Network Slice Re-Mapping Across Base Stations for Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network slicing technologies in wireless communication systems face challenges in ensuring service continuity due to limited availability of network slices in certain deployment scenarios, leading to potential service disruptions when user equipment moves between base stations that do not support the required network slices or have insufficient resources.

Innovation Solution

Implementing slice re-mapping techniques that allow for the dynamic reutilization of network slices by identifying mobility scenarios and utilizing methods such as source base station, target base station, or core network slice re-mapping to ensure continuous service, including methods like sending slice re-mapping requests, performing slice re-mapping at the core network or target base station, and selecting appropriate slices based on available resources and supported slice information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is implemented to meet differentiated business requirements, then service customization and adaptability are improved, but service continuity is worsened when user equipment moves between base stations with limited slice availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice customizationVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core network acts as an intermediary to perform slice re-mapping when a target base station cannot provide the required network slice. The source base station requests slice re-mapping from the core network, which then allocates alternative slices or resources to maintain service continuity during handover, mediating between the user equipment's service requirements and the target base station's resource limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes slice allocation parameters during handover by requesting and applying slice re-mapping. When the target base station cannot provide the original slice, the core network modifies slice assignment parameters by allocating different slice resources or re-mapping the slice configuration, thereby adapting the network parameters to maintain service continuity despite resource constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If dedicated networks are built for every scenario to meet specific service requirements, then service quality is improved, but resource waste and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network slicing mechanism provides multi-functionality by allowing a single physical infrastructure to support multiple virtual networks with different service characteristics. Instead of building dedicated physical networks for each scenario, the system creates virtualized network slices that can be dynamically allocated and re-mapped, enabling one infrastructure to serve multiple business requirements efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The network slice allocation is dynamic rather than static. The system can re-map slices during handover based on real-time resource availability and service requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the network to adapt to changing conditions without requiring dedicated fixed infrastructure for each scenario, reducing complexity while maintaining service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If slice re-mapping is performed at the target base station, then service continuity is improved, but the target base station's processing load and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidtarget base station complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The core network serves as an intermediary to perform slice re-mapping centrally, reducing the processing burden on target base stations. Instead of requiring each target base station to independently perform complex slice re-mapping operations, the source base station requests re-mapping from the core network, which then manages the slice reallocation and provides the re-mapped slice information back to the target base station for execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of energy

If network slices are limited in certain deployment scenarios, then resource efficiency is improved, but service availability deteriorates when user equipment requires specific slices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidservice availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes slice allocation parameters through re-mapping requests when user equipment moves to areas with limited slice availability. The core network modifies slice assignment parameters by allocating alternative slices or re-mapping resources based on current availability, thereby maintaining service availability without permanently over-provisioning resources in all deployment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4066416B1Re-mapping network slices for supporting service continuity
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ZTE CORP
  • EP4066416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4066416B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4066416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices related to digital wireless communication, and more specifically, to techniques related to sending, by a first network node to a second network node, a first message including information for handling access and mobility management tasks associated with a mobile device, wherein the first network node is serving a mobile device in a coverage area of the first network node; and determining, at the first network node, based on a response message from a second network node, information of one or more resources available to the mobile device from the second network node in a case that the one or more resources are re-mappable from the first network node.