Radio Network Node for Slice-Aware Frequency Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks do not fully support steering frequency bands and cells based on the network slices requested by User Equipment (UE), particularly when certain slices require dedicated spectrum, leading to inefficiencies in network slicing.
Innovation Solution
A method where a Radio Access Network (RAN) node and a Core Network (CN) node collaborate to provide indications about allowed network slices and area priority policies, enabling the RAN node to handle service requests from the UE by directing it to appropriate frequency bands and cells based on the requested network slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the RAN node uses existing RFSP mechanisms for frequency selection, then the UE can be steered to different frequency bands, but the network cannot fully control the steering based on specific network slice requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new indication mechanism as an intermediary between the CN node and RAN node. This indication carries RFSP values specifically tailored for network slice steering, allowing the CN to control frequency selection without modifying existing system information or UE configuration procedures. The indication acts as a mediator that translates network slice requirements into actionable frequency steering commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the RFSP parameter values dynamically based on network slice requirements. Instead of using fixed or UE-default RFSP values, the system now receives and applies CN-provided RFSP indications that are specifically calibrated for the requested network slice, enabling precise frequency band steering aligned with slice-specific spectrum allocations.
2Reliability
If dedicated frequency bands are allocated for specific network slices, then slice isolation and performance are improved, but the network requires additional control mechanisms to manage frequency steering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the RAN node reports the UE's current frequency band and cell information back to the CN node. The CN node uses this feedback to determine the appropriate RFSP indication to send back, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures UEs are steered to the correct dedicated frequency bands for their requested network slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The new indication mechanism serves as an intermediary that simplifies the control complexity by providing pre-calculated RFSP values to the RAN node. Instead of requiring the RAN node to perform complex slice-aware frequency selection algorithms, the CN node acts as an intermediary that computes and delivers the appropriate steering commands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses existing RFSP mechanisms without modifications, then implementation is simpler, but network slices cannot be steered to specific frequency bands based on slice requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new indication mechanism as an intermediary between the CN node and RAN node. This indication carries RFSP values specifically tailored for network slice steering, allowing the CN to control frequency selection without modifying existing system information or UE configuration procedures. The indication acts as a mediator that translates network slice requirements into actionable frequency steering commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing RFSP mechanism universal by enabling it to serve both traditional frequency selection purposes and new network slice-specific steering requirements. The same RFSP parameter structure is reused, but now it can be dynamically populated with slice-aware values through the new indication mechanism, eliminating the need for separate slice-specific frequency control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node for handling a service request from a User Equipment, UE, in a wireless communications network. The RAN node supports a first network slice in a first Area, A1. The RAN node connects (902) to the UE via A1. The RAN node sends (903) to a Core Network (CN) node, a service request from the UE. The service request relates to one or more network slices that the UE requests in a certain Area. The RAN node receives (904) an indication from the CN node. The indication indicates the one or more network slices requested by the UE together with any one or more out of: —A list of network slices that are allowed to be accessed by the UE in the current A1, and—an indication of a new area priority policy associated to the one or more network slices that are requested by the UE. The RAN node decides (905) how to handle the service request from the UE based on the indication received from the CN node.