WO2023236039A1

WO2023236039A1 - Methods and apparatuses of saving network energy

Info

Publication number: WO2023236039A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/097385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Congchi ZHANG; Mingzeng Dai; Le Yan; Ran YUE
Original assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
Priority date: 2022-06-07
Filing date: 2022-06-07
Publication date: 2023-12-14

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses of saving network energy. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network node may include: a processor configured to determine an operation state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the operation state includes at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell; a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to transmit a first message at least including information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to another network node.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES OF SAVING NETWORK ENERGY

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present application generally relate to wireless communication technology, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses of saving network energy.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power) . Examples of wireless communication systems may include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may also be referred to as new radio (NR) systems.

Network energy saving is desired in a wireless communication system. However, detailed procedures and signaling enhancements between network nodes to support network energy saving have not been discussed yet.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

Embodiments of the present application at least provide a technical solution at least for network energy saving.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a network node may include: a processor configured to determine an operation state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the operation state includes at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell; a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to transmit a first message at least including information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to another network node.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a centralized unit (CU) and the other network node is a distributed unit (DU) , and the transceiver is further configured to receive, from the DU, a second message at least including information of a set of cells added to the DU; the first message includes information indicating the one or more cells to be in the activated state within the set of cells and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.

In some embodiments of the present application, the second message is an F1 setup request message and the first message is an F1 setup response message; or the second message is a DU configuration update message and the first message is a DU configuration update acknowledge message.

In some embodiments of the present application, for a cell without an energy state of the one or more cells to be in the activated state, the cell will operate without any energy saving strategy.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a CU and the other network node is a DU, and the first message includes information indicating the one or more cells within a set of cells reported by the DU to be in the activated state and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message is associated with a procedure over an F1 interface, and the transceiver is configured to: receive a third message indicating to acknowledge the procedure and totally or partially accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells; or receive a third message indicating to reject the procedure and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, in the case that the determined operation state of a cell is rejected, the third message also indicates at least one of a cause value of rejecting the cell or an actual energy state of the cell.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a DU and the other network node is a CU, and the first message includes information of a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells being activated of the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message is a DU configuration update message indicating to modify the one or more cells being activated.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message is associated with a procedure over an F1 interface, and the transceiver is configured to: receive a third message indicating to acknowledge the procedure and totally accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells; or receive a third message indicating to reject the procedure and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, in the case that the procedure is rejected, the third message also indicates a cause value of rejecting the procedure.

In some embodiments of the present application, the one or more cells are at least a part of a list of neighboring cells indicated in the first message and the first message includes information of a determined energy state for each cell of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a CU and the other network node is a DU; or the network node is a first base station (BS) and the other network node is a second BS.

In some embodiments of the present application, determining operation state for each cell of one or more cells includes predicting the operation state for each cell of the one or more cells; and the information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells includes the information of the predicted operation state for each cell of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a CU and the other network node is a DU, and the one or more cells are one or more cells belonging to the DU or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a first BS and the other network node is a second BS, and the one or more cells are one or more cells belonging to the first BS or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the first BS.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message further includes at least one of: a predicted time period that a cell will stay in the determined operation state; an error value of the predicted time period; or a confidence value that represents a possibility that a cell will stay in the determined operation state within a window from the predicted time period minus the error value to the predicated time period plus the error value.

In some embodiments of the present application, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a third message to the other network node, and the third message includes at least one of: a predicted new operation state for at least one cell; a confidence value that the predicted new operation state will be adopted; a time stamp of a start point; a time error value of the start point; or a confidence value that the predicted new operation state will start within a window from the time stamp minus the time error value to the time stamp plus the time error value.

According to some other embodiments of the present application, a network node may include: a transceiver configured to receive a first message at least including information of an operation state for each cell of at least part of one or more cells from another network node, wherein the operation state includes at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell; a processor coupled to the transceiver.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a DU and the other network node is a CU, and the transceiver is further configured to transmit, to the CU, a second message at least including information of a set of cells added to the DU; the first message includes information indicating the one or more cells to be in the activated state within the set of cells and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a DU and the other network node is a CU, and the first message includes information indicating the one or more cells within a set of cells reported by the DU to be in the activated state and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message is associated with a procedure over an F1 interface, and the transceiver is configured to: transmit a third message indicating to acknowledge the procedure and totally or partially accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells; or transmit a third message indicating to reject the procedure and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a CU and the other network node is a DU, and the first message includes information of an energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells being activated of the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message is associated with a procedure over an F1 interface, and the transceiver is configured to: transmit a third message indicating to acknowledge the procedure and totally accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells; or transmit a third message indicating to reject the procedure and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a DU and the other network node is a CU; or the network node is a second BS and the other network node is a first BS.

