PDU Session Update via Slice Indication for 5G Service Flows

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G communication, user equipment (UE) faces difficulties in selecting the appropriate slice for a service flow related to an application due to challenges in defining application identities, IP address changes, and inflexible route/slice selection policies, making it difficult to establish sessions with desired service quality.

Innovation Solution

The network side sends an indication message to the UE with a slice identifier, enabling the UE to modify or re-establish the PDU session accordingly, ensuring alignment with the specified slice for providing services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE uses URSP to select a slice for a service flow, then the network can provide end-to-end slice service, but the UE finds it difficult to match the application with the corresponding slice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslice selection capabilityVSAvoidapplication-slice matching difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network side device (SMF/PCF) acts as a mediator between the UE and the slice selection process. The network side determines the appropriate slice based on application information and notifies the UE through indication messages, eliminating the complexity of UE-based URSP matching while maintaining network-controlled slice service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the network provides detailed route/slice selection policies, then slice service quality can be ensured, but the policy becomes inflexible and difficult to adapt to changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice quality assuranceVSAvoidpolicy flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic slice selection by allowing the network side to determine slices based on real-time application information rather than static pre-configured policies. The network can dynamically notify the UE of appropriate slices through indication messages, enabling flexible adaptation to changing network conditions and application requirements while maintaining service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the UE independently determines the slice for a service flow, then the UE has control over session establishment, but the UE cannot properly handle IP address changes and application identity definitions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE session controlVSAvoidsession establishment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network side device receives application information from the UE, determines the appropriate slice, and notifies the UE through indication messages. This feedback loop ensures reliable session establishment by leveraging network-side expertise in handling complex scenarios like IP address changes and application identity resolution, while still maintaining UE involvement in the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4192077B1Session update method, terminal, and network-side device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP4192077B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4192077B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4192077B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided are a session update method, a terminal, and a network-side device. The session update method, which is applied to a terminal, comprises: after a protocol data unit (PDU) session is established, receiving an indication message sent by a network-side device, wherein the indication message includes a slice identifier, and the indication message is used for instructing a terminal to modify and re-establish the PDU session according to the slice identifier, or initiate a PDU session establishment flow.