WO2025149271A1 - Apparatuses, methods, and computer programs for generating energy consumption analytics for network functions of a communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and computer programs for generating energy consumption analytics are provided. The method for generating energy consumption analytics includes: receiving, by a network data analytics function from a network function service consumer, a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested. The method further includes generating energy consumption analytics requested based data obtained based on the analytics filter information, and sending, to the network function service consumer a response to the request for energy consumption analytics that includes the generated energy consumption analytics and, in some aspects, an estimated energy cost of generating for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics.

Description

APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR GENERATING ENERGY CONSUMPTION ANALYTICS FOR NETWORK FUNCTIONS OF A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202441002642 filed December 12, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The subject matter discussed herein generally relates to communication network, and, in particular, to apparatuses, methods, and computer programs for generating energy consumption analytics for network functions of a communication network.

Background

[0003] Communication networks provide various services, including mobile broadband services such as telephony, video, data, short message services messaging, broadcasts, to wireless communication devices. Such communication networks (e.g., mobile networks or cellular networks) include access networks (e.g., radio access networks) that can communicate with multiple wireless communication devices by sharing available resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.) of an access network (e.g., radio access network), establishing a reliable, secure connectivity between the wireless communication devices and the core network via the access networks, and provide access to services provided by the core network. Examples of such communication networks include mobile or cellular networks that operate in accordance with various telecommunication standards, such as 3^rd Generation Partnership Project standards for Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), and New Radio.

[0004] Recently, there has been increasing focus on energy efficiency of communication networks, and more particularly on reducing the energy consumed by a communication network to reduce operational expenditures related to energy costs. Summary

[0005] The following describes apparatuses, method, and computer program for generating energy consumption analytics for a communication network that may be used to reduce the energy consumed by a communication network.

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, by a network data analytics function from a network function service consumer, a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested, and in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for respective network function instances of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services; and sending, by the network data analytics function to a network function service consumer, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics that are generated.

[0007] In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method comprising: sending, by a network function service consumer to a network data analytics function, a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following:

(a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested;

(b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; receiving, by the network function service consumer from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics; and performing, by the network function service consumer, an operation based on the energy consumption analytics.

[0008] In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions of a network data analytics function, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the processor to perform at least: receiving, by a network data analytics function from a network function service consumer, a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested, and in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for respective network function instances of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services; and sending, by the network data analytics function to a network function service consumer, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics that are generated.

[0009] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising a network data analytics function configured to perform: receiving, by a network data analytics function from a network function service consumer, a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested, and in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for respective network function instances of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services; and sending, by the network data analytics function to a network function service consumer, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics that are generated.

[0010] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising a network function service consumer configured to perform: sending, by a network function service consumer to a network data analytics function, a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; receiving, by the network function service consumer from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics; and performing, by the network function service consumer, an operation based on the energy consumption analytics.

[0011] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions of a network data analytics function, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the processor to perform at least: sending, by a network function service consumer to a network data analytics function, a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; receiving, by the network function service consumer from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics; and performing, by the network function service consumer, an operation based on the energy consumption analytics.

[0012] Other aspects and features of the subject matter described herein will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of example implementations in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:

[0014] FIG. l is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication network in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for a network function service consumer to obtain, from a network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics associated with one or more network functions of a communication network in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a procedure for a network function service consumer to obtain, from a network data analytics function, an estimated cost for the network data analytics function to generate energy consumption analytics in accordance with another example embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure for a network function service consumer to obtain, from a network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics and an estimated cost for the network data analytics function to generate energy consumption analytics in accordance with another example embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a procedure for a network function service consumer to subscribe to receive, from a network data analytics function (, energy consumption analytics and an energy cost for generating the energy consumption analytics in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating various physical and logical components of an apparatus comprising or implementing a network function that is a network function service consumer in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for generating energy consumption analytics in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for generating energy consumption analytics in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0022] Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components. Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Detailed Description of Example Embodiments

[0023] The subject matter is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. However, many different embodiments may be used, and thus the description should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same elements, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements, operations or steps in alternative embodiments. Separate boxes or illustrated separation of functional elements of illustrated systems and devices does not necessarily require physical separation of such functions, as communication between such elements may occur by way of messaging, function calls, shared memory space, and so on, without any such physical separation. As such, functions need not be implemented in physically or logically separated platforms, although such functions are illustrated separately for ease of explanation herein. Different devices may have different designs, such that although some devices implement some functions in fixed function hardware, other devices may implement such functions in a programmable processor with code obtained from a machine-readable medium. Lastly, elements referred to in the singular may be plural and vice versa, except wherein indicated otherwise either explicitly or inherently by context.

[0024] As noted above, operators of communication networks (generally referred to as network operators) are become increasingly interested in reducing the energy consumed by their wireless communication networks, and in particular the core network or operation and maintenance system of their wireless communication networks. To make decisions related to reducing the energy consumed by their communication networks, network operators require information related to the energy consumed by the core network of their communication networks. Information related to the energy consumed by the core network include information about the energy consumed by respective network functions, energy state planning statics (e.g., statistic related to a network functions energy state), and energy prediction information (e.g., a prediction of a time that a network function will operate in a given energy state) may be used by network operators (or an intelligent agent controlling a communication network) to configure the communication network so as to reduce the energy consumed by the communication network.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a communication network 100 that a user equipment (UE) 102 may access to communicate with application servers (not shown) hosting third party application functions (not shown) via data network 104. The communication network 100 comprises a radio access network 106 (e.g., a NG-RAN) and a core network 108 (e.g., a 5G core network (5GC)) that operate based on the 5th generation radio access technology described in the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard for new radio. The core network 108 is connected to an operations and maintenance entity 110 of the communication network 100 as described in further detail below.

[0026] The radio access network 106 comprises one or more radio access network (RAN) nodes (otherwise referred to as base stations), such as a gNodeB (gNB). A radio access network node may comprise a central unit (e.g., gNB-CU) and one or more distributed units (e.g., one or more gNB-DUs) linked to the central unit (e.g., gNB-CU) by a Fl interface.

[0027] The core network 108 has a service-based architecture and comprises a plurality of network functions, including, inter alia, an access and mobility function (AMF), an application function (AF), an authentication server function (AUSF), a network exposure function (NEF), a network repository function (NRF), a network slicing selection function (NSSF), a policy control function (PCF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), and a united data repository (UDM). Other network functions of the core network 108, such as a binding support function (BSF), a charging function (CHF), for ease of illustration. The functionalities of the network functions of the core network are well known to a person skilled in the art and hence are not described in detail.

[0028] Each network function (NF) of the core network 108 may provide one or more services to other network functions of the core network via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Each NF can also register itself and the services it supports (e.g., the services it offers other network functions) to the NRF of the core network 108. The NRF may be used by any network function to discover other network functions (or instances of NFs) and the services the other NFs support (e.g., services the other NFs provide). Any NF may consume (e.g., use) the services provided and exposed by another NF. A NF that consumes a service of another network function is generally referred to as a network function service consumer. A network function that provides and exposes one or more of its services is referred to as a network function service producer.

[0029] Each NF of the core network 108 may also operate in different states. For example, a NF may operate in a sleep state, a semi-sleep state, or a normal state. A NF may transition between operating in different states. A NF may transition from operating in one state to another state may occur at specific times (e.g., at times that are configured by a network operator). Alternatively, a NF may be triggered to transition from operating in one state to another state, for example, by receiving a trigger message that is sent by an 0AM system. Each NF may provide planning information for the NF, where the planning information for a state includes a time when the NF will transition from operating in one state to another state and a condition that cause the NF to transition from operation in the one state to another state. Further, each NF may provide capability information for the NF which includes information about the capabilities of the NF when operating in a state (e.g., the NF is only capable of provide some of its NF services when operating in a semi-sleep state and all of its services when operating in a normal state).

[0030] Referring again to FIG. 1, the core network 108 may also include a network analytics data function (NWAF) that is configured to collect or retrieve data about one or more NFs of the core network, generate analytics, including energy consumption analytics based on the data about the one or more NFs collected or retrieved by the NWDAF, and to provide the analytics that are generated, including the energy consumption analytics, to itself or to other NFs that have requested analytics generated by the NWADF. The NWDAF may include an Analytics logical function (AnLF) that is configured to generate analytics, including energy consumption analytics (e.g., generate statistics and/or generate predictions) based on the data about the one or more NFs collected and/or retrieved by the NWDAF. The NWDAF further includes an analytics service that is exposed by the NWDAF to provide the analytics generated by the AnLF. The NWDAF further includes a Model Training logical function (NWDAF (MTLF)) that is configured to train AI/ML models that can be used by AnLF to generate analytics, including energy consumption analytics based on the data about the one or more network functions collected or retrieved from the one or more network functions and/or the 0AM entity.

[0031] A network function service consumer (NFc) may send, to the NWDAF, a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics. The request includes an indication that the request is for the analytics service exposed by the NWDAF (e.g., the AnLF of the NWADF) to provide energy consumption analytics. The indication included in the request may be an analytics identifier which has a value that indicates that the analytics service exposed by the NWDAF is to provide energy consumption analytics. The request also includes analytics filter information which indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested. In other words, the request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc may include analytics filter information which indicates any combination of the following:

(a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested;

(b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested. In some aspects, the request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc may also include information indicative of time period that energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF (e.g., the AnLF of the NWDAF), and/or information indicative of a preferred level of accuracy for the energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF (e.g., the AnLF of the NWDAF). The NWDAF may be configured to use the analytics filter information to determine which NFs and/or which NF instances the NWDAF generates and provides energy consumption analytics for.

[0032] As noted above, the analytics filter information may indicate one or more network functions that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. For example, the analytics filter information may indicate one or more network functions that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including an identifier of a network function (generally referred to as NF ID) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. The analytics filter information may indicate one or more network functions that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including identifiers of a plurality of network functions (e.g., an identifier of each respective network function of a plurality of network functions) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. The analytics filter information may indicate one or more network functions that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including an identifier of a set of network functions (NF set ID) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. The analytics filter information may indicate one or more network functions that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including information indicative of a type of NF (e.g., AMF, SMF, AF, and the like) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for.

[0033] The analytics filter information may indicate one or more instances of a network function (generally referred to herein as network function instances) for which energy consumption analytics are requested. For example, the analytics filter information may indicate one or more instances of network function that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including an identifier of an instance of a network function (generally referred to as NF instance ID) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. The analytics filter information may indicate one or more instances of network function that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including include identifiers of a plurality of instances of network functions (e.g., an identifier of each respective instance of a network function of a plurality of instances of a network function) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. The analytics filter information may indicate one or more instances of network function that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including an identifier of a set of instances of a network function (NF instance set ID) that the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for.

[0034] The analytics filter information may indicate an area of interest for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. For example, the analytics filter information may include information about a geographical area which indicates to the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics for each NF and/or each NF instance located (e.g., deployed) in the geographical area to the NFc. The information about a geographical area may comprise coordinates of the geographical area.

[0035] The analytics filter information may indicate a network slice for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. For example, the analytics filter information may indicate a network slice for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by including an identifier of a network slice (e.g., S-NSSAI) which indicates to the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics for all NFs of the network slice identified by the network slice identifier.

[0036] The analytics filter information may indicate one or more services provided a network function for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for. For example, the analytics filter information may indicate one or more services provided a network function for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for by providing identifiers of each respective service of the one or more services provided by the network function for which energy consumption analytics are to be provided to the NFc.

[0037] Based on analytics filter information included in the request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics (e.g., a request for energy consumption analytics), the NWDAF (e.g., the AnLF of the NWDAF) retrieves or obtains data from an 0AM entity of an 0AM system of a communication network (e.g., 0AM entity 110 of the communication network 100), a network repository function of the communication network, and/or a network function of the communication network, generates energy consumption analytics based on the data retrieved or obtained by the NWDAF, and sends the energy consumption analytics that are generated to the NFc in a response to the request as described in further detail below. The NWDAF may also, upon receipt of the request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics, generate an estimate of a cost for generating the energy consumption analytics as described in further detail below.

[0038] For example, in an instance a NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested, the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from an 0AM entity, a network function (NF) of a core network of a communication network, and/or a network repository function (NRF) of a core network of the communication network, data about each respective network function of the one or more network functions. The data about a respective network function obtained or retrieved from an 0AM entity may comprise data indicative of energy usage of the respective network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function). The data indicative of energy usage of a respective network function (e.g., energy consumed by a respective network function) may be data indicative of energy used for sending and/or receiving signaling from another network function and/or data indicative of energy used for storing a context data (e.g., a NF profile) of the respective network function is a unified data storage function (USDF) of the communication network. The data about a respective network function obtained or retrieved from an 0AM entity may also comprise data indicative of an estimated energy consumption of the respective network function, and/or data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function. The data indicative of an estimated energy consumption of a respective network function may be a combination of an estimated energy consumed by the respective network function considering only information indicative of energy used or consumed by information technology (IT) equipment (e.g., processors, memory, storage, and the like) of a computing device or computing system hosting the network function and/or an energy efficiency ratio (e.g., PUE) of the datacenter hosting the respective network function. The energy consumption of a respective network considering only IT equipment may be estimated, for example, based on one of the methods described in clause 4.1 of 3GPP TR 28.913 V18.0.1 and/or clause 6.7.3 of 3GPP TS 28.554. The data about a respective network function obtained or retrieved from a NF and/or NRF may comprise data indicative of an energy state of the respective network function, data indicative of a duration that the respective network function will be operating in the energy state, and/or data indicative planning and related capability of the respective network function when operating in the energy state. A network function profile of the respective network function that is stored in the NRF may comprise the data indicative of an energy state of the respective network function (generally referred to as NF energy state), data indicative of a duration that the respective network function will be operating in the energy state, and/or data indicative planning and related capability of the respective network function when operating in the energy state and the NWDAF may obtain or retrieve the NF profile of a respective network function from the NRF. The energy state of a respective network function may comprise a sleep state, a semi-sleep state, or a normal state. The planning and related capabilities of a respective network function include a time period the respective network function will continue to operate in the energy state (e.g., the sleep state, the semi-sleep state, or the normal state), and the services provided by the respective network function when operating in the energy state.

[0039] After retrieving or obtaining data about each respective network function obtained from an 0AM entity, NF, and/or NRF, the NWDAF generates energy consumption analytics for one or more network functions based on the data about each respective network function obtained from the 0AM entity, the NF and/or NRF. For example, the NWDAF may generate the energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF based on one or more of: data indicative of energy usage of the respective network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function), data indicative of an estimated energy consumption of the respective network function, data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function data indicative of an energy state of the respective network function, data indicative of a duration that the respective network function will be operating in the energy state, data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function, data indicative planning and related capability of the respective network function when operating in the energy state . In other words, the NWDAF may compute the energy consumption analytics for one network function based on any combination of data indicative of energy usage of the network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function), data indicative of an estimated energy consumption of the respective network function, data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function data indicative of an energy state of the respective network function, data indicative of a duration that the respective network function will be operating in the energy state, data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function, data indicative planning and related capability of the respective network function when operating in the energy state. The energy consumption generated by the NWDAF may be generated (e.g., computed) using a weighted average of the data indicative of energy usage of the respective network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function), data indicative of an estimated energy consumption of the respective network function, data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function data indicative of an energy state of the respective network function,

[0040] The energy consumption analytics for respective network functions of the one or more network functions indicated in the analytics filter information may comprise statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the respective network functions, a prediction indicative of future energy consumption of the respective network functions, statistics indicative of historical energy state of respective network functions, a prediction indicative of future energy state of respective network functions and/or a category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) respective network functions.

[0041] For example, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates one network function for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for, the NWDAF generates, based on the data about the one network function, energy consumption analytics comprising: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the one network function; (2) a prediction of future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of the one network function; (4) statistics indicative of historical energy state of the one network function; (5) a prediction of historical energy state of the one network function and/or (6) category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the one network function. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates a plurality of network functions for which the NFc requested analytic consumption information for, the NWDAF generates, based on the data about each respective network function, energy consumption analytics comprising: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) of each respective network function of the plurality network functions indicated in the analytics filter information; (2) statics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) all network functions of the plurality network functions indicated in the analytics filter information, (3) a prediction of energy consumption of (e.g. energy consumed by) each respective network function of the plurality network functions indicated in the analytics filter information; (4) a prediction of energy consumption of (e.g. energy consumed by) all network functions of the plurality of the network functions indicated in the analytics filter information; (5) a category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) each respective network of the plurality network functions indicated in the analytics filter information; and/or (6) a category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of all network functions of the plurality network functions. In some aspects, the NWDAF may use a machine learning model that is trained on data indicative to generate the energy consumption analytics for respective network functions.

[0042] In some aspects of the instance the NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested, prior to generating energy consumption analytics based on the analytics filter information which indicates one or more network functions for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for, the NWDAF may generate an estimated cost for generating the energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions (e.g., may estimate a cost of generating the energy consumption analytics requested by the NFc). The NWAF may send a response to the request sent by the NFc, where the response includes an estimated cost of generating the requested energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions. In this aspect of this instance, the NFc may send the request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested after receiving, from the NWADF, the response that includes the estimated cost for generating the energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions.

[0043] In an instance a NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the

NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more network function instances for which energy consumption analytics are requested, the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from an 0AM entity, about each respective network function instance of the one or more network function instances. The data about a respective network function instance may comprise data indicative of energy usage of the respective network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function). The data indicative of energy usage of a respective network function instance (e.g., energy consumed by a respective network function instance) may be data indicative of energy used for sending and/or receiving signaling from another network function instance and/or data indicative of energy used for storing a context data (e.g., a NF profile) of the respective network function instance is a unified data storage function (USDF) of the communication network. The data about a respective network function instance may be data indicative of an estimated energy consumed by the respective network function instance, data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function instance, and/or data indicative of an energy state of the respective network function instance. The data indicative of an estimated energy consumed by a respective network function instance may be a combination of an estimated energy consumed by the respective network function instance considering only information indicative of energy used or consumed by information technology (IT) equipment (e.g., processors, memory, storage, and the like) of a computing device or computing system hosting the network function instance and/or an energy efficiency ratio (e.g., PUE) of the datacenter hosting the respective network function. The energy consumption of a respective network considering only IT equipment may be estimated, for example, based on one of the methods described in clause 4.1 of 3GPP TR 28.913 V18.0.1 and/or clause 6.7.3 of 3GPP TS 28.554. The NWDAF generates, based on the data about each respective network function instance, which is data indicative of energy usage of each respective network, energy consumption analytics. The energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF based on the data about each respective network function instance may comprise statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the one or more network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information, a prediction indicative of future energy consumption of the one or more network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information, and/or a category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the one or more network function instances. For example, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates one network function instances for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for, the NWDAF generates, based on the data about the one network function instances, energy consumption analytics comprising: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the one network function instance; (2) a prediction of future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of the one network function instance; and/or (3) category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the one network function instance. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates a plurality of network functions for which the NFc requested analytic consumption information for, the NWDAF generates, based on the data about each respective network function, energy consumption analytics comprising: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) each respective network function instance of the plurality network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information, statics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) all network function instances of the plurality network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information, (3) a prediction of energy consumption of (e.g. energy consumed by) each respective network function instance of the plurality network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information; (4) all network function instances of the plurality of the network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information; (5) a category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) each respective network instance of the plurality network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information; and/or (6) a category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of all network function instances of the plurality network function instances indicated in the analytics filter information. The NWDAF may use a machine learning model that is trained on data indicative to generate the energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances.

[0044] In some aspects of the instance the NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more network function instances for which energy consumption analytics are requested, prior to generating energy consumption analytics based on the analytics filter information which indicates one or more network function instances for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for, the NWDAF may generate an estimated cost for generating the energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances (e.g., may estimate a cost of generating the energy consumption analytics requested by the NFc). The NWAF may send a response to the request sent by the NFc, where the response includes an estimated cost of generating the requested energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances. In this aspect of this instance, the NFc may send the request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more network function instances for which energy consumption analytics are requested after receiving, from the NWADF, the response that includes the estimated cost for generating the energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances.

[0045] In an instance a NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates an area of interest for which the NFc requested energy consumption analytics for (e.g., includes information about a geographical area which indicates to the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics for network functions and/or network function instances located (e.g., deployed) in the geographical area to the NFc). In this instance, based on the information about the geographic area (e.g., coordinates of the geographic area) the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from an 0AM entity, data about each respective network function and/or each respective network function instance located in (e.g., deployed in) geographic area. The data about a respective network function may be indicative of energy usage of the respective network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function) located in the geographic area. The data about a respective network function located in the geographic area may be indicative of energy usage of the respective network (e.g., energy consumed by the respective network function) located in the geographic area. The NWADF generates, based on the data about each respective network function and/or each respective network function instance located in (e.g., deployed in) geographic area, energy consumption analytics indicative of energy consumption of all network functions and/or network function instances located in the geographic area. The energy consumption analytics energy consumption generated by the NWDAF comprise: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) all network functions and/or network function instances located in the geographic area (2) a prediction of future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of the one network function; and/or (3) category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the one network function.

[0046] In an instance a NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested, the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from an 0AM entity of the communication network, data indicative data indicative of a total energy consumption of the network slice. The data indicative of a total energy consumption of the network slice is generated and provided by the 0AM as described in 3GPP TS 28.554, clause 6.7.3.3. The NWDAF, after retrieving or obtaining from the 0AM, data indicative of a total energy consumption of the network slice, generates energy consumption analytics based on data indicative of a total energy consumption of the network slice. The energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF based on data indicative of a total energy consumption of the network slice comprises: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the network slice; (2) a prediction of future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of the network slice; and/or (3) category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the one network slice. In some aspects, the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from an 0AM entity of the communication network, data indicative energy consumed by respective network functions of the network slice and/or data indicative of the energy consumed by respective network functions instances of the network slice, and generates energy consumption analytics based on data indicative energy consumed by respective network functions of the network slice and/or data indicative of the energy consumed by respective network functions instances of the network slice. The energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF based on data indicative energy consumed by respective network functions of the network slice and/or data indicative of the energy consumed by respective network functions instances of the network slice comprises: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the network slice; (2) a prediction of future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of the network slice; and/or (3) category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the network slice In some aspects of these instances, the NWDAF may also generate an estimated energy cost for the NWDAF to generate the energy consumption analytics for the network slice. In some aspects of these instances, the NWDAF may also determine an amount of energy consumed by the NWDAF to generate the energy consumption analytics for the network slice. The NWDAF sends, to the NFc, a response to the request for energy consumption analytics that includes the energy consumption analytics for the network slice. The response may also include one or more of: the estimated energy cost for the NWDAF to generate the energy consumption analytics for the network slice, and the amount of energy consumed by the NWDAF to generate the energy consumption analytics for the network slice.

[0047] In an instance a NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics that includes analytics filter information which indicates one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested, and the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from a network repository function or the network function that provides the one or more services, data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services. The NWDAF, after retrieving or obtaining from the 0AM, data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services, generates energy consumption analytics based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services. The energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF based on data indicative of a total energy consumption of the network slice comprises: (1) statistics indicative of historical energy consumption of (e.g., energy consumed by) the network function when providing the one or more services; (2) a prediction of future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) of the network function when providing the one or more services; and/or (3) category or class indicative of historical or future energy consumption (e.g., energy consumed by) the network function when providing the one or more services.

[0048] As described above, the NWDAF (e.g., the and the analytics service of the NWDAF), after generating the energy consumption analytics, sends, to the NFc, a response to the request received from the NFc that includes the energy consumption analytics requested by the NFc. As described above, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates one or more network functions the NFc requested analytics for, the energy consumption analytics included in the response are energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions.

[0049] In some aspects, the request sent by the NFc may be a one time request for or the analytics service exposed and provided by the NWDAF to provide analytics (e.g., energy consumption analytics) to the NFc. In some aspects, the request sent by the NFc may be subscription request for the analytics service exposed and provided by the NWDAF to create a subscription which periodically notifies the NFc of (e.g., periodically provides to the NFc) energy consumption analytics whenever energy consumption analytics are generated or updated by the NWDAF (e.g., the AnLF of the NWDAF).

[0050] Data indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts one or more network functions may be expressed as an energy efficiency ratio of a datacenter that hosts the one or more network functions. The energy efficiency ratio of a datacenter that hosts the one or more network functions is a ratio that indicates how efficiently a datacenter that hosts the one or more network functions uses energy. The energy efficiency ratio of a datacenter that hosts the one or more network functions may be a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of the datacenter. The PUE of a datacenter indicates how efficiently a data center uses energy. The PUE of a datacenter that hosts the one or more network functions is the ratio of the total amount of energy used by a computer data center facility (i.e., including both IT and non-IT equipment) to the energy delivered to IT equipment. Similarly, the Site Energy Efficiency (SEE) is a metric defined by ETSI that is used to determine the energy efficiency of a telecommunication side. The SSE is defined as a ratio of energy consumed by IT equipment and a total energy consumed by the network (generally referred to as total site energy), which generally includes rectifiers, cooling equipment, storage equipment, security equipment and other IT equipment. For datacenters, the total energy consumed by the datacenter (e.g., the total site energy) includes building load, energy consumed by powering equipment (e.g., switchgear, uninterruptable power supply (UPS), backup batteries), energy consumed by cooling equipment (e.g., chillers, computer room air conditioners) and energy consumed by IT equipment.

[0051] The NWDAF may be configured to operate in different states, for example, a sleep state, a semi-sleep state, or a normal state. When operating in a sleep state or a semi-sleep state, the capabilities of the NWDAF to generate analytics may be less than its capabilities when operating in a normal state. For example, when operating in a sleep state, the NWDAF may support (e.g., may be capable of) generating some types of analytics but may not support (e.g., may not be capable of) generating other types of analytics. NWDAF may provide only a subset of the overall possible analytics it can support due to energy saving. The NWDAF may be configured to generate and provide a subset of the types of analytics based on an energy cost associated with generating analytics. For example, analytics that require a large volume of data for training an AI/ML model which generates analytics based on data input to the AI/ML model may be switched-off The NWDAF may generate analytics that require a significant amount of energy to generate but only when the cost of energy required for generating such analytics is lower, e.g., when energy is cheaper such as during time periods when reduced energy rates are available (e.g., during the day) or during time periods when renewable energy is available.

[0052] In some aspects, the NWDAF may register its profile in the NRF, where the profile includes, inter alia, information about the capabilities of the NWDAF when in an energy saving state. The NWDAF may have reduced capabilities for generating and providing analytics when in an energy saving state. The information about the capabilities of the NWDAF when operating in an energy saving state may, for example, include information indicating that the NWDAF is incapable of generating certain types of analytics at certain times, information indicating that NWDAF provides certain types of analytics with reduced accuracy when in an energy saving state.

[0053] In some aspect, the NWDAF, when in an energy saving state, may inform a NFc that has sent a request for energy consumption analytics that the NWDAF is only capable of generating energy consumption analytics having an accuracy that is less than the accuracy of the energy consumption analytics generated when not in an energy saving state.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an example procedure for a network function service consumer (illustrated as NFc in FIG. 2) to obtain, from a network data analytics function (illustrated as NWDAF in FIG. 2), energy consumption analytics. The procedure shown in FIG. 2 begins at 1. [0055] At 1, the NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics generated by the NWADF. In other words, the NFc sends, to the NWDAF, a request for energy consumption analytics. In some aspects, the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request which is a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF (e.g., provide a single instance of energy consumption analytics). In some aspects, the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe request which is a request for the analytics service of the NWDAF to create a subscription to periodically notify the NFc whenever energy consumption analytics are generated by the NWDAF.

[0056] The request sent by the NFc includes an analytics identifier associated with a type of analytics the NWADF is requested to provide to the NFc (illustrated as Analytics ID). In the procedure shown in FIG. 2, the analytics identifier associated with the type of analytics the NWDAF is requested to provide is an analytics identifier that identifies the type of analytics as energy consumption analytics. The request, in addition to the analytics identifier, also includes analytics filter information which indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested. In some aspects, in addition to the analytics identifier and the analytics filter information, the request may also include information indicative of time period that energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF and/or information indicative of a preferred accuracy for the energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF. After 1, if the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request, the procedure proceeds to 2a. Otherwise, if the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc is an

Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe request, the procedure proceeds to 2c.

[0057] In an instance the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc at 1 is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request and the analytics filter information indicates one or more network function (NFs) for which energy consumption analytics are requested, the procedure proceeds to 2a and the NWDAF sends a discovery request (e.g., a Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request) to the network repository function (NRF) of the communication network 100 to discover the one or more NFs of the communication network (e.g., the core network 106). At 2b, the NRF, in response to the discovery request, sends a response to the discovery request (e.g., a NnrfJNFDiscovery_Response). The discovery response sent by the NRF includes NF profiles of the one or more NFs. In other words, the NWDAF, at 2b, receives, from the NRF, a response to the discovery request that includes a NF profile of each respective NF for which energy consumption analytics are requested. The NF profile of each respective NF for which energy consumption analytics are requested includes an energy state of the respective NF (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the respective NF will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the respective NF. The planning and related capabilities for a respective NF includes a time period the respective NF is scheduled to be in a particular energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the services provided by the respective NF during the time period that the NF is in the particular energy state.

[0058] In an instance the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc at 1 is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo__Request and the analytics filter information indicates one or more network function instances for which energy consumption analytics are requested, the procedure proceeds to 2a and the NWDAF sends a discovery request to the NRF for the NF profiles of each respective NF instance for which energy consumption analytics are requested. At 2b, the NRF sends a response to the discovery request (e.g., a Nnrf JNFDiscovery_Response that includes NF profiles of the one or more NF instances for which energy consumption analytics are requested. In other words, the NWDAF, at 2b, receives, from the NRF, a response to the discovery request that includes a NF profile of each respective NF instance for which energy consumption analytics are requested. The NF profile of each respective NF instance for which energy consumption analytics are requested includes an energy state of the respective NF instance (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the respective NF instance will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the respective NF instance. The planning and related capabilities include a time period the respective NF instance is scheduled to be in an energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the services provided by the respective NF instance during the time period.

[0059] In an instance the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc at 1 is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request and the analytics filter information indicates an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics is requested, the NWADF, at 2a, sends a discovery request to the NRF for the NF profiles of the NFs and/or the NF instances located in the area of interest. The NWDAF, at 2b, receives, from the NRF, a response to the discovery request that includes a NF profile of each respective NF and/or NF instance located in the area of interest. The NF profile of each respective NF function includes an energy state of the respective NF (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the respective NF will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the respective NF. The planning and related capabilities for a respective NF include a time period the respective NF is scheduled to be in an energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the services provided by the respective NF during the time period. The NF profile of each respective NF function instance includes an energy state of the respective NF instance (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the respective NF instance will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the respective NF instance. The planning and related capabilities for a respective NF instance include a time period the respective NF instance is scheduled to be in an energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the services provided by the respective NF instance during the time period.

[0060] In an instance the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc at 1 is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request and the analytics filter information indicates a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested, the NWADF, at 2a, sends a discovery request to the NRF for the NF profiles of the NFs and/or the NF instances of the network slice. The NWDAF, at 2b, receives, from the NRF, a response to the discovery request that includes a NF profile of each respective NF and/or NF instance of the network slice. The NF profile of each respective NF function includes an energy state of the respective NF (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the respective NF will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the respective NF. The planning and related capabilities for a respective NF include a time period the respective NF is scheduled to be in an energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the services provided by the respective NF during the time period. The NF profile of each respective NF function instance includes an energy state of the respective NF instance (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the respective NF instance will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the respective NF instance. The planning and related capabilities for a respective NF instance include a time period the respective NF instance is scheduled to be in an energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the services provided by the respective NF instance during the time period.

[0061] In an instance the request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc at 1 is an Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request and the analytics filter information indicates one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested, the procedure proceeds to 2a and the NWDAF sends a discovery request (e.g., a Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request) to the network repository function (NRF) of the communication network 100 to discover the NF of the communication network (e.g., the core network 106) that provides the one or more services one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested. At 2b, the NRF, in response to the discovery request, sends a response to the discovery request (e.g., a Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response). The discovery response sent by the NRF includes NF profile of the NF. In other words, the NWDAF, at 2b, receives, from the NRF, a response to the discovery request that includes a NF profile of the NF which provides the one or more services. The NF profile includes an energy state of the NF (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), duration that the NF will remain in the energy state, and planning and related capabilities for the NF. The planning and related capabilities for the NF include a time period the NF is scheduled to be in a particular energy state (e.g., sleep state, normal state, or semi-sleep state), and an indication of the one or more services provided by the NF during the time period that the NF is in the particular energy state.

[0062] After 2b or 2d, the procedure proceeds to 3a, where the NWDAF retrieves or obtains, from an 0AM entity, data to be used to generate the energy consumption analytics requested at 1 by sending a request for data to an 0AM entity. At 3b, the 0AM entity sends, to the NWDAF, the data requested by the NWDAF that is to be used to generate the energy consumption analytics requested at 1. For example, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates one or more network functions, the NWDAF sends, at 3a, a request to an 0AM entity for data about each respective network function of the one or more network functions and receives, at 3b, data about each respective network function of the one or more network functions. The data about each respective network function of the one or more network functions includes an energy consumption KPI and a PUE as described in detail above. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates one or more network function instances, the NWDAF sends, at 3 a, a request to the 0AM entity, for data about each respective network function instance of the one or more network function instances and receives, at 3b, data about each respective network function instance of the one or more network function instances. The data about each respective network function instance of the one or more network function instances includes an energy consumption KPI and a PUE as described in detail above. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates an area of interest, the NWDAF sends, at 3 a, a request to the 0AM entity, for data about each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest and receives, at 3b, for data about each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest. The data about each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest includes energy consumption KPI and a PUE as described in detail above. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates a network slice, the NWDAF sends, at 3 a, a request to the 0AM entity, for data about each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice and receives, at 3b, data about each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice. The data about each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice includes energy consumption KPI and a PUE as described in detail above. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested, the NWDAF sends, at 3a, a request to the 0AM entity, for data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services, and receives at 3b, data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services, as described in detail above.

[0063] At 4a, the NWDAF, subscribes to the NRF to be notified of changes to an energy state of a NF(s) and/or NF instance(s), a duration that a particular NF or NF instance is in a particular energy state, and/or planning and related capabilities of a particular NF or NF instance by sending a Nrf_EventExposure_SubscribeNotify message to NF. At 4b, the NRF notifies the NWDAF of a change to an energy state of a particular NF (or NF instance), a duration that the particular NF (or NF instance) is in a particular energy state, and/or planning and related capabilities of the particular NF (or NF instance) when there is a change to an energy state of the particular NF (or NF instance) (e.g., when a change to the energy state of the particular NF (or NF instance) occurs). The NRF notifies the NWDAF of the change to the energy state of a particular NF (or NF instance) (e.g., the new energy state of the particular NF (or NF instance)), a duration that the particular NF (or NF instance) is in the new energy state, and/or planning and related capabilities of the particular NF (or NF instance) when the particular NF (or NF instance) is in the new energy state. The NRF notifies the NWDAF of a change to an energy state of a particular NF (or NF instance), a duration that the particular NF (or NF instance) is in a particular energy state, and/or planning and related capabilities of the particular NF (or NF instance) in the new energy state by sending a Nrf_EventExposure)Subscribe/Notify message that includes the new energy state of the particular NF or NF instance, the duration that the particular NF (or NF instance) is in a particular energy state, and/or planning and related capabilities of the particular NF (or NF instance) in the new energy state.

[0064] At 5, the NWDAF generates the energy consumption analytics using data retrieved or obtained at 3b. The NWDAF may also train (or retrain) an AI/ML that is configured to generate energy consumption analytics. NWDAF also generates statistics and/or analytics for NF instance states (e.g., sleep, normal, semi-sleep, active) during a period of time. For example, the NWDAF generates energy consumption analytics that indicates a NF instance (e.g., NF Instance 1 which is deployed or hosted on a computing system in a certain location) that was in a sleep state between 1 am and 4 am during last 20 days and consumes a certain amount of energy.

[0065] At 6, the NWDAF provides the generated energy consumption analytics to the NFc.

In some aspects, the NWDAF provides the generated energy consumption analytics to the NFc by sending a response to the request for analytics sent by the NFc at 1 that includes the energy consumption analytics. In some aspects, the NWDAF provides the generated energy consumption analytics to the NFc by sending a notification that includes the energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF. The notification may be sent periodically to NFc or sent when a particular event occurs indicated in the received subscription request. The energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF at 6 are as described in detail above.

[0066] At 7, the NFc, based on, performs a specific operation based on the energy consumption analytics received at 6. For example, in an instance the NFc is an application function (AF) or an orchestrator, the NFc (e.g., the AF or the orchestrator) performs the operation of determining to scale up at least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; scale down at least one least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; or instantiate a network function instance of at least one network function on an apparatus located at a geographic area at a predetermined time. In an instance the NFc is a NF of a core network (e.g., a NF of a 5GC such as a SMF or AMF) and the NFc performs an operation of determining to change a state of the NF from, a current state (e.g., sleep state or a sleep state) to a new state (e.g., a normal state) during a certain period of time. The NFc (e.g., the SMF or AMF) may also update its NF profile stored in the NRF to indicate that the state of NF state for the certain period of time.

[0067] At 8, the NWDAF receives, from the NRF, a notification of an update to one or more NF profiles stored in the NRF.

[0068] At 9, the NWDAF receives, from the 0AM entity, a notification that includes new data which the NWDAF, at 10, uses to generate updated energy consumption analytics. The update energy consumption analytics are generated in a similar manner as the energy consumption analytics are generated by the NWDAF using new data received from the NRF and/or 0AM entity.

[0069] At 11, the NWDAF, notifies the NFc of the updated energy consumption analytics by sending, to the NFc, a Nwdaf_Analytics_Subcription_Notification message that includes the updated energy consumption analytics. \

[0070] FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an example procedure for a network function service consumer (illustrated as NFc in FIG. 3) to obtain, from a network data analytics function (illustrated as NWDAF in FIG. 3), an energy cost for a NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics. In the procedure shown in FIG. 3, the NWDAF includes a service for providing an energy cost for a NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics to the NFc.

[0071] The procedure shown in FIG. 3 begins at 1. At 1, the NFc sends, to the NWDAF, a request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics (illustrated as Get energy cost request). The request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics includes an analytics identifier (illustrated as Analytics ID in the Get energy cost request) that indicates the NFc is requesting energy consumption analytics as described above, and analytics filter information (illustrated as analytics filter information in the Get energy cost request) which indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested as described in detail above. The procedure then proceeds to 2.

[0072] At 2, upon receipt of the request from the NFc, the NWDAF predicts an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics. The predicted energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics may be an estimate of the energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics (e.g., energy consumption analytic requested by the NFc). The NWDAF may predict an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics based on a weighted sum of one or more of: an energy cost for the NWDAF to retrieve or obtain data from an 0AM entity, an energy cost for the NWDAF to train a AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics based on the data retrieved from the 0AM entity, an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate the energy consumption analytics using the data obtained retrieved from an OAM entity the trained AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics (e.g., the energy costs for using the AI/ML model at inference to generate energy consumption analytics. In some aspects, the predicted energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics may be a complex value that includes {energy cost for obtaining or retrieving data to be used for training a AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics: 10; energy cost for training a AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics: 12; energy cost for obtaining or retrieving data to be used for inference (e.g., energy cost for obtaining or retrieving data to be used by the trained AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics: 2; and energy cost for inference (e.g., generation of energy consumption analytics using the trained AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics and the data to be used by the trained AI/ML model: 1 }.

[0073] After predicting the energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics at 2, the procedure proceeds to 3 where the NWDAF sends, to the NFc, a response to the request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics (illustrated as Get energy cost request). The response to the request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics (illustrated as Get energy cost response) includes the predicted energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics.

[0074] After the NWDAF sends, to the NFc, the procedure proceeds to 4, where the NFc determines, based on the energy cost for the NWDAF, to send a request for energy consumption analytics (illustrated as a Analyticsinfo request in FIG. 3). The request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc includes an analytics identifier (illustrated as Analytics ID in the Analyticsinfo Request) that indicates the NFc is requesting energy consumption analytics as described above), and analytics filter information (illustrated as analytics filter information in the Get energy cost request) which indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested as described in detail above. The procedure then proceeds to 5 and the NWDAF generates energy consumption analytics based on the analytics filter information as described in detail above. After 5, the procedure proceeds to 7 and the NWDAF sends, to the NFc, a response to the request for energy consumption analytics (illustrated as a Analyticsinfo response in FIG. 3) which includes the energy consumption analytics generated at 5. In some aspects, after 5, the procedure may optionally proceed to 6, where the NWDAF computes or measures the energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 5. After computing or measuring the energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 6, the procedure proceeds to 7 where the NWDAF, sends, to the NFc, a response to the request for energy consumption analytics (illustrated as a Analyticsinfo response in FIG. 3) which includes the energy consumption analytics generated at 5 and the computed or measure energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 6.

[0075] In some aspects of the procedure of FIG. 3, the request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics includes, in addition to the energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics requested by the NFc, information indicative of time period that energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF (e.g., information indicative of time period that energy consumption analytics that are to be generated by the NWDAF) and/or information indicative of a preferred level of accuracy for the energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF (e.g., information indicative of a preferred level of accuracy for the energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF) as described in detail above. In this aspect, the response to the request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics may include information that the NFc uses to modify the time period that energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF and/or a preferred level of accuracy for the energy consumption analytics that are to be provided by the NWDAF. For example, the response to the request for an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics may include one or more candidate modification and each respective candidate modification may include information about a modification to an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics, an estimated confidence value indicating a confidence in the energy consumption, and an accuracy value for the energy consumption analytics that are generated. The NFc may use the one or more candidate modifications (e.g., the request for energy consumption analytics to be sent at 4.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an example procedure for a network function service consumer (illustrated as NFc in FIG. 4) to obtain, from a network data analytics function (illustrated as NWDAF in FIG. 4), energy consumption analytics and an energy cost. The procedure shown in FIG. 4 begins at 1. At 1, the NFc sends to the NWDAF a request for energy consumption analytics (illustrated as a Analyticsinfo request in FIG. 4). The request for energy consumption analytics sent by the NFc includes an analytics identifier (illustrated as Analytics ID in the Analyticsinfo request) that indicates the NFc is requesting energy consumption analytics as described above), analytics filter information (illustrated as analytics filter information in the Get energy cost request) which indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested as described in detail above, and energy cost indication which indicates to the NWDAF to provide an estimate of the energy cost to generate the requested energy consumption analytics. The procedure then proceeds to 2 and the NWDAF generates energy consumption analytics based on the analytics filter information as described in detail above. After 2, the procedure proceeds to 3, where the NWDAF computes or measures the energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 2. After computing or measuring the energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 3, the procedure proceeds to 4 where the NWDAF, sends, to the NFc, a response to the request for energy consumption analytics (illustrated as a Analyticsinfo response in FIG. 4) which includes the energy consumption analytics generated at 2 and the computed or measure energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 3.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example procedure for a network function service consumer (illustrated as NFc in FIG. 5) to subscribe to receive, from a network data analytics function (illustrated as NWDAF in FIG. 5), energy consumption analytics and an energy cost for generating the energy consumption analytics. The procedure shown in FIG. 5 begins at 1. At 1, the NFc subscribes to the NWDAF to be notified of energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF (illustrated as a AnalyticsSubscription request in FIG. 5). The AnalyticsSubscription request sent by the NFc includes an analytics identifier (illustrated as Analytics ID in the AnalyticsSubscription request) that indicates the NFc is subscribing to be notified each time energy consumption analytics are generated by the NWDAF as described above), analytics filter information (illustrated as analytics filter information in the AnalyticsSubscription request) which indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; or (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested as described in detail above, and energy cost indication which indicates to the NWDAF to provide an estimate of the energy cost to generate the requested energy consumption analytics each time energy consumption analytics are generated by the NWDAF. The procedure then proceeds to 2. At 2, the NWDAF predicts an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics and generates energy consumption analytics based on the analytics filter information as described in detail above. The predicted energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics may be an estimate of the energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics (e.g., energy consumption analytic requested by the NFc). The NWDAF may predict an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics based on a weighted sum of one or more of: an energy cost for the NWDAF to retrieve or obtain data from an 0AM entity, an energy cost for the NWDAF to train a AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics based on the data retrieved from the 0AM entity, an energy cost for the NWDAF to generate the energy consumption analytics using the data obtained retrieved from an 0AM entity the trained AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics (e.g., the energy costs for using the AI/ML model at inference to generate energy consumption analytics. In some aspects, the predicted energy cost for the NWDAF to generate energy consumption analytics may be a complex value that includes {energy cost for obtaining or retrieving data to be used for training a AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics: 10; energy cost for training a AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics: 12; energy cost for obtaining or retrieving data to be used for inference (e.g., energy cost for obtaining or retrieving data to be used by the trained AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics: 2; and energy cost for inference (e.g., generation of energy consumption analytics using the trained AI/ML model which generates energy consumption analytics and the data to be used by the trained AI/ML model: 1 }.

[0078] The procedure then proceeds to 3 where the NWDAF sends a response to the AnalyticsSubscription request. The response to the AnalyticsSubscription request (illustrated as a AnalyticsSubscription response in FIG. 5) includes the energy consumption analytics and the predicted energy cost for generating the energy consumption analytics. The procedure then proceeds to 4. At 4, the NWDAF again generates energy consumption analytics based on the analytics filter information as described in detail above. The generation of energy consumption analytics at 4 may be due to receiving new data from the 0AM that are used to generate the energy consumption analytics. After 4, the procedure proceeds to 5, where the NWDAF computes or measures the energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 4. After computing or measuring the energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 4, the procedure proceeds to 5 where the NWDAF, sends, to the NFc, notifies the NFc of the energy consumption analytics generated at 4 and the computed or measure energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 5 by sending an AnalyticsSubscription notify message that includes the energy consumption analytics generated at 4 and the computed or measure energy cost when generating the energy consumption analytics at 5.

[0079] FIG. 6 shows various physical and logical components of an exemplary apparatus 100 for a communication network in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although an example embodiment of the apparatus 100 is shown and discussed below, other embodiments may be used to implement examples disclosed herein, which may include components different from those shown. Although FIG. 6 shows a single instance of each component of the apparatus 100, there may be multiple instances of each component shown.

[0080] The apparatus 100 includes one or more processors 102, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a dedicated logic circuitry, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a tensor processing unit, a neural processing unit, a dedicated artificial intelligence processing unit, a hardware accelerator, or combinations thereof. The one or more processors 102 may collectively be referred to as a processor 102.

[0081] The apparatus 100 also includes one or more memories 104 (collectively referred to as “memory 104”), which may include a volatile or non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory, a random-access memory (RAM), and/or a read-only memory (ROM)). The non- transitory memory 104 may store instructions for execution by the processor 102. In some embodiments, instructions 106a of a NWDAF described herein may be stored in the memory 104, and the instructions 106a may be executed by the processor 102 to perform the actions or operations of the methods for generating and providing energy consumption analytics described herein. In some embodiments, instructions 106b of a network function service consumer of a communication network is shown stored in the memory 104, and the instructions 106b may be executed by the processor 104 to perform the actions or operations of the methods for requesting energy consumption analytics described herein. The memory 104 may include other instructions for execution by the processor 102, such as instructions of other network functions of a communication network, such as those described above in reference to FIG. 1.

[0082] In some examples, the apparatus 100 may also include one or more electronic storage units (not shown), such as a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive and/or an optical disk drive. In some examples, one or more datasets and/or modules may be provided by an external memory (e.g., an external drive in wired or wireless communication with the computing system 100) or may be provided by a transitory or non- transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include a RAM, a ROM, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a CD-ROM, or other portable memory storage. The storage units and/or external memory may be used in conjunction with memory 104 to implement data storage, retrieval, and caching functions of the computing system 100.

[0083] The components of the apparatus 100 may communicate with each other via a bus, for example. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be a distributed computing system and may include multiple computing devices in communication with each other over a data network, as well as optionally one or more additional components. The various operations described herein may be performed by different computing devices of a distributed system in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be a virtual machine provided by a cloud computing platform.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flowchart of a method 700 for generating energy consumption analytics according to an example embodiment is shown. In some aspects, the method 700 may be carried out or performed by a NWDAF. In some aspects, instructions of the NWDAF (e.g., instructions 106a) may be stored in the at least one memory 104 of the apparatus 100, wherein execution of the instructions of the NWDAF by the at least processor 102 causes the apparatus 100 to carry out or perform the method 700. In some embodiments, instructions of the NWDAF (e.g., instructions 106a) may be stored in a non- transitory computer-readable medium wherein execution of the instructions of the NWDAF by the at least processor of computing device causes the computing device to carry out or perform the method 700.

[0085] It is to be emphasized that the method 700 need not be carried out or performed in the exact sequence shown, unless otherwise indicated; and likewise various operations of the method 700 may be performed in parallel rather than in sequence.

[0086] The method 700 begins at 702. At 702, the NWDAF receives, from a NFc, a request for an analytics service exposed by the NWDAF to provide energy consumption analytics. The request includes the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested. The method 700 then proceeds to 704.

[0087] At 704, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for each respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), the NWDAF generates, at 704, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for each respective network function instance of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), the NWDAF generates, at 704, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), the NWDAF generates, at 704, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice. In an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), the NWDAF generates, at 704, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services. The method 700 then proceeds to 706. At 706, the NWDAF sends, to the NFc, the energy consumption analytics that are generated at 704.

[0088] In some aspects, in addition to generating energy consumption analytics, the NWDAF predicts, computes, or measures a cost of generating the energy consumption analytics requested by the NFc. In these aspects, the response sent by the NWDAF at 706 also includes the predicted, computed or measured cost of generating the energy consumption analytics.

[0089] Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart of method 800 for requesting energy consumption analytics from a network data analytics function of a communication network according to an example embodiment is shown. In some embodiments, the method 800 may be carried out or performed by a NFc (any network function of a communication system (e.g., the core network 108). In some embodiments, instructions of the NFc (e.g., instructions 106b) may be stored in the at least one memory 104 of the apparatus 100, wherein execution of the instructions of the NFc by the at least processor 102 causes the apparatus 100 to carry out or perform the method 800. In some embodiments, instructions of the NFc (e.g., instructions 106b) may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and execution of the instructions of the NFc (e.g., instructions 106b) by at least processor of an apparatus (e.g., a computing system) causes the apparatus (e.g., the computing system) to carry out or perform the method 800.

[0090] The method 800 begins at 802. At 802, a NFc sends a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics for associated with one or more network functions of a communication network. The request includes the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following:

(a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested;

(b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested.

[0091] At 804, the NFc receives a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics generated by the NWDAF based on the analytics filter information. The energy consumption analytics associated with respective the one or more network functions may comprise at least one of: an energy state of the respective network functions of the one or more network functions; information indicative of an energy consumption for the respective network functions of the one or more network functions; information indicative of an energy consumption of a service provided by the one or more network functions; or information indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network functions of the one or more network functions. The information indicative of energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function may include a key performance indicator of carbon emissions of the datacenter and/or an energy efficiency ratio of the datacenter.

[0092] The method 800 then proceeds to 806. At 806, the NFc performs an operation based on the energy consumption analytics received from the NWDAF. [0093] In some aspects, the NFc may be a network function of a core network of a communication network (e.g., an AMF, SMF, PCF) and the operation performed at 806 includes changing an energy state of the network function service consumer for a period of time based on the energy consumption analytics.

[0094] In some aspects the NFc may comprise application function or an operations and management entity, and the operation performed at 806 includes: scaling up at least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; scaling down at least one least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; and/or instantiating at least one network function on an apparatus located at a geographic area at a predetermined time.

[0095] It will be appreciated that the steps (also referred to as operations) shown in the flowcharts of FIG. 7 and 8 described herein are for purposes of example only. There may be many variations to these steps (or operations) without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For instance, the steps (or operations) may be performed in a differing order, or steps (or operations) may be added, deleted, or modified, as appropriate.

General

[0096] Through the descriptions of the preceding embodiments, the subject matter disclosed may be implemented by using hardware only, or by using software and a necessary universal hardware platform, or by a combination of hardware and software. The coding of software for carrying out the above-described methods described is within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art having regard to the present disclosure. Based on such understandings, the technical solution of the subject matter disclosed herein may be embodied in the form of a software product. The software product may be stored in a non-volatile or non-transitory storage medium, which can be an optical storage medium, flash drive or hard disk. The software product includes a number of instructions that enable a computing device (personal computer, server, or network device) to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0097] All values and sub-ranges within disclosed ranges are also disclosed. Also, although the systems, devices and processes disclosed and shown herein may comprise a specific plurality of elements, the systems, devices and assemblies may be modified to comprise additional or fewer of such elements. Although several example embodiments are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the example methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding steps to the disclosed methods.

[0098] Features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the abovedescribed embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure as a whole.

[0099] In addition, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. It will, however, be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, well-known methods, procedures, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

[0100] As used herein, “at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0101] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a processor of a computing device or computing system, such as the apparatus 100 described herein, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuitry or logic, such as an application specific integrated circuity or field programmable gate array, or general purpose hardware, such as a computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0102] As used in this application, the term “circuitry’ ’ may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0103] (a) hardware-only circuits (such as only analog and/or digital circuits) and

[0104] (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

[0105] (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

[0106] (ii) any portions of hardw are processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a communication device (e.g., user equipment) or server, to perform and the methods described herein

[0107] (iv) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0108] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term “means” in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0109] Although the subject matter disclosed herein and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. [0110] The subject matter discussed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the subject matter of the claims. The described example embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being only illustrative and not restrictive. The subject matter discussed herein intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, described by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

Claims

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a network data analytics function from a network function service consumer, a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for respective network function instances of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services; and sending, by the network data analytics function to a network function service consumer, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics that are generated.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network function instances, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions and/or network function instances located in the area of interest, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions and/or network function instances of the network slice, and wherein in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the network function providing the one or more services .

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions comprises data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function, and wherein the data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function comprises at least one of a key performance indicator of carbon emissions of the datacenter, or an energy efficiency ratio of the datacenter.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data indicative of an energy consumed by a respective network function is generated by combining an estimated energy of the respective network function and the data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function.

5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the request comprises an indication to provide to an estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics, and wherein the method further comprises generating, by the network data analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics with one or more network functions.

6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: prior to receiving the request, receiving, by the network analytics functions, a request to provide an estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytic, from the network function service consumer; generating, by the network analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics; and sending, by the network data analytics function to the network function service consumer, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the generating, by the network analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics comprises: predicting the estimated energy consumption cost, computing the estimated energy consumption cost, or measuring the estimated energy consumption cost.

8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the request comprises an analytics identifier, wherein the analytics identifier indicates that an analytics service of the network data analytics function is to provide energy consumption analytics.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the request is a subscription request for the analytics service of the network data analytics function to create a subscription for providing notifications when energy consumption analytics are generated.

10. A method comprising: sending, by a network function service consumer to a network data analytics function, a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following:

(a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested;

(b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; receiving, by the network function service consumer from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics; and performing, by the network function service consumer, an operation based on the energy consumption analytics.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the network function service consumer is a network function of the communication network, and wherein the performing the operation comprises least one of the following: changing, by a network function service consumer, an energy state of the network function service consumer for a period of time based on the energy consumption analytics for respective network functions of the one or more network functions of the communication network; or selecting an another network function of the communication network.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the network function service consumer is an application function or an operations and management entity, and wherein the performing the operation comprises at least one of the following: scaling up at least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; scaling down at least one least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; or instantiating an instance of at least one network function on an apparatus located at a geographic area at a predetermined time.

13. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the request comprises an indication that an estimated cost associated with generation of the energy consumption analytics, and wherein the response further comprises the estimated cost associated with the generation of the energy consumption analytics.

14. The method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, prior to sending the request, sending, by the network function service consumer, a request for an estimate of the energy cost for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics, the request comprising the analytics filter information, and receiving, from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the estimated energy cost for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics.

15. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions of a network data analytics function, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for respective network function instances of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services; and sending a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics that are generated.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network function instances, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions and/or network function instances located in the area of interest, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions and/or network function instances of the network slice, and wherein in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the network function providing the one or more services .

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions comprises data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function, and wherein the data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function comprises at least one of a key performance indicator of carbon emissions of the datacenter, or an energy efficiency ratio of the datacenter.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data indicative of an energy consumed by a respective network function is generated by combining an estimated energy of the respective network function and the data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the request comprises an indication to provide to an estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics, and wherein the method further comprises generating, by the network data analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics with one or more network functions.

20. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the operations further comprise: prior to receiving the request, receiving, by the network analytics functions, a request to provide an estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytic, from the network function service consumer; generating, by the network analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics; and sending, by the network data analytics function to the network function service consumer, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein generating the estimated energy consumption cost comprises: predicting the estimated energy consumption cost, computing the estimated energy consumption cost, or measuring the estimated energy consumption cost.

22. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the request comprises an analytics identifier, wherein the analytics identifier indicates that an analytics service of the network data analytics function is to provide energy consumption analytics.

23. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the request is a subscription request for the analytics service of the network data analytics function to create a subscription for providing notifications when energy consumption analytics are generated.

24. An apparatus comprising: a network data analytics function configured to perform: receiving a request for energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network functions based on data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network functions; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the one or more network function instances based on data for respective network function instances of the one or more network function instances, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the one or more network function instances; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the area of interest based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance located in the area of interest, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption in the area of interest; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network slice based on data for each respective network function and/or network function instance of the network slice, the energy consumption analytics comprising a class indicative of energy consumption of the network slice; in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), generating, by the network data analytics function, energy consumption analytics for the network function based on data indicative of an energy consumption of the network function when providing the one or more services; and sending a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics that are generated.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the network data analytics function is further configured to perform: in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (a), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (b), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network function instances, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (c), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions and/or network function instances located in the area of interest, wherein, in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (d), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the respective network functions and/or network function instances of the network slice, and wherein in an instance the analytics filter information indicates (e), the generating further comprises: generating the energy consumption analytics further based an energy state of the network function providing the one or more services .

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the data for respective network functions of the one or more network functions comprises data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function, and wherein the data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function comprises at least one of a key performance indicator of carbon emissions of the datacenter, or an energy efficiency ratio of the datacenter.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the data indicative of an energy consumed by a respective network function is generated by combining an estimated energy of the respective network function and the data indicative of an energy efficiency of a datacenter that hosts the respective network function.

28. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the request comprises an indication to provide to an estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics, and wherein the method further comprises generating, by the network data analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics with one or more network functions.

29. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein the network data analytics function is further configured to perform: prior to receiving the request, receiving, by the network analytics functions, a request to provide an estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytic, from the network function service consumer; generating, by the network analytics function, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics; and sending, by the network data analytics function to the network function service consumer, the estimated energy consumption cost for generating the energy consumption analytics.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein generating the estimated energy consumption cost comprises predicting the estimated energy consumption cost, computing the estimated energy consumption cost, or measuring the estimated energy consumption cost.

31. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the request comprises an analytics identifier, wherein the analytics identifier indicates that an analytics service of the network data analytics function is to provide energy consumption analytics.

32. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 31, wherein the request is a subscription request for the analytics service of the network data analytics function to create a subscription for providing notifications when energy consumption analytics are generated.

33. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions of a network function service consumer, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the processor to perform at least: sending to a network data analytics function, a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; receiving from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics; and performing an operation based on the energy consumption analytics.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the network function service consumer is a network function of the communication network, and wherein the performing the operations comprises at least of the following: changing an energy state of the network function service consumer for a period of time based on the energy consumption analytics for respective network functions of the one or more network functions of the communication network; or selecting another network function of the communication network.

35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the network function service consumer is an application function or an operations and management entity, and wherein the performing the operations comprises at least one of the following: scaling up at least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; scaling down at least one least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; or instantiating an instance of at least one network function on an apparatus located at a geographic area at a predetermined time.

36. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the request comprises an indication that an estimated cost associated with generation of the energy consumption analytics, and wherein the response further comprises the estimated cost associated with the generation of the energy consumption analytics.

37. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein, prior to sending the request, sending a request for an estimate of the energy cost for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics, the request comprising the analytics filter information, and receiving, from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the estimated energy cost for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics.

38. An apparatus comprising: a network function service consumer configured to perform: sending to a network data analytics function, a request for an analytics service exposed by the network data analytics function to provide energy consumption analytics, the request comprising analytics filter information, wherein the analytics filter information indicates at least one of the following: (a) one or more network functions for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (b) one or more instances of a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (c) an area of interest for which energy consumption analytics are requested; (d) a network slice for which energy consumption analytics is requested; and (e) one or more services provided a network function for which energy consumption analytics are requested; receiving from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the energy consumption analytics; and performing an operation based on the energy consumption analytics.

39. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the network function service consumer is a network function of the communication network, and wherein the performing the operation comprises least one of the following: changing an energy state of the network function service consumer for a period of time based on the energy consumption analytics for respective network functions of the one or more network functions of the communication network; or selecting another network function of the communication network.

40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the network function service consumer is an application function or an operations and management entity, and wherein the performing the operation comprises at least one of the following: scaling up at least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; scaling down at least one least one network function of the one or more network functions located on an apparatus at a geographic area at a predetermined time; or instantiating an instance of at least one network function on an apparatus located at a geographic area at a predetermined time.

41. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein the request comprises an indication that an estimated cost associated with generation of the energy consumption analytics, and wherein the response further comprises the estimated cost associated with the generation of the energy consumption analytics.

42. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 41, wherein, prior to sending the request, sending, by the network function service consumer, a request for an estimate of the energy cost for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics, the request comprising the analytics filter information, and receiving, from the network data analytics function, a response to the request, the response comprising the estimated energy cost for the network data analytics function to generate the energy consumption analytics.

43. A computer program comprising computer code, wherein when the computer code is executed by an apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 14.

44. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 14.