Network Slice Control Accuracy via UDM Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately controlling network slice capacity and managing terminal mobility, leading to potential network overload and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves a network slice control mechanism that uses a Unified Data Management (UDM) entity to manage subscription information and quota limits for each network slice, allowing for dynamic adjustment of slice capacity and terminal mobility management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If network slice capacity is increased to meet growing data traffic demand, then service coverage and user capacity are improved, but network control accuracy deteriorates and resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork slice capacityVSAvoidnetwork slice control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network slice management into distinct functional components: UDM entity for subscription information storage, network slice SMF for quota management, and separate counting mechanisms for different slice types. This segmentation enables precise control over each slice while managing overall capacity, resolving the contradiction between increased capacity and maintained control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary counting mechanism that acts as a mediator between the UDM entity and network slice SMFs. This intermediary maintains accurate counts of UEs per slice and per DNN, enabling precise resource allocation and quota enforcement even as network capacity scales, thus preventing control accuracy deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If network slice quota limits are strictly enforced to prevent network overload, then network stability is improved, but terminal mobility management and service flexibility are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidterminal mobility management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic quota management where the network slice SMF can adjust quota limits based on current network conditions, UE mobility states, and service requirements. The system dynamically updates UE counts and enforces quotas only when necessary, maintaining network stability while allowing flexible terminal mobility management without rigid constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the counting mechanism continuously monitors UE distribution across network slices and DNNs, and this information is fed back to the network slice SMF for real-time quota adjustment. This feedback loop ensures network stability through proactive overload prevention while maintaining adaptability for mobile terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If detailed subscription information is stored for each network slice to improve resource allocation accuracy, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity and information management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments subscription information management by storing data at multiple hierarchical levels: general slice subscription information in the UDM entity, and specific per-UE per-DNN counts in the network slice SMF. This segmentation reduces the information management burden on any single component while maintaining comprehensive resource allocation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary counting mechanism that aggregates and processes detailed subscription information, reducing the complexity burden on the UDM and SMF entities. This intermediary handles the detailed tracking and reporting, enabling efficient resource allocation without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4055920B1Method and apparatus for improving network slice control accuracy in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4055920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4055920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4055920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, performed by a first network entity, in a wireless communication system includes receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a registration request including network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI); transmitting, to a second network entity, a request for subscription information of the UE, based on the registration request; and in response to receiving a response including the subscription information, selecting a third network entity to which the first network entity is to be changed for processing the registration request for the UE, or for allowing a slice for the UE.