In some embodiments of the present application, the information of the operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells includes information of a predicted operation state for each cell of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a DU and the other network node is a CU, and the one or more cells are one or more cells belonging to the DU or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the network node is a second BS and the other network node is a first BS, and the one or more cells are one or more cells belonging to the first BS or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the first BS.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message further includes at least one of: a predicted time period that a cell will stay in the determined operation state; an error value of the predicted time period; or a confidence value that represents a possibility that a cell will stay in the determined operation state within a window from the predicted time period minus the error value to the predicted time period plus the error value.

In some embodiments of the present application, the transceiver is further configured to receive a third message from the other network node, and the third message includes at least one of: a predicted new operation state for at least one cell; a confidence value that the predicted new operation state will be adopted; a time stamp of a start point; a time error value of the start point; or a confidence value that the predicted new operation state will start within a window from the time stamp minus the time error value to the time stamp plus the time error value.

According to some other embodiments of the present application, a method performed by a network node may include: determining an operation state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the operation state includes at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell; transmitting a first message at least including information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to another network node.

According to some other embodiments of the present application, a method performed by a network node may include: receiving a first message at least including information of an operation state for each cell of at least part of one or more cells from another network node, wherein the operation state includes at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which advantages and features of the application can be obtained, a description of the application is rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only example embodiments of the application and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate three exemplary signaling procedures over F1 interface as specified in 3GPP standard documents.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two exemplary signaling procedures over Xn interface as specified in 3GPP standard documents.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of saving network energy according to some embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary apparatus of saving network energy according to some embodiments of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of the appended drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present application may be practiced. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present application.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, persons skilled in the art will readily recognize that such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that among all illustrated operations to be performed, to achieve desirable results, sometimes one or more operations can be skipped. Further, the drawings can schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flow diagram. However, other operations that are not depicted can be incorporated in the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing can be advantageous.

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding, embodiments are provided under specific network architecture and new service scenarios, such as 3GPP 5G (i.e., new radio (NR) ) , 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) Release 8 and so on. Persons skilled in the art know very well that, with the development of network architecture and new service scenarios, the embodiments in the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems; and moreover, the terminologies recited in the present application may change, which should not affect the principle of the present application.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one BS 101 and at least one user equipment (UE) (e.g., a UE 102a and a UE 102b) . Although one BS and two UEs are depicted in FIG. 1 for illustrative purpose, it can be contemplated that any number of BSs and UEs may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

The wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network that is capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with a wireless communication network, a cellular telephone network, a time division multiple access (TDMA) based network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) based network, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based network, an LTE network, a 3GPP-based network, a 3GPP 5G network, a satellite communications network, a high-altitude platform network, and/or other communications networks.

The BS 101 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base, a macro cell, a radio access network (RAN) node, a next generation (NG) radio access network (RAN) node, a node-B, an enhanced node B (eNB) , a gNB, a home node-B, a relay node, or a device, or described using other terminology used in the art. The BS 101 is generally part of a RAN that may include a controller communicably coupled to the BS 101.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the UE 102a and the UE 102b may include vehicle UEs (VUEs) and/or power-saving UEs (also referred to as power sensitive UEs) . The power-saving UEs may include vulnerable road users (VRUs) , public safety UEs (PS-UEs) , and/or commercial sidelink UEs (CS-UEs) that are sensitive to power consumption. In an embodiment of the present application, a VRU may include a pedestrian UE (P-UE) , a cyclist UE, a wheelchair UE or other UEs which require power saving compared with a VUE. In an embodiment of the present application, the UE 102a may be a power-saving UE and the UE 102b may be a VUE. In another embodiment of the present application, both the UE 102a and the UE 102b may be VUEs or power-saving UEs.

According to some other embodiments of the present application, the UE 102a and the UE 102b may include computing devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , tablet computers, smart televisions (e.g., televisions connected to the Internet) , set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras) , vehicle on-board computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, and modems) , or the like.

According to some other embodiments of the present application, the UE 102a and the UE 102b may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a flip phone, a device having a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device that is capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network.

According to some other embodiments of the present application, the UE 102a and the UE 102b may include wearable devices, such as smart watches, fitness bands, optical head-mounted displays, or the like.

Moreover, a UE may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or a device, or described using other terminology used in the art.

Both the UE 102a and the UE 102b in the embodiments of FIG. 1 are in a coverage area of the BS 101, and may transmit information or data to the BS 101 and receive control information or data from the BS 101, for example, via LTE or NR Uu interface. In some embodiments of the present application, the UE 102a and the UE 102b may communicate with each other via sidelink.

Network energy saving may be supported in a wireless communication system. For example, in Rel-17, radio access network working group 3 (RAN3) agreed to support artificial intelligence (AI) /machine learning (ML) assisted network energy saving mechanism, which includes exchanging measured or predicted energy state related parameters over network interfaces.

According to AI/ML assisted network energy saving mechanism, the NG-RAN may need some information as input data to predict the optimized network energy saving decisions. For example, the information as input data may include information from a local NG-RAN node, information from a UE, and information from neighboring NG-RAN node (s) . The information from the NG-RAN node may include: UE mobility/trajectory prediction, current/predicted energy efficiency, current/predicted resource status, etc. The information from the UE may include: UE location information, e.g., coordinates, serving cell identify (ID) , moving velocity, etc., UE measurement report, e.g., reference signal receiving power (RSRP) , signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) measurement, etc. The information from neighboring NG-RAN nodes may include: current/predicted energy efficiency, current/predicted resource status, current energy state (e.g., active, high, low, inactive) , etc.

