Base Station Network Slice Authorization via Common Control Plane Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G networks, lack the ability to approve or disapprove network slices requested by user equipment during mobility management attach procedures, necessitating a novel method for reporting authorization information.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a base station to receive authorization information on a network slice, involving the selection of a common control plane function based on an attach request from user equipment, transmission of the request to the selected function, and receipt of authorization information indicating whether the user equipment is authorized to use the requested slice, which may be determined by subscription data or capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is introduced to enable independency and flexibility of services and network resources, then service flexibility and network resource efficiency are improved, but the ability to approve or disapprove network slices during mobility management attach procedures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network slice selection function (NSSF) as an intermediary component between the base station and the core network. The NSSF receives the attach request from the base station, selects an appropriate network slice, and provides slice authorization information back to the base station. This intermediary mechanism restores the network's ability to approve or disapprove network slices during mobility management while preserving the flexibility and independence benefits of network slicing.
2Ease of operation
If conventional mobility management procedures are used without network slice authorization, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but the network cannot control or manage network slice usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the base station select and transmit the attach request to an appropriate network slice before the actual service activation. The network slice selection and authorization is performed in advance during the attach procedure, allowing the network to pre-determine which slice should be activated based on user requirements and network conditions. This preliminary selection mechanism enables network slice management without significantly complicating the overall mobility management procedure.
3Reliability
If network slice selection is added to existing mobility management procedures, then network slice authorization is achieved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the network slice selection function (NSSF) to handle multiple functions within a single component. The NSSF performs user authentication, network slice selection, and authorization determination all within one unified function. This multi-functional approach allows the network to achieve reliable network slice authorization while minimizing the increase in procedure complexity, as the NSSF integrates multiple operations that would otherwise require separate components and signaling messages.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a method for receiving, by a base station (BS), authorization information on a network slice in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus supporting the same. The method may include: receiving an attach request from a user equipment (UE); selecting a common control plane function (C-CPF) corresponding to a particular network slice based on the attach request; transmitting the received attach request to the selected C-CPF; and receiving authorization information, which indicates whether the UE is authorized to use the particular network slice, from the selected C-CPF.