Method and apparatus for controlling user devices within a network

Abstract

Techniques are provided for controlling the behavior of a user device with respect to cells within a slice network. For example, a method for controlling a user device is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by the user device, a configuration message from a network node, where the configuration message indicates whether to perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and performing, by the user device, cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to a wireless communication system that enables controlling the behavior of user devices with respect to cells within a network. Even more particularly, the present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for controlling user devices.

Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems are constantly being developed. Higher data rates and high service quality are constantly being demanded. The requirements for reliability are continuously increasing, and methods and means for ensuring reliable connections and data traffic while minimizing transmission delays are constantly being developed.

[0003] Developing a network enables new services for customers. One such service is network slicing, which enables providing connectivity, service quality, and data processing solutions tailored to the requirements of specific customers. A network slice is a logical end-to-end virtual network that can be created dynamically and provides specific capabilities and characteristics. Multiple network slices can be created on a common shared physical network infrastructure to run services that may have different requirements with respect to latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility. For example, in 5G, network slicing becomes an important function for supporting different services using the same underlying mobile network infrastructure.

[0004] The use of network slices may require techniques for controlling the reselection or random access behavior of cells specific to the network slice.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a user device is provided. The method includes receiving, by the user device, a configuration message from a network node, wherein the configuration message indicates whether to perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and performing, by the user device, a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message.

[0006] The method in the user device according to the first aspect may be used to selectively enable / disable at least one of a cell reselection procedure and a random access procedure to control the behavior of the user device.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the configuration message may include at least one of a first indication indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups and a second indication indicating whether to perform a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the configuration message may include a single indication including a first bit indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups and a second bit indicating whether to perform a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0009] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the method comprises: determining by the user device whether the configuration message includes priority information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures; deriving, in response to determining that the priority information exists, that the configuration message indicates that the user device should perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and deriving, in response to determining that the priority information does not exist, that the configuration message indicates that the user device should not perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the configuration message may include network slice access stratum group (NASG) information for one or more single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) within the configured NSSAI.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the configuration message may be a registration approval message or a configuration command message.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the user device may comprise a first layer for receiving the configuration message and a second layer for performing cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In such an embodiment, the method may further comprise providing, by the first layer to the second layer, information for selectively enabling or disabling performing cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. For example, the first layer may include a non-access stratum layer, and the second layer may include an access stratum layer.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the user device may include a first layer that receives a configuration message, and a second layer that performs cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In such embodiments, the method may include providing, by the first layer, information regarding cell reselection procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer when the configuration message suggests that cell reselection procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups need to be performed; and providing, by the first layer, information regarding random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer when the configuration message suggests that random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups need to be performed. For example, the first layer may include a non-access stratum layer, and the second layer may include an access stratum layer.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method may further include sending, by the user device, capability information indicating support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to a network node. The configuration message may be received in response to sending the capability information, and may indicate whether to enable or disable cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures supported by the user device.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a user device is provided. The method comprises sending, by a network node, a configuration message to the user device, wherein the configuration message indicates whether the user device should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and performing, by the network node, together with the user device, a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message.

[0016] The method at the network node according to the second aspect may be used to selectively enable / disable at least one of a cell reselection procedure and a random access procedure so as to control the behavior of the user device.

[0017] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the configuration message may include at least one of a first indication indicating whether a cell reselection procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed, and a second indication indicating whether a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed.

[0018] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the configuration message may include a single indication including a first bit indicating whether a cell reselection procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed, and a second bit indicating whether a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed.

[0019] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the method comprises the network node sending a configuration message including priority information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures, indicating that the user device should perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and the network node sending a configuration without including the priority information, indicating that the user device should not perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0020] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the configuration message may include network slice access stratum group (NASG) information for one or more single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) within the configured NSSAI.

[0021] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the configuration message may be a registration approval message or a configuration command message.

[0022] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method may further comprise the network node receiving from the user device capability information indicating support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. The configuration message is sent in response to receiving the capability information and may indicate whether to enable or disable cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures supported by the user device.

[0023] In some embodiments of the first and second aspects, the user device may include a user equipment (UE), and the network node may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) of the network. For example, the network may support network slicing.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product may include instructions that cause a computer to execute, when the computer program product is executed by the computer, the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or an embodiment of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium may store the computer program product of the third aspect.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a data carrier signal carrying the computer program product of the fourth aspect is provided.

[0027] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a user device is provided.

[0028] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the user device may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The computer program code, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the user device to receive a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message indicating whether a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed; and cause the user device to perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message.

[0029] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a user device may comprise means adapted to receive a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message indicating whether cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures should be performed taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and means adapted to perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message.

[0030] According to a sixth aspect, the behavior of the user device may be controlled to selectively enable / disable at least one of cell reselection procedures and random access procedures.

[0031] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the configuration message may include at least one of a first indication indicating whether cell reselection procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed, and a second indication indicating whether random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed.

[0032] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the configuration message may include a single indication including a first bit indicating whether cell reselection procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed, and a second bit indicating whether random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed.

[0033] In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, when the computer program code is executed on at least one processor, it causes the user device to determine whether the configuration message includes priority information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures; in response to determining that the priority information exists, it causes the configuration message to indicate that cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed; and in response to determining that the priority information does not exist, it may cause the configuration message to indicate that cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups should not be performed.

[0034] In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the user device comprises means adapted to determine whether the configuration message includes priority information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and in response to determining that the priority information exists, to derive that the configuration message indicates that cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups should be performed; and in response to determining that the priority information does not exist, to derive that the configuration message indicates that cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups should not be performed.

[0035] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the configuration message may include network slice access stratum group (NASG) information for one or more single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) within the configured NSSAI.

[0036] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the configuration message may be a registration approval message or a configuration command message.

[0037] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the user device may include a first layer that receives configuration messages and a second layer that performs cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In such embodiments, the computer program code may cause the first layer to provide information to the second layer for selectively enabling or disabling the user device to perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures when executed by at least one processor. For example, the first layer may include a non-access stratum layer, and the second layer may include an access stratum layer. Further, in such embodiments, the user device may include means adapted to provide, by the first layer, information for selectively enabling or disabling the user device to perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer. For example, the first layer may include a non-access stratum layer, and the second layer may include an access stratum layer.

[0038] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the user device may include a first layer that receives a configuration message and a second layer that performs cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In such embodiments, when the configuration message suggests that cell reselection procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups need to be performed by the user device when the computer program code is executed by at least one processor, the first layer is caused to provide information regarding the cell reselection procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer; when the configuration message suggests that random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups need to be performed, the first layer may be caused to provide information regarding the random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer. Further, in such embodiments, the user device includes means adapted to provide, by the first layer, information regarding cell reselection procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer when the configuration message suggests that cell reselection procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups need to be performed; and means adapted to provide, by the first layer, information regarding random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups to the second layer when the configuration message suggests that random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups need to be performed. For example, the first layer may include a non-access stratum layer, and the second layer may include an access stratum layer.

[0039] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the computer program code is executed on at least one processor, the user device may cause the network node to send capability information indicating support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. A configuration message may be received in response to sending the capability information, and may indicate whether the cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures supported by the user device should be enabled or disabled.

[0040] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the user device may comprise means adapted to send to the network node capability information indicating support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. A configuration message may be received in response to sending the capability information, and may indicate whether the cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures supported by the user device should be enabled or disabled.

[0041] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided.

[0042] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the network device may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The computer program code, when executed on at least one processor, causes the network device to cause the user device to send a configuration message, the configuration message indicating whether the user device should perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and to perform, together with the user device, cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups in accordance with the configuration message.

[0043] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a network device may comprise means adapted to send a configuration message to a user device, the configuration message indicating whether the user device should perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and means adapted to perform, together with the user device, cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups in accordance with the configuration message.

