Multiple AMF Segmentation for 5G Network Slice Incompatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G system has limitations in that a UE can only be served by a single Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for all network slices, leading to resource sharing and security issues, and it can only configure up to 16 network slices, restricting the UE's ability to select subscribed slices.
Innovation Solution
The system allows a UE to detect and communicate with multiple AMFs, enabling registration to slices that cannot be served by a single AMF, and enhances the network to provide more than 16 configured slices by using a primary and secondary AMF approach and extending the NSSAI configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a UE is served by a single AMF for all network slices, then the system architecture is simplified and resource sharing is enabled, but resource sharing conflicts occur and security issues arise between incompatible slices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single AMF into multiple specialized AMFs (e.g., AMF for slice group 1, AMF for slice group 2). Each AMF is responsible for specific network slices, allowing incompatible slices to be handled by different AMFs. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining architectural simplicity through clear division of responsibilities while ensuring slice service reliability through isolated management of incompatible slices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a UE is served by a single AMF, then resource sharing is enabled, but security issues arise between incompatible slices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the AMF into multiple specialized instances, each handling specific slice groups. This segmentation creates security boundaries between incompatible slices while maintaining resource sharing within each AMF's designated slices. The separation ensures that security issues in one slice group do not affect other slice groups, while resource efficiency is maintained through dedicated management.
3Device complexity
If the network configures up to 16 network slices, then the configuration is manageable, but the UE's ability to select subscribed slices is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice configuration into multiple groups (e.g., first group of slices, second group of slices), with each group managed by a dedicated AMF. This allows the UE to access more than 16 slices by selecting from multiple AMFs, each with its own manageable configuration set. The segmentation maintains configuration manageability while significantly enhancing UE slice selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to slice selection by adding the AMF selection dimension. Instead of limiting slices to a single configuration set of 16, the system now offers multiple AMFs, each with its own slice configurations. The UE can select both an AMF and then select slices from that AMF's configuration, effectively expanding the total number of accessible slices beyond the traditional 16-slice limit.
4Reliability
If multiple AMFs are introduced to serve different slice groups, then slice service reliability is improved, but system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation of AMFs into specialized instances, each responsible for specific slice groups. This segmentation improves slice service reliability by isolating incompatible slices to different AMFs, preventing conflicts. The architecture complexity increase is managed through clear segmentation principles and standardized interfaces between AMFs and other network functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains universality by ensuring that each AMF instance implements the same core AMF functions and interfaces, just with different slice group responsibilities. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to scale from one AMF to multiple AMFs without fundamentally changing the architecture, as each AMF instance is a universal, self-contained unit that can be replicated and combined.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) may detect that two or more of the slices that were requested by the UE cannot be served by the same access and mobility management function (AMF). Once the UE is able to determine that the multiple requested slices cannot be served by the same AMF, the UE may account for this incompatibility. For example, the UE may decide to only request compatible slices, or the UE may execute procedures with the network that allow the UE to simultaneously communicate with multiple AMFs. By allowing the UE to communicate with multiple AMFs, the UE may be able to utilize separate AMFs to register to slices that cannot be served by the same AMF. The system may allow for the UE to be paged by multiple AMFs.