Network Slice Registration Compatibility Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, managing simultaneous registrations to multiple network slices is challenging due to compatibility restrictions, leading to sub-optimal network slice selection for user equipment (UE) when network slice-specific authentication and authorization procedures are completed.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for updating the UE configuration by determining compatibility and priority of network slices, sending configuration update commands to include or exclude specific Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) in the Allowed or Pending NSSAI, ensuring optimal network slice registration based on authentication and authorization outcomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network slices are simultaneously registered to meet diverse service requirements, then service versatility is improved, but compatibility restrictions cause registration failures and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidregistration reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs network slice compatibility verification and authentication before final registration. The AMF checks whether the requested network slice is compatible with already registered slices, and initiates authentication procedures in advance to prevent registration failures, thus ensuring reliable multi-slice registration while maintaining service versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the AMF continuously monitors the registration status and compatibility of multiple network slices. When a registration attempt is made, the system checks compatibility with existing slices and provides feedback on whether the registration should proceed, allowing dynamic adjustment of slice registrations to maintain both versatility and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If network slice compatibility restrictions are enforced to ensure reliable connections, then registration reliability is improved, but the ability to support diverse services across multiple slices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidservice diversity support
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic network slice registration management where the AMF adjusts registration decisions based on real-time compatibility assessments. The system dynamically determines which slices can be simultaneously registered by evaluating compatibility relationships, allowing the maximum number of diverse services to be supported while maintaining connection reliability through continuous compatibility monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If configuration updates are sent to exclude incompatible network slices, then registration compatibility is improved, but additional signaling overhead increases network complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration compatibilityVSAvoidsignaling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes compatibility information during the initial registration and authentication phases. By identifying incompatible slices early and excluding them through targeted configuration updates rather than comprehensive signaling, the system maintains registration compatibility while minimizing signaling overhead and network complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4322581A1Method and apparatus to control network slices requested by a user equipment
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4322581A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4322581A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4322581A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques to update a user equipment configuration which has requested a network slice when registering to a network are provided. For example, a method to update a user equipment configuration is disclosed. The method comprises: after a network slice-specific authentication and authorization procedure for a first single network slice selection assistance information associated with the requested network slice is successfully completed, sending to the user equipment a configuration update command to update a user equipment configuration of the user equipment, based on a determination that no common network slice simultaneous registration group value is associated with the first single network slice selection assistance information and all single network slice selection assistance information in an allowed NSSAI for the user equipment. The configuration update command comprising a new pending NSSAI for the user equipment, the pending NSSAI excluding the first single network slice selection assistance information.