WO2021229587A1

WO2021229587A1 - Core network node and method in a wireless communications network

Info

Publication number: WO2021229587A1
Application number: PCT/IN2020/050439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nipun Sharma; Rakesh BAJPAI; Rajiv BHARDWAJ; Deepu GEORGE; Venkata Sameer Kumar KODUKULA; Tushar SABHARWAL
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2021-11-18

Abstract

A method performed by a core network node for assisting a User Equipment, UE, in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in a wireless communications network is provided. The UE is served by a radio access node operating in the wireless communications network. The core network node receives (201) an indication from the radio access node. The indication indicates whether the power source of the radio access node is renewable or non-renewable. When the power source of the radio access node is non-renewable, the core network node assists the UE in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending (202) a recommendation to the UE. The recommendation is to configure the UE with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

Description

CORE NETWORK NODE AND METHOD IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a core network node and methods therein. In some aspects, they relate to assisting a User Equipment (UE) in decreasing consumption of non renewable power in a wireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or User Equipment (UE), communicate via a Local Area Network such as a Wi-Fi network or a Radio Access Network (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNB as denoted in 5G. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the radio network node.

Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS), also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network, have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, for example to specify a Fifth Generation (5G) network also referred to as 5G New Radio (NR) or Next Generation (NG). The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E- UTRAN/LTE is a variant of a 3GPP radio access network wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network rather than to RNCs used in 3G networks. In general, in E-UTRAN/LTE the functions of a 3G RNC are distributed between the radio network nodes, e.g. eNodeBs in LTE, and the core network. As such, the RAN of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks, i.e. they are not connected to RNCs. To compensate for that, the E- UTRAN specification defines a direct interface between the radio network nodes, this interface being denoted the X2 interface.

Multi-antenna techniques may significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. The performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a Multiple- Input Multiple- Output (MEMO) communication channel. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

In 5G, there will e.g. be three different domains use cases such as enhanced Mobile broadband (eMBB), massive Internet of Things (IoT) and critical IoT. eMBB relates to data-driven use cases requiring high data rates across a wide coverage area.

Massive IoT, also referred to as massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) relates to use cases that need to support a very large number of devices in a small area. These devices may only send data sporadically, also referred to as non-critical communication. Massive IoT devices are devices such as UEs that initiate a lot of. e.g. smart meter reading, log updates to cloud, etc. Using smart meters, utility companies are able to manage meter reading remotely. An example of a smart meter is a gas meter.

Critical IoT, also referred to as Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) refers to strict requirements on latency and reliability for mission critical communications, such as e.g. remote surgery, autonomous vehicles or the Tactile Internet.

Due to the rapid growing number of radio devices such as e.g. UEs and IoT devices now and in a near future, there will be huge quantity of wireless data communication between these radio devices and their serving radio access nodes in the wireless communication networks, resulting in serious increasing energy consumption which is very costly. Since there is a connection between energy consumption and climate impacts, this will further lead to a problem with increased climate impacts.

SUMMARY

An object of embodiments herein is to decrease costs for power consumption for communication in in a wireless communications network.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a method performed by a core network node for assisting a User Equipment, UE, in decreasing consumption of non renewable power in a wireless communications network. The UE is served by a radio access node operating in the wireless communications network. The core network node receives an indication from the radio access node. The indication indicates whether the power source of the radio access node is renewable or non-renewable. When the power source of the radio access node is non-renewable, the core network node assists the UE in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE. The recommendation is to configure the UE with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto- initiated communication.

According to another aspect, the object is achieved by a core network node configured to assist a User Equipment, UE, in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in a wireless communications network. The UE is adapted to be served by a radio access node operable in the wireless communications network. The core network node is further configured to:

- receive an indication from the radio access node, which indication is adapted to indicate whether the power source of the radio access node is renewable or non-renewable, and

- when the power source of the radio access node is non-renewable, assist the UE in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE, to configure the UE with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods above, as performed by the user equipment or the radio network node. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored there on a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the methods above, as performed by the core network node.

Thanks to that the core network node sends a recommendation to the UE, to configure the UE with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto -initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node is non-renewable, the UE can decrease the non renewable power consumed by the access network node when being configured according to the recommendation. This in turn results in a decreased consumption of non-renewable power in the wireless communications network. The decreased consumption of non-renewable power will in turn result in decrease costs for the power consumption since non-renewable power is more expensive than renewable power. An advantage is that the method may save millions of dollars in electricity bill and most important reduce consumption of non-renewable power, also referred to as Carbon footprint, in the wireless communications network.

BIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram depicting embodiment of a wireless communication network.

Figure 2 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method in a core network node.

Figure 3 is a combined flow chart and sequence diagram depicting an embodiment of a method.

Figure 4 is a combined flow chart and sequence diagram depicting an embodiment of a method.

Figure 5 is a combined flow chart and sequence diagram depicting an embodiment of a method.

Figures 6 a and b are block diagrams depicting embodiments of a core network node.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer.

Figure 8 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection.

Figures 9 to 12 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION

As a part of developing embodiments herein the inventors identified a problem which first will be discussed.

The communications in some of the use cases mentioned above are non-critical, such as e.g. smart meter reading and therefore can be delayed by minutes or hours without problem, whereas the communications in some other of the use cases mentioned above are critical sensitive communication like robotic surgery, etc. which is of highest priority. In between, there are user initiated communications in the eMBB domain such as e.g. watching movie, streaming movie or even initiating voice call can be prioritized by end user as per their preference. Therefore, it is recommendable to further bifurcate the scenario where it is an option to delay a communication and possibly be configurable. Such a scenario is possible in use cases for non-critical communication in IoT devices which can be delayed without hampering user experience or communication criticality and in use cases of any other devices such as normal UEs using non-critical communication where data is typically consumed without a user’s active engagement.

A delayed communication may be triggered by a UE such as a IoT client. A communication where a delay is of no harm, may be delayed until a base station temporary using a non-renewable power source, again uses a renewable power source.

WO2018229528A1 shows a System and method for optimized signaling for Non IP Data Delivery (NIDD) communication. WO2018229528Alteaches a solution primarily in a 4G network where on high level, an eNodeB (eNB) will convey information about the type of power source on which eNodeB is currently running to a Mobility Management Entity (MME). The type of power source is e.g. a primary source of electricity or a second source of electricity. The MME connects with Service Capability and Exposure Function (SCEF) for Non IP data delivery communication, and shares this information with SCEF so that non critical IoT activity, like firmware date, can be deprioritized based on source of electricity from Network towards UE. The problem with this solution is that it only relates to Non IP Data delivery (NIDD) communication towards NEF/SCEF and accordingly only the data update from packet core is de-prioritized. Further, the network does not provide any indication or information for any priority and/or deprioritize of non critical communication which a UE can utilize.

An object of embodiments herein is to further decrease costs by decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in a wireless communications network for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

Some embodiments herein provide a method of reflect the source of power of a gNB or an eNB on a UE. Reflect when used herein e.g. means to display, expose, make visible, e.g. to a user of the UE. To keep it simple, the source of power of the gNB or the eNB may for example display on the UE, as GREEN for environment friendly power based on renewable source of energy such as Wind or Water power source or as RED for non-renewable power such as Diesel or genset, etc.

According to some embodiments herein, this information is further exploited by UE OS, e.g. eMBB, to take an intelligent decision to minimize the non-critical communication when the power source is non-renewable. E.g. an Apple iPhone today providing a configuration named “ Low data mode" to minimize or stop background app refresh, photo sync up with cloud, proactive mail fetch, etc. which a user can enable. According to embodiments herein, this additional data about gNB of eNB power source, may be added to a UE’s Operating System (OS) or Android Microsoft Windows and may then automatically stop or minimize non-critical consumption like enabling “low data mode”.

According to some other embodiments herein, for Massive IoT devices like sensors, etc. this data about gNB of eNB power source can avoid communication and/or information sharing from IoT client to Server. Meanwhile, UE may via Application layer share this data about gNB of eNB power source with application functions, whenever UE and/or IoT client communicates, for deprioritizing or further future delayed communication.

Embodiments herein provide a Method and System for a sustainable solution using efficient energy usage e.g. in IoT and/or 5G domain.

A core network node according to some embodiments herein address whether a power source of a radio access node is renewable or non-renewable. The core network node reflecting the non-renewable data and sends a recommendation to the UE to configure the UE with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto -initiated communication. In this way, that the UE can use this data reflecting that the power source of its serving radio access node uses non-renewable data for deprioritizing non-critical auto-initiated communication like background data refresh, APP updates, cloud sync up, etc.

