Network Slice Access via Tracking Area Support Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems face challenges in allowing user equipment to access network slices that are not supported in certain tracking areas, leading to disruptions in service requests and increased signaling between the UE and the core network.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving network slice information from a core network entity indicating which tracking areas support specific network slices, allowing the user equipment to trigger procedures such as cell reselection, service requests, or registration requests to access the network slice when in unsupported areas, utilizing indirect access methods like redirection or dual connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment attempts to access a network slice in a tracking area where it is not supported, then service continuity is maintained, but service request rejections occur and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides slice support information to the UE in advance through system information blocks or dedicated signaling. This preliminary information allows the UE to determine before attempting service access whether the current tracking area supports the required network slice, thereby avoiding service request rejections and unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining service continuity through informed access decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network informs the UE about slice support status in tracking areas. The UE uses this feedback to make intelligent access decisions, selecting appropriate tracking areas or triggering handovers to areas that support the required network slice, thus eliminating service request rejections and reducing signaling overhead
2Adaptability or versatility
If the network provides detailed slice support information across all tracking areas, then user equipment can make informed access decisions, but network signaling and information management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing universal slice support information for all tracking areas, the network provides slice support information locally and specifically for each tracking area where it is relevant. The UE receives slice support status only for its current or candidate tracking areas through system information blocks or dedicated signaling, enabling informed access decisions without requiring comprehensive network-wide information management
Solution Approach 2:
The network divides slice support information into discrete, manageable units corresponding to individual tracking areas. Each tracking area's slice support status is independently signaled to the UE, allowing the UE to make localized access decisions without processing extensive network-wide information, thus reducing signaling overhead and information management complexity
3Productivity
If user equipment is restricted to only supported tracking areas, then network resource utilization is optimized, but mobility and service accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts UE service access based on current tracking area conditions. The UE continuously monitors slice support information and automatically triggers handover procedures when moving between tracking areas with different slice support characteristics. This dynamic behavior ensures network resources are utilized efficiently in supported areas while maintaining UE mobility and service accessibility across the entire network coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises receiving network slice information from a core network entity, the network slice information related to a network slice which is not supported in one or more cells of a first tracking area, but which is supported in one or more cells of a second tracking area. The method further comprises triggering a procedure at a user equipment to access said network slice based on said network slice information when said user equipment is in one or more cells of the first tracking area.