IMS Slice Identification Using HSS Data for Accurate Service Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The IMS in telecommunication networks lacks information about which network slices individual UEs have been assigned to use, leading to potential misallocation of services and increased latency or congestion.
Innovation Solution
The IMS elements identify network slices using the same slice identifiers used in the core network, allowing them to determine key performance indicators, billing data, and verify appropriate network slice usage by UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the IMS operates without slice identifier information from the core network, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but service allocation accuracy deteriorates and network latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces slice identifiers as an intermediary information element that bridges the core network and IMS. These identifiers are embedded in Diameter messages (such as User-Location-Information or service-info attributes) to convey network slice assignment information from the HSS to IMS elements like S-CSCF and P-CSCF, enabling accurate service allocation without increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The slice identifier information is pre-provisioned in the HSS database before IMS registration occurs. During the registration process, the HSS automatically includes the slice identifier in the authentication and authorization messages, so that IMS elements have the necessary slice information available before service provisioning begins, eliminating the need for additional lookup operations
2Productivity
If slice identifier information is integrated into IMS messages, then service allocation accuracy is improved and network congestion is reduced, but message complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing Diameter message structures that already traverse the IMS network for multiple purposes. By embedding slice identifiers in these existing messages (such as AAA messages, user profile messages, or location information messages), the same message infrastructure serves both traditional authentication/authorization functions and the new function of conveying slice assignment information, avoiding the need for separate dedicated signaling messages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies existing Diameter message parameters to include slice identifier information. Rather than creating new message types, the slice identifiers are incorporated as additional attributes or fields within existing message structures (such as adding a service-info attribute or extending the User-Location-Information), allowing IMS elements to extract slice information using existing message processing logic with minimal additional complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a telecommunication network, network slices can be identified by slice identifiers used within a core network. The same slice identifiers can also be used by elements of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to identify the network slices. For example, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) can be provisioned with user data associated with a user equipment (UE), including a slice identifier of a network slice that the UE is assigned to use. The HSS can provide the slice identifier to an S-CSCF in the IMS when the UE registers with the IMS. The S-CSCF can share the slice identifier with other IMS elements, such as a P-CSCF and/or one or more application servers. Accordingly, the IMS elements can determine key performance indicators (KPIs) and perform other operations in association with usage of network slices by UEs, based on the same slice identifiers used within the core network.