Signaling of slice information to the MODI

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Application This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 324,385 filed on March 28, 2022, entitled "Signaling Slice Information to a Device", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

Background Art

[0003] The wireless communication system may include one or more network communication devices, such as base stations, which may optionally be called e-node B (eNB), next-generation node B (gNB), or other preferred terms. Each network communication device, such as a base station, may optionally support wireless communication for one or more user communication devices, which may optionally be called user equipment (UE) or other preferred terms. The wireless communication system may support wireless communication with one or more user communication devices by utilizing resources of the wireless communication system, such as time resources (e.g., symbols, slots, subslots, minislots, aggregated slots, subframes, frames, etc.) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers). In addition, the wireless communication system may support wireless communication across various RATs, including third-generation (3G) radio access technology (RAT), fourth-generation (4G) RAT, fifth-generation (5G) RAT, and other preferred RATs beyond 5G. In some cases, the wireless communication system may be an NTN, which may support various communication devices for wireless communication within a non-terrestrial network (NTN). For example, NTN may include network entities mounted on non-ground vehicles, such as satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS), as well as ground-based network entities, such as gateway entities capable of transmitting and receiving over long distances.

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

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

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

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

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

[0009] In some implementations of the methods and apparatus described herein, the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of one or more slice groups for a frequency, the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, and the device further generates combined slice information by including the second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, in the combined slice information. Additional or alternative, the device further generates combined slice information by including the first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information, other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, in the combined slice information. Additional or alternative, the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell for the apparatus or by at least one adjacent cell. Additional or alternative, the second signaling comprises a radio resource control (RRC) release message. Alternatively, the first cell list is an allowable list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups. Alternatively, the first cell list is an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups. Alternatively, the first signaling provides first slice information and a first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for the frequency.As an addition or alternative, the second signaling provides first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting one or more slice groups for the frequency, the first set of multiple frequencies includes specific frequencies not included in the second set of multiple frequencies, and the device further performs slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and first cell list without considering specific frequencies. As an addition or alternative, the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the device further performs slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list.As an addition or alternative, the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the device further determines that the best-ranked cell for a frequency is not enumerated in either the first or second cell list, and in response that the best-ranked cell for a frequency is not enumerated in either the first or second cell list, it collects cell system information for the best-ranked cell and performs slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best-ranked cell.

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

[0011] In some implementations of the methods and apparatus described herein, the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell for the UE or by at least one adjacent cell. Additionally or alternatively, the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group. Additionally or alternatively, the second signaling includes an RRC release message. Additionally or alternatively, the first cell list is an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups. Additionally or alternatively, the first cell list is an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups. As an addition or alternative, the first signaling provides first slice information and a first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting one or more slice groups for the frequency. As an addition or alternative, the second signaling provides first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the first set of multiple frequencies includes certain frequencies not included in the second set of multiple frequencies.As an addition or alternative, a second signaling further receives a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list.

[0012] Various aspects of this disclosure for signaling slice information to a device will be described with reference to the following figures. The same numbers may be used throughout to refer to similar features and components shown in the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a wireless communication system that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of cell and frequency expansion, such as signaling slice information to a device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of transmitting dedicated information and broadcast information to a UE that supports signaling slice information to a device, according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of slice information for dedicated signaling that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of slice information for broadcast signaling that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is an exemplary block diagram of components of a device (e.g., a UE) that supports signaling slice information to a device according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]This is an illustrative block diagram of components of a device (e.g., a base station) that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of a method for supporting the signaling of slice information to a device according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of a method for supporting the signaling of slice information to a device according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart of a method for supporting the signaling of slice information to a device according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart of a method for supporting the signaling of slice information to a device according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

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

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

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

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

[0019] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system 100 that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of this disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 102, one or more UEs 104, and a core network 106. The wireless communication system 100 may support various radio access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a 4G network such as an LTE network or an LTE Advanced (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a 5G network such as an NR network. In other implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a combination of a 4G network and a 5G network. The wireless communication system 100 may support radio access technologies beyond 5G. In addition, the wireless communication system 100 may support technologies such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).

