Network Slice Paging Areas for Reliable Inter-Cell Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Limited network slice availability in wireless networks leads to connectivity issues when a wireless device moves between areas with varying slice support or connects to a network where the desired slice is not available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing slice connectivity by obtaining network slice availability from neighboring nodes, creating a paging area with consistent slice support, and communicating this information to the wireless device to optimize handover and connection management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to support multiple applications with different characteristics, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but network complexity and difficulty of managing slice availability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple logical slices, each optimized for specific services (e.g., enhanced MB for high-speed data, MTC for IoT devices). This segmentation allows diverse services to coexist while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization of network resources and functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A slice availability management mechanism acts as an intermediary between the core network and wireless devices. This intermediary collects slice availability information from neighboring nodes, determines appropriate paging areas based on slice support, and communicates this information to devices, thereby simplifying the overall network management complexity.
2Productivity
If network slices are not supported in all cells, then network resource efficiency is improved, but connectivity reliability deteriorates when devices move between areas with different slice support
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing slice availability information from neighboring nodes before devices need to move. This advance preparation allows the network to pre-determine appropriate paging areas and notify devices of slice support status, ensuring seamless connectivity when devices move between cells with different slice availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors and collects slice availability information from neighboring nodes, processes this information to determine optimal paging areas, and communicates back to devices. This closed-loop feedback ensures connectivity reliability is maintained even as slice availability varies across different network areas.
3Loss of energy
If slice availability information is not provided to wireless devices, then signaling overhead is reduced, but devices generate unnecessary mobility signaling when moving between areas with different slice support
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by collecting slice availability information from neighboring nodes and pre-determining appropriate paging areas before devices move. This advance preparation allows the network to notify devices of slice support status in advance, preventing unnecessary mobility signaling and reducing both signaling overhead and time loss when devices transition between areas with different slice availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to certain embodiments, a method is disclosed for use in a network node. The method comprises obtaining network slice availability associated with one or more neighboring network nodes. The network slice availability indicates which of a plurality of network slices is supported by each of the one or more neighboring network nodes. The method further comprises managing slice connectivity of a wireless device based on the network slice availability of the one or more neighboring network nodes.