22.2.3 Applicability Reporting

For UE-side model, the gNB provides inference configuration or inference related parameters based on UE supported functionalities. The UE reports its applicable functionalities, inapplicable functionalities with its preference to release the configuration and subsequent changes of applicability status of functionalities to gNB. The basic procedure of applicability reporting is described in Figure 22.2.3-1.

1. The gNB may inquire about the UE capability information.

2. If the gNB inquires the UE capability information then the UE indicates its supported AI/ML functionalities to the gNB via UECapabilityInformation message.

3. The gNB may provide inference configuration with Network-side additional conditions (i.e., associated ID) to UE via CSI report configuration or inference related parameters configuration.

4. The UE determines the applicable AI/ML functionalities based on Network-side additional conditions (if provided), UE-side additional conditions (internally known by UE) and model availability in the UE.

NOTE 1: If the gNB does not provide the associated ID, it is up to UE implementation how to determine the applicability.

5. The UE reports its functionality applicability in RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

6. When the inference configuration consists of periodic CSI report configuration, upon reporting the applicable functionalities, the UE autonomously activates the applicable AI/ML functionalities. When the inference configuration consists of semi-persistent CSI reporting and/or aperiodic CSI report configuration, upon reporting the applicable AI/ML functionalities, semi-persistent CSI reporting can be activated by MAC CE/DCI and aperiodic CSI reporting can be activated by DCI.

7. When applicability of the functionality changes, the UE can report updated functionality applicability status in UEAssistanceInformation message. When an activated AI/ML functionality becomes inapplicable, the UE does not autonomously deactivate it, but the UE indicates to the gNB the change in the applicability. Upon reception of UE indication of the functionality becoming inapplicable, the gNB should deactivate or release this activated functionality.

NOTE 2: Upon receiving one or more inference configuration(s), UE maintains all the inference configuration(s) no matter the inference configuration is applicable or inapplicable until the gNB releases it.

During handover, the UE may receive the inference configuration related to the target gNB via handover command. Then the UE reports its applicable/inapplicable AI/ML functionalities to the target gNB after the handover completion.

NOTE 3: UAI can be sent from the source gNB to the target gNB to exchange applicability reporting referring to the configurations from the source gNB. The source gNB can send to the target gNB applicability information referring to the configurations from the source gNB, via handover preparation information message.

UE can also report functionality applicability during RRC connection resume procedure.