Core Network Slice Mapping for On-Demand RAN QoS Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access network (RAN) resources are inefficiently utilized due to the inability to dynamically allocate RAN slices that correlate with core network slices, leading to poor quality of service (QoS) for user devices, as existing mechanisms rely on statically provisioned service profile identifiers (SPIDs) and fail to create end-to-end dedicated QoS flows.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Service Capabilities Exposure Function (SCEF) or Network Exposure Function (NEF) that maintains a mapping table of core network slices with Quality of Service (QoS) class identifiers (QCIs) based on SPIDs, enabling on-demand QoS by generating flow requests to select appropriate RAN slices for user devices, thereby linking core and RAN slices in real-time without modifying existing signal procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If statically provisioned service profile identifiers (SPIDs) are used in RAN, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and QoS performance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic SPID allocation where the network device assigns SPIDs to user devices in real-time based on service requirements and RAN slice availability, replacing the static pre-provisioned approach. This allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary between the core network slice selection and RAN slice allocation. It receives service requests, maps them to appropriate core network slices, selects corresponding RAN slices, and assigns SPIDs accordingly, thereby coordinating between different network layers without requiring direct complex interactions.
2Device complexity
If statically provisioned SPIDs are used without correlation to core network slices, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide end-to-end dedicated QoS flows deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network device serves as a coordinating intermediary that receives service requests from user devices, identifies appropriate core network slices based on QoS requirements, maps these to corresponding RAN slices using SPIDs, and establishes end-to-end dedicated QoS flows. This intermediary function enables reliable end-to-end QoS without requiring complex configurations in user devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the SPID parameter dynamically based on the selected RAN slice and core network slice correspondence. Instead of using fixed static SPIDs, the network device assigns different SPID values that reflect the actual network slice configuration, enabling flexible QoS parameter adjustment while keeping device complexity low.
3Device complexity
If RAN slices are not correlated with core network slices, then system complexity is reduced, but service efficiency and QoS performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network device functions as a mapping intermediary that correlates RAN slices with core network slices through SPID assignment. It receives service requests, determines the appropriate core network slice, selects the corresponding RAN slice, and assigns the appropriate SPID to establish the correlation. This intermediary approach enables efficient service delivery without requiring complex direct correlations between RAN and core network slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mapping and correlation of RAN slices with core network slices through SPID assignment before actual service delivery. The network device pre-establishes the slice correlations and SPID mappings, so that when service requests arrive, the system can quickly allocate resources without performing complex real-time correlations, thereby improving service efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device of a core network may maintain a mapping table that maps core network slices with quality of service (QoS) class identifiers (QCIs) based on service profile identifiers (SPIDs), and may receive, from a user device, a request for service with a particular QCI included in the QCIs of the mapping table. The network device may identify a particular SPID of the SPIDs in the mapping table based on the particular QCI of the service, and may generate a flow request based on the particular SPID. The network device may cause the flow request to be provided to a radio access network (RAN) associated with the user device, to cause the RAN to select a RAN slice for provision of the service to the user device.