WO2018174790A1

WO2018174790A1 - User equipment, core network node, radio network node and methods for handling application layer measurements

Info

Publication number: WO2018174790A1
Application number: PCT/SE2018/050274
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nianshan SHI
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2017-03-24
Filing date: 2018-03-20
Publication date: 2018-09-27

Abstract

A user equipment (100), a core network node (106), a radio network node (104) and methods therein, for handling application layer measurements by the user equipment in a communication network. The core network node obtains (4:2) information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities. If the obtained information indicates that the user equipment supports application layer measurements, the core network node transmits (4:3) to the user equipment a request for such application layer measurements. Thereby, the signalling associated with requesting for application layer measurements can be made more efficient by transmitting the request only when the user equipment supports application layer measurements and not when the user equipment does not support application layer measurements, as indicated by the measuring capability information. This way, network resources can be saved by not consuming them to no avail.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT, CORE NETWORK NODE, RADIO NETWORK NODE AND METHODS FOR HANDLING APPLICATION LAYER MEASUREMENTS

Technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to a user equipment, a core network node, a radio network node and methods therein, for handling application layer measurements, e.g. related to Quality of Experience (QoE), by the user

equipment.

Background

In this disclosure, the term "User Equipment (UE)" is used to represent any communication entity capable of radio communication with a wireless network by sending and receiving radio signals, such as e.g. mobile telephones, smartphones, tablets, laptop computers and Machine-to-Machine, M2M, devices, also known as Machine Type Communication, MTC, devices. Another common generic term in this field is "wireless device" which could be used herein as a synonym for User Equipment (UE).

Further, the term "radio network node", is used herein to represent any node of a Radio Access Network (RAN) that is operative to communicate with UEs and/or wireless devices and also to communicate with a core network. The radio network node in this disclosure may refer to a base station, radio node, Node B, base transceiver station, access point, etc., although this disclosure is not limited to these examples. The network node in this disclosure may also refer to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) in the RAN that controls one or more base stations or radio nodes that communicate radio signals with UEs and/or wireless devices.

The term "core network node", is also used herein to represent a node in a core network which is connected to and associated with the radio network node. In particular, a user equipment or UE is typically requested by a core network node, via a serving radio network node, to perform various application layer

measurements e.g. related to Quality of Experience (QoE). In 3GPP release 14, a work item for "Quality of Experience (QoE) Measurement Collection" has been presented for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). A corresponding work item is approved for the Long Term

Evolution (LTE) in release 15 and will later also be applicable for New Radio (NR). The purpose of the above work items is to enable measurements in a UE in order to collect information about the quality of streaming services used in the UE. A streaming service is typically provided by a third party streaming application on top of a Packet Switched (PS) Interactive Radio Access Bearer (RAB) defined in RAN. The purpose of such measurements and information collection is to be able to improve the quality of the streaming service. However, it is sometimes a problem that substantial amounts of signalling are required when a UE is requested to perform application layer measurements, such as measurements related to QoE, and that such signalling consumes precious resources in the RAN and in the core network. Summary

It is an object of embodiments described herein to address the problems and issues outlined above. It is possible to achieve this object and others by using a user equipment, a core network node, a radio network node and methods therein as defined in the attached independent claims. According to one aspect, a method is performed by a user equipment for handling application layer measurements by the User Equipment in a communication network, in this method, the User Equipment provides information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node. The User Equipment then, at some point, receives from the core network node a request for application layer measurements in accordance with said measuring capabilities.

According to another aspect, a user equipment is arranged to handle application layer measurements by the User Equipment in a communication network. The User Equipment is configured to provide information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node, and to receive from the core network node a request for application layer measurements in accordance with said measuring capabilities.

According to another aspect, a method is performed by a core network node for handling application layer measurements by a User Equipment in a

communication network. In this method the core network node obtains information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities. At some point later, the core network node transmits to the User Equipment a request for application layer measurements when the obtained information indicates that the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements. According to another aspect, a core network node is arranged to handle

application layer measurements by a User Equipment in a communication network. The core network node is configured to obtain information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities, and to transmit to the User Equipment a request for application layer measurements when the obtained information indicates that the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements.

According to another aspect, a method is performed by a radio network node for handling application layer measurements by a User Equipment in a

communication network. In this method, the radio network node forwards or sends information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node. The radio network node further forwards or sends a request for application layer measurements to the User Equipment from the core network node when the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements.

According to another aspect, a radio network node is arranged to handle application layer measurements by a User Equipment in a communication network. The radio network node is configured to forward information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node, and to forward a request for application layer measurements to the User Equipment from the core network node when the User Equipment supports said application layer

measurements. When using either of the above methods and nodes, it is an advantage that only application layer measurements supported by the user equipment will be requested while any unsupported measurements will not be requested. As a result, network resources will be saved by not transmitting to the user equipment information related to unsupported measurements such as measurement configuration details.

