Signaling slice information to the device

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) that receives dedicated signaling and broadcast signaling to communicate slice information to the device. The dedicated signaling includes, for each of one or more frequencies, an identifier of a slice group supported by that frequency and a cell reselection priority that corresponds to the slice group. These cell reselection priorities override or supersede the cell reselection priorities received in the broadcast signaling. Other information received in the broadcast signaling, including an allowed list (listing one or more cells that support the slice group) or an excluded list (listing one or more cells that do not support the slice group), is used for slice-based cell reselection.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63 / 324,385, filed Mar. 28, 2022, entitled "Signaling Slice Information to a Device," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to signaling network slice information to devices such as user equipment (UE). [Background technology]

[0003] A wireless communication system may include one or more network communication devices, such as base stations, which may in some cases be referred to as eNodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), or other suitable terminology. Each network communication device, such as a base station, may support wireless communication for one or more user communication devices, which may in some cases be referred to as user equipment (UE) or other suitable terminology. A wireless communication system may support wireless communication with one or more user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system, such as time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subslots, minislots, aggregated slots, subframes, frames, etc.) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers). Additionally, a wireless communication system may support wireless communication across various RATs, including third-generation (3G) radio access technologies (RATs), fourth-generation (4G) RATs, fifth-generation (5G) RATs, and other suitable RATs beyond 5G. In some cases, a wireless communication system may be a non-terrestrial network (NTN), which may support various communication devices for wireless communication in an NTN. For example, NTNs may include network entities onboard non-terrestrial vehicles, such as satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and high-altitude platforms systems (HAPS), as well as terrestrial network entities, such as gateway entities capable of transmitting and receiving over long distances.

[0004] The wireless communication system may support network slicing, which refers to a network architecture in which multiple logical networks are multiplexed onto a physical network infrastructure. Different network slices (also referred to simply as slices) may be suitable for different use cases, such as supporting different quality of service (QoS) levels or requirements. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS38.304, 5.2.4.6, “Intra-frequency and equal priority inter-frequency Cell Reselection criteria” Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and system that supports signaling of slice information to a device. In one or more implementations, the dedicated signaling includes, for each of one or more frequencies, an identifier of a slice group supported by the frequency and a cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group. These cell reselection priorities override or replace the cell reselection priorities received in the broadcast signaling. Other information received in the broadcast signaling, including an allow list (listing one or more cells that support the slice group) or an exclusion list (listing one or more cells that do not support the slice group), is used for slice-based cell reselection. If a frequency is identified only in one of the dedicated signaling and the broadcast signaling, the cell reselection priority corresponding to that frequency may be used, regardless of whether the cell reselection priority was identified in the dedicated signaling or in the broadcast signaling.

[0007] By utilizing the described techniques, a device (e.g., a UE) can perform slice-based cell reselection despite receiving slice information via dedicated signaling and broadcast signaling, as well as any ambiguity or inconsistency that may exist due to receiving slice information via the two types of signaling.

[0008] Some implementations of the methods and apparatus described herein may include wireless communication in a device (e.g., a UE), where the device receives first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; receives second signaling from the base station using dedicated signaling indicating second slice information identifying the one or more slice groups supported by the frequency; generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information; and performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list.

[0009] In some implementations of the methods and apparatus described herein, the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, and the device further generates the combined slice information by including the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group but not the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group in the combined slice information. Additionally or alternatively, the device further generates the combined slice information by including the first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group in the combined slice information. Additionally or alternatively, the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the device or by at least one neighboring cell. Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling comprises a radio resource control (RRC) release message. Additionally or alternatively, the first cell list is an allowance list that lists one or more cells that support one or more slice groups. Additionally or alternatively, the first cell list is an exclusion list that lists one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups. Additionally or alternatively, the first signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies.Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, the first set of multiple frequencies including a particular frequency not included in the second set of multiple frequencies, and the device further performs slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list without considering the particular frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, the first cell list being one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list being the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the device further performs slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list.Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, the first cell list being one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list being the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the device further determines that a best ranked cell for the frequency is not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, and in response to the best ranked cell for the frequency being not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, collects cell system information for the best ranked cell and performs slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best ranked cell.

[0010] Some implementations of the methods and apparatus described herein may include wireless communication in a device (e.g., a base station), where the device transmits first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list to a UE using broadcast signaling, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, and transmits second signaling indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency to the UE using dedicated signaling.

[0011] In some implementations of the methods and apparatus described herein, the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell. Additionally or alternatively, the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group. Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling comprises an RRC release message. Additionally or alternatively, the first cell list is an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups. Additionally or alternatively, the first cell list is an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups. Additionally or alternatively, the first signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequencies. Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, and the first set of multiple frequencies includes a particular frequency not included in the second set of multiple frequencies.Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling further receives a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allowed list or the excluded list.

[0012] Various aspects of the present disclosure for signaling slice information to a device are described with reference to the following figures, in which the same numbers may be used throughout to refer to like features and components shown in the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports signaling of slice information to devices in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] A diagram showing an example of cell and frequency deployment as it relates to signaling slice information to devices. [Diagram 3] A diagram illustrating an example of transmitting dedicated information and broadcast information to a UE that supports signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of slice information for dedicated signaling to support signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] A figure showing an example of slice information for broadcast signaling to support signaling of slice information to devices according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an example block diagram of components of a device (e.g., a UE) that supports signaling of slice information to the device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 illustrates an example block diagram of components of a device (e.g., a base station) that supports signaling of slice information to the device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart of a method for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart of a method for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart of a method for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart of a method for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Implementations of signaling slice information to devices, such as UEs, are described, such as those involving using dedicated and broadcast signaling to communicate slice information to devices. The dedicated signaling includes, for each of one or more frequencies, an identifier of a slice group supported by that frequency and a cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group. These cell reselection priorities override or replace the cell reselection priorities received in the broadcast signaling. Other information received in the broadcast signaling, including an allowed list (listing one or more cells that support the slice group) or an excluded list (listing one or more cells that do not support the slice group), is used for slice-based cell reselection. Having the allowed or excluded list in the broadcast signaling alleviates the need to duplicate the list in the dedicated signaling, reducing the amount of signaling provided to the UE, especially in situations where the list is unlikely to change for different UEs.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, if a frequency is identified only in one of the dedicated signaling and the broadcast signaling, the cell reselection priority corresponding to that frequency may be used, regardless of whether the cell reselection priority was identified in the dedicated signaling or the broadcast signaling.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, information in the dedicated signaling takes precedence over information in the broadcast signaling. For example, if one or more slice groups supported by a particular frequency are identified in the broadcast signaling, but no slice groups for that particular frequency are included in the dedicated signaling, the UE may not consider that particular frequency as an available frequency for slice-based cell reselection or may consider that particular frequency as the frequency with the lowest priority.

[0017] Thus, using the techniques described herein, a device (e.g., a UE) can perform slice-based cell reselection despite receiving slice information via dedicated signaling and broadcast signaling, as well as any ambiguity or inconsistency that may exist due to receiving slice information via the two types of signaling. This allows for efficient signaling from a network perspective, since the network does not need to repeat information from the broadcast signaling in the dedicated signaling, and additionally provides flexibility to the network operator, since the network operator can signal in the dedicated signaling information that is most relevant to a particular UE that is different from what was signaled in the broadcast.

[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated and described with reference to device diagrams and flow charts relating to signaling slice information to a device.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting signaling of slice information to devices according to aspects of the disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 102, one or more UEs 104, and a core network 106. The wireless communication system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a 4G network, such as an LTE network or an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a 5G network, such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network. The wireless communication system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. Additionally, the wireless communication system 100 may support technologies such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), or code division multiple access (CDMA).

[0020] One or more base stations 102 may be distributed throughout a geographic region to form a wireless communication system 100. One or more of the base stations 102 described herein may be, include, or be referred to as a base transceiver station, access point, Node B, eNode B (eNB), next generation Node B (gNB), radio head (RH), relay node, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or other suitable terminology. The base stations 102 and the UEs 104 may communicate over a communication link 108, which may be a wireless connection or a wired connection. For example, the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 may perform wireless communication over an NR-Uu interface.

[0021] A base station 102 may provide a geographic coverage area 110 for which the base station 102 may support services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc.) for one or more UEs 104 within the geographic coverage area. For example, the base station 102 and the UEs 104 may support wireless communication of signals related to services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc.) according to one or more radio access technologies. In some implementations, the base station 102 may be mobile, such as when implemented as a gNB mounted on a satellite or other non-terrestrial station (NTS) associated with a non-terrestrial network (NTN). In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with the same or different radio access technologies may overlap, and different geographic coverage areas 110 may be associated with different base stations 102. The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0022] One or more UEs 104 may be distributed throughout a geographic region or coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100. The UEs 104 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, a customer premise equipment (CPE), a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology. In some implementations, the UEs 104 may be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. Additionally or alternatively, the UEs 104 may be referred to as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet-of-Everything (IoE) device, or a Machine-Type Communications (MTC) device, among other examples. In some implementations, the UEs 104 may be stationary within the wireless communication system 100. In other implementations, the UEs 104 may be mobile within the wireless communication system 100, such as an earth station in motion (ESIM).

[0023] One or more UEs 104 may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 104 are shown in FIG. 1. The UE 104 may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as base stations 102, other UEs 104, or network equipment (e.g., a core network 106, relay devices, gateway devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, location servers implementing a location management function (LMF), or other network equipment). Additionally or alternatively, the UE 104 may support communication with other base stations 102 or UEs 104 that may act as relays in the wireless communication system 100.

[0024] The UE 104 may also support direct wireless communication with other UEs 104 via the communication link 112. For example, the UE 104 may support direct wireless communication with another UE 104 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), or cellular V2X deployments, the communication link 112 may be referred to as a sidelink. For example, the UE 104 may support direct wireless communication with another UE 104 via a PC5 interface.

[0025] A base station 102 may support communication with the core network 106, or with another base station 102, or both. For example, a base station 102 may interface with the core network 106 through one or more backhaul links 114 (e.g., via an S1, N2, or other network interface). The base stations 102 may communicate with each other through the backhaul links 114 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or another network interface). In some implementations, the base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., between the base stations 102). In some other implementations, the base stations 102 may communicate with each other indirectly (e.g., via the core network 106). In some implementations, one or more base stations 102 may include sub-components such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). The ANC may communicate with one or more UEs 104 through one or more other access network transmission entities, which may be referred to as remote radio heads, smart radio heads, gateways, transmit receive points (TRPs), as well as other network nodes and / or entities.

