Network Slice Failure Reregistration via AMF and SPM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures, such as 5G, face challenges in managing network slices during partial failures, which can lead to service disruptions for roaming User Equipment (UE) due to the inability to distinguish between resource limitations and network failures.
Innovation Solution
A control system is implemented in the network that includes a slice priority management function (SPM) and an access and mobility management function (AMF) to detect network failures, reduce services on affected network slices, and inform the UE of slice reductions, enabling them to select alternative networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses traditional network architectures without network slicing, then the network structure is simpler and easier to manage, but the network cannot provide tailored services for different applications and cannot effectively handle partial failures in specific service areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple independent network slices, each tailored for specific applications (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communication, massive machine type communication). Each slice can be independently managed and failed without affecting other slices, thus providing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal network slicing framework that can accommodate multiple different service types and applications through a single infrastructure. The network slice selection function and slice management mechanisms provide multi-functionality, allowing the same physical network to deliver diverse services with different requirements.
2Reliability
If the network implements network slicing for tailored services, then the network can provide application-specific optimizations, but the complexity of managing and detecting network failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into isolated slices with independent failure domains. When a failure occurs in one slice, it can be detected and handled independently without triggering unnecessary reactions in other slices. The network slice selection function identifies affected slices and manages failures at the appropriate granularity level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network slice selection functions and slice management entities as intermediaries between the physical network infrastructure and the virtual network slices. These intermediaries simplify failure detection by translating complex network states into slice-level failure indications, making it easier to identify and respond to specific service failures.
3Ease of operation
If the network distinguishes between resource limitations and network failures, then more accurate service recovery can be implemented, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network to automatically distinguish between resource limitations and actual failures through self-diagnosis mechanisms. The network slice selection function and management entities autonomously analyze failure causes and trigger appropriate recovery actions without requiring complex external control, thus improving ease of operation while keeping control system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors slice performance and failure states. Based on feedback from network elements and slice management functions, the system automatically adjusts resource allocation and triggers recovery procedures, simplifying operation through automated decision-making based on real-time network conditions.
4Loss of time
If the network informs UEs of slice reductions proactively, then UEs can reregister on alternative networks faster, but the signaling overhead between network and UE increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary notification mechanisms where the network proactively informs UEs of upcoming slice reductions or failures before they actually occur. This allows UEs to initiate reregistration procedures on alternative networks in advance, minimizing service interruption time. The network slice selection function sends early warning signals to affected UEs, enabling them to prepare for network changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system enables re-registration of user equipment (UE) on an alternative network in the event of a partial failure of a network (VPLMN) for wireless communication. An access and mobility management function (AMF) manages the communication to user equipment (UE) via network slices (1,2,3). A slice priority management function (SPM) receives data indicative of a change in the network's ability to maintain the instantiated network slices and determines to reduce services via affected network slices. Before said slice reduction, the access and mobility management function is informed and sends a slice reduction message to the user equipment. In the UE an alternate network selection function (ANSF) receives the slice reduction message and selects an alternate network based on the user information (USIM) and the slice reduction information, and triggers registration on the selected alternate network for transferring at least part of the affected services to a network slice of the selected alternate network.