[0020] One or more base stations 102 may be distributed across a geographical area to form a wireless communication system 100. One or more of the base stations 102 described herein may be transceiver base stations, access points, node B, enode B (eNB), next-generation node B (gNB), radio head (RH), relay node, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or other preferred terms, or may include them, or may be referred to as such. The base stations 102 and UE 104 may communicate via a communication link 108, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, the base stations 102 and UE 104 may perform wireless communication via an NR-Uu interface.

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

[0022] One or more UEs 104 may be distributed across the entire geographical area or coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100. The UEs 104 may include, or may be referred to as, mobile devices, wireless devices, remote devices, handheld devices, customer premise equipment (CPE), subscriber devices, or several other preferred terms. In some implementations, the UEs 104 may be referred to as units, stations, terminals, or clients, among other examples. Additionally or alternatively, the UEs 104 may be referred to as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, or machine-type communications (MTC) devices, among other examples. In some implementations, the UEs 104 may be stationary within the wireless communication system 100. In other implementations, the UEs 104 may be mobile within the wireless communication system 100, such as an earth station in motion (ESIM).

[0023] One or more UE104s may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Some examples of UE104s are shown in Figure 1. UE104s may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as base stations 102, other UE104s, or network equipment (e.g., core network 106, relay devices, gateway devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, location servers performing location management functions (LMF), or other network equipment). Additionally or alternatively, UE104s may support communication with other base stations 102s or UE104s that can act as relays in the wireless communication system 100.

[0024] UE104 may also support direct wireless communication with other UE104s via communication link 112. For example, UE104 may support direct wireless communication with another UE104 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular V2X deployments, communication link 112 may be referred to as a side link. For example, UE104 may support direct wireless communication with another UE104 via the PC5 interface.

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

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

[0027] Depending on the implementation, one or more of the UE 104 and base station 102 can operate to perform various forms of signaling slice information to the device, as described herein. For example, base station 102 can communicate dedicated slice information 116 and broadcast slice information 118, both of which contain various information about slices in the wireless communication system 100, such as information to facilitate slice selection or slice reselection. Dedicated slice information 116 is slice information targeted or intended for a single UE 104, while broadcast slice information 118 is slice information targeted or intended for multiple UE 104s. The UE 104 receives and uses the dedicated slice information 116 and broadcast slice information 118 to perform a slice reselection process 120, as described in more detail below.

[0028] In aspects of this disclosure, consideration is given to supporting slice-based cell reselection, including specifying mechanisms and signaling. This may include assisting cell reselection, broadcasting supported slice information for the current serving cell and adjacent cells, and providing per-slice cell reselection priorities in system information (SI) messages. To assist cell reselection, for example, slice information (having similar information to that in SI messages) may be included in the RRCRelease message. Adjacent cells refer to cells near the current serving cell, which may become the new current serving cell as a result of cell reselection.

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

[0030] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that UE104 determines frequency priority order according to the following rules: These rules may include at least one of the following: considering slice / slice group priorities provided by the NAS; having a higher slice base frequency priority for frequencies supporting higher priority slice / slice groups than for frequencies supporting lower priority slice / slice groups; the UE should follow the slice-specific frequency priorities received in the SIB or RRCRelease (if configured) among frequencies supporting the same priority slice / slice groups; having a lower priority for frequencies not configured with slice-specific reselection priority among frequencies supporting the same slice / slice group than for other frequencies configured with slice-specific reselection priority; having a higher slice base frequency priority for frequencies supporting any slice / slice group than for frequencies not supporting any slice / slice groups; or, for frequencies not supporting any slice / slice groups, the UE should follow the legacy cell reselection priority received in the FFS when only legacy priority is received in the SIB or RRCRelease.

[0031] In aspects of this disclosure, if UE104 is configured with slice intrinsic frequency priorities via RRCRelease messages, it is taken into consideration that UE104 must ignore all slice intrinsic priorities provided in the system information. This may include applying legacy cell reselection frequency priorities in the SIB.

[0032] In aspects of this disclosure, if the UE is configured with a slice-based priority, it is taken into consideration that if UE104 cannot find a suitable cell using any cell re-selection priority (including slice-based and legacy (non-slice-based) priorities), the legacy procedure (i.e., UE104 first enters an arbitrary cell selection state and performs cell selection) should be reused.

[0033] In aspects of this disclosure, the inter-RAT frequencies are not configured with slice intrinsic frequency prioritization, but it is taken into consideration that the inter-RAT frequencies may be considered using legacy cell reselection frequency prioritization after all NR frequencies supporting any slice / slice group.

[0034] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that slice-specific cell reselection information provided by the network within the SIB is slice-group specific. This may include the following:

[0035] In aspects of this disclosure, consideration is given to reusing the legacy T320 timer for the slice intrinsic frequency priority within RRCRelease.

[0036] In aspects of this disclosure, RAN sharing may be supported for slice-based cell reselection, and a random access channel (RACH) by the network implementation (e.g., a dedicated priority within RRCRelease) may be taken into consideration. This may include not having a defined public land mobile network (PLMN) specific reselection priority or RACH configuration, or it may include having something extra within the RACH (which may not be important for WI completion).

[0037] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that the frequencies may be sorted multiple times or only once, or that this depends on the implementation of UE104.

[0038] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that slice group-specific cell reselection information is provided by the network within RRCRelease. This may include the following:

[0039] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that a resort is defined as a change in frequency priority for reselection of certain frequencies, requiring UE104 to resort an ordered list of frequencies. This may include a principle for slice-specific reselection, and such change in priority for slice-specific reselection does not affect existing RAN4 radio resource management (RRM) requirements.

[0040] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that if UE104 performs slice-based cell reselection, and the cell with the highest ranking of the frequency according to the adjacent cell information does not support the highest-priority slice supported by that frequency, a resort is applied.

[0041] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that the UE104 behavior for frequencies determined to have "equal priority" is defined in the same way as the UE behavior for cases of NR frequencies with equal priority in 3GPP TS38.304 5.2.4.6 ("Intra-frequency and equal priority inter-frequency Cell Reselection criteria").

[0042] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that a list of physical cell identifiers (PCIs) for each slice group and frequency may be provided in the system information.

[0043] In aspects of this disclosure, it is taken into consideration that a network (for example, base station 102) can indicate whether a PCI list is a blocking list ("cells that do not support the corresponding slice group") or an allowing list ("cells that support the corresponding slice group").

[0044] In aspects of this disclosure, the assumption that the mapping of slices to slice groups for cell reselection is done on a per-tracking area (TA) basis is taken into consideration.

[0045] Figure 2 shows an example of a cell and frequency expansion 200 that is relevant to signaling slice information to the device. Referring to Figure 2, the exemplary cell and frequency expansion 200 includes a cell currently servicing UE104 on frequency f0, shown as serving cell 202. Several neighboring cells are also shown with the abbreviation "N-Cellx", where "x" is a number. Neighboring cell 204 is shown as operating on frequency f1, neighboring cell 206 is shown as operating on frequency f1, neighboring cell 208 is shown as operating on frequency f2, neighboring cell 210 is shown as operating on frequency f2, neighboring cell 212 is shown as operating on frequency f3, and neighboring cell 214 is shown as operating on frequency f3. In aspects of this disclosure, the rules and considerations described above and elsewhere in this specification govern how UE104 performs slice-based reselection.

[0046] UE104 is given one or more slice groups by its NAS. Each slice group may contain one or more slices. These slice groups may have different priorities, and UE104 aims to reselect cells that support the slice group with the highest priority. For this purpose, UE104 uses information that includes the slices / slice groups supported in adjacent cells. For this purpose, slice reselection information (also called slice info) is used. Slice info is defined as a frequency priority mapping for each slice group (slice group → frequency → absolute priority of each frequency), and therefore consists of these three elements (slice group, frequency, and absolute frequency priority). The absolute frequency priority is also called CellReselectionPriority (CRP) or CellReselectionSubPriority. In this description, references to CRP may refer to CellReselectionPriority, CellReselectionSubPriority, or both CellReselectionPriority and CellReselectionSubPriority.

[0047] Slice information (for a slice or slice group) may be provided using either or both broadcast signaling and / or dedicated signaling. Absolute priority of different NR frequencies or inter-RAT frequencies may be provided to the UE in system information within an RRCRelease message or by inheriting it from another RAT in inter-RAT cell (re)selection. In the case of system information, NR frequencies or inter-RAT frequencies may be enumerated without providing priority (i.e., there is no field cellReselectionPriority for that frequency). If any field with cellReselectionPriority is provided in dedicated signaling, the UE shall ignore any field with cellReselectionPriority and any slice reselection information provided in system information. If slice reselection information is provided in dedicated signaling, the UE shall ignore slice reselection information provided in system information (e.g., a System Information Block (SIB)).

