5G UE Non-3GPP Access Network Slice Selection via ANQP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack a mechanism for a 5G UE to determine which non-3GPP access networks support specific network slices in a PLMN, as they assume all slices are supported, leading to potential connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
The UE sends an ANQP query to non-3GPP access networks to discover which networks support specific S-NSSAIs by enhancing the ANQP query response to include the list of supported S-NSSAIs, allowing it to select a network that supports the required slice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UE assumes all non-3GPP access networks support all S-NSSAIs, then the UE can simplify its network selection process, but this assumption may lead to incorrect network selection and connectivity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having non-3GPP access networks pre-advertise their supported S-NSSAIs in ANQP responses before UE connection attempts. This allows UEs to query and obtain accurate slice support information in advance, avoiding incorrect assumptions and ensuring reliable network selection for specific slices.
2Measurement precision
If the non-3GPP access network advertises supported S-NSSAIs in ANQP responses, then the UE can accurately select networks supporting specific slices, but this requires enhancing the ANQP protocol and increases signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by extending the existing ANQP protocol framework to carry S-NSSAI support information. Rather than creating a new protocol, the enhancement leverages the established ANQP structure, allowing it to serve both traditional network information exchange and the new slice capability advertisement function.
3Loss of information
If the UE queries each non-3GPP access network for supported slices, then the UE can identify suitable networks, but this increases the time and number of signaling messages required for network selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by having non-3GPP access networks perform preliminary action - they proactively include their supported S-NSSAI lists in ANQP responses during initial discovery phases. This eliminates the need for separate slice capability queries, as the information is provided upfront during standard network scanning operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for selecting a non-3GPP access network using announced supported S-NSSAIs. One apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor that decides to connect with a first network slice in a first Public Land Mobile Network via a non-3GPP access network. The transceiver sends a first request to each N3AN in a first list of N3ANs, the first request requesting cellular network information, and receives a first response from at least one N3AN in the first list of N3ANs. The processor constructs a second list of N3ANs based on the first response and selects a first N3AN from the second list of N3AN. The transceiver sends a registration request to the first PLMN via the first N3AN, where the registration request indicates that registration with the first network slice is required.