Hierarchical Resource Slices for Mobile Network Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network resource allocation is inflexible, limiting the ability to efficiently manage and utilize resources across different service categories and operators, leading to suboptimal network performance and resource sharing.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical arrangement of resource slices within the mobile network, where each logical network is allocated dedicated and shared resource slices across multiple layers, with a multiplexer and multiplexing policy function to aggregate and manage data between layers, enabling flexible resource allocation and sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If resources are allocated in a relatively inflexible manner to a specific mobile network operator, then network resource management is simplified, but network flexibility and adaptability to different service categories deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network resources into multiple hierarchical layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) with different degrees of allocation flexibility. Each layer can be independently managed with different allocation strategies, allowing simultaneous simplification at some layers and flexibility at others, thereby resolving the contradiction between management simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to resource allocation, transforming the traditional single-level allocation into a multi-layered structure. This dimensional change allows resources to be allocated with different flexibilities at different hierarchical levels, enabling both simplified management at higher levels and flexible adaptation at lower levels.
2Reliability
If dedicated resource slices are allocated to each logical network, then service quality and reliability are improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to share resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resources into dedicated slices at higher hierarchical layers and shared slices at lower layers. This segmentation allows each logical network to have guaranteed resources (dedicated slices) while also enabling resource sharing opportunities (shared slices), thus maintaining both service quality and utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes certain resource slices universal by allowing them to be shared among multiple logical networks. These shared resource slices can serve multiple purposes and multiple networks simultaneously, improving overall resource utilization while dedicated slices ensure service quality for each network.
3Productivity
If shared resource slices are allocated among multiple logical networks, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but service quality and reliability for individual networks deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation into a hierarchical structure where dedicated slices at upper layers provide service quality guarantees, while shared slices at lower layers improve utilization efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both objectives without compromise.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical arrangement with multiple layers is implemented, then adaptability to different service categories is improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hierarchical arrangement into distinct layers with specific functions, where each layer handles particular aspects of resource allocation. This segmentation makes the complex hierarchical system more manageable by dividing management tasks across layers, reducing overall management overhead while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include a hierarchical arrangement of a plurality of resource slices of a mobile network. Each of a plurality of logical networks is allocated a resource slice within the mobile network for each of a plurality of layers, wherein each logical network provides network services for one of a plurality of service categories; wherein each logical network includes at least one dedicated resource slice that is dedicated to the logical network, and at least one shared resource slice that is shared among a plurality of the logical networks; the plurality of resource slices including a plurality of resource slices of a first layer and a plurality of resource slices of a second layer, wherein the first layer is lower than the second layer, wherein data from a set of the resource slices of the second layer are aggregated into a single resource slice of the first layer (downlink direction) and data from the single resource slice of the first layer is demultiplexed and forwarded to a selected resource slice of the set of resource slices of the second layer (uplink direction).