Field

This disclosure relates to communications, and more particularly to apparatus, methods and computer programs in a wireless communication system. More particularly the present invention relates to mobile edge computing.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication between two or more devices such as user terminals, machine-like terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing communication channels for carrying information between the communicating devices. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices.

In a wireless system at least a part of communications occurs over wireless interfaces.

A user can access a communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal capable of communicating with a base station. Hence nodes like base stations are often referred to as access points. A communication device of a user is often referred to as user equipment (UE).

A communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. Non-limiting examples of standardised radio access technologies include GSM (Global System for Mobile), EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Networks (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (UTRAN) and evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). An example communication system architecture is the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The LTE is standardized by the third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The LTE employs the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access and a further development thereof which is sometimes referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE- A).

Since introduction of fourth generation (4G) services increasing interest has been paid to the next, or fifth generation (5G) standard. 5G may also be referred to as a New Radio (NR) network.

Edge computing, or mobile edge computing (MEC) aims to provide resources, such as processing and storage, close to an end user.

Statement of invention

According to a first aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises information other than quality of service information.

According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises quality of service information and the information other than quality of service information.

According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises information of predicted radio conditions. According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises information of radio conditions at the one or more user equipment level and/or at a cell level.

According to some examples, the identifier associated with the one or more user equipment comprises one or more of: an identifier of a cell serving the one or more user equipment; an identity of the one or more user equipment as handled by the cell; an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; an address of the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the means are further configured to perform receiving an update of the identifier associated with the one or more user equipment.

According to some examples, the means are further configured to perform receiving the update of the identity associated with the one or more user equipment in response to one or more of: the one or more user equipment being handed over to a new cell; the one or more user equipment becoming connected after an idle period.

According to some examples, the subscribing comprises subscribing to one or more of: a session management function of the open radio access network; a policy and charging function; a local user plane function.

According to some examples, the apparatus comprises an application function.

According to some examples, the apparatus comprises an edge computing application function.

According to some examples, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

According to a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; circuitry for receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; circuitry for using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and circuitry for receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method comprising: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises information other than quality of service information.

According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises quality of service information and the information other than quality of service information.

According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises information of predicted radio conditions. According to some examples, the information of radio conditions comprises information of radio conditions at the one or more user equipment level and/or at a cell level.

According to some examples, the identifier associated with the one or more user equipment comprises one or more of: an identifier of a cell serving the one or more user equipment; an identity of the one or more user equipment as handled by the cell; an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; an address of the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the method comprises receiving an update of the identifier associated with the one or more user equipment.

According to some examples, the method comprises receiving the update of the identity associated with the one or more user equipment in response to one or more of: the one or more user equipment being handed over to a new cell; the one or more user equipment becoming connected after an idle period.

According to some examples, the subscribing comprises subscribing to one or more of: a session management function of the open radio access network; a policy and charging function; a local user plane function.

According to some examples, the apparatus comprises an application function.

According to some examples, the apparatus comprises an edge computing application function.

According to a fifth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller. According to a sixth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to a seventh aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to an eighth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: subscribing for information about one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to a ninth aspect there is provided a system in an open radio access network comprising: a radio access network node; one or more user equipment being served by the radio access network node; an application function for providing an application to the one or more user equipment; a core user plane function in communication with the application function and the radio access network node; a session management function; a radio access network intelligent controller; wherein the application function is configured to subscribe at a network exposure function for information of the one or more user equipment; wherein the application function is configured to receive an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; and wherein the application function is configured to use the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to the radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and wherein the application function is configured to receive the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, in response to the user equipment being handed over to a target radio access node, or the one or more user equipment becoming connected after an idle period, the session management function is configured to request the target radio access node to provide over the user plane one or more of: an identifier of a cell serving the one or more user equipment; an identity of the one or more user equipment as handled by the cell; an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; an address of the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, a user plane protocol between the radio access network node and the core user plane function is configured to perform communicating one or more of: an identifier of a cell serving the one or more user equipment; an identity of the one or more user equipment as handled by the cell; an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; an address of the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the user plane protocol is configured to perform the communicating in a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user plane header.

According to a tenth aspect there is provided a method carried out in a system, wherein the system comprises a radio access network node; one or more user equipment being served by the radio access network node; an application function for providing an application to the one or more user equipment; a core user plane function in communication with the application function and the radio access network node; a session management function; a radio access network intelligent controller; and wherein the method comprises: the application function subscribing at a network exposure function for information of the one or more user equipment; the application function receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; the application function using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to the radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and the application function receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, in response to the user equipment being handed over to a target radio access node, or the one or more user equipment becoming connected after an idle period, the method comprises the session management function requesting the target radio access node to provide over the user plane one or more of: an identifier of a cell serving the one or more user equipment; an identity of the one or more user equipment as handled by the cell; an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; an address of the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the method comprises a user plane protocol between the radio access network node and the core user plane function communicating one or more of: an identifier of a cell serving the one or more user equipment; an identity of the one or more user equipment as handled by the cell; an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; an address of the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to some examples, the method comprises the user plane protocol performing the communicating in a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user plane header.

According to an eleventh aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: subscribing at a network exposure function for information of one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to a twelfth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: subscribing at a network exposure function for information of one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to a thirteenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: subscribing at a network exposure function for information of one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

According to a fourteenth aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: subscribing at a network exposure function for information of one or more user equipment; receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment; using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment; and receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller. Brief description of Figures

The invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic example of some parts of a wireless communication system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic example of some parts of a wireless communication system;

Figure 3 shows a schematic example of some parts of a wireless communication system;

Figure 4 schematically shows communication between some parts of a wireless communication system, according to an example;

Figure 5 schematically shows a flow chart of a method according to an example;

Figure 6 is a signalling diagram according to an example;

Figure 7 shows an example of a control apparatus;

Figure 8 is a method flow chart according to an example;

Figure 9 is a method flow chart according to an example;

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of some embodiments.

Detailed description

As discussed briefly above, edge computing, or mobile edge computing (MEC) aims to provide resources, such as processing and storage, close to an end user. In known 5G systems, an Edge Application Server (EAS) supports applications used by one or more UEs. Such Application Servers may be deployed at the edge of the network i.e. close to the RAN (Radio Access Network). An EAS may request to an “EC AF” (Edge Computing related Application Function) for information about radio conditions of a UE the EAS serves. In examples, it may be considered that the EC AF may be considered a local AF at the edge. For example, EAS may request to EC AF information of RNIS service (Radio Network Information Service) e.g. as defined by ETSI MEC.

For background understanding, Rel 17 UPF exposure capability is depicted in Figure 1 , which shows elements of a 5G system 100. 3GPP R17 defined an interface allowing a user plane function (UPF) 102 to expose information to (local) AF (depicted as EC AF) 104.

However, 3GPP R17 limited this feature to exposing QoS monitoring information (delay between UE and N6 interface) where QoS monitoring information was defined in 3GPP R16 (see TS 23.501 § 5.33.3)

As shown in Figure 1 , RAN 106 sends to UPF 102 QoS monitoring information over N3 = GTP-u (User plane tunelling) interface. This is shown as interface 1 in Figure 1 .

UPF 102 aggregates with N3 delay it has determined, and sends QoS monitoring information to EC AF 104 over interface 2 / 2’ of Figure 1 , (possibly via (local) NEF 108). This is specified in TS 23.548 § 6.4.2.

As will be discussed in more detail in the foregoing, according to examples of the present invention the EC AF 104 is enabled to obtain more detailed or richer radio environment information than just the QoS monitoring information defined in 3.GPP R16 (see TS 23.501 § 5.33.3).

For further background understanding, Figure 2 shows an example of EC AF requesting Rel 17 UPF exposure capability. This background information indicates how per 3GPP R17 the local UPF 102 is configured to use UPF exposure capability to report QoS monitoring information to EC AF 104. The numbering below corresponds to the numbering shown on the interfaces in Figure 2. 1 . The EAS 110 requests the EC AF 104 about RAN information related with UE 112 (IP address). For 3GPP R17 this can only be QoS monitoring information defined in 3GPP R16 (see TS 23.501 § 5.33.3).

2. The EC AF 104 (+local NEF/NEF) maps UE IP address to Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI).

3. The EC AF 104 subscribes (possibly via local NEF 108 or NEF) for QoS monitoring onto PCF 114 (Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS defined in TS 23.502) as defined in step 1 b of TS 23.548 Figure 6.4.2-1 .

4. This subscription is transferred via PCC rules to the SMF 116 as defined in TS 23.503 129.512 and step 2 of TS 23.548 Figure 6.4.2-1 .

5. The SMF 116 via N4 rules (TS 23.501 129.244) requests UPF 102 to report Qos monitoring via UPF exposure interface (as defined in step 2 of TS 23.548 Figure 6.4.2-1 ).

6. The SMF 116 sends via N2 to NG RAN 106 a QoS Monitoring Request (within a PDU Session resource Create/Modify defined in TS 38.413).

Then “For each QoS flow which has been successfully established, if the QoS Monitoring Request IE was included in the QoS Flow Level QoS Parameters IE contained in the PDU SESSION RESOURCE SETUP REQUEST message, the NG- RAN node 106 shall store this information, and, if supported, perform delay measurement and QoS monitoring, as specified in TS 23.501 ”.

7. NG RAN 106 sends the output of these NG RAN 106 measurements to the UPF over the N3 link.

8. UPF 102 aggregates these NG RAN 106 measurements with N3 delay it has determined, and sends QoS monitoring information to EC AF 104 over interface 2 / 2’ of Figure 1 , (possibly via (local) NEF 108).).

Further details of Network Exposure to Edge Application Server signalling is shown in TS 23.548 Figure 6.4.2-1 . Open RAN (ORAN) defines an architecture where an application can, via a controller such as a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), request NG RAN (gNB) information about a cell or a UE. See for example https://docs.o-ran- sc.org/en/latest/architecture/architecture.html.

Figure 3 schematically shows the architecture in which examples of the present invention may take place, including ORAN architectural elements. As can be seen, a so-called E2 ORAN interface is provided between NG RAN 106 and RIC 118. This is labelled as “3” in the Figure.

As will be discussed in more detail in the foregoing, examples of the present invention address how to efficiently allow an application function (AF), especially an Edge Computing AF (EC AF), to obtain more detailed or richer radio environment information. Examples of the present invention may allow the EC AF to obtain information in addition to QoS monitoring information (though may of course also allow such QoS monitoring information to be obtained). It is also identified in the present disclosure that for multiple edge applications, the EC AF may need further information about the radio conditions of the UE, including predictions on what these radio conditions may be. For example, these predictions may be at UE level depending on radio quality, and/or at cell level depending on radio load.

An overview of the disclosed concept is provided in Figure 4, which shows communication between RAN 106, UPF 102, EC AF 104 and RIC 118.

At step S1 , RAN 106 sends identifier information to UPF 102. In some examples, this identifier information comprises any one or more of: a cell-ID; a RAN UE ID; a RIC identifier; a RIC address. In some examples, step S1 is triggered by the SMF having requested the NG RAN to provide this information via a NGAP PDU Session resource Create/Modify defined in TS 38.413. Thus, it has been identified in the present disclosure that these NGAP messages have to be enhanced to support this configuration request from the SMF.

At step S2, UPF 102 forwards, to EC-AF 104, any one or more of the: cell-ID; RAN UE ID; RIC identifier; RIC address. At step S3, the EC AF 104 sends a request to RIC 1 18, using the RIC identifier or address as received at step S2. The request comprises a request for RAN information that targets cell-ID and/or RAN UE ID.

At step S4, the RIC 1 18 fetches the required RAN information from RAN. This targets the cell-ID and/or RAN UE ID in question.

At step S5, the RIC 1 18 shares the retrieved RAN information with EC AF 104. As mentioned, this information comprises information that may be different from and/or in addition to QoS information.

The flow chart of Figure 5 shows an example flow in more detail, in an example where EC AF 104 may need information about the cell(s) currently serving a UE 1 12 (to get cell level information via RIC and E2) and /or about the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 206 (to get UE level information via RIC and E2) and /or about the RIC identifier or address.

At S1 the EC AF 104 subscribes onto 5GC for information about the cell (s) currently serving a UE 1 12 and /or about the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 206 (which corresponds to the UE identity as known by the RIC (identity defined by the ORAN)), and /or for information about the RIC identifier or address.

At S2, this subscription is sent to SMF 116 and/or to (local) UPF and/or to PCF as already defined in 3GPP R17, with indication that one or more of the following information is to be reported: the cell(s) currently serving a UE 1 12 (to get cell level information via RIC and E2); the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 206 (to get UE level information via RIC and E2); the RIC identifier; the RIC address.

At S3 the SMF 1 16 configures NG RAN 106 via AMF 120 that one or more of the following information is to be reported: the cell(s) currently serving a UE 1 12 (to get cell level information via RIC and E2); the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 206 (to get UE level information via RIC and E2); the RIC identifier; the RIC address.

At S4, this SMF configuration is transferred to a new/target NG RAN node when the UE 1 12 has been handed-over to the new/target NG RAN node.

At S5, if the serving cell ld(s) and/or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN has changed and /or the RIC identifier or address has changed(and upon receiving the SMF request), the NG RAN 106 / gNB provides to UPF 102 the latest/new serving cell ld(s) and/or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN and /or the RIC identifier or RIC address. In examples the NG RAN sends this on UL (Uplink) over GPRS tunnelling protocol (GTP-u) sent over 5GS N3 interface.

At S6, the UPF 102 notifies this information over its exposure interface Nx to EC AF 104. In some examples this may be sent via a local NEF 108.

At S7 the EC AF 104 uses received cell Id and UE identity, and /or the RIC identifier or address. The EC AF 104 may then, for example, use this information to request the RIC1 18 for information about current and predicted UE and cell radio conditions.

In examples, UE identity is the UE identifier as handled by the NG RAN and as used on the E2 interface defined by ORAN.

A further worked example will now be described with respect to Figure 6 (which is spread over two pages). Figure 6 shows communication between UE 1 12, RAN 106, AMF 120, UPF 102, SMF 1 16, PCF 1 14, NEF 108, AF 104 (which may in examples be considered EC AF), and RIC 1 18. Two main aspects are described in Figure 6: (A) a process where AF requests UPF exposure capability; and (B) reporting serving cell ID(s) and/or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN; and/or an identity of the radio access network intelligent controller; and/or an address of the radio access network intelligent controller to AF104. These will be discussed in-turn.

(A) AF requests UPF exposure capability

Two initial or pre-cursor steps, not shown in Figure 6, are as follows. At S1 the EAS requests to AF 104 about RAN information related with a UE 1 12 (e.g. EAS may provide IP address of UE 112). As discussed above, for 3GPP R17 this can only be a request for QoS monitoring information as defined in 3GPP R16 (see TS 23.501 § 5.33.3). The present disclosure extends the APIs and the features and allows further or other kinds of radio information to be included I reported, in addition to or instead of the QoS information. For example, the further information could comprise any one or more of: current or expected load in the cell(s) used by the UE; current or expected radio quality of the UE; location of the UE. Also, not shown in Figure 6, at S2 the EC AF 104 (and/or NEF I local NEF) maps UE IP address (and possibly the DNN corresponding to the Session) to the SUPI of the UE.

Now referring to Figure 6, at S3 the AF 104 subscribes to PCF 1 14. In examples, AF 104 subscribes to PCF 1 14 for information about the cell(s) currently serving UE 112, and/or about identity of UE 1 12 as handled by the NG RAN 106 and /or the RIC identifier or address . In some example (case S3b), this subscription comprises enhancements to Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS as defined in step 1 b of TS 23.548 § 6.4.2, or another API).

In some examples, it may be considered that the subscribing at S3 comprises one or more of sub-steps S3a to S3c. At S3a AF 104 sends a subscription message to NEF 108. In some examples this subscription message comprises an Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe message. At S3b, AF 104 sends to NEF 108 a message identifying a session. In some examples this comprises an Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS message. At S3c, NEF 108 sends an Policy authorization subscription to PCF 114 (e.g. based on event S3a or S3b). Alternatively at S3d EC AF 104 directly sends an Policy authorization subscription to PCF 1 14. According to some examples, the authorization messages of S3c and S3d are of the form Npcf_PolicyAuthorization.

At S4, the subscription is transferred from PCF 1 14 to SMF 1 16. According to some examples, the subscription is transferred via PCC (policy charging and control) rules.

At S5, SMF 1 16 requests UPF 102 to report cell ID(s) currently serving a PDU session of the UE 1 12, and/or the identity of UE '1 12 as handled by NG RAN 106. According to some examples, SMF 116 requests UPF 102 to report this via UPF exposure interface Nx.

At S6, the SMF 1 16 sends a request to NG RAN 106. In some examples, this request is a request for NG RAN 106 to send to the UPF 102 the cell(s) currently serving a PDU Session of UE 1 12 and I or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 106 and/or the RIC identifier or address. In some examples this request is sent via N2 interface.

In some examples, S6 may take place when the SMF 1 16 has received a PCC rule containing a new I modified subscription (for the cell(s) currently serving a UE and /or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN and /or the RIC identifier or address), or when the SMF 1 16 issues a NGAP PDU Session resource Create to re-activate the User Plane of the PDU Session (e.g. because the UE has moved from the CM-IDLE to the CM -CONNECTED state or after a Hand-Over event). In some examples, PDU Session resource Create/Modify are sent from SMF 1 16 to RAN 106 via the AMF 120. This is shown at S6a and S6b in Fig. 6, where at S6a the PDU Session Resource Setup Request Transfer or PDU Session Resource Modify Request Transfer (SMF determined part of PDU Session Resource related N2 rules) are sent from SMF 1 16 to AMF 120, and at S6b a N2 PDU session resource setup/modify message is sent from AMF 120 to RAN 106.

In case of hand-Over this 5GS subscription information may be transferred from source NG RAN to target NG RAN and/or by SMF to the new NG RAN.

(B) Reporting to AF the serving cell ID(s) and/or UE identity as handled by the NG RAN and /or reporting the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE

According to some examples, and as shown in Figure 6, this is discussed in the context of a situation where the serving cell-ID of UE 1 12 has changed or when NG RAN 106 has received a new subscription. The process is shown at S7 to S9.

At S7, If the serving cell ld(s) and/or the UE 112 identity as handled by the NG RAN 106, and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE, has changed (or the RAN 106 has just received the subscription from the SMF 1 16 e.g. after the UE 1 12 has become CM-CONNECTED again), the NG RAN I gNB encapsulates the serving cell ld(s) and/or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN, and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE, in the GTP-U header of the UL (Uplink) packet sent over 5GS N3 interface. In other words, at S7 and in response to a change in serving cell ID or UE identity as handled by the NG RAN and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE, the RAN 106 sends to UPF 102 information of the new serving cell ID and /or UE identity as handled by the NG RAN and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE. This information is encapsulated in GTP- U (GPRS tunnelling protocol user plane) packet header. Therefore, in some examples a modification to GTP-U header (see TS38.415) is required to carry this additional information. Here, it will be understood that in the context of S7 it is the same physical UE 1 12 but an identifier (e.g. temporary identifier) for the UE has changed. For example after an inter RAN HO, the cell and the UE 112 identity as handled by the NG RAN 106 and the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE may all have changed; new cell handled by a new RAN that is controlled by a new RIC.

In some examples, if the SMF 1 16 had beforehand requested that the NG RAN 106 reports the serving cell ld(s) and/or the UE 1 12 identity as handled by the NG RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE, and the PDU Session resources have been released in the NG RAN 106, the NG RAN 106 sends to the UPF 102 an indication that the cell(s) currently serving the PDU Session and /or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN are no longer valid. In another example the UPF, upon indication that the PDU Session resources have been released in the NG RAN 106, determines and notifies the EC AF 104 that one or more of the following information is no longer valid: information about the serving cell ld(s); information of the UE 1 12 identity as handled by the NG RAN 106; identifier of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE; address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE.

In some examples, if there is no UL traffic the NG RAN 106 may send a GTP- u packet with no user plane traffic (i.e. a dummy UL packet), but carrying updated serving cell ld(s) and/or UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE.

In some examples, the NG RAN 106 may send updated serving cell ld(s) and/or UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE in multiple UL (Uplink) packets. In some examples these packets are sent over 5GS N3 interface, so as not to lose the information if some UL traffic was discarded between the NG RAN 106 and the UPF 102 responsible of the reporting to the AF 104.

At S8, the UPF 102 exposes the information of updated serving cell ID and/or information of updated UE ID served by RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE. In some examples, S8 comprises S8a and S8b.

According to examples, at S8a the UPF 102 exposes the information to NEF 108. In some examples, this is sent in an Nupf_EventExposure_Notify message.

According to examples, at S8b the NEF 108 exposes the information to EC AF 104. In some examples, this is sent in an Nnef_EventExposure_Notify message. According to other examples, at S8c the UPF 102 exposes the information to AF 104. In some examples, this is sent in an Nupf_EventExposure_Notify message.

Accordingly, AF 104 is made aware of any updates to serving cell ID or ID of UE being served by NG RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE.

At S9, the EC AF 104 sends a request to RIC 1 18 for information of radio conditions of UE 1 12. In examples, the request comprises information of the updated serving cell ID and/or updated information of UE ID as handled by RAN 106 i.e. uses the information received at S8b and /or uses the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE to access the proper RIC.

In some examples, (A) and (B) are modified as discussed below.

UE mobility

Where UE 1 12 is mobile (i.e. moving) and involved in handover, the SMF 1 16 configuration requiring the NG RAN 106 to send to the UPF 102 the cell ID(s) currently serving a PDU Session and /or the UE identity as handled by the NG RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE is transferred either over NG RAN Xn signaling from source to target NG RAN or is sent by the SMF 1 16 to the new/target NG RAN 107 node when the UE 1 12 has been handed-over to a new/target NG RAN node 107. This is schematically shown at S6c in Figure 6.

In case of Xn Hand-Over, in some examples the SMF 1 16 provides the request to send updated serving cell-ID and/or updated UE-ID as handled by RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE in a Path Switch Request Acknowledge Transfer, sent within a next generation application protocol (NGAP) Path Switch Request Acknowledge message. Therefore, according to some examples, the definition of Path Switch Request Acknowledge Transfer content in TS 38.413 is accordingly updated to include the further information.

In some examples, in case of N2 Hand-Over the SMF 116 provides the request to send serving cell-ID and/or updated UE-ID as handled by RAN 106 and /or the identifier or address of the RIC controlling the NG RAN serving the UE in a protocol data unit (PDU) Session Resource Setup Request Transfer sent within a NGAP HANDOVER REQUEST message. Therefore, according to some examples, the definition of PDU Session Resource Setup Request Transfer content is accordingly updated to include the further information.

AF subscribing to more than one UE

If the EAS of (A) above requests to the AF 104 for RAN information related to two or more UEs (these two or more UEs may or may not be in a group) the following modifications apply, according to some examples:

• S2 (not shown) of Figure 6, does not apply

• In S3 of Figure 6, the NEF 108 causes the AF request to be stored in a UDR 109 (User Data Repository). This is shown at S6d.

• The UDR 109 then in turn notifies the PCF 1 14 or provides to the PCF 1 14 the new updated AF 104 policy. This is shown at S6e.

• At S8 of Figure 6 the UPF 102 indicates to EC AF 104 the corresponding UE-IP address and GPSI (generic public subscriber identifier) of each of the two or more UEs. This is shown at S8c in Figure 6. This enables the EC AF 104 to correlate the notifications from UPF 102 with EAS requests for information about a given UE.

Figure 7 shows an example of a control apparatus for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network such as an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity such as a spectrum management entity, or a server or host. For example, the control apparatus may host an application function, such as an edge computing application function. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 700 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 700 comprises at least one memory 701 , at least one data processing unit 702, 703 and an input/output interface 704. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example the control apparatus 700 or processor 702, 703 can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions.

Figure 8 is a method flow chart according to an example. According to an example, the method of Figure 8 is carried out by an apparatus. According to some examples, the apparatus comprises an application function. According to some examples, the apparatus comprises an edge computing application function.

As shown at S1 , the method comprises subscribing for information about one or more user equipment.

At S2, the method comprises receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment.

At S3, the method comprises using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to a radio access network intelligent controller of an open radio access network for information of one or more radio conditions of the one or more user equipment.

At S4, the method comprises receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

Figure 9 is a method flow chart according to an example. According to an example, the method of Figure 9 is carried out by a system. According to examples, the system comprises a radio access network node; one or more user equipment being served by the radio access network node; an application function for providing an application to the one or more user equipment; a core user plane function in communication with the application function and the radio access network node; a session management function; and a radio access network intelligent controller.

As shown at S1 , the method comprises the application function subscribing at a network exposure function for information of the one or more user equipment.

As shown at S2, the method comprises the application function receiving an identifier associated with the one or more user equipment. As shown at S3, the method comprises the application function using the received identifier associated with the one or more user equipment to send one or more requests to the radio access network intelligent controller for information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment.

As shown at S4, the method comprises the application function receiving the information of radio conditions of the one or more user equipment from the radio access network intelligent controller.

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1000a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 1000b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and/or parameters 1002 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of Figures 8 to 9. In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.