WO2020249208A1

WO2020249208A1 - Apparatus, method and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2020249208A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/065372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessio Casati
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2019-06-12
Filing date: 2019-06-12
Publication date: 2020-12-17

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for, in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, determining at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network and providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

Description

Title

Apparatus, method and computer program

Field

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to support of optimised user equipment (UE) radio capabilities signalling in public land mobile networks (PLMN) with distributed and non-coordinated filtering of UE radio capabilities.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non limiting examples of services provided comprise 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 communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier. The 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. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for, in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, determining at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network and providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network.

Means for determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network may comprise means for determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, if so, providing the identifier associated with the superset of radio capability parameters to the network and if not, providing the identifiers associated with each of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters to the network or the identifiers associated with the sets of radio capability parameters which collectively include the capability parameters of the superset of radio capability parameters.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a subset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters and if so, removing the identifier associated with the subset of radio capability parameters from storage at the user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing each of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to the network.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving, from the network, a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters of the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier for storage at the user equipment and removing the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from storage at the user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing the at least one identifier to the network in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

The identifiers may be associated with a given user equipment radio configuration.

In a second aspect here is provided an apparatus comprising means for in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment and receiving at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise means for providing the at least one received identifier to a core network entity or a radio access networks node.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving the first identifier and at least one further identifier, providing the first identifier and at least one further identifier to a management function, receiving a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters associated with the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier from the management function and providing the replacement identifier to the user equipment for storage at the user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise means for receiving the at least one identifier from the user equipment in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

The identifiers may be associated with a given user equipment radio configuration

In a third aspect there is provided a method comprising, in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, determining at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network and providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

The method may comprise determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network.

Determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network may comprise determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, if so, providing the identifier associated with the superset of radio capability parameters to the network and if not, providing the identifiers associated with each of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters to the network or the identifiers associated with the sets of radio capability parameters which collectively include the radio capability parameters of the superset of radio capability parameters. The method may comprise determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a subset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters and if so, removing the identifier associated with the subset of radio capability parameters from storage at the user equipment.

The method may comprise providing each of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to the network.

The method may comprise receiving, from the network, a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters of the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier for storage at the user equipment and removing the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from storage at the user equipment.

The method may comprise providing the at least one identifier to the network in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method comprising in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment and receiving at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

The method may comprise providing the at least one received identifier to a core network entity or a radio access networks node.

The method may comprise receiving the first identifier and at least one further identifier, providing the first identifier and at least one further identifier to a management function, receiving a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters associated with the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier from the management function and providing the replacement identifier to the user equipment for storage at the user equipment. The method may comprise receiving the at least one identifier from the user equipment in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

In a fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receive, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receive, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, determine at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network and provide the determined at least one identifier to the network.

The apparatus may be configured to determine, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network.

The apparatus may be configured to determine if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, if so, provide the identifier associated with the superset of radio capability parameters to the network and if not, provide the identifiers associated with each of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters to the network or the identifiers associated with the sets of radio capability parameters which collectively include the radio capability parameters of the superset of radio capability parameters.

The apparatus may be configured to determine if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a subset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters and if so, remove the identifier associated with the subset of radio capability parameters from storage at the user equipment. The apparatus may be configured to provide each of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to the network.

The apparatus may be configured to receive, from the network, a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters of the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier for storage at the user equipment and remove the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from storage at the user equipment.

The apparatus may be configured to provide the at least one identifier to the network in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

In a sixth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, provide, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, provide, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment and receive at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

The apparatus may be configured to provide the at least one received identifier to a core network entity or a radio access networks node.

The apparatus may be configured to receive the first identifier and at least one further identifier, provide the first identifier and at least one further identifier to a management function, receive a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters associated with the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier from the management function and provide the replacement identifier to the user equipment for storage at the user equipment. The apparatus may be configured to receive the at least one identifier from the user equipment in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

In a seventh aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, determining at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network and providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network.

Determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network may comprise determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, if so, providing the identifier associated with the superset of radio capability parameters to the network and if not, providing the identifiers associated with each of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters to the network or the identifiers associated with the set of radio capability parameters which collectively include the radio capability parameters of the superset of radio capability parameters.

