Network Slice Handover via Base Station Signaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing technologies in next-generation mobile communication networks do not adequately address the mobility of user equipment, leading to service interruptions during cell changes, as there is no established method for seamless data transmission and reception across different network slices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling data transmission and reception through network slicing, allowing user equipment to move between cells while maintaining service continuity by requesting and transferring network slice information between base stations and the core network, enabling prioritization of network slices and handover management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network slicing technology is employed to improve service efficiency and resource utilization, then service quality and resource utilization are improved, but service continuity and mobility guarantee deteriorate due to lack of established procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The source base station performs preliminary actions by determining network slice information before handover occurs, and includes this information in the handover request message sent to the target base station. This advance preparation ensures that the target base station can immediately establish appropriate network slice resources when the handover is executed, maintaining service continuity without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover request message serves as an intermediary carrier that transports network slice information from the source base station to the target base station. This intermediary mechanism ensures that critical network slicing parameters are accurately transmitted between base stations, enabling seamless service migration during handover while maintaining both efficiency and reliability.
2Reliability
If network slice information is transferred during handover to maintain service continuity, then service stability is improved, but data transmission complexity increases due to additional signaling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice information is merged into the existing handover request message rather than being transmitted through a separate signaling procedure. By combining multiple functions (handover coordination and network slice information transfer) into a single message exchange, the patent reduces the number of signaling steps and minimizes transmission complexity while ensuring service stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover request message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it coordinates the handover process and conveys network slice information. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated signaling messages for slice information transfer, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable service continuity.
3Reliability
If seamless handover is implemented to prevent service interruption, then service continuity is improved, but handover control complexity increases due to network slice management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice information is extracted from the complex handover control process and transmitted as distinct, structured parameters within the handover request message. This extraction approach allows the handover control mechanism to remain relatively simple while still accommodating network slice management requirements, as the slice information is handled as standardized data elements rather than complex control logic.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are a method of a base station for controlling transmission and reception of data through a network slice. The method includes: receiving network slice request information from a terminal in which a network slice is configured; controlling so as to deliver the network slice request information to a core network entity; and receiving, from the core network entity, specific network slice information configured on the basis of the network slice request information.