5G Network Slice Bit Rate Enforcement for UE Fairness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack the ability to monitor and enforce maximum uplink and downlink data rates per user equipment (UE) and per network slice in 5G networks, leading to unregulated usage of shared resources among users within a network slice, which can affect the agreed-upon data rate guarantees between operators and third parties.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for monitoring and enforcing network slice bit rate information (NS-BRI) through network functions like AMF and PCF, which involves receiving UE identifiers, sending information requests, and enforcing bit rate limitations based on NS-BRI, including maximum and guaranteed bit rates, to ensure resource allocation adheres to agreed-upon data rate guarantees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If network slice resources are shared among multiple UEs without bit rate enforcement, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but data rate guarantees for individual UEs deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddata rate guarantee

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces bit rate parameters (maximum bit rate and guaranteed bit rate) as controllable variables in the network slice resource allocation. By dynamically adjusting these parameters for each UE based on their service requirements, the system can guarantee minimum data rates while allowing efficient sharing of remaining resources, thus resolving the contradiction between resource utilization efficiency and data rate guarantee

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic bit rate enforcement where the network function continuously monitors and adjusts bit rate allocations for UEs in real-time. This dynamic control mechanism allows the system to adapt resource distribution according to changing traffic conditions while maintaining guaranteed bit rates, thereby achieving both high resource utilization and reliable data rate guarantees

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If maximum bit rate limits are enforced for network slices, then resource fairness among UEs is improved, but overall network throughput may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource fairnessVSAvoidnetwork throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by enforcing bit rate limits only when necessary to maintain fairness, rather than applying strict limits universally. The network function monitors resource usage and applies maximum bit rate enforcement selectively to UEs that are exceeding their fair share, allowing the network to maintain fairness while minimizing the impact on overall throughput through targeted rather than blanket restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20260052425A1Network slice bit rate enforcement

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Methods for providing network slice bit rate information and enforcing bit rate limitations. An exemplary method provides for receiving a network slice identifier identifying a network slice and corresponding network slice bit rate information (NS-BRI) for the identified network slice. The NS-BRI comprises i) first maximum bit rate information (MBRI) specifying a first maximum bit rate for the network slice and the user equipment, and/or ii) first guaranteed bit rate information (GBRI) specifying a first aggregate guaranteed bit rate for the network slice and the user equipment.