A1 policy functions for open radio access network (O-RAN) systems
The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising: memory to store policy statement information for a plurality of radio access network (RAN) automation applications (rApps); and processing circuitry, coupled with the memory, to: retrieve the policy statement information from the memory, wherein the policy statement information includes respective policy scope identifiers for respective rApps in the plurality of rApps; identify a conflict associated with common or overlapping policy scope identifiers between two or more rApps from the plurality of rApps; modify one or more A1 policies associated with an A1 interface connecting a non-real-time (non-RT) RAN intelligence controller (RIC) and a near-real-time (near-RT) RIC to resolve the conflict; and notify the two or more rApps of the modification of the one or more A1 policies.
1. An apparatus comprising:
memory to store policy statement information for a plurality of radio access network (RAN) automation applications (rApps); and
processor circuitry, coupled with the memory, to:
retrieve the policy statement information from the memory, wherein the policy statement information includes respective policy scope identifiers for respective rApps in the plurality of rApps;
identify a conflict associated with common or overlapping policy scope identifiers between two or more rApps from the plurality of rApps;
modify one or more A1 policies associated with an A1 interface connecting a non-real-time (non-RT) RAN intelligence controller (RIC) and a near-real-time (near-RT) RIC to resolve the conflict; and
notify the two or more rApps of the modification of the one or more A1 policies.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to:
track an enforcement status of an A1 policy created in the non-RT RIC; and
notify an rApp subscribed to the tracked A1 policy when the enforcement status of the tracked A1 policy changes.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to track a supported A1 policy type for each of a plurality of near-RT RICs.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processor circuitry is to notify an rApp of a supported A1 policy type for a near-RT RIC based on a policy identifier.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processor circuitry is to notify an rApp of a change in supported policy types for a near-RT RIC.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to generate an A1-related service that includes: a RAN intent discovery service, an A1 policy management service, or an A1 policy type discovery service.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to:
receive a supported A1 policy types query request via an R1 termination; and
in response to the supported A1 policy types query request, send a query response that includes an indication of supported A1 policy types to a policy generation rApp via the R1 termination.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to:
receive an A1 policy feedback message from the near-RT RIC via an A1 termination to indicate a change of A1 policy enforcement status; and
send a notification of the A1 policy enforcement status change to a policy generation rApp via an R1 termination.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to:
receive an A1 policy modification request from a policy generation rApp via an R1 termination;
update an A1 policy over the A1 interface based on the A1 policy modification request; and
send an A1 policy modification response to the policy generation rApp via the R1 termination.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further to:
receive an A1 policy deletion request from a policy generation rApp via an R1 termination;
remove an A1 policy over the A1 interface based on the A1 policy deletion request; and
send an A1 policy deletion response to the policy generation rApp via the R1 termination.
11. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause an A1 policy function to:
identify a conflict associated with common or overlapping policy scope identifiers between two or more radio access network (RAN) automation applications (rApps) from a plurality of rApps based on policy statement information that includes respective policy scope identifiers for respective rApps in the plurality of rApps;
modify one or more A1 policies associated with an A1 interface connecting a non-real-time (non-RT) RAN intelligence controller (RIC) and a near-real-time (near-RT) RIC to resolve the conflict; and
notify the two or more rApps of the modification of the one or more A1 policies.
12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the media further stores instructions to:
track an enforcement status of an A1 policy created in the non-RT RIC; and
notify an rApp subscribed to the tracked A1 policy when the enforcement status of the tracked A1 policy changes.
13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the media further stores instructions to:
track a supported A1 policy type for each of a plurality of near-RT RICs; and
notify an rApp of a supported A1 policy type for a near-RT RIC based on a policy identifier; or
notify an rApp of a change in supported policy types for a near-RT RIC.
14. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the media further stores instructions to:
receive a supported A1 policy types query request via an R1 termination; and
in response to the supported A1 policy types query request, send a query response that includes an indication of supported A1 policy types to a policy generation rApp via the R1 termination.
15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the media further stores instructions to:
receive an A1 policy feedback message from the near-RT RIC via an A1 termination to indicate a change of A1 policy enforcement status; and
send a notification of the A1 policy enforcement status change to a policy generation rApp via an R1 termination.
16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the media further stores instructions to:
receive an A1 policy modification request from a policy generation rApp via an R1 termination;
update an A1 policy over the A1 interface based on the A1 policy modification request; and
send an A1 policy modification response to the policy generation rApp via the R1 termination.
17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the media further stores instructions to generate an A1-related service that includes: a RAN intent discovery service, an A1 policy management service, or an A1 policy type discovery service.
18. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause an A1 policy function to:
identify a conflict associated with common or overlapping policy scope identifiers between two or more radio access network (RAN) automation applications (rApps) from a plurality of rApps based on policy statement information that includes respective policy scope identifiers for respective rApps in the plurality of rApps;
modify one or more A1 policies associated with an A1 interface connecting a non-real-time (non-RT) RAN intelligence controller (RIC) and a near-real-time (near-RT) RIC to resolve the conflict;
notify the two or more rApps of the modification of the one or more A1 policies; and
track a supported A1 policy type for each of a plurality of near-RT RICs, and either: notify an rApp of a supported A1 policy type for a near-RT RIC based on a policy identifier, or notify an rApp of a change in supported policy types for a near-RT RIC.
19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the media further stores instructions to send, to an rApp via an R1 termination, one or more of;
an indication of a change in an enforcement status of a tracked A1 policy;
an indication of supported A1 policy types; and
a notification of an A1 policy enforcement status change.
20. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the media further stores instructions to generate an A1-related service that includes: a RAN intent discovery service, an A1 policy management service, or an A1 policy type discovery service.