The above methods and nodes may be configured and implemented according to different optional embodiments to accomplish further features and benefits, to be described below. A computer program is also provided comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one computer in either of the User Equipment, the core network node and the radio network node, cause the at least one computer to carry out the respective methods described above. A carrier is also provided which contains the above computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium.

Brief description of drawings

The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a communication scenario illustrating how a user equipment may communicate with a core network node via a radio network node.

Fig. 2 is a communication scenario illustrating how the solution may be employed, according to some examples.

Fig. 3 is a communication scenario illustrating how the solution may be employed, according to some further examples. Fig. 4 is a communication scenario illustrating how the solution may be employed, according to some further examples.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure in a user equipment, according to further examples. Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure in a core network node, according to further examples.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure in a radio network node, according to further examples. Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating how a user equipment, a core network node, a radio network node may be structured, according to further examples.

Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary interface protocol structure towards a Packet Switched (PS) domain.

Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary architecture including an lu interface for

communication between a radio network (UTRAN) and a core network (CN).

Detailed description

Briefly described, a solution is provided to save resources in a communication network when employing application layer measurements made by UEs. Such measurements could be useful for evaluating or estimating Quality of Experience, QoE, when network services are employed by a UE such as streaming services, downloading services, browsing services and notification services. In this disclosure, the term "application layer measurements" refers to any measurements in the UE that are related to the performance of one or more services when executed in the application layer. The service performance in this context may in turn, without limitation, be related to audio and/or video quality, latency, waiting time, interruptions, stability and resolution. These non-limiting examples of service performance are typically noticeable or perceptible to a user of the UE and the application layer measurements discussed herein may thus be related to QoE in the UE. It is thus the UE application layer that executes such measurements. It was mentioned above that when a UE is requested to perform application layer measurements, e.g. related to QoE, substantial amounts of signalling are required, e.g. for conveying measurement configuration details from the core network to the UE, which consumes resources in the RAN and in the core network. If it turns out that the UE is not capable of performing the required or wanted application layer measurements, the network resources needed for requesting application layer measurements and conveying configuration details have therefore been occupied and consumed in vain, which resources potentially could instead have been used for other more valuable purposes and processes in the network. In this solution, it has thus been recognized that network resources can be saved by avoiding the large signalling overhead for instructing or requesting a UE to perform application layer measurements, in case the UE is not capable of performing the requested measurements. This can be achieved by providing and using information about measuring capabilities of a UE as a basis for deciding whether a measuring request should be transmitted at all to the UE or not. This logical decision can be taken in a core network node, e.g. a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) node, which also may transmit a request for application layer measurements to the UE when the above information indicates that the UE supports certain application layer measurements. Otherwise, no such request with measurement configuration details is transmitted to a UE that does not support the needed application layer measurements.

As indicated in the background section, the purpose of the "Quality of Experience (QoE) Measurement Collection" work item is to start measurements in the UE to collect information about the quality of streaming services used in the UE. These measurements may be initiated towards the RAN based on management, e.g. from an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) node, in a generic way for a group of UEs, or the measurements may also be initiated based on signaling as initiated from the Core Network (CN) to RAN. The configuration of the measurements includes various measurement details which are encapsulated in a container that is transparent to RAN.

Transmission of the above container with measurement configuration details to the UE can thus be avoided when it is detected that the UE does not support the required measurements. The UE may report to RAN its capability or non-capability to support UE Application Layer Measurements, herein referred to as "measuring capabilities", which may include QoE measurements for streaming although the solution is not limited to any particular services and application layer measurements.

When initiated via the core network, a measurement request may be directed towards a specific UE. For example, a measurement request may be realized as the Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) message called CN INVOKE TRACE in UTRAN, which carries the configuration information for the

measurement details and a trace collection entity to which the collected

measurements should be sent.

Up to the network operator's decision, the UE Application Layer Measurement is initiated via signalling for specific UEs. The measurement configuration details may be transmitted to each UE in a large sized configuration container which transmission therefore consumes a large amount of network resources.

The UE capability to support UE application layer measurement, e.g. QoE measurement for streaming, may be sent to RAN over RRC signalling. However, if the CN does not have the knowledge about the UE's measuring capabilities it may initiate application layer measurements towards UEs not supporting such application layer measurements, which can be avoided by using the solution described herein. Any unnecessary measurement requests can thus be avoided by employing procedures as described herein. As the size of the above-described configuration container is quite large, it would save much network resources to eliminate the unnecessary measurement initiation over the CN-RAN interface in case the UE is not capable of performing application layer measurements.

