Master Base Station Joint Network Slice Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The combination of multi-connection architecture and network slices in communication technologies leads to inconveniences due to the lack of control plane connection between secondary base stations and the core network element, resulting in incomplete configuration of resources and services for terminals.

Innovation Solution

A method where a master base station generates and sends joint network slice information, including its own and secondary base station's information, to the core network element, enabling the core network to configure resources and provide wireless bearer services, allowing terminals to operate in dual-connected or multi-connected modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If secondary base stations are deployed without control plane connections to reduce device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the configuration completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol plane connection structureVSAvoidnetwork slice configuration information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The master base station acts as an intermediary between secondary base stations and the core network element. It collects network slice capability information from secondary base stations, generates joint network slice information combining its own capabilities with received information, and forwards this comprehensive information to the core network element, enabling indirect information transfer without direct control plane connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines network slice capability information from multiple base stations (master and secondary) into joint network slice information. This merging allows the core network element to receive comprehensive configuration information through a single interface, eliminating the need for separate control plane connections to each base station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If direct control plane connections are established between all base stations and core network element to ensure configuration completeness, then the configuration completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork slice configuration informationVSAvoidcontrol plane connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The master base station performs multiple functions: it acts as a normal base station providing network services, simultaneously collects network slice information from secondary base stations, generates joint configuration information, and communicates with the core network element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated control plane connections for information collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive network slice information is collected from all base stations to improve service capability, then the service capability is improved, but the signaling load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork slice service capabilityVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The master base station pre-collects network slice capability information from secondary base stations and generates joint network slice information before the core network element needs it. This preliminary action ensures that when the core network element requests configuration information, the complete data is already prepared, avoiding multiple round-trip signaling exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3687213B1Method and device for network slice configuration
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 ZTE CORP
  • EP3687213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3687213B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3687213B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a method and device for configuring a network slice. A master base station generates joint network slice information according to network slice information of the master base station and network slice information of a secondary base station, and sends the joint network slice information to a core network element.