Cell Selection for Non-Uniform Network Slice Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G networks face challenges in supporting non-uniform network slice deployments within a registration or tracking area, leading to inefficient cell selection and access management for UEs with varying service requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting a system information block comprising a plurality of tracking area codes associated with one or more network slices or one or more network slice groups, and the solution provides a system information block comprising a plurality of tracking area codes associated with one or more network slices, wherein the solution indicates a priority indicated by an encoding order of the priority of the plurality of tracking area codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform network slice support is assumed across all cells in a tracking area, then network configuration and management is simplified, but the system cannot support non-uniform network slice deployments where different cells have different slice capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking area is segmented into multiple cell groups, where each cell group is associated with a specific network slice. This segmentation allows different cells to support different network slices while maintaining manageable configuration through group-based organization rather than individual cell configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cells within the same tracking area are assigned different network slice support capabilities based on their local requirements. The system enables local quality differentiation by allowing specific cells to support specific network slices (e.g., some cells support eMBB while others support URLLC) rather than requiring uniform support across all cells.
2Loss of information
If multiple tracking area codes are transmitted in system information blocks, then UEs can select appropriate cells based on their service requirements, but the size and complexity of system information blocks increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tracking area codes associated with different network slices are merged into a single system information block. This combining approach allows the system to convey comprehensive network slice support information across multiple cells without requiring separate system information blocks for each tracking area code, thus reducing overall information overhead.
3Productivity
If priority encoding is implemented in tracking area code ordering, then UE cell selection is optimized for specific network slices, but the encoding and decoding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of tracking area code representation by implementing priority-based ordering in the encoding. Tracking area codes are ordered according to their priority levels, with higher priority network slices (such as URLLC) appearing before lower priority ones (such as eMBB). This parameter change enables UEs to efficiently select cells based on their service requirements by simply reading the ordered list without complex interpretation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described that support non-uniform network slice deployment across a service area of a registration area or tracking area covered by at least a radio access network. A network function transmits a plurality of tracking area codes associated with a network to user equipment to indicate primary and secondary tracking area codes to the user equipment. Selection of a tracking area code may be completed by the user equipment based on the primary and secondary tracking area codes and a forbidden tracking area identities list. The user equipment may be blocked from receiving services from a network slice based on the service area in which the user equipment attempts to access the network slice. Network functions may limit reporting of tracking area codes to user equipment based on a serving cell identity. Network slices may be restricted to private networks.