Cell-Specific Radio Resource Activation for Scalable Network Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio resource allocation to network slices in mobile communication systems is not scalable and cannot support the mass market introduction of services like live video production, as it configures all radio cells in a tracking area with the same allocation, leading to unnecessary resource allocation and lack of cell-specific access control.
Innovation Solution
Implement passive radio resource allocation for network slices in a tracking area and activate these resources only when a user equipment is admitted to a specific cell, allowing overallocation in the tracking area with cell-specific active allocation managed by admission control and reservation mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If radio resources are allocated to a network slice for a whole tracking area, then signaling overhead is reduced and mobility management is simplified, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking area into individual radio cells for resource allocation purposes. Instead of allocating resources uniformly across the entire tracking area, the system enables cell-specific active allocation from passively allocated resources, allowing granular control at the cell level while maintaining tracking area-level passive allocation configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different radio cells within the same tracking area to have different active radio resource allocations based on local service requirements. Each cell can independently activate resources from the passively allocated pool according to its specific traffic demands and service type, enabling localized optimization without affecting other cells.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radio resources are passively allocated for network slices in a tracking area, then resource flexibility is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates without active allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-allocating radio resources to network slices at the tracking area level in a passive state before they are actually needed. This allows resources to be reserved and configured in advance for potential future use, ensuring flexibility and quick activation when services are admitted, without committing resources continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by transitioning radio resources from a passive allocated state to an active allocation state based on real-time service admission and traffic demands. Resources are dynamically activated at the cell level when needed and can be deactivated when not in use, optimizing utilization efficiency while maintaining flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If a UE can access a network slice via any radio cell in the tracking area, then access flexibility is improved, but network control capability deteriorates for location-specific services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network access control by radio cell, allowing the network to control which specific cells within a tracking area can provide access to a network slice. This enables location-specific service control where only certain cells are authorized to admit UEs to particular network slices based on service requirements and UE location.
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples relate to a to a method, a computer program, and an apparatus for allocating radio resources in a tracking area of a mobile communication system. The method (10) for allocating radio resources in a tracking area of a mobile communication system, the tracking area comprising a plurality of radio cells and two or more network slices are configured in the tracking area, comprises passively allocating (12) radio resources for a network slice in the tracking area. The passively allocated radio resources are inactive for radio communication of the corresponding network slices. The method (10) further comprises actively allocating (14) the passively allocated radio resources in a cell of the tracking area for the network slice by admission of a user equipment, UE, to the network slice to obtain actively allocated radio resources. At least a part of the actively allocated radio resources is used for radio communication with the UE of the network slice in the cell.