5G RRC Adaptation for Slice-Aware Paging and Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network slicing mechanisms face issues such as inappropriate paging/tracking area configuration, roaming restrictions, and inappropriate core network function usage due to inconsistent slice availability across base stations, leading to inefficiencies and mobility management challenges.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication apparatus with a controller and transceiver to transmit and receive slice support information, enabling appropriate core network functionality selection, on-demand system information, and targeted handover decisions based on slice capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is implemented without consistent slice availability information across base stations, then network flexibility and service differentiation are improved, but paging efficiency and mobility management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slicing flexibilityVSAvoidpaging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station pre-acquires and stores slice availability information from neighboring base stations before handover or paging operations. This preliminary information gathering enables the base station to make informed decisions about paging target selection and handover eligibility, avoiding inefficient paging in areas where the required slice is not available and preventing handovers to base stations that cannot support the UE's active slices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If slice support information is not exchanged between base stations, then device complexity and signaling overhead are reduced, but handover appropriateness and service continuity are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station complexityVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized interface and message structure for exchanging slice support information between base stations. This intermediary mechanism allows concise transmission of slice availability data through defined information elements in handover request messages, enabling appropriate handover decisions without requiring complex peer-to-peer negotiation or continuous signaling between base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all base stations support all slice types, then service coverage and accessibility are improved, but capital expenditure and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines handover eligibility based on real-time slice availability information rather than relying on static base station capabilities. The base station evaluates whether the target base station supports the UE's active slices and adjusts handover decisions accordingly, enabling flexible service coverage where UEs can be served by any base station that currently supports their required slices without requiring every base station to support every slice type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12445952B2Communication system and methods that adapt RRC procedures to a 5G network implementing network slicing

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 NEC CORP

AI summary

A communication system is disclosed in which a number of procedures may be performed between user equipment, a base station, and/or the core network in the context of network slicing. The procedures support, for example efficient configuration of paging areas, roaming, access restriction, mobility, setting up of dual mode connectivity, connection re-establishment, efficient paging and slice selection.