Network Overload Control for 5G Network Slices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network overload control methods fail to provide differentiated overload management for various network slices, leading to potential performance degradation across slices due to lack of effective congestion handling.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for network overload control, where a Core Network device instructs a Radio Access Network device to perform overload actions on Radio Resource Control requests, including rejecting non-emergency data transmissions or allowing only emergency sessions, to manage traffic load across network slices based on specific slice selection assistance information or categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional overload control methods are used based on service type, then general network overload can be managed, but differentiated overload control for different network slices cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overload control mechanism by introducing slice-specific parameters (S-NSSAI, slice category, slice priority) that allow different network slices to be controlled independently. The CN device can identify and manage each slice separately based on these parameters, enabling differentiated overload control while maintaining a unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different QoS parameters and overload control policies to be applied to different network slices. Each slice can have its own traffic load reduction indication, rejection proportion, and priority level, enabling tailored overload management for specific slices without affecting others.
2Reliability
If network resources are allocated to meet performance requirements of multiple network slices, then service quality is improved, but network congestion and overload can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing overload control mechanisms before congestion occurs. The CN device proactively monitors network load and sends overload control indications to the RAN device in advance, allowing the system to prevent congestion before it degrades service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the CN device continuously monitors network slice performance and traffic conditions, then adjusts overload control parameters dynamically. The system uses feedback from network state to modulate the intensity of overload actions, ensuring reliability is maintained while avoiding unnecessary congestion.
3Ease of operation
If overload control is implemented without slice differentiation, then implementation is simpler, but performance of other network slices can be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a multi-functional overload control mechanism that can handle both general overload scenarios and slice-specific scenarios through a unified interface. The same control framework adapts its behavior based on the presence and values of slice identification parameters, providing ease of operation while ensuring slice performance isolation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
This patent application provides a network overload control method and an apparatus. The method includes: determining, by a core network device, to perform overload control for at least one network slice; sending, by the core network device, a first message to a radio access network device, where the first message includes an overload response to at least one piece of single network slice selection assistance information or at least one network slice category; and performing, by the radio access network device, an overload action on a radio resource control request of the at least one network slice. According to the network overload control method in this application, a network effectively performs overload control for any network slice.