Network Slicing for Multi-Tenant Location Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network slicing standards do not specify support for location-based services, limiting mobile network operators' ability to provide customized location services to multiple tenants sharing the same physical network resources.
Innovation Solution
A system that electronically defines and manages network slices for each tenant, associating them with location-based services functions and mapping customized location data to these slices, enabling tailored location services across the 5G wireless telecommunication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 5G network slicing is implemented to support multiple tenants, then network flexibility and customization capability are improved, but the complexity of network management and service configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (N-SNSSAI) mechanism as an intermediary that automatically identifies and routes location-based service requests to the appropriate network slice. This mediator component handles the complexity of multi-tenant slice management by providing automated slice selection based on service type and tenant identification, reducing manual configuration overhead while maintaining high network flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location-based service functionality into distinct network slices, each optimized for specific service types (e.g., emergency services, commercial location services, IoT tracking). By dividing the overall service into independent slices with dedicated resources and configuration parameters, the system manages complexity through modular organization while providing customized services to multiple tenants simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is extended to location-based services, then multi-tenancy support is improved, but the completeness of service coverage and standardization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal N-SNSSAI framework that can accommodate multiple location-based service types and tenant requirements through a single standardized mechanism. This universal approach allows the same slice selection methodology to serve diverse services (emergency, commercial, IoT) while maintaining consistent service quality and reliability across all tenants, achieving both multi-tenancy support and service standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes within the N-SNSSAI structure to adapt location-based services for different tenants and service types. By modifying parameters such as slice priority, resource allocation, and service quality thresholds based on tenant requirements, the system maintains standardized service delivery while providing customized multi-tenant support through configurable parameter adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments are directed towards network slicing for multi-tenant location based services in a wireless telecommunication network. For each tenant of the plurality of tenants of the network, the system receives a request from the tenant for location based services for mobile devices of the tenant operating on the respective network slice defined for the tenant. In response to the request, the system provides the customized location based services to the tenant based on the respective network slice being associated with one or more location based services network functions or location based services systems of the wireless telecommunication network, which provide geographical locations of mobile devices operating on the wireless telecommunication network. The location based services network functions or location based services systems may include the location management function (LMF) and the Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) gateway node.