Expandable 5G Network Slices for On-Demand Mobility Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network slicing technologies require deployment in all possible geographic areas, leading to unnecessary overhead and wasted resources due to infrequent usage, especially for mobility use cases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing expandable network slices that can dynamically expand their geographic coverage area on-demand by deploying and activating the same network slice instance on neighboring cells based on user equipment mobility, utilizing geo-fencing and intelligent network orchestration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If network slice instance is deployed in all possible geographic areas to support mobility, then service coverage is improved, but resource waste and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice instance deployment transitions from a static all-area deployment to a dynamic on-demand deployment. The system dynamically determines which geographic areas require network slice instances based on real-time user equipment mobility patterns, actively deploying instances only in areas where users are currently located or expected to move to, and removing instances from areas where no users are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively deploying network slice instances in geographic areas where user equipment is predicted to move based on mobility patterns, before the users actually arrive in those areas. This predictive deployment approach ensures service continuity while avoiding deployment in areas where no users will be present.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network slice instance is deployed in all possible geographic areas, then mobility support is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring user equipment location, mobility patterns, and network slice instance performance. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the deployment of network slice instances across geographic areas, ensuring optimal mobility support while maintaining manageable system complexity through data-driven decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters such as the geographic location and active status of network slice instances based on real-time conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to user equipment mobility patterns, the system achieves flexible mobility support without the complexity of permanent all-area deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing expandable network slices that may increase in geographic coverage area on-demand include includes enabling a user equipment device (UE) to operate on a network slice instance on a first Next Generation Node B (gNB) associated with a first cell in a 5G NR cellular network. While the UE is operating on the network slice instance, the system detects mobility of the UE that may require handover from the first gNB associated with the first cell on which the UE is operating to a second gNB associated with a second cell, in which the first gNB and second gNB belong to different tracking areas. While the UE is operating on the network slice instance, the system deploys and activates the same network slice instance on the second gNB that is associated with the second cell based on the detection of mobility of the UE.