The AI/ML assisted network energy saving mechanism may generate the following information as the output data: energy saving strategy, such as recommended cell activation/deactivation; handover strategy, including recommended candidate cells for taking over the traffic; predicted energy efficiency; predicted energy state (e.g., active, high, low, inactive) ; and model output validity time.

In Rel-18, detailed schemes to support network energy saving mechanism may be further studies. For example, RP-213554 defines several objectives for supporting network energy savings. These objectives include:

1) Definition of a base station energy consumption model, which include:

● Adapt the framework of the power consumption modelling and evaluation methodology of TR 38.840 to the base station side, including relative energy consumption for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) , sleep states and the associated transition times, and one or more reference parameters/configurations.

2) Definition of an evaluation methodology and key performance indicators (KPIs) , for example,

● The evaluation methodology should target for evaluating system-level network energy consumption and energy savings gains, as well as assessing/balancing impact to network and user performance, energy efficiency, and UE power consumption, complexity. The evaluation methodology should not focus on a single KPI, and should reuse existing KPIs whenever applicable; where existing KPIs are found to be insufficient new KPIs may be developed as needed.

3) Study and identify techniques on the BS side (e.g., gNB) and UE side to improve network energy savings in terms of both BS transmission and reception, which may include:

● How to achieve more efficient operation dynamically and/or semi-statically and finer granularity adaptation of transmissions and/or receptions in one or more of network energy saving techniques in time, frequency, spatial, and power domains, with potential support/feedback from UE, and potential UE assistance information.

● Information exchange/coordination over network interfaces.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate three different exemplary signaling procedures over F1 interface as specified in 3GPP standard documents.

FIG. 2 illustrates a successful operation of an F1 setup procedure as specified in 3GPP standard document. The purpose of the F1 setup procedure is to exchange application level data needed for the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU to correctly interoperate on the F1 interface.

Referring to FIG. 2, a gNB-DU may initiate the F1 setup procedure by transmitting F1 SETUP REQUEST message including appropriate data to a gNB-CU in step 201. In step 203, the gNB-CU may respond with F1 SETUP RESPONSE message including the appropriate data to the gNB-DU.

The exchanged data may be stored in respective node and used as long as there is an operational transport network layer (TNL) association. When the procedure is finished, the F1 interface is operational and other F1 messages may be exchanged.

In some cases, the gNB-CU may include Cells to be Activated List information element (IE) in F1 SETUP RESPONSE message. The Cells to be Activated List IE may include a list of cells that the gNB-CU requests the gNB-DU to activate. After receiving F1 SETUP RESPONSE message, the gNB-DU may activate the cells included in Cells to be Activated List IE and reconfigure the physical cell identity for cells for which NR physical cell identifier (PCI) IE is included in Cells to be Activated List IE.

FIG. 3 illustrates a successful operation of a gNB-DU configuration update procedure as specified in 3GPP standard document. The purpose of the gNB-DU configuration update procedure is to update application level configuration data needed for the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU to interoperate correctly on the F1 interface.

Referring to FIG. 3, a gNB-DU may initiate the gNB-DU configuration update procedure by transmitting GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message including an appropriate set of updated configuration data that the gNB-DU has just taken into operational use to a gNB-CU in step 301. In step 303, the gNB-CU may respond with GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message to acknowledge that the gNB-CU has successfully updated the configuration data.

The updated configuration data shall be stored in both nodes and used as long as there is an operational TNL association or until any further update is performed.

If no IE is included in GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU shall interpret that the corresponding configuration data is not changed and shall continue to operate the F1-C interface with the existing related configuration data.

If Served Cells To Add Item IE is contained in GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU may add cell information according to the information in the Served Cell Information IE.

If Served Cells To Modify Item IE is contained in GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU may modify information of cell indicated by Old NR cell global identity (CGI) IE according to the information in the Served Cell Information IE and overwrite the served cell information for the affected served cell.

If Cells to be Activated List Item IE is contained in GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message, the gNB-DU may activate the cell indicated by NR CGI IE and reconfigure the physical cell identity for cells for which the NR PCI IE is included.

If Cells to be Activated List Item IE is contained in GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message and the indicated cells have been already activated, the gNB-DU may update the cell information received in Cells to be Activated List Item IE.

FIG. 4 illustrates a successful operation of a gNB-CU configuration update procedure as specified in 3GPP standard document. The purpose of the gNB-CU configuration update procedure is to update application level configuration data needed for the gNB-DU and gNB-CU to interoperate correctly on the F1 interface.