[0044] According to a seventh aspect, a network node may selectively control the behavior of a user device to enable / disable at least one of cell reselection procedures and random access procedures.

[0045] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the configuration message may include at least one of a first indication indicating whether to perform cell reselection procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and a second indication indicating whether to perform random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0046] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the configuration message may include a single indication including a first bit indicating whether to perform cell reselection procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and a second bit indicating whether to perform random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0047] In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, when the computer program code is executed on at least one processor, the network device sends a configuration message including priority information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures to cause the user device to perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups; and sends a configuration without priority information to indicate that the user device should not perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

[0048] In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the network device may include means adapted to indicate that the user device should perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups by sending a configuration message including priority information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures; and means adapted to indicate that the user device should not perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups by sending a configuration without priority information.

[0049] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the configuration message may include network slice access stratum group (NASG) information for one or more single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) within the configured NSSAI.

[0050] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the configuration message may be a registration approval message or a configuration command message.

[0051] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, when the computer program code is executed on at least one processor, the network device may cause the user device to receive from the user device capability information indicating support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. The configuration message may be sent in response to receiving the capability information and may indicate whether the cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures supported by the user device should be enabled or disabled.

[0052] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the network device may comprise means adapted to receive from the user device capability information indicating support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. The configuration message may be sent in response to receiving the capability information and may indicate whether the cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures supported by the user device should be enabled or disabled.

[0053] In some embodiments of the sixth and seventh aspects, the user device may include a user equipment (UE), and the network node may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) of the network. For example, the network may support network slicing.

[0054] The above aspects and features may be implemented in a system, apparatus, method, article, and / or non-transitory computer-readable medium according to a desired configuration. The present disclosure may be implemented in and / or used with several different types of devices including, but not limited to, any of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable computing device, a portable media player, and various other computing devices.

[0055] This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the aspects and features according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, it will be understood that the above features are merely examples and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.

[0056] List of Abbreviations In the present disclosure, the following abbreviations are used and should be understood according to the given definitions: AMF Access and Mobility Management Function AS Access Stratum CN Core Network NAS Non-AS NSAG Network Slice AS Group NSSAI Network Slice Selection Assistance Information RA Random Access RAN Radio Access Network S-NSSAI Single NSSAI UE User Equipment

[0057] The present disclosure can be better understood when the following detailed description of various embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0058]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] Before explaining the examples in detail, in order to assist in understanding the technology underlying the examples being described, certain general principles of wireless communication systems and mobile communication devices are briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 3.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless communication system 100 provides wireless access to mobile communication devices, user devices, user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 via at least one base station (e.g., next-generation NB, gNB), a similar wireless transmission and / or reception node, or a network node. The base station may be controlled or assisted by at least one suitable controller device to enable its operation and management of the mobile communication devices communicating with the base station. The controller device may be located within a radio access network (RAN) (e.g., wireless communication system 100) or a core network (CN) (not shown), may be implemented as a single central device, or its functions may be distributed across several devices. The controller device may be part of the base station and / or may be provided by a separate entity such as a radio network controller (RNC). In FIG. 1, control devices 108 and 109 for controlling respective macro-level base stations 106 and 107 are shown. The control devices of the base stations may be interconnected with other control entities. The control device is typically provided with a memory capacity and at least one data processor. The control device and functions may be distributed among multiple control units. In some systems, the control device may be provided within the RNC as an addition or alternative.

[0061] In FIG. 1, base stations 106 and 107 are shown connected to a wider communication network 113 via a gateway 112. Additional gateway functions may be provided to connect to another network.

[0062] As used herein, the term "base station" has its ordinary broadest meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station that is installed at a fixed location and used for communication as part of a wireless telephone system or a wireless system. The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station may be referred to as a "cell". The base station and the UE may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wireless communication technologies, or telecommunications standards described below. As shown in FIG. 1, one of the base stations may act as the "serving cell" of the UE, but each UE may be capable of receiving signals from one or more other cells, which may be referred to as "neighboring cells" (which may, in some cases, be within the communication range), that may be provided by the base station and / or any other base station.

[0063] For example, the small base stations 116, 118, and 120 may also be connected to the network 113 by means of a separate gateway function and / or via a controller of the macro-level station. The base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be, for example, pico-level or femto-level base stations. In the example, the stations 116 and 118 are connected via the gateway 111, while the station 120 is connected via the controller device 108. In some embodiments, small stations may not be provided. The small base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be part of a second network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), or may be a WLAN access point (AP). The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA) or wideband CDMA (WCDMA (registered trademark)). Other non-limiting examples include time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and various forms of FDMA such as interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA), and the like.

[0064] An example of a wireless communication system is an architecture standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). The latest 3GPP-based developments are often referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. The various development stages of 3GPP specifications are called releases. The more recent developments of LTE are often referred to as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). LTE (or LTE-A) employs a radio mobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and a core network known as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The base stations of such a system are known as evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs), and provide E-UTRAN functions such as user plane packet data convergence (PDCP) / radio link control (RLC) / medium access control (MAC) / physical layer protocol (PHY) and control plane radio resource control (RRC) protocol terminations for communication devices. Other examples of radio access systems include those provided by base stations of systems based on technologies such as WLAN and / or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax). The base stations can provide coverage for the entire cell or a similar radio service area. The core network elements include a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), and a packet gateway (P-GW).

[0065] An example of a suitable communication system is the concept of 5G or NR. The network architecture in NR may be similar to that of LTE-A. The base station of the NR system may be known as the next-generation Node B (gNB). The changes to the network architecture may depend on various radio technologies and the need to support finer-grained quality of service (QoS) support, as well as some on-demand requirements for QoS levels to support quality of experience (QoE) from the user's perspective. Also, network-aware services and applications, as well as service- and application-aware networks, may bring changes to the architecture. These are related to the approaches of information-centric networking (ICN) and user-centric content delivery networks (UC-CDN). NR may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas and may use more base stations or nodes (the so-called small cell concept) than LTE, and these operate in cooperation with small cells and may also employ various radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates, including macro sites, according to some.

[0066] Future networks may utilize Network Function Virtualization (NFV), which is a concept of network architecture that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that can be operably connected or linked together to provide services. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) may include one or more virtual machines that execute computer program code using standard or common types of servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In wireless communication, this may mean that node operations are at least partially executed at a server, host, or node operably coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible for node operations to be distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may be different from or non-existent compared to that of LTE.

[0067] An exemplary 5G Core Network (CN) includes functional entities. The CN is connected to a UE via a Radio Access Network (RAN). The User Plane Function (UPF) may play a role where its role is called the PDU session anchor (PSA) and it is responsible for reciprocally transferring frames between a data network (DN) and a tunnel established over 5G towards the UE that exchanges traffic with the DN.

[0068] The UPF is controlled by a Session Management Function (SMF) that receives policies from a Policy Control Function (PCF). The CN may also include an Access and Mobility Function (AMF).

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view, a possible (mobile) communication device 200 will be described in more detail. Such a mobile communication device 200 is often referred to as a user equipment (UE), user device, or terminal device. A suitable mobile communication device 200 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving wireless signals. Non-limiting examples include mobile devices such as a mobile station (MS), or those known as mobile phones or smartphones, computers provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface functionality (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA), or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination thereof. The communication device 200 may provide for the communication of data for carrying communications such as, for example, voice, email, text messages, multimedia, etc. Thus, a user may be offered and provided with a number of services via the user's communication device. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication, or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system such as the Internet. A user may be provided with broadcast data or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, and other information.

[0070] In an industrial application, the communication device may act as a modem integrated into an industrial actuator (e.g., a robotic arm), and / or as an Ethernet hub acting as a connection point for one or more connected Ethernet devices (the connection may be a wired connection or a connection without wires).

[0071] The communication device 200 is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202, and other possible components 203 for use in performing tasks with software and hardware assistance including control of access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing device, storage device, and other associated control devices may be provided on a suitable circuit board and / or within a chipset 204. The user may control the operation of the communication device 200 by using a suitable user interface such as a keypad 205, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof, etc. A display 208, speakers, and a microphone may also be provided. Additionally, the communication device 200 may include suitable connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and / or suitable connectors for connecting external accessories such as hands-free devices to the communication device 200.

[0072] The communication device 200 may receive signals on an air interface or wireless interface 207 by means of a suitable device for reception and may transmit signals by means of a suitable device for transmitting wireless signals. In FIG. 2, the transceiver device is schematically shown by block 206. The transceiver device 206 may be provided, for example, by using a radio section and an associated antenna configuration. The antenna configuration may be configured inside or outside the communication device 200.

[0073] The communication device 200 may additionally or alternatively be configured to communicate using, as required, one or more Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS or GLONASS, one or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), and / or any other wireless communication protocol. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including three or more wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0074] Generally, the communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a set of components configured to perform core functions. For example, this set of components may be implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC) that may include portions for various purposes. Alternatively, this set of components may be implemented as individual components or groups of components for various purposes. The set of components may be (communicatively) coupled to various other circuits of the communication device 200 (e.g., directly or indirectly).

[0075] The communication device 200 may include at least one antenna that communicates with a transmitter and a receiver (e.g., transceiver device 206). Alternatively, the transmit antenna and the receive antenna may be separate. The communication device 200 may also include a processor (e.g., at least one data processing entity 201) configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the transmitter and the receiver, and to control the functions of the communication device 200. The processor may be configured to control the functions of the transmitter and the receiver by causing control signaling via electrical leads to the transmitter and the receiver. Similarly, the processor may be configured to control other elements of the communication device 200 by causing control signaling via electrical leads that connect the processor to other elements such as a display (e.g., display 208) or a memory (e.g., at least one memory 202). The processor may be embodied in various ways, such as, for example, a circuit, at least one processing core, one or more microprocessors with an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more processors without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, a processing circuit, one or more computers, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or similar, and / or various other processing elements including integrated circuits, or some combination thereof. Thus, in some examples, the processor may comprise multiple processors or processing cores.

[0076] The communication device 200 may be operable using one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and / or the like. Signals sent and received by the processor may include signaling information according to the air interface standards of applicable cellular systems and / or any number of different wired or wireless networking techniques including, but not limited to, WLAN techniques such as Wi-Fi, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE) 802.11, 802.16, 802.3, ADSL, DOCSIS, and / or the like. Additionally, these signals may include speech data, user-generated data, user-requested data, and / or the like.

[0077] For example, the communication device 200 and / or the cellular modem therein may be operable according to various third generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth generation (4G) communication protocols, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and / or Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols such as the like, or communication protocols after 5G. For example, the communication device 200 may be operable according to 4G wireless communication protocols such as LTE-A, 5G wireless communication protocols, and / or the like, as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be developed thereafter.

[0078] It is understood that the processor may include circuitry for implementing the audio / video functions and logical functions of the communication device 200. For example, the processor may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and / or the like. The control functions and signal processing functions of the communication device 200 may be allocated among these devices according to their respective capabilities. Additionally, the processor may comprise an internal voice coder, an internal data modem, and / or the like. Further, the processor may include the function of operating one or more software programs that may be stored in the memory. Generally, the processor and the stored software instructions may be configured to cause the communication device 200 to perform an action. For example, the processor may be capable of operating a connection program such as a web browser. The connection program may enable the communication device 200 to send and receive web content such as location-based content according to protocols such as the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and / or the like.

[0079] The communication device 200 may also include a user interface that includes, for example, earphones or speakers, a ringer, a microphone, a display, a user input interface, and / or the like that may be operably coupled to a processor. The display may include, as described above, a touch-sensitive display on which a user can perform selections, value inputs, and / or the like by touching and / or gesturing. The processor may also include a user interface circuit configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the user interface, such as speakers, ringers, microphones, displays, etc. The processor and / or the user interface circuit including the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more elements of the user interface through computer program instructions, such as software and / or firmware, stored in a memory accessible to the processor, such as volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and / or similar memory. The communication device 200 may include a battery for powering various circuits associated with the mobile terminal, such as a circuit that provides mechanical vibration as a detectable output. The user input interface may include a device that enables the communication device 200 to receive data, such as a keypad (e.g., keypad 206) and / or other input devices. The keypad may be a virtual keyboard presented on the display or an externally coupled keyboard.

[0080] The communication device 200 may also include one or more mechanisms for sharing and / or acquiring data. For example, the communication device 200 may include a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver and / or interrogator, and thus, data may be shared with and / or acquired from an electronic device according to RF techniques. The communication device 200 may include an infrared (IR) transceiver, a Bluetooth(TM) (BT) transceiver operating using Bluetooth(TM) wireless technology, a wireless universal serial bus (USB) transceiver, a Bluetooth(TM) low energy transceiver, a ZigBee transceiver, an ANT transceiver, a cellular device-to-device transceiver, a wireless local area link transceiver, and / or any other short-range radio technology, etc., other short-range transceivers. The communication device 200, more specifically, the short-range transceiver may be capable of transmitting data to and / or receiving data from an electronic device within the vicinity of the device, for example, within 10 meters. The communication device 200 including a Wi-Fi or WLAN modem may also be capable of transmitting data to and / or receiving data from an electronic device according to various wireless networking techniques including 6LoWPAN, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi low power, IEEE802.11 techniques, IEEE802.15 techniques, IEEE802.16 techniques, and / or the like, etc., WLAN techniques.

[0081] The communication device 200 may include a memory such as one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), one or more universal subscriber identity modules (USIMs), one or more removable user identity modules (R-UIMs), one or more embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICC), one or more universal integrated circuit cards (UICC), and / or the like, which can store information elements related to mobile subscribers. Additionally, the communication device 200 may include other removable memory and / or fixed memory. The communication device 200 may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. For example, the volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) including dynamic RAM and / or static RAM, on-chip cache memory or off-chip cache memory, and / or the like. The non-volatile memory may be embedded and / or removable, and may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices such as hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tapes, optical disk drives and / or optical media, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), and / or the like. Similar to the volatile memory, the non-volatile memory may include a cache area for temporarily storing data. At least a portion of the volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory may be embedded in the processor. The memory may store one or more software programs, instructions, information, data, and / or the like that can be used by the device to perform the operations disclosed herein.

[0082] The memory may include identifiers such as an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) code that can uniquely identify the communication device 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be configured to cause the processor to perform the operations disclosed herein using the computer code stored in the memory.

[0083] Some of the embodiments disclosed in this specification may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. Software, application logic, and / or hardware may exist, for example, on a memory, a processor, or an electronic component. In some exemplary embodiments, the application logic, software, or instruction set is held on any of a variety of conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable media" may be any non-transitory medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device such as a computer or a data processor circuit. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the computer-readable media may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage media that can be any medium that can contain or store instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device such as a computer.