[0026] The core network 106 may support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 106 may be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or 5G Core (5GC) that may include control plane entities (e.g., Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)) that manage access and mobility, as well as user plane entities (e.g., Serving Gateway (S-GW), Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW), or User Plane Function (UPF)) that route packets or interconnect to external networks. In some implementations, the control plane entities may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for one or more UEs 104 served by one or more base stations 102 associated with the core network 106.

[0027] According to an implementation, one or more of the UE 104 and the base station 102 are operable to perform various aspects of signaling slice information to devices as described herein. For example, the base station 102 can communicate dedicated slice information 116 and broadcast slice information 118, both of which include various information regarding slices in the wireless communication system 100, such as information for facilitating slice selection or slice reselection. The dedicated slice information 116 is slice information targeted or intended for a single UE 104, while the broadcast slice information 118 is slice information targeted or intended for multiple UEs 104. The UE 104 receives and uses the dedicated slice information 116 and the broadcast slice information 118 to perform a slice reselection process 120 as described in more detail below.

[0028] In an aspect of the present disclosure, supporting slice-based cell reselection, including specifying mechanisms and signaling, is taken into consideration. This may include supporting cell reselection, broadcasting supported slice information of the current serving cell and neighboring cells, and cell reselection priority per slice in a system information (SI) message. To support cell reselection, for example, slice information (having similar information as in the SI message) can be included in the RRCRelease message. A neighboring cell refers to a cell near the current serving cell, and may become the new current serving cell as a result of cell reselection.

[0029] In aspects of the present disclosure, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network (TSG RAN), 3GPP TSG RAN WG2 (RAN2), is taken into consideration, which may include slice single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) based cell reselection, for example, as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.331.

[0030] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into consideration that the UE 104 determines the frequency priority order according to the following rules: These rules may include at least one of: considering the slice / slice group priority provided by the NAS, frequencies supporting slices / slice groups with higher priority have a higher slice-based frequency priority than frequencies supporting slices / slice groups with lower priority, among frequencies supporting slices / slice groups with the same priority, the UE should follow the slice-specific frequency priority received in the SIB or RRCRelease (if configured), among frequencies supporting the same slice / slice group, frequencies that are not configured with a slice-specific reselection priority should be considered as a lower priority than other frequencies configured with a slice-specific reselection priority, frequencies supporting any slice / slice group have a higher slice-based frequency priority than frequencies that do not support any of the slices / slice groups, or for frequencies that do not support any slice / slice group, the UE should follow the legacy cell reselection priority received in the FFS when only legacy priorities are received in the SIB, RRCRelease.

[0031] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into account that when the UE 104 is configured with slice-specific frequency priorities via the RRCRelease message, the UE 104 must ignore all slice-specific priorities provided in the system information, which may include applying legacy cell reselection frequency priorities in the SIB.

[0032] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into account that when a UE is configured with slice-based dedicated priorities, when the UE 104 is unable to find a suitable cell using any cell reselection priorities (including slice-based and legacy (non-slice-based) priorities), the legacy procedure (i.e., the UE 104 first enters any cell selection state and performs cell selection) should be reused.

[0033] In aspects of the present disclosure, it is taken into account that inter-RAT frequencies are not configured with slice-specific frequency priorities, but inter-RAT frequencies may be considered using legacy cell reselection frequency priorities after all NR frequencies that support any slice / slice group.

[0034] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into consideration that slice-specific cell reselection information provided by the network in the SIB is slice group specific. This may include:

[0035] In an aspect of the present disclosure, reusing the legacy T320 timer for slice-specific frequency priority in RRCRelease is taken into consideration.

[0036] In aspects of the disclosure, RAN sharing can be supported for slice-based cell reselection, and random access channel (RACH) by network implementation (e.g., dedicated priority in RRCRelease) is taken into account. This may include not having a defined Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) specific reselection priority or RACH configuration, or may include having something extra in the RACH (which may not be important for WI completion).

[0037] Aspects of the present disclosure take into account that frequencies may be sorted multiple times or only once, or this is up to the implementation of the UE 104.

[0038] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into consideration that slice group-specific cell reselection information is provided by the network in the RRCRelease. This may include:

[0039] Aspects of the present disclosure take into account that re-sorting is defined as a change in frequency priority for re-selection of some frequencies that requires the UE 104 to re-sort an ordered list of frequencies, which may include the principle for slice-specific re-selection, and that change in priority for slice-specific re-selection does not impact existing RAN4 radio resource management (RRM) requirements.

[0040] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into account that when the UE 104 performs slice-based cell reselection and the highest ranked cell of the frequency according to neighbor cell information does not support the highest priority slice supported by that frequency, re-sorting is applied.

[0041] Aspects of the present disclosure take into account that the UE 104 behavior for frequencies determined to be "equal priority" is specified similarly to the UE behavior for the case of equal priority NR frequencies in 5.2.4.6 of 3GPP TS38.304 ("Intra-frequency and equal priority inter-frequency Cell Reselection criteria").

[0042] In an aspect of the present disclosure, it is taken into consideration that a Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) list per frequency per slice group may be provided in the system information.

[0043] Aspects of the present disclosure take into account that the network (e.g., base station 102) can indicate whether the PCI list is a blocked list ("cells that do not support the corresponding slice group") or an allowed list ("cells that support the corresponding slice group").

[0044] In aspects of the present disclosure, the assumption that mapping of slices to slice groups for cell reselection is per tracking area (TA) is taken into account.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a cell and frequency deployment 200 as it relates to signaling slice information to a device. With reference to FIG. 2, the example cell and frequency deployment 200 includes a cell currently serving a UE 104 on a frequency f0, illustrated as a serving cell 202. A number of neighboring cells are also illustrated with the abbreviation "N-Cellx," where "x" is a number. Neighboring cell 204 is illustrated as operating on a frequency f1, neighboring cell 206 is illustrated as operating on a frequency f1, neighboring cell 208 is illustrated as operating on a frequency f2, neighboring cell 210 is illustrated as operating on a frequency f2, neighboring cell 212 is illustrated as operating on a frequency f3, and neighboring cell 214 is illustrated as operating on a frequency f3. In aspects of the present disclosure, the rules and discussions above and elsewhere herein govern how a UE 104 performs slice-based reselection.

[0046] The UE 104 is given one or more slice groups by its NAS. Each slice group may contain one or more slices. These slice groups may have different priorities, and the UE 104 aims to reselect the cell that supports the slice group with the highest priority. For this purpose, the UE 104 uses information including the slices / slice groups supported in neighboring cells. For this purpose, slice reselection information (also called slice info) is used. Slice info is defined as a frequency priority mapping (slice group → frequency → absolute priority of each of the frequencies) to each of the slice groups, and thus consists of these three elements (slice group, frequency, and absolute frequency priority). The absolute priority of the frequency is also called CellReselectionPriority (CRP) or CellReselectionSubPriority. In the description herein, reference to CRP may refer to CellReselectionPriority, CellReselectionSubPriority, or both CellReselectionPriority and CellReselectionSubPriority.

[0047] Slice information (for slices or slice groups) may be provided using either or both broadcast signaling and dedicated signaling. Absolute priority of different NR or inter-RAT frequencies may be provided to the UE in the system information in the RRCRelease message or by inheriting from another RAT in inter-RAT cell (re)selection. In the case of system information, an NR or inter-RAT frequency may be listed without providing a priority (i.e., the field cellReselectionPriority is not present for that frequency). If any field with cellReselectionPriority is provided in dedicated signaling, the UE shall ignore any field with cellReselectionPriority and any slice reselection information provided in the system information. If slice reselection information is provided in dedicated signaling, the UE shall ignore slice reselection information provided in the system information (e.g., System Information Block (SIB)).

[0048] Aspects of the present disclosure include a solution for describing whether and how information provided in the RRCRelease overrides information provided in the SIB. This includes slice-specific reselection information, existing / legacy cellReselectionPriority. Aspects of the present disclosure include a solution for describing whether providing a PCI list is done in the RRCRelease, and if so, what the UE 104 behavior is (e.g., which cell list the UE 104 uses). The PCI list includes one or both of an allowed list (listing one or more cells that support the slice group) or an excluded list (listing one or more cells that do not support the slice group).

[0049] The cell identity information provided by the serving cell can be extremely signaling inefficient, since there can be as many as 96 such entries (12 cells * 8 frequencies) of at least 10 bits of cell identity information, especially if this information is repeated in both broadcast and dedicated signaling.

[0050] In one solution, slice support information for each cell in each neighboring frequency is provided by the serving cell using both broadcast and dedicated signaling. However, this solution can be highly signaling inefficient, since there may be as many as 96 such entries (12 cells * 8 frequencies) of 10-bit cell identity for which slice group support would need to be indicated, and much of this information may be duplicated. If this information is repeated in both the broadcast and dedicated signaling, this solution is even more signaling inefficient.

[0051] Although portions of this disclosure may only mention "slice" or "slice group," the disclosed methods, implementations, or techniques are equally applicable to both "slice" and "slice group." A slice group consists of one or more slices, where one slice belongs to one and only one slice group for cell reselection purposes (so there may be another slice to slice group mapping for RACH configuration and partitioning purposes), and each slice group is uniquely identified by a slice group identifier. This can avoid issuing slice identification information (S-NSSAI) in system information (e.g., due to security issues and system information size issues). Such slice grouping and slice group identification information signaling can be indicated, for example, in NAS signaling to the UE 104.

[0052] 3 illustrates an example 300 of transmitting dedicated and broadcast information to a UE that supports signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the disclosure. Both the dedicated and broadcast information may include a portion of the slice information to the UE 104. In the example 300, a network 302 (e.g., a network device such as a base station 102) and a UE 104 transmit signals to each other. An RRC connection 304 is established between the network 302 and the UE 104. The network 302 uses direct signaling, illustrated as an RRCRelease message 306, to transmit the slice information to the UE 104. The network 302 also uses broadcast signaling 308 to transmit the slice information to the UE 104.

[0053] In one or more implementations, the RRCRelease message 306 includes only sliceGroup-CRPs for one or more frequencies. These sliceGroup-CRPs override or replace the priorities received in the broadcast message signaling 308 for the corresponding slice group frequency pairs. All other information, including the allowed (sliceAllowCellListNR) and blocked (sliceExcludeCellListNR) cell lists, is taken from the broadcasted information (broadcast signaling 308). For a frequency (or frequencies) that appears only in one of the lists (i.e., in the RRCRelease message 306 or in the broadcast signaling 308), the frequency is retained by the UE 104 (e.g., the frequency priority corresponding to that frequency is used, regardless of whether the received information is from the RRCRelease message 306 or the broadcast signaling 308).

