Radio Network Node Signaling for Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing resource allocation and ensuring Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for wireless devices across different radio access technologies and network slices, particularly in scenarios involving dual connectivity and network slicing, where radio network nodes may not be aware of the network slice assigned to a device, leading to potential violations of QoS and resource policies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mechanism where the first radio network node signals the identity of the network slice to the second radio network node, allowing the latter to apply pre-configured resource utilization strategies and ensure correct handling of user equipment (UE) context and services, thereby enforcing SLAs and managing resources appropriately across different network slices and radio access technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radio network nodes are not informed about network slice identity, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but service level agreement compliance deteriorates and resource management precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the first radio network node acts as a mediator that forwards network slice identity information to the second radio network node. This allows the second node to make informed resource management decisions without directly interacting with the core network or increasing overall system complexity. The intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by enabling SLA compliance through information sharing while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network slice management functionality by separating the acquisition of slice identity information (performed by the first radio network node) from the application of slice-based resource management (performed by the second radio network node). This segmentation allows each node to perform its specific function without bearing the full complexity of end-to-end slice management, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability through coordinated information flow.
2Manufacturing precision
If network slice identity information is signaled between radio network nodes, then resource management precision and service level agreement compliance are improved, but device complexity and information processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential network slice identity information from the complex network slice management context and transmits it between radio network nodes. By taking out only the critical identifier rather than entire slice configuration data, the patent achieves precise resource management based on slice identity while minimizing the information processing load and complexity increase at each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the second radio network node to use the received slice identity information specifically for resource management decisions related to the wireless device, rather than requiring global changes to the node's operational complexity. The slice identity is used locally to apply appropriate resource utilization strategies without fundamentally altering the node's overall structure or processing architecture.
3Productivity
If pre-configured resource utilization strategies are applied based on network slice identity, then productivity and service quality are improved, but loss of information and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring resource utilization strategies at the radio network nodes based on possible network slice identities. When a wireless device is assigned to a network slice, the corresponding pre-configured strategy is automatically applied, enabling rapid resource management without real-time complex decision-making. This preliminary configuration improves productivity while maintaining flexibility because the strategies are prepared in advance but can be selectively applied based on the actual slice identity information received.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a second radio network node (15) for enabling communication for a wireless device (10) in a communication network (1). The communication network (1) comprises a first network and a second network, which second radio network node (15) is associated with the second network and a first radio network node (12) is associated with the first network and the first radio network node (12) and the second radio network node (15) are serving or are to serve the wireless device (10) jointly. The first network comprises partitioned sets of functionalities where in a first set of functionalities belongs to a first network slice supporting the wireless device (10), and which first set of functionalities is separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the first network. The second radio network node receives an indication from the first radio network node (12), which indication indicates identity of the first network slice supporting the wireless device (10). The second radio network node handles data to and/or from the wireless device (10) using the received indication.