[0084] In some embodiments, the communication device 200 (i.e., a UE or user device within a network) comprises a processor (e.g., at least one data processing entity 201) and a memory (e.g., at least one memory 202). The memory includes computer program code for causing the communication device 200 to perform processing according to the method described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a control device for a communication system. For example, this control device is coupled to and / or for controlling a station of an access system such as a RAN node, e.g., a base station, eNB or gNB, or a relay node or core network node such as an MME or S-GW or P-GW, or a core network function such as an AMF / SMF, or a server or host. The method may be embedded within a single control device or across two or more control devices. The control device may be integrated with or external to a core network or RAN node or module. In some embodiments, the base station comprises a separate control device unit or module. In other embodiments, the control device may be another network element such as an RNC or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control device and a control device provided within the RNC. The control device 300 may be configured to provide control of communications within the service area of the system. The control device 300 comprises at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303, and an input / output interface 304. The control device 300 may be connected to the receivers and transmitters of the base station via the interface. The receivers and / or transmitters may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

[0086] Generally, the control device 300 has an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver module coupled to the antenna receives RF signals from the antenna, converts them into baseband signals, and sends them to a processor (e.g., at least one data processing unit 302, 303). The RF transceiver also converts the baseband signals received from the processor into RF signals and sends them to the antenna. The processor processes the received baseband signals and calls various functional modules to perform functions within the control device 300. The memory (e.g., at least one memory 301) stores program instructions and data for controlling the operation of the control device 300. In the example of FIG. 3, the control device 300 also includes a protocol stack, as well as a set of control function modules and circuits. The PDU session handling circuit handles the procedures for establishing and modifying PDU sessions. The policy control module that configures the UE's policy rules. The configuration and control circuit provides various parameters for configuring and controlling the UE for related functions including mobility management and session management. Suitable processors include, by way of example, dedicated processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a DSP core, controllers, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGA circuits and other types of integrated circuits (ICs), and / or state machines.

[0087] In some embodiments, the control device 300 (i.e., a base station, wireless transmit and / or receive point device, or network node within a network) comprises a processor (e.g., at least one data processing unit 302, 303) and a memory (e.g., at least one memory 301). The memory includes computer program code for causing the control device 300 to perform processing according to the method described below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0088] Before describing a method for controlling the behavior of a user device with respect to cells within a sliced network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 6-8, some background information and aspects related to the present disclosure are provided.

[0089] For example, the present disclosure may be incorporated into a network capable of implementing network slicing. Network slicing is the concept that the network resources of an end-to-end connection between a user device (i.e., UE) and another endpoint within a network such as a public land mobile network (PLMN) are sliced. Similar network slicing may be employed in private networks. A network slice may be understood as a logical end-to-end network that can be dynamically created and / or modified. All the networks between end devices are sliced from one end device to another end device, and thus the slices form logical pipelines within the network. A user device may access a slice over a wireless interface. As described in, for example, 3GPP TS38.300 (e.g., Release 16, version 16.8.0, January 2022), network slicing is an important function in 5G for supporting various services using the same underlying mobile network infrastructure.

[0090] A pipeline / slice may serve a particular service type. So far, three different network slices / service types have been considered, namely, eMBB (a slice suitable for handling 5G enhanced mobile broadband), URLLC (a slice suitable for handling Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication), and MIoT (a slice suitable for handling the Internet of Things for a large number of devices). A communication service provider (CSP) can define additional network slices / service types as needed. A given UE may access multiple slices on the same access network (e.g., on the same radio interface).

[0091] Therefore, network slicing enables a communication service provider to provide dedicated virtual networks on a common network infrastructure. Different virtual or logical networks may be designed to provide different networking characteristics, such as different quality of service (QoS) capabilities, to host services with diverse requirements and service level agreements (SLAs). For example, a virtual network may be customized to meet the specific needs of various applications, services, devices, customers, and / or operators. Thus, network slicing enables the provision of different services to end devices. In one example, network slices may differ in either service requirements such as URLLC and eMBB, or the tenants providing those services.

[0092] An example of a scenario where a user device (i.e., UE) uses two different services provided by two different networks (e.g., IMS network) is provided by FIG. 4. In this scenario, the UE is connected to the IMS network through two different network slices (e.g., 5GC network slices). That is, the UE is connected to IMS network #1 through 5GC slice #1 and uses services provided by IMS network #1 such as Rich Communication Services (RCS). The UE is also connected to IMS network #2 through 5GC slice #2 and uses services provided by IMS network #2 such as Voice over NR (VoNR). This enables the customization of network slices according to various services hosted by each of the IMS networks.

[0093] A network slice is uniquely identified by a single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI). According to the current 3GPP specifications, a user device can be simultaneously connected to a maximum of eight network slices corresponding to eight S-NSSAIs and be served by them. On the other hand, each cell may support dozens or hundreds of S-NSSAIs. In the current 3GPP specifications, a Tracking Area (TA) can support a maximum of 1024 network slices.

[0094] The format of the S-NSSAI may include both a full-length 32-bit Slice Service Type (SST) field and a Slice Differentiator (SD) field, or may include only the SST field part, in which case the length of the S-NSSAI is only 8 bits. The SST field may have standardized values and non-standardized values. Values from 0 to 127 belong to the standardized SST range. For example, an SST value of 1 may indicate that the slice is suitable for handling 5G eMBB, and 2 may indicate suitability for handling URLLC. The SD is defined only by the operator.

[0095] Another concept that can be realized in a network incorporating the present disclosure relates to defining a tracking area (TA) and a registration area (RA). The TA is a logical concept of an area where a user can move without updating the MME, corresponding to the location area and routing area of GSM, WCDMA, and GPRS in LTE, EPS, or 5GS. The TA consists of a set of cells. The TAs can be grouped into a list of tracking areas (TA list) that can be configured on the UE. For example, the network allocates a list having one or more TAs to the user. In a specific operation, the UE can freely move within all the TAs of the list without updating the MME. The RA is a list of TAs configured for the UE by the network. The RA is used to track the UE for paging purposes. When the UE leaves the RA, the UE notifies the network through a non-access stratum (NAS) registration request (referred to as a mobility registration update) so that the correct RA can be configured for the UE.

[0096] In 5G, the RA also plays a role in maintaining the allowed slices of the UE (alternatively, the allowed NSSAI). The allowed NSSAI is configured for the UE by the network. Throughout the present disclosure, the allowed S-NSSAI may refer to the S-NSSAI included in the allowed NSSAI. The UE NAS can request access to an S-NSSAI, and the network determines whether to add that S-NSSAI to the UE's list.

[0097] Considering these concepts and other concepts to be realized after 5G, concepts related to network slice-based cell reselection and network slice-aware random access are described. In this concept, several assumptions are made. Among them, in particular, within the "granularity" of group mapping between slices, a slice is not associated with multiple slice groups for the same purpose (i.e., a slice can be associated with at most one slice group for random access and one slice group for cell reselection within the same granularity). For both random access and cell reselection, the NAS layer of the UE needs to provide slice information to the AS layer of the UE, and the AS layer needs to recognize the slice group ID based on such slice information provided by the NAS layer. Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary message sequence diagram of the above concept is described.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary message sequence diagram related to the concepts of network slice-based cell reselection and network slice-aware random access. The message sequence diagram shows the messages exchanged between the user device / network nodes of the network and the operations performed by the user device / network nodes. For example, the network (e.g., a 5G network) may include one or more network nodes and at least one communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)). The exemplary message sequence diagram includes a core network (CN) or CN function, and a random access network (RAN) or RAN function, as well as the NAS layer and AS layer of the UE.

[0099] The network may constitute one or more network slice AS groups (NSAGs) that are valid in one or more tracking areas (TAs). In step 0, the RAN may use the NG Set Up procedure and the RAN Configuration Update procedure to provide (or update) the value of the NSAG within the TA associated with the S-NSSAI to the CN (such as the AMF). The CN (or AMF) does not know the purpose of the NSAG. That is, the NSAG may be for random access or cell reselection.

[0100] In step 1, the CN (or AMF) may receive a capability indication from the UE's NAS layer. For example, if the UE supports the NSAG, the UE indicates to the CN in the 5GMM Core Network Capability that the UE supports the NSAG.

[0101] In step 2, the CN (or AMF) may configure the UE using the NSAG information of one or more S-NSSAIs within the Configured NSSAI by including the NSAG information in a Registration Accept message or a UE Configuration Command message. When providing the NSAG information to the UE, the CN (or AMF) should also provide the NSAG priority information of the NSAG provided in the NSAG information. The CN (or AMF) may determine the NSAG priority information based on the operator's policy. When the UE receives the NSAG priority information from the CN (or AMF), the UE uses the NSAG priority information provided by the CN (or AMF) for cell reselection. If the UE has not received the NSAG priority information from the CN (or AMF), the UE does not use network slice-based cell reselection at all. An S-NSSAI may be associated with a maximum of one NSAG value for random access and a maximum of one NSAG value for cell reselection within a TA. An S-NSSAI may be associated with different NSAG values in different TAs.

