Network Slice Attribute Provisioning in 5G Mobile Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network architectures, particularly in mobile networking environments, face challenges in managing network communications and connectivity due to the complexity introduced by network slicing in 5G mobile networks.

Innovation Solution

The techniques involve providing slice attribute information to user equipment (UE) in a mobile network environment, allowing the UE to be aware of various slice properties. This is achieved by delivering slice attribute Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) or Attribute-Value Pairs (AVPs) via Non-Access Stratum (NAS) communications, or by using Domain Name System (DNS) queries to obtain slice attribute information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is introduced in 5G mobile networks, then network service differentiation and resource allocation flexibility are improved, but network architecture complexity and device management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service differentiationVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) as an intermediary element that bridges the network slice identification and UE capabilities. The S-NSSAI includes a Slice Type (SST) and optional Slice Differentiator (SD), serving as a standardized mediator that simplifies the interaction between network elements and UE, reducing architectural complexity while maintaining service differentiation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network slice identification into distinct components: SST for slice type identification and SD for slice differentiation. This segmentation allows for modular and scalable network slicing implementation, where each component can be independently managed and processed, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If slice attribute information is provided to UE, then UE slice selection capability and service quality are improved, but information management complexity and network overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE slice selection capabilityVSAvoidinformation management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing only the necessary slice attribute information (S-NSSAI with SST and optional SD) to the UE, rather than all possible network slice details. This selective information provision enables UE slice selection capability while minimizing information management complexity and network overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The network element prepares and includes S-NSSAI information in advance during the registration procedure, so that UE has the necessary slice attribute information ready for subsequent slice selection decisions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time information exchange, reducing network overhead and simplifying information management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If comprehensive slice attribute information is provided, then UE awareness of network slice characteristics is improved, but registration procedure complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE awareness of network slice characteristicsVSAvoidregistration procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by including S-NSSAI information in the registration procedure response from the network element. This allows UE to obtain essential slice attribute information during registration, establishing UE awareness of network slice characteristics without requiring additional separate information exchange procedures, thus not increasing registration time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The S-NSSAI structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies slice type, provides slice differentiation, and conveys network slice characteristics to UE during registration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate information exchange procedures, maintaining registration efficiency while achieving comprehensive UE awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12232023B2Providing slice attribute information to user equipment in a mobile network environment

Publication Date: 2025.02.18 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Presented herein are techniques to facilitate providing slice attribute information to a user equipment (UE) for one or more slice types with which the user equipment is allowed to establish one or more session(s). In one example, a method may include obtaining, by a network element, a registration request for connection of a UE to a mobile network; performing an authentication for connection of the UE to the mobile network; and upon successful authentication, providing, by the network element, a registration response to the UE, wherein the registration response identifies one or more network slice types with which the UE is authorized to establish a session and the registration response identifies one of: attribute information for each of the one or more network slice types or network location information from which attribute information for each of the one or more network slice types is to be obtained.