UE Network Slice Management with NSSAI Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of an effective implementation method for supporting Enhanced Network Slicing (eNS) and Enhanced Non-Public Network (eNPN) functions in the 5G System (5GS), particularly in managing the number of UE connections and sessions for each slice.
Innovation Solution
A User Equipment (UE) that stores configured Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI), including mapped and rejected NSSAI, to facilitate the selection and management of network slices, enabling eNS and eNPN functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to provide specific network functions for different services, then service differentiation and network optimization are improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice management by introducing separate data structures (AllowedNSSAI, RejectedNSSAI, PendingNSSAI) to categorize different network slice states. This segmentation allows the UE to manage multiple network slices systematically without overwhelming complexity, as each slice type has a dedicated management mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with NSSAI mapping information and rejection policies before actual network connection attempts. The UE stores mapped NSSAI values and rejection reasons in advance, enabling automatic slice selection and rejection handling without real-time complex decision-making processes.
2Productivity
If the number of UE connections and sessions per slice is managed to support eNS, then network resource optimization is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network provides feedback information about slice availability and UE connection status. The UE maintains state information about allowed, rejected, and pending slices, enabling it to track connection status and adjust its behavior accordingly without complex measurement processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE performs self-service by autonomously managing its own slice connections based on stored configuration information and network feedback. The device automatically handles slice selection, connection establishment, and rejection processing without requiring complex external management or measurement systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network slices are dynamically allocated and managed, then service flexibility is improved, but loss of information about slice status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the AllowedNSSAI, RejectedNSSAI, and PendingNSSAI data structures in the UE before dynamic slice allocation occurs. This pre-configuration ensures that the UE has dedicated storage and processing mechanisms ready to track slice status information throughout the dynamic allocation process, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the network continuously provides status information about slice availability and UE connection state. The UE maintains accurate tracking by processing these feedback signals, ensuring that slice status information is preserved and updated dynamically without loss during flexible allocation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A User Equipment (UE) includes a storage unit and a controller, the controller stores configured Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI), one or more pieces of mapped Single NSSAI (S-NSSAI) with respect to the configured NSSAI, and rejected NSSAI in the storage unit, and the controller includes one or more pieces of S-NSSAI that is included in the configured NSSAI and is not associated with S-NSSAI included in the rejected NSSAI in requested NSSAI.