UE Slice Registration Control With S-NSSAI Back-Off Timers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation method for managing the number of User Equipments (UEs) allowed for each network slice in the 5G System (5GS) is not clear, hindering effective network slicing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A User Equipment (UE) is equipped with a transmission and/or reception unit to receive control messages containing Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), rejection cause information, back-off timer values, and application scope, enabling the UE to manage network slice selection and apply back-off timers as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing functionality is implemented in 5GS, then service-specific network characteristics can be provided, but the implementation method for managing the number of UEs per slice is not clear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slice management by dividing UE management into slice-specific groups. The AMF separates UE contexts by S-NSSAI, and the network slice selection function is segmented into distinct logical components. This segmentation allows clear definition of how many UEs can be managed per slice without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of slice-specific UE management by adding S-NSSAI as a separate management dimension. Instead of managing all UEs uniformly, the system now manages UEs across multiple slice dimensions, allowing independent control of UE numbers per slice while maintaining overall system coherence.
2Productivity
If the number of UEs per network slice is managed, then network resources can be optimized, but additional control mechanisms and messaging are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the AMF monitors UE connections per network slice and provides feedback to the network slice selection function. When a slice reaches its UE capacity limit, the feedback triggers rejection of new UE connections to that slice, enabling automatic resource optimization without complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The network slice management system performs self-service by automatically tracking UE counts per slice and making admission decisions based on predefined capacity thresholds. The AMF autonomously manages UE contexts and enforces slice capacity limits without requiring external intervention, simplifying the control mechanism while achieving resource optimization.
3Reliability
If back-off timers are applied to rejected UEs, then network congestion can be controlled, but additional timer management overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring back-off timer values and rejection causes in the network slice selection function and AMF. When a UE is rejected due to slice capacity limits, the pre-configured timer is immediately applied without requiring complex real-time calculations, reducing timer management overhead while maintaining effective congestion control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If slice-specific UE management is implemented, then enhanced network slicing functionality is achieved, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the S-NSSAI-based UE management mechanism to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same S-NSSAI identifier is used for network slice selection, UE context organization, capacity monitoring, and admission control across different PLMNs. This multi-functionality reduces information management complexity by avoiding redundant separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are procedures for initial UE registration and periodic or movement-based registration, and a communication unit to achieve management of the maximum number of UEs connected to each slice in 5GS. Furthermore, a method for managing a timer running after completion of the registration procedure, and a method of registration procedure and a communication unit for both a UE in which the timer is running and a UE in which the timer is not running are provided, thus providing a communication unit to implement functions related to the management of the maximum number of UEs connected to each slice in 5GS.