The apparatus may be caused to perform determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a subset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters and if so, removing the identifier associated with the subset of radio capability parameters from storage at the user equipment.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing each of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to the network.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving, from the network, a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters of the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier for storage at the user equipment and removing the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from storage at the user equipment.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the at least one identifier to the network in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

In an eighth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following, in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment and receiving at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the at least one received identifier to a core network entity or a radio access networks node.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving the first identifier and at least one further identifier, providing the first identifier and at least one further identifier to a management function, receiving a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters associated with the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier from the management function and providing the replacement identifier to the user equipment for storage at the user equipment. The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving the at least one identifier from the user equipment in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

In a ninth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third or fourth aspect.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example communication system comprising a base station and a plurality of communication devices;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of an EPS architecture including a UCMF;

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a 5GS architecture including a UCMF;

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of an example use case;

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of an example use case; Figure 10 shows a block diagram of an example use case.

Detailed description

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in figure 1 , mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 are provided wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. Base stations are typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller apparatus, so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile communication devices in communication with the base stations. The controller apparatus may be located in a radio access network (e.g. wireless communication system 100) or in a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as one central apparatus or its functionality may be distributed over several apparatuses. The controller apparatus may be part of the base station and/or provided by a separate entity such as a Radio Network Controller. In Figure 1 control apparatus 108 and 109 are shown to control the respective macro level base stations 106 and 107. The control apparatus of a base station can be interconnected with other control entities. The control apparatus is typically provided with memory capacity and at least one data processor. The control apparatus and functions may be distributed between a plurality of control units. In some systems, the control apparatus may additionally or alternatively be provided in a radio network controller.

In Figure 1 base stations 106 and 107 are shown as connected to a wider communications network 1 13 via gateway 1 12. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network.

The smaller base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may also be connected to the network 1 13, for example by a separate gateway function and/or via the controllers of the macro level stations. The base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may be pico or femto level base stations or the like. In the example, stations 1 16 and 1 18 are connected via a gateway 1 1 1 whilst station 120 connects via the controller apparatus 108. In some embodiments, the smaller stations may not be provided. Smaller base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may be part of a second network, for example WLAN and may be WLAN APs. The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples comprise time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and various schemes thereof such as the interleaved frequency division multiple access (I FDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA) and so on.

An example of wireless communication systems are architectures standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A latest 3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. More recent developments of the LTE are often referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). The LTE (LTE-A) employs a radio mobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and a core network known as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Base stations of such systems are known as evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features such as user plane Packet Data Convergence/Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layer protocol (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol terminations towards the communication devices. Other examples of radio access system comprise those provided by base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area. Core network elements include Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW) and Packet Gateway (P-GW).

An example of a suitable communications system is the 5G or NR concept. Network architecture in NR may be similar to that of LTE-advanced. Base stations of NR systems may be known as next generation Node Bs (gNBs). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer QoS support, and some on-demand requirements for e.g. QoS levels to support QoE of user point of view. Also network aware services and applications, and service and application aware networks may bring changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so- called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

Future networks may utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into“building blocks” or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.

An example 5G core network (CN) comprises functional entities. The CN is connected to a UE via the radio access network (RAN). An UPF (User Plane Function) whose role is called PSA (PDU Session Anchor) may be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the DN (data network) and the tunnels established over the 5G towards the UE(s) exchanging traffic with the DN.

The UPF is controlled by an SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function). The CN may also include an AMF (Access & Mobility Function).

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. 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 mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201 , at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 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 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile 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.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 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 mobile device.

Figure 3 shows an example of a control apparatus 300 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, eNB or gNB, a relay node or a core network node such as an MME or S-GW or P-GW, or a core network function such as AMF/SMF, or a server or host. The method may be implanted in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. 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 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301 , at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. 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.

In cellular systems, UE may provide the network with RAN and network UE capability information. The size of the information may, over time, become significant. Proposals have been made to optimise the signalling of UE radio capability information. Indeed 3GPP is pursuing a work item on optimisation of UE radio capabilities signalling in rel-16. This work has led to the RACS (Radio Capabilities Signalling optimization) feature.

In a PLMN supporting the RACS feature, a centralised node (e.g. a UCMF (UE capabilities Management Function)) may allocate a UE capability ID that represents the radio capabilities of the UE. The Radio capabilities are signalled to the network by the UE when the UE receives a RRC radio capability enquiry message from the RAN. The NG-RAN may apply RRC filtering of UE radio capabilities when it retrieves the UE Radio Capabilities information from the UE as defined in TS 38.331 (in the 5G System) and TS 36.331 (in the EPS). The RAN may include filtering of the UE radio capabilities in the capability enquiry message so the UE does not signal all the capabilities it supports, just those requested by RAN.

