5G Slice Frequency Restriction Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G systems lack efficient mechanisms to ensure regulatory compliance by restricting specific slices and their combinations to specific frequencies, particularly in scenarios where public services cannot be offered on private spectrum frequencies, such as the 3.7-3.8 GHz range, leading to complexities in radio planning and mobility management.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Slice Frequency Restriction Repository Function (SFRRF) that manages and enforces frequency restrictions for slices, providing APIs to retrieve and update slice frequency restrictions for subscribers and network entities, ensuring that only authorized frequencies are used for specific slices or combinations, and integrating this information into the UE registration and mobility processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slices are deployed on private spectrum frequencies without frequency restrictions, then network service coverage is improved, but regulatory compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network by introducing slice-specific frequency restrictions, dividing the network into isolated frequency domains for different slices. This allows public and private slices to operate on different frequencies simultaneously, maintaining service coverage while ensuring regulatory compliance through frequency isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different frequency restriction policies to different slices based on their specific requirements. Public slices can access private spectrum frequencies while private slices are restricted to public spectrum frequencies, allowing each slice to have optimized frequency access characteristics that satisfy both service coverage and regulatory compliance requirements.
2Reliability
If frequency restrictions are applied to slices, then regulatory compliance is improved, but radio planning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs frequency restriction configuration in advance during network setup and slice creation phases. By pre-defining which slices can access which frequencies before actual network operation, the system ensures regulatory compliance is built-in from the start, avoiding the need for complex real-time radio planning adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the network system to automatically manage frequency restrictions through self-service mechanisms. The network automatically applies frequency restriction policies to slices based on pre-configured rules, eliminating the need for manual radio planning intervention and reducing operational complexity while maintaining compliance.
3Reliability
If slice frequency restrictions are enforced, then regulatory compliance is improved, but mobility management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures frequency restriction information in the network before mobility events occur. When UEs move between cells, the network already has the frequency restriction policies ready and can automatically apply them without complex real-time calculations, ensuring compliance while simplifying mobility management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors slice frequency usage and automatically adjusts mobility management decisions based on frequency restriction policies. This feedback loop ensures regulatory compliance is maintained during mobility events without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for applying frequency restrictions to slices in a 5G System, 5GS, the 5GS comprising a User Equipment, UE; a Radio Access Network, RAN, composed of cells, each uniquely identifiable within the 5GS via a cell identifier, cell ID; and a 5G Core, 5GC; wherein the 5GC comprises at least: one or more Access and Mobility Function, AMF, and a functional entity; and wherein the UE and the 5GC contain subscription information of a user, uniquely identifiable within the 5GS via a subscriber identifier, ID, which allows said user to use the UE to access one or more slices in the 5GS; the method comprising: storing, by the functional entity, a set of slice frequency restrictions associated with slice selection information, cell ID, and/or with a subscriber ID, wherein slice selection information is comprised of: Network Slice Selection Assistance Information, NSSAI; a Single-NSSAI, S-NSSAI; a set of S-NSSAI; or one or more identifiers, each uniquely identifying a slice within the 5GS; upon receiving a request from the 5GS, the request comprising one or a combination of request parameters: slice selection information, cell ID, and/or a subscriber ID; returning, from the functional entity to the 5GS, slice frequency restriction information associated with the request parameters.