UE Network Slice Selection via Broadcast SIB Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current User Equipment (UE) procedures in wireless communication systems lack efficient methods for prioritizing and selecting network slices, leading to increased resource wastage and control plane signaling overhead due to the absence of cell-specific prioritization and consideration for supported slices, especially in 5G communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A method for a UE that receives network slice information from base stations, identifies a priority order of network slices, and selects a cell based on this information to camp on the most suitable cell, utilizing techniques such as Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) lists and Radio Resource Control (RRC) Release messages to optimize slice selection and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UE procedures do not include cell-specific prioritization for network slices, then the procedure complexity is low, but resource wastage increases and control plane signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network broadcasts network slice information and prioritization data in system information blocks before UE campes on a cell. This preliminary provision of slice priority data enables the UE to automatically select appropriate cells without requiring complex real-time negotiation or signaling during the camping process, thus improving resource allocation efficiency while keeping UE procedures relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network slice information elements as intermediaries that carry slice identification and prioritization data between the network and UE. These information elements act as mediators that enable cell-specific slice awareness without requiring direct complex interactions between UE and network for each slice selection decision, reducing signaling overhead while improving resource efficiency
2Ease of operation
If UE does not consider supported slices during cell selection, then cell selection procedure is simple, but control plane signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-provides network slice information and supported slice lists in broadcast system information blocks before the UE needs to make cell selection decisions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time signaling during cell selection, maintaining procedure simplicity while reducing control plane overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously uses the broadcasted network slice information and prioritization data to make cell selection decisions without requiring continuous network guidance or additional signaling. The UE self-determines which cells support required slices based on the provided information, simplifying the interaction while reducing signaling overhead
3Productivity
If network slice information is not broadcasted in system information blocks, then the information overhead is low, but UE cannot perform efficient cell selection for network slicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network slice information into specific information elements that can be efficiently embedded within existing system information block structures. By organizing slice data in segmented, structured formats (such as lists of slice identifiers with associated priorities and supported cell indicators), the patent minimizes the overall information overhead while enabling comprehensive cell selection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides network slice information at the cell level rather than requiring network-wide broadcasting of all slice details. Each cell's system information block includes only the relevant slice support information for that specific cell, reducing the total quantity of information transmitted while enabling efficient local cell selection decisions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method and a User Equipment (UE) for Radio Access Network (RAN) slicing in wireless. A method for a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving, from a base station (BS), network slice information on a plurality of network slices supported by a serving cell of the UE and at least one neighbor cell from a plurality of cells via a broadcasted system information block (SIB); identifying a priority order of the plurality of network slices based on the network slice information; selecting a cell based on the priority order of the plurality of network slices; and camping on the selected cell.