[0102] In step 3, the NAS layer may provide the NSAG information and NSAG priority information received from the CN (or AMF) for the S-NSSAIs within the Allowed NSSAI to the AS layer as input for cell reselection, except when the UE intends to register for a new set of S-NSSAIs with a Requested NSSAI different from the current Allowed NSSAI, in which case the NAS layer provides the NSAGs and their priorities received from the CN (or AMF) for the S-NSSAIs within the Requested NSSAI to the AS layer.

[0103] In step 4, the AS layer may read the NSAG information broadcast / provided by the RAN in RRC signaling, and in step 5, the UE may perform cell reselection and / or random access based on the NSAG ID, priority value, and broadcast information.

[0104] That is, the NSAG information in steps 0 and 2 depicted in FIG. 5 is split into NSAG information for cell reselection and NSAG information for random access. When it is made available to the CN (or AMF), the CN (or AMF) may selectively disable cell reselection based on NSAG at the UE by not indicating a priority or by excluding the NSAG for cell reselection from the configuration. However, since the NAS layer does not know whether the NSAG ID is for cell reselection, for random access, or for both, this is not possible in the exemplary message sequence diagram of the concept of network slice-based cell reselection and network slice-aware random access depicted in FIG. 5. Whether the NSAG is for cell reselection or for random access can only be implicitly determined from the signaling received by the UE from the RAN (for example, if a slice group is advertised by the RAN for cell reselection, that slice group may be used for cell reselection).

[0105] Therefore, a method is needed to selectively disable either cell reselection based on NSAG or random access based on NSAG for each UE. That is, a method is needed to control the behavior of the UE to selectively enable / disable either cell reselection or random access.

[0106] Next, a method for controlling the behavior of a user device with respect to cells in a network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0107] According to a general example of a method for controlling a user device (e.g., UE) within a network, in a message sent from the network to the user device, the network indicates to the user device that it should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. Unless otherwise specified, references to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures should be understood as procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. The user device performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the indication. More specifically, the network provides the user device with at least one of the following indications: (1) an indication indicating whether the user device should perform a cell reselection procedure, and (2) an indication indicating whether the user device should perform a random access procedure. In some examples, the network is a slice network (i.e., the network provides multiple slices). In such a slice network, the network provides the user device with at least one of the following indications: (1) an indication indicating whether the user device should perform slice-based cell reselection, and (2) an indication indicating whether the user device should perform slice-based random access. As used herein, slice-based procedures are procedures performed taking into account the characteristics (e.g., priorities) of a slice or slice group. The indication provided by the network may be explicit or implicit. Further details are described with reference to the following figures.

[0108] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling user devices in a network according to some embodiments. More specifically, the illustrated method controls the behavior of user devices in a slice network (i.e., a network that provides a plurality of slices, and a user device may establish a connection with one or more of the plurality of slices). The method is performed by a user device (hereinafter also referred to as a user equipment (UE)) or a device for use with the user device. For example, the UE may be represented by any of the mobile communication devices 102, 104, 105 of the wireless communication system 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1, or the communication device 200 described above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0109] In step 620, the UE receives a configuration message from the network. More specifically, the UE receives a configuration message from a network node. Examples of network nodes include network nodes in a core network (CN) such as a 5G mobility management (5GMM) CN. The network node in the CN may be represented by an access and mobility management function (AMF). The configuration message indicates whether the UE should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In a slice network, the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure are each slice-based procedures, i.e., the procedures are performed with respect to one or more slices provided by the slice network. Thereby, the network can control the behavior of the UE regarding procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups (i.e., whether the UE should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure).

[0110] The configuration message may include at least one of the following indications: a first indication indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure (or slice-based cell reselection in a slice network), and a second indication indicating whether to perform a random access procedure (or slice-based random access procedure in a slice network). That is, the configuration message may include an explicit indication. In some examples, each of the indications may be represented by at least 1 bit. In such examples, the configuration message includes at least 1 first bit (i.e., the first indication) indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure. The first bit may have a bit value of "0" indicating that the cell reselection procedure should not be performed, while the bit value of "1" indicates that the cell reselection procedure should be performed by the UE. Also, in such examples, the configuration message includes at least 1 second bit (i.e., the second indication) indicating whether to perform a random access procedure. The second bit may have a bit value of "0" indicating that the cell reselection procedure should not be performed, or a bit value of "1" indicating that the cell reselection procedure should be performed. As can be understood by those skilled in the art, the given bit values are merely examples, and reverse assignments of bit values, or even completely different bit values in the case of multiple bits in particular, are possible and depend on the specific implementation. In some embodiments, the configuration message may include a single indication having a form of a bit field including multiple bits. In this case, the multiple bits include at least 1 first bit indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure and at least 1 second bit indicating whether to perform a random access procedure.

[0111] In some examples, the indication included in the configuration message may be implicit. As will be described in more detail below, in these examples, the UE derives the indication from whether information related to the cell reselection procedure and / or random access procedure exists or not.

[0112] In some examples, the configuration message may include a registration approval message or a configuration command message (such as a CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message).

[0113] That is, the configuration message received in step 620 indicates to the UE whether it should enable / disable at least one of the (slice-based or slice-aware) cell reselection procedure or the random access procedure (i.e., the random access procedure (RACH) in 5G-NR). For example, the configuration message may indicate enabling the cell reselection procedure (e.g., the configuration message may include a bit value "1" related to the cell reselection procedure), and disabling the random access procedure (e.g., the configuration message may include a bit value "0" related to the random access procedure).

[0114] In step 630, the UE performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message. More specifically, the UE performs the procedure according to the indication in the configuration message. For example, the UE performs the cell reselection procedure in response to the configuration message indicating that the cell reselection procedure should be performed (i.e., the cell reselection procedure should be enabled). If the configuration message indicates that the random access procedure should not be performed (i.e., the random access procedure should be disabled), the UE does not execute the random access procedure. In a slice network, the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure are each slice-based procedures, i.e., the UE performs the procedure for one or more slices provided by the slice network.

[0115] In some examples, the method of FIG. 6 may further include sending capability information at step 610 (i.e., typically before the configuration message is sent to the UE by the network). That is, the UE sends the capability information towards the network (e.g., a network node or the AMF). The capability information indicates support for cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. More specifically, the UE determines whether it is possible for the UE to support cell reselection procedures (e.g., slice-based cell reselection procedures in a slice network). The UE sends capability information including a corresponding indication related to the cell reselection procedure (i.e., whether the UE supports the cell reselection procedure). For example, the capability information may include information indicating that "cell reselection is supported". In other examples, the capability information may include bits corresponding to the cell reselection procedure. In these examples, the bit value of the bit indicates whether the UE supports the cell reselection procedure (e.g., bit value "1") or does not support it (e.g., bit value "0"). Also, the capability information may implicitly indicate that the UE does not support the cell reselection procedure. For example, the absence of a corresponding indication related to the cell reselection procedure in the capability message indicates that the UE does not support the cell reselection procedure. Support for random access procedures may be provided in a similar manner as the indication regarding support for cell reselection procedures. For the sake of clarity and ease of understanding, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0116] In response to sending the capability information to the network in step 610, the UE may receive a configuration message in step 620. In this case, the configuration information indicates whether to enable or disable the procedures (i.e., cell reselection procedure and random access procedure) supported by the UE (i.e., indicated in the capability information as supported). For example, if the UE indicates support for the cell reselection procedure in the capability information but does not indicate support for the random access procedure, the configuration message provides the UE with an indication of whether the cell reselection procedure supported by the UE is enabled or disabled. In this example, since the UE indicates that it does not support the random access procedure, the configuration message does not include an indication regarding the random access procedure. Thereby, the network can control the behavior of the UE regarding the supported procedures.