A communication scenario where the solution may be employed is illustrated in Fig. 1 involving a user equipment or UE 100 having a radio connection to a serving base station 102 of a communication network such as a cellular or wireless network. The radio network node 102 may communicate with a core network node 106, denoted CN, via an RNC 104. The base station 102 and the RNC 104 belong to a RAN while the core network node 106 belongs to a core network in which application measurement requests are initiated towards UEs. This basic scenario will be referenced in the examples below.

In general, a radio network node communicates over the air interface with UEs located within range of the radio network node on uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) channels. Radio network nodes further communicate with core networks nodes, such as Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) over a communication interface such as the lu interface.

In some examples, the UE may report its capability for supporting UE Application Layer Measurement, also referred to as measuring capabilities, to RAN via RRC signalling, and in that case RAN may notify the CN about such capability for the specific UE in signalling towards the CN, as soon as the RAN is aware of the UE capability.

Here CN could be Core Network, or any other entity that initiates the UE

Application Layer Measurement towards RAN, which entity in this disclosure is referred to as a core network node for simplicity.

The RAN, e.g. an RNC in UTRAN, may send the UE Application Layer

Measurement capability to CN that has initiated the UE Application Layer measurement. For example, RNC would indicate the UE Application Layer Measurement Capability when establishing an lu signalling connection between a CN domain and RNC. One example of such implementation is to introduce a new Information Element (IE) "UE Application Layer Measurement Capability" in a so- called INITIAL UE MESSAGE, as shown in Table 1 below.

IE/Group Name Presence Range IE type and Semantics Criticality Assigned reference description Criticality

Message Type M 9.2.1 .1 YES ignore

CN Domain Indicator M 9.2.1 .5 YES ignore

LAI M 9.2.3.6 YES ignore

RAC C - ifPS 9.2.3.7 YES ignore

SAI M 9.2.3.9 YES ignore

NAS-PDU M 9.2.3.5 YES ignore lu Signalling Connection M 9.2.1 .38 YES ignore

Identifier

Global RNC-ID M 9.2.1 .39 If the Extended YES ignore

RNC-ID IE is

included in the

message, the

RNC-ID IE in the

Global RNC-ID

IE shall be

ignored.

GERAN Classmark O 9.2.1 .57 YES ignore

Selected PLMN Identity O 9.2.3.33 YES ignore

NAS Sequence Number O 9.2.3.34 YES ignore

Permanent NAS UE Identity O 9.2.3.1 YES ignore

Redirect Attempt Flag O 9.2.3.50 YES ignore

Extended RNC-ID O 9.2.1 .39a The Extended YES reject

RNC-ID IE shall

be used if the

RNC identity

has a value

larger than

4095.

CSG Id O 9.2.1 .85 YES reject

Cell Access Mode O 9.2.1 .93 YES reject

L-GW Transport Layer O Transport Indicating the YES ignore Address Layer Transport Layer

Address address of the

9.2.2.1 L-GW if the L- GW is co- located with the

RNC. Only

applies to LIPA

operation.

Higher bitrates than 16 O 9.2.3.54 May only be YES ignore

Mbps flag included

towards the PS

domain.

Tunnel Information for BBF O Tunnel Indicating HNB's YES ignore

Information Local IP

9.2.2.6 Address

assigned by the

broadband

access provider,

UDP port

Number.

SIPTO L-GW Transport O Transport Indicating the YES ignore Layer Address Layer Transport Layer

Address address of the

9.2.2.1 L-GW if the L- GW is co- located with the

RNC. Only

applies to

SIPTO@LN

operation.

Table 1 : The added Information Element (IE) called "UE Application Layer Measurement Capability", underlined, can be introduced in TS 25.413 Chapter 9.1.33 in the INITIAL UE MESSAGE as shown in Table 1 . One indication for one type of UE Application Layer Measurement capability could be introduced. For example, a bit map may be used to indicate capability for different kinds of measurements in case there are multiple UE Application Layer Measurements introduced. Each bit in the bit map could then indicate the UE capability for supporting one kind of measurement, although it is also possible to let two or more bits in the bit map indicate the UE capability for supporting a particular kind of measurement, and the usage of a bit map is not limited in this respect. It would also be possible to indicate the UE Application Layer

Measurement Capability information in other messages when applicable, for example, during handover, if such information is not included by other means, for example, if it not included in the RRC container.

