Slice-Aware Cell Reselection Using Implicit Frequency Signaling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods are inefficient in supporting cell reselection with slices, particularly in managing slice information across different tracking areas and distinguishing between slice-specific and non-slice cell reselection priorities.

Innovation Solution

A method and UE for supporting cell reselection with slices using DL implicit and explicit carrier frequencies, where DL implicit frequencies are indexed in system information and DL explicit frequencies use ARFCN values, allowing slice information lists to be mapped to tracking areas for deriving cell reselection priorities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used for cell reselection, then general cell reselection is supported, but slice-specific cell reselection efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell reselection efficiencyVSAvoidslice information management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments cell reselection into two distinct processes: slice-specific cell reselection and non-slice cell reselection. This is achieved by introducing slice information lists that are separately managed and applied, allowing the UE to perform slice-aware cell reselection when slice information is available, and falling back to conventional reselection when it is not. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient slice-specific reselection without losing the capability for general reselection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring slice information lists in the network before the UE performs cell reselection. The network provides slice information lists containing slice-specific cell reselection priorities to the UE in advance, allowing the UE to efficiently perform slice-aware reselection without needing to process slice information dynamically during the reselection process, thereby improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If slice information lists are introduced for all frequencies, then complete slice coverage is achieved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice information completenessVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making slice information lists optional rather than mandatory for all frequencies. The network can provide slice information lists selectively based on local requirements - only for frequencies where slice-specific reselection is needed. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring complete slice coverage where necessary while minimizing signaling overhead by not providing redundant slice information lists for all frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by providing slice information lists only for a subset of frequencies rather than all frequencies. The UE is configured with slice information lists for specific frequencies where slice-aware reselection is required, and uses conventional reselection for other frequencies. This partial provision of slice information reduces signaling overhead while maintaining reliability for slice-specific services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If DL implicit carrier frequency indexing is used, then system information efficiency is improved, but frequency identification ambiguity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem information efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by combining both DL implicit carrier frequency indexing and explicit frequency identification. The slice information lists can reference frequencies using implicit indexes (for efficiency) while the network ensures unambiguous identification through proper configuration. The implicit index serves as a efficient reference that points to specifically configured frequencies, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If slice-specific cell reselection priorities are implemented, then network slicing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slicing efficiencyVSAvoidUE processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously perform slice-aware cell reselection using locally stored slice information lists. The UE independently evaluates cell reselection priorities based on slice information and current cell conditions without requiring continuous network assistance or complex centralized control. This resolves the contradiction by improving network slicing efficiency through UE autonomy while keeping device complexity manageable through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250261054A1Supporting cell reselection with slices in wireless network

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving, from a base station, a system information block comprising first information indicating cell reselection priorities for slicing; and determining a frequency for a cell reselection associated with a slice based on the first information, wherein the first information indicates the frequency for the slice implicitly.