RAN Slice Manager for Network Resource Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in implementing network slicing in Radio Access Networks (RAN) due to issues with dynamic channel quality, transmission isolation over common broadcast mediums, and interaction with Core Networks, limiting the effectiveness of RAN slicing in mobile wireless networks.

Innovation Solution

The method involves allocating unique sets of network resources to each service in the RAN, using a RAN slice manager to select transmission parameters such as radio frequency, time resources, and numerology for each service, enabling efficient resource utilization and isolation between different services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If network slicing is implemented in RAN using common broadcast transmission medium, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but transmission isolation between services deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission isolation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the common RAN resources into multiple virtual network slices, each dedicated to specific services. The RAN slice manager divides radio resources, time resources, and frequency resources into isolated segments for different slices, enabling both efficient utilization and strict isolation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The RAN slice manager acts as an intermediary between the common RAN resources and multiple services. It mediates resource allocation by receiving service requirements, determining appropriate slice assignments, and configuring transmission parameters to ensure both efficient resource use and proper isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic channel quality is accommodated in RAN slicing, then service adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation within network slices to adapt to changing channel conditions. The RAN slice manager continuously monitors service requirements and channel quality, dynamically adjusting resource allocation and transmission parameters while maintaining slice isolation, thus achieving adaptability without permanent complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes transmission parameters (power, modulation, coding) within each slice based on dynamic channel conditions. The RAN slice manager adjusts these parameters per-slice to accommodate varying service requirements and channel quality, enabling adaptability through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If RAN slicing is implemented with static resource pool, then implementation simplicity is improved, but service customization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidservice customization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal RAN slice manager that can serve multiple different services through a single implementation. The same RAN slice manager handles diverse service types (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) by applying different slicing configurations, achieving service customization without requiring separate specialized systems for each service type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary slice configuration and resource allocation decisions before actual service deployment. The RAN slice manager pre-establishes slice templates and resource allocation patterns that can be quickly instantiated for different services, simplifying implementation while maintaining customization capability through pre-configured flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3378197B1Method and system for performing network slicing in a radio access network
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3378197B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378197B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3378197B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system of allocating resources in a Radio Access Network that includes associating each of a plurality of services with a slice that is allocated a unique set of network resources and transmitting information in the Radio Access Network for at least one of the services using the slice associated with the at least one service.