[0117] In some examples, the UE may be implemented to have a layer configuration including a first layer and a second layer (i.e., including multiple functional layers). The first layer may be a non-access stratum (NAS) layer. The NAS layer is a functional layer in the protocol stack between the network (e.g., CN) and the UE, manages the establishment of communication sessions, and is used to maintain continuous communication with the UE when the UE moves. The second layer may be an access stratum (AS) layer. The AS layer is a functional layer in the protocol stack between the network and the UE and is responsible for carrying information on the wireless part of the network.

[0118] In an example where the UE comprises a first layer (i.e., the NAS layer) and a second layer (i.e., the AS layer), the first layer receives a configuration message in step 620, and the second layer performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure according to an indication in the configuration message in step 630. In these examples, the method of FIG. 6 may further include providing the second layer with information corresponding to the indication received by the first layer together with the configuration message. For example, the first layer may provide the second layer with information (e.g., an indication) for selectively enabling or disabling slice-based cell reselection procedures and / or slice-based random access procedures. That is, in response to an indication in the configuration message that the UE should perform a slice-based cell reselection procedure, the first layer provides information (or an indication) for enabling the slice-based cell reselection procedure. When the configuration message indicates that a slice-based random access procedure should not be performed, the first layer may provide information (or an indication) for disabling the slice-based random access procedure (i.e., an explicit indication), or may not provide any information related to the slice-based random access procedure at all (i.e., an implicit indication). In response to receiving information for enabling / disabling a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure, the second layer acts accordingly and performs slice-based cell reselection procedures and / or slice-based random access procedures according to the information (or indication).

[0119] In an example where the UE comprises a first layer (i.e., the NAS layer) and a second layer (i.e., the AS layer), the first layer receives a configuration message in step 620, and the second layer performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure according to an indication in the configuration message in step 630. In these examples, the method of FIG. 6 may further include that when the configuration message suggests that a cell reselection procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups needs to be performed, the first layer provides information regarding the cell reselection procedure to the second layer, and when the configuration message suggests that a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups needs to be performed, the first layer provides information regarding the random access procedure to the second layer.

[0120] In some further examples, the UE may determine whether the configuration message received at step 620 contains information related to cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures. More specifically, the UE may determine whether the configuration message contains priority information. For example, in a slice network, the configuration message may include NASG information of one or more S-NSSAIs within the configured NSSAI. When the slice network provides NSAG information to the UE, the network may also provide the priority information of the NSAG provided within the NASG information (i.e., NSAG priority information). In response to receiving the configuration message, the UE may determine whether the configuration message contains priority information. If the UE determines that priority information exists, the UE may derive that the configuration message indicates that it should perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures. That is, the existence of priority information indicates that the UE should enable at least one of the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure. In contrast, if the UE determines that no priority information exists, the UE may derive that the configuration message indicates that it should not perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures. That is, the absence of priority information indicates that the UE should disable at least one of the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure. In other words, whether priority information exists or not provides an implicit indication as to whether at least one of the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure should be enabled / disabled. Depending on whether priority information is included or not, the NSAG information sent from the RAN to the CN and from the CN to the UE may be split into NSAG information for cell reselection procedures and NSAG information for random access procedures in order to selectively enable or disable one of the slice-based cell reselection procedure and the slice-based random access procedure.

[0121] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling user devices within a network according to some embodiments. More specifically, the illustrated method controls the behavior of user devices in a slice network (i.e., a network that provides a plurality of slices, and a user device may establish a connection with one or more of the plurality of slices). The method may be performed by a network. More specifically, the method may be performed by one or more network nodes or network functions of the network, or by an apparatus used within a network node or by a network function. For example, the method may be performed by a base station such as the base station represented by the control device 300 described above with reference to FIG. 3, and / or by a core network function such as an AMF. That is, examples of network nodes include network nodes in a core network (CN) such as a 5G Mobility Management (5GMM) CN. The network node in the CN may be represented by an AMF.

[0122] In step 720, the network sends a configuration message to the user device. The user device may be a user equipment (UE) or an apparatus for use with the user device. In some examples, the configuration message is sent by a network node. The configuration message indicates whether the UE should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In a slice network, the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure are each slice-based, i.e., the procedures are performed with respect to one or more slices provided by the slice network. Thereby, the network can control the behavior of the UE regarding the procedures (i.e., whether the UE should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure).

[0123] Details regarding the configuration message and the indication as to whether the UE should perform at least one of the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure have already been described above in connection with the description of FIG. 6. For clarity and ease of understanding, repetition is omitted here. Instead, reference is made to the above description.

[0124] That is, the configuration message sent in step 720 indicates to the UE whether it should enable / disable at least one of the (slice-based or slice-aware) cell reselection procedure or the random access procedure (i.e., the random access procedure (RACH) in 5G-NR). For example, the configuration message may indicate that the cell reselection procedure should be enabled (e.g., an explicit indication to enable the cell reselection procedure; an implicit indication to enable the cell reselection procedure by the presence of NSAG priority information regarding NSAG provided within the NASG information), and may also indicate that the random access procedure should be disabled (e.g., an explicit indication to disable the random access procedure; an implicit indication to disable the random access procedure by the absence of NSAG priority information regarding NSAG provided within the NASG information).

[0125] In some examples, the configuration message may include a registration approval message or a configuration command message (such as a CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message).

[0126] In step 730, the network performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure with the UE according to the configuration message, taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups. More specifically, the UE performs the procedure with the network according to the indication in the configuration message. In a slice network, the cell reselection procedure and the random access procedure are slice-based respectively, that is, the UE performs the procedure for one or more slices provided by the slice network.

[0127] In some examples, the method of FIG. 7 may further include receiving capability information from the UE in step 710 (i.e., typically, before the configuration message is sent from the network to the UE). Details regarding the capability information have already been described above in connection with the description of FIG. 6. For clarity and ease of understanding, the repetition is omitted here. Instead, reference is made to the above description.

[0128] That is, the network receives, from the UE, capability information indicating the ability to support cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups. In response to receiving the capability information from the UE in step 710, the network sends a configuration message to the UE in step 720. In this case, the configuration information indicates whether the procedures supported by the UE (i.e., cell reselection procedures and random access procedures, as indicated as supported in the capability information) should be enabled or disabled. For example, if the UE indicates support for cell reselection procedures in the capability information but does not indicate support for random access procedures, the configuration message provides the UE with an indication of whether the cell reselection procedures supported by the UE should be enabled or disabled. In this example, since the UE has indicated that it does not support random access procedures, the configuration message does not include an indication regarding random access procedures. Thereby, the network can control the behavior of the UE regarding the supported procedures.

[0129] In some examples, in a slice network, the configuration message may include NASG information of one or more S-NSSAIs within the configured NSSAI. When the slice network provides the NSAG information to the UE, the network may also provide the NSAG priority information of the NSAG provided within the NASG information.

[0130] Here, referring to FIG. 8, a method for controlling the behavior of a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0131] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary message sequence diagram of a method for controlling user devices in a network according to some embodiments. The message sequence diagram shows messages exchanged between user devices / network nodes of the network and actions taken by the user devices / network nodes. For example, the network (e.g., a 5G network) may include an exemplary communication system as shown in FIG. 1. The network may include one or more network nodes (e.g., one or more base stations and one or more control functions; an exemplary network node or apparatus for use in a network node is shown in FIG. 3) and at least one communication device (e.g., a user device such as a user equipment (UE) as shown in FIG. 2, or an apparatus for use in a user device). The network may be a slice network that provides one or more network slices.

