UE Slice Prioritization Under Simultaneous DRB Limits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks limit user equipment (UE) devices to a maximum of eight simultaneous network slices, leading to network access denial when an application requires a new slice, without considering the priority of existing sessions.
Innovation Solution
Implement a slice management and prioritization service that monitors and prioritizes traffic on UE devices and networks, allowing preemption of lower-priority slices when the maximum number of simultaneous DRBs is reached to accommodate higher-priority applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the maximum number of simultaneous network slices is limited to eight, then network resource management is simplified, but network access is denied when applications require additional slices
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of slice management by introducing priority levels and preemption capabilities. Instead of treating all slices equally, the system assigns different priority values to slices, allowing dynamic management where higher-priority slices can preempt lower-priority ones when the maximum slice limit is reached. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the eight-slice limit while enabling flexible access through priority-based preemption.
2Ease of operation
If all network slices are treated equally without priority differentiation, then slice management is straightforward, but critical applications cannot be prioritized during resource constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating slice management based on priority levels. Each slice is assigned specific quality attributes (priority value and preemption capability) that allow critical applications to receive preferential treatment. When resource constraints occur, only slices with lower priority are preempted, ensuring critical applications maintain reliable access while simplifying overall management through automated priority-based decisions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the maximum number of simultaneous DRBs is strictly enforced without preemption, then network resource stability is maintained, but network resource utilization efficiency decreases when applications require additional slices
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamics by enabling preemption of lower-priority slices when the maximum DRB limit is reached. Instead of rigidly maintaining the eight-slice limit, the system dynamically adjusts slice allocation based on priority levels and preemption capabilities. This allows critical applications to access additional slices by preempting non-critical ones, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining stability through controlled, priority-based transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein provide a slice management and prioritization service on a per user equipment (UE) device level. A network device in a core network may receive a notification that a UE device has exhausted a quota of available simultaneous data radio bearers (DRBs) and, afterwards, receive an indication that an application on the UE device has requested a new protocol data unit (PDU) session on a requested network slice that is not currently active for the UE device. The network device may identify relative priorities for the requested network slice and active network slices for the UE device; determine, based on the relative priorities, if the new PDU session can preempt a DRB for an active PDU session; and delete the active PDU session when it is determined the new PDU session can preempt a DRB for an active PDU session.