5G Handover Network Slice Remapping for Lower Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, handover of terminal devices between RAN nodes with different network slice support capabilities results in high signaling overheads and service disruption due to varying network slice availability, posing a challenge for seamless service continuity.
Innovation Solution
Implement a handover method that reduces signaling overheads by only transmitting indications of network slice re-mapping and fallback support, along with pre-obtained network slice re-mapping and default information, rather than full details, during the handover process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full network slice re-mapping information and default network slice information are transmitted during handover, then service continuity is ensured, but signaling overheads increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential indication information (whether sessions support network slice re-mapping and/or fallback) from the complete network slice re-mapping information and default network slice information. This selective extraction allows the handover message to contain only the minimum necessary data for the target RAN node to determine service continuity, significantly reducing signaling overhead while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting complete network slice re-mapping information and default network slice information (excessive action), the patent transmits only the critical indication bits (partial action) that enable the target RAN node to make handover decisions. This partial transmission approach achieves service continuity without the burden of full information exchange.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed network slice information is exchanged during handover, then accurate service mapping is achieved, but handover interaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical indication information from detailed network slice information. The indication bits convey whether sessions support re-mapping and/or fallback, which is sufficient for accurate service mapping decisions at the target RAN node, while avoiding the complexity of processing complete network slice re-mapping information and default network slice information.
3Reliability
If complete session and network slice correspondence information is transmitted, then service continuity is maintained, but message size and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential indication information from complete session and network slice correspondence information. By transmitting only the indication bits rather than full correspondence details, the handover message size is reduced and processing time at both source and target RAN nodes is minimized, while service continuity is maintained through the target node's ability to determine appropriate mapping based on the indications.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a handover method and apparatus. During handover, a source RAN node includes, in a handover message, an indication indicating whether a PDU session supports network slice re-mapping and/or an indication indicating whether the PDU session supports network slice fallback. A target RAN node performs admission control based on the indication, and notifies the source RAN node of an identifier of a network slice to which the PDU session is re-mapped or an indication indicating whether the PDU session falls back to a default network slice. The source RAN node forwards the notification to a terminal device. This reduces signaling overheads caused during handover interaction.