Ephemeral Network Slice Assignment via Application Enlistment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, User Equipment (UE) devices face challenges in connecting to the correct network slice for applications due to limited information passed by the operating system, leading to potential misidentification of network slices.
Innovation Solution
The system implements an ephemeral assignment of network slices by allowing applications to enlist with the network via out-of-band communication, providing a traffic descriptor, desired QoS, and other application-specific information to dynamically map to the appropriate network slice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the operating system passes limited information for network slice selection, then the system complexity is reduced, but the network slice identification accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (application-specific information passing through OS to modem) that enables precise network slice identification without increasing overall system complexity. The intermediary translates application requirements into network-compatible parameters, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of information passing (application layer to network layer) without expanding the existing OS complexity. By operating in another dimensional space (traffic descriptors and application IDs), the system achieves precise slice identification while maintaining OS simplicity.
2Reliability
If dynamic mapping of applications to network slices is implemented, then the QoS and security are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables applications to self-identify and enlist with the network by providing their own information (traffic descriptors, application IDs). This self-service approach improves QoS and security through accurate identification without requiring complex external management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having applications enlist with the network before actual data transmission. This advance registration establishes the correct network slice mapping upfront, ensuring QoS and security requirements are met from the start without complex real-time decision-making.
3Measurement precision
If applications enlist with the network via out-of-band communication, then the network slice assignment accuracy is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the enlistment action preliminarily, before actual data transmission begins. By completing the network slice assignment upfront through out-of-band communication, the system ensures accurate slice selection without causing time loss during the actual data transfer phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses out-of-band communication to skip through the enlistment process rapidly, establishing accurate network slice mappings without blocking the main data transmission path. This parallel processing approach minimizes time loss while maintaining high assignment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a processor. The processor may be configured to: send an enlistment request to a network over a wireless connection, wherein the enlistment request includes an application identifier (ID) corresponding to an application to be enlisted; receive a reply from the network in response to the enlistment request, wherein the reply includes a replacement User Equipment Route Selection Policy (URSP) rule; receive a session request from the application to establish a session; identify, in response to the session request and based on the replacement URSP rule, a network slice on the network; and establish the session between the application and the identified network slice on the network.