Network Slice Coverage Area Configuration for Wireless Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently selecting and managing resources within sliced networks, particularly in determining the availability of network slices in a serving cell, which affects service quality and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless terminal and access node system that receives and transmits network slice band association information, allowing the wireless terminal to select and determine the availability of network slices based on coverage area configurations, enabling efficient resource selection and allocation within sliced networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network slice coverage area configuration is implemented, then network slice availability determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice coverage area configuration is segmented into multiple information elements including coverage area identifier, cell list, and area scope indication. This segmentation allows the wireless terminal to process and store configuration data in a structured manner, improving determination accuracy while managing device complexity through organized data storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The network slice coverage area configuration is provided in advance by the access node before the wireless terminal needs to determine network slice availability. This preliminary action allows the terminal to pre-process and store the configuration information, enabling faster and more accurate availability determination without increasing operational complexity.
2Productivity
If network slice coverage area configuration is provided by access node, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice coverage area configuration is integrated into existing system information blocks (SIB) and broadcast messages that the access node already transmits for other purposes. This multi-functionality approach allows the configuration information to be conveyed without requiring separate dedicated signaling channels, thus improving resource allocation efficiency while minimizing additional transmission overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration information is transmitted using compact parameter representations such as area scope indications and cell list identifiers rather than full detailed descriptions. This parameter optimization reduces the amount of data transmitted while maintaining the ability to accurately determine network slice availability, balancing efficiency gains with overhead constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless terminal communicates with a management entity of a core network through an access node of a radio access network (RAN). The core network supports one or more network slices, each of the network slices providing a designated service within a public land mobile network (PLMN). The wireless terminal 30(23) comprises receiver circuitry and processor circuitry. The receiver circuitry is configured to receive a message comprising one or more network slice coverage area configurations. Each of the one or more network slice coverage configurations indicates a coverage area of a corresponding network slice. The processor circuitry is configured to: select at least one network slice of a serving PLMN; camp on a serving cell of the RAN, and; determine, based the one or more network slice coverage area configurations, whether or not the at least one network slice is available in the serving cell.