Slice-Specific UE RACH Selection for Multi-Slice Access Conflicts

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems employing network slicing, UEs connected to multiple slices face challenges in managing overlapping and inefficient RACH procedures due to different RACH resource configurations, leading to potential overload and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A UE-based slice-specific RACH resource configuration selection function is implemented to determine and select the appropriate RACH resource configuration based on the triggering slice, allowing for efficient handling of parallel RACH procedures and resource isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a UE is connected to multiple network slices with different RACH resource configurations, then the UE can access multiple slices simultaneously, but overlapping and inefficient RACH procedures occur leading to potential overload and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-slice access capabilityVSAvoidRACH procedure efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments RACH resources by associating specific RACH resource configurations with specific network slices. When a RACH event is triggered, the UE determines which slice caused the event and selects the corresponding slice-specific RACH resource configuration, thereby segmenting the RACH access procedure according to slice requirements and avoiding resource conflicts between slices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different RACH parameters (such as time/frequency resources, preamble formats, power control settings) specifically for each slice based on its service requirements. This allows each slice to have optimized RACH resources tailored to its local needs while maintaining overall system coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If slice-specific RACH resource configurations are used for each network slice, then resource isolation and service quality are maintained, but the complexity of RACH resource management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice quality assuranceVSAvoidRACH resource management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple RACH resource configurations in the UE before actual RACH procedures are needed. Each configuration is associated with a specific slice identifier. When a RACH event occurs, the UE can immediately determine the corresponding slice and select the pre-configured resources without complex real-time calculations, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining resource isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple RACH procedures are allowed to run in parallel for different slices, then slice-specific access is improved, but radio and power efficiency are reduced due to overlapping procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel slice accessVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the slice identification information from the RACH triggering mechanism and uses it to select appropriate RACH resources before the actual RACH procedure begins. By determining which slice triggered the event and selecting corresponding resources in advance, the UE avoids initiating multiple overlapping RACH procedures, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to access multiple slices when necessary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12574974B2UE RACH resource configuration selection function and resource prioritization to support slicing

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

A user device, UE, for a wireless communication network, is connectable to two or more of a plurality of network slices of the wireless communication network, wherein a slice specific random access channel, RACH, resource configuration is associated with one or more of the plurality of slices. Responsive to a first RACH event associated with a first slice, the UE is to determine whether there is an ongoing RACH procedure triggered by a second RACH event associated with a second slice. In case of an ongoing RACH procedure, the UE is toprohibit an additional RACH procedure triggered by the first RACH event associated with the first slice, and/orsuspend the additional RACH procedure for a certain time, and/orstop the ongoing RACH procedure and start the additional RACH procedure, and/ormodify the ongoing RACH procedure, and/ormodify the ongoing RACH procedure to start the additional RACH procedure.