Figure 1 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 100 wherein embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communications network 100 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network 100 may e.g. use 5G NR but may further use a number of other different Radio Access Technologies (RAT)s, such as, Wi-Fi, (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations. According to embodiments herein, a first RAT may e.g. be any one out of LTE or NR. A second RAT may e.g. be LTE if the first RAT is NR or NR if the first RAT is LTE.

Radio access nodes such as a radio access node 110, operate in the wireless communications network 100, providing radio coverage by means of antenna beams, referred to as beams herein. The radio access node 110 provides a number of beams, and may use these beams for communicating with e.g. a UE 120. The radio access node 110 provides radio coverage over a geographical area by means of antenna beams. The radio access node 110 may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio access network node such as a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), an NR Node B (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point, an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a UE acting as an access point or a peer in a Device to Device (D2D) communication, or any other network unit capable of communicating with a UE within the cell served by radio access node 110 depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used.

The radio access node 110 uses a power source that is renewable or a power source that is non-renewable. The radio access node 110 may alternate between renewable and non renewable power source.

User Equipments operate in the wireless communications network 100, such as a UE 120. The UE 120 may e.g. be an NR device, a mobile station, a wireless terminal, an NB-IoT device, an eMTC device, a CAT-M device, a WiFi device, an LTE device and an a non- access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, that communicates via a base station such as e.g. the radio access node 110, one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that the UE relates to a non limiting term which means any UE, terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a cell.

The focus in the below examples relate to use cases for non-critical communication in the UE 120 when being represented by an IoT device, which non-critical communication can be delayed without hampering user experience or communication criticality. Massive IoT devices such as the UE 120 when being represented by an IoT device have lot of non-critical UE initiated communication such as e.g. smart metering, log updates, etc. which will be referred to herein as massive IoT use cases.

The focus in the below examples is further to use cases of the UE 120 when being represented by any other devices such as normal UEs using non-critical communication. The UE 120 may then be a normal UE such as e.g. a smart device, e.g. referred to as eMBB use cases, also has lot of non-critical UE initiated communication, where data is typically consumed without the UE 120 user’s active engagement. Such communication may e.g. be background application refresh, photo sync up with a cloud for backup, such as e.g. an Operating System (iOS) cloud for iPhones or a cloud for Android UEs. This is typically performed automatically without the UE 120 end user’s consent or one time consent is taken enabled via Setting if the UE 120 is an Android UE or an iOS UE.

Core network nodes such as a core network node 130, operate in a CN of the wireless communications network 100. The core network node 130 may e.g. be an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) node if operating in a 5G CN or an MME if operating in a 4G CN.

In embodiments herein the core network node 130 communicates with radio access nodes such as the radio access network node 110.

Methods herein may be performed by the core network node 130. As an alternative, a Distributed Node (DN) and functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 140 as shown in Figure 3, may be used for performing or partly performing the methods.

An example of a method according to embodiments herein may be visualized in the following aspect:

The radio access node 110 shares with the core network node 130, data about its source of power being renewable or non-renewable.

The UE 120 will receive a recommendation based on the data when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable, e.g. at UE registration via the core network node and/or Packet data Unit (PDU) session establishment. The recommendation to the UE 120, is to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

In an example scenario the UE 120 is represented by a UE using non-critical eMBB communication, e.g. non-voice. The UE 120 may empower its Operating System with additional information to decide whether to follow the recommendation e.g. to enable “Low data consumption mode” or not, when power source is non-renewable.

In another example scenario the UE 120 is represented by a non-critical M-IoT device. The recommended deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication may be shared within the UE 120 with respective Application function on Application level for respective action or indication for future delays in communication.

Some advantages of the embodiments herein comprise the following.

Embodiments herein reduce overall Operating Expense (OPEX) as non-critical communication can be deprioritized with auto configurations/user initiated. Additionally, this offering may be a differentiating factor among Communication Service Providers (CSPs) similar to as shown in alternative air flights and their carbon consumption, and a user may prefer more efficient solution. This may additionally led to discounts such as tax waivers from government, part of organization CSRs expenses towards CSPs.

Overall, there will be billion of devices and even a small power saving will lead to big saving in reducing the carbon emissions and also operators may differentiate themselves among other operators on using more renewable energy in their operations.

