Network Slice Access Control Using Capacity-Aware NSSF Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems lack a specific plan for allocating network resources using network slicing techniques, which hinders effective management and access to network slices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for managing and selecting network slices in a wireless communication system, utilizing network functions (NFs) such as AMF, SMF, and NSSF to control access and allocate resources based on capacity parameters like maximum number of users, sessions, and flows, ensuring efficient resource utilization and overload protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing technique is introduced to support various services, then service diversity and network adaptability are improved, but resource allocation management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice support capabilityVSAvoidresource allocation management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the network into multiple independent network slices, each serving specific services with dedicated resource pools. This segmentation allows different services to have isolated resource management, simplifying the overall complexity by breaking down the large-scale resource allocation problem into smaller, manageable slice-level allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) as an intermediary component that manages network slice selection and resource allocation. This mediator handles the complexity of resource management centrally, allowing individual service requests to be processed without direct access to the complex resource allocation logic, thereby simplifying the system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If network slice capacity is increased to accommodate more users and services, then network utility is improved, but overload risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidoverload protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the NSSF continuously monitors network slice capacity usage, current load conditions, and resource availability. Based on this real-time feedback, the system dynamically adjusts resource allocation and can reject new requests when capacity thresholds are approached, preventing overload while maximizing network utility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic resource allocation within network slices, where capacity parameters such as maximum number of users, sessions, and flows can be adjusted in real-time based on current network conditions. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to changing demands while maintaining reliability through automated capacity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4009708B1Method and device for management and access control of network slice in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4009708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4009708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4009708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and a device for controlling access in a wireless communication system and, particularly, to a method and a device for management and access control of a network (NW) slice in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method by which a first NW function (NF #1) device of a wireless communication system manages an NW slice comprises the steps of: receiving an NW slice selection assist information (NSSAI) availability update message from at least one second network function (NF #2) device included in a NW slice; storing information included in the NSSAI availability update message; transmitting, to the NF #2, a response message to the NSSAI availability update message; and transmitting, to the NF #2, a message that requests changed information when a state or a configuration is changed to the NF #2, wherein the NSSAI availability update message can include the capacity parameters of the NW slice.