5G Network Slice Bit Rate Enforcement for Per-UE QoS Control
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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 impact the agreed-upon data rate guarantees.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for network slice bit rate information (NS-BRI) enforcement by network functions, such as the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Policy Control Function (PCF), to manage and enforce maximum bit rates and guaranteed bit rates per UE and per network slice through subscription data retrieval and policy control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network slice resources are shared among multiple users without bit rate enforcement, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but data rate guarantees for individual users deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bit rate information parameters (maximum bit rate and guaranteed bit rate) associated with network slice identifiers to dynamically control and enforce data rate limits for each user equipment, resolving the contradiction between resource sharing efficiency and individual data rate guarantees
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the Access and Mobility Management Function retrieves bit rate information from the Unified Data Management function and enforces these limits through policy control, creating a closed-loop system that monitors and adjusts resource allocation to maintain both efficiency and guarantees
2Reliability
If bit rate information is stored and enforced for each user equipment and network slice combination, then data rate control capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal solution by storing bit rate information in the Unified Data Management function that can serve multiple users and network slices through a single data structure, avoiding the need for separate enforcement mechanisms for each user-slice combination and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the Access and Mobility Management Function as an intermediary that retrieves bit rate information from the Unified Data Management function and enforces policies through the Policy Control Function, distributing the complexity across multiple specialized components rather than concentrating it in a single system
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides 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.