WO2022156917A1 - Élément de réseau et procédé mis en œuvre dans celui-ci - Google Patents

Élément de réseau et procédé mis en œuvre dans celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022156917A1
WO2022156917A1 PCT/EP2021/051638 EP2021051638W WO2022156917A1 WO 2022156917 A1 WO2022156917 A1 WO 2022156917A1 EP 2021051638 W EP2021051638 W EP 2021051638W WO 2022156917 A1 WO2022156917 A1 WO 2022156917A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
network
time interval
network element
slice
sleep
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PCT/EP2021/051638
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English (en)
Inventor
James O'meara
Premnath KANDHASAMY NARAYANAN
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Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
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Priority to PCT/EP2021/051638 priority Critical patent/WO2022156917A1/fr
Publication of WO2022156917A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022156917A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0212—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
    • H04W52/0219—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L47/00—Traffic control in data switching networks
    • H04L47/10—Flow control; Congestion control
    • H04L47/27—Evaluation or update of window size, e.g. using information derived from acknowledged [ACK] packets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/0091—Signaling for the administration of the divided path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
    • H04W28/02—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
    • H04W28/0215—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices
    • H04W28/0221—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices power availability or consumption
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0212—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
    • H04W52/0216—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0261—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
    • H04W52/0274—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
    • H04W52/028—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof switching on or off only a part of the equipment circuit blocks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/20—Manipulation of established connections
    • H04W76/28—Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
    • H04W24/02—Arrangements for optimising operational condition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/70—Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Definitions

  • Embodiments herein relate to a network element and a method performed therein for communication. Furthermore, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to use a network slice in a resource efficient manner.
  • UE user equipment
  • STA mobile stations, stations
  • CN core networks
  • the RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, with each service area or cell area being served by radio network node such as an access node e.g. a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB.
  • RBS radio base station
  • the service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node.
  • the radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node.
  • the radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.
  • DL downlink
  • UL uplink
  • a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is a third generation telecommunications network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
  • the UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment.
  • WCDMA wideband code division multiple access
  • HSPA High-Speed Packet Access
  • 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
  • telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanced data rate and radio capacity.
  • 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
  • radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto.
  • RNC radio network controller
  • BSC base station controller
  • the RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.
  • the Evolved Packet System 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 also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network
  • EPC also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network.
  • E-UTRAN/LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network.
  • the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.
  • Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions.
  • a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions.
  • a key function of 5G Core network is to allow for flexibility in network service creation, making use of different network functions suitable for the offered service in a specific network slice, e.g. Evolved Mobile Broadband (MBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (MTC), Critical MTC, Enterprise, etc.
  • MBB Evolved Mobile Broadband
  • MTC Massive Machine Type Communication
  • Critical MTC Critical MTC
  • Enterprise etc.
  • TTM Short Time To Market
  • Slicing can also be used to isolate different services in an operator’s network.
  • the goal of the network slice selection mechanism is therefore to direct a wireless device to the correct network slice as early as possible and to avoid re-direction from one network slice to another, which breaks the isolation between the network slices.
  • Future networks are expected to support new use cases going beyond the basic support for voice services and mobile broadband currently supported by existing cellular network, e.g. 2G/3G/4G/5G.
  • Some example use-cases include:
  • FIG. 1a shows an example of a network slicing for a case when there exists different network slices in the core network for MBB, Massive MTC and Critical MTC.
  • Network slicing introduces the possibility that the network slices are used for different services and use cases and there is a need to enable usage of these services for wireless devices in the communication network to improve the performance of services of the communication network.
  • 5G is more than just a new radio technology, it’s about a broadening spectrum of device types and therefore service types which operator networks must support. Can this be achieved with existing networks, yes, but with compromises such as network over-dimensioning and slow Time to Market and Time to Customer for new service introduction.
  • SDN software defined network
  • NFV network function virtualization
  • Network Slicing is the proposed solution where logical networks are created and configured for a particular business purpose or customer. Network slices are assumed to be described by “blueprints”, that are machine readable to assist the automation.
  • a blueprint describes exactly what type of resources/components that a slice is composed of and how they are interconnected and configured to give the desired characteristics, features, etc.
  • Fig. 1 b shows such a blueprint.
  • a NW Slice may support one or many services.
  • MNO Mobile Network Operator
  • the loT market has to work with a very low ARPU compared to Mobile Broadband and the volumes that are expected to offset the low ARPU have not materialized yet.
