Network Slice RACH Mapping for Faster Cell Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems struggle to provide suitable network slices for terminal devices after network slicing is introduced to the Radio Access Network (RAN) side, leading to inefficiencies in cell access and high delay in Random Access Channel (RACH) procedures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for cell access that involves receiving and sending correspondence relations between network slice information, including S-NSSAI or S-NSSAI combinations, and RACH parameters, enabling terminal and network devices to perform cell access based on these relations, thereby facilitating network slice selection and reducing RACH delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is introduced to the RAN side, then network service differentiation is improved, but cell access efficiency deteriorates due to unclear slice determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service differentiationVSAvoidcell access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device pre-configures multiple RACH parameter sets corresponding to different network slices before the terminal device performs random access. When the terminal device needs to access a specific network slice, it can directly use the pre-configured RACH parameters for that slice, avoiding the need to determine slice type during the access process and eliminating additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RACH parameter sets as an intermediary mechanism between the terminal device and network slices. Instead of the terminal device directly determining which network slice to access, it uses the RACH parameter sets as a mediator that maps terminal access requests to appropriate network slices through pre-configured associations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is introduced to the RAN side, then network service differentiation is improved, but RACH procedure delay increases due to unclear slice determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service differentiationVSAvoidRACH procedure delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network device pre-configures multiple RACH parameter sets corresponding to different network slices before the terminal device performs random access. When the terminal device needs to access a specific network slice, it can directly use the pre-configured RACH parameters for that slice, avoiding the need to determine slice type during the access process and eliminating additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the terminal device to skip the slice determination step during RACH procedure by directly using pre-configured RACH parameters associated with the desired network slice. This skipping of the determination step directly reduces the time required for RACH procedure completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Measurement precision

If the network device determines the needed network slice during cell access, then network slice selection accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slice selection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device pre-configures multiple RACH parameter sets corresponding to different network slices before the terminal device performs random access. When the terminal device needs to access a specific network slice, it can directly use the pre-configured RACH parameters for that slice, avoiding the need to determine slice type during the access process and eliminating additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device autonomously selects the appropriate RACH parameter set based on its service requirements without requiring the network device to perform complex slice determination during access. This self-service approach reduces the processing burden on the network device while maintaining accurate slice selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12418857B2Cell access methods, electronic device and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a cell access method, including: a terminal device receiving the correlation between network slice information supported by a serving cell and random access channel (RACH) parameters, wherein the network slice information includes single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) or an S-NSSAI combination; and the terminal device performing cell access on the basis of the correlation. Further disclosed are another cell access method, an electronic device and a storage medium.