Roaming Network Slice Mapping for Cross-Operator Service Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide seamless network slicing continuity across different network operators when users roam, leading to disruptions in data services and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a processor to determine the accessibility of an end-to-end logical network in a secondary network, generating a mapping between primary and secondary networks, and provisioning the network slice using security edge protection proxies and visitor network repository functions to ensure continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If roaming services are implemented across network operators, then coverage extension and service continuity are improved, but network complexity and provisioning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into home network and visited network domains, with distinct network slice management functions in each. The home network handles slice selection and authorization, while the visited network handles slice provisioning and resource management, reducing overall system complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) as an intermediary mechanism that enables seamless roaming between networks. The NSSAI acts as a mediator that carries slice selection information between home and visited networks, simplifying the roaming process without requiring complex direct integration between all network elements
2Ease of operation
If network slicing continuity is provided across network operators, then user experience is improved, but provisioning overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary network slice provisioning actions during the initial registration phase. The home network pre-configures NSSAI information and slice authorization details before the user actually needs them, eliminating the need for complex real-time slice provisioning during roaming and reducing processing overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses NSSAI as a copyable data structure that contains all necessary network slice selection information. This copied information can be efficiently transmitted and processed between networks without requiring complex real-time calculations or data generation, reducing provisioning overhead
3Reliability
If end-to-end logical network accessibility is determined in secondary network, then service reliability is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality checks at the visited network level, where the network slice selection function (NSSF) locally determines accessibility based on pre-configured slice information. This local determination avoids time-consuming end-to-end verification while maintaining service reliability through accurate local assessments
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system and a method for network slicing continuity provisioning across network operators. The system receives a roaming request based on a quality of service (QOS) request provided by various users in a home public land mobile network (HPLMN). The system provisions a network slice in a visitor public land mobile network (VPLMN) based on the roaming request from the users. The system enables the users to access the VPLMN upon roaming.