S-NSSAI-Aware PLMN Selection via USIM Mapping List
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices face challenges in efficiently selecting and registering with a suitable public land mobile network (PLMN) and network slice during roaming scenarios due to limited information about available PLMNs and their capabilities, leading to time- and power-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that uses a mapping list to map PLMNs to Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) values, allowing devices to determine and connect with a preferred PLMN based on S-NSSAI values and preference rankings, even when the home PLMN is not available, using various radio access technologies like 5G NR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wireless device performs traditional PLMN selection without S-NSSAI information, then the device can connect to any available PLMN, but the selection process becomes time-consuming and power-consuming when multiple PLMN options with different network slice capabilities exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring S-NSSAI information in the USIM card before the device needs to roam. The mapping list containing PLMN identifiers and their supported S-NSSAI values is stored in advance in the USIM, allowing the device to immediately query and select an appropriate PLMN without time-consuming discovery processes during actual roaming scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless device lacks information about PLMN options and their capabilities, then the device can simplify its selection process, but it cannot make informed decisions about network slice compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a simplified representation of PLMN capabilities in the form of a mapping list stored in the USIM card. This mapping list contains copies of essential information (PLMN identifiers and their supported S-NSSAI values) that enable the device to make informed selection decisions without needing to access or process the actual complex network capability data during roaming.
3Reliability
If the device queries multiple PLMNs to find one with desired network slice capabilities, then the device can ensure slice compatibility, but the registration process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the mapping list stored in the USIM card - that mediates between the device's network slice requirements and the available PLMN options. This mapping list acts as a pre-computed reference that directly links PLMN identifiers with their supported S-NSSAI values, allowing the device to perform simple lookups rather than complex queries to multiple PLMNs.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment devices (UEs) and methods are described for performing single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)-aware public land mobile network (PLMN) selection in a roaming scenario. A mapping list is received that includes a mapping of a plurality of public land mobile networks (PLMNs) to corresponding S-NSSAI values. The mapping list is received from a home PLMN (HPLMN) of the UE over non-3rd generation partnership (non-3GPP) access, from a server, or from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) subscriber identity module (USIM) of the UE. An available PLMN is determined that is mapped to a preferred S-NSSAI value of the UE based on the mapping list. A connection is established with the available PLMN.