UE PLMN Selection via Network Slice Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient method to transmit and receive signals in wireless communication systems supporting new radio access technology (New RAT), particularly with the introduction of network slicing, where user equipment (UE) needs to select a suitable public land mobile network (PLMN) based on network slice priority or mandatory access information.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where a UE selects a PLMN for registration based on network slice priority information or mandatory access information, allowing it to transmit a registration request to the selected PLMN, and network nodes provide necessary information for the UE to make this selection, ensuring efficient signal transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE selects a PLMN without considering network slice information, then the PLMN selection process is simple, but the UE cannot access required network slices and service quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides network slice priority information and mandatory access information to the UE in advance through system information blocks (SIB) or other signaling mechanisms. This preliminary action enables the UE to perform informed PLMN selection based on network slice requirements without increasing operational complexity during the selection process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Network slice priority information and mandatory access information act as intermediaries between the network slice requirements and the PLMN selection process. These information elements mediate the decision-making process, allowing the UE to select appropriate PLMNs that support required network slices without the UE needing to directly evaluate complex network slice configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE transmits registration requests to multiple PLMNs, then the probability of finding a suitable network increases, but the signaling overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs preliminary evaluation of candidate PLMNs by checking whether they support the network slices identified as mandatory or high-priority. This preliminary filtering action reduces the number of PLMNs to which registration requests are transmitted, thereby reducing signaling overhead and time consumption while maintaining adaptability to network slice requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE applies different selection criteria to different PLMNs based on local conditions. For PLMNs that support mandatory network slices, the UE prioritizes registration attempts. For PLMNs that do not support required slices, the UE avoids or deprioritizes registration attempts. This localized quality-based approach optimizes the registration process for each specific PLMN context.
3Ease of operation
If the network provides detailed network slice information to all UEs, then UEs can make informed PLMN selections, but the network signaling load and information management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network extracts and provides only the essential network slice information required for PLMN selection, specifically network slice priority information and mandatory access information. This extracted information is sufficient for UEs to make informed PLMN selections without requiring UEs to process or manage complete network slice configuration details, thereby reducing network signaling load and information management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system selects a mobile communication network (for example, PLMN) to which a registration request is to be made. The user equipment selects a PLMN on the basis of network slice priority information or network slice essential access information and transmits a registration request for the selected PLMN.