Patent Description:
A user equipment (UE) may select a wireless local area network (WLAN) access network using an access network discovery and a selection policy. The selected WLAN access network may be used for registration with 5GC using traffic offload (i.e., sending traffic to the WLAN outside the protocol data unit (PDU) session) and non-3GPP access network selection information.

<CIT> discloses a data management method. The method comprises: a first communication device sending first request information to a second communication device, wherein the first request information includes user permanent identification information of a UE; the first request information is used for instructing the second communication device to acquire, from a third communication device, strategy information of the UE, which information is stored in the third communication device, wherein the strategy information is classified according to a location area and is stored in the third communication device; and the first communication device receiving the strategy information sent by the second communication device.

<NPL> " defines the Stage <NUM> policy and charging control framework for the <NUM> System specified in TS <NUM> and TS <NUM>. The policy and charging control framework encompasses the following high level functions: Flow Based Charging for network usage, including charging control and online credit control, for service data flows; Policy control for session management and service data flows (e.g. gating control, QoS control, etc.); Management for access and mobility related policies; Management for UE access selection and PDU Session selection related policies.

It may be necessary to utilize the actual WLAN usage data of the UE to support the analysis of the WLAN usage experience, and to consider it in the access network selection and selection policy. Features of certain embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The present disclosure can have various advantageous effects.

For example, the PCF can update the WLANSP to achieve the best WLAN performance by using the new analytics related to the WLAN usage experience.

For example, the PCF can update the WLANSP to continuously reflect the actual UE's WLAN usage experience based on data related to the WLAN usage experience provided by the UE.

For example, NFs other than the PCF can also update WLAN-related configuration based on data related to the WLAN usage experience provided by the UE.

Claims in the present disclosure can be combined in a various way. For instance, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Evolution of 3GPP LTE includes LTE-A (advanced), LTE-A Pro, and/or <NUM> new radio (NR).

For terms and technologies which are not specifically described among the terms and technologies employed in the present disclosure, the wireless communication standard documents published before the present disclosure may be referenced.

Also, parentheses used in the present disclosure may mean "for example". In detail, when it is shown as "control information (PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In other words, "control information" in the present disclosure is not limited to "PDCCH", and "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In addition, even when shown as "control information (i.e., PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information".

AI refers to the field of studying artificial intelligence or the methodology that can create it, and machine learning refers to the field of defining various problems addressed in the field of AI and the field of methodology to solve them. Machine learning is also defined as an algorithm that increases the performance of a task through steady experience on a task.

Robot means a machine that automatically processes or operates a given task by its own ability. In particular, robots with the ability to recognize the environment and make self-determination to perform actions can be called intelligent robots. Robots can be classified as industrial, medical, home, military, etc., depending on the purpose or area of use. The robot can perform a variety of physical operations, such as moving the robot joints with actuators or motors. The movable robot also includes wheels, brakes, propellers, etc., on the drive, allowing it to drive on the ground or fly in the air.

Autonomous driving means a technology that drives on its own, and autonomous vehicles mean vehicles that drive without user's control or with minimal user's control. For example, autonomous driving may include maintaining lanes in motion, automatically adjusting speed such as adaptive cruise control, automatic driving along a set route, and automatically setting a route when a destination is set. The vehicle covers vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, hybrid vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines and electric motors, and electric vehicles equipped with electric motors, and may include trains, motorcycles, etc., as well as cars. Autonomous vehicles can be seen as robots with autonomous driving functions.

Extended reality is collectively referred to as VR, AR, and MR. VR technology provides objects and backgrounds of real world only through computer graphic (CG) images. AR technology provides a virtual CG image on top of a real object image. MR technology is a CG technology that combines and combines virtual objects into the real world. MR technology is similar to AR technology in that they show real and virtual objects together. However, there is a difference in that in AR technology, virtual objects are used as complementary forms to real objects, while in MR technology, virtual objects and real objects are used as equal personalities.

NR supports multiples numerologies (and/or multiple subcarrier spacings (SCS)) to support various <NUM> services. For example, if SCS is <NUM>, wide area can be supported in traditional cellular bands, and if SCS is <NUM>/<NUM>, dense-urban, lower latency, and wider carrier bandwidth can be supported. If SCS is <NUM> or higher, bandwidths greater than <NUM> can be supported to overcome phase noise.

Referring to <FIG>, a first wireless device <NUM> and a second wireless device <NUM> may transmit/receive radio signals to/from an external device through a variety of RATs (e.g., LTE and NR).

In <FIG>, {the first wireless device <NUM> and the second wireless device <NUM>} may correspond to at least one of {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the BS <NUM>}, {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the wireless device 100a to 100f} and/or {the BS <NUM> and the BS <NUM>} of <FIG>.

The first wireless device <NUM> may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver <NUM>, at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip <NUM>, and/or one or more antennas <NUM>.

The processing chip <NUM> may include at least one processor, such a processor <NUM>, and at least one memory, such as a memory <NUM>. It is exemplarily shown in <FIG> that the memory <NUM> is included in the processing chip <NUM>. Additional and/or alternatively, the memory <NUM> may be placed outside of the processing chip <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may control the memory <NUM> and/or the transceiver <NUM> and may be adapted to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor <NUM> may process information within the memory <NUM> to generate first information/signals and then transmit radio signals including the first information/signals through the transceiver <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may receive radio signals including second information/signals through the transceiver <NUM> and then store information obtained by processing the second information/signals in the memory <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be operably connectable to the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store various types of information and/or instructions. The memory <NUM> may store a software code <NUM> which implements instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code <NUM> may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code <NUM> may control the processor <NUM> to perform one or more protocols. For example, the software code <NUM> may control the processor <NUM> to perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

Herein, the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be a part of a communication modem/circuit/chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE or NR). The transceiver <NUM> may be connected to the processor <NUM> and transmit and/or receive radio signals through one or more antennas <NUM>. Each of the transceiver <NUM> may include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The transceiver <NUM> may be interchangeably used with radio frequency (RF) unit(s). In the present disclosure, the first wireless device <NUM> may represent a communication modem/circuit/chip.

The second wireless device <NUM> may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver <NUM>, at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip <NUM>, and/or one or more antennas <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may control the memory <NUM> and/or the transceiver <NUM> and may be adapted to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor <NUM> may process information within the memory <NUM> to generate third information/signals and then transmit radio signals including the third information/signals through the transceiver <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may receive radio signals including fourth information/signals through the transceiver <NUM> and then store information obtained by processing the fourth information/signals in the memory <NUM>.

Herein, the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> may be a part of a communication modem/circuit/chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE or NR). The transceiver <NUM> may be connected to the processor <NUM> and transmit and/or receive radio signals through one or more antennas <NUM>. Each of the transceiver <NUM> may include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The transceiver <NUM> may be interchangeably used with RF unit. In the present disclosure, the second wireless device <NUM> may represent a communication modem/circuit/chip.

As an example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) may be included in the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>. The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software and the firmware or software may be adapted to include the modules, procedures, or functions. Firmware or software adapted to perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be included in the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> or stored in the one or more memories <NUM> and <NUM> so as to be driven by the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>. The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software in the form of code, commands, and/or a set of commands.

The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may be connected to the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM> and the one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may be adapted to transmit and receive user data, control information, and/or radio signals/channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, through the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM>. In the present disclosure, the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports).

The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may convert received user data, control information, radio signals/channels, etc., from RF band signals into baseband signals in order to process received user data, control information, radio signals/channels, etc., using the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>. The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may convert the user data, control information, radio signals/channels, etc., processed using the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> from the base band signals into the RF band signals. For example, the one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> can up-convert OFDM baseband signals to OFDM signals by their (analog) oscillators and/or filters under the control of the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> and transmit the up-converted OFDM signals at the carrier frequency. The one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> may receive OFDM signals at a carrier frequency and down-convert the OFDM signals into OFDM baseband signals by their (analog) oscillators and/or filters under the control of the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the implementations of the present disclosure, a UE may operate as a transmitting device in uplink (UL) and as a receiving device in downlink (DL). In the implementations of the present disclosure, a BS may operate as a receiving device in UL and as a transmitting device in DL. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is mainly assumed that the first wireless device <NUM> acts as the UE, and the second wireless device <NUM> acts as the BS. For example, the processor(s) <NUM> connected to, mounted on or launched in the first wireless device <NUM> may be adapted to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) <NUM> to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The processor(s) <NUM> connected to, mounted on or launched in the second wireless device <NUM> may be adapted to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) <NUM> to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

The communication unit <NUM> may include a communication circuit <NUM> and transceiver(s) <NUM>. For example, the communication circuit <NUM> may include the one or more processors <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the one or more memories <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, the transceiver(s) <NUM> may include the one or more transceivers <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the one or more antennas <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. The control unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the communication unit <NUM>, the memory unit <NUM>, and the additional components <NUM> and controls overall operation of each of the wireless devices <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may control an electric/mechanical operation of each of the wireless devices <NUM> and <NUM> based on programs/code/commands/information stored in the memory unit <NUM>.

As an example, the control unit <NUM> may be configured by a set of a communication control processor, an application processor (AP), an electronic control unit (ECU), a graphical processing unit, and a memory control processor. As another example, the memory unit <NUM> may be configured by a RAM, a DRAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and/or a combination thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, a UE <NUM> may correspond to the first wireless device <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the wireless device <NUM> or <NUM> of <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> may be adapted to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> may be adapted to control one or more other components of the UE <NUM> to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and/or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. Layers of the radio interface protocol may be implemented in the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include ASIC, other chipset, logic circuit and/or data processing device. The processor <NUM> may be an application processor. The processor <NUM> may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a modem (modulator and demodulator). An example of the processor <NUM> may be found in SNAPDRAGON™ series of processors made by Qualcomm®, EXYNOS™ series of processors made by Samsung®, a series of processors made by Apple®, HELIO™ series of processors made by MediaTek®, ATOM™ series of processors made by Intel® or a corresponding next generation processor.

<FIG> shows an example of a <NUM> system architecture to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

The <NUM> system (5GS; <NUM> system) structure consists of the following network functions (NFs).

In addition, the following network functions may be considered.

<FIG> shows the <NUM> system structure of a non-roaming case using a reference point representation that shows how various network functions interact with each other.

In <FIG>, UDSF, NEF and NRF are not described for clarity of the point-to-point diagram. However, all network functions shown may interact with UDSF, UDR, NEF and NRF as needed.

For clarity, the connection between the UDR and other NFs (e.g., PCFs) is not shown in <FIG>. For clarity, the connection between NWDAF and other NFs (e.g. PCFs) is not shown in <FIG>.

The <NUM> system architecture includes the following reference points.

The following reference points show the interactions that exist between NF services in NF.

In some cases, it may be necessary to connect two NFs to each other to service the UE.

NWDAF is described. Sections <NUM> and <NUM> of 3GPP TS <NUM> V16. <NUM> can be referred.

The NWDAF is part of the <NUM> system architecture exemplarily described in <FIG>. The NWDAF interacts with different entities for different purposes.

A single instance or multiple instances of NWDAF may be deployed in a public land mobile network (PLMN). If multiple NWDAF instances are deployed, the <NUM> system architecture supports deploying the NWDAF as a central NF, as a collection of distributed NFs, or as a combination of both.

When multiple NWDAFs exist, not all of them need to be able to provide the same type of analytics results, i.e., some of them can be specialized in providing certain types of analytics. An analytics ID information element (IE) is used to identify the type of supported analytics that NWDAF can generate.

NWDAF instance can be collocated with a 5GS NF.

The <NUM> system architecture allows the NWDAF to collect data from any 5GC NF. The NWDAF belongs to the same PLMN as the 5GC NF that provides the data.

The Nnf interface is defined for the NWDAF to request subscription to data delivery for a particular context, to cancel subscription to data delivery and to request a specific report of data for a particular context.

The <NUM> system architecture allows the NWDAF to retrieve the management data from the OAM by invoking OAM services.

In addition, the <NUM> system architecture allows any 5GC NF to request network analytics information from the NWDAF. The NWDAF belongs to the same PLMN as the 5GC NF that consumes the analytics information.

The Nnwdaf interface is defined for 5GC NFs, to request subscription to network analytics delivery for a particular context, to cancel subscription to network analytics delivery and to request a specific report of network analytics for a particular context.

The NWDAF provides analytics to 5GC NFs, and OAM.

Analytics information are either statistical information of the past events, or predictive information.

Different NWDAF instances may be present in the 5GC, with possible specializations per type of analytics. The capabilities of a NWDAF instance are described in the NWDAF profile stored in the NRF.

In order to support NFs that are consumers of analytics with the discovery of a NWDAF instance that is able to provide some specific type of analytics, each NWDAF instance should provide the list of analytics ID(s) that it supports when registering to the NRF, in addition to other NRF registration elements of the NF profile. Other NFs requiring the discovery of an NWDAF instance that provides support for some specific type of analytics may query the NRF and include the analytics ID(s) that identifies the desired type of analytics for that purpose.

The consumers, i.e., 5GC NFs and OAM, decide how to use the data analytics provided by NWDAF.

The interactions between 5GC NF and the NWDAF take place within a PLMN.

The NWDAF has no knowledge about NF application logic. The NWDAF may use subscription data but only for statistical purpose.

The NWDAF service consumer selects an NWDAF that supports requested analytics information by using the NWDAF discovery principles.

Enhancement of the NWDAF are under discussion to enable 5GS to support network automation.

One of the major issues in the discussion of enhancement of the NWDAF is UE data as an input for analytics generation. This issue addresses whether and how to enhance the NWDAF to support collection and utilization of data provided by the UE in order to provide input information to generate analytics information (to be consumed by other NFs).

In relation to this issue, the following may be discussed.

Access network discovery and selection policy information is described. Section <NUM>. <NUM> of 3GPP TS <NUM> V16. <NUM> can be referred.

The access network discovery and selection policy is an optional policy that may be provided to UE by the network.

The wireless local area network (WLAN) access network selected by the UE with the use of access network discovery and selection policy may be used for direct traffic offload (i.e., sending traffic to the WLAN outside of a PDU session) and for registering to 5GC using the non-3GPP access network selection information.

If the UE supports non-3GPP access to 5GC, it shall support access network discovery and selection policy.

The access network discovery and selection policy include one or more WLAN selection policy (WLANSP) rules. A WLANSP (or WLANSP rule) is a set of operator-defined rules that determine how the UE (re-)selects a WLAN access network. According to the WLANSP rule, the UE selects the most prioritized available WLAN and connects to it. The priority of each WLAN is determined by several attributes (e.g., MinBackhaulThreshold, BSSLoad).

The access network discovery and selection policy may include information to select evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) or N3IWF by the UE.

The UE may be provisioned with multiple valid WLANSP rules (by the home PLMN (HPLMN) and by the visited PLMN (VPLMN) when the UE is roaming). A WLANSP rule is valid if it meets the validity conditions included in the WLANSP rule (if provided).

When the UE is in the home, the UE uses the valid WLANSP rules from the HPLMN to select an available WLAN. When the UE is roaming and the UE has valid rules from both HPLMN and VPLMN, the UE gives priority to the valid WLANSP rules from the VPLMN.

A UE procedure for selecting a WLAN access network based on WLANSP rules is as follows.

When the UE has valid 3GPP subscription credentials (e.g., a valid USIM) and WLANSP rules, the UE performs WLAN selection based on these rules, and the applicable User Preferences On Non-3GPP Access Selection. User Preferences On Non-3GPP Access Selection take precedence over the WLANSP rules.

The UE determines the most preferred WLAN access network using WLANSP rules, when a WLAN access network cannot be selected based on User Preferences On Non-3GPP Access Selection (e.g., when there are no User Preferences On Non-3GPP Access Selection or when there is no user-preferred WLAN access network available).

The UE constructs a prioritized list of the available WLANs by discovering the available WLANs and comparing their attributes / capabilities against the groups of selection criteria in the valid WLANSP rule(s). When there are multiple valid WLANSP rules, the UE evaluates the valid WLANSP rules in priority order. The UE evaluates first if an available WLAN access meets the criteria of the highest priority valid WLANSP rule. The UE then evaluates if an available WLAN access meets the selection criteria of the next priority valid WLANSP rule.

Within a valid WLANSP rule, the WLAN(s) that match the group of selection criteria with the highest priority are considered as the most preferred WLANs, the WLAN(s) that match the group of selection criteria with the second highest priority are considered as the second most preferred WLANs, etc..

When a group of selection criteria includes the HomeNetwork attribute and is set, then the UE (a) creates a list of available WLANs that directly interwork with the home operator, and (b) applies the group of selection criteria to all the WLANs in this list. Otherwise, when the HomeNetwork attribute is not set or is not present, the UE applies the group of selection criteria to all available WLANs. The UE may need to perform ANQP procedures or other procedures in order to discover the attributes / capabilities of the available WLANs.

When the UE is roaming, the UE may have valid WLANSP rules from both the VPLMN and the HPLMN. In such a case, the UE gives priority to the valid WLANSP rules from the VPLMN. The UE constructs a prioritized list of the available WLANs when the available WLAN accesses meet the selection criteria of the valid rules from the VPLMN and the valid rules from the HPLMN. The prioritized WLAN accesses based on the WLANSP rules from the HPLMN has lower priority from the prioritized list of WLAN access based on the WLANSP rules of the VPLMN.

As described above, the WLANSP rules include criteria that the UE may consider when selecting a WLAN access network to connect. The WLANSP rules may be created by the PCF. However, when the PCF generates the WLANSP rules, the actual WLAN usage experience of the UE may not be reflected. That is, in the process of the PCF generating the WLANSP rule, whether the WLAN selected by the UE satisfies any of several criteria and/or the performance of the WLAN selected through this may not be considered. As a result, the priority of the WLAN determined by the UE based on the WLANSP rules does not reflect the actual WLAN usage experience of the UE, and accordingly, the WLAN with the highest priority may not provide the best performance to the UE.

According to implementations of the present disclosure, a method for improving by utilizing the WLAN usage data provided by the UE in creating/modifying the WLANSP rules may be proposed.

Table <NUM> shows an example of data related to the WLAN usage experience collected/generated by the UE. The UE may collect/generate all or part of the data related to the WLAN usage experience disclosed in Table <NUM>. The UE may generate every data slot for every time interval.

The data related to the WLAN usage experience disclosed in Table <NUM> is merely an example. In addition, the UE may collect/generate data or other types of information related to the WLAN usage experience not disclosed in Table <NUM>. For example, which WLANSP was applied, what selection criteria were applied to select an available WLAN, and by what criteria the WLAN determined to be unavailable was determined to be unavailable (e.g., MinBackhaulThreshold, MaxBSSLoad, etc.), information about other WLANs that have been determined to be available and included in the priority list of available WLANs but have not been selected, and/or supported or specified security protocols (e.g., WPA3, WPA2, etc.) may be additionally collected/created.

The UE may transmit all or part of the collected/generated data to the PCF or other NF. Another NF may be an NF (e.g., NWDAF) responsible for collecting UE data. The UE may decide when to transmit the collected/generated data based on the data collection configuration information (e.g., whenever a specific event occurs). When the UE transmits the collected/generated data, the UE may transmit together with the PLMN ID for which PLMN to transmit. The PLMN ID may be a PLMN ID that generates/provides a WLANSP applied when the UE selects a WLAN.

(<NUM>) According to implementations of the present disclosure, the NWDAF may collect data related to the WLAN usage experience provided by the UE, and may generate newly defined WLAN usage experience analytics. New analytics related to the WLAN usage experience may include a correlation between the WLANSP generated by the PCF and the performance of the WLAN connected to the UE based on the WLANSP.

Depending on the analytics target period, the WLAN usage experience analytics may include statistics and/or predictions.

Table <NUM> shows an example of statistics for WLAN usage experience analytics generated by the NWDAF. The NWDAF may generate all or some of the statistics disclosed in Table <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows an example of predictions for WLAN usage experience analytics generated by the NWDAF. The NWDAF may generate all or part of the predictions disclosed in Table <NUM>.

Statistics for WLAN usage experience analytics disclosed in Table <NUM> and/or predictions for WLAN usage experience analytics disclosed in Table <NUM> are merely examples. In addition, the NWDAF may generate statistics and/or predictions not disclosed in Table <NUM> and/or Table <NUM>. For example, the frequency with which each WLANSP and/or selection criterion is applied to the UE, the WLANSP and/or selection criterion that needs to be updated to improve performance, the characteristics of the selection criterion that needs to be updated and its value (e.g., MaximumBSSLoad = <NUM>, MinimumBackhaulThreshold = 2Mbps in the downlink, etc.) may be additionally generated.

(<NUM>) According to implementations of the present disclosure, the NWDAF may provide the generated WLAN usage experience analytics to the PCF or another NF. The NWDAF may provide the generated WLAN usage experience analytics to the requesting PCF or other NF.

For example, the NWDAF may provide the generated WLAN usage experience analytics to the PCF, and the PCF may utilize it to update and/or improve the existing WLANSP so that the UE can select an optimal WLAN. For example, set values such as MaximumBSSLoad and MinimumBackhaulThreshold that may be included in the selection criteria of the WLANSP and/or location, valid time conditions, etc., may be updated and/or modified.

A consumer (e.g., PCF) of the WLAN usage experience analytics may indicate the following to the NWDAF when in the request and/or subscription to the WLAN usage experience analytics.

The above information is merely an example, and in addition, various parameters may be included in the request and/or subscription.

The following drawings are created to explain specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The names of the specific devices or the names of the specific signals/messages/fields shown in the drawings are provided by way of example, and thus the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific names used in the following drawings.

<FIG> shows an example of a method performed by a PCF to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

In step S600, the PCF transmits, to a UE, a policy for WLAN selection (e.g., WLANSP).

In step S610, the PCF transmits, to a NWDAF, a request for analytics related to a WLAN.

In some implementations, the PCF may further transmit, to the UE, a configuration for collecting data related to the WLAN. The configuration may include at least one of a type of data to be collected by the UE, information about a time interval during which the UE collects the data, or information about when the UE transmits the collected data.

In step S620, the PCF receives, from the NWDAF, the analytics related to the WLAN in response to the request.

In some implementations, the analytics related to the WLAN includes a correlation between the policy for the WLAN selection and performance of WLAN connected to the UE.

In some implementations, the analytics related to the WLAN includes at least one of statistical information about past and prediction information about future.

In some implementations, transmitting the request for the analytics related to the WLAN may comprise subscribing to the analytics related to the WLAN. The request for the analytics related to the WLAN may include at least one of an analytics ID set to "WLAN Usage Experience" or "WLAN performance", target of analytics reporting, analytics filter information, or analytics target period.

In step S630, the PCF updates the policy for the WLAN selection based on the analytics related to the WLAN.

<FIG> shows an example of a method performed by a UE to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

In step S700, the UE collects data about WLAN usage experience.

In some implementations, the data about the WLAN usage experience may include data related to a WLAN located in a specific area of interest and/or data related to a specific SSID.

In step S710, the UE transmits, to a PCF or a NF, the collected data about the WLAN usage experience.

In some implementations, the NF may be a NWDAF.

In some implementations, the UE may determine when to transmit the collected data on the WLAN usage experience.

In some implementations, an ID of a PLMN to which the collected data on the WLAN usage experience is to be transmitted is transmitted together with the collected data on the WLAN usage experience. The ID of PLMN may be an ID of a PLMN that provides a policy for WLAN selection applied when the UE selects a WLAN.

In some implementations, the UE may communicate with at least one of a mobile device, a network and autonomous vehicle other than the UE.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the UE described above in <FIG> may be performed by the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and/or the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, the UE comprises at least one transceiver, at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor. The at least one memory stores instructions to cause the at least one processor to perform operations below.

The operation comprise collecting data about WLAN usage experience.

The operation comprise transmitting, to a PCF or a NF, the collected data about the WLAN usage experience.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the UE described above in <FIG> may be performed by control of the processor <NUM> included in the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, by control of the communication unit <NUM> and/or the control unit <NUM> included in the wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and/or by control of the processor <NUM> included in the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, an apparatus operating in a wireless communication system comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is adapted to perform operations comprising: collecting data about WLAN usage experience, and controlling the apparatus to transmit, to a PCF or a NF, the collected data about the WLAN usage experience.

Furthermore, the method in perspective of the UE described above in <FIG> may be performed by a software code <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> included in the first wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The technical features of the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For example, a method performed by a wireless device in a wireless communication may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, a software may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other storage medium.

Some example of storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium. For other example, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components.

The computer-readable medium may include a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

For example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), ROM, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, or any other medium that can be used to store instructions or data structures. Non-transitory computer-readable media may also include combinations of the above.

In addition, the method described herein may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or communicates code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed, read, and/or executed by a computer.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (CRM) has stored thereon a plurality of instructions.

More specifically, CRM stores instructions to cause at least one processor to perform operations. The operations comprise: collecting data about WLAN usage experience, and controlling the apparatus to transmit, to a PCF or a NF, the collected data about the WLAN usage experience.

<FIG> shows an example of a procedure for collecting data about WLAN usage experience of the UE to which implementation of the present disclosure is applied.

The procedure described in <FIG> may be applied to both roaming and non-roaming cases.

In the non-roaming case, the VPLMN PCF (V-PCF) shown in <FIG> is not involved. In the roaming case, the AMF interacts with the V-PCF, and the HPLMN PCF(H-PCF) interacts with the V-PCF.

For steps S840 and/or S850, an existing NAS message may be extended and used, or a new NAS message may be defined and used.

Steps S840/S842 and/or S850/S852/S854 may be transmitted over a 3GPP access or may be transmitted over a non-3GPP access.

The data reporting in steps S840 and/or S850 may be triggered whenever an event indicated in the data collection configuration information occurs. The events may include WLAN disconnection, WLAN/SSID change, etc. When data reporting is triggered by the WLAN disconnection, the collected data related to the WLAN usage experience may be transmitted over a 3GPP access. At this time, when the UE enters the CM_CONNECTED state, it may transmit the collected data related to the WLAN usage experience.

<FIG> shows an example of a procedure for requesting/transmitting analytics based on data about WLAN usage experience of the UE to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

For example, if a request and/or subscription for analytics includes information about an area of interest as the filter information, the NWDAF may derive analytics by utilizing data about WLAN usage experience collected within that area of interest.

For example, if a request and/or subscription for analytics includes an SSID as the filter information, the NWDAF may derive analytics by utilizing data on WLAN usage experiences collected for the SSID.

For example, if the request and/or subscription of analytics includes a UE or a UE group as a target of analytics reporting, the NWDAF may derive the analytics for the UE or UE group. When the request and/or subscription of analytics includes any UE as the target of analytics reporting, the NWDAF may select data to be used for deriving analytics based on the information included in the filter information.

(<NUM>) Step S904: If the request is authorized, the NWDAF sends request and/or subscription to all PCFs to collect UE data related to WLANSP.

The NWDAF may select a serving PCF by utilizing the target of analytics reporting and/or the filter information included in the request and/or subscription of the analytics.

The NWDAF may include configuration related to UE data collection in the request and/or subscription. For example, the configuration related to UE data collection may include a type of data to be collected, a collection method (e.g., a data slot generation time interval, etc.), etc. Based on this, the PCF may adjust data collection configuration.

(<NUM>) Step S906: The PCF provides stored data related to the WLAN usage experience of the UE collected by the procedure described above in <FIG>.

(<NUM>) Step S908: The NWDAF derives requested analytics based on the obtained data related to the WLAN usage experience of the UE.

(<NUM>) Step S910: The NWDAF provides the derived analytics to the NF, using either the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo and/or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription service, depending on the service used in step S902.

(<NUM>) Step S912/S914/S916: If the NF subscribed the analytics in step S902, the NWDAF provides new analytics to the NF when it generates the new output. That is, when the NF requests continuous subscription of the analytics in step S902, the NWADF continuously provides the analytics. In this case, the analytics may be generated and provided at regular intervals, or it may be provided only when the analytics is updated by acquiring new data from the PCF.

In <FIG>, the NWDAF has derived and provided analytics based on data related to the WLAN usage experience of the UE according to the request of the NF. However, the implementation of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the NWDAF may derive and provide corresponding analytics to other NFs without a separate request and/or subscription.

The service operation shown in <FIG> and/or <NUM> may be extended and used, or other service operations (e.g., a conventional service operation and/or a new service operation) may be used.

An NF that is provided with data related to WLAN usage experience from the UE may be an NF other than the PCF. For example, the NF provided with data related to the WLAN usage experience from the UE may be the UPF and/or a new NF defined for collecting data related to WLAN usage experience. In this case, the NWDAF may request and collect data related to the WLAN usage experience from an NF that collects data related to the WLAN usage experience, instead of the PCF.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a policy and charging function, PCF, adapted to operate in a wireless communication system (<NUM>), the method comprising:
transmitting (S600), to a user equipment, UE, (<NUM>) a wireless local area network, WLAN, selection policy;
transmitting (S610), to a network data analytics function, NWDAF, a subscription to analytics related to a WLAN,
wherein the subscription to the analytics related to the WLAN includes a target of analytics reporting, analytics filter information, and an analytics target period, and
wherein the analytics filter information includes an area of interest, a service set ID, SSID, and a basic service set ID, BSSID;
receiving (S620), from the NWDAF, the analytics related to the WLAN in response to the subscription,
wherein the analytics related to the WLAN includes the area of interest, and a list of analytics per SSID, and
wherein the list of analytics per SSID includes a reference signal strength indicator, RSSI, and a number of UEs observed for the SSID; and
updating (S630) the WLAN selection policy based on the analytics related to the WLAN.