
The AS may also assign a group lead within the coverage. The AS may use different criteria e.g. the location of UE, assistance information from 5G DDNMF or other 5G NFs to select the group lead. This can also be implementation specific. The assignment can be shifted on-demand to another UE, e.g. based on some application-layer signalling from the group lead indicating it is about to leave the group, to go out of coverage or indicating it is low on battery. The assignment may also change, e.g. due to lack of periodic keep alive messages from the group lead.
Alternatively the assignment can be periodically rotated across in-coverage group members.
Details of each step are: S11. Group management is carried out at application layer. On demand group identifier management (e.g. for commercial applications) to be handled by 5G DDNMF in coordination with AS. AS may also assign a group lead within the coverage as outlined above.
S12. ProSe Application layer may provide group identifiers received in step 11 to ProSe Layer.
813. Each UE may run a ProSe direct group discovery that is restricted only to users sharing similar group identifiers (e.g. a group ID) based on step 12.
814. Each UE self-selects a source Layer-2 ID and determines (groupcast destination) Layer-2 ID based on group identifiers received in step 12 from ProSe Layer or based on configuration of the mapping between ProSe service type and (Destination) Layer-2 ID.
815. ProSe Service for groupcast is established.
Figure 2 shows a second scenario according to an exemplary embodiment. In this scenario UE1 is in-coverage and is assigned as group lead to assist the 5G DDNMF and/ or AS in Group Management. Out of coverage UE-3 plans to leave the group.
The method is of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
Details of each step are: S21. Group Communication is established and ongoing. UE-1 is assigned as the group lead for delegated group management by AS.
S22a. UE-3 plans to leave the group, e.g. exchanges some ProSe application layer signalling messages with other UEs but it is temporarily out-of-coverage with no access to AS or 5GC.
522b. UE-3 invokes a Delegated Group Information Update over PC5.
523a. UE-1 as the group lead periodically listens for Delegated Group Information Update from other members on specific Destination layer 2 ID (mapped based on parameters already provisioned by 5G DDNMF and AS when UE-1 joined the group or based on configuration of the mapping between ProSe service type and Destination Layer-2 ID). UE-1 as the group lead UE provides Group Information Update to the application server and / or 5G DDNMF (e.g. over PC1 and / or PC3) on behalf of UE-3.
S23b. AS in coordination with 5G DDNMF may provide group identifier update to the remaining UEs incl. the group lead after 523a. AS may also provide acknowledgment to UE-3 that it has left the group e.g. via the group lead.
NOTE 1: In step S23a, the group lead may or may not decode the payload of the delegated message when sharing with the application server and! or 5G DDNMF. In one variant of the invention, UE-1 may decode the payload and invoke a subsequent application-layer signalling message to the AS. In another variant of the invention, UE-1 may simply relay the delegated message to the AS. In either variant, the decoding entity (either UE-1 or AS) can be equipped with an application-layer authentication mechanism to verify genuineness and integrity of the message from UE-3. This may include some unique signature and! or time stamp from UE-3.
Figure 3 shows a third scenario according to an exemplary embodiment. In this scenario, UE-4 (not shown in the figure) plans to join the group but UE-3 has temporarily moved out of coverage.
The method is of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
Details of each step are: S31. Group Communication is established and ongoing. UE-4 (not shown in the figure) plans to join the group.
S32a. UE-3 is temporarily out-of-coverage with no access to AS or 5GC. UE-3 (being out-of-coverage) may groupcast some form of out of coverage report (e.g. optionally after some time window without coverage) to reach the group lead. UE-3 may also periodically listen for Delegated Group Information Update (i.e. exchanging application discovery messages) over PC5 on specific Destination layer 2 ID (mapped based on parameters already provisioned by 5G DDNMF and AS when UE-3 joined the group or based on configuration of the mapping between ProSe service type and Destination Layer-2 ID).
532b. AS in coordination with 5G DDNMF may provide group identifier update for the new UE (UE-4) joining the group (e.g. over PC1 and! or PC3). They may also indicate to the group lead to share this as Delegated Group information Update.
S33. UE-1 as the group lead UE provides Group Information Update over PC5 (e.g. based on the trigger of out of coverage report in 532a.) to be collected by UE-3.
NOTE 2: In steps S32b and / or 33, UE-1 as the group lead may or may not know the ID(s) of UE(s) that the delegated message is intended for.
Figure 4 shows a fourth scenario according to an exemplary embodiment. In this scenario, the lead UE-1 plans to leave the group (or moves out of coverage). AS may assign another in-coverage UE as group lead for delegated PC5 group management or otherwise to terminate the group communication.
