Device Location Manager for 5G Network Slice Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing network slice architecture in 5G systems is inefficient due to the isolation of network slices, which hinders function sharing and information exchange, leading to high operational effort for control-plane management and slow innovation pace.
Innovation Solution
A device location manager that maps physical location information to logical location information, enabling common location information sharing between multiple network slices and acting as a bridge between infrastructure and network slices, using a combination of interfaces for efficient data exchange and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slices are isolated to provide dedicated services, then service reliability is improved, but function sharing and information exchange between slices deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments location management functions into slice-specific logical location information and common physical location information. Each network slice maintains its own logical location data (tracking areas, logical access nodes) for service reliability, while a shared device location manager handles physical location data (physical access nodes, infrastructure identifiers) for function sharing. This segmentation allows slices to remain isolated where needed while sharing common infrastructure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The device location manager acts as an intermediary between the infrastructure manager and multiple network slices. It receives physical location information from the infrastructure manager, maps it to logical location information specific to each slice, and distributes it accordingly. This intermediary enables information exchange between slices and infrastructure without compromising slice isolation, as the device location manager translates and adapts information for each slice's specific requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complete monolithic C-plane solution is implemented per slice, then service customization is improved, but operational effort and system complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the common physical location management functions from each individual network slice and consolidates them into a shared device location manager. Instead of each slice having its own complete C-plane location management stack, the physical location tracking and infrastructure mapping are taken out and shared across all slices. This reduces operational effort and system complexity while maintaining slice-specific logical location customization through the mapping function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device location manager for a communication system, the device location manager comprising: a southbound interface configured to receive a physical location information of a mobile device from an infrastructure manager of the communication system, a location processor configured to map between the physical location information and a logical location information, and a northbound interface configured to send and/or receive the logical location information to and/or from at least two network slices of the communication system.