Network Slice Registration Control via Tracking Area Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, controlling the use of network slices by terminal devices is challenging, particularly in scenarios where different tracking areas support varying network slices, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potential invalid registration requests.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where terminal devices obtain tracking area information for a network slice, determining whether the current tracking area supports the slice, and initiate or skip registration requests accordingly, using single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) to manage network slice registration effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If terminal devices initiate registration requests for network slices without checking TA support, then registration requests are sent promptly, but invalid registration requests are generated and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs preliminary checking of TA information before initiating registration requests. The device determines whether the current TA supports the requested network slice by examining stored TA information, and only initiates registration requests when support is confirmed. This preliminary action prevents invalid requests and reduces signaling overhead while maintaining prompt registration when conditions are met.
2Reliability
If terminal devices check TA information before registration, then invalid registration requests are avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device autonomously checks its own TA information and determines whether the current TA supports the requested network slice without requiring additional network assistance. The device uses stored TA information to self-determine registration appropriateness, reducing device complexity while ensuring request validity. This self-service approach maintains reliability without adding complex control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different TAs support different network slices, then network resource allocation is optimized, but control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented such that different tracking areas support different network slices, with each TA configured with specific slice support information. The terminal device is segmented to handle multiple TAs independently, checking TA information for each requested slice. This segmentation enables flexible resource allocation while maintaining simple control through independent TA evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each tracking area is assigned specific network slice support characteristics, creating local quality differences across the network. The terminal device adapts its registration behavior based on the local TA quality - initiating requests only when the current TA's slice support matches the requested slice. This local quality approach enables optimized resource allocation while simplifying control through location-aware decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for requesting a network slice includes the following. A terminal device obtains tracking area (TA) information corresponding to a first network slice; determines, according to the TA information, whether a current TA supports the first network slice; and initiates a registration request for the first network slice based on a determination that the current TA supports the first network slice, and/or does not initiate the registration request for the first network slice based on a determination that the current TA does not support the first network slice, where the registration request contains first single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) identifying the first network slice.