Network Slice Configuration via Service Level Specification Normalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently determining and configuring network slices to meet specific customer service requirements, as existing methods are complex and time-consuming, requiring manual calculation of resource allocation and slice performance, limiting flexibility and responsiveness to dynamic service demands.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that normalize service level specifications, map performance parameters to network capabilities, and compare them to determine if a requested service can be supported by a network slice, allowing for the creation of customized slices that meet customer-defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs) through a system comprising a SLS recognition unit, transformation unit, performance calculation unit, and decision unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calculation of resource allocation and slice performance is used, then configuration accuracy is improved, but configuration time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated performance calculation and configuration. The network slice configuration system automatically calculates resource allocation and performance parameters without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining configuration accuracy while significantly reducing configuration time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calculation processes with automated computational systems. The performance calculation unit automatically computes resource allocation and slice performance using defined formulas and network state information, substituting manual calculations with automated electronic processing to reduce time and complexity.
2Productivity
If automated network slice configuration is implemented, then configuration speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the configuration process into distinct functional units: a performance calculation unit that computes resource allocation, a configuration unit that creates network slices, and a selection unit that chooses appropriate slices. This segmentation organizes complexity into manageable modules, enabling automated high-speed configuration while maintaining system manageability through clear functional separation.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing network slice methods are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but service customization and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities where network slices can be automatically adjusted based on real-time network state and service requirements. The performance calculation unit dynamically computes resource allocation based on current network conditions, enabling the system to adapt to changing service demands while maintaining implementation simplicity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods in a communication system are provided. A method comprises receiving a service request comprising service requirements; determining, based on the service request, service level specification of the request, the service level specification comprising performance parameters and network functions to support the requested service; normalizing the determined service level specification by scaling the performance parameters according into a given normalization model of the network to obtain normalized service level specification; determining, based on the network functions and the given normalization model, normalized performance capability of the network functions and a configuration of a network slice supporting the requested service; comparing the normalized service level specification to the normalized performance capability; and determining, based on the comparison, whether the requested service can be realized with the network slice, and if so, create the slice.