[0048] Aspects of this disclosure include solutions for describing whether and how information provided in RRCRelease overrides information provided in SIB. This includes slice-specific reselection information, existing / legacy cellReselectionPriority. Aspects of this disclosure also include solutions for describing whether providing PCI lists is done in RRCRelease, and if so, how UE104 behaves (e.g., which cell lists UE104 uses). PCI lists include either or both an allow list (listing one or more cells that support a slice group) or an exclusion list (listing one or more cells that do not support a slice group).

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

[0050] In one solution, slice support information for each cell at each adjacent frequency is provided by the serving cell using both broadcast and dedicated signaling. However, this solution can be extremely signaling inefficient because there could be as many as 96 such entries (12 cells * 8 frequencies) of 10-bit cell identification information for which slice group support needs to be indicated, and much of this information may overlap. This solution becomes even more signaling inefficient if this information is repeated in both broadcast and dedicated signaling.

[0051] Although parts of this disclosure may refer only to “slices” or “slice groups,” the methods, implementations, or techniques disclosed are equally applicable to both “slices” and “slice groups.” A slice group consists of one or more slices, where each slice belongs to a unique slice group for cell reselection purposes (therefore, there may be another slice to the slice group mapping for RACH configuration and partitioning purposes), and each slice group is uniquely identified by a slice group identifier. This avoids issuing slice identification information (S-NSSAI) within system information (for example, due to security and system information size issues). Such slice grouping and signaling of slice group identification information can be shown, for example, in NAS signaling to UE104.

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

[0053] In one or more implementations, the RRCRelease message 306 contains only sliceGroup-CRPs for one or more frequencies. These sliceGroup-CRPs override or replace the priority received in the broadcast message signaling 308 for the corresponding slice group frequency pair. All other information, including the allowed (sliceAllowCellListNR) cell list and the excluded (sliceExcludeCellListNR) cell list, is taken from the broadcasted information (broadcast signaling 308). For one (or more) frequencies that appear in only one of the lists (i.e., in the RRCRelease message 306 or in the broadcast signaling 308), the UE 104 retains that frequency (for example, the frequency priority corresponding to that frequency is used regardless of whether the received information is from the RRCRelease message 306 or the broadcast signaling 308).

[0054] Figure 4 shows an example of slice information for dedicated signaling that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Example 400, the slice information for dedicated signaling includes a sequence of multiple frequencies, along with one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and an indication of the cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice.

[0055] In Example 400, several information elements are optionally shown and have corresponding codes such as "-- Need R". These corresponding codes indicate the behavior of UE104 in situations where the corresponding data is not included in the dedicated signaling. For example, such corresponding codes may indicate to UE104 to continue using any data that UE104 already has for that information element, or they may indicate to delete any data that UE104 already has for that information element. Any of the various codes can be used as described in 3GPP TS38.331.

[0056] Figure 5 shows an example 500 of slice information for broadcast signaling that supports signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Example 500, the slice information for broadcast signaling includes a sequence of multiple frequencies, along with one or more slice groups supported by frequency and an indication of the cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice. The slice information for broadcast signaling also includes an allow list (listing one or more cells that support a slice group) or an exclusion list (listing one or more cells that do not support a slice group). The exclusion list may also be called a block list or blocked list corresponding to each frequency. In one or more implementations, the broadcast signaling may include an allow list or an exclusion list for each frequency, but may not include both lists. Alternatively, the broadcast signaling may include both an allow list and an exclusion list for each frequency.

[0057] In Example 500, several information elements are optionally shown and have corresponding codes such as "-- Need R". These corresponding codes indicate the behavior of UE104 in situations where the corresponding data is not included in the broadcast signaling. For example, such corresponding codes may indicate to UE104 to continue using any data it already has for that information element, or to delete any data it already has for that information element. Any of the various codes can be used as described in 3GPP TS38.331.