Figure 2 depicts an example method performed by the core network node 130 for assisting the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in a wireless communications network 100. The UE 120 is served by a radio access node 110 operating in the wireless communications network 100.

The method comprises the following actions.

Action 201

To be able to assist UEs such as the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non renewable power, the core network node 130 need to know which radio network nodes that currently are using non-renewable power source and then send recommendations to configure UEs being served by these radio network nodes, with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication. The core network node 130 will therefore collect data from radio network nodes such as the radio network node 110 about whether their current power sources are renewable or non-renewable. The core network node 130 thus receives an indication from the radio access node 110. The indication indicates whether the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable or non-renewable. This will be discussed more in detail below.

The renewable power source may comprise any one out of: a low-carbon power source, a renewable power source, a wind power source, a water power source, a primary power source, a green power source, and a low cost power source, environment friendly. The non-renewable power source may comprise any one out of: a high-carbon power source, a non-renewable power source, a diesel generator set power source, a secondary power source, a non-green power source, and a high cost power source.

The indication from the radio access node 110 may e.g. be received when any one or more out of: The radio access node 110 initially connects to the core network node 130, the radio access node 110 changes power source from renewable to non-renewable, and the radio access node 110 changes power source from non- renewable to renewable.

The core network node 130 may send this data indicating whether the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable or non-renewable to a Unified Data Management (UDM) node for further optimization at any change in the radio access node 110 power source. This is an advantage since the UDM node comprises UE-subscription level information and may be a central point for share this information either in request and/or response fashion or a Subscribe and/or Notify fashion.

Action 202

As mentioned in the above action, the core network node 130 has collected data from radio network nodes such as the radio network node 110 about whether their current power sources are renewable or non-renewable. This is to identify the radio base stations that currently are using non-renewable power sources. When the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable, the core network node 130 assists the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power. This is performed by sending a recommendation to the UE 120, to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

The wording auto-initiated communication when used herein means that the communication is initiated without the user of the UE 120 is actively activating it, such as e.g. background data communication that may occur via installed applications in the UE 120 such as automatically email refresh, synchronizing local copy of photos with Cloud environmen. The wording non-critical communication when used herein means communication that is not sensitive to delay, i.e. where a delay is not any problem... An example is a smart meter sharing the smart meter reading with a smart meter server which may be delayed by hours or maybe a day without any business complications.

Thhus, the non-critical auto-initiated communication may comprise any one or more out of: A smart meter reading, a log update, a background application refresh, a background data refresh, an application update, a cloud synchronization, a photo synchronization up with a cloud.

In some embodiments, the recommendation is reflected in the UE 120 and the user of the UE 120 may choose to follow the recommendation by activating a configuring of the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication. In some other embodiments, the recommendation automatically configures the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

The recommendation may also comprise an indication indicating that the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable. It should be noted that the recommendation to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication itself may be seen as an indication that the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable.

The recommendation to the UE 120 may be sent to an application in the UE 120 so that the application in the UE 120 can act according to the recommendation.

The recommendation may e.g. be sent to the UE 120 when any one out of: The UE 120 registers in the wireless communications network 100, and the UE 120 establishes a data session. This will be discussed more in detail below.

The radio access node 110 may e.g. after a while with non- renewable power source, switch to a renewable power source. The core network node 130 may then perform the following optional actions 203 and 204.

Action 203

In some embodiments, the core network node 130 receives a second indication from the radio access node 110. The second indication indicates that the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable.

Action 204

In these embodiments, when the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable, the core network node 130 may assist the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE 120, to reconfigure the UE 120 with prioritized data mode for non-critical auto -initiated communication, also referred to as normal mode.

Prioritized data mode for non-critical auto -initiated communication means that non- critical auto-initiated communication is ok to perform.

In the provided method core network node 130 reflects the current power source of the radio access node 110 when it is non-renewable and empowers the UE 120 such as its IoT client application function, to delay non-critical communication or minimize the data consumption. The embodiments described above will now be further explained and exemplified. The example embodiments described below may be combined with any suitable embodiment above.

In Action 201, the radio network node 110 is sharing data regarding whether its power source is renewable or non-renewable with the core network node 130 AMF and possibly with UDM.

In Action 202, the UE 120 receives a recommendation from the core network node 130, to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication and may utilize this recommendation accordingly.

The radio access node 110 shares electricity source information with the core network node

This relates to embodiments of Action 201.

Figure 3 depicts embodiments of a procedure where the radio access node 110 referred to as RA node 110 in Figure 3, shares power source data to the core network node 130, referred to as CN node 130 in Figure 3.

Whenever there is an initial connect between the radio access node 110 such as the gNB or eNB, and the core network node 130 such as the AMF node or MME node or when it is a change in Electricity supply source, such as power source for the radio access node 110 from renewable power source to non-renewable power source or vice versa, the core network node 130 will be notified 301 about the current power source e.g. in a message sent through the S 1 interface. The S 1 is an interface between a radio access node and a core network node. This message may be similar to that of eNodeB Configuration Update request message over SI interface and will be acknowledged 302 by the core network node 130. The core network node 130 may store this current state of power source of each radio access node 110 in its cache database for any reference.

This power source data may e.g. be provided every time there is change in power source. This power source data is dynamically shared from the radio access node 110 to core network node 130. The power source data may also be preserved in UDM, (not depicted in Figure 3).

The core network node 130 shares power source data with the UE 120 in UE Registration

This relates to embodiments of Action 202. Figure 4 depicts embodiments of an example procedure for UE Registration call including the new parameter, i.e. the power source data referred to as gNB power source in the figure, for the radio access node 110 to be shared with the UE 120. In this figure the core network node 130 is represented by AMF 130.

401. The UE Registration process initiated and connected with the radio access node 110 and the AMF node 130.

402 - 404. The AMF 130 connects with a UDM. The The AMF 130 further connects with a Policy Control Function (PCF) for Access and Mobility (AM) policies and Registration Accept, e.g. in a respective Npcf_AMPolicyControl Get Req message and a Npcf_AMPolicyControl Get Rsp message.

405. The AMF 130 deploys the AM policies.

406. The AMF 130 power source data of the radio access node 110 with the UE 120 and a recommendation to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non renewable.

407. Information about the power source data may be visible on the UE 120 for the user of the UE 120. The UE 120 may then follow the recommendation to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable. The information about the power source data and recommendation may be available in the UE 120 both when the UE 120 is represented by an IoT device in a massive IoT use case scenario and when the UE 120 is represented by an eMBB device such as Smart phone, Smart watches ,etc.

The core network node 130 shares power source data with the UE 120 in PDU Session creation

This relates to other embodiments of Action 202.

Figure 5 depicts embodiments of an example procedure for a UE PDU Session establishment including the new parameter, i.e. the power source data, referred to as gNB power source in the figure, to be shared with the UE 120.

501. A PDU Session initiated along with the AMF 130 and Session Management Function (SMF) as per 3GPP 23.502 call flow.

502-509. The gNB power source data was earlier saved by the AMF node in the Data Repository (UDR). The SMF node connects with the PCF to retrieve gNB power source data in the UDR. The SMF node includes the gNB power source data and sends it to the AMF 130.

510. PDU Session Establishment Accept message is including the gNB power Source information to be shared back with UE and a recommendation to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable.

511. The UE 120 may reflect the renewable or non-renewable power source of the radio access node 110 on UE display and may follow the recommendation to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable.

The reflecting of the renewable or non-renewable power source may be displayed on the UE 120 display, in a similar way as operator name, radio strength , Wifi connectivity signs are shown.

Currently, an OS provides an option in a UE such as the UE 120 which a user of the UE may configure in “Setting” where the following aspects are set, iPhone user for an example, based on UE intelligence only like explicitly configuration “Low data Mode” OR UE remaining battery leading to “low power mode”. Through the above call flow, embodiments herein may provide network view and recommendation for UE 120 to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable such as e.g. enable “low data mode” based on power source of the radio access node 110 for non-critical communication. This may be enabled via options at the UE 120, according to embodiments herein. Also, please note that this power source may be managed by respective application in the UE 120 and also the operative system of the UE 120, etc.. The UE 120 may be configured automatically with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable, according to the received recommendation. Further, an application may utilize the power source data to inform an application server to postpone and/or deprioritize the network level update like firmware for massive IoT.

Note that for Massive IoT devices, such as in some cases the UE 120, the power source data may be shared to the UE 120 e.g. for NIDD communication as well as traditional User plane communication. Once this power source data is shared with the UE 120, the UE 120 may itself decides whether to follow the recommendation to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non-renewable, such as e.g. decide to update Smart meter readings and similar or not. .