[0054] 4 illustrates an example 400 of slice information for dedicated signaling to support signaling of slice information to devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in example 400, the slice information for dedicated signaling includes a sequence of multiple frequencies along with an indication of one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies and cell reselection priorities corresponding to the slices.

[0055] In the example 400, some information elements are indicated as optional and have corresponding codes, such as "-- Need R." These corresponding codes indicate the behavior of the UE 104 in situations where the corresponding data is not included in the dedicated signaling. For example, such corresponding codes may indicate to the UE 104 to continue using whatever data the UE 104 already has for that information element, to delete any data the UE 104 already has for that information element, etc. Any of a variety of codes may be used as described in 3GPP TS 38.331.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates an example 500 of slice information for broadcast signaling supporting signaling of slice information to devices according to an aspect of the disclosure. As illustrated in example 500, slice information for broadcast signaling includes a sequence of multiple frequencies along with an indication of one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice. The slice information for broadcast signaling also includes an allowed list (listing one or more cells that support the slice group) or an excluded list (listing one or more cells that do not support the slice group). The excluded list may also be referred to as a blocked list or blocked list corresponding to each frequency. In one or more implementations, the broadcast signaling may include an allowed list or an excluded list for each frequency, but not both lists. Alternatively, the broadcast signaling may include both an allowed list and an excluded list for each frequency.

[0057] In example 500, some information elements are indicated as optional and have corresponding codes, such as "-- Need R." These corresponding codes indicate the behavior of the UE 104 in situations where the corresponding data is not included in the broadcast signaling. For example, such corresponding codes may indicate to the UE 104 to continue using whatever data the UE 104 already has for that information element, to delete any data the UE 104 already has for that information element, etc. Any of a variety of codes may be used as described in 3GPP TS 38.331.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 3, in one or more implementations, the RRCRelease message 306 includes only sliceGroup-CRPs for one or more frequencies. These sliceGroup-CRPs override or replace the priorities received in the broadcast signaling 308 for the corresponding slice group frequency pairs. All other information, including the allowed (sliceAllowCellListNR) and blocked (sliceExcludeCellListNR) cell lists, is taken from the broadcasted information in the broadcast signaling 308. For a frequency (or frequencies) that does not appear in the RRCRelease message 306, the frequency (or frequencies) is not considered for cell reselection or is considered the lowest priority frequency. For example, the UE 104 assumes that the network 302 does not want the UE 104 to use the frequency (or frequencies) because the frequency (or frequencies) was not included in the dedicated signaling for the UE 104.

[0059] In one or more implementations, if a cell list exists in both the dedicated signaling and the broadcast signaling, the cell list (exclusion list or allowed list) for a slice group frequency pair received in the dedicated signaling is used. However, if one of these signalings (dedicated or broadcast) provides one type of list (e.g., cells 1, 2 in the allowed list) and the other signaling (broadcast or dedicated) provides another type of list (e.g., cell 5 in the excluded list), or vice versa, both received lists may be used simultaneously. That is, the UE 104 reselects the best ranked cell in a frequency if the cell is listed in the allowed list. However, if the best (radio) ranked cell (e.g., based on RSRP or RSRQ measurements) is listed in the excluded list, the UE 104 does not consider any more frequencies for slice-based reselection until a reselection to another cell has occurred, or until the NAS-to-AS information for the slice group has changed, or until the slice information from the broadcast signaling has changed. In addition, the UE 104 may need to collect system information for a cell that does not appear in either of the lists if such a cell is the best (radio) ranked cell for that frequency.

[0060] For example, assume that the best ranked cell for a frequency is cell_B, meaning that cell_B has the highest RSRP or RSRQ measurement in that frequency. However, if it happens that cell_B was included in the exclusion list, meaning that this frequency slice group pair that UE 104 was expecting to find for it on that frequency is not supported by this particular cell, the frequency may be supported by other cells, but unfortunately cell_B does not support that frequency. Therefore, UE 104 will not consider that frequency any more for slice-based reselection until reselection to another cell has occurred, or the NAS to AS information for slice groups has changed, or the slice information from broadcast signaling has changed. Therefore, UE 104 will not consider that frequency for slice-based reselection until at least one of these three things has changed.

[0061] As another example, the slice information may not include information for a particular cell. For example, assume that the best ranked cell is cell_D, but neither the slice information in the RRCRelease message 306 nor the slice information in the broadcast signaling 308 includes information about cell_D. In such a situation, the UE 104 collects system information in cell_D (e.g., from cell_D) to obtain slice information for cell_D.

[0062] Therefore, using the techniques described herein, in one or more implementations, a new signaling method for signaling slice information is disclosed. Additionally or alternatively, optimal cell list signaling and corresponding UE behavior are described. Additionally or alternatively, when a cell is listed in the exclusion list, UE behavior when the best ranked cell in the frequency is described.

