Network Sub-Slicing for Customer-Specific Service Quality
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing technologies require separate slices for each customer with slight variations in requirements, leading to inefficiencies and resource overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implement network sub-slicing within a network slice, allocating sub-slices based on user groups with modified parameter data, allowing shared resources and reducing the need for dedicated slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate network slices are created for each customer with slight variations in requirements, then customer-specific service quality is improved, but resource overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network slice configuration into template-level (shared) and instance-level (customized) components. Customer-specific requirements are handled through parameter instantiation rather than creating entirely separate slice structures, reducing complexity while maintaining service quality differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter templates to define network slice characteristics, allowing customization through parameter variation rather than structural duplication. This enables different customers to receive tailored service quality by modifying parameters within the same slice framework, avoiding the complexity of separate slice creations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate network slices are created for each customer, then customized service requirements are met, but computing, storage, and networking resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal network slice template that can serve multiple customers with different requirements. The same underlying slice infrastructure is reused across customers through parameter instantiation, eliminating redundant resource allocation while maintaining customization capability through configurable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allocating separate physical resources for each customer, the patent enables customization through parameter changes within shared resources. This allows the system to adapt to different customer needs while consolidating resource usage, reducing waste in computing, storage, and networking infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate network slices are defined for different departments with similar requirements, then department-specific needs are satisfied, but the number of slices and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments slice management into template definition (performed once) and instance deployment (performed per customer). This segmentation allows multiple departments to share a common template while maintaining individual customization through parameter instantiation, significantly reducing management overhead compared to managing separate slices for each department.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal template that can be instantiated for multiple departments with similar requirements. This single template serves multiple purposes across different departments, eliminating the need to create and manage separate slice definitions for each department while still allowing department-specific parameter customization.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology is directed towards facilitating the creation of network sub-slices within a network slice. When a network slice having defined default specification data (e.g., quality of service and prioritization levels) is instantiated, resources of the network slice can be allocated to network sub-slices within the network slice. A network sub-slice has modified specification data relative to the default specification data. Upon connection of a mobile device to the network, if the mobile device is part of a group associated with a network slice and sub-slice, the mobile device traffic is handled based on its network slice default specification data as modified by the modified sub-slice specification data. Network sub-slices thus provide a way for variations within the parameter data of a network slice, without the overhead and need to instantiate a separate network slice for each variation needed by subscribing entities.