Network Slice Support Checking via Compact Indication Bits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, there is a need for efficient methods to determine whether a cell supports a network slice, which is crucial for network slicing techniques like those defined in the 3GPP standards.
Innovation Solution
A slice support availability checking method where a base station transmits a message containing a first list and/or a second list to user equipment. The first list represents network slices supported by a cell, while the second list represents slices not supported. The user equipment then determines slice support based on the presence or absence of these lists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the base station transmits detailed slice support information lists to all user equipment, then the user equipment can accurately determine slice support availability, but the signaling overhead and message size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential slice support determination logic from the full slice support information, transmitting minimal necessary data (slice support indication bits) rather than complete slice capability lists. This allows user equipment to determine slice support availability with sufficient accuracy while keeping message size small.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the base station transmit comprehensive slice support lists and having user equipment filter through them, the patent inverts the approach by having the base station transmit compact indication bits that directly enable user equipment to determine slice support status without processing large data structures.
2Reliability
If the base station transmits comprehensive slice support information, then user equipment can make informed cell reselection decisions, but the transmission time and processing delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station pre-calculates and transmits slice support indication bits that are ready for immediate use by user equipment. This preliminary preparation of condensed information allows user equipment to make cell reselection decisions quickly without performing time-consuming analysis of detailed slice capability lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from detailed slice capability lists to compact indication bits. This parameter transformation reduces the data volume significantly while preserving the essential information needed for reliable cell reselection decisions, thereby reducing processing time.
3Loss of information
If the system uses detailed first list and second list to indicate slice support, then the slice support information is comprehensive, but the device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential slice support status from complex first list and second list structures, representing them through simplified indication bits. This extraction maintains the core information needed for slice support determination while eliminating the computational complexity of managing and processing detailed lists.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting and processing actual slice capability lists, the patent uses compact indication bits that copy or represent the essential slice support status. This copying approach preserves the necessary information while dramatically reducing the processing burden on user equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A slice support checking method according to an aspect is a slice support availability checking method in a mobile communication system. The slice support checking method includes a step of transmitting, at a base station, a message including a first list and/or a second list. Furthermore, the slice support checking method includes a step of determining, at a user equipment, whether a cell supports a network slice in an application area based on the presence or absence of the first list and the second list. Here, the first list represents first network slices that a cell supports, and the second list represents second network slices that the cell does not support.