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a block diagram 600 of a device 602 supporting signaling of slice information to the device according to aspects of the disclosure. The device 602 may be an example of a UE 104 as described herein. The device 602 may support wireless communication and / or network signaling with one or more base stations 102, other UEs 104, network entities and devices, or any combination thereof. The device 602 may include components for bidirectional communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 604, a processor 606, a memory 608, a receiver 610, a transmitter 612, and an I / O controller 614. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses).

[0064] The communications manager 604, the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the disclosure as described herein. For example, the communications manager 604, the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0065] In some implementations, the communications manager 604, the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing functions described in this disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 606 and a memory 608 coupled to the processor 606 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor 606 executing instructions stored in the memory 608).

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the communications manager 604, the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by the processor 606. When implemented in code executed by the processor 606, the functions of the communications manager 604, the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0067] In some implementations, the communications manager 604 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or both. For example, the communications manager 604 may receive information from the receiver 610, transmit information to the transmitter 612, or may be integrated in combination with the receiver 610, the transmitter 612, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein. Although the communications manager 604 is illustrated as a separate component, in some implementations, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 604 may be supported or performed by the processor 606, the memory 608, or any combination thereof. For example, the memory 608 may store code, which may include instructions executable by the processor 606 to cause the device 602 to perform various aspects of the disclosure as described herein, or the processor 606 and the memory 608 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0068] For example, the communications manager 604 may support wireless communications and / or network signaling in a device (eg, device 602, UE) according to examples as disclosed herein. The communications manager 604 and / or other device components may be configured as or otherwise support an apparatus, such as a UE, including a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver, where the processor and transceiver are configured to cause the apparatus to: receive first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; receive second signaling from the base station using dedicated signaling indicating second slice information identifying the one or more slice groups supported by the frequency; generate combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information; and perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list.

[0069] Additionally, the apparatus (e.g., UE) may include any one or combination of: wherein the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group of the one or more slice groups for the frequency; and wherein the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group; and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the apparatus to generate combined slice information by including in the combined slice information the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group; and wherein the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the apparatus to generate combined slice information by including in the combined slice information the first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group; and wherein the first slice information is selected by a current serving cell for the apparatus or at least one neighboring cell; the first cell list is an allowance list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, and the first cell list is an exclusion list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the first signaling indicates first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of a plurality of frequencies, the first slice information identifying the one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, and the second signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a second set of a plurality of frequencies, the first slice information identifying the one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, andand identifying a first one or more cells supporting one or more slice groups for the frequencies, where the first set of the plurality of frequencies includes a particular frequency not included in the second set of the plurality of frequencies, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the apparatus to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list without considering the particular frequency, where the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the apparatus to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list. and wherein the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the apparatus to determine that a best ranked cell for the frequency is not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, in response to the best ranked cell for the frequency being not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, collect cell system information for the best ranked cell, and perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best ranked cell.

[0070] The communications manager 604 and / or other device components may be configured with or otherwise support a means for wireless communications and / or network signaling in a UE, including receiving first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; receiving second signaling from the base station using dedicated signaling indicating second slice information identifying the one or more slice groups supported by the frequency; generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information; and performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list.

[0071] Additionally, the wireless communication and / or network signaling in the UE may include any one or combination of: the first slice information including a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency; and the second slice information including a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, further including generating the combined slice information by including the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group but not the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group in the combined slice information; and further including generating the combined slice information by including a first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group in the combined slice information, wherein the first slice information includes a frequency priority map for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell or by at least one neighboring cell for an apparatus implementing the method. the second signaling comprises a RRCRelease message, where the first cell list is an allowance list listing one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is an exclusion list listing one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, where the first signaling indicates first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying the first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, where the second signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying the first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, whereThe first set of the plurality of frequencies includes a particular frequency not included in the second set of the plurality of frequencies, and the method further includes performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list without considering the particular frequency, where the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the method further includes performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list, where the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups. and a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support the slice group, where the first cell list is one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the slice group or groups, or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support the slice group or groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the method further includes determining that a best ranked cell for the frequency is not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, collecting cell system information for the best ranked cell in response to the best ranked cell for the frequency being not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, and performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best ranked cell.

[0072] The processor 606 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the processor 606 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 606. The processor 606 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 608) to cause the device 602 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0073] The memory 608 may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 608 may store computer-readable computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 606, cause the device 602 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 606, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 608 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS), which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0074] The I / O controller 614 may manage input and output signals for the device 602. The I / O controller 614 may also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into the device 602. In some implementations, the I / O controller 614 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some implementations, the I / O controller 614 may utilize an operating system, such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another operating system known. In some implementations, the I / O controller 614 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 606. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 602 through the I / O controller 614 or through hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 614.

[0075] In some implementations, the device 602 may include a single antenna 616. However, in some other implementations, the device 602 may have two or more antennas 616 that may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions in parallel. The receiver 610 and the transmitter 612 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 616, a wired link, or a wireless link as described herein. For example, the receiver 610 and the transmitter 612 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to the one or more antennas 616 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from the one or more antennas 616.

[0076] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a block diagram 700 of a device 702 supporting signaling of slice information to the device according to aspects of the disclosure. The device 702 may be an example of a base station 102, such as a gNB as described herein. The device 702 may support wireless communication and / or network signaling with one or more base stations 102, other UEs 104, core network devices and functions (e.g., core network 106), or any combination thereof. The device 702 may include components for bidirectional communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 704, a processor 706, a memory 708, a receiver 710, a transmitter 712, and an I / O controller 714. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses).

[0077] The communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the disclosure as described herein. For example, the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0078] In some implementations, the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing functions described in this disclosure. In some implementations, the processor 706 and a memory 708 coupled to the processor 706 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor 706 executing instructions stored in the memory 708).

[0079] Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by the processor 706. When implemented in code executed by the processor 706, the functions of the communications manager 704, the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0080] In some implementations, the communications manager 704 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or both. For example, the communications manager 704 may receive information from the receiver 710, transmit information to the transmitter 712, or may be integrated in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 712, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein. Although the communications manager 704 is illustrated as a separate component, in some implementations, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 704 may be supported or performed by the processor 706, the memory 708, or any combination thereof. For example, the memory 708 may store code, which may include instructions executable by the processor 706 to cause the device 702 to perform various aspects of the disclosure as described herein, or the processor 706 and the memory 708 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0081] For example, the communications manager 704 may support wireless communications and / or network signaling in a device (e.g., device 702, a base station) according to examples as disclosed herein. The communications manager 704 and / or other device components may be configured as or otherwise support an apparatus, such as a base station, including a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver, where the processor and transceiver are configured to cause the apparatus to transmit first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list to a UE using broadcast signaling, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, and to transmit second signaling indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency to the UE using dedicated signaling.

[0082] Additionally, the apparatus (e.g., a base station) may further include any one or combination of: the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell, where the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, where the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, where the first cell list is an allowance list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is an exclusion list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, where the first signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of a plurality of frequencies, and the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell, where the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of the plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell, where the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, where the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, where the first cell list is an allowance list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, and where the first cell list is an exclusion list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency, where the second signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of a plurality of frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifying the first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency, where the first set of a plurality of frequencies includes a particular frequency not included in the second set of a plurality of frequencies, where the second signaling further receives a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is one of an allowance list listing one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups or an exclusion list listing one or more cells not supporting the one or more slice groups, and the second cell listThe other of the allow list or the exclude list.

[0083] The communications manager 704 and / or other device components may be configured as or otherwise support a means for wireless communications and / or network signaling at the base station, including transmitting first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list to a user equipment (UE) using broadcast signaling, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, and transmitting second signaling indicating second slice information identifying the one or more slice groups supported by the frequency to the UE using dedicated signaling.

[0084] Additionally, the wireless communication in the base station includes any one or combination of: first slice information including a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell, where the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, where the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, where the first cell list is an allowance list listing one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is an exclusion list listing one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, where the first signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of a plurality of frequencies, and the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell, where the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of the plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell, where the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, where the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, where the first cell list is an allowance list listing one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, and where the first cell list is an exclusion list listing one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency, where the second signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of a plurality of frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifying the first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency, where the first set of a plurality of frequencies includes a particular frequency not included in the second set of a plurality of frequencies, where the second signaling further receives a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is one of an allowed list listing one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups or an excluded list listing one or more cells not supporting the one or more slice groups, and the second cell listThe other of the allow list or the exclude list.

[0085] The processor 706 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, the processor 706 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other implementations, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 706. The processor 706 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 708) to cause the device 702 to perform various functions of the present disclosure.

[0086] The memory 708 may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 708 may store computer-readable computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed by the processor 706, cause the device 702 to perform various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some implementations, the code may not be directly executable by the processor 706, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform the functions described herein. In some implementations, the memory 708 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS), which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0087] The I / O controller 714 may manage input and output signals for the device 702. The I / O controller 714 may also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into the device 702. In some implementations, the I / O controller 714 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some implementations, the I / O controller 714 may utilize an operating system, such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another operating system known. In some implementations, the I / O controller 714 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 706. In some implementations, a user may interact with the device 702 through the I / O controller 714 or through hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 714.

[0088] In some implementations, the device 702 may include a single antenna 716. However, in some other implementations, the device 702 may have two or more antennas 716 that may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions in parallel. The receiver 710 and the transmitter 712 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 716, a wired link, or a wireless link as described herein. For example, the receiver 710 and the transmitter 712 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to the one or more antennas 716 for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from the one or more antennas 716.

[0089] 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method 800 for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 800 may be performed and executed by a device or components thereof, such as the UE 104 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0090] At 802, the method may include receiving first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, the first slice information indicating one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list indicating a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups. The operations of 802 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 802 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0091] At 804, the method may include receiving, from a base station using dedicated signaling, second signaling indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency. The operations of 804 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 804 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0092] At 806, the method may include generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information. The operations of 806 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 806 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0093] At 808, the method may include performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list. The operations of 808 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 808 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0094] 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method 900 for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 900 may be performed and implemented by a device or components thereof, such as the UE 104 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0095] At 902, the method may include, the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group of the one or more slice groups for a frequency. The operations of 902 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 902 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0096] At 904, the method may include, the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group. The operations of 904 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 904 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0097] At 906, the method may include generating the combined slice information by including in the combined slice information a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group. The operations of 906 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 906 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0098] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1000 for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1000 may be performed and executed by a device or components thereof, such as the UE 104 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0099] At 1002, the method may include that the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups. The operations of 1002 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1002 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0100] At 1004, the method may include the first cell list being one of an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an excluded list that lists one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list being the other of the allowed list or the excluded list. The operations of 1004 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1004 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0101] At 1006, the method may include performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list. The operations of 1006 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1006 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0102] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1100 for supporting signaling of slice information to a device according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1100 may be implemented and performed by a device or components thereof, such as a base station 102 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0103] At 1102, the method may include transmitting first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list to the UE using broadcast signaling, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency and the first cell list identifies a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups. The operations of 1102 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1102 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0104] At 1104, the method may include transmitting, using dedicated signaling, second signaling to the UE indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency. The operations of 1104 may be performed according to examples as described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1104 may be performed by a device as described with reference to FIG.