In a radio capabilities signalling optimisation (RACS) supporting PLMN, the filter of UE Radio Capabilities configured in NG-RAN is preferably as wide in scope as possible (e.g., PLMN- wide). In this case, it corresponds, e.g., to the super-set of bands, band-combinations and RATs the PLMN deploys and not only to the specific NG-RAN node or region where the NG- RAN node is.

The UE signals its radio capabilities based on the received filtering and its current radio configuration (e.g., if the user has switched off LTE or NR for the current radio configuration, the radio capability signalled will not include the LTE or NR RAT related capabilities for the current radio configuration). When the network allocates the UE Radio Capability ID, it may be referred to as the PLMN-assigned UE Radio Capability ID.

This UE Radio capability ID is stored in the UE and is then sent by the UE to the network in registration messages (in 5GS) or attach and Tracking area update messages (in EPS) so the network is aware of the UE radio capabilities without the need to enquire the full set of capabilities from the UE (thus saving signalling over the radio). In another version of RACS, the UE manufacturer allocates the IDs, and these include the IMEI (or a significant part thereof) of the UE. The IDs mapping to the corresponding UE capabilities is stored then in the UCMF. This is called UE manufacturer Assigned UE Radio Capability ID. This UE capability ID is provided to the UE and stored in the UE permanently.

Regardless of the type of UE Radio Capability ID, the mapping of the ID to the related capabilities is also cached in CN and RAN nodes. If a CN or RAN node does not have the mapping, then it is retrieved from the UCMF and CN respectively.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of an architecture including UCMF for EPS.

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an architecture including UCMF for 5GS.

In one RACS deployment, the UE radio capabilities filtering applied by a RAN node are the same across all RAN nodes, so the PLMN coordinates the filtering PLMN wide to collect all the information it needs to properly operate all the RAN nodes (i.e. the filtering includes all the RATs, bands and band combinations etc. the PLMN needs to know whether a UE supports).

The UE thus only needs to signal a single UE capability ID PLMN-wide to provide the information needed by the network and the UE has no choice of the UE radio Capability ID to send for a specific radio configuration. Indeed, the standards do recommend that this is done, or at least the scope of the UE capability filtering should be as wide as possible across RAN nodes in the PLMN.

However, the standard allows a PLMN to apply different filtering in different RAN nodes. In this case, the UE may obtain, for the same radio configuration, multiple PLMN assigned UE Radio capability IDs. In this case, the UE is not aware of which of the multiple PLMN assigned UE radio capability IDs to send in registration messages or attach and tracking area update messages.

If the filter of UE Radio Capabilities configured in two NG-RAN nodes is different, during handover between these two nodes, it is possible that the target NG-RAN node might need to enquire the UE for its UE Radio Capability information again and trigger re-allocation of a PLMN-assigned UE Radio Capability ID, leading to extra signalling. Additionally, a narrow filter might reduce the list of candidate target nodes. So the UE needs to decide what to do: if it keeps the latest radio capability ID received as a way to avoid the need to decide which UE radio capability ID to send, then this radio capability ID may not work in other areas of the network. If the UE stores multiple IDs, it does not know which to send in the next registration request.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at a user equipment.

In a first step, S1 , the method comprises, in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment.

In a second step, S2, the method comprises, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment.

In a third step, S3, the method comprises determining, at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network.

In a fourth step, S4, the method comprises providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at a network.

In a first step, T1 , the method comprises, in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment.

In a second step, T2, the method comprises, in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment.

In a third step, T3, the method comprises receiving at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment. The determined at least one identifier may be provided to the network in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

The network may use the at least one received identifier in UE context. The network may store the at least one received identifier. The network may provide the at least one received identifier to a radio access network node or an entity of the core network (e.g., UCMF). That is, the at least one received identifier may be passed to the RAN and used to signal the UE radio capabilities between core and RAN and between RAN nodes.

A set of radio capability parameters may be defined by a filter of the UE radio capabilities. The identifier associated with the first set of radio capability parameters or a further set of radio capability parameters may be referred to as a UE radio capability ID.

The identifiers may be associated with a given UE radio configuration.

Radio capability information may be provided to the network in response to a RRC UE capability enquiry message.