[0132] The network may configure one or more network slice AS groups (NSAGs) that are valid in one or more tracking areas (TAs). In step 0, the RAN may use the NG Set Up procedure and the RAN configuration update procedure specified in the 3GPP standard specification to provide (or update) the value of the NSAG in the TA associated with the S-NSSAI to a CN such as the AMF. Since those skilled in the art are familiar with these procedures from the current 3GPP standard specification, a detailed description of these procedures is omitted here. The CN (or the AMF) usually does not understand the purpose of the NSAG. In other words, the CN does not understand whether the NSAG should be used for random access procedures or for cell reselection procedures performed by the UE.

[0133] In step 1, the CN (or AMF) receives the capability information or capability indication from the UE. A detailed description of the capability information is provided above with reference to step 610 shown in FIG. 6 and step 710 shown in FIG. 7, and is omitted here for clarity and ease of understanding. For example, if the UE supports NSAG, the UE indicates to the CN that it supports NSAG in the 5GMM core network capability.

[0134] In step 2, the CN (or AMF) may configure the UE using the NSAG information of one or more S-NSSAIs within the configured NSSAI by including the NSAG information in the registration approval message or UE configuration command message. A detailed description of the configuration message sent from the CN to the UE is provided above with reference to step 620 shown in FIG. 6 and step 720 shown in FIG. 7, and is omitted here for clarity and ease of understanding. For example, when the CN (or AMF) provides the NSAG information to the UE, the CN (or AMF) should also provide the NSAG priority information of the NSAG provided in the NSAG information. The CN (or AMF) may determine the NSAG priority information based on the policy of the network operator. When the UE receives the NSAG priority information from the CN (or AMF), the UE uses the NSAG priority information provided by the CN (or AMF) for the cell reselection procedure. If the UE receives an indication to enable / disable only the (slice-based or slice-aware) cell reselection procedure or only the (slice-based or slice-aware) random access procedure, the UE behaves accordingly. In some examples, an S-NSSAI may be associated with a maximum of one NSAG value for the random access procedure and a maximum of one NSAG value for the cell reselection procedure within a TA. In other examples, an S-NSSAI may be associated with different NSAG values in different TAs.

[0135] That is, in an example according to the present disclosure, the CN provides at least one of the following two indications to the UE (more specifically, the NAS layer of the UE): (1) an indication indicating whether the UE should perform slice-based cell reselection; and (2) an indication indicating whether the UE should perform slice-based RA. The indication may be provided explicitly.

[0136] In step 3, the NAS layer of the UE may provide the NSAG information and NSAG priority information received from the CN (or AMF) for the S-NSSAI within the permitted NSSAI to the AS layer of the UE as input for cell reselection. When the UE intends to register for a new set of S-NSSAIs having a requested NSSAI different from the current permitted NSSAI, the NAS layer of the UE may, in step 3, provide the NSAG information and NSAG priority information received from the CN (or AMF) for the S-NSSAI within the requested NSSAI to the AS layer of the UE. In addition, the NAS layer of the UE may provide an indication to the AS layer of the UE to selectively enable / disable a (slice-based or slice-aware) random access procedure or cell reselection procedure. Alternatively, in the case of an explicit indication that a random access procedure or cell reselection procedure should not be performed, the NAS layer of the UE may not provide the NSAG information to the AS layer of the UE for the random access procedure or the cell reselection procedure.

[0137] That is, the NAS layer of the UE indicates to the AS layer of the UE to operate according to the indication provided by the CN (or AMF). The indication may correspond to a single indication having a plurality of bits, or may also be a response to the UE MM capability indicating whether the UE supports one or both functions (i.e., random access procedure and cell reselection procedure).

[0138] In step 4, the UE (more specifically, the AS layer of the UE) may read the NSAG information broadcast / provided by the RAN in RRC signaling.

[0139] Finally, in step 5, the UE may consider only relevant information according to the information received in step 2. The UE may perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures based on the NSAG information (e.g., NSAG ID), NSAG priority information (i.e., NSAG priority value), and broadcast information. That is, the UE may perform cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures according to the indication (i.e., enable / disable, etc.). A detailed description of performing cell reselection procedures and / or random access procedures according to the indication is provided above with reference to step 630 shown in FIG. 6 and step 730 shown in FIG. 7, and is omitted here for clarity and ease of understanding.

[0140] According to the present disclosure, the UE may operate according to an indication, referring to an explicit indication or an implicit indication based on the exclusion or absence of priority information (priority value). For example, the NAS layer of the UE may provide an indication to the AS layer of the UE, and the AS layer may operate according to the indication. If the indication for performing the cell reselection procedure indicates that the UE should perform the network slice-based cell reselection procedure, and the indication for performing the random access procedure indicates that the UE should not perform the network slice-based random access procedure, the AS layer performs the network slice-based cell reselection procedure and does not perform the network slice-based random access procedure. In another example, the NAS layer may receive a group related to the current location from the AS layer for the purpose of random access or cell reselection. The NAS layer may provide the NSAG ID and the priority value to the AS layer according to the indication. For example, if the indication of the cell reselection procedure indicates that the UE should perform the network slice-based cell reselection procedure, and the indication of the random access procedure (i.e., RACH) indicates that the UE should not perform the network slice-based random access procedure, the NAS layer provides the NSAG ID and the priority value only when the NSAG ID and the priority value are required to be provided for the cell reselection procedure, rather than when they are required to be provided for the random access procedure.

[0141] The method according to the present disclosure can be useful because the network operator can provide the UE with an NSAG configuration such that the UE can use the remaining functions (i.e., slice-aware cell reselection or random access, respectively) that are still available while enabling / disabling only one of the random access procedure or the cell reselection procedure for a specific UE. Thus, regardless of whether only RAN signaling to the UE determines whether a slice group is used for a purpose, the CN will come to recognize which slice group is used for which purpose. In an alternative implementation, signaling to the UE of the relevant slice group may be omitted.

[0142] According to the present disclosure, the NSAG information may be handled as described later in this specification.

[0143] The NSAG information includes the following: a) For each S-NSSAI within the configured NSSAI (subset): 1) One or more NSAG IDs. Optionally, each NSAG ID is a list of TAIs that identify the area where the mapping between the S-NSSAI and the NSAG ID, which is associated with the NSAG area, is valid; and, 2) A priority value, where a lower priority value indicates a higher priority. b) NSAG-based cell reselection indication; and, c) NSAG-based random access indication. When the NSAG information is available and the NSAG-based cell reselection indication in the NSAG information is set to "true", the UE NAS layer shall provide one or more NSAG IDs for cell reselection, each associated with a priority value, and optionally the NSAG area, to a lower layer when: a) The UE enters the 5GMM-IDLE mode or the 5GMM-CONNECTED mode with an RRC inactive indication. b) When there is a change in the NSAG ID and priority value previously provided to a lower layer while the UE is in 5GMM-IDLE mode or 5GMM-CONNECTED mode with RRC inactive indication; Here, the UE: a) 1) The NSSAI corresponding to the following: i) The requested NSSAI if the UE needs to initiate the registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates or if the permitted NSSAI is not available in the UE; or, ii) The permitted NSSAI otherwise; and, 2) NSAG information; Based on this, the NSAG ID for cell reselection and, if applicable, the NSAG area; and, b) 1) The NSAG ID determined in item a); and, 2) NSAG information Based on this, determine the priority value The priority value of the NSAG ID is set to the lowest priority value among the priority values of the S-NSSAIs associated with the NSAG ID. When the NSAG information is available and the NSAG-based random access indication in the NSAG information is set to "true", when a UE in 5GMM-IDLE mode or 5GMM-CONNECTED mode with RRC inactive indication needs to transition to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode, the UE NAS layer shall provide one or more NSAG IDs for random access, each associated with a priority value, to the lower layer, where the UE: a) a) 1) The NSSAI corresponding to the following: i) The NSSAI if the UE is in 5GMM-IDLE mode; or, ii) The UE is in the 5GMM-CONNECTED mode with an RRC inactive indication and needs to transition to the 5GMM-CONNECTED mode for the following reasons: A) If it is due to an uplink user data packet sent for a PDU session with interrupted user plane resources, or a UL NAS TRANSPORT carrying a 5GSM message for a PDU session associated with an S-NSSAI, the S-NSSAI associated with the PDU session; B) If it is due to a trigger to initiate a registration procedure or a service request procedure, the NSSAI; or, C) If it is due to reasons other than those specified in items A) and B), the permitted NSSAI; 2) The current TAI; and, 3) The NSAG information; Based on this, an NSAG ID for random access; and, b) 1) The NSAG ID determined in item a); and, 2) The NSAG information Based on this, determine a priority value The priority value of the NSAG ID is set to the highest priority value among the priority values of the S-NSSAI associated with the NSAG ID. If the UE indicates that it supports NSAG information via the NSAG bits in the 5GMM capabilities IE in the latest REGISTRATION REQUEST message, the AMF may indicate the NSAG information via the NSAG information IE in the REGISTRATION ACCEPT message or the CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message.