[0058] Returning to Figure 3, in one or more implementations, the RRCRelease message 306 contains only sliceGroup-CRPs for one or more frequencies. These sliceGroup-CRPs override or replace the priority received in the broadcast signaling 308 for the corresponding slice group frequency pair. All other information, including the allowed (sliceAllowCellListNR) cell list and the excluded (sliceExcludeCellListNR) cell list, is taken from the broadcasted information in the broadcast signaling 308. For one (or more) frequencies that do not appear in the RRCRelease message 306, that frequency (or more) is not considered for cell reselection or is considered the lowest priority frequency. For example, UE104 assumes that because that frequency (or more) was not included in the dedicated signaling for UE104, network 302 does not want UE104 to use that frequency (or more).

[0059] In one or more implementations, if cell lists exist in both dedicated and broadcast signaling, the cell list (exclusion list or acceptance list) for slice group frequency pairs received in the dedicated signaling is used. However, if one of these signalings (dedicated or broadcast) provides one type of list (e.g., cells 1 and 2 in the acceptance list) and the other signaling (broadcast or dedicated) provides another type of list (e.g., cell 5 in the exclusion list), or vice versa, both received lists may be used simultaneously. That is, if a cell is enumerated in the acceptance list, UE104 re-selects the best-ranked cell at a frequency. However, if the best-ranked (radio) cell (e.g., based on RSRP or RSRQ measurements) is enumerated in the exclusion list, UE104 does not consider any further frequencies for slice-based re-selection until a re-selection to a different cell occurs, or until the information from the NAS to the AS for the slice group changes, or until the slice information from the broadcast signaling changes. In addition, if such a cell is the best (radio) ranked cell for that frequency, UE104 may need to collect system information on cells that do not appear in either of the lists.

[0060] For example, suppose cell_B is the best-ranked cell for a frequency, meaning it has the highest RSRP or RSRQ measurement for that frequency. However, if it happens that cell_B is included in the exclusion list, meaning that the frequency slice group pair that UE104 was expecting to find for that frequency is not supported by this particular cell, then the frequency may be supported by other cells, but unfortunately, cell_B does not support that frequency. Therefore, UE104 will not consider that frequency for slice-based reselection until a reselection to another cell occurs, or the information from the NAS to the AS for the slice group changes, or the slice information from broadcast signaling changes. Thus, UE104 will not consider that frequency for slice-based reselection until at least one of these three things changes.

[0061] As another example, slice information does not necessarily have to include information for a specific cell. For instance, suppose the best-ranked cell is cell_D, but neither the slice information in the RRCRelease message 306 nor the slice information in the broadcast signaling 308 includes any information about cell_D. In such a situation, UE104 collects system information in cell_D (for example, from cell_D) in order to obtain slice information for cell_D.

[0062] Therefore, using the techniques described herein, a novel signaling method for signaling slice information is revealed in one or more implementation forms. Additionally or alternatively, optimal cell list signaling and corresponding UE behavior are described. Additionally or alternatively, when cells are enumerated in an exclusion list, the UE behavior for the best-ranked cell in terms of frequency is described.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0069] In addition, the device (e.g., UE) includes, hereby, one or a combination of, first slice information including a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of one or more slice groups for a frequency, and second slice information including a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the device to generate combined slice information by including in the combined slice information a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group rather than a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, and hereby the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the device to generate combined slice information by including in the combined slice information a first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, and hereby the first slice information is determined by the current serving cell for the device or at least one adjacent cell The signaling includes a frequency priority mapping for each of the multiple slice groups supported by the frequency, wherein the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, wherein the first cell list is an allowable list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, wherein the first signaling provides first slice information and a first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for the frequency, wherein the second signaling provides first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list isIdentifying one or more cells in a first set of multiple frequencies that support one or more slice groups for a given frequency, wherein the first set of multiple frequencies includes specific frequencies not included in a second set of multiple frequencies, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the device to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list without considering specific frequencies, wherein the second signaling further includes a second cell list that identifies one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the device to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list. Here, the second signaling further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells supporting one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells not supporting one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the processor and transceiver are further configured to cause the device to determine that the best-ranked cell for a frequency is not enumerated in either the first or second cell list, to collect cell system information for the best-ranked cell in response to the fact that the best-ranked cell for a frequency is not enumerated in either the first or second cell list, and to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best-ranked cell.

