gNB Reselection Incentives for Slice-Aware Contention Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication networks face challenges in effective cell selection and reselection due to complexities arising from network slicing, leading to inefficient networking conditions and resource contention among user equipment (UE) when selecting cells that support specific network slices, especially in environments with multiple cells offering similar measurement values.
Innovation Solution
A method involving network entities negotiating incentivized contracts with access nodes for resource allocation, where access nodes offer incentives based on network entity needs, predicted future states, and resource types, facilitating efficient resource allocation and contention resolution during cell selection and reselection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cell selection and reselection protocols are used based on RSRP/RSRQ measurements, then UEs can camp on cells with good signal quality, but multiple UEs contend for the same cell resources causing inefficient networking conditions and resource contention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criteria from purely signal quality parameters (RSRP/RSRQ) to include incentive parameters offered by access nodes. UEs evaluate both signal quality and the incentives (such as resource allocation preferences, network slice support, load conditions) to make cell selection decisions, transforming the single-dimensional signal-based selection into a multi-dimensional incentive-based selection process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic incentive parameters that access nodes can adjust based on current network conditions, UE types, and resource availability. These incentives change over time and allow access nodes to dynamically influence UE selection behavior, enabling the system to adapt to varying network states and reduce contention efficiently
2Reliability
If UEs select cells based on highest RSRP/RSRQ values, then connection quality is improved, but UEs may select cells that do not support their required network slices leading to incompatible service delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having access nodes broadcast incentive parameters in advance that include information about supported network slices and service capabilities. UEs use this pre-broadcasted information to filter and evaluate compatible cells before attempting connection, ensuring slice compatibility is checked upfront rather than after selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different access nodes to offer different incentive parameters tailored to their specific capabilities, supported network slices, and local network conditions. Each access node customizes its incentive profile to attract UEs that match its service capabilities, creating a differentiated selection process that ensures compatibility
3Loss of information
If access nodes broadcast full system information including slice availability, then UEs can make informed selection decisions, but broadcast message size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential incentive parameters needed for cell selection from the full system information. Instead of broadcasting complete system information blocks, access nodes selectively broadcast condensed incentive parameters that capture the most important attributes (signal quality indicators, incentive offers, basic capability flags) while omitting detailed configuration data that can be retrieved later if needed
4Adaptability or versatility
If UEs wake up periodically to collect system information for reselection, then UEs can adapt to mobility and changing network conditions, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes periodic action by having UEs wake up at scheduled intervals to receive updated incentive parameter broadcasts from access nodes. During these periodic wake-ups, UEs efficiently evaluate the broadcast incentives against their current state and mobility patterns, making reselection decisions only when necessary rather than continuously monitoring all system information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having UEs selectively evaluate only the incentive parameters that are relevant to their specific needs and current state, rather than processing all broadcast information. UEs can skip detailed system information retrieval for cells that clearly do not match their requirements based on the condensed incentive parameters, reducing processing energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for cell reselection by network entities in the vicinity of multiple access nodes. To improve the allocation of network resources and resolve contention for resources when network entities send requests for said resources, network entities and access nodes of embodiments negotiate contracts that define resource commitments and incentives for the network entities. The contracts are generated by access nodes in accordance with the requests of the requesting network entity. In some embodiments, the incentives encourage the network entity to agree upon a contract that would otherwise be suboptimal for the network entity. In some embodiments, different contracts are agreed upon for different data types, and the different contracts may span network types and service providers.