Network Slice Quota Event Notification via Application Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

3GPP mobile networks lack the ability for 3rd party service providers to monitor and manage network slice resource usage effectively, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potential service quality issues due to unutilized or insufficient quotas.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a network function node and application function node architecture that enables quota management and control, allowing for message exchange regarding quota values and updates, authentication, and subscription for network slice quota notifications and updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing features are introduced to enable various communication services, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but the ability to monitor and enforce quota parameters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice diversityVSAvoidquota enforcement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an AF (Application Function) as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between network slicing services and quota monitoring. The AF subscribes to network slice quota events and receives notifications when quotas are reached, enabling service providers to monitor and enforce quota parameters without requiring changes to the core network slicing architecture. This intermediary approach maintains service diversity while adding the missing quota enforcement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If LCM allows dynamic addition/deletion of network resources per network slice, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but real-time quota monitoring capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidquota usage visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the AF subscribes to network slice quota events and receives real-time notifications when quotas are reached or exceeded. This feedback loop provides service providers with visibility into quota usage dynamics, enabling them to respond to changing resource allocation conditions while maintaining the flexibility of dynamic resource management through LCM.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If no quota monitoring mechanism is implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but service quality control capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidservice quality control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables service providers to self-monitor and self-manage their network slice quotas through the AF. The AF autonomously subscribes to quota events, receives notifications, and can trigger appropriate actions based on quota status. This self-service approach allows service quality control without adding complex centralized monitoring infrastructure to the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12185232B2Support for network slice quota event notification

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 NEC CORP

AI summary

The disclosure proposes solutions for network slice quota monitoring and management. It allows the Service Provider to subscribe with the 3GPP mobile network for network slice quota status notifications and retrieval and/or allows the Service Provider to allocate the initial network slice quota based on SLA (Service Level Agreement), to top-up or cut-down the allocated network slice quota when need and to re-balance it between network slices or between mobile networks.