Referring to FIG. 4, a gNB-CU may initiate the gNB-CU configuration update procedure by transmitting GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message including the appropriate updated configuration data to the gNB-DU in step 401. In step 403, the gNB-DU may respond with GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message to acknowledge that the gNB-DU has successfully updated the configuration data.

The updated configuration data may be stored in the respective node and used as long as there is an operational TNL association or until any further update is performed.

If no IE is included in GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-DU may interpret that the corresponding configuration data is not changed and shall continue to operate the F1-C interface with the existing related configuration data.

If Cells to be Activated List Item IE is contained in GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-DU may activate the cell indicated by NR CGI IE and reconfigure the physical cell identity for which the NR PCI IE is included.

If Cells to be Activated List Item IE is contained in GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message and the indicated cells have been already activated, the gNB-DU may update the cell information received in Cells to be Activated List Item IE.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two different exemplary signaling procedures over Xn interface as specified in 3GPP standard documents.

FIG. 5 illustrates a successful operation of an Xn setup procedure as specified in 3GPP standard document. The purpose of the Xn setup procedure is to exchange application level configuration data needed for two NG-RAN nodes to interoperate correctly over the Xn-C interface.

Referring to FIG. 5, a NG-RAN node ₁ may initiate the Xn setup procedure by transmitting XN SETUP REQUEST message to a candidate NG-RAN node ₂ in step 501. In step 503, the candidate NG-RAN node ₂ may reply with XN SETUP RESPONSE message.

In some cases, if List of Served Cells NR IE and List of Served Cells E-UTRA IE are contained in XN SETUP REQUEST message, they may contain a complete list of cells served by NG-RAN node ₁ or a partial list of served cells.

In some cases, if List of Served Cells NR IE and List of Served Cells E-UTRA IE are contained in XN SETUP RESPONSE message, they may contain a complete list of cells served by NG-RAN node ₂ or a partial list of served cells.

FIG. 6 illustrates a successful operation of an NG-RAN node configuration update procedure as specified in 3GPP standard document. The purpose of the NG-RAN node configuration update procedure is to update application level configuration data needed for two NG-RAN nodes to interoperate correctly over the Xn-C interface.

Referring to FIG. 6, the NG-RAN node ₁ may initiate the NG-RAN node configuration update procedure by transmitting NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message to a peer NG-RAN node ₂ in step 601. In step 603, the candidate NG-RAN node ₂ may reply with NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message.

In some cases, if Served Cells NR To Modify IE is contained in NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, NG-RAN node ₂ shall modify information of cell indicated by Old NR-CGI IE according to the information in the Served Cell Information NR IE. If Deactivation Indication IE is contained in Served Cells NR To Modify IE, it indicates that the concerned cell was switched off to lower energy consumption.

The above FIGS. 2-6 illustrate several signalling procedures between network nodes. However, none of these signalling procedures relate to network energy saving related information exchange between network nodes. In fact, detailed procedures and signaling enhancements to support network energy saving related information exchange between network nodes has not been discussed yet in 3GPP.

Given the above, embodiments of the present application propose solutions at least for network energy saving. For example, embodiments of the present application propose solutions regarding detailed procedures and related signalings for network energy saving related information exchange between network nodes, thereby supporting the network energy saving. More details on embodiments of the present application will be described in the following text in combination with the appended drawings.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method of saving network energy according to some embodiments of the present application. The method illustrated in FIG. 7 may be performed by two network nodes (e.g., network node #1 and network node #2) . In some embodiments of the present application, the network node #1 may be a DU of a BS (e.g., gNB-DU) and the network node #2 may be a CU of the BS (e.g., gNB-CU) . In some other embodiments of the present application, the network node #1 may be a CU of a BS (e.g., gNB-CU) and the network node #2 may be a DU of the BS (e.g., gNB-DU) . In some other embodiments of the present application, the network node #1 and the network node #2 may be two different BSs (e.g., BS #1 and BS #2) . Although the method is illustrated in a system level, persons skilled in the art can understand that the method implemented in the two network nodes can be separately implemented and incorporated in other apparatus with the like functions.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step 701, the network node #1 may determine an operation state for each cell of one or more cells. The operation state may include at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a cell may operate under different energy states, or different network energy saving strategies, or different energy consumption levels. Given this, the term "energy state" in step 701 may be replaced with "network energy saving strategy, " "energy consumption level, " or the like.

In an embodiment of the present application, different energy states or different energy consumption levels of a cell may be defined as: deep sleep, light sleep, and micro sleep. In another embodiment of the present application, different energy states or different energy consumption levels of a cell may be defined as: high, medium, and low. The network node #1 may determine one energy state or one energy consumption level from the above energy states or energy consumption levels for a cell.

In an embodiment of the present application, an energy state or an energy consumption level may correspond to a network energy saving strategy. For example, for an energy state or an energy consumption level of a cell, the corresponding network energy saving strategy may be that the cell only supports UL or DL data transmission. In another example, for an energy state or an energy consumption level of a cell, the corresponding network energy saving strategy may be that all bandwidth part (BWP) within the cell is in dormant sate.

