Federated Network Slicing With Priority-Based PLMN Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting seamless slice federation between public land mobile network (PLMN) operators, particularly in managing network slices and ensuring optimal slice selection during roaming.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, Unified Data Management (UDM) entity, and User Equipment (UE) methods that facilitate slice federation by providing slice roaming information and priority-based PLMN selection, utilizing network functions (NFs) such as AMF, SMF, NSSF, and UDM to manage network slices and support slice selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to support multiple services, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but network complexity and difficulty of management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple independent network slices, each dedicated to specific services (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC). Each slice is managed separately with its own resources and configuration, allowing service diversity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
The AMF and UDM entities provide universal management functions that handle multiple service types across different network slices. The AMF performs unified access and mobility management for all slices, while the UDM manages subscription data universally, reducing overall network complexity despite supporting diverse services
2Adaptability or versatility
If slice federation between PLMN operators is implemented, then roaming capability and network accessibility are improved, but information management complexity and registration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UDM acts as an intermediary that stores and manages slice roaming information centrally. When a UE registers, the AMF queries the UDM for allowed slices and roaming information, eliminating the need for complex bilateral agreements between operators and simplifying information exchange through a trusted intermediary
Solution Approach 2:
Slice roaming information is copied and stored in the UDM database, allowing multiple AMFs across different PLMNs to access the same subscription data without direct operator-to-operator communication. This copying mechanism reduces registration overhead and simplifies federation management
3Productivity
If priority-based PLMN selection is implemented, then network selection efficiency and service continuity are improved, but processing time and registration procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UDM pre-calculates and stores priority information for PLMN selection based on subscription data and slice roaming information. When registration is needed, the AMF retrieves pre-computed priority lists from the UDM, avoiding real-time complex calculations and reducing registration time while maintaining efficient network selection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate after a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long-term evolution (LTE). According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an operating method of a terminal in a wireless communication system provide a method including performing a registration procedure for a first public land mobile network (PLMN), receiving a downlink (DL) non-access-stratum (NAS) transport message including slice roaming information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) of the first PLMN, transmitting an uplink (UL) NAS transport message to the AMF, and performing a PLMN selection procedure using the slice roaming information.