According to some examples the UE Application Layer Measurement support capability may be introduced via NAS signalling, i.e. sending information about the UE's measuring capabilities from the UE to CN. Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a signalling procedure where NAS is used for conveying measuring capability information, involving the nodes 100-106 shown in Fig. 1 . In this case, the RNC 104 acts as the radio network node described herein. The user equipment 100 sends measuring capability information (UE capability) in NAS signaling towards the CN 106, which information is first received by the RNC 104 via base station 102 in a first action 2:1. The RNC 104 then forwards, i.e. sends, the measuring capability information to the CN 106 in a next action 2:2. When the measuring capability information indicates that the user equipment 100 supports certain application layer measurements, the CN 106 transmits or initiates a request for application layer measurements to the user equipment 100 which request is received by the RNC 104 in a further action 2:3. The RNC 104 then forwards, i.e. sends, the request for application layer measurements via base station 102 to the user equipment 100 in a final action 2:4. According to some other examples, the UE Application Layer Measurement support capability may be introduced as measuring capability information in UE subscription data. Fig. 3 illustrates another procedure where UE subscription data is used for providing measuring capability information, involving the user equipment 100 and the CN 106 shown in Fig. 1 . A first action 3:1 illustrates that the user equipment 100 provides measuring capability information (UE capability) to a database 108 for UE subscription data where the information is stored.

Another action 3:2 illustrates that the CN 106 obtains the measuring capability information of user equipment 100 by fetching it from the database 108, which may be done at some point when the CN 106 intends to send a request for application layer measurements to the user equipment 100 provided that it supports such application layer measurements. The user equipment 100 may repeat action 3: 1 at any time for update, e.g. when the user equipment has been upgraded or modified in a way that affects its measuring capability.

Upon receiving of the UE measurement capability, CN could then decide to only initiate the UE Application Layer Measurement towards the capable user equipment. It was mentioned above that the user equipment may also provide its measuring capability information in RRC signalling to RAN, and that the RAN may notify the CN about such measuring capability of the user equipment. Fig. 4 illustrates another example signalling procedure where RRC signalling is used for providing measuring capability information, again involving the nodes 100-106 shown in Fig. 1 . In this case, the RNC 104 acts as the radio network node described herein.

The user equipment 100 sends measuring capability information in RRC signalling to RAN, which is received by the RNC 104 via base station 102 in a first action 4:1. The RNC 104 then provides, i.e. sends, the measuring capability information in an Initial UE message to the CN 106 in a next action 4:2. When the measuring capability information in the Initial UE message indicates that the user equipment 100 supports certain application layer measurements, the CN 106 can then initiate a request for application layer measurements to the user equipment 100 which request is received by the RNC 104 in a further action 4:3. The RNC 104 then forwards, i.e. sends, the request for application layer measurements to the user equipment 100 via base station 102 in a final action 4:4.

In either of the procedures illustrated in Figs 2-4, the user equipment 100 provides information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities to the core network node 106 which is then able to transmit to the user equipment 100 a request for application layer measurements when the obtained information indicates that the user equipment 100 supports certain required or wanted application layer measurements. In other words, the core network node 106 will, at some point later when needed or desirable, initiate such a request for application layer

measurements that the user equipment 100 supports while omitting any request for other application layer measurement(s) not supported by the user equipment

100. Since the core network node 106 has gained knowledge about the user equipment's measuring capabilities in any of actions 2:2, 3:2 and 4:2, the core network node 106 can use it at any time for requesting measurements supported by the user equipment 100. An example of how the solution may be employed in terms of actions performed by a user equipment, such as the user equipment 100, is illustrated by the flow chart in Fig. 5, which will be described with further reference to Figs 1 -3. Fig. 5 thus illustrates a procedure in the user equipment 100 for handling application layer measurements by the User Equipment in a communication network.

A first action 500 illustrates that the user equipment 100 provides information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node 106. In different possible procedures, this measuring capability information may be provided via a radio access node 104 e.g. as described above for actions 2: 1 - 2:2 or actions 4: 1 - 4:2, or via a subscription database 108 e.g. as described above for actions 3: 1 - 3:2. Thereby, the core network node 106 is enabled to decide whether to send a measurement request or not to the user equipment 100, based on the provided measuring capabilities. It is assumed that the user equipment 100 is capable of performing certain application layer measurements that the core network node 106 will require as follows.

At some point later, the user equipment 100 receives from the core network node a request for application layer measurements in accordance with said measuring capabilities, in another action 502. This means basically that the received request only refers to such application layer measurements that the user equipment 100 is capable of, i.e. supports, as indicated in the measuring capabilities provided in action 500. This also provides the advantage that any application layer

measurements not supported by the user equipment 100 will not be required in the request, so that no measurement configuration details associated with such unsupported measurements will be transmitted to the user equipment 100 in this action, thereby saving network resources.

Some optional example embodiments that could be used in this procedure in the user equipment 100 will now be described. The measuring capability information could be provided to the core network node in different ways as follows. In one example embodiment, providing said information to the core network node 106 in action 500 may comprise transmitting the information to the core network node in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling, e.g. as described above for action 2: 1 in Fig. 2. In another example embodiment, providing said information to the core network node 106 in action 500 may comprise including the information in subscription data of the User Equipment, e.g. as described above for action 3: 1 in Fig. 3, so that the information can be fetched therefrom by the core network node 106 as in action 3:2 in Fig. 3.

In another example embodiment, providing said information to the core network node may comprise transmitting the information to a radio network node 104 so that the radio network node can forward or send the information to the core network node 106. This means that the radio network node 104 is enabled to transmit the measuring capabilities information via explicit signalling to the core network node 106, e.g. as described above for action 4:2 in Fig. 4. In this case, the information may be transmitted by the user equipment 100 to the radio network node 104 in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling, according to another example embodiment, e.g. as described above for action 4: 1 in Fig. 4. In another example embodiment, the application layer measurements may be related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

An example of how the solution may be employed in terms of actions performed by a core network node, such as the core network node 106, is illustrated by the flow chart in Fig. 6 which will likewise be described below with further reference to Figs 1 -3. Fig. 6 thus illustrates a procedure in the core network node 106 for handling application layer measurements by a user equipment 100 in a

communication network.

A first action 600 illustrates that the core network node 106 obtains information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities. As indicated above, the core network node 106 may receive the measuring capabilities information via explicit signalling from the radio network node 104. For example, although the information could be sent to the core network node 106 from a RAN, the user equipment 100 has to provide this information to RAN in some way, and it is when the information is signalled from the RAN that the core network node 106 is able to understand the information. In another action 602, the core network node 106 checks whether the obtained measuring capability information indicates that the user equipment 100 supports certain wanted application layer measurements or not. If it is determined in action 602 that the user equipment 100 does not support the wanted application layer measurements, The core network node 106 decides, in action 604, to not transmit any request for application layer measurements to the user equipment 100.

On the other hand, if the outcome of action 602 is that the user equipment 100 does support the wanted application layer measurements, the core network node 106 transmits to the user equipment 100 a request for application layer

measurements when the obtained information thus indicates that the user equipment 100 supports said application layer measurements, in a final shown action 606

As explained in the forgoing procedure in the user equipment 100, it is an advantage that no request with measurement configuration details associated with any unsupported measurements will be transmitted to the user equipment 100, e.g. as suggested by action 604, thereby saving network resources which are consumed only when transmitting a request for application layer measurements which are supported by the user equipment 100, as in action 606.

Some optional example embodiments that could be used in the above procedure in the core network node 106 will now be described. It was described above that the measuring capability information could be provided by the user equipment 100 to the core network node in different ways, and the core network node 106 can thus obtain this information in corresponding ways as follows. In one example embodiment, obtaining said information in action 600 may comprise receiving the information from the User Equipment in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling, e.g. as described above for action 2:2 in Fig. 2.

In another example embodiment, the core network node 106 may instead obtain said information from subscription data of the User Equipment, e.g. as described above for action 3:2 in Fig. 3. In another example embodiment, obtaining said information may comprise receiving the information via a radio network node 104, e.g. in a RANAP message or in an S1AP message. In that case, another example embodiment may be that the information is indicated in an INITIAL UE MESSAGE received from the radio network node, e.g. as described above for action 4:2 in Fig. 4. In another example embodiment, if the radio network node 104 is a Radio Network Controller, RNC, the INITIAL UE MESSAGE may be received when establishing an lu signalling connection between a Core Network domain and the RNC. Further, the INITIAL UE MESSAGE may comprise a bit map where each bit in the bit map indicates a capability for supporting a specific kind or type of measurement, according to another example embodiment.

In another example embodiment, the application layer measurements may be related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

An example of how the solution may be employed in terms of actions performed by a radio network node, such as the radio network node 104, is illustrated by the flow chart in Fig 7. which will likewise be described below with further reference to Figs 1 -3. Fig. 7 thus illustrates a procedure in the radio network node 104 for handling application layer measurements by a user equipment 100 in a

communication network. A first action 700 illustrates that the radio network node 104 may receive or otherwise obtain information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities. In this action, said information may be received directly from the user equipment 100 as in either of actions 2: 1 and 4: 1 , or the radio network node 104 may retrieve the measuring capability information from subscription data of the user equipment 100, e.g. from database 108. In another action 702, the radio network node 104 forwards, i.e. sends, the information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node 106. As indicated above, the radio network node 104 may send the measuring capabilities information via explicit signalling to the core network node 106. A further action 704 illustrates that the radio network node 104 may receive from the core network node 106 a request for application layer measurements, which request is directed to the user equipment 100. In another action 706, the radio network node 104 forwards, i.e. sends, the request from the core network node for application layer measurements to the user equipment 100, when the user equipment 100 supports said application layer measurements.

As explained in the forgoing procedures in the user equipment 100 and in the core network node 106, respectively, it is an advantage that no request with

measurement configuration details associated with any unsupported

measurements will be forwarded to the user equipment 100, thereby saving network resources which are only consumed when forwarding/sending a request for application layer measurements which are supported by the user equipment 100, as in action 706.

Some optional example embodiments that could be used in the above procedure in the radio network node 104 will now be described. It was described above that the measuring capability information could be provided by the user equipment 100 and obtained by the core network node 106 in different ways, and the radio network node 104 may handle this information in corresponding ways as follows.

In one example embodiment, the radio network node 104 may forward said information to the core network node in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling.

In another example embodiment, the radio network node 104 may receive the information from the user equipment 100 in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling. It is also possible that the radio network node 104 retrieves the information from subscription data in a database 108, as mentioned above for action 700. In either case, another example embodiment may be that the information is forwarded/sent by the radio network node 104 to the core network node in an INITIAL UE MESSAGE.

In another example embodiment, the radio network node 104 may be a Radio Network Controller, RNC, and may transmit the INITIAL UE MESSAGE to the core network node 106 when establishing an lu signalling connection between a Core Network domain and the RNC. In another example embodiment, the INITIAL UE MESSAGE may comprise a bit map where each bit in the bit map indicates a capability for supporting a specific kind or type of measurement. In another example embodiment, the application layer measurements may be related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

The block diagram in Fig. 8 illustrates a detailed but non-limiting example of how a user equipment 800, a core network node 802 and a radio network node 804, respectively, may be structured to bring about the above-described solution and embodiments thereof. In this figure, the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 may be configured to operate according to any of the examples and embodiments of employing the solution as described herein, where appropriate. Each of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 is shown to comprise a processor "P", a memory "M" and a communication circuitry "CC" with suitable equipment for transmitting and receiving information and messages in the manner described herein.

The communication circuitry CC in each of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 thus comprises equipment configured for communication with each other using suitable protocols and messages for the communication depending on the implementation. The solution is however not limited to any specific types of protocols and messages.

In more detail, the user equipment 800 may include radio circuitry RC (or "radio module") to communicate with radio network nodes and/or other user equipments, the memory M (or "memory module") to store information and a processing unit (or

"processing module") illustrated as the processor P. The radio circuitry RC is configured to transmit information of the user equipment measurement capabilities to a core network node 802 and to receive a user equipment specific

measurement request according to the transmitted measurement capabilities from the core network node. Further, the core network node 802 includes communication circuitry CC (or "communication module") to communicate with other core network nodes and radio network nodes, the memory M (or "memory module") to store information and a processing unit (or "processing module"). The communication circuitry CC is configured to receive information of user equipment specific measurement capabilities from one or more user equipment and to transmit specific

measurement requests to the one or more user equipment supporting the specific measurement capabilities.

Further, the radio network node 804 may include communication circuitry CC (or "communication module") to communicate with other radio network nodes and core network nodes, memory (or "memory module") to store information and a processing unit (or processing module). When the network node is a base station, such as Node B, eNB or gNB, it includes radio circuitry RC (or "radio module") to communicate with one or more served user equipment. The communication circuitry CC is configured to forward, i.e. send, information of user equipment specific measurement capabilities from one or more user equipment 800 to a core network node 802, wherein the information of user equipment specific

measurement capabilities is received by the radio circuitry (or radio module). The radio circuitry RC is configured to forward/send specific measurement requests to the one or more user equipment supporting the specific measurement capabilities from the core network node, wherein the measurement requests are received by the communication circuitry CC.

The user equipment 800 is, e.g. by means of units, modules or the like, configured or arranged to perform the actions of the flow chart in Fig. 5 and as follows, e.g. for saving network resources. Further, the core network node 802 is, e.g. by means of units, modules or the like, configured or arranged to perform at least some of the actions of the flow chart in Fig. 6 and as follows. Further, the radio network node 804 is, e.g. by means of units, modules or the like, configured or arranged to perform at least some of the actions of the flow chart in Fig. 7 and as follows.

The user equipment 800 is arranged to handle application layer measurements the user equipment in a communication network. The user equipment 800 is configured to provide information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node. This operation may be performed by a

providing module 800A in the user equipment 800, as illustrated in action 500.

The user equipment 800 is also configured to receive from the core network node a request for application layer measurements in accordance with said measuring capabilities. This receiving operation may be performed by a receiving module 800B in the user equipment 800, as illustrated in action 502. The providing module 800A could alternatively be named a sending module or reporting module.

The core network node 802 is arranged to handle application layer measurements by a user equipment in a communication network. The core network node 802 is configured to obtain information about the user equipment's measuring

capabilities. This operation may be performed by an obtaining module 802A in the core network node 802, as illustrated in action 600. The obtaining module 802A could alternatively be named a receiving module or retrieving module. The core network node 802 is also configured to transmit to the user equipment a request for application layer measurements when the obtained information indicates that the user equipment supports said application layer measurements. This transmitting operation may be performed by a transmitting module 802B in the core network node 802, as illustrated in action 606. The radio network node 804 is arranged to handle application layer measurements by a user equipment in a communication network. The radio network node 804 is configured to forward, i.e. send, information about the user equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node. This operation may be performed by a first forwarding module 804A in the radio network node 804, as illustrated in action 702.

The radio network node 804 is also configured to forward, i.e. send, a request for application layer measurements to the user equipment from the core network node when the user equipment supports said application layer measurements. This operation may be performed by a second forwarding module 804B in the radio network node 804, as illustrated in action 706. The forwarding modules 804A-B could alternatively be named sending modules or providing modules.

It should be noted that Fig. 5 illustrates various functional modules in the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804, respectively, and the skilled person is able to implement these functional modules in practice using suitable software and hardware equipment. Thus, the solution is generally not limited to the shown structures of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804, and the functional modules therein may be configured to operate according to any of the features, examples and embodiments described in this disclosure, where appropriate.

The functional modules 800A-B, 802A-B and 804A-B described above may be implemented in the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804, respectively, by means of program modules of a respective computer program comprising code means which, when run by the processor P causes the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 to perform the above-described actions and procedures. Each processor P may comprise a single Central Processing Unit (CPU), or could comprise two or more processing units. For example, each processor P may include a general purpose microprocessor, an instruction set processor and/or related chips sets and/or a special purpose microprocessor such as an Application Specific

Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Each processor P may also comprise a storage for caching purposes.

Each computer program may be carried by a computer program product in each of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 in the form of a memory having a computer readable medium and being connected to the processor P. The computer program product or memory M in each of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 thus comprises a computer readable medium on which the computer program is stored e.g. in the form of computer program modules or the like. For example, the memory M in each node may be a flash memory, a Random-Access

Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM) or an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), and the program modules could in alternative embodiments be distributed on different computer program products in the form of memories within the respective user equipment 800, core network node 802 and radio network node 804. The solution described herein may be implemented in each of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions according to any of the above embodiments and examples, where appropriate. The solution may also be implemented at each of the user equipment 800, the core network node 802 and the radio network node 804 in a carrier containing the above computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

An example interface protocol structure towards a Packet Switched (PS) domain is illustrated in Fig. 9, which protocol structure may be used when any of the above examples and procedures are employed.

An example architecture involving communication over an lu interface between a radio network (UTRAN) and a core network (CN), is illustrated in Fig. 10, which architecture may be used when any of the above examples and procedures are employed.

While the solution has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments, the description is generally only intended to illustrate the inventive concept and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the solution. For example, the terms "user equipment", "radio network node", "core network node", "application layer measurement", "measuring capabilities", "Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling" and "Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling" have been used throughout this disclosure, although any other corresponding entities, functions, and/or parameters could also be used having the features and characteristics described here. The solution is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A method performed by a User Equipment (100) for handling application layer measurements by the User Equipment in a communication network, the method comprising: - providing (500) information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node (106), and

- receiving (502) from the core network node a request for application layer measurements in accordance with said measuring capabilities.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing said information to the core network node comprises transmitting the information to the core network node in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing said information to the core network node comprises including the information in subscription data of the User Equipment.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing said information to the core network node comprises transmitting the information to a radio network node (104) so that the radio network node can forward the information to the core network node.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the information is transmitted to the radio network node in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling.

6. A method according to any of claims 1 -5, wherein the application layer measurements are related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

7. A User Equipment (800) arranged to handle application layer

measurements by the User Equipment in a communication network, wherein the User Equipment is configured to: - provide (800A) information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node (106), and

- receive (800B) from the core network node a request for application layer measurements in accordance with said measuring capabilities.

8. A User Equipment (800) according to claim 7, wherein the User

Equipment is configured to provide said information to the core network node by transmitting the information to the core network node in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling.

9. A User Equipment (800) according to claim 7, wherein the User

Equipment is configured to provide said information to the core network node by including the information in subscription data of the User Equipment.

10. A User Equipment (800) according to claim 7, wherein the User

Equipment is configured to provide said information to the core network node by transmitting the information to a radio network node (104) so that the radio network node can forward the information to the core network node.

1 1 . A User Equipment (800) according to claim 10, wherein the User Equipment is configured to transmit the information to the radio network node in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling.

12. A User Equipment (800) according to any of claims 7-1 1 , wherein the application layer measurements are related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

13. A method performed by a core network node (106) for handling application layer measurements by a User Equipment (100) in a communication network, the method comprising: - obtaining (600) information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities, and - transmitting (606) to the User Equipment a request for application layer measurements when the obtained information indicates that the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein obtaining said information comprises receiving the information from the User Equipment in Non-Access

Stratum, NAS, signalling.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the information is obtained from subscription data of the User Equipment.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein obtaining said information comprises receiving the information via a radio network node (104).

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the information is indicated in an INITIAL UE MESSAGE received from the radio network node.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the radio network node is a Radio Network Controller, RNC, and the INITIAL UE MESSAGE is received when establishing an lu signalling connection between a Core Network domain and the RNC.

19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the INITIAL UE

MESSAGE comprises a bit map where each bit in the bit map indicates a capability for supporting a specific kind or type of measurement.

20. A method according to any of claims 13-19, wherein the application layer measurements are related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

21 . A core network node (802) arranged to handle application layer measurements by a User Equipment (800) in a communication network, wherein the core network node is configured to: - obtain (802A) information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities, and - transmit (802B) to the User Equipment a request for application layer

measurements when the obtained information indicates that the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements.

22. A core network node (802) according to claim 21 , wherein the core network node is configured to obtain said information by receiving the information from the User Equipment in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling.

23. A core network node (802) according to claim 21 , wherein the core network node is configured to obtain the information from subscription data of the User Equipment.

24. A core network node (802) according to claim 21 , wherein the core network node is configured to obtain said information by receiving the information via a radio network node (104).

25. A core network node (802) according to claim 24, wherein the core network node is configured to receive from the radio network node an INITIAL UE MESSAGE in which the information is indicated.

26. A core network node (802) according to claim 25, wherein the radio network node is a Radio Network Controller, RNC, and the core network node is configured to receive the INITIAL UE MESSAGE when establishing an lu signalling connection between a Core Network domain and the RNC.

27. A core network node (802) according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the INITIAL UE MESSAGE comprises a bit map where each bit in the bit map indicates a capability for supporting a specific kind or type of measurement.

28. A core network node (802) according to any of claims 21 -27, wherein the application layer measurements are related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

29. A method performed by a radio network node (104) for handling application layer measurements by a User Equipment (100) in a communication network, the method comprising: - forwarding (702) information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node (106), and

- forwarding (706) a request for application layer measurements to the User Equipment from the core network node when the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said information is forwarded to the core network node in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling.

31 . A method according to claim 29, wherein the information is received from the User Equipment in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling.

32. A method according to claim 31 , wherein the information is forwarded to the core network node in an INITIAL UE MESSAGE.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the radio network node is a Radio Network Controller, RNC, and the INITIAL UE MESSAGE is transmitted to the core network node when establishing an lu signalling connection between a Core Network domain and the RNC.

34. A method according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the INITIAL UE

35. A method according to any of claims 29-34, wherein the application layer measurements are related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

36. A radio network node (804) arranged to handle application layer measurements by a User Equipment (800) in a communication network, wherein the radio network node is configured to:

- forward (804A) information about the User Equipment's measuring capabilities to a core network node (802), and - forward (804B) a request for application layer measurements to the User

Equipment from the core network node when the User Equipment supports said application layer measurements.

37. A radio network node (804) according to claim 36, wherein the radio network node is configured to forward said information to the core network node in Non-Access Stratum, NAS, signalling.

38. A radio network node (804) according to claim 36, wherein the radio network node is configured to receive the information from the User Equipment in Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling.

39. A radio network node (804) according to claim 38, wherein the radio network node is configured to forward the information to the core network node in an INITIAL UE MESSAGE.

40. A radio network node (804) according to claim 39, wherein the radio network node is a Radio Network Controller, RNC, and the radio network node is configured to transmit the INITIAL UE MESSAGE to the core network node when establishing an lu signalling connection between a Core Network domain and the RNC.

41 . A radio network node (804) according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the INITIAL UE MESSAGE comprises a bit map where each bit in the bit map indicates a capability for supporting a specific kind or type of measurement.

42. A radio network node (804) according to any of claims 36-41 , wherein the application layer measurements are related to Quality of Experience, QoE, in the User Equipment.

43. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of claims 1 -6, or the method according to any of claims 13-20, or the method according to any of claims 29-35.

44. A carrier containing the computer program of claim 43, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.