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

[0071] In addition, the wireless communication and / or network signaling in the UE comprises, wherein the first slice information comprises a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of one or more slice groups for a frequency, and the second slice information comprises a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, and further comprises generating combined slice information by including in the combined slice information the second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, and further comprises generating combined slice information by including in the combined slice information the first cell list and all slice information in the first slice information other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, wherein the first slice information comprises frequency priority numbers for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell or by at least one adjacent cell for the apparatus performing the method. The first signaling includes a ping, where the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, where the first cell list is an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, where the first signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for the frequency, where the second signaling indicates first slice information and a first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for the frequency, where,A first set of multiple frequencies includes specific frequencies not included in a second set of multiple frequencies, and the method further comprises performing slice-based cell reselection based on combined slice information and a first cell list without considering specific frequencies, wherein the second signaling further comprises a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the method further comprises performing slice-based cell reselection based on combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list, wherein the second signaling is one or more slice groups The method further includes a second cell list identifying one or more cells supporting a slice group, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list. The method further includes determining that the best-ranked cell for a frequency is not enumerated in either the first or second cell list; collecting cell system information for the best-ranked cell in response to the fact that the best-ranked cell for a frequency is not enumerated in either the first or second cell list; and performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best-ranked cell.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0082] In addition, the device (e.g., a base station) includes, here, first slice information including a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell for the UE or by at least one adjacent cell, wherein the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, wherein the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, wherein the first cell list is an allowable list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, wherein the first signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of a plurality of frequencies, and the first slice information is supported by the frequency The second signaling identifies one or more slice groups, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for a frequency, where the second signaling indicates first slice information and the first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for a frequency, where the first set of multiple frequencies includes specific frequencies not included in the second set of multiple frequencies, where the second signaling further receives a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list isIt is either an allowable list or an exclusion list.

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

[0084] In addition, wireless communication at a base station includes, here, first slice information, which includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell for the UE or by at least one adjacent cell, wherein the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for a frequency, and second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, wherein the second signaling comprises an RRCRelease message, wherein the first cell list is an allowable list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, wherein the first signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of a plurality of frequencies, and the first slice information is supported by the frequency The second signaling identifies one or more slice groups, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for a frequency, where the second signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, where the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells that support one or more slice groups for a frequency, where the first set of multiple frequencies includes specific frequencies not included in the second set of multiple frequencies, where the second signaling further receives a second cell list identifying one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, where the first cell list is either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list isIt is either an allowable list or an exclusion list.

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

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

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

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

[0089] Figure 8 shows a flowchart of Method 800 supporting signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of Method 800 may be carried out and executed by a device or its components, such as UE104, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the device's functional elements to perform the functions described. Additionally or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the functions described using dedicated hardware.

[0090] In 802, the method may include receiving a first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, which indicates a first slice information and a first cell list, the first slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifying one or more first cells supporting one or more slice groups. The operation of 802 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the modes of operation of 802 may be performed by a device such as those described with reference to Figure 1.

[0091] In 804, the method may include receiving a second signaling from a base station using a dedicated signaling, which indicates a second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by frequency. The operation of 804 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 804 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0092] In 806, the method may include generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information. The operation of 806 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 806 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0093] In 808, the method may include performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and a first cell list. The operation of 808 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 808 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0094] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of Method 900 supporting signaling slice information to a device according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of Method 900 may be carried out and executed by a device or its components, such as UE104, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described. In addition or alternatively, the device may perform aspects of the functions described using dedicated hardware.

[0095] In 902, the method may include the first slice information including a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of one or more slice groups with respect to frequency. The operation of 902 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the mode of operation of 902 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0096] In 904, the method may include the second slice information including a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group. The operation of 904 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 904 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0097] In 906, the method may also include generating combined slice information by including in the combined slice information a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group, rather than a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one slice group. The operation of 906 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 906 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0098] Figure 10 shows a flowchart of Method 1000, which supports signaling slice information to a device, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of Method 1000 may be carried out and executed by a device or its components, such as UE104, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the device to perform the function described. In addition or alternatively, the device may perform the aspect of the function described using dedicated hardware.

[0099] In 1002, the method may further include a second cell list that identifies one or more cells supporting one or more slice groups. The operation of 1002 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 1002 may be performed by a device such as the one described with reference to Figure 1.

