Network Slicing via Virtual Resource Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network slicing methods in cellular systems are inadequate when radio resources are reused among multiple radio bearers, as they fail to efficiently allocate resources and prioritize services effectively.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves converting physical radio resources into 'virtual radio resources' that can be allocated to different users and services. This is achieved by logically slicing physical resources across a spatial domain, allowing for co-scheduling of multiple radio bearers and dynamic adjustment of service priorities based on resource utilization margins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical radio resources are allocated to multiple radio bearers through spatial reuse, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to guarantee resources for different services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments physical radio resources into virtual radio resources through the concept of virtual resource blocks (VRBs). Each physical resource block (PRB) is divided into multiple virtual resource blocks, where each VRB represents a portion of the physical resource allocated to a specific service or user. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fine-grained control over resource allocation while enabling spatial reuse, thus resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and service guarantee.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual radio resources as an intermediary layer between physical radio resources and service requirements. The virtual resource allocation mechanism acts as a mediator that translates service-level resource guarantees into physical resource allocations. By using VRBs as intermediaries, the system can ensure service quality while maximizing spatial reuse of physical resources across different users and services.
2Productivity
If radio resources are co-scheduled among multiple data flows exploiting channel decorrelation, then available radio resources are opportunistically increased, but slicing by physical radio resources does not provide desired outcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where virtual resource blocks are allocated based on real-time channel conditions, service requirements, and spatial reuse opportunities. The system continuously adapts the mapping between VRBs and PRBs to exploit channel decorrelation properties while maintaining service-specific resource guarantees. This dynamic approach enables the network to opportunistically increase available resources through co-scheduling while preserving slicing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtual dimension to resource allocation by introducing virtual resource blocks as an intermediate layer between physical resources and services. This additional dimension allows the system to simultaneously optimize for spatial reuse (physical domain) and service differentiation (virtual domain), resolving the contradiction between increasing available resources through co-scheduling and maintaining network slicing capability.
3Productivity
If physical radio resources are reused spatially among active users, then resource efficiency is improved, but it becomes challenging to prioritize services effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation process into two independent layers: virtual resource allocation (service prioritization) and physical resource mapping (spatial reuse). At the virtual layer, services are prioritized by allocating VRBs according to service requirements and quality of service parameters. At the physical layer, VRBs are mapped to PRBs to maximize spatial reuse. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing service prioritization without compromising resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual radio resource blocks as an intermediary mechanism that decouples service prioritization from physical resource allocation. The VRB allocation process handles service prioritization independently, while the subsequent mapping to physical resources optimizes for spatial reuse. This intermediary layer enables effective service prioritization even when physical resources are heavily reused across multiple users.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for network slicing in cellular systems are disclosed. According to one aspect, a network node is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to determine virtual resources at least in part by logically slicing a plurality of physical resources across a spatial domain, and assign the virtual resources to a first radio bearer associated with a first wireless device.