Slice-Aware Cell Selection in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network technologies face challenges in performing efficient slice-based cell selection and reselection, leading to potential camping on cells that do not support the intended network slices, resulting in additional signaling and access delays, especially when slices are coupled with specific carrier/frequency layers or when slice availability is limited within a PLMN.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms for slice-aware cell selection and reselection, where the UE considers available slices when choosing a cell, using Slice Registration Areas to inform the UE of slice availability, and employing slice-based barring and Random Access procedures to steer the UE towards cells supporting specific S-NSSAIs or offload it to specific frequency layers, ensuring optimal slice-based resource allocation and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs conventional cell selection and reselection without slice awareness, then the cell selection process is simple and fast, but the UE may camp on cells that do not support the intended network slices, resulting in additional signaling and access delays
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by broadcasting slice availability information in system information blocks (SIBs) before the UE performs cell selection and reselection. This allows the UE to identify cells supporting required slices in advance, avoiding camp failures and additional access delays that would occur without this pre-information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network broadcasts slice support information as an intermediate layer between the cell and the UE. This intermediary information enables the UE to make informed cell selection decisions without direct interaction with the network, resolving the contradiction between simple selection and reliable slice support
2Productivity
If the UE performs conventional cell selection without considering slice availability, then the cell selection procedure is straightforward, but it leads to inefficient resource utilization and suboptimal service quality
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs self-service by autonomously evaluating cell candidates based on broadcast slice availability information and its own slice requirements. The UE independently determines which cells support its required slices and makes camp decisions without additional network interaction, improving resource utilization while maintaining relatively simple device logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters considered in cell selection by adding slice support criteria to the traditional signal strength and quality metrics. The UE now evaluates cells based on multiple parameters including RSRP, RSRQ, and slice availability, enabling more efficient resource utilization while the network manages the complexity of providing slice information
3Reliability
If the network provides detailed slice availability information to all UEs, then UEs can make optimal cell selection decisions, but it increases signaling overhead and network complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The network segments slice availability information by broadcasting it in dedicated system information blocks (e.g., SIB1, SIB2) that are organized by slice type or carrier frequency. This segmentation allows UEs to efficiently locate and process only the slice information relevant to their requirements, improving access reliability while the network manages complexity through structured information organization
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, or devices may assist in performing slice-based cell selection and reselection, offloading of initial access attempts for a given slice to a specific frequency layer, performing slice-aware PLMN selection, performing slice-based barring, performing slice-based Random Access, or performing slice-based paging, among other things.