Network Slice Configuration Indication for Random Access Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network slicing systems lack the ability to differentiate and prioritize random access configurations for different network slices, making them vulnerable to fraudulent behavior and unauthorized tracking of sensitive slices.

Innovation Solution

Introduce slice-specific random access resource isolation by providing UEs with dedicated configuration information through encrypted messages, allowing them to determine and apply slice-specific PRACH configurations based on network slice identities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated configurations are provided for different network slices, then service requirements are met, but security vulnerability increases due to potential fraudulent behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slice configuration differentiationVSAvoidfraudulent behavior risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network node pre-configures multiple random access configurations corresponding to different network slices before actual access occurs. When a UE attempts random access, the network can immediately apply the appropriate pre-configured parameters without real-time negotiation, preventing fraudulent behavior by establishing secure slice-specific access parameters in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different random access configuration parameters (such as preamble formats, time/frequency resources, power levels) are assigned to different network slices based on their specific service requirements. This local differentiation allows each slice to have optimized parameters while maintaining security through slice-isolated configuration management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If network slices use common random access resources, then resource utilization is efficient, but tracking and security of sensitive slices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidslice tracking capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The common random access resources are segmented into slice-specific subsets, where each network slice is assigned dedicated random access parameters (preamble indices, time slots, frequency resources). This segmentation maintains overall resource efficiency while enabling the network to track and identify which slice is accessing, preventing unauthorized tracking of sensitive slices through configuration-based identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12414159B2Configuration indication

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

There is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving a first message, the first message indicating information for at least one network slice identity in one or more radio network areas; receiving a second message, the second message indicating configuration information for one or more network slices; determining a configuration to be used for a given network slice based on the first and second messages.