  • MNOs would like to offer basic Massive loT connectivity services to industries and enterprises with a relatively small initial investment. In technical terms this means that the loT specific functions have to be able to reuse elements from the existing network and have to minimize CAPEX type up-front investments.
  • Massive loT rely on a large number of battery powered devices, such as Smart Meters and agricultural sensors. They are very often installed in locations without a permanent and reliable power supply. The sheer number of these devices and their potentially scattered geographic locations make it economically unfeasible to do preventive maintenance on them that would involve a change of the battery or the SIM card. It is a common expectation from industry verticals and enterprises to operate a cellular loT device for 1-10 years on a single AA type battery, depending on traffic profile.
  • Simplifying devices has a positive impact on power consumption, but additional measures are needed to reach the needed battery life.
  • MTC devices that are delay tolerant and send or receive data only during certain pre-defined periods must have the possibility to operate in a mode that reduces power consumption.
  • Cat-M1 , NB-loT, and EC-GSM-loT UEs are possible to reach in the downlink through paging. There is generally a trade-off between the expected delay of a downlink message and the battery lifetime of the UE. The more frequently the UE listens for paging, the lower is the latency and the battery lifetime.
  • Some devices will only send a few messages per day - such as status indicators for temperature, etc. In certain situation these type of devices only communicate with the network in ad- hoc manner and in many cases are scheduled when to attach to the network and send and receive data so to save battery and loT charging costs.
  • Enhance discontinuous reception can be used to control when the loT device should communicate.
  • eDRX Enhance discontinuous reception
  • the loT device can listen for pending data indications without having to establish a full network connection.
  • eDRX uses less power than if it made a full network connection, so this process helps preserve the device’s power.
  • the time needed for this listening process is also much shorter than the time it takes to make a full network connection.
  • the maximum sleep time for eDRX devices range from up to 43 minutes for devices using LTE-M Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) networks, to up to three hours for devices using NB-loT LPWA networks.
  • the minimum sleep time can be as short as 320 milliseconds (ms) for LTE-M and 10.24 seconds for NB-loT.
  • the length of time that a device would sleep before waking up was dictated by the network (typically 1 .28 seconds or 2.56 seconds).
  • the device rather than the network, chooses the length of time it will sleep, a period referred to as the eDRX cycle. Since a device is not reachable when it is sleeping, the time to reach a device depends on how long the application developer sets the eDRX cycle.
  • Power sleep mode is another common feature used to reduce the power used by LPWA devices.
  • PSM sleep times are much longer than eDRX. These longer sleep times allow the device to enter into a deeper, lower power sleep mode than eDRX (e.g. PSM sleep power is a few microamps whereas eDRX sleep power is 10-30 microamps).
  • eDRX sleep power is a few microamps whereas eDRX sleep power is 10-30 microamps.
  • a device in PSM takes much longer to wake up out of sleep mode and it is active for a much longer period of time, because it must connect to the network before receiving any application data.
  • the device needs to wake up and listen for 1 ms whereas for PSM, the device will need to wake up and receive and transmit control messages.
  • Some loT applications do not need to be reachable at all (e.g. they only transmit data to the cloud) or they can tolerate long reachability delays (e.g. they only need to be reachable once per day).
  • PSM is a good choice, since its sleep mode uses less power.
  • the problem with the existing solution is that a lot of focus has been put on the network and devices to use efficient connectivity options like NB-loT, Cat-M1 and EC- GSM to reduce the traffic load on the network and help in battery saving on the loT device side.
  • An object of embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism for enabling communication in the communication network in an efficient manner.
  • the object is achieved by providing a method performed by a network element, such as an operations support system node or a logic function in a network node, for enabling communication of a UE in a communication network.
  • the network element sets a time interval for a first network slice being operational in the communication network; and determines a sleep time interval for the UE, based on the set time interval for deployment of the first network slice, which sleep time interval is the time interval the UE is in sleep mode.
  • the network element then transmits to the UE, an indication of the determined sleep time interval of the UE.
  • the object is achieved by providing a network element for enabling communication of a UE in a communication network.
  • the network element is configured to set a time interval for a first network slice being operational in the communication network; and to determine a sleep time interval for the UE, based on the set time interval for deployment of the first network slice, which sleep time interval is the time interval the UE is in sleep mode.
  • the network element is further configured to transmit to the UE, an indication of the determined sleep time interval of the UE.
  • a computer program 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 network element.
  • a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program 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 network element.
