UE Network Slice Information Storage for Radio Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

User Equipment (UE) faces inefficiencies in storing network slice related information and managing PDU session establishment, leading to potential delays in accessing network services and inefficient use of memory resources.

Innovation Solution

The UE is configured to receive, store, and manage network slice related information locally, and to determine whether to use an existing or new PDU session based on predetermined conditions and application requirements, optimizing resource utilization and access times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the UE pre-stores network slice related information for multiple PLMNs, then the access speed to network services is improved, but the memory resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess speed to network servicesVSAvoidmemory resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The UE pre-stores network slice related information (NSSAI) for multiple PLMNs in advance before actually needing to access those networks. This preliminary action allows the UE to quickly camp on and access services from multiple PLMNs without waiting for network provisioning, thus improving access speed while managing memory through selective pre-storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE stores network slice information for multiple PLMNs, then the adaptability to different networks is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different PLMNsVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple network slice information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE manages network slice information by segmenting it according to different PLMN types (home PLMN, equivalent PLMN, visited PLMN) and storing them in separate data structures. This segmentation allows the UE to handle each PLMN type independently, reducing the complexity of managing all network slice information together while maintaining adaptability to different networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If the UE waits to be provisioned with network slice information by the PLMN, then the memory resource usage is optimized, but the access time to network services increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory resource usageVSAvoidaccess time to network services

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of waiting for the PLMN to provision network slice information when needed, the UE performs preliminary actions by autonomously determining and storing the necessary network slice information for multiple PLMNs in advance. This eliminates the waiting time for provisioning while managing memory resources through intelligent selection of what information to pre-store

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12267721B2User equipment network slice information storage and packet data unit session establishment for new radio

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 APPLE INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is configured to store information related to network slices. The UE receives network slice related information associated with a first public land mobile network (PLMN), stores the network slice related information in a database locally at the UE, identifies a predetermined condition and removes at least a portion of the network slice information associated with the first PLMN based on camping on a second PLMN and the predetermined condition.