Figures 6a and b show an example of the core network node 130.

To perform the method actions above, the core network node 130 is configured to to assist the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in the wireless communications network 100, the core network node 130 may comprise an arrangement depicted in Figures 6a and 6b. As mentioned above, the UE 120 is adapted to be served by a radio access node 110 operable in the wireless communications network 100.

The core network node 130 may comprise a respective input and output interface configured to communicate with e.g. the radio access node 110 and the UE 120, see Figure 6a. The input and output interface may comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown).

The core network node 130 is further configured to, e.g. by means of the receiving unit in the core network node 130, receive an indication from the radio access node 110. The indication is adapted to indicate whether the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable or non-renewable.

The indication from the radio access node 110 may be adapted to be received when any one or more out of: The radio access node 110 initially connects to the core network node 130, the radio access node 110 changes power source from renewable to non-renewable, and the radio access node 110 changes power source from non- renewable to renewable.

The renewable power source may be adapted to comprise any one out of: a low-carbon power source, a renewable power source, a wind power source, a water power source, a primary power source, a green power source, and a low cost power source, environment friendly and/or the non-renewable power source may be adapted to comprise any one out of: a high-carbon power source, a non-renewable power source, a diesel generator set power source, a secondary power source, a non-green power source, and a high cost power source.

The core network node 130 is further configured to, e.g. by means of the sending unit in the core network node 130, when the power source of the radio access node 110 is non renewable, assist the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE 120, to configure the UE 120 with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication. The recommendation to be sent to the UE 120 may be adapted to be performed when any one out of: The UE 120 registers in the wireless communications network 100, and the UE 120 establishes a data session.

The non-critical auto-initiated communication may be adapted to comprise any one or more out of: A smart meter reading, a log update, a background application refresh, a background data refresh, an application update, a cloud synchronization, a photo synchronization up with a cloud.

The core network node 130 may further being configured to, e.g. by means of the receiving unit in the core network node 130, receive a second indication from the radio access node 110, which second indication indicates that the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable.

The core network node 130 may further be configured to, e.g. by means of the sending unit in the core network node 130, when the power source of the radio access node 110 is renewable, assist the UE 120 in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE 120, to reconfigure the UE 120 with prioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the respective processor of a processing circuitry in the core network node 130, and depicted in Figures 6a and b, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the core network node 130. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the core network node 130.

The core network node 130 may further comprise a respective memory comprising one or more memory units. Each memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the core network node 130.

Each respective memory is arranged to be used to store power source data, evaluations, information, data, configurations, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the core network node 130. In some embodiments, a respective computer program comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor of the core network node 130 to perform the actions above.

In some embodiments, a respective carrier comprises the respective computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the units in the units described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the core network node 130, that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the processors or processor circuitry described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

When using the word "comprise" or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as non limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Further Extensions and Variations

With reference to Figure 7, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 3210 such as the wireless communications network 100, e.g. an IoT network, or a WLAN, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 3211, such as a radio access network, and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as the network node 110, 130, access nodes, AP STAs NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to the core network 3214 over a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE) e.g. the UE 120 such as a Non-AP STA 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 e.g. the wireless device 122 such as a Non-AP STA in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. While a plurality of UEs 3291, 3292 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 3212.

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

The communication system of Figure 7 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and the host computer 3230. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection 3250, using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station 3212 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer 3230.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 8. In a communication system 3300, a host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 including a communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 further comprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 3318 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 3310 further comprises software 3311, which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry 3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. The host application 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a UE 3330 connecting via an OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 3312 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 3350.

The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and with the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300, as well as a radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 located in a coverage area (not shown) served by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 8) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 further includes processing circuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 already referred to. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 3330, with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in Figure 8 may be identical to the host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of the UEs 3291, 3292 of Figure 9, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 8 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 7.

In Figure 8, the OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 3310 and the use equipment 3330 via the base station 3320, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE 3330 or from the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or both. While the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the applicable RAN effect: data rate, latency, power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as corresponding effect on the OTT service: e.g. reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime.

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

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as the network node 110, and a UE such as the UE 120, which may be those described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 9 will be included in this section. In a first action 3410 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction 3411 of the first action 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In an optional third action 3430, the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional fourth action 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 10 will be included in this section. In a first action 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third action 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as a AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 11 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3610 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second action 3620, the UE provides user data. In an optional subaction 3621 of the second action 3620, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In a further optional subaction 3611 of the first action 3610, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third subaction 3630, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourth action 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as an AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 12 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3710 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In an optional second action 3720, the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a third action 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

Abbreviation Explanation

NIDD Non IP Data Delivery eMBB enhanced Mobile broadband

M-IoT Massive Internet of things

AMF Acces and Mobility management gNB gNodeB, 5G Radio component such as 5G base station eNB eNodeB, 4G Radio component such as 4G base station

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method performed by a core network node (130 for assisting a User Equipment, UE, (120) in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in a wireless communications network (100), which UE (120) is served by a radio access node (110) operating in the wireless communications network (100), the method comprising: receiving (201) an indication from the radio access node (110), which indication indicates whether the power source of the radio access node (110) is renewable or non-renewable, when the power source of the radio access node (110) is non-renewable, assisting the UE (120) in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending (202) a recommendation to the UE (120), to configure the UE (120) with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication from the radio access node (110) is received (201) when any one or more out of:

- the radio access node (110) initially connects to the core network node (130),

- the radio access node (110) changes power source from renewable to non renewable, and

- the radio access node (110) changes power source from non- renewable to renewable.

3. The method according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the sending (202) of the recommendation to the UE (120), is performed when any one out of:

- the UE (120) registers in the wireless communications network (100), and

- the UE (120) establishes a data session. renewable.

4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein any one or more out of::

- the renewable power source comprises any one out of: a low-carbon power source, a renewable power source, a wind power source, a water power source, a primary power source, a green power source, and a low cost power source, environment friendly, and

- the non-renewable power source comprises any one out of: a high-carbon power source, a non-renewable power source, a diesel generator set power source, a secondary power source, a non-green power source, and a high cost power source.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the non-critical auto-initiated communication comprises any one or more out of: a smart meter reading, a log update, a background application refresh, a background data refresh, an application update, a cloud synchronization, a photo synchronization up with a cloud.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, further comprising: receiving (203) a second indication from the radio access node (110), which second indication indicates that the power source of the radio access node (110) is renewable, when the power source of the radio access node (110) is renewable, assisting the UE (120) in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending (204) a recommendation to the UE (120), to reconfigure the UE (120) with prioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

7. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the claims 1-6.

8. A carrier comprising the computer program of claim 7, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

9. A core network node (130) configured to assist a User Equipment, UE, (120) in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power in a wireless communications network (100), which UE (120) is adapted to be served by a radio access node (110) operable in the wireless communications network (100), the core network node (130) further being configured to: receive an indication from the radio access node (110), which indication is adapted to indicate whether the power source of the radio access node (110) is renewable or non-renewable, when the power source of the radio access node (110) is non-renewable, assist the UE (120) in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE (120), to configure the UE (120) with deprioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.

10. The core network node (130) according to claim 9, wherein the indication from the radio access node (110) is adapted to be received when any one or more out of:

11. The core network node (130) according to any of claims 9-10, wherein the recommendation to be sent to the UE (120), is adapted to be performed when any one out of:

- the UE (120) registers in the wireless communications network (100), and

- the UE (120) establishes a data session. renewable.

12. The core network node (130) according to any of claims 9-11, wherein any one or more out of:

- the renewable power source is adapted to comprise any one out of: a low-carbon power source, a renewable power source, a wind power source, a water power source, a primary power source, a green power source, and a low cost power source, environment friendly, and

- the non-renewable power source is adapted to comprise any one out of: a high- carbon power source, a non-renewable power source, a diesel generator set power source, a secondary power source, a non-green power source, and a high cost power source.

13. The core network node (130) according to any of claims 9-12, wherein the non-critical auto-initiated communication is adapted to comprise any one or more out of: a smart meter reading, a log update, a background application refresh, a background data refresh, an application update, a cloud synchronization, a photo synchronization up with a cloud.

14. The core network node (130) according to any of claims 9-13, further being configured to: receive a second indication from the radio access node (110), which second indication indicates that the power source of the radio access node (110) is renewable, when the power source of the radio access node (110) is renewable, assist the UE (120) in decreasing consumption of non-renewable power by sending a recommendation to the UE (120), to reconfigure the UE (120) with prioritized data mode for non-critical auto-initiated communication.