Network Slice Remapping for Handover Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network slice handover procedures experience service discontinuity when a target base station does not support a slice required by a source base station, leading to rejected PDU sessions during handover.
Innovation Solution
The target base station determines whether to perform slice remapping based on specific conditions, such as slice support capabilities and service requirements, and modifies the mapping between original and new PDU sessions and data radio bearers to ensure continuous service during handover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the target base station performs strict access control and rejects PDU sessions for unsupported slices, then slice support accuracy is improved, but service continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces slice remapping as an intermediary mechanism between the target base station's slice support capabilities and the UE's required slices. When a direct match is not found, the system uses remapping rules to translate the required slice to a supported slice, maintaining service continuity while preserving accurate slice support control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the slice identification parameter from a direct match requirement to a remapped equivalent. By modifying the slice mapping relationship through remapping rules, the system maintains service continuity while preserving accurate slice support control.
2Reliability
If the target base station accepts all PDU sessions without slice remapping, then service continuity is improved, but slice support control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slice remapping mechanism acts as an intermediary that preserves slice support control while enabling service continuity. The remapping rules ensure that even when slices are translated, the target base station maintains control over which slices are actually supported and how they are mapped.
3Productivity
If the source base station pre-filters PDU sessions before handover request, then handover efficiency is improved, but slice remapping flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The source base station performs preliminary filtering of PDU sessions before handover, preparing only those sessions suitable for handover. This preliminary action improves efficiency while the target base station retains the flexibility to perform additional slice remapping if needed, combining both benefits.
4Reliability
If slice remapping is always performed at target base station, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The target base station performs slice remapping only when necessary - specifically when the required slice is not directly supported. This partial action approach maintains service continuity while avoiding unnecessary complexity in cases where direct slice support is available.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for network slice handover (HO) are provided. The method includes the following. A target base station receives an HO request transmitted by a source base station. The target base station determines whether to perform slice remapping. As such, upon receiving the HO request transmitted by the source base station, the target base station can determine whether to perform slice remapping. By performing slice remapping at the target base station, it is possible to ensure HO service continuity during slice HO, thereby solving a technical problem of service discontinuity during slice HO.