AMF Signaling Connection for Network Slice NAS Message Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the existing standard solutions for network slicing result in excessive signaling and inefficient resource utilization, particularly when user equipment (UE) accesses multiple network slices, leading to difficulties in managing connection modes and reducing network management efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication method that establishes a signaling connection between UE and a core network entity, allowing for the determination of a target network slice based on received network slice information, enabling the forwarding of NAS messages through a single core network entity, thereby reducing signaling overhead and improving resource utilization and management efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UE simultaneously accesses multiple network slices, then service coverage and versatility are improved, but signaling amount increases and network resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signaling connection establishment process by allowing the AMF to establish a single signaling connection with the UE and use it to communicate with multiple network slices. Instead of requiring separate signaling connections for each network slice, the AMF reuses the same connection to forward NAS messages between the UE and different network slice core network entities, thereby reducing the total signaling amount while maintaining access to multiple slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling connection established between the UE and AMF is designed to serve multiple functions - it can be used to communicate with different network slices. The AMF acts as an intermediary that can route NAS messages to various network slice core network entities through the same signaling connection, making the connection universal rather than dedicated to a single network slice.
2Reliability
If UE establishes separate signaling connections to each network slice, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AMF serves as an intermediary between the UE and multiple network slices. It establishes one signaling connection with the UE and uses this connection to communicate with different network slice core network entities. The AMF forwards NAS messages from the UE to the appropriate network slice core network entity, acting as a mediator that simplifies the connection architecture while maintaining reliable communication with multiple slices.
3Reliability
If multiple signaling connections are established for multiple network slices, then communication reliability is improved, but network resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signaling connections into a single shared connection. The AMF establishes one signaling connection with the UE and reuses it to communicate with multiple network slices. This merging approach maintains communication reliability through proper message routing while significantly improving network resource utilization by avoiding the duplication of connection resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method is applied to a communications system including a UE, a RAN, a first core network entity, and at least one network slice. The wireless communication method includes: establishing, by the first core network entity, a signaling connection to the UE; receiving, by the first core network entity and from the UE via the signaling connection, network slice information and a non-access stratum NAS message; determining, by the first core network entity and based on the network slice information, a target network slice from the at least one network slice, where the target network slice includes a second core network entity, and the UE performs NAS communication with the second core network entity using the RAN and the first core network entity; and sending, by the first core network entity, the NAS message to the second core network entity.