User Equipment Network Slice Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G System (5GS) faces challenges in managing and restricting the simultaneous use of network slices, particularly in managing the number of allowed User Equipments (UEs) and connected sessions, which is essential for enhancing network slicing functions.
Innovation Solution
A User Equipment (UE) is designed with a transmission and/or reception unit that receives a first S-NSSAI IE associated with a reject cause value due to compatibility issues, and a storage unit that stores S-NSSAI of the current PLMN and/or HPLMN during roaming, enabling the transmission of requested NSSAI and identification information indicating whether the included S-NSSAI is allowed or not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network slicing is enhanced to manage and restrict simultaneous use of slices, then network functionality and service provision are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to store and process multiple S-NSSAI IEs and reject cause values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the S-NSSAI information into distinct components: the S-NSSAI IE containing slice identification data and the reject cause value containing rejection reasons. This segmentation allows the UE to process and store network slicing information in an organized manner, managing complexity through structured data separation while maintaining reliable network functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the S-NSSAI IE as an intermediary data structure that carries both the slice identification information and the reject cause value. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the UE's processing by providing a standardized format for network slicing information, reducing the complexity of handling multiple slice management scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE stores S-NSSAI of current PLMN and HPLMN during roaming, then adaptability to network slicing is improved, but loss of information increases due to the need to manage multiple PLMN-specific S-NSSAI data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal S-NSSAI IE structure that serves multiple functions: it stores slice identification information for both the current PLMN and HPLMN during roaming scenarios. This multi-functional data structure enables the UE to adapt to different network slicing configurations across multiple PLMNs while consolidating information management into a single standardized format, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple S-NSSAI data structures within each other during roaming operations. The S-NSSAI IE contains nested information about both current PLMN and HPLMN slices, allowing the UE to maintain adaptability to different network configurations while organizing information in a compact, non-redundant structure that prevents data loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a communication unit for implementing a function related to management of information related to network slices in a 5GS. Provided are a method and a communication unit for an initial registration procedure of a UE and a periodic or movement-based registration procedure for implementing management of information related to network slices in a 5GS. Furthermore, provided are a method and communication unit for a UE configuration update procedure after completion of a registration procedure and for a de-registration procedure, and a method and a unit for updating information related to NSSAI stored in a UE in each procedure.