Determining at least one of the first identifier and the at least one first identifier to provide to the network may be based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters

In an example embodiment, the UE receives a filter (defining a set of radio capability parameters) from the RAN and provides the UE radio capabilities based on the filter. The capabilities that were sent may be stored and the associated filter is included in the signaled capabilities as the UE mirrors the capabilities filter back to the network as per TS 38.331 .

The UE then receives a UE radio capability ID for the capabilities it has provided. If the UE has a further UE radio capability ID for the same radio configuration in its storage, it checks what filter was applied for this other UE radio Capability ID related capabilities.

Determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network may comprise determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters and, if so, iproviding the identifier associated with the superset of radio capability parameters to the network.

That is, the UE then decides which filter is the most comprehensive filter (i.e. includes all the radio capability parameters) and signals in the next Registration Request message the UE radio Capability ID related to the filter that is most comprehensive.

If none of the two (or more) filters completely cover the capabilities that were signaled with the other ones (e.g. filter A and B were applied but none is the proper subset of the other one), the UE may signal to the network all the IDs it has for the current radio configuration, or the set of IDs it has that provides the most comprehensive view to the network. That is, if the neither of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, the UE may determine to provide each of the first identifier associated with each of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further identifier associated with the further set of radio capability parameters to the network or the identifiers associated with the sets of radio capability parameters which collectively include the radio capability parameters of the superset of radio capability parameters.

The method may comprise determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a subset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters and, if so, removing the identifier associated with the subset of radio capability parameters from storage at the user equipment.

That is, when a filter is detected as being a superset of other filters, the UE may remove from storage the IDs related to these other filters.

The method may comprise providing each of the first identifier and at least one further identifier. That is, in one embodiment, the UE stores all the UE Radio capability IDs it receives. The UE makes no attempt to minimise the number of the UE Radio capability IDs it stores. Then, when the UE registers with the network, it indicates all the UE Radio capability IDs it stores to the network. In this embodiment, the network receives all the multiple UE Radio capabilities IDs from the UE and uses these in the UE context.

In an alternative embodiment, the AMF (in the 5GS) or the MME (for EPS) may send the UE Radio capability IDs it receives from the UE to the UCMF for further processing and obtaining the allocation of a fresh UE Radio capability ID. The UCMF may then generate a new UE Radio capability ID representing all the capabilities signalled by the independent UE radio capability IDs signalled by the UE. That is, the method may comprise, receiving, at the network, the first identifier and at least one further identifier (i.e., all the radio capability IDs stored at the UE), providing the first identifier and at least one further identifier to a management function (e.g., UCMF), receiving a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters associated with the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier from the management function; and providing the replacement identifier to the user equipment for storage at the user equipment.

The replacement identifier may be defined by reference to the IDs the UE had sent in the Registration or by creating a combined filter and to replace these or just one of them if one is the superset of the other

The user equipment may receive the replacement identifier and remove the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from storage at the user equipment.

For example, the AMF or MME, upon receiving this new UE radio capability ID from the UCMF, provides this UE radio capability ID to the UE as a replacement of the multiple UE Radio capability ID the UE had signalled in the registration message. The UE shall then erase the UE Radio Capability IDs it stores. Then this new UE Radio capability ID is provided by the AMF in the 5GS (MME in EPS) as part of the UE context, instead of signalling a plurality of UE Radio capability IDs for the UE.

It shall be noted that, in this embodiment, a new received UE Radio capability ID replaces the stored UE Radio Capability ID (or plurality of stored UE Radio Capability IDs) only if the UE has not received a RRC UE Capability Enquiry message requesting it to explicitly signal its radio capabilities for its current radio configuration. An UE Radio capability ID that is provided to the UE after it has sent its radio capabilities in a UE Capability Information to the network is related to these capabilities only. Figure 8 shows a first case. In this example, a UE with Radio configuration A has received ID 124 for a first set of radio capabilities signalled with filter 1 and ID 590 for a further set of radio capabilities signalled with filter 2. The UE then checks filter 1 and filter 2 and determines that none of filters 1 and 2 covers all the capabilities of the other one. So the UE signals both IDs 1 and 2 in the next registration request and the network stores both the IDs for the UE. These then are passed to the RAN and used to signal the UE radio capabilities between core and RAN and between RAN nodes.

