RRC Reestablishment Cell Selection for Network Slice Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a 5G communication system with network slices, existing RRC reestablishment methods fail to ensure seamless cell handover due to the lack of consideration for network slice support, leading to delays and service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting a target cell that supports the expected network slice during RRC reestablishment, using information from access network devices to identify suitable cells, and employing timers to optimize the cell selection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal device selects any cell that meets the cell selection condition, then the cell selection process is simple and fast, but the selected cell may not support the expected network slice, causing service disruption and requiring rehandover
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs preliminary checking of network slice support information during the cell selection process. Before finalizing cell selection, the terminal device verifies whether the candidate cell supports the expected network slice by checking system information or receiving indication information from the network, thereby avoiding subsequent service disruptions and rehandovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device provides feedback information to the terminal device regarding which cells support the expected network slice. This feedback mechanism allows the terminal device to make informed cell selection decisions by receiving indication information about network slice support status from the network, ensuring reliable service continuity.
2Reliability
If the terminal device checks network slice support information for each candidate cell, then the network slice support is guaranteed, but the cell selection process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs preliminary preparation by determining in advance which cells support the expected network slice and providing this information to the terminal device through system information or dedicated signaling. This shifts the complexity from the terminal device to the network device, simplifying the terminal's cell selection process while ensuring service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of network slice support verification. Instead of the terminal device directly checking each candidate cell's network slice support status, the network device provides indication information that mediates this verification process, reducing terminal device complexity while maintaining service continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to radio resource control (RRC) reestablishment methods and apparatuses. In one example method, a terminal device selects a target cell, where the target cell supports an expected network slice. The terminal device sends an RRC reestablishment request message by using the target cell. The expected network slice may include a network slice that the terminal device expects to access, or a network slice corresponding to a PDU session established by the terminal device by using a last serving access network device of the terminal device. The terminal device may select the target cell within a preset time period. For example, the terminal device starts a first timer when the terminal device starts selecting the target cell, and selects the target cell during running of the first timer. The first timer may be specific to one or more network slices or all network slices.