[0144] ​According to the present disclosure, general UE configuration update procedures initiated by the network, initial registration approved by the network, and mobility and periodic registration updates approved by the network may include the following: When the UE sets the NSAG bit in the 5GMM capabilities IE of the (latest) REGISTRATION REQUEST message to "NSAG supported" and the NSAG information needs to be updated or is available, the AMF shall include the NSAG information in the CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message or in the REGISTRATION ACCEPT message. According to the present disclosure, general UE configuration updates approved by the UE, initial registration approved by the network, and mobility and periodic registration updates approved by the network may include the following: When the CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message or the REGISTRATION ACCEPT message includes the NSAG information IE, the UE shall store the content of the NSAG information IE. The REGISTRATION ACCEPT message and the CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message may include an information element (IE) of the NSAG information. The IE may be included to provide the NSAG information to the UE capable of handling the NSAG information. The IE of the NSAG information may be coded to include the following: NSAG-based cell reselection indication (CellResel) (octet 4, bit 1). This bit indicates whether the UE needs to perform NSAG-based cell reselection. The bit value "0" indicates "false", and the bit value "1" indicates "true". NSAG-based random access indication (RandAcc) (octet 4, bit 2). This bit indicates whether the UE needs to perform NSAG-based random access. The bit value "0" indicates "false", and the bit value "1" indicates "true".

[0145] It should be understood that the apparatus may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules, such as radio components or radio heads, that are used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatus is described as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0146] Although the embodiments are described in relation to LTE and 5G NR, it should be noted that the same principles may apply to other networks and communication systems where fast connection re - establishment is required. Thus, while specific exemplary architectures of wireless networks, technologies, and standards have been referred to and specific embodiments have been described above by way of example, the embodiments may be applicable to any other suitable form of communication system other than those illustrated and described herein.

[0147] Also, it should be noted that, although the above describes exemplary embodiments, there are some changes and modifications that can be made to the disclosed solutions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0148] In general, various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, a microprocessor, or other computing device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, but these blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, by way of non-limiting example, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers, or other computing devices, or combinations thereof.

[0149] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device, such as within a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. A computer software or program, also referred to as a program product, including software routines, applets, and / or macros, may be stored on any device-readable data storage medium, and the computer software or program includes program instructions for performing a specific task. The computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components configured to execute embodiments when the program is executed. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or a portion thereof.

[0150] Furthermore, in this regard, it should be noted that any block of the logic flow as shown in the figure may represent a program step or an interconnected logic circuit, block, and function, or a combination of a program step, a logic circuit, a block, and a function. Software may be stored in a physical medium such as a memory chip, or a memory block implemented within a processor, a magnetic medium such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, and an optical medium such as a DVD and its data deformation forms, a CD, etc. The physical medium is a non-transitory medium.

[0151] The memory may be any type of memory suitable for the local technical environment, and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and magnetic memory systems, optical memory devices and optical memory systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be any type of data processor suitable for the local technical environment, and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0152] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of an integrated circuit is generally a highly automated process. Complex and computationally intensive software tools are available to convert the design at the logic level into the design of a semiconductor circuit ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0153] The foregoing description has provided a complete and helpful explanation of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as non-limiting examples. However, upon reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, various modifications and adaptations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. However, all such modifications and similar variations of the teachings of the present invention still remain within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. In fact, there are additional embodiments that include one or more of the embodiments and any combination of the other foregoing embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a user device, comprising: receiving, by the user device, a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups; performing, by the user device, a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure according to the configuration message; and a method comprising the above.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration message includes at least one of a first indication indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups and a second indication indicating whether to perform a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration message includes a single indication including a first bit indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups and a second bit indicating whether to perform a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups.

4. determining, by the user device, whether the configuration message includes priority information related to a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure; deriving, by the user device, that the configuration message indicates that a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure should be performed considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups in response to determining that the priority information exists; deriving, by the user device, that the configuration message indicates that a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure should not be performed considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups in response to determining that the priority information does not exist; and the method according to claim 1 further comprising the above.

5. The user device comprises a first layer for receiving a configuration message and a second layer for performing a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and the method comprises: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising providing, by a first layer, information to a second layer for selectively enabling or disabling performing a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure in consideration of the priority of one or more network slice groups.

6. A user device includes a first layer that receives a configuration message and a second layer that performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure in consideration of the priority of one or more network slice groups, and the method includes when a configuration message suggests that a cell reselection procedure considering the priority of one or more network slice groups needs to be performed, providing, by the first layer, information regarding the cell reselection procedure considering the priority of one or more network slice groups to the second layer; when a configuration message suggests that a random access procedure considering the priority of one or more network slice groups needs to be performed, providing, by the first layer, information regarding the random access procedure considering the priority of one or more network slice groups to the second layer The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising sending, by the user device, capability information indicating support for a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priority of one or more network slice groups to a network node, wherein a configuration message is received in response to sending the capability information, and the configuration message indicates whether the cell reselection procedure and / or the random access procedure supported by the user device should be enabled or disabled.

8. A method for controlling a user device, comprising: sending, by a network node, a configuration message to the user device, the configuration message indicating whether the user device should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure in consideration of the priority of one or more network slice groups. A network node performs a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure in accordance with a configuration message together with a user device, taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups A method comprising the above. **Claim 9** The method according to claim 8, wherein the configuration message includes at least one of a first indication indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and a second indication indicating whether to perform a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups. **Claim 10** The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the configuration message includes a single indication including a first bit indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and a second bit indicating whether to perform a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups. **Claim 11** A network node indicates that a user device should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups by sending a configuration message including priority information related to the cell reselection procedure and / or the random access procedure A network node indicates that a user device should not perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups by sending a configuration without including priority information The method according to claim 8, further comprising the above. **Claim 12** The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a network node receiving from a user device capability information indicating support for a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure considering the priorities of one or more network slice groups, and the configuration message being sent in response to receiving the capability information and indicating whether to enable or disable a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure supported by the user device **Claim 13** A user device Means adapted to receive a configuration message from a network node, the configuration message indicating whether to perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups, Means adapted to perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups according to the configuration message, A user device comprising the same.

14. The user device according to claim 13, comprising means adapted to execute the method according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

15. A network device within a network, Means adapted to send a configuration message to a user device, the configuration message indicating whether the user device should perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups, Means adapted to perform a cell reselection procedure and / or a random access procedure taking into account the priorities of one or more network slice groups in accordance with the configuration message together with the user device, A network device comprising the same.

16. The network device according to claim 15, comprising means adapted to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

17. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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