Network Slice Aware Cell Selection for User Equipment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UE) lacks awareness of which cells support specific network slices, leading to potential selection of cells that do not provide the necessary network slice access, resulting in inability to utilize intended network services.
Innovation Solution
The UE receives information about which cells and frequency bands support specific network slices, allowing it to determine whether to camp on a cell based on measurement data that satisfies predetermined criteria, ensuring access to the required network slice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE selects a cell based on conventional cell selection criteria without network slice awareness, then the cell selection process is simple and fast, but the UE may camp on a cell that does not support the required network slice
Solution Approach 1:
The network broadcasts network slice support information in system information blocks before the UE performs cell selection. This preliminary provision of slice awareness information allows the UE to make informed cell selection decisions without adding complex measurement and evaluation procedures during the selection process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network slice support information as an intermediary element that mediates between the cell's capabilities and the UE's selection criteria. This information acts as a bridge, allowing the UE to filter and select cells based on slice support without requiring complex direct evaluation of slice compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If the UE camps on a cell without verifying network slice support, then the cell selection process is straightforward, but the UE cannot utilize intended network services
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides feedback information about network slice support through system information broadcasts. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to verify slice support during cell selection without requiring complex active probing or measurement procedures, maintaining ease of operation while preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The network autonomously provides network slice support information through system information blocks without requiring the UE to request or probe for this information. This self-service approach allows the UE to easily obtain slice awareness information passively during normal cell selection operations.
3Reliability
If the UE performs additional measurements to verify network slice support, then the UE can ensure access to required services, but the cell selection process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The network broadcasts network slice support information in advance through system information blocks before the UE performs cell selection. This preliminary provision eliminates the need for time-consuming additional measurements during the selection process, as the slice support information is already available for immediate evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts network slice support information from the cell's system information and presents it in a standardized, easily consumable format. This extraction allows the UE to quickly evaluate slice support without performing complex additional measurements or analysis procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The exemplary embodiments relate to implementing network slice aware cell selection at a user equipment (UE). This may include receiving information indicating that a cell of a network supports a network slice. The UE may identify that the UE is located within the coverage area of the cell and determine whether measurement data corresponding to the cell satisfies predetermined criteria. when the measurement data satisfies the criteria, the UE may camp on the cell.