[0100] In 1004, the method may include the first cell list being either an allow list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list enumerating one or more cells that do not support one or more slice groups, and the second cell list being the other of the allow list or the exclusion list. The operation of 1004 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 1004 may be performed by a device such as those described with reference to Figure 1.

[0101] In 1006, the method may include performing slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, a first cell list, and a second cell list. The operation of 1006 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 1006 may be performed by a device such as those described with reference to Figure 1.

[0102] Figure 11 shows a flowchart of Method 1100, which supports signaling slice information to a device, according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of Method 1100 may be carried out and executed by a device or its components, such as a base station 102, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In some implementations, the device may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the device to perform the function described. In addition or alternatively, the device may perform the aspect of the function described using dedicated hardware.

[0103] In 1102, the method may include transmitting a first signaling indicating a first slice information and a first cell list to a UE using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting one or more slice groups. The operation of 1102 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 1102 may be performed by a device such as those described with reference to Figure 1.

[0104] In 1104, the method may include transmitting a second signaling to the UE using a dedicated signaling, which indicates a second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by frequency. The operation of 1104 may be performed according to examples such as those described herein. In some implementations, the operation of 1104 may be performed by a device such as those described with reference to Figure 1.

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

[0106] The various exemplary blocks and components described in relation to the disclosures herein may be implemented or run using general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core), or any other such configuration.

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

[0108] Computer-readable media include both non-temporary computer storage media and communication media, including any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. Non-temporary storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer. Non-temporary computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, any other non-temporary media that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures, and that can be accessed by a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer or a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor.

[0109] Any connection may appropriately be referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of a computer-readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laserdisc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray® disc, where disk typically reproduces data magnetically and disc optically using a laser. Any combination of the above is also included in the scope of a computer-readable medium.

[0110] When used herein, including within the claims, “or” as used in an enumeration of items (for example, an enumeration of items ending with a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive enumeration, for example, the enumeration “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, the enumeration “one or more of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, the enumeration “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, the enumeration “one or more of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, when used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as “based on condition A” may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same way as the phrase “based at least in part on.” Furthermore, as used herein, including within the claims, “set” may include one or more elements.

[0111] The descriptions provided herein with respect to the accompanying drawings describe exemplary configurations and do not necessarily represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” as used herein means “acting as an example, case, or illustration,” and does not mean “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The modes for carrying out the invention include specific details to give an understanding of the techniques described. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are illustrated in the form of block diagrams to avoid obscuring the concepts of the examples described.

[0112] The descriptions herein are provided to enable those skilled in the art to create or use this disclosure. Various modifications of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles set forth herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, and should be given the broadest scope that corresponds to the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 Wireless Communication Systems 102 Base station 104 User Equipment (UE) 106 Core Network 108 Communication Links 110 Geographic Coverage Areas 112 Communication Link 114 Backhaul Link 116 Dedicated Slice Information 118 Broadcast Slice Information 120 Slice Reselection Process 200-cell and frequency expansion 202 Serving Cells 204 adjacent cells 206 adjacent cells 208 adjacent cells 210 adjacent cells 212 adjacent cells 214 adjacent cells 302 Network 304 RRC connection 306 RRCRelease message 308 Broadcast Signaling 602 devices 604 Communications Manager 606 Processor 608 memory 610 Receiver 612 Transmitter 614 I / O Controllers 616 Antenna 702 devices 704 Communications Manager 706 Processor 708 memory 710 Receiver 712 Transmitter 714 I / O Controller 716 Antenna

Claims

1. User equipment (UE) for wireless communication, At least one memory, The system comprises at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, and the at least one processor provides the UE, Receiving a first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups. Receiving a second signaling from the base station using a dedicated signaling, which indicates second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the aforementioned frequency, The first slice information and the second slice information are combined to generate combined slice information, It is configured to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list, The first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the slice groups. The aforementioned at least one processor provides the UE, The combined slice information includes the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group, rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group, and The combined slice information includes the first cell list and all slice information within the first slice information, other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group. A UE further configured to generate the combined slice information.

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

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

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the first cell list is an allowable list enumerating one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the first cell list is an exclusion list that enumerates one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the first signaling indicates the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of a plurality of frequencies, the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies the first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency.