[0105] It should be noted that the methods described herein represent possible implementations, and that operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined. The order in which the methods are described is not to be construed as limiting, and any number of the described method operations, or combinations of the described method operations, may be performed in any order to perform the method or alternative methods.

[0106] The various example blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core), or any other such configuration.

[0107] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0108] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Flash memory, Compact Disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or a general purpose or special purpose processor.

[0109] Any connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of computer-readable media. As used herein, disk and disc include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0110] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items ended by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, such as, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, a list of one or more of A, B, or C means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, a list of one or more of A, B, or C means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase "based on" is not to be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" shall be interpreted similarly to the phrase "based at least in part on." Additionally, as used herein, including in the claims, a "set" may include one or more elements.

[0111] The description set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings describes exemplary configurations and does not necessarily represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for the purposes of providing an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0112] The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 Wireless communication system 102 Base station 104 User Equipment (UE) 106 Core Network 108 Communication Links 110 Geographic Coverage Areas 112 Communication Links 114 Backhaul Link 116 Dedicated Slice Information 118 Broadcast slice information 120 Slice Reselection Process 200 Cell and Frequency Deployment 202 Serving Cell 204 adjacent cells 206 adjacent cells 208 adjacent cells 210 adjacent cells 212 adjacent cells 214 adjacent cells 302 Network 304 RRC Connection 306 RRCRelease Message 308 Broadcast Signaling 602 Devices 604 Communications Manager 606 Processor 608 Memory 610 Receiver 612 Transmitter 614 I / O Controller 616 Antenna 702 devices 704 Communications Manager 706 Processor 708 Memory 710 Receiver 712 Transmitter 714 I / O Controller 716 Antenna

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to: receiving, from a base station using broadcast signaling, first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by a frequency, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; receiving second signaling from the base station using dedicated signaling, the second signaling indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency; generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information; performing a slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list. U.E.

2. The first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to a slice group of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, and the at least one processor is configured to send to the UE: and generating the combined slice information by including in the combined slice information the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group instead of the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group. The UE of claim 1.

3. The at least one processor may further include: Further configured to generate the combined slice information by including the first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information, except for the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, in the combined slice information. The UE of claim 2.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell.

5. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the second signaling comprises a radio resource control (RRC) release message.

6. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first cell list is an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups.

7. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first cell list is an exclusion list that lists one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups.

8. 2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, and the first cell list identifying the first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies.

9. The second signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a second set of a plurality of frequencies, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequencies, the first cell list identifying the first one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups for the frequencies, the first set of a plurality of frequencies including a particular frequency not included in the second set of a plurality of frequencies, and the at least one processor transmits to the UE: and performing a slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list without considering the particular frequency. The UE of claim 8.

10. the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, the first cell list being one of an allowed list that lists the one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists the one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list being the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the at least one processor is configured to send to the UE: and performing a slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list. The UE of claim 1.

11. the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, the first cell list being one of an allowed list that lists the one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups or an excluded list that lists the one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list being the other of the allowed list or the excluded list, and the at least one processor is configured to send to the UE: determining that a best ranked cell for the frequency is not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list; in response to the best ranked cell for the frequency being not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, collecting cell system information for the best ranked cell; performing a slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best ranked cell. [0023] further configured to cause The UE of claim 10.

12. A base station for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor providing to the base station: transmitting first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list to a user equipment (UE) using broadcast signaling, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by a frequency, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; and transmitting, using dedicated signaling, second signaling to the UE indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency. Base station.

13. 13. The base station of claim 12, wherein the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell.

14. 13. The base station of claim 12, wherein the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group among the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group.

15. The base station of claim 12, wherein the first cell list is an allowed list that lists one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups.

16. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, the first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by a frequency, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; receiving second signaling from the base station using dedicated signaling, the second signaling indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency; generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information; performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list; A method comprising:

17. A processor for wireless communication, comprising: at least one controller coupled to at least one memory, the processor comprising: receiving, from a base station using broadcast signaling, first signaling indicating first slice information and a first cell list, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by a frequency, and the first cell list identifying a first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups; receiving second signaling from the base station using dedicated signaling, the second signaling indicating second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the frequency; generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information; performing a slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list. Processor.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group, and the at least one controller causes the processor to: and generating the combined slice information by including in the combined slice information the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group instead of the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group.

20. The processor of claim 17.

19. The processor of claim 17, wherein the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by a current serving cell for the UE or by at least one neighboring cell.

20. The processor of claim 17, wherein the second signaling comprises a radio resource control (RRC) release message.

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