The above descriptions for the energy states, the energy consumption levels, and network energy saving strategies are only for illustrative purpose, it can be contemplated that the energy states, the energy consumption levels and network energy saving strategies may have other definitions, which should not affect the principle of the disclosure.

In step 702, the network node #1 may transmit a first message to network node #2. The first message at least includes information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells. The term "at least part of the one or more cells" may refer to a part of the one or more cells or all of the one or more cells.

Consequently, in step 703, the network node #2 may receive the first message.

Embodiments 1

In embodiments 1, a CU may trigger the initiation or modification of energy state for at least one cells belonging to a DU, and transmit the first message to the DU. The network node #1 may be a CU (e.g., gNB-CU) and the network node #2 may be a DU (e.g., gNB-DU) .

Embodiment 1.1

In embodiment 1.1 of the present application, the DU may transmit a second message to the CU. The second message at least includes information of a set of cells added to the DU.

After receiving the second message, in step 701, the CU may determine to active one or more cells within the set of cells. In other words, the CU may determine the one or more cells to be in the activated state or the CU may determine an activation state for each cell of the one or more cells. The CU may also determine an energy state of each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.

Then, in step 702, the CU may transmit the first message to the DU. The first message may include information indicating the one or more cells to be in the activated state within the set of cells and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.

In some examples, the second message may be an F1 setup request message (e.g., F1 SETUP REQUEST message in FIG. 2) and the first message may be an F1 setup response message (e.g., F1 SETUP RESPONSE message in FIG. 2) . In some other examples, the second message may be a DU configuration update message (e.g., GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 3) and the first message may be a DU configuration update acknowledge message (e.g., GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 3) .

In such examples, the information included in the first message may be Cells To Be Activated List IE within the F1 SETUP RESPONSE message or GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message. The Cells To Be Activated List IE may indicate the one or more cells to be in the activated state. For each cell of at least part of the one or more cells, an additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a corresponding cell may be added within the Cells To Be Activated List IE. Persons skilled in the art should well know that although the same message or IE name is used, it does not mean the specific message or IE is the same. The same or similar message or IE in 3GPP may evolve as the technology develops, e.g., the technical solution proposed in the present application.

In some embodiments of the present application, for a cell without an energy state of the one or more cells to be in the activated state. In other words, for a cell that the CU does not provide any energy state when setting the cell to be in the activated state, it means that the cell is fully activated. That is, after receiving the first message, the cell will operate without any energy saving strategy.

Embodiment 1.2

In embodiment 1.2, among a set of cells reported by the DU, the CU may determine to active one or more cells in step 701. In other words, the CU may determine the one or more cells to be in the activated state or the CU may determine an activation state for each cell of the one or more cells. In addition, the CU may also determine an energy state of each cell of at least part of the one or more cells in step 701.

Then, in step 702, the CU may transmit the first message to the DU. The first message may include information indicating the one or more cells to be in the activated state within the set of cells reported by the DU and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.

In some examples, the first message may be a CU configuration update message (e.g., GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 4) . In such examples, the information included in the first message may be Cells To Be Activated List IE within GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message. The Cells To Be Activated List IE may indicate the one or more cells to be in the activated state. For each cell of at least part of the one or more cells, an additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a corresponding cell will be added to GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, within the Cells To Be Activated List IE.

The following Table 1 shows an example of GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, which includes the additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a cell in the Cells To Be Activated List IE.

Table 1: GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message

Referring to Table 1, in addition to the "energy state" IE, GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message may also include other IEs, which are the same as those defined in 3GPP standard documents.

Similar as embodiment 1.1, in embodiment 1.2, for a cell without an energy state of the one or more cells to be in the activated state, it means that the cell is fully activated. That is, after receiving the first message, the cell will operate without any energy saving strategy.

Embodiment 1.3

According to some embodiments of the present application, after receiving the first message in embodiment 1.1 or 1.2, the DU may accept or reject the energy state (s) indicated by the CU. Accordingly, in embodiment 1.3, after receiving the first message, the DU may transmit a third message to the CU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the third message may indicate to acknowledge a procedure over an F1 interface associated with the first message and totally accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells. For example, the first message may be GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in embodiment 1.2, and the third message may be GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 4. In such example, the procedure over an F1 interface may be gNB-CU configuration update procedure in FIG. 4.

In some other embodiments of the present application, the third message may indicate to acknowledge a procedure over an F1 interface associated with the first message and partially accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells. For example, the first message may be GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in embodiment 1.2, and the third message may be GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 4. In such example, the procedure over an F1 interface may be gNB-CU configuration update procedure in FIG. 4.

