Network Slice Handover Coordination for Service Requirement Fulfillment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network handover methods fail to ensure that the target network slice meets the service requirements of the source network slice, leading to inadequate performance in network slicing and industry private networks during handovers due to improper selection of target base stations and cells.
Innovation Solution
A method where a source network slice management function device sends a resource request to a target network slice management function device, receiving information about the target network slice subnet, including details about the target base station and cell, to ensure that the handover meets the requirements of the source network slice subnet, with considerations for service level agreements, performance, and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional network handover method is used where source base station determines target serving cell based on radio condition and load balancing, then handover process is simple and fast, but the target base station or target cell may not meet service requirement of network slicing or industry private network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network slice management function device as an intermediary between the source base station and target base station. This intermediary receives handover requests, determines appropriate target network slice subnets based on service requirements, and coordinates the handover process to ensure service continuity and requirement fulfillment, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple handover and reliable service requirement meeting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into multiple network slice subnets, each optimized for specific service requirements. By dividing the target network into specialized segments (slice subnets), the system can direct handovers to appropriate segments that meet specific service needs, improving reliability without requiring complete redesign of the handover mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to meet different service requirements, then service differentiation is improved, but complexity of network management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice management function device serves multiple purposes: it manages network slicing, coordinates handovers, determines target subnets, and ensures service requirement fulfillment. By creating a universal management entity that performs multiple functions, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability for different service requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The network slice management function acts as an intermediary layer that abstracts the complexity of network slicing management from base stations. This mediator handles slice-specific decisions, allowing base stations to focus on radio access functions, thereby improving service differentiation without proportionally increasing management complexity at all levels
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
This application discloses a network handover method, applied to a network slice management function device. The network slice management function device sends a resource request to a target network slice management function device, where the resource request carries information about a source network slice subnet; receives a response to the resource request sent by the target network slice management function device; and sends a handover configuration message to a source network slice subnet management function device. The response to the resource request includes information about a target network slice subnet, and the information about the target network slice subnet includes an identifier of the target network slice subnet, information about a target base station, and/or information about a target cell. In this way, a service obtained by user equipment after the user equipment is handed over to the target network slice subnet can meet a requirement of the source network slice subnet before the handover.