Network Node Roaming Policy Selection for Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing network slices for roaming wireless devices, leading to potential service disruptions and performance issues due to differences in network slice availability and configuration between home and visited networks.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a second network node initiates a connection establishment with a first network node to retrieve a policy indication for the wireless device's network slice and roaming policy, allowing for the selection of a suitable network slice and roaming policy in the second network based on internal data and the retrieved policy indication, ensuring seamless roaming and improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network slices are managed independently in home and visited networks, then each network can optimize its own configuration, but service continuity and performance are compromised during roaming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuity during roamingVSAvoidnetwork slice configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The home network pre-configures policy indications for network slice selection and roaming policies before the wireless device actually roams. These policy indications are stored and ready to be transmitted to the visited network, enabling seamless service continuity without real-time negotiation delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Policy indication messages act as intermediaries carrying network slice selection criteria from the home network to the visited network. These messages enable the visited network to make informed decisions about network slice allocation without direct real-time control from the home network, balancing autonomy and coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the visited network uses its own network slice configuration, then local optimization is achieved, but compatibility with home network services deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidservice compatibility between networks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The visited network receives policy indications from the home network that include feedback about which network slices are available and appropriate for specific services. The visited network uses this feedback to select network slices that are both locally efficient and compatible with home network service requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The policy indication messages transmit parameter changes or adjustments that the visited network should apply to its network slice selection process. These parameters enable the visited network to modify its local configuration decisions to align with home network service expectations while maintaining local optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If network slice selection is made without policy indications, then decision speed is improved, but service quality and performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slice selection timeVSAvoidservice quality during roaming

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Policy indications including network slice selection criteria are prepared and transmitted in advance before actual service delivery. This preliminary action ensures that when the wireless device roams, the visited network can immediately apply pre-determined policies without time-consuming analysis, maintaining both speed and service quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11070967B2Network nodes and methods performed therein for enabling communication in a communication network

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a second network node for enabling communication for a wireless device in a communication network, which communication network comprises a first network and a second network. The second network node is associated with the second network and the first network is a home network of the wireless device. The first network comprises partitioned sets of functionalities wherein a first set of functionalities belongs to a first network slice supporting the wireless device, and which first set of functionalities is separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the first network. The second network node, when the wireless device is roaming from the first network to the second network, initiates a connection establishment to a first network node associated with the first network. The second network node retrieves a policy indication from the first network node, which policy indication indicates a first network slice and roaming policy for the wireless device in the first network. The second network node further triggers a selection of a second network slice and roaming policy for the wireless device in the second network, which selection is based on the retrieved policy indication and internal data related to the second network.