UE Slice-Specific Cell Reselection with SIB16–RRC Data Mismatch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in executing slice-specific cell reselection procedures due to inconsistencies between system information and RRC release messages, leading to uncertainties in determining frequency priorities and slice group information, which affects the UE's ability to camp on appropriate network slices.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves a base station broadcasting system information (SIB16) and transmitting an RