Network Slice SPS Allocation via DCI Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinating semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) and dynamic resource allocation across multiple network slices in communication systems is challenging, particularly for user equipment (UE) accessing multiple slices simultaneously, as existing methods do not efficiently manage resource separation and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

Implementing UE-specific and network slice-specific SPS configurations, using dedicated and common control signaling, to allocate and prioritize resources, with override indicators in dynamic scheduling to coordinate SPS and dynamic resource allocations, ensuring guaranteed and flexible resource usage across network slices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) is used for resource allocation in network slices, then resource reservation and separation are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of coordination increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource separationVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network slice identification into a priority field and a network slice identifier field within the DCI format. This segmentation allows the system to separately handle resource allocation priorities and specific slice identification, simplifying the coordination mechanism while maintaining reliable resource separation across multiple network slices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of SPS resources with associated network slice identifiers before dynamic scheduling occurs. This preliminary action allows the UE to pre-establish the mapping between SPS resources and network slices, reducing the complexity of real-time coordination while ensuring reliable resource separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic scheduling is used for resource allocation, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but resource reservation and separation among network slices deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidresource separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges dynamic scheduling with network slice identification by incorporating the network slice identifier field into the DCI format. This merging allows dynamic scheduling to maintain its flexibility while simultaneously ensuring proper resource separation among network slices through the integrated slice identification mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If multiple network slices share common control network functions, then device complexity is reduced, but resource separation and quality of service guarantee become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol function complexityVSAvoidservice guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning specific network slice identifiers to different SPS configurations and resource allocations. This allows the common control network functions to serve multiple network slices while maintaining distinct resource separation and service quality guarantees for each slice through localized identification and prioritization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If SPS configuration includes network slice identifier, then resource separation is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource separationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the DCI format universal by designing it to carry both scheduling information and network slice identification in a single message. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable resource separation without increasing signaling overhead, as the same DCI structure serves dual purposes of resource allocation and slice identification.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3622766B1Coordinated dynamic and semi-persistent scheduling allocation for network slice
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3622766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3622766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain embodiments may relate to communication systems, and, for example, some embodiments may relate to allocating resources of one or more network slices in a communication system.