The method is of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method 10 comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
Details of each step are: S41. Group Communication is established and ongoing.
S42. UE-1 formerly assigned as the group lead by the AS may plan to leave the group, leave the group lead position (or is about to move out of coverage). This can be indicated by an application-layer signalling to the AS. Alternatively, this could be implicitly identified by the AS (e.g. due to lack of periodic keep alive messages from UE-1 over PC1). The AS may also provide acknowledgment to UE-1 that it has left the group or group lead position.
S43. UE-3 is assigned as the new group lead by the AS (e.g. over PC1).
844. AS in coordination with 5G DDNMF may provide group identifier update to remaining UEs including UE-3 (e.g. over PC1 and / or P03).
NOTE 3: UE-1, when moves out of coverage, is aware that it will lose the group lead status so may listen for Delegated Group Information Update PC5 messages (from the new group lead) in case it plans to continue on group communication.
NOTE 4: Each member UE may listen for Delegated Group Information update over PC5 when out of coverage only as far as the validly time of delegated group identifier parameters (e.g. the mapping for specified Destination layer 2 ID already provisioned by 5G DDNMF) has not expired. After the expiry, if the UE is still not back in coverage, it may discontinue all discovery procedures for this group assuming its membership has been terminated.
NOTE 5: Each member UE may or may not be aware of the group lead assignment or ID as they listen to the specified Destination layer 2 ID based on the mapping provisioned by 5G DDNMF (e.g. over PC1 and! or PC3) or based on configuration of the mapping between ProSe service type and Destination Layer-2 ID.
Figure 5 shows a fifth scenario according to an exemplary embodiment. In this scenario, the AS decides to update the path for provisioning group identifiers (along other policy! parameters) from e.g. PCF to PC1/ PC3 or vice versa. However, having multiple different data paths for provisioning group identifiers may result in a conflict in the UE on what information to be adopted.
The method is of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
In one sub-variant of this invention the UE may rely on a predefined precedence i.e. priority of one path of data provisioning over another. For example, parameters provided by Application server can be given priority over the ones provided by PCF or vice versa. However, this scheme may not always work due to a fixed priority if the AS decides to change the priority and the path based on the defined criteria (e.g. based on the level of load on each interface).
In another sub-variant of the invention, the UE may treat parameters provided from different paths (i.e. PC1, PC3 or PCF) equivalently. However, the priority can be given to parameters with e.g. longer validity timer.
In another sub-variant of the invention, the UE may be given an indication as part of policy /parameters provisioning for the group discovery/ communication on the current precedence of one data source and / or path over another. Such indication can be static, semi-static or dynamically changed by PCF.
In another sub-variant of the invention, the AS may amend or delete the Application Data within the UDR, relevant to the group identifiers (along other policy / parameters) such that PCF can update, delete or nullify the parameters already given through its path. This enables provisioning of new parameters from an alternative path (e.g. PC1 or PC3) or other sources (e.g. pre-configured parameters in the UEs in UICC or ME).
Details of each step are: 551. The AS decides to update the parameters provisioning path (e.g. from PCF to PC1). The AS provides a Service Parameter Update to amend the associated parameters (e.g. group identifiers) from the PCF-based provisioning. The amendment could be for example to shorten the validity time or to lower the precedence of PCF path based on different sub-variants of this invention as described before. Alternatively, the AS may request to delete such parameters from UDR based on another sub-variant of this invention described before.
S52. Based on data change in UDR in S51, the UDR may notify PCF. Here, it is assumed that PCF has already subscribed to UDR to be notified on Application Data changes.
S53. PCF amends or deletes associated policy/ parameters (e.g. group identifiers).
354. PCF provisions updated parameters to the UE via UE configuration Update Procedure.
S55. Based on the updated policy/ parameters, UE prioritises parameters provided from other sources or paths (e.g. PC1 path or what pre-configured in UICC or ME).
NOTE 6: In steps S51, S52, PCF can additionally be notified on the new parameters to be shared via other path (e.g. PC1). However, a new indication parameter or service type may request from the PCF to only authorise or withhold such information but not to update the UE (over UE Configuration Update) to avoid conflict in the UE.
Although presented in terms of ProSe and 5GC, the skilled person will readily appreciate that other network topologies and/or protocols which rely on group communication between UEs will benefit from embodiments of the invention.
Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.
At least some of the example embodiments described herein may be constructed, partially or wholly, using dedicated special-purpose hardware. Terms such as 'component', 'module' or 'unit' used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality. In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive.
Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.
Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (20)

  1. CLAIMS1. A method of managing a network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, the method comprising: establishing, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcasting, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and managing, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a Prose Application Server, AS.
  2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein establishing the ProSe group comprises providing, by the ProSe AL, a group identifier to the set of UEs.
  3. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein establishing the ProSe group comprises performing, by the respective UEs of the set thereof, group discovery using the provided group identifier by exchanging application discovery messages, optionally wherein establishing the ProSe group is restricted to UEs of the set thereof having the same group identifier provided thereto.
  4. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein exchanging the application discovery messages comprises exchanging the application discovery messages over a P05 reference point between the UEs of the set thereof.
  5. 5. The method according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein establishing the ProSe group comprises selecting, by the respective UEs of the set thereof, respective source identifiers based on the provided group identifier and optionally, determining respective destination identifiers based on the provided group identifier.
  6. 6. The method according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein establishing the ProSe group comprises providing group identifier information to the respective UEs of the set thereof, optionally wherein the group identifier information comprises group member identifiers and/or a group size.
  7. 7. The method according to any previous claim, comprising assigning, via the ProSe AS, a group lead UE from the established ProSe group.
  8. 8. The method according to claim 7, comprising reassigning, via the ProSe AS, the group lead UE from the established ProSe group.
  9. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein reassigning, via the ProSe AS, the group lead UE from the established ProSe group is in response to receiving, from the group lead UE, a message indicating an intention of the group lead UE to leave the established ProSe group or become out-of-coverage.
  10. 10. The method according to any of claims 8 to 9, wherein reassigning, via the Prose AS, the group lead UE from the established ProSe group comprises updating, via the ProSe AS, the established Prose group thereupon.
  11. 11. The method according to any of claims 7 to 10, comprising transmitting, by an out-of-coverage UE of the established ProSe group, a message to the established ProSe group, wherein the message indicates an intention of the out-of-coverage UE to leave the established ProSe group and providing, by the group lead UE, the message to the ProSe AS, in response to receiving the transmitted message.
  12. 12. The method according to claim 11, comprising updating, via the ProSe AS and/or the group lead UE, the remaining UEs of the established ProSe group.
  13. 13. The method according to any of claims 7 to 12, comprising joining, by a new UE, the established ProSe group and optionally transmitting by the group lead UE, a message to an out-of-coverage UE of the established ProSe group, in response to joining, by the new UE, the established ProSe group.
  14. 14. The method according to any of claims 7 to 13, comprising transmitting, by an out-of-coverage UE of the established ProSe group, a message to the established ProSe group, wherein the message comprises a coverage report.
  15. 15. The method according to claim 14 comprising providing, by the group lead UE to the established ProSe group, an update to group identifier information, in response to receiving the 30 message.
  16. 16. The method according to any previous claim, comprising determining a destination layer 2 identifier based on a mapping provisioned by the AS.
  17. 17. The method according to any previous claim, comprising amending or deleting, by the ProSe AS, ProSe parameters provisioned via a path and/or a source (e.g. 5GC) within a Unified Data Repository, UDR, such that the ProSe parameters provisioned from another path and/or another source take effect.
  18. 18. The method according to any previous claim, comprising updating, via the ProSe AS, a path for providing a group identifier to the set of UEs.
  19. 19. The method according to any previous claim, wherein the ProSe AS is integrated with a 5G Direct Discovery Name Management Function, 5G DDNMF.
  20. 20. A network comprising a set of user equipment, UEs, wherein the network is configured to: establish, by the set of UEs, a Proximity Services, ProSe, group comprising the set of UEs; groupcast, by the set of UEs, to the established ProSe group; and manage, by the set of UEs, the established ProSe group at a ProSe application layer, AL, optionally in coordination with a ProSe Application Server, AS.
GB2110712.3A 2020-08-07 2021-07-26 Improvements in and relating to Prose group management Pending GB2601396A (en)

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VIVO ET AL: "V2X-based PC5 group communication", vol. SA WG2, no. Incheon, Korea; 20200113 - 20200117, 17 January 2020 (2020-01-17), XP051844239, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://ftp.3gpp.org/tsg_sa/WG2_Arch/TSGS2_136AH_Incheon/Docs/S2-2001502.zip S2-2001502_[5G_ProSe]_V2X-based PC5 group communicationrev207rev1445.doc> [retrieved on 20200117] *
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