Automatic Peer Network Slice Association for Inter-Slice Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning 'non-standard S-NSSAIs' between network operators, such as between an enterprise and a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or different MNOs, are inefficient and prone to service discontinuity due to manual configuration, and lack an automatic procedure for inter-slice handover, especially in scenarios involving type-a networks where service continuity is critical.
Innovation Solution
An automatic procedure for building and aligning 'peer S-NSSAIs' associations across different PLMNs or between a PLMN and a type-a network, involving the bidirectional exchange of S-NSSAI values and slice characteristics during Xn setup/configuration updates, and modifying handover procedures to enable inter-slice handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration methods are used to align S-NSSAIs between network operators, then configuration flexibility is maintained, but alignment efficiency deteriorates and service discontinuity risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic peer S-NSSAI association where network devices autonomously exchange S-NSSAI lists and characteristics, select compatible slices, and establish associations without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism dramatically improves alignment efficiency while maintaining service continuity through automated validation and conflict resolution procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary exchange of S-NSSAI lists and characteristics between network operators before actual service deployment. By pre-aligning slice associations and identifying potential conflicts in advance, the system ensures service continuity is maintained while streamlining the deployment process.
2Reliability
If automatic procedures are implemented for inter-slice handover, then service continuity is improved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary establishment of peer S-NSSAI associations and compatibility mappings before handover events occur. This pre-computation of slice associations simplifies the actual handover procedure by eliminating the need for complex real-time slice matching, thereby maintaining service continuity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces standardized information elements and protocols as intermediaries to manage the complexity of inter-slice handover. These standardized mechanisms facilitate automatic slice association and handover execution, improving service continuity while containing procedure complexity through systematic abstraction.
3Manufacturing precision
If bidirectional exchange of S-NSSAI information is implemented, then association accuracy is improved, but information exchange overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and exchanges only the essential S-NSSAI characteristics and association parameters needed for accurate slice matching, rather than transmitting complete slice configuration data. This selective information exchange maintains high association accuracy while minimizing the overhead of information exchange between network operators.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprising: receiving, by a device of a first communication network, a list of single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), wherein the list of S-NSSAI comprises characteristics of each network slice supported by a second communication network; selecting, by the device of the first communication network, at least one network slice of the first communication network based at least on the characteristics; associating, by the device of the first communication network, the selected at least one network slice of the first communication network with at least one network slice of the second communication network; and indicating the association to a device of the second communication network.