Network Slice Admission Control Function for UE Limit Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP specifications do not allow for effective enforcement of the maximum number of user equipment (UE) per network slice in 5G networks, which is crucial for maintaining service level agreements (SLAs) and managing network resources efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that implement an enforcement mechanism by receiving registration requests from user equipment (UE) and managing Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) to cap the number of UEs per network slice, involving a network slice selection function (NSSF) that increments or decrements counters based on UE access, and communicates allowed or rejected NSSAIs to the UE, along with optional backoff timers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to support multiple logical networks on common physical infrastructure, then network resource utilization and service diversity are improved, but the ability to enforce maximum UE limits per slice is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network control functions by introducing a dedicated Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) that operates independently from other network functions. This segmentation allows the NSACF to specifically handle UE counting and admission control for each network slice, thereby enforcing UE limits while maintaining the overall network slicing architecture. The NSACF maintains separate counters for each S-NSSAI, enabling granular control per slice.
Solution Approach 2:
The NSACF acts as an intermediary function between the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) and the network slices. When a UE registration request arrives, the AMF forwards it to the NSACF, which then checks the UE count for the requested slice and decides whether to admit or reject the UE. This intermediary role allows the system to enforce UE limits without disrupting the core network slicing functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard 3GPP specifications are followed for network slicing, then network interoperability is improved, but enforcement of maximum UE numbers per slice becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring maximum UE limits for each network slice during network setup. The NSACF stores these predefined limits and proactively checks them before admitting new UEs. This preliminary configuration approach enables automatic enforcement of UE limits without requiring complex real-time negotiations or manual interventions during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The NSACF implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the number of UEs in each network slice and comparing it against the configured maximum limits. When a slice approaches its limit, the NSACF can send notifications or warnings. This feedback loop ensures that UE limits are actively enforced and allows for dynamic adjustment of admission decisions based on current slice utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing an enforcement mechanism for the maximum number of user equipments per network slice in a communication system are provided. A method, system, and apparatus may receive, from a user equipment (UE), a registration request message comprising requested Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) through an access network (AN). The requested NSSAI comprises one or more single-NSSAIs (S-NSSAIs) subject to a capping number of UEs allowed to access one or more network slices associated with the one or more S-NSSAIs. The method, system, and apparatus may cause transmission of a service request message to a network slice selection function (NSSF). The service request message includes indications of the one or more S-NSSAIs. The method, system, and apparatus may receive a service response from the network slice selection function. The service response comprises an allowed NSSAI that includes at least one of 1) one or more allowed S-NSSAIs or 2) a list of rejected S-NSSAIs due to a maximum number of UEs allowed to access the network slices associated with the one or more S-NSSAIs has been reached.