RRC Procedure Adaptation for 5G Network Slice Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network slicing mechanisms face issues such as inappropriate paging/tracking area configuration, roaming restrictions, and inappropriate core network function usage due to inconsistent slice availability across base stations, leading to inefficiencies and mobility management challenges.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication apparatus with a controller and transceiver to transmit and receive slice support information, enabling appropriate core network functionality selection, on-demand system information, and targeted handover decisions based on slice support capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is implemented without consistent slice availability information across base stations, then network virtualization and flexible service support are achieved, but paging inefficiencies and mobility management challenges occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slicing flexibilityVSAvoidmobility management reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station proactively transmits slice support information to the core network during initial connection or configuration phases, enabling the core network to pre-configure appropriate paging areas and tracking areas based on which slices are available at each base station. This preliminary action prevents subsequent paging inefficiencies and mobility management issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where base stations continuously report their slice support capabilities to the core network, which then adjusts paging and mobility management configurations accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the network maintains reliable mobility management while adapting to changes in slice availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If slice support information is transmitted from base station to core network, then appropriate core network functionality selection is enabled, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore network functionality selectionVSAvoidsignaling message volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential slice support information that is necessary for core network functionality selection, rather than transmitting complete base station configuration data. This selective extraction reduces signaling overhead while still enabling appropriate core network function selection based on available slices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If paging areas are configured without considering base station slice availability, then network coverage is simplified, but paging efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging area configuration complexityVSAvoidpaging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring paging areas differently based on the specific slice support capabilities of each base station. Instead of using uniform paging area configurations across the network, the system tailors paging area assignments to match local slice availability, thereby improving paging efficiency without significantly increasing overall configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12457548B2Communication system and methods that adapt RRC procedures to a 5G network implementing network slicing

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 NEC CORP

AI summary

A communication system is disclosed in which a number of procedures may be performed between user equipment, a base station, and/or the core network in the context of network slicing. The procedures support, for example efficient configuration of paging areas, roaming, access restriction, mobility, setting up of dual mode connectivity, connection re-establishment, efficient paging and slice selection.