UE-Preferred Network Slice Mapping for Faster, Lower-Power Cell Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network technologies face inefficiencies in managing multiple network slices, leading to unnecessary power consumption and delayed access to desired network services due to inefficient frequency searching by user equipment (UE) when multiple network slices are required but not available on the current cell.
Innovation Solution
The UE is provided with a mapping of network slices to corresponding frequency bands, allowing it to efficiently search for and camp on cells that support the desired network slices, using mechanisms like redirection information and slice assistance information to optimize cell selection and minimize unnecessary frequency scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE performs comprehensive frequency searching to find cells supporting desired network slices, then the UE can access all available network services, but the power consumption increases and access time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by providing the UE with mapping information between network slices and frequency bands before the UE needs to search. This advance provision of slice-assisted frequency information allows the UE to skip comprehensive frequency scanning and directly search only relevant frequencies, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining full network slice access capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE performs comprehensive frequency searching to find cells supporting desired network slices, then the UE can access all available network services, but the access time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by providing the UE with mapping information between network slices and frequency bands before the UE needs to search. This advance provision of slice-assisted frequency information allows the UE to skip comprehensive frequency scanning and directly search only relevant frequencies, significantly reducing cell camp-on time while maintaining full network slice access capability.
3Reliability
If the UE searches all frequency bands to ensure coverage of multiple network slices, then the UE can maintain service continuity, but the complexity of frequency management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is segmented into specific frequency bands, each associated with particular network slices. The network provides the UE with segmented frequency information mapped to specific slices, allowing the UE to manage frequency searches in an organized manner rather than scanning all frequencies indiscriminately. This segmentation maintains service continuity while reducing frequency management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network provides feedback to the UE regarding which frequency bands support which network slices. This feedback mechanism enables the UE to adjust its frequency search strategy based on network-provided information, maintaining reliable service continuity while simplifying the frequency management process through informed decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user equipment (UE) is configured to transmit a registration request to a first base station of a cellular wireless network, wherein the first base station operates on a first frequency band, the registration request including a first indication of one or more preferred network slices and receive a registration response from the first base station, the registration response including (i) a second indication of whether the one or more preferred network slices are accessible on the first frequency band and (ii) a third indication of where the UE can access any unsupported one or ones of the one or more preferred network slices.