Figure 9 shows a second case. In this example, the UE moves to another RAN node and this RAN node detects that when it receives the capabilities identified by IDs 124 and 590 it still needs more information. The RAN node performs a further Radio capability enquiry including the filter it is configured with. This is filter N. The reported UE capabilities are then passed to the core network which assigns a UE Radio capability ID for these capabilities (UE radio capability ID with value 764). The UE stores these capabilities for the current radio configuration A in relationship to filter N. The UE determines that filter N includes all the capabilities signalled with IDs 124 and 590. So next time the UE registers with the network, it signals only ID 794 associated to filter N, since filter N includes capabilities that form a superset of filters 1 and 2. The UE may remove IDs 124 and 590 from its storage.

Figure 10 shows a third case. In this example, the UE moves again and arrives at another RAN node where the RAN node detects it needs more capabilities than those signalled by ID 724. The RAN node issues a further UE capabilities enquiry to the UE with filter P this RAN node is configured with. The UE is then assigned ID 12 by the CN, for the capabilities the RAN retrieved with filter P and provided to the Core network. This filter P is not a superset of filter N in that it misses some of the capabilities of filter N. so the UE will next signal both IDs 724 and ID 12, so the UE keeps storing ID 724 in addition to the ID 12.

This method provides the ability to signal more than one UE capability to the network. It also provides the ability to store and handle form than one radio capability ID per UE in the network.

The UE is also able to store multiple UE radio capabilities IDs per radio configuration, alongside their associated filters, and determine which radio capability ID (s) to clean up and which to store and signal next in the PLMN based on checking the related applied filter.

This may provide smooth operation of RACS in PLMNs with non-coordinated filtering (i.e. no PLMN-wide filter and locally decided filtering in RAN nodes based on local activated features or configuration). The method may be implemented in a user equipment as described with reference to Figure 2 or a control apparatus as described with reference to figure 3.

An apparatus may comprise means for, in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, determining at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network and providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

Alternatively, or in addition, an apparatus may comprise means for in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment, in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment and receiving at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst embodiments have been described in relation to EPS and 5GS, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention. In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, 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

1. An apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for:

in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receiving, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment;

in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receiving, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment;

determining at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network; and

providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for:

determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein means for determining, based on the radio capability parameters in the first set of radio capability parameters and the radio capability parameters in the at least one further set of radio capability parameters, at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier to provide to the network comprises means for:

determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a superset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters;

if so, providing the identifier associated with the superset of radio capability parameters to the network; and

if not, providing the identifiers associated with each of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters to the network or the identifiers associated with the sets of radio capability parameters which collectively include the radio capability parameters of the superset of radio capability parameters.

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising means for: determining if one of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters is a subset of the other of the first set of radio capability parameters and the at least one further set of radio capability parameters; and

if so, removing the identifier associated with the subset of radio capability parameters from storage at the user equipment.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising means for:

providing each of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to the network.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for:

receiving, from the network, a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters of the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier for storage at the user equipment; and

removing the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from storage at the user equipment.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising means for providing the at least one identifier to the network in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the identifiers are associated with a given user equipment radio configuration.

9. An apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for:

in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment;

in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment; and

receiving at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, comprising means for: providing the at least one received identifier to a core network entity or a radio access networks node.

1 1. An apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, comprising means for:

receiving the first identifier and at least one further identifier;

providing the first identifier and at least one further identifier to a management function;

receiving a replacement identifier associated with the set of radio capability parameters associated with the first identifier and the set of radio capability parameters associated with the at least one further identifier from the management function; and

providing the replacement identifier to the user equipment for storage at the user equipment.

12. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11 , comprising means for receiving the at least one identifier from the user equipment in a registration message or an attach and tracking area update message.

13. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the identifiers are associated with a given user equipment radio configuration

14. A method comprising:

providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

15. A method comprising:

in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment; in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, providing, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment; and

16. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

in response to providing first radio capability information to a network, receive, at a user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment;

in response to providing further radio capability information to a network, receive, at the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment;

determine at least one of the first identifier and at least one further identifier to provide to the network; and

provide the determined at least one identifier to the network.

17. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

in response to receiving first radio capability information from a user equipment, provide, to the user equipment, a first identifier associated with a first set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment;

in response to receiving further radio capability information from a user equipment, provide, to the user equipment, at least one further identifier associated with at least one further set of radio capability parameters for storage at the user equipment; and

receive at least one of the first identifier and the at least one further identifier from the user equipment.

18. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following:

providing the determined at least one identifier to the network.

19. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: