Network Slice Selection via Use Case Policy Manager
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next generation networks, such as 5G, face challenges in managing network slicing effectively to cater to diverse use cases with varying performance requirements, as existing proposals are limited to differentiating between only three categories of network services, which may not suffice for the multitude of new services and devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a slicing policy manager that receives a policy request from a UE, identifies the use case, and generates a use case slice selection policy to select optimized network slices based on the UE's specified use case, utilizing a network slicing matrix that maps use cases to appropriate network slices to accommodate performance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented with only three categories of network services, then network management is simplified, but the ability to accommodate diverse use cases with varying performance requirements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slicing management into distinct components: a slicing policy manager that handles high-level policy decisions based on use case identifiers, and a slice selection manager that handles detailed slice selection. This segmentation allows the system to support diverse use cases without overwhelming complexity in a single management entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of management by adding use case identifier-based policy control as an additional layer above traditional service category-based slicing. This dimensional addition enables fine-grained adaptation to diverse use cases while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying three-category slicing structure.
2Reliability
If network slices are optimized for specific use cases, then performance requirements for each use case are met, but the complexity of managing and selecting appropriate slices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slicing policy manager performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring slice selection policies that map use case identifiers to appropriate network slices. When a UE requests service, the policy is already in place, enabling automatic slice selection without complex real-time decision-making, thus ensuring performance requirements are met while keeping management complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces use case identifiers as an intermediary element between the UE's service request and the network slice selection. This intermediary simplifies the selection process by providing a clear mapping key that the slicing policy manager can use to automatically determine the appropriate slice, reducing the complexity of direct matching between service requirements and slice characteristics.
3Measurement precision
If use case identifiers are integrated into policy requests, then slice selection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of policy request processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The use case identifier is designed as a universal element that can be integrated into existing policy request structures without requiring fundamentally different processing mechanisms. This multi-functional approach allows the same policy request handling infrastructure to support both traditional service-based requests and new use case-based requests, improving slice selection accuracy while minimizing additional processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and software for selecting a network slice for User Equipment (UE) based on a use case specified by the UE. In one embodiment, a slicing policy manager is implemented in a network that is partitioned into a plurality of network slices. The slicing policy manager receives a policy request for the UE, identifies a use case identifier in the policy request that indicates a use case specified by the UE, generates a use case slice selection policy configured to select a network slice from the plurality of network slices based on the use case specified by the UE, and initiates transmission of the use case slice selection policy to a slice selection manager. The slice selection manager may then select a network slice for the UE based on the policy.