Network Slice Replacement for Service Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation wireless communication networks, such as 5G and 6G, face challenges in maintaining high bandwidth and low latency due to network congestion and unavailability, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively for data-intensive applications like augmented reality and video conferencing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network replacement scheme that allows User Equipment (UE) to select and connect to a replacement network slice when the primary slice is congested or unavailable, utilizing a list of allowed network slices and replacement network slices to ensure continuous service with comparable Quality of Service (QoS).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single network slice is used for data-intensive applications, then service quality can be maintained under normal conditions, but service continuity deteriorates when the network slice becomes congested or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple network slices including primary and replacement slices before service deployment. When the primary network slice becomes unavailable, the UE can immediately switch to a pre-identified replacement slice, eliminating service interruption without requiring complex real-time decision-making or reconfiguration procedures.
2Reliability
If network congestion monitoring and slice switching mechanisms are implemented, then service continuity is improved during network failures, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously monitors the availability of its configured network slices and automatically switches to replacement slices when primary slices become unavailable. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex centralized control systems to manage slice switching, as each UE independently makes switching decisions based on its own service requirements and network conditions.
3Reliability
If multiple network slices are configured for each UE, then service continuity is maintained during network congestion, but signaling overhead and management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of configuring multiple replacement slices for every possible service scenario, the system configures only the necessary primary and replacement slices based on specific service requirements. Each UE receives tailored slice configurations relevant to its service type, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining service continuity for data-intensive applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive, from the User Equipment device (UE), over a network, a registration request that includes a list of network slices requested by the UE; request a network component to provide a list of network slices to which the UE is subscribed; obtain a list of replacement network slices for replacing one or more of the list of network slices when one or more of the list of network slices become unavailable for a session with the UE; obtain a second list of network slices, which are allowed by the network to establish a session with the UE, based on the list of network slices and the list of replacement network slices; and send the second list of network slices to the UE.