Network Slice Indication Exchange in RAN-CN Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 3GPP LTE and emerging NR technologies, face challenges in efficiently managing network slicing and radio access network (RAN)-core network (CN) interface setups, which are crucial for supporting diverse usage scenarios and ensuring seamless communication across multiple network slices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for performing cell-specific procedures in a network slice-based new radio access technology (NR) system, where RAN nodes and CN nodes mutually transmit indications regarding slice support through specific messages, enabling efficient slice selection and configuration updates, thereby facilitating better interaction and resource management across the RAN-CN interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is implemented to support diverse usage scenarios, then service quality and adaptability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork slicing supportVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into multiple network slices, each tailored for specific usage scenarios (eMBB, mMTC, URLLC). This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse services independently, improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular organization of network functions and resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring network slice support capabilities in both RAN and CN nodes before actual service deployment. This includes pre-establishing slice identification mechanisms and capability exchange procedures, which simplifies subsequent service provisioning and reduces operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If RAN-CN interface setup procedures are enhanced for slice support, then slice selection efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice selection efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges slice support indication with existing RAN-CN interface setup procedures (NG setup, NG1 setup). By combining slice capability exchange into already-required signaling messages rather than adding separate dedicated signaling, the patent improves slice selection efficiency while minimizing additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing setup messages multi-functional by enabling them to carry both traditional setup information and slice support indications simultaneously. This universal approach allows a single signaling message to serve multiple purposes, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11284241B2Method and apparatus for performing cell specification procedure for network slice-based NR in wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A new cell specification procedure can be defined, in order to support more efficiently a network slice function in a new radio (NR) access technology as being a part of a 5G communication system. From a perspective of a radio access network (RAN)-core network (CN) interface, a RAN node can transmit, to a CN node, a first indicator related to the slice support of the RAN node, and receive, from the CN node, a second indicator related to the slice support of the CN node.