User Equipment Network Slice Compatibility Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network slicing technologies lack effective mechanisms to enforce constraints on simultaneous usage of network slices, leading to potential operational conflicts and security issues due to the lack of standardized enforcement solutions, especially in roaming and non-roaming scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques that allow User Equipment (UE) to indicate support for simultaneous slice usage constraints during registration, enabling the network to manage slice compatibility and enforce constraints through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Unified Data Management (UDM), and Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), ensuring compatible slices are registered and used simultaneously while incompatible ones are not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to provide versatile services across heterogeneous application domains, then service coverage and adaptability are improved, but operational conflicts and security issues arise due to lack of constraints on simultaneous slice usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing slice compatibility constraints and conflict resolution rules before network operations begin. The AMF determines incompatible slice combinations in advance and configures the UE with constraint information, preventing operational conflicts before they occur. This is evident in the registration procedure where the network provides constraint data that the UE uses to select compatible slices beforehand.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network slices are allowed to operate simultaneously without constraints, then network flexibility and service diversity are improved, but security issues and operational conflicts worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the AMF as an intermediary that mediates between the UE's slice selection and the network's security requirements. The AMF determines incompatible slice combinations and communicates constraints to the UE, acting as a mediator that prevents harmful simultaneous slice operations while maintaining necessary flexibility. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by filtering out insecure combinations before they can cause harm.
3Reliability
If slice compatibility constraints are enforced through network management functions, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously select compatible network slices based on constraint information provided by the network. Instead of requiring complex network-side enforcement for every slice operation, the UE uses the provided constraint data to make compatible selections independently. This reduces the need for continuous network intervention and simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliability.
4Measurement precision
If the network provides detailed slice compatibility information to the UE, then slice selection accuracy is improved, but information overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing slice compatibility constraints in a targeted, structured manner rather than overwhelming the UE with all possible slice combination data. The constraint information is localized to specific incompatible slice pairs or groups, allowing the UE to make accurate selections without processing excessive information. This selective information provision maintains accuracy while reducing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques discussed herein facilitate configuration of network slices for a User Equipment (UE) supporting constraints on simultaneous operation of slices. One example embodiment is a UE device configured to: transmit a registration request message to request registration on a set of requested network slices; and receive a registration accept message indicating the UE is registered to a set of allowed network slices, and wherein the registration accept message indicates slice compatibility information for each allowed network slice of the set of allowed network slices for the UE, wherein the slice compatibility information for each allowed network slice indicates whether or not other configured network slices of the set of configured network slices are compatible with the configured network slice for simultaneous operation by the UE.