Network Slice Access Guidance Using AMF Radio Resource Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Terminals face challenges in accessing network slices due to the lack of support from the currently accessed access network device or inappropriate radio resources, leading to a low success rate and efficiency in accessing the desired network slice.
Innovation Solution
The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) device determines and provides radio resource information based on the requested network slice, enabling the terminal to select a suitable access network device that supports the slice, using methods such as RFSP Index or frequency band priority lists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a terminal blindly selects an access network device, then the terminal can attempt to access any network slice, but the success rate of accessing the requested network slice is low
Solution Approach 1:
The AMF device performs preliminary determination of whether the current access network device supports the requested network slice before the terminal attempts access. When the current device does not support the requested slice, the AMF proactively provides second radio resource information to guide the terminal to select a suitable access network device, preventing failed access attempts and improving success rate without requiring complex terminal-side selection logic
Solution Approach 2:
The AMF device acts as an intermediary between the terminal and access network devices. It receives the terminal's network slice access request, determines whether the current access network device supports the requested slice, and if not, provides guided radio resource information to the terminal. This intermediary role resolves the contradiction by centralizing the support-checking function in the network side rather than requiring complex terminal-side evaluation
2Reliability
If a terminal uses the currently accessed access network device, then the terminal maintains existing connection, but the network slice access fails when the current device does not support the requested slice
Solution Approach 1:
The AMF device provides feedback to the terminal about whether the current access network device supports the requested network slice. When the current device does not support the requested slice, the AMF sends a rejection message with cause value and provides guided radio resource information, enabling the terminal to quickly switch to a suitable access network device. This feedback mechanism prevents wasted access attempts and reduces access time by directing the terminal to appropriate resources
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checking of network slice support capability at the AMF device before the terminal attempts access. This advance determination allows the network to proactively guide the terminal to a suitable access network device, avoiding failed access attempts and reducing the time required for slice access
3Adaptability or versatility
If different network slices correspond to different radio resources, then network slice performance requirements are met, but the terminal cannot access the correct radio resources when the current access network device does not support the requested slice
Solution Approach 1:
The AMF device serves as an intermediary that manages the mapping between network slices and radio resources. When the terminal requests to access a specific network slice, the AMF determines whether the current access network device supports the requested slice and its associated radio resources. If not supported, the AMF provides guided radio resource information to help the terminal select an appropriate access network device, thereby maintaining the adaptability between slice requirements and radio resources while simplifying terminal-side resource selection
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal uses the provided guided radio resource information to autonomously select an appropriate access network device that supports the requested network slice. The terminal self-adjusts its selection based on the AMF's guidance, matching its access attempt to the correct radio resources without requiring complex terminal-side evaluation of slice support capabilities
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
This application relates to the field of communications technologies, and discloses a communication method and apparatus, to resolve a problem that a terminal cannot access a network slice that the terminal requests to access. When an AMF device determines that a first access network device does not support a first network slice, or first radio resource information selected by a terminal to access the first access network device does not support the first network slice, the AMF device sends second radio resource information to the terminal or the first access network device. The second radio resource information is usable for selecting a second access network device for the terminal, the second access network device supports the first network slice, or the second radio resource information is usable for accessing the first access network device for the terminal based on the second radio resource information, and the first access network device supports the first network slice. The terminal may access an access network device that supports the first network slice, and access the second radio resource information that supports the first network slice. In this case, the terminal can access the first network slice that the terminal requests to access.