Network Slice Resource Quotas with Soft Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing resource quotas, leading to resource wastage and service disruptions due to strict maximum or minimum quotas, inadequate resource allocation, and complex prioritization processes, especially during congestion times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that includes setting soft limits and margins for network slice resource quotas, allowing unused resources to be dynamically allocated to other users while ensuring that essential network slices maintain reserved resources, and using traffic steering to manage resource distribution based on QoS and priority.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strict maximum or minimum quotas are imposed on network slices, then resource allocation control is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to wastage and inability to dynamically allocate unused resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming static resource quotas into dynamic allocations. Network slice resource quotas are no longer fixed but adapt based on real-time network conditions, traffic patterns, and slice priorities. The system continuously monitors resource usage and dynamically adjusts allocations, allowing unused resources to be reassigned to other slices while ensuring critical slices maintain adequate resources. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both control and efficiency through adaptive, time-varying quota management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying resource quota values based on multiple factors including traffic demand, slice priority levels, network congestion states, and historical usage patterns. The system adjusts quota parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed values, allowing the same network slice to receive different resource allocations at different times based on actual needs. This enables improved resource utilization while maintaining necessary control through parameter adaptation.
2Loss of energy
If unused resources are dynamically allocated to other users, then resource utilization is improved, but service reliability deteriorates if essential network slices do not maintain reserved resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing reserved resource pools for essential network slices before dynamic allocation begins. Critical slices such as emergency services, healthcare, or industrial control are pre-allocated minimum resource guarantees that cannot be borrowed by other slices. This preliminary reservation ensures service reliability is maintained while allowing non-critical slices to participate in dynamic resource sharing, thus resolving the contradiction between utilization and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different resource allocation rules to different network slice categories. Essential/critical slices receive guaranteed reserved resources with strict protection, while non-essential slices participate in dynamic resource sharing. The system locally tailors quota management policies according to slice priority, service type, and criticality requirements, enabling high utilization for flexible slices while ensuring reliability for critical slices simultaneously.
3Reliability
If complex prioritization processes are implemented during congestion times, then service differentiation is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing network slices into distinct priority categories (e.g., critical, high, medium, low) with predefined resource allocation rules for each segment. During congestion, the system applies simplified priority-based mechanisms within each segment rather than complex global optimization. This segmentation enables service differentiation through clear hierarchical rules, reducing computational complexity while maintaining reliable prioritization across diverse slice requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, apparatuses, and computer program product for network slice minimum and maximum resource quotas with soft limits. One method may include sending by a user, a request for user connection to a network element, the request resulting in resource quota reservation in a specific network concept. The method may also include receiving from the network element, an indication of whether the request was successful or unsuccessful. The request may include at least one procedure or action indicating network resource availability. The method may further include receiving allocated resources according to resource allocation rules specific to whether the user is entitled to use the allocated resources, and whether a user connection, a session, a bearer, a signaling connection or a data radio bearer request was successful.