Adaptive RAN to Core Network Slice Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation mobility networks, such as 5G, face challenges in efficiently managing diverse services like M2M/IoT, AR/VR, and connected cars due to high resource demands, requiring adaptive and intelligent pairing of radio access network (RAN) slices with core network (CN) slices to ensure consistent end-user quality and dynamic resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pair selection component that receives RAN and CN slice information, along with device and service information, to intelligently select and adapt network slices in real-time, utilizing historical data for efficient resource allocation and provisioning, allowing for dynamic spectrum management and fine-grained allocation of RAN slices based on device requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to handle diverse services, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but network complexity and resource management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple independent slices, each optimized for specific service types (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, massive machine-type communications). This segmentation allows diverse services to run on dedicated network paths while maintaining overall system manageability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A network slice selection function (NSSF) acts as an intermediary component that intelligently routes service requests to appropriate network slices. This mediator handles the complexity of slice management centrally, reducing the burden on individual network elements and simplifying overall resource allocation.
2Productivity
If real-time adaptive pairing of RAN and CN slices is implemented, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Network slice pairing decisions are made in advance based on service requirements and network conditions. The NSSF pre-establishes mappings between RAN and CN slices for different service types, enabling rapid connection establishment without real-time computation delays when services need to be deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors network performance and slice utilization, using this feedback to dynamically adjust slice pairing decisions. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive resource allocation that improves efficiency over time while maintaining manageable processing requirements through learned patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Pairing of a radio access network (RAN) slice to a core network (CN) slice is disclosed. The pairing can be based on RAN slice information, CN slice information, and device information. The device information can enable access to corresponding information from a data store, such as historical pairing correlated to a device, device type, etc. Moreover, other supplemental information, such as service information, can also be employed in determining the pairing. In an aspect, the other supplemental information can enable access to corresponding information form a data store, such as other CN slices comprising an identified virtual network function, historical performance of previously determined pairing(s), etc. A determined pairing can be modified before provisioning or after provisioning based on the RAN slice information, CN slice information, supplemental information, or corresponding information. Further, pairing information can be employed to directly initiate pairing or to cause another device to initiate pairing.