In the case that the determined energy state of a cell is rejected, the third message may also indicate at least one of a cause value of rejecting the cell or an actual energy state of the cell, e.g., only the cause value, or only an actual energy state of the cell or both of them. The cause value may indicate the reason for rejecting a cell, for example, "failed energy state change. "

In some other embodiments of the present application, the third message may indicate to reject a procedure over an F1 interface associated with the first message and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells. For example, the first message may be GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in embodiment 1.2, and the third message may be GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE FAILURE message as specified in 3GPP standard documents. In such example, the procedure over an F1 interface may be gNB-CU configuration update procedure as specified in 3GPP standard documents. The third message may also indicate a cause value of rejecting the procedure. The cause value may indicate the reason for rejecting the procedure, for example, "failed energy state change. "

Embodiments 2

In embodiments 2, a DU may trigger the modification of energy state for at least one activated cells belonging to a DU, and transmit the first message to the CU. For example, when a DU in a sleep state receives a buffer status report (BSR) from a UE indicating a large amount of UL data arrival, the DU may request to switch the cell to a non-sleep state.

In embodiments 2, the network node #1 may be a DU (e.g., gNB-DU) and the network node #2 may be a CU (e.g., gNB-CU) .

Embodiment 2.1

In embodiment 2.1 of the present application, among one or more activated cells belonging to the DU, the DU may determine an energy state of each cell of at least part of the one or more cells in step 701.

Then, in step 702, the DU may transmit the first message to the CU. The first message may include information of a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells being activated of the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message may be a DU configuration update message (e.g., GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 3) indicating to modify the one or more cells being activated. For example, the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message may include Served Cells To Modify List IE indicating the one or more activated cells which are to be modified by the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells, an additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a corresponding cell may be added in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, within the Served Cells To Modify List IE.

In some other embodiments of the present application, for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells, an additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a corresponding cell in the Served Cell Information IE may be added in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message.

The following Table 2 shows an example of a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, which includes the additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a cell in the Served Cells To Modify List IE.

Table 2: GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message

Referring to Table 2, in addition to the "energy state" IE, the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message may also include other IEs, which are the same as those defined in 3GPP standard documents.

Embodiment 2.2

According to some embodiments of the present application, after receiving the first message in embodiment 2.1 the CU may accept or reject the energy state (s) indicated by the DU. Accordingly, in embodiment 2.2, after receiving the first message, the CU may transmit a third message to the DU.

In some embodiments of the present application, the third message may indicate to acknowledge a procedure over an F1 interface associated with the first message and totally accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells. For example, the first message may be GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in embodiment 2.1, and the third message may be GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 3. In such example, the procedure over an F1 interface may be gNB-DU configuration update procedure in FIG. 3.

In some other embodiments of the present application, the third message may indicate to reject a procedure over an F1 interface associated with the first message and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells. For example, the first message may be GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in embodiment 2.1, and the third message may be GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE FAILURE message as specified in 3GPP standard documents. In such example, the procedure over an F1 interface may be gNB-DU configuration update procedure as specified in 3GPP standard documents.

The third message may also indicate a cause value of rejecting the procedure. The cause value may indicate the reason for rejecting the procedure, for example, "failed energy state change. "

Embodiments 3

In embodiments 3, when network node #1 provides a list of neighboring cells to network node #2, the energy states of one or more neighboring cells may also be provided.

Embodiment 3.1

In embodiment 3.1, the network node #1 may be a CU (e.g., gNB-CU) and the network node #2 may be a DU (e.g., gNB-DU) .

In step 701, the CU may determine an energy state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the one or more cells are at least part of a list of neighboring cells. Then, in step 702, the CU may transmit the first message to the DU over an F1 interface. The first message may indicate the list of neighboring cells and include information of a determined energy state for each cell of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message may be a CU configuration update message (e.g., GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 4) . For example, the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message may include Neighbour Cell Information List IE indicating the list of neighboring cells. For each cell of the one or more cells in the list of neighboring cells, an additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a corresponding cell may be added within the Neighbour Cell Information List IE.

In some embodiments of the present application, for a cell without an energy state in the list of neighboring cells, it means that the cell is operating without taking any energy saving strategy.

Embodiment 3.2

In embodiment 3.2, the network node #1 may be a BS (e.g., BS #1) and the network node #2 may be another BS (e.g., BS #2) .

In step 701, BS #1 may determine an energy state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the one or more cells are at least part of a list of neighboring cells. Then, in step 702, BS #1may transmit the first message to the BS #2 over an Xn interface. The first message may indicate the list of neighboring cells and include information of a determined energy state for each cell of the one or more cells.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first message may be an XN SETUP REQUEST message or an XN SETUP RESPOSNE message in FIG. 5. In some other embodiments of the present application, the first message may be NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 6. For example, the XN SETUP REQUEST message, the XN SETUP RESPONSE message, or the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message may include Neighbour Information NR IE indicating the list of neighboring cells. For each cell of the one or more cells in the list of neighboring cells, an additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a corresponding cell may be added within the Neighbour Information NR IE.

The following Table 3 shows an example of a Neighbour Information NR IE, which includes the additional IE (e.g., defined as "energy state" ) indicating an energy state associated with a cell.

Table 3: Neighbour Information NR IE

Referring to Table 3, in addition to the "energy state" IE, Neighbour Information NR IE may also include other IEs, which are the same as those defined in 3GPP standard documents.

Embodiments 4

In embodiments 4, in step 701, the network node #1 may determine an operation state for each cell of one or more cells. The operation state may include at least one of: an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell.

In step 702, the network node #1 may transmit a first message to network node #2. The first message may include information of the determined operation state for each cell of the one or more cells.

The first message may also include at least one of:

● a predicted time period (e.g., defined as T) that a cell will stay in the determined operation state;

● an error value (e.g., defined as T _error) of the predicted time period; or

● a confidence value (defined as X%) that represents a possibility that a cell will stay in the determined operation state within a window from the predicted time period minus the error value to the predicted time period plus the error value (e.g., within a window from (T –T _error) to (T + T _error) ) .

In some cases of embodiments 4, the network node #1 is a CU (e.g., gNB-CU) and the network node #2 is a DU (e.g., gNB-CU) . In some examples, the first message may be a CU configuration update message (GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 4) .

In some other cases of embodiments 4, the network node #1 may be a BS (e.g., BS #1) and the network node #2 may be another BS (e.g., BS #2) . In an embodiment of the present application, the first message may be XN SETUP REQUEST message in FIG. 5, XN SETUP RESPONSE message in FIG. 5, or NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 6.

Embodiments 5

In embodiments 5, determining an operation state for each cell of one or more cells in step 701 may include predicting the operation state for each cell of the one or more cells. Accordingly, the information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells in step 702 may include the information of the predicted operation state for each cell of the one or more cells.

The predicted operation state may include at least one of: a predicted activation state or a predicted deactivation state of a cell; or a predicted energy state for a predicted activated cell. For example, for a cell in the one or more cells, the predicted operation state may be a predicted deactivation state. In another example, for a cell in the one or more cells, the predicted operation state may be a predicted activation state. In yet another example, for a cell in the one or more cells, the predicted operation state may include a predicted activation state of the cell and a predicted energy state for the cell.

Embodiment 5.1

In embodiment 5.1, the network node #1 may be a CU (e.g., gNB-CU) and the network node #2 may be a DU (e.g., gNB-DU) .

In some cases of embodiment 5.1, the one or more cells may be one or more cells belonging to the DU or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the DU.

In some cases of embodiment 5.1, the first message may be a CU configuration update message (e.g., GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 4) . For example, the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message may include Neighbour Cell Information List IE indicating the one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the DU. For each cell of the one or more cells, the predicted operation state associated with a corresponding cell may be added in the Neighbour Cell Information List IE.

Embodiment 5.2

In embodiment 5.2, the network node #1 may be a BS (e.g., BS #1) and the network node #2 may be another BS (e.g., BS #2) .

In some cases of embodiment 5.2, the one or more cells may be one or more cells belonging to BS #1. For example, the first message may be the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message in FIG. 6. For example, NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message may include Served Cells To Update NR IE indicating the one or more cells of cell (s) belonging to BS #1. For each cell of the one or more cells, the predicted operation state associated with a corresponding cell may be added in the Served Cells To Update NR IE.

In some other cases of embodiment 5.2, the one or more cells may be one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to BS #1. For example, the first message may be XN SETUP REQUEST message in FIG. 5, XN SETUP RESPONSE message in FIG. 5, or NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message in FIG. 6. For example, XN SETUP REQUEST message, the XN SETUP RESPONSE message, or the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message may include Neighbour Information NR IE indicating one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to BS #1. For each cell of the one or more cells, the predicted operation state associated with a corresponding cell may be added in the Neighbour Information NR IE.

Embodiment 5.3

According to some embodiments of the present application, when network node #1 (e.g., a CU or BS #1) predicts a change in the current operation state (e.g., at least one of an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or an energy state of an activated cell) for at least one cell. In other words, network node #1 predicts a operation state different from the current operation state of at least one cell, and the network node #1 may transmit a third message to network node #2 (e.g., a DU or BS #2) . The third message may include at least one of the following:

■ a predicted new operation state for at least one cell;

■ a confidence value (e.g., defined as Y%) that the predicted new operation state will be adopted;

■ a time stamp of a start point (e.g., defined as T _start) ;

■ a time error value of the start point (e.g., defined as T _start-error) ; or

■ a confidence value (e.g., defined as Z%) that the predicted new operation state will start within a window from the time stamp minus the time error value to the time stamp plus the time error value (e.g., within a window from (T _start –T _start-error) to (T _start +T _start-error) ) .

In embodiments 5, if network node #2 receives more than one message including information of the predicted operation state for a same cell, network node #2 may take the later received predicted operation state as the basis to determine an operation state for the cell.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary apparatus 800 according to some embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 800 may include at least one processor 806 and at least one transceiver 802 coupled to the processor 806. The apparatus 800 may be a network node (e.g., a CU, a DU, or a BS) .

Although in this figure, elements such as the at least one transceiver 802 and processor 806 are described in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless a limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. In some embodiments of the present application, the transceiver 802 may be divided into two devices, such as a receiving circuitry and a transmitting circuitry. In some embodiments of the present application, the apparatus 800 may further include an input device, a memory, and/or other components.

In some embodiments of the present application, the apparatus 800 may be network node #1 as stated above. The transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may interact with each other so as to perform the operations with respect to network node #1 described in FIG. 7. In some embodiments of the present application, the apparatus 800 may be network node #2. The transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may interact with each other so as to perform the operations with respect to network node #2 described in FIG. 7.

In some embodiments of the present application, the apparatus 800 may further include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium.

For example, in some embodiments of the present application, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may have stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor 806 to implement the method with respect to the UE as described above. For example, the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor 806 interacting with transceiver 802 to perform the operations with respect to network node #1 described in FIG. 7.

In some embodiments of the present application, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may have stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor 806 to implement the method with respect to the BS as described above. For example, the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor 806 interacting with transceiver 802 to perform the operations with respect to the network node #2 described in FIG. 7.

Those having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the operations or steps of a method described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Additionally, in some aspects, the operations or steps of a method may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

While this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

In this document, the terms "includes, " "including, " or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a, " "an, " or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element. Also, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. The term "having" and the like, as used herein, are defined as "including. " Expressions such as "A and/or B" or "at least one of A and B" may include any and all combinations of words enumerated along with the expression. For instance, the expression "A and/or B" or "at least one of A and B" may include A, B, or both A and B. The wording "the first, " "the second" or the like is only used to clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application, but is not used to limit the substance of the present application.

Claims

A network node, comprising:

a processor configured to determine an operation state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the operation state includes at least one of:

an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or

an energy state of an activated cell;

a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to transmit a first message at least including information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to another network node.
The network node of Claim 1, wherein, the network node is a centralized unit (CU) and the other network node is a distributed unit (DU) , and the transceiver is further configured to receive, from the DU, a second message at least including information of a set of cells added to the DU;

wherein the first message includes information indicating the one or more cells to be in the activated state within the set of cells and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.
The network node of Claim 1, wherein, the network node is a centralized unit (CU) and the other network node is a distributed unit (DU) , and

the first message includes information indicating the one or more cells within a set of cells reported by the DU to be in the activated state and a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to be in the activated state.
The network node of Claim 2 or 3, wherein, the first message is associated with a procedure over an F1 interface, and the transceiver is configured to:

receive a third message indicating to acknowledge the procedure and totally or partially accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells; or

receive a third message indicating to reject the procedure and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.
The network node of Claim 4, wherein, in the case that the determined operation state of a cell is rejected, the third message also indicates at least one of a cause value of rejecting the cell or an actual energy state of the cell.
The network node of Claim 1, wherein the network node is a distributed unit (DU) and the other network node is a centralized unit (CU) , and wherein the first message includes information of a determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells being activated of the DU.
The network node of Claim 6, wherein, the first message is associated with a procedure over an F1 interface, and the transceiver is configured to:

receive a third message indicating to acknowledge the procedure and totally accept the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells; or

receive a third message indicating to reject the procedure and totally reject the determined energy state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells.
The network node of Claim 7, wherein, in the case that the procedure is rejected, the third message also indicates a cause value of rejecting the procedure.
The network node of Claim 1, wherein,

the one or more cells are at least a part of a list of neighboring cells indicated in the first message and the first message includes information of a determined energy state for each cell of the one or more cells.
The network node of Claim 1, wherein,

determining operation state for each cell of one or more cells includes predicting the operation state for each cell of the one or more cells; and

the information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells includes the information of the predicted operation state for each cell of the one or more cells.
The network node of Claim 10, wherein,

the network node is a centralized unit (CU) and the other network node is a distributed unit (DU) , and the one or more cells are one or more cells belonging to the DU or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the DU; or

the network node is a first base station (BS) and the other network node is a second BS, and the one or more cells are one or more cells belonging to the first BS or one or more neighboring cells of cell (s) belonging to the first BS.
The network node of Claim 1, wherein the first message further comprises at least one of:

a predicted time period that a cell will stay in the determined operation state;

an error value of the predicted time period; or

a confidence value that represents a possibility that a cell will stay in the determined operation state within a window from the predicted time period minus the error value to the predicated time period plus the error value.
The network node of Claim 10, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a third message to the other network node, and the third message comprises at least one of:

a predicted new operation state for at least one cell;

a confidence value that the predicted new operation state will be adopted;

a time stamp of a start point;

a time error value of the start point; or

a confidence value that the predicted new operation state will start within a window from the time stamp minus the time error value to the time stamp plus the time error value.
A network node, comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive a first message at least including information of an operation state for each cell of at least part of one or more cells from another network node, wherein the operation state includes at least one of:

an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or

an energy state of an activated cell;

a processor coupled to the transceiver.
A method performed by a network node, comprising:

determining an operation state for each cell of one or more cells, wherein the operation state includes at least one of:

an activation state or a deactivation state of a cell; or

an energy state of an activated cell;

transmitting a first message at least including information of the determined operation state for each cell of at least part of the one or more cells to another network node.