Network Slice Frequency Matching to UE Radio Capabilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in ensuring compatibility between network slice operating frequencies and user equipment (UE) radio capabilities, leading to potential mismatches that can affect communication quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method for wireless communication involving network entities and core entities to exchange and process UE capability information, identify compatible network slices, and adjust the allowed set of network slices based on UE radio capabilities, ensuring seamless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network entity assigns network slices without verifying UE radio capabilities, then network slice allocation is simple and fast, but compatibility between network slice operating frequencies and UE radio capabilities cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between network slice operating frequencies and UE radio capabilitiesVSAvoidcapability verification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity performs capability verification in advance before assigning network slices. The gNB requests UE capability information and determines compatible network slices before establishing PDU sessions, ensuring compatibility is ensured upfront rather than discovering mismatches during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network entity requests UE capability information, processes this feedback to determine compatible network slices, and uses this information to make informed slicing decisions. This closed-loop approach ensures compatibility while maintaining systematic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the network entity verifies UE radio capabilities before network slice assignment, then compatibility is ensured, but the network slice allocation process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork slice allocation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Capability verification is performed in advance during the initial connection establishment or registration phase, before PDU session establishment. This preliminary action ensures compatibility is determined upfront, avoiding delays during actual service deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capability verification process is segmented into distinct phases: capability information collection, compatibility determination, and network slice assignment. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity systematically and perform verification without blocking the entire service establishment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If all network slices are made available to every UE, then network versatility is maximized, but incompatible network slices may be assigned to UEs that cannot support their operating frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slice compatibilityVSAvoidcapability management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity applies local quality by tailoring network slice assignment to each UE's specific radio capabilities. Instead of a uniform approach, the gNB determines compatible network slices based on individual UE characteristics such as supported frequency bands and radio access technology capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of network slice availability based on UE capability parameters. The network entity adjusts which network slices are presented to each UE according to their radio capabilities, dynamically adapting the offered service set to match device characteristics without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12593269B2Ensuring compatibility between network slice operating frequencies and user equipment (UE) radio capabilities

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for ensuring compatibility between network slice operating frequencies and user equipment (UE) radio capabilities. An example method generally includes receiving, from a network core entity, a request for information about capabilities of a user equipment (UE) and information about a plurality of network slices in an allowed set of network slices for the UE; identifying, based on UE capability information, a subset of the allowed set of network slices that the UE can use for communications between the UE and the network entity; generating a response including at least the subset of the allowed set of network slices that the UE can use for communications between the UE and the network entity; and transmitting the response to the network core entity.