  • the object is achieved by providing a network element for enabling communication of a user equipment in a wireless communications network, wherein the network element comprises processing circuitry and a memory.
  • the memory comprises instructions executable by said processing circuitry.
  • the network element By executing the instructions the network element is operative to set a time interval for a first network slice being operational in the communication network and determine a sleep time interval for the UE, based on the set time interval for the first network slice.
  • the sleep time interval is the time interval the UE is in a sleep mode.
  • the network element is operative to transmit to the UE an indication of the determined sleep time interval of the UE.
  • Embodiments herein introduce a new functionality to save additional energy cost or allocate resources efficiently on the network side. This is achieved by the network element coordinating the time the network slices will be active with the sleep time of the UEs, for example, loT devices, such that the UEs wake up the same time as the network slice is activated to handle traffic of the network slice.
  • Fig. 1 a is a schematic overview depicting an example of a slicing of a core network according to prior art
  • Fig. 1 b is a schematic overview depicting an example of a blueprint use for using network slicing
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic overview depicting a communication network according to embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 3 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a network element according to embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic overview depicting an architecture using a method according to embodiments herein.
  • Fig. 6 is a block diagram depicting a network element according to embodiments herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Embodiments herein relate to communication networks in general.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic overview depicting a communication network 1.
  • the communication network 1 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs.
  • the communication network 1 may use a number of different technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE- Advanced, NR, 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.
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
  • GSM/EDGE Global System for Mobile communications/Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution
  • WiMax Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
  • UMB Ultra Mobile Broadband
  • Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a 5G context, however, embodiments are applicable also in further development of the existing communication systems such
  • wireless devices e.g. a user equipment (UE) 10 such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, a wireless device and/or a wireless terminal, communicate via one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN).
  • AN e.g. RAN
  • CN core networks
  • UE is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, internet of things (loT) capable device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a base station communicating within a cell.
  • MTC Machine Type Communication
  • D2D Device to Device
  • the communication network 1 comprises a radio network node 12 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, UMTS, Wi-Fi or similar.
  • the radio network node 12 may be a radio access network node such as radio network controller or an access point such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a base station, e.g.
  • a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNodeB), a base transceiver station, Access Point Base Station, base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a standalone access point or any other network unit capable of serving a UE within the service area served by the radio network node 12 depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used.
  • eNB evolved Node B
  • eNodeB evolved Node B
  • base transceiver station Access Point Base Station
  • base station router a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a standalone access point or any other network unit capable of serving a UE within the service area served by the radio network node 12 depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used.
  • the communication network 1 comprises a core network (CN) and/or RAN that are virtually network sliced into a number of network slices, each network slice or core network slice supports a type of UEs and/or a type of services i.e. each network slice supports a different set of functionalities.
  • Network slicing introduces the possibility that the network slices are used for different services and use cases and these services and use cases may introduce differences in the functionality supported in the different network slices.
  • Each network slice may comprise one or more network nodes or elements of network nodes providing the services/functionalities for the respective network slice.
  • Each slice may comprise one or more network nodes.
  • a first network slice for e.g. massive MTC devices may comprise a first network node 13.
  • a second network slice for e.g. critical MTC devices may comprise a second network node 14.
  • a third network slice for e.g. MBB devices may comprise a third network node 15.
  • Each network slice supports a set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the communication network.
  • the first network node 13 supports a first set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network 1 .
  • the first set of functionalities is separated from a different set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network 1 .
  • the first set of functionalities being associated with Massive MTC devices is separated or logically separated from a second set of functionalities of the second network slice.
  • the network node illustrated herein is exemplified as the first network node 13 but does also cover the second and third network nodes.
  • the first set of functionalities may use one or more resources in a core network and/or a RAN of the communication network, which one or more resources are separated from other resources used by a different set of functionalities, i.e. different network slices, out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network 1 .
  • the resources may then be dedicated or virtually dedicated for each set of functionalities or network slice.
  • the first network node is separated from other network nodes supporting a second set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network.
  • Network nodes may be executed on different hardware platforms and therefore using different resources of the hardware, and logically separated wherein the network nodes may be executed on a same hardware platform and use different resources such as memory parts or resources of processor capacity but may also use some same resources of the hardware e.g. a single physical network node may be partitioned into multiple virtual network nodes.
  • Embodiments herein provide a mechanism that in order to use resources of the communication network in an efficient manner a network slice, such as the first network slice, is spun up in a coordinated time with a time when UEs such as the UE 10 come out of power sleep mode.