7. User equipment (UE) for wireless communication, At least one memory, The system comprises at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, and the at least one processor provides the UE, Receiving a first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups. Receiving a second signaling from the base station using a dedicated signaling, which indicates second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the aforementioned frequency, The first slice information and the second slice information are combined to generate combined slice information, It is configured to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list, The first signaling provides the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a first set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, and the first cell list identifies the first one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency. The second signaling provides the first slice information and the first cell list for each of a second set of multiple frequencies, the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by the frequency, the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups for the frequency, the first set of multiple frequencies includes a specific frequency not included in the second set of multiple frequencies, and the at least one processor provides the UE, A UE is further configured to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list, without considering the aforementioned specific frequencies.

8. User equipment (UE) for wireless communication, At least one memory, The system comprises at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, and the at least one processor provides the UE, Receiving a first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups. Receiving a second signaling from the base station using a dedicated signaling, which indicates second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the aforementioned frequency, The first slice information and the second slice information are combined to generate combined slice information, It is configured to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list, The second signaling further includes a second cell list that identifies one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list that enumerates the one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list that enumerates the one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the at least one processor provides the UE with A UE further configured to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the second cell list.

9. The second signaling further includes a second cell list that identifies one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, wherein the first cell list is either an allow list that enumerates the one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list that enumerates the one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups, and the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list, and the at least one processor provides the UE with To determine that the best-ranked cell for the aforementioned frequency is not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, In response to the fact that the best-ranked cell for the aforementioned frequency is not listed in either the first cell list or the second cell list, cell system information is collected for the best-ranked cell. Perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information, the first cell list, and the cell system information for the best-ranked cells. It is further configured to cause The UE according to claim 8.

10. A base station for wireless communication, At least one memory, The system comprises at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, and the at least one processor is connected to the base station. Transmitting a first signaling indicating a first slice information and a first cell list to a user device (UE) using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups. The system is configured to transmit a second signaling indicating second slice information that identifies one or more slice groups supported by the aforementioned frequency to the UE using a dedicated signaling, The second signaling further includes a second cell list that identifies one or more cells supporting the one or more slice groups, The first cell list is either an allow list that enumerates the one or more cells that support the one or more slice groups, or an exclusion list that enumerates the one or more cells that do not support the one or more slice groups. A base station in which the second cell list is the other of the allow list or the exclusion list.

11. The base station according to claim 10, wherein the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell for the UE or by at least one adjacent cell.

12. The base station according to claim 10, wherein the first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the slice groups.

13. The base station according to claim 10, wherein the first cell list is an allowable list enumerating one or more cells that support one or more slice groups.

14. A method performed by a user device (UE), wherein the method is A step of receiving a first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups. The steps include receiving a second signaling from the base station using a dedicated signaling, which indicates a second slice information that identifies one or more slice groups supported by the aforementioned frequency, The steps include generating combined slice information by combining the first slice information and the second slice information, The steps include performing slice base cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list. Equipped with, The first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the slice groups. The aforementioned method, The combined slice information includes the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group, rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group, and The combined slice information includes the first cell list and all slice information within the first slice information, other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group. A method further comprising the step of generating the combined slice information by means of.

15. A processor for wireless communication, The processor comprises at least one controller coupled to at least one memory, Receiving a first signaling from a base station using broadcast signaling, wherein the first slice information identifies one or more slice groups supported by frequency, and the first cell list identifies one or more first cells supporting the one or more slice groups. Receiving a second signaling from the base station using a dedicated signaling, which indicates second slice information identifying one or more slice groups supported by the aforementioned frequency, The first slice information and the second slice information are combined to generate combined slice information, It is configured to perform slice-based cell reselection based on the combined slice information and the first cell list, The first slice information includes a first cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the one or more slice groups for the frequency, and the second slice information includes a second cell reselection priority corresponding to one of the slice groups. The at least one controller provides the processor with The combined slice information includes the second cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group, rather than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the slice group, and The combined slice information includes the first cell list and all slice information within the first slice information, other than the first cell reselection priority corresponding to the one slice group. A processor further configured to generate the combined slice information.

16. The processor according to claim 15, wherein the first slice information includes a frequency priority mapping for each of a plurality of slice groups supported by the current serving cell for the processor or by at least one adjacent cell.

17. The processor according to claim 15, wherein the second signaling comprises a radio resource control (RRC) release message.

Images