Network Slice Support Information Management in 5G Wireless
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently updating partially allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) lists and managing congestion timers for alternative single-NSSAI (S-NSSAI) in scenarios where network slice support information is partially rejected or not supported across all tracking areas.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method for managing NSSAI lists by receiving network slice support information and indications to delete this information. Additionally, it handles congestion timers by applying back-off timers to S-NSSAI to be replaced, alternative S-NSSAI, or combinations thereof, upon receiving reject messages with back-off timers and reject causes from the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the network provides partially allowed NSSAI with TA list information, then the UE can accurately determine network slice availability, but the signaling overhead increases due to additional information transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary TA list information for each S-NSSAI from the comprehensive network slice support information, and transmits this filtered information to the UE. This selective extraction approach provides the UE with precise network slice availability knowledge while minimizing unnecessary data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and signaling overhead.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE stores partially allowed NSSAI information for all PLMNs, then the UE can maintain comprehensive network slice support information, but the memory consumption and information management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice support information by PLMN and by S-NSSAI, organizing the data structure to store only the TA list information relevant to each specific S-NSSAI for each PLMN. This segmentation approach maintains comprehensive adaptability while reducing management complexity through systematic organization and scope limitation of stored information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by storing only the TA list information (not the complete network slice support information) for each S-NSSAI. This partial storage approach provides sufficient adaptability for network slice selection while significantly reducing memory consumption and management complexity compared to storing all available information.
3Reliability
If the network rejects S-NSSAI with insufficient resources, then the network protects itself from overload, but the UE experiences increased latency due to back-off timer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network provides reject causes and back-off timer information to the UE when S-NSSAI is rejected due to insufficient resources. The UE uses this feedback to implement intelligent retry strategies, attempting reconnection after appropriate back-off periods. This feedback approach maintains network reliability while minimizing time loss through optimized retry timing.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for updating a partially allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) list, and managing a congestion timer/back-off timer for an alternative single-NSSAI (S-NSSAI) in wireless communication networks. The methods include removing network slice support information stored in a user equipment (UE), if a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message from a network indicates to delete the network slice support information. The methods include applying a back-off timer to the S-NSSAI to be replaced (S-NSSAI-1)/alternative S-NSSAI (S-NSSAI-A)/combination of S-NSSAI-A+S-NSSAI-1, on receiving a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request, when the network is congested. The methods include applying a back-off timer to the S-NSSAI-A/S-NSSAI-1/combination of S-NSSAI-A+S-NSSAI-1, on receiving a congestion timer from the network function while requesting an alternative S-NSSAI