Network Slice and ATSSS Configuration Quality Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The combination of Network Slices (NWS) and Access Traffic Steering Switching Splitting (ATSSS) configurations in 5G networks can lead to interference, resulting in lower network performance and worse Quality of Service (QoS) experiences, especially when manually controlled or configured through abstracted network APIs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for evaluating the quality of combined NWS and ATSSS configurations, involving obtaining these configurations, determining their objectives, and using algorithms, artificial intelligence, or machine learning to assess whether the combination is mutually supporting or interfering. This allows for automatic adjustment of configurations to prevent interference and enhance network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Network Slices and ATSSS configurations are manually controlled or configured through abstracted network APIs, then configuration flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but configuration interference and network performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the quality evaluation result is returned to the network coordinating unit, which then automatically adjusts the configuration parameters. This closed-loop feedback system enables manual configuration flexibility while preventing performance degradation through automated quality-based adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically evaluating configuration quality and adjusting parameters without requiring manual intervention. The network coordinating unit independently assesses whether configurations are mutually supporting or interfering and makes autonomous adjustments to maintain optimal network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If Network Slices and ATSSS configurations are combined to provide tailored network services, then service customization and adaptability are improved, but configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice customizationVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining quality evaluation criteria and mutual support relationships between configuration parameters. Before actual network operation, the system establishes the framework for evaluating whether NWS and ATSSS configurations are mutually supporting or interfering, simplifying the complexity during runtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages configuration complexity through parameter changes by dynamically adjusting configuration parameters based on quality evaluation results. When interference is detected, the network coordinating unit modifies parameters to transition from a mutually interfering state to a mutually supporting state, maintaining service customization while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If automatic adjustment of configurations is implemented to prevent interference, then network performance and QoS are improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the quality evaluation function as a separate, dedicated component within the network coordinating unit. By isolating the evaluation logic from other network functions, the system achieves automatic configuration adjustment without significantly increasing overall system complexity. The evaluation module independently assesses configuration quality and triggers adjustments only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4482100B1Techniques for evaluating a quality of a combination of a network slice configuration and an atsss configurations
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4482100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4482100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4482100B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for A method for detecting a quality of a combination of a network slice configuration and an ATSSS configuration for providing data traffic in a network, wherein the method comprises the following steps: • obtaining a network slice configuration and an ATSSS configuration for a communication use case; • determining a quality of a combination of the network slice configuration and the ATSSS configuration and determining if the quality represents a mutually supporting combination or a mutually interfering combination of a network configuration.