Relay-Assisted Network Slice Access Across Unsupported Tracking Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current method for determining network slice service support by a core network device results in a low success rate for terminal devices, as it fails to accurately assess the support of the requested slice by the access network side.
Innovation Solution
The communication method involves the exchange of information between a core network device and a relay node, including a donor node, to confirm the support of a network slice by the access network, ensuring that the allowed network slice selection assistance information includes the identifier of the supported slice, thereby improving the success rate of service requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the core network device determines network slice support based on tracking area information, then the determination process is simplified, but the accuracy of assessing access network side support is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary between the terminal device and the core network device. The relay node receives network slice support information from the access network side and forwards it to the terminal device, enabling accurate assessment of network slice support without complicating the core network device's determination process. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing precise information while keeping the core network device's operations simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into distinct functional components: the core network device, the relay node, and the access network side. By dividing the information transmission and processing tasks among these segments, the system achieves both simplified determination at the core network level and accurate support assessment through the relay node's information forwarding capability.
2Ease of operation
If the terminal device requests network slice service through the current method, then the service request process is straightforward, but the success rate of service request is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the relay node obtain and forward network slice support information to the terminal device before the terminal device attempts to request service. This advance preparation ensures that the terminal device has accurate information about supported network slices, thereby increasing the success rate of service requests while maintaining the simplicity of the request process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the relay node provides information about network slice support status to the terminal device. This feedback loop enables the terminal device to make informed service requests based on actual network capabilities, improving success rates without complicating the overall operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the access network side supports a network slice but the tracking area does not, then the network slice can be provided, but the current determination method fails to recognize this support
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node serves as a mediator that receives network slice support information directly from the access network side, bypassing the tracking area-based determination limitation. This intermediary enables the system to recognize and provide network slices supported by the access network even when the tracking area does not indicate support, thereby improving both adaptability and detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic information updating where the relay node continuously receives and forwards current network slice support status from the access network side. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions and accurately reflect actual network slice support capabilities, overcoming the static tracking area-based determination method.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a communication method. In an example of the method, a terminal device accessing a first relay node sends first information to a core network device, to request, from the core network device, a service corresponding to a first network slice. A second donor node sends second information to the core network device, to indicate to the core network device that the first relay node supports the first network slice, where the first network slice is not supported by a second TA, and a tracking area in which the terminal device is located is the second TA when a donor node of the first relay node is the second donor node.