WO2020074062A1 - Efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks - Google Patents

Efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020074062A1
WO2020074062A1 PCT/EP2018/077358 EP2018077358W WO2020074062A1 WO 2020074062 A1 WO2020074062 A1 WO 2020074062A1 EP 2018077358 W EP2018077358 W EP 2018077358W WO 2020074062 A1 WO2020074062 A1 WO 2020074062A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mobile network
specific configuration
public land
network
configuration
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2018/077358
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alessio Casati
Original Assignee
Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Technologies Oy filed Critical Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority to PCT/EP2018/077358 priority Critical patent/WO2020074062A1/en
Publication of WO2020074062A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020074062A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/16—Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/18—Selecting a network or a communication service
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/20—Selecting an access point
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks. More specifically, the present invention exemplarily relates to measures (including methods, apparatuses and computer program products) for realizing efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
  • the present specification generally relates to cellular systems or other communications systems, where a terminal such as a user equipment (UE) may be provisioned with a network specific configuration, e.g. a public land mobile network (PLMN) specific configuration.
  • a network specific configuration e.g. a public land mobile network (PLMN) specific configuration.
  • PLMN public land mobile network
  • this configuration may be a network slicing configuration and settings for the PLMN, which may include a configured network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI, identifies a group of slices via a set of S-NSSAIs) for the PLMN.
  • NSSAI network slice selection assistance information
  • a method of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the method comprising receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • a method of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the method comprising transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • an apparatus of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network
  • the apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • an apparatus of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network
  • the apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • an apparatus of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network
  • the apparatus comprising receiving circuitry configured to receive, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and to receive, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and storing circuitry configured to store said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • an apparatus of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network
  • the apparatus comprising transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and to transmit, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and controlling circuitry configured to control said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element, and to control said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • a computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program is run on a computer (e.g. a computer of an apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned apparatus-related exemplary aspects of the present invention), is configured to cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the aforementioned method-related exemplary aspects of the present invention.
  • Such computer program product may comprise (or be embodied) a (tangible) computer- readable (storage) medium or the like on which the computer-executable computer program code is stored, and/or the program may be directly loadable into an internal memory of the computer or a processor thereof.
  • efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks More specifically, by way of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there are provided measures and mechanisms for realizing efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention
  • Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a block diagram alternatively illustrating apparatuses according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the following description of the present invention and its embodiments mainly refers to specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. Namely, the present invention and its embodiments are mainly described in relation to 3GPP specifications being used as non- limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. As such, the description of exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to terminology which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the context of the presented non-limiting examples, and does naturally not limit the invention in any way. Rather, any other communication or communication related system deployment, etc. may also be utilized as long as compliant with the features described herein.
  • the present invention and its embodiments may be applicable in any network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network.
  • the PLMNs share the above-mentioned network specific configuration.
  • the PLMNs share the network slicing configuration, and the single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) values (S-NSSAI identifies a single slice) that identify their supported network slices are the same, and they support the same network slices (i.e. if PLMN A and PLMN B are equivalent PLMNs and PLMN A supports slices 1 ,2, 3, 4, then also PLMN B supports slices 1 ,2,3,4 and they are identified by the same S-NSSAI values).
  • S-NSSAI single network slice selection assistance information
  • the PLMNs do not share the above-mentioned network specific configuration.
  • the PLMNs do not share the network slicing configuration or do support a different number of slices so that the configured NSSAI cannot be the same for the equivalent PLMNs.
  • the (registered) PLMN (as an example of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising the first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network) signals to a terminal (e.g. a UE) which is downloading a list of equivalent mobile networks (e.g. equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs list)) from the first mobile network (e.g. the (registered) PLMN), whether the above- mentioned network specific configuration it has provided to the terminal applies to all the mobile networks (e.g. PLMNs) in the list (e.g. EPLMNs list), or not, and the terminal utilizes this information accordingly.
  • a terminal e.g. a UE
  • EPLMNs list equivalent mobile networks
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the apparatus may be a terminal 10 such as a user equipment in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising receiving circuitry 1 1 and storing circuitry 12.
  • the receiving circuitry 1 1 receives, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network.
  • the receiving circuitry 1 1 receives, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network.
  • the storing circuitry 12 stores said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network.
  • the mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the apparatus according to Figure 1 may perform the method of Figure 4 but is not limited to this method.
  • the method of Figure 4 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 1 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
  • a procedure comprises an operation of receiving (S41 ), from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, an operation of receiving (S42), from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and an operation of storing (S43) said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network.
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, Figure 2 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 . The apparatus according to Figure 2 may thus further comprise adding circuitry 21 and/or applying circuitry 22.
  • At least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
  • an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of, if said indicator is indicative of that said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, adding information assigning said at least one configuration element to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list to said equivalence list.
  • an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of applying, upon cell selection or cell re-selection to any of said at least one second mobile network, said at least one configuration element assigned to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements
  • said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • said first mobile network is a public land mobile network. According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network.
  • said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network.
  • each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network.
  • each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network.
  • said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network.
  • said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the apparatus may be an access node 30 such as a base station of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising transmitting circuitry 31 and controlling circuitry 32.
  • the transmitting circuitry 31 transmits, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network. Further, the transmitting circuitry 31 transmits, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network.
  • the controlling circuitry 32 controls said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the apparatus according to Figure 3 may perform the method of Figure 5 but is not limited to this method.
  • the method of Figure 5 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 3 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
  • a procedure comprises an operation of transmitting (S51 ), to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and an operation of transmitting (S52), to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • At least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 3 may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
  • said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements
  • said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
  • said first mobile network is a public land mobile network.
  • said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network.
  • said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network.
  • each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network. According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network.
  • said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network.
  • said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
  • the PLMN when the UE (as an example for the terminal) receives a configuration information (as an example for the mobile network specific configuration) for the registered PLMN (as an example for the first mobile network), the PLMN indicates whether it applies for all EPLMNs (as an example for the second mobile networks).
  • the UE stores the information for the PLMN and for the PLMNs in its EPLMNs list (as an example for the equivalence list). Also, the UE uses the configuration for the registered PLMN also for the other EPLMNs when it moves to those PLMNs.
  • each individual piece of configuration (as an example for the configuration element) may have such indicator, or, if all the configuration (or a group of configuration elements) is shared, a single indicator (as an example for the common indicator) may be used.
  • the Registered PLMN (as an example of the first mobile network) signals to the UE (as an example of the terminal) which is downloading the list of equivalent PLMNs (as an example of the equivalence list) from it, whether the configured NSSAI (as an example of the mobile network specific configuration) it has provided to it applies to all the PLMNs (as an example of the second mobile networks) in the EPLMNs list, or not. If it applies, the UE stores a single configured NSSAI and this is associated to all the EPLMNs to the registered PLMN. If it does not apply, then normal assumption stands that each PLMN will need to have an independent configuration.
  • Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are similarly applied to any similar use case where a registered PLMN can provide the UE with a PLMN dependent configuration (as another example of the mobile network specific configuration), e.g. UE capabilities IDs / shorthand identifiers used to identify a set of UE capabilities (whether radio or network UE capabilities) in the PLMN.
  • a PLMN dependent configuration as another example of the mobile network specific configuration
  • UE capabilities IDs / shorthand identifiers used to identify a set of UE capabilities (whether radio or network UE capabilities) in the PLMN.
  • indications may be specific for each independent configuration aspects. If EPLMNs share all aspects of the UE configuration, according to further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a single indicator (as an example for the common indicator) may also be considered.
  • Benefits of a shared network specific configuration e.g. shared slicing configuration
  • a shared network specific configuration e.g. shared slicing configuration
  • reduced storage requirements reduced need of configuration steps
  • smoother transition among PLMNs in the case of slicing, if the PLMNs do not share the same configuration, then additional configuration steps are required if the UE is not yet configured for the operation in the PLMN).
  • Benefits of a shared network specific configuration e.g. shared slicing configuration
  • benefits of a shared network specific configuration are, among others, reduced need of configuration steps, straightforward logic for mobility across PLMNs, and no need to be aware of the different S-NSSAI values used in other PLMNs.
  • exemplary embodiments of the present invention make sure that the UE is informed of that the UE can be configured with the same configuration (elements) for all EPLMNs (e.g. the UE can be configured with same Slice identifiers (in the case of slicing embodiment of this invention)), so it can be operated with the same configuration over the EPLMNs right away without expecting to receive configuration information from the one of the EPLMNs after it has gotten it from one of these.
  • exemplary embodiments of the present invention particularly achieve an optimization of resources in the UE and steps needed to operate across EPLMNs efficiently.
  • the network entity may comprise further units that are necessary for its respective operation. However, a description of these units is omitted in this specification.
  • the arrangement of the functional blocks of the devices is not construed to limit the invention, and the functions may be performed by one block or further split into sub-blocks.
  • the apparatus i.e. network entity (or some other means) is configured to perform some function
  • this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that a (i.e. at least one) processor or corresponding circuitry, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function.
  • a (i.e. at least one) processor or corresponding circuitry potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function.
  • function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured circuitry or means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression “unit configured to” is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as “means for”).
  • the apparatus (terminal) 10’ (corresponding to the terminal 10) comprises a processor 61 , a memory 62 and an interface 63, which are connected by a bus 64 or the like.
  • the apparatus (access node) 30’ (corresponding to the access node 30) comprises a processor 65, a memory 66 and an interface 67, which are connected by a bus 68 or the like, and the apparatuses may be connected via link 69, respectively.
  • the processor 61/65 and/or the interface 63/67 may also include a modem or the like to facilitate communication over a (hardwire or wireless) link, respectively.
  • the interface 63/67 may include a suitable transceiver coupled to one or more antennas or communication means for (hardwire or wireless) communications with the linked or connected device(s), respectively.
  • the interface 63/67 is generally configured to communicate with at least one other apparatus, i.e. the interface thereof.
  • the memory 62/66 may store respective programs assumed to include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the respective processor, enables the respective electronic device or apparatus to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the respective devices/apparatuses may represent means for performing respective operations and/or exhibiting respective functionalities, and/or the respective devices (and/or parts thereof) may have functions for performing respective operations and/or exhibiting respective functionalities.
  • processor or some other means
  • the processor is configured to perform some function
  • this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that at least one processor, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function.
  • function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression“processor configured to [cause the apparatus to] perform xxx-ing” is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as“means for xxx- ing”).
  • an apparatus representing the terminal 10 comprises at least one processor 61 , at least one memory 62 including computer program code, and at least one interface 63 configured for communication with at least another apparatus.
  • the processor i.e. the at least one processor 61 , with the at least one memory 62 and the computer program code
  • the processor is configured to perform receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for receiving), to perform receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and to perform storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for storing).
  • an apparatus representing the access node 30 comprises at least one processor 65, at least one memory 66 including computer program code, and at least one interface 67 configured for communication with at least another apparatus.
  • the processor i.e. the at least one processor 65, with the at least one memory 66 and the computer program code
  • the processor is configured to perform transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for transmitting), to perform transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and to perform controlling said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for controlling).
  • any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the embodiments and its modification in terms of the functionality implemented;
  • CMOS Complementary MOS
  • BiMOS Bipolar MOS
  • BiCMOS Bipolar CMOS
  • ECL emitter Coupled Logic
  • TTL Transistor-Transistor Logic
  • ASIC Application Specific IC
  • FPGA Field- programmable Gate Arrays
  • CPLD Complex Programmable Logic Device
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • - devices, units or means e.g. the above-defined network entity or network register, or any one of their respective units/means
  • an apparatus like the user equipment and the network entity /network register may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution/being run on a processor;
  • a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example.
  • respective functional blocks or elements according to above- described aspects can be implemented by any known means, either in hardware and/or software, respectively, if it is only adapted to perform the described functions of the respective parts.
  • the mentioned method steps can be realized in individual functional blocks or by individual devices, or one or more of the method steps can be realized in a single functional block or by a single device.
  • any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the present invention.
  • Devices and means can be implemented as individual devices, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device is preserved. Such and similar principles are to be considered as known to a skilled person.
  • Software in the sense of the present description comprises software code as such comprising code means or portions or a computer program or a computer program product for performing the respective functions, as well as software (or a computer program or a computer program product) embodied on a tangible medium such as a computer-readable (storage) medium having stored thereon a respective data structure or code means/portions or embodied in a signal or in a chip, potentially during processing thereof.
  • the present invention also covers any conceivable combination of method steps and operations described above, and any conceivable combination of nodes, apparatuses, modules or elements described above, as long as the above-described concepts of methodology and structural arrangement are applicable.
  • Such measures exemplarily comprise, at a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network.

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Abstract

There are provided measures for efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks. Such measures exemplarily comprise, at a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network.

Description

Title
Efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks
Field
The present invention relates to efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks. More specifically, the present invention exemplarily relates to measures (including methods, apparatuses and computer program products) for realizing efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
Background
The present specification generally relates to cellular systems or other communications systems, where a terminal such as a user equipment (UE) may be provisioned with a network specific configuration, e.g. a public land mobile network (PLMN) specific configuration. This configuration allows e.g. to benefit of certain features the network offers when the UE is using it.
As an example, in the case of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G system, this configuration may be a network slicing configuration and settings for the PLMN, which may include a configured network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI, identifies a group of slices via a set of S-NSSAIs) for the PLMN.
When a UE is provided with an Equivalent PLMN list to the registered PLMN (list of PLMNs equivalent to the registered PLMN in relation to cell selection/re-selection), or an Equivalent Home PLMN list to the Home PLMN (list of PLMNs equivalent to the Home PLMN in relation to cell selection/re-selection), these should be treated equivalently from a cell selection and reselection purpose. Accordingly, mobility between these PLMNs can be frequent.
It would be desirable e.g. for efficiency reasons that these networks share the above- mentioned network specific configuration, e.g. the above-mentioned public land mobile network (PLMN) specific configuration. In the example outlined above, it would be desirable that these networks share the network slicing configuration.
However, the share of the above-mentioned network specific configuration can neither be guaranteed nor assumed.
Hence, the problem arises that efficiency potential of share of network specific configuration between equivalent networks cannot be exploited even if the networks would share the above-mentioned network specific configuration.
Hence, there is a need to provide for efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
Summary
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention aim at addressing at least part of the above issues and/or problems and drawbacks.
Various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the method comprising receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the method comprising transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising receiving circuitry configured to receive, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and to receive, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and storing circuitry configured to store said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and to transmit, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and controlling circuitry configured to control said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element, and to control said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program is run on a computer (e.g. a computer of an apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned apparatus-related exemplary aspects of the present invention), is configured to cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the aforementioned method-related exemplary aspects of the present invention.
Such computer program product may comprise (or be embodied) a (tangible) computer- readable (storage) medium or the like on which the computer-executable computer program code is stored, and/or the program may be directly loadable into an internal memory of the computer or a processor thereof.
Any one of the above aspects enables an efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks to thereby solve at least part of the problems and drawbacks identified in relation to the prior art.
By way of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there is provided efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks. More specifically, by way of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there are provided measures and mechanisms for realizing efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
Thus, improvement is achieved by methods, apparatuses and computer program products enabling/realizing efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
Brief description of the drawings
In the following, the present invention will be described in greater detail by way of non- limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and
Figure 6 is a block diagram alternatively illustrating apparatuses according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
Detailed description of drawings and embodiments of the present invention
The present invention is described herein with reference to particular non-limiting examples and to what are presently considered to be conceivable embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is by no means limited to these examples, and may be more broadly applied.
It is to be noted that the following description of the present invention and its embodiments mainly refers to specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. Namely, the present invention and its embodiments are mainly described in relation to 3GPP specifications being used as non- limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. As such, the description of exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to terminology which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the context of the presented non-limiting examples, and does naturally not limit the invention in any way. Rather, any other communication or communication related system deployment, etc. may also be utilized as long as compliant with the features described herein.
In particular, the present invention and its embodiments may be applicable in any network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network.
Hereinafter, various embodiments and implementations of the present invention and its aspects or embodiments are described using several variants and/or alternatives. It is generally noted that, according to certain needs and constraints, all of the described variants and/or alternatives may be provided alone or in any conceivable combination (also including combinations of individual features of the various variants and/or alternatives). According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in general terms, there are provided measures and mechanisms for (enabling/realizing) efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks.
As already discussed above, the share of the above-mentioned network specific configuration can neither be guaranteed nor assumed.
In detail, there are (at least) two cases that can exist for the equivalent PLMNs.
Namely, on the one hand, the PLMNs share the above-mentioned network specific configuration. In the specific example mentioned above, in such case the PLMNs share the network slicing configuration, and the single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) values (S-NSSAI identifies a single slice) that identify their supported network slices are the same, and they support the same network slices (i.e. if PLMN A and PLMN B are equivalent PLMNs and PLMN A supports slices 1 ,2, 3, 4, then also PLMN B supports slices 1 ,2,3,4 and they are identified by the same S-NSSAI values).
Further, on the other hand, the PLMNs do not share the above-mentioned network specific configuration. In the specific example mentioned above, in such case the PLMNs do not share the network slicing configuration or do support a different number of slices so that the configured NSSAI cannot be the same for the equivalent PLMNs.
While it might be assumed that the configuration is always shared such that the above discussed second case would not occur or at least not be considered, such approach can create problems when different PLMNs come together, e.g. after mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and do not yet share the same configuration while e.g. it is possible to have interim operation with independent configuration.
Hence, it is beneficial to consider both cases and not to blind out/ignore the possible second case.
Thus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in general, the (registered) PLMN (as an example of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising the first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network) signals to a terminal (e.g. a UE) which is downloading a list of equivalent mobile networks (e.g. equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs list)) from the first mobile network (e.g. the (registered) PLMN), whether the above- mentioned network specific configuration it has provided to the terminal applies to all the mobile networks (e.g. PLMNs) in the list (e.g. EPLMNs list), or not, and the terminal utilizes this information accordingly.
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus may be a terminal 10 such as a user equipment in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising receiving circuitry 1 1 and storing circuitry 12. The receiving circuitry 1 1 receives, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network. The receiving circuitry 1 1 receives, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network. The storing circuitry 12 stores said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network. The mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element. Further, the mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus according to Figure 1 may perform the method of Figure 4 but is not limited to this method. The method of Figure 4 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 1 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
As shown in Figure 4, a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprises an operation of receiving (S41 ), from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, an operation of receiving (S42), from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and an operation of storing (S43) said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, Figure 2 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 . The apparatus according to Figure 2 may thus further comprise adding circuitry 21 and/or applying circuitry 22.
In an embodiment at least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 (or 2) may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
According to a variation of the procedure shown in Figure 4, exemplary additional operations are given, which are inherently independent from each other as such. According to such variation, an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of, if said indicator is indicative of that said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, adding information assigning said at least one configuration element to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list to said equivalence list.
According to a variation of the procedure shown in Figure 4, exemplary additional operations are given, which are inherently independent from each other as such. According to such variation, an exemplary method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise an operation of applying, upon cell selection or cell re-selection to any of said at least one second mobile network, said at least one configuration element assigned to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements, and said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a public land mobile network. According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus may be an access node 30 such as a base station of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising transmitting circuitry 31 and controlling circuitry 32. The transmitting circuitry 31 transmits, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network. Further, the transmitting circuitry 31 transmits, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network. The controlling circuitry 32 controls said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element. Further, the controlling circuitry 32 controls said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus according to Figure 3 may perform the method of Figure 5 but is not limited to this method. The method of Figure 5 may be performed by the apparatus of Figure 3 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
As shown in Figure 5, a procedure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprises an operation of transmitting (S51 ), to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and an operation of transmitting (S52), to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
In an embodiment at least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in Figure 3 may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
According to further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements, and said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network. According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network.
According to still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
In more specific terms, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when the UE (as an example for the terminal) receives a configuration information (as an example for the mobile network specific configuration) for the registered PLMN (as an example for the first mobile network), the PLMN indicates whether it applies for all EPLMNs (as an example for the second mobile networks).
If the configuration information applies for all EPLMNs, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the UE stores the information for the PLMN and for the PLMNs in its EPLMNs list (as an example for the equivalence list). Also, the UE uses the configuration for the registered PLMN also for the other EPLMNs when it moves to those PLMNs.
If the UE is provided with all the PLMN-specific configuration in one transaction, each individual piece of configuration (as an example for the configuration element) may have such indicator, or, if all the configuration (or a group of configuration elements) is shared, a single indicator (as an example for the common indicator) may be used.
Specific instances of such configuration are, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the Configured NSSAI for the PLMN and a UE capability ID / shorthand identifier used to identify a set of UE capabilities in the PLMN (whether radio or network), as well as any UE radio capabilities filters used in the PLMN to restrict the UE radio or network capabilities the PLMN needs to know about.
In even more specific terms, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the Registered PLMN (as an example of the first mobile network) signals to the UE (as an example of the terminal) which is downloading the list of equivalent PLMNs (as an example of the equivalence list) from it, whether the configured NSSAI (as an example of the mobile network specific configuration) it has provided to it applies to all the PLMNs (as an example of the second mobile networks) in the EPLMNs list, or not. If it applies, the UE stores a single configured NSSAI and this is associated to all the EPLMNs to the registered PLMN. If it does not apply, then normal assumption stands that each PLMN will need to have an independent configuration.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are similarly applied to any similar use case where a registered PLMN can provide the UE with a PLMN dependent configuration (as another example of the mobile network specific configuration), e.g. UE capabilities IDs / shorthand identifiers used to identify a set of UE capabilities (whether radio or network UE capabilities) in the PLMN.
Clearly, as the configuration may be shared for some aspects but not for others, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, indications may be specific for each independent configuration aspects. If EPLMNs share all aspects of the UE configuration, according to further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a single indicator (as an example for the common indicator) may also be considered.
Benefits of a shared network specific configuration (e.g. shared slicing configuration) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention in the UE are, among others, reduced storage requirements, reduced need of configuration steps, and smoother transition among PLMNs (in the case of slicing, if the PLMNs do not share the same configuration, then additional configuration steps are required if the UE is not yet configured for the operation in the PLMN).
Benefits of a shared network specific configuration (e.g. shared slicing configuration) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention in the network are, among others, reduced need of configuration steps, straightforward logic for mobility across PLMNs, and no need to be aware of the different S-NSSAI values used in other PLMNs.
Similar benefits apply in general when the configuration is shared, and the UE knows that it is shared. In the case of e.g. UE radio capabilities ID that normally would be per PLMN, the UE can use the same value across equivalent PLMNs without the need of independent configuration. This makes the operation much more effective.
Hence, exemplary embodiments of the present invention make sure that the UE is informed of that the UE can be configured with the same configuration (elements) for all EPLMNs (e.g. the UE can be configured with same Slice identifiers (in the case of slicing embodiment of this invention)), so it can be operated with the same configuration over the EPLMNs right away without expecting to receive configuration information from the one of the EPLMNs after it has gotten it from one of these.
Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention particularly achieve an optimization of resources in the UE and steps needed to operate across EPLMNs efficiently.
In the case of encoding of UE radio capabilities based on a network assigned value (e.g. UE capability ID), this is particularly useful as the UE can operate seamlessly by indicating the same UE capability ID across PLMNs and all PLMNs understand it.
The above-described procedures and functions may be implemented by respective functional elements, processors, or the like, as described below.
In the foregoing exemplary description of the network entity, only the units that are relevant for understanding the principles of the invention have been described using functional blocks. The network entity may comprise further units that are necessary for its respective operation. However, a description of these units is omitted in this specification. The arrangement of the functional blocks of the devices is not construed to limit the invention, and the functions may be performed by one block or further split into sub-blocks.
When in the foregoing description it is stated that the apparatus, i.e. network entity (or some other means) is configured to perform some function, this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that a (i.e. at least one) processor or corresponding circuitry, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function. Also, such function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured circuitry or means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression “unit configured to" is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as “means for”).
In Figure 6, an alternative illustration of apparatuses according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is depicted. As indicated in Figure 6, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus (terminal) 10’ (corresponding to the terminal 10) comprises a processor 61 , a memory 62 and an interface 63, which are connected by a bus 64 or the like. Further, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus (access node) 30’ (corresponding to the access node 30) comprises a processor 65, a memory 66 and an interface 67, which are connected by a bus 68 or the like, and the apparatuses may be connected via link 69, respectively.
The processor 61/65 and/or the interface 63/67 may also include a modem or the like to facilitate communication over a (hardwire or wireless) link, respectively. The interface 63/67 may include a suitable transceiver coupled to one or more antennas or communication means for (hardwire or wireless) communications with the linked or connected device(s), respectively. The interface 63/67 is generally configured to communicate with at least one other apparatus, i.e. the interface thereof.
The memory 62/66 may store respective programs assumed to include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the respective processor, enables the respective electronic device or apparatus to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
In general terms, the respective devices/apparatuses (and/or parts thereof) may represent means for performing respective operations and/or exhibiting respective functionalities, and/or the respective devices (and/or parts thereof) may have functions for performing respective operations and/or exhibiting respective functionalities.
When in the subsequent description it is stated that the processor (or some other means) is configured to perform some function, this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that at least one processor, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function. Also, such function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression“processor configured to [cause the apparatus to] perform xxx-ing” is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as“means for xxx- ing”).
According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus representing the terminal 10 comprises at least one processor 61 , at least one memory 62 including computer program code, and at least one interface 63 configured for communication with at least another apparatus. The processor (i.e. the at least one processor 61 , with the at least one memory 62 and the computer program code) is configured to perform receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for receiving), to perform receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and to perform storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for storing).
According to further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus representing the access node 30 comprises at least one processor 65, at least one memory 66 including computer program code, and at least one interface 67 configured for communication with at least another apparatus. The processor (i.e. the at least one processor 65, with the at least one memory 66 and the computer program code) is configured to perform transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for transmitting), to perform transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and to perform controlling said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for controlling).
For further details regarding the operability/functionality of the individual apparatuses, reference is made to the above description in connection with any one of Figures 1 to 5, respectively. For the purpose of the present invention as described herein above, it should be noted that
- method steps likely to be implemented as software code portions and being run using a processor at a network server or network entity (as examples of devices, apparatuses and/or modules thereof, or as examples of entities including apparatuses and/or modules therefore), are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language as long as the functionality defined by the method steps is preserved;
- generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the embodiments and its modification in terms of the functionality implemented;
- method steps and/or devices, units or means likely to be implemented as hardware components at the above-defined apparatuses, or any module(s) thereof, (e.g., devices carrying out the functions of the apparatuses according to the embodiments as described above) are hardware independent and can be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these, such as MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic), etc., using for example ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field- programmable Gate Arrays) components, CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components;
- devices, units or means (e.g. the above-defined network entity or network register, or any one of their respective units/means) can be implemented as individual devices, units or means, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device, unit or means is preserved;
- an apparatus like the user equipment and the network entity /network register may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution/being run on a processor;
- a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example.
In general, it is to be noted that respective functional blocks or elements according to above- described aspects can be implemented by any known means, either in hardware and/or software, respectively, if it is only adapted to perform the described functions of the respective parts. The mentioned method steps can be realized in individual functional blocks or by individual devices, or one or more of the method steps can be realized in a single functional block or by a single device.
Generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the present invention. Devices and means can be implemented as individual devices, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device is preserved. Such and similar principles are to be considered as known to a skilled person.
Software in the sense of the present description comprises software code as such comprising code means or portions or a computer program or a computer program product for performing the respective functions, as well as software (or a computer program or a computer program product) embodied on a tangible medium such as a computer-readable (storage) medium having stored thereon a respective data structure or code means/portions or embodied in a signal or in a chip, potentially during processing thereof.
The present invention also covers any conceivable combination of method steps and operations described above, and any conceivable combination of nodes, apparatuses, modules or elements described above, as long as the above-described concepts of methodology and structural arrangement are applicable.
In view of the above, there are provided measures for efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks. Such measures exemplarily comprise, at a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprising at least one configuration element and an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, and storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network. Even though the invention is described above with reference to the examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted thereto. Rather, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the inventive idea as disclosed herein.
List of acronyms and abbreviations
3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project
5GS 5G system
AMF Access and Mobility Management function
CN Core Network
EPLMN Equivalent PLMN
M&A mergers and acquisitions
NSSAI Network Slice Selection Assistance information
PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
RAN Radio Access Network
S-NSSAI Single-NSSAI
UDM Universal Data manager
UE User Equipment

Claims

Claims
1 . A method of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the method comprising
receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network,
receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and
storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising
if said indicator is indicative of that said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, adding information assigning said at least one configuration element to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list to said equivalence list.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising
applying, upon cell selection or cell re-selection to any of said at least one second mobile network, said at least one configuration element assigned to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements, and
said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network, and/or said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
6. A method of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the method comprising
transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and
transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements, and
said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein
said first mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network, and/or said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
9. An apparatus of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising
at least one processor,
at least one memory including computer program code, and
at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:
receiving, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network,
receiving, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and
storing said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, is configured to cause the apparatus to further perform
if said indicator is indicative of that said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list, adding information assigning said at least one configuration element to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list to said equivalence list.
1 1 . The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, is configured to cause the apparatus to further perform
applying, upon cell selection or cell re-selection to any of said at least one second mobile network, said at least one configuration element assigned to each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
12. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements, and
said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
13. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein
said first mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network, and/or said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
14. An apparatus of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising
at least one processor,
at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one interface configured for communication with at least another apparatus, the at least one processor, with the at least one memory and the computer program code, being configured to cause the apparatus to perform:
transmitting, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and
transmitting, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises a plurality of configuration elements, and
said indicator is a common indicator indicative of whether configuration element group of said plurality of configuration elements is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein
said first mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
said first mobile network is a registered public land mobile network, and/or said first mobile network is a home public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is a public land mobile network, and/or
each of said at least one second mobile network is an equivalent public land mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a network slice selection assistance information assigned to said first mobile network, and/or
said at least one configuration element is a user equipment capability identifier for identification of a set of user equipment capabilities of said terminal in said first mobile network.
17. An apparatus of a terminal in a network compound comprising a first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising
receiving circuitry configured to
receive, from said first mobile network, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and to
receive, from said first mobile network, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and
storing circuitry configured to store said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, wherein
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises at least one configuration element, and
said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network comprises an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
18. An apparatus of an access node of a first mobile network in a network compound comprising said first mobile network and at least one second mobile network equivalent to, with respect to cell selection, said first mobile network, the apparatus comprising
transmitting circuitry configured to
transmit, to a terminal, an equivalence list including said at least one second mobile network, and to
transmit, to said terminal, a mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network, and
controlling circuitry configured to
control said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise at least one configuration element, and to
control said mobile network specific configuration related to said first mobile network to comprise an indicator indicative of whether said at least one configuration element is valid for each of said at least one second mobile network included in said equivalence list.
19. A computer program product comprising computer-executable computer program code which, when the program is run on a computer, is configured to cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or 6 to 8.
20. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein the computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium on which the computer-executable computer program code is stored, and/or wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the computer or a processor thereof.
PCT/EP2018/077358 2018-10-08 2018-10-08 Efficient terminal configuration across equivalent public land mobile networks WO2020074062A1 (en)

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