  • a network element 18 such as, in one embodiment, an operations support system (OSS) node e.g. an element of a processor or logical part of a network node or OSS node, coordinate operation of e.g. the first network slice with the UEs when the UEs should come out of sleep mode and when the first network slice will be available to send and receive traffic.
  • OSS operations support system
  • the time and duration of when the network slide is activated is coordinated with a sleep time interval of the UEs e.g. over eDRX or PSM, to the UEs that are subscribing to that network slice service.
  • a sleep time interval of the UEs e.g. over eDRX or PSM
  • Embodiments may be applicable for virtual RAN (vRAN) slice as well as virtual core (vCORE) slices where further network energy savings and/or resource savings are possible.
  • embodiments herein introduce network slices that are configured based on the needs of the service(s) with regards to energy and/or resource savings of the network slice itself as well as power saving of the UEs such as loT device types.
  • This will for example enable a rollout of “trial” slices in scenarios where the service provider wishes to evaluate its market demand from a geographical perspective, but the slice is only deployed on a scheduled basis to save on operator costs.
  • Operators will be enabled to use its available network slices in a more optimum manner, i.e. add access, remove access based on the loT device schedule controlled with OPEX costs as the deciding factor.
  • Service providers will be enabled to use threshold settings to optimize his/her revenue returns on a service based on the power demand.
  • Embodiments herein enable the allowed/configured slice coverage to change, in line with the changing market demands and the costs for the operator are reduced energy for certain service types. Runtime energy efficiency is also improved due to reduced paging load in scenario of NW Slice coverage contraction/reduction. Energy savings during night are also possible as the first network slice has coordinated its sleep time with the UEs’ sleep time. So, the solution is valid during e.g. nighttime where energy costs are normally low as the network slice is not required to be on for the whole duration, the same saving can be during the day again as the network slice is not on all the time. This solution has focused on Energy saving in network slice deployments, but the principal can also apply to control network congestion.
  • the network slice may be used by a great number of UEs but at different time and thus UEs may be scheduled with different sleep time intervals to wake up at different times.
  • the network slice will coordinate with millions of devices and rather having them all communicate at the same time it can schedule loT devices into timeslots so it can control when they should use the network slice and when the network slice should be available.
  • Fig. 3 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein exemplifying one embodiment herein.
  • An Energy Management Feature (EMF) in the network element 18 monitors energy pricing and sets policy for Service Orchestrator (SO) when to deploy and activate network slices for certain service groups i.e. UEs.
  • EMF Energy Management Feature
  • the SO of the network element 18 deploys and activates the first network slice and configures the loT devices to follow the blueprint on connectivity to the Network for the service group specified.
  • the first network slice of the first network node 13 may be a single network slice, e.g. a Massive MTC network slice run by an operator.
  • the Blueprint definition includes configuration parameters for eDRX/PSM associated with this service slice definition that informs the loT device of the power mode schedule they should follow.
  • the SO manages the network slice in accordance with the (EMF) policy. Each time the SO slice is deployed and activated a new schedule can be configured to each loT device to reflect any changes in the energy policy from EMF.
  • the method actions in the network element 18, illustrated as the OSS node, for enabling communication of the UE in the communication network, e.g. usage of a network slice in a resource efficient manner, according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 4.
  • the actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.
  • the network element 18 may obtain network parameters to be used when determine the time interval for the first network slice. Additionally or alternatively, the network element 18 may obtain information indicative of a current configuration of sleep time of one or more UEs, and/or activation time of other network slices. E.g. the network element 18 may receive from another network node or retrieved within the network element 18, indications of current eDRX or PSM of UEs, subscription of one or more network slices and/or other activation time intervals of other network slices.
  • the network element 18 may determine the time interval for the first network slice based on one or more network parameters.
  • the network parameter may be related to energy parameter or a congestion parameter.
  • the network parameter may comprise one or more of the following: energy consumption; energy cost; congestion related information; and other time intervals of activating other network slices.
  • the network parameter may be received from the EMF in action 401 .
  • the network element 18 sets the time interval for the first network slice being operational in the communication network. For example, the network element 18 sets the time interval as determined in action 402.
  • the network element 18 may set an active time for a network slice for serving electricity meters as being operational between 2am to 4am when the energy costs are low.
  • the network element 18 determines the sleep time interval for the UE based on the set time interval for the first network slice, which sleep time interval is the time interval the UE is in sleep mode e.g. such that the UE wakes up when the network slice is active.
  • the network element 18 may further determine the sleep time interval for the UE also based on the obtained information indicative of the current configuration of sleep time of the one or more UEs. For example, in case the first network slice is to be used by a great number of UEs the UEs may be scheduled with different sleep time intervals to wake up at different times. Alternatively or additionally, the UE may be use more than one network slice and then the network element 18 may determine the sleep time interval not only based on the set time interval, but also on engagements of the UE with these other network slices.
  • the network element 18 may activate the first network slice according to the set time interval.
  • the network element 18 transmits to the UE 10, an indication of the determined sleep time interval of the UE 10.
  • the indication may be a real value or an index in table stored at the UE 10.
  • the indication may be transmitted when the first network slice is deployed and activated.
  • providing the first network slice may herein mean that the first network node 13 supports the first set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network 1 .
  • the first set of functionalities is separated from a different set of functionalities out of the total set of functionalities in the communication network, i.e. the first network node 13 supports the first network slice separated from different network slices.
  • the first set of functionalities may be associated with a certain type of UEs, a certain enterprise, a certain operator or a certain agreement.
  • Embodiments herein may coordinate the activation of the first network slice with a time then the UE wakes up from a sleep time interval thus providing an efficient manner to deploy and use the first network slice.
  • Fig. 5 shows a scenario wherein a network slice is activated based on energy savings and the end to end Management layers are shown
  • BSS Business Support System
  • SLA service level agreement
  • the OSS layer covers the operational aspects of the Energy saving tasks - such as Network Management, Orchestration e.g. a service orchestrator (SO), and self-organizing network function.
  • Orchestration e.g. a service orchestrator (SO)
  • SO service orchestrator
  • the BSS layer may build a template for UEs such as an loT device subscription and a Network Slice service definition and may order the deployment of the service towards OSS
  • Network Management can include according to embodiments herein a new Energy Management Feature (EMF) that can co-ordinate the deployment of the service in accordance with an energy policy for this type of service and it can communicate with an external energy pricing component to monitor predicted energy levels.
  • EMF Energy Management Feature
  • the solution is not limited to Energy and other slice polices coordinated with loT sleep mode can be deployed to for example control congestion such that the policy decides when loT devices wake up to transmit rather that millions of devices communicating to one slice at the same time
  • Unified Data Management will activate the PSM (Power Saving Mode) and it configures the Mobility Management Entity (MME)/ Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) over the S6A/N8 interface enabling it to enter into deep sleep.
  • MME Mobility Management Entity
  • AMF Access and Mobility Management Function
  • the UE In the deep sleep state, the UE is unreachable by the network but stays registered to it.
  • PSM cycle timer named 73412 extended, supports a maximum value up to 310 hours (12.91 days). Proposal have been submitted to make this value a factor rather than the actual sleep time to extend battery life.
  • the EMF feature will monitor energy metrics and inform Network Management of changes in the time schedule for each network slice and corresponding UDM configuration for PSM for loT devices - Changes can only be activated at each time the Network Slice is activated and communication is made to the device on any new schedule. The loT devices then knows when the next cycle is available for it to communicate with the network.
  • each node or element will be instantiated with setting pertaining to that particular slice needs.
  • Fig. 6 shows a block diagram depicting the network element 18 in one embodiment for enabling communication of the UE in the communication network.
  • the network element 18 may comprise processing circuitry 1001 , e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.
  • the network element 18 may comprise an obtaining unit 1002, e.g. a receiver or a transceiver.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the obtaining unit 1002 may be configured to obtain, from within or another network node, the network parameter and/or information indicative of the current configuration of sleep time of the UE 10.
  • the network element 18 may comprise a determining unit 1003.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the determining unit 1003 may be configured to determine the time interval for the first network slice based on the network parameter.
  • the network parameter may comprise one or more of the following: energy consumption; energy cost; congestion related information; and other time intervals of activating other network slices.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the determining unit 1003 may be configured to determine the sleep time interval for the UE further based on the obtained information indicative of the current configuration of sleep time of the UE.
  • the network element 18 may comprise a setting unit 1004.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the setting unit 1004 is configured to set the time interval for the first network slice being operational in the communication network.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the determining unit 1003 is configured to determine the sleep time interval for the UE, based on the set time interval for the first network slice, which sleep time interval is the time interval the UE is in sleep mode.
  • the network element 18 may comprise an activating unit 1005.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the activating unit 1005 may be configured to activate the first network slice according to the set time interval.
  • the network element 18 may comprise a transmitting unit 1006, e.g. a transmitter or a transceiver.
  • the network element 18, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or the transmitting unit 1006 is configured to transmit to the UE, the indication of the determined sleep time interval of the UE 10.
  • the indication may be transmitted when the first network slice is deployed and activated.
  • the network element 18 further comprises a memory 1007.
  • the memory comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as indications, strengths or qualities, indications, reconfiguration, sleep mode configurations, values, scheduling information, timers, applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar.
  • the network element 18 comprises a communication interface 1010 comprising transmitter, receiver, transceiver and/or one or more antennas.
  • the network element for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the network element comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said network element is operative to perform any of the methods herein.
  • the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the network element 18 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 1008 or a computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network element 18.
  • the computer program product 1008 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1009, e.g. a universal serial bus (USB) stick, a disc or similar.
  • the computer-readable storage medium 1009, having stored thereon the computer program product may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network element 18.
  • the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory or transitory computer-readable storage medium.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the network element, 18, for enabling communication of the UE in the communication network.
  • the network element, 18 may comprise a processing circuitry, 1001 , and a memory, 1007.
  • the memory, 1007 contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry, 1001 , such that the network element, 18, is operative to set a time interval for a first network slice being operational in the communication network and determine a sleep time interval for the UE.
  • the sleep time may be determined based on the set time interval for the first network slice.
  • the sleep time interval is the time interval the UE is in a sleep mode.
  • the network element is operative to transmit to the UE, an indication of the determined sleep time interval of the UE.
  • the network element, 18, is further operative to perform the operations of the method described in the embodiments disclosed earlier.
  • the network element, 18, may include a processing circuitry (one or more than one processor), 1001 , coupled to an interface, 1010, and to the memory 1007.
  • the network element, 18, may comprise more than one interface.
  • one interface may be for connecting to other network elements, and another interface may be provided for the network operator to perform management operations on the network element, 18.
  • Fig. 7 has been illustrated in Fig. 7 (and similar in Fig. 6) to represent the possible plurality of interfaces.
  • the interface 1010, the processor(s) 1001 , and the memory 1007 may be connected in series as illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.
  • the memory 1007 may include a Read-Only-Memory (ROM), e.g., a flash ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM), e.g., a Dynamic RAM (DRAM) or Static RAM (SRAM), a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or the like.
  • ROM Read-Only-Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • SRAM Static RAM
  • the memory, 1007 may include software, 1012, and/or control parameters, 1014.
  • the memory, 1007 may include suitably configured program code to be executed by the processor(s), 1001 , so as to implement the abovedescribed method.
  • the structures as illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are merely schematic and that the network element, 18, may actually include further components which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated, e.g., further interfaces or processors. Also, it is to be understood that the memory, 1007, may include further program code for implementing other and/or known functionalities.
  • the network element, 18, may be provided as a virtual apparatus.
  • the network elements, 18, may be provided in distributed resources, such as in cloud resources.
  • the memory, 1007, processing circuitry, 1001 , and interface(s), 1010 may be provided as functional elements.
  • the functional elements may be distributed in a logical network and not necessarily be directly physically connected.
  • the network element, 18, may be provided as single-node device, or as a multi-node system.
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a radio network node, for example.
  • processors or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random-access memory for storing software and/or program or application data, and non-volatile memory.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ROM read-only memory
  • RAM random-access memory
  • non-volatile memory non-volatile memory

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Des modes de réalisation de la présente invention concernent un procédé mis en œuvre par un élément de réseau pour permettre la communication d'un UE (10) dans un réseau de communication. L'élément de réseau définit un intervalle de temps pour une première tranche de réseau qui est opérationnelle dans le réseau de communication ; et détermine un intervalle de temps de veille pour l'UE, sur la base de l'intervalle de temps défini pour le déploiement de la première tranche de réseau, ledit intervalle de temps de veille étant l'intervalle de temps dans lequel l'UE est en mode veille. L'élément de réseau transmet ensuite à l'UE une indication de l'intervalle de temps de veille déterminé de l'UE.
PCT/EP2021/051638 2021-01-25 2021-01-25 Élément de réseau et procédé mis en œuvre dans celui-ci WO2022156917A1 (fr)

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US20170079059A1 (en) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 Intel IP Corporation Slicing architecture for wireless communication
WO2020074610A1 (fr) * 2018-10-10 2020-04-16 Deutsche Telekom Ag Commande de l'utilisation et/ou de l'accès à des ressources de communication radio de plan utilisateur d'un réseau de télécommunications

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