On-Demand Network Slicing for Wireless Test Platforms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional network testing for new devices and services in wireless communication often requires separate lab infrastructure, which is costly and struggles to accurately simulate real-world network conditions, leaving unused capacity in production networks underutilized.

Innovation Solution

Implementing on-demand network slicing in 5G networks to carve out test segments from production networks, allowing for real-world testing using the same physical resources, with a test network management system that provisions and controls access to dedicated network slices for devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate lab infrastructure is used for network testing, then testing can be performed in controlled environments, but it increases cost and fails to accurately simulate real-world network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of network condition simulationVSAvoidtesting infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts a specific portion of the production network to create a dedicated test mode network segment. By taking out and isolating a segment of the production network for testing purposes, the system enables accurate simulation of real-world network conditions using actual production resources, while preventing test activities from affecting the broader production network through network slicing isolation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The production network resources are made multi-functional by serving both production traffic and testing purposes. Through network slicing, the same physical infrastructure is utilized for multiple functions - supporting live subscriber services while simultaneously enabling device and service testing, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated testing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If separate lab infrastructure is used for network testing, then testing can be performed independently, but it leaves unused capacity in production networks underutilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidwasted network capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges testing operations with the production network by creating a test mode network segment within the existing production infrastructure. This consolidation allows unused or underutilized network capacity to be put to productive use for testing activities, combining the functions of production and testing in a single integrated system rather than maintaining separate infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If test mode network segment is created from production network, then real-world testing can be performed using existing resources, but network access control must be carefully managed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork access control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by creating a distinct test mode network segment with isolated network slices that are carved out from the production network. This segmentation provides dedicated testing environments with controlled access, allowing flexible testing configurations while maintaining clear boundaries that simplify access control management through network slice isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If network slicing is implemented for testing, then production network services are protected from test activities, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction network service stabilityVSAvoidnetwork slicing implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces network slicing as an intermediary layer between production and testing operations. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain production network service stability by creating isolated virtual network slices that mediate test activities, preventing direct interference with production services while enabling comprehensive testing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11659420B2Systems and methods of using network slicing for test platform

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Systems and methods provide on-demand network slicing to support testing of customer use cases A test network management system receives customer parameters for a use case in a production network. The customer parameters include an identifier for a user equipment (UE) device to be tested with the use case. The test network management system provides, to the UE device, configuration information to associate the UE device with a test mode network segment of the production network. A network device in the production network may receive a registration request, from the UE device, that includes the configuration information. Based on the configuration information, the network device blocks the UE device from accessing the production network. Instead, the test network management system initiates provisioning of the test mode network segment for the UE device; and the network device redirects the registration request to the test mode network segment.