User Equipment Base Station Selection via Network Slice Broadcast
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication networks adopting network slicing, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in selecting an optimal base station that can provide adequate network slicing for desired services, as existing methods lack efficient mechanisms for determining suitable network slices based on service types and capability information.
Innovation Solution
A method where the UE receives broadcasted information from base stations about connected network slices and capabilities, determines the appropriate service type or operation type, and transmits this information in an Attach Request message to select a suitable network slice, allowing for optimal base station access and potential handover to another base station if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE uses existing base station selection methods, then connection establishment is simple, but the UE cannot select an optimal base station that provides adequate network slicing for desired services
Solution Approach 1:
The base station broadcasts network slice information and capability information before the UE attempts to connect. This preliminary provision of information allows the UE to make an informed selection of the optimal base station that supports the required network slices for its desired services, rather than attempting connection first and discovering incompatibility later.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE determines its service type or operation type based on the broadcasted network slice information and feeds this information back to the base station in an Attach Request message. This feedback mechanism enables the base station to understand the UE's service requirements and make appropriate network slice selection, ensuring reliable service delivery.
2Measurement precision
If UE transmits detailed service type information in Attach Request message, then optimal network slice selection is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting comprehensive service details throughout the network, the invention applies local quality by inserting the determined service type or operation type information specifically in the Attach Request message at the radio access interface. This localized information insertion provides sufficient precision for network slice selection without burdening the entire signaling system with excessive data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If base station broadcasts information on all connected network slices, then UE can make informed selection, but broadcast message size and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station extracts and broadcasts only the essential network slice information and capability information that the UE needs to make an informed selection decision. Rather than broadcasting all possible network slice details, the invention extracts the critical elements (network slice information and capability information) sufficient for UE to determine service type and select an appropriate base station.
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification provides a method by which user equipment (UE) is connected to a base station. The method comprises the steps of: receiving broadcasted information from the base station, wherein the broadcasted information includes information of network slices connected to the base station and capability information of the base station; determining a type indicating a service to be provided or a kind of operation on the basis of the information on the network slices and capability information on the base station; transmitting, to the base station, a connection request message including information on the determined type; and receiving a connection accept message for a first network slice among the network slices connected to the base station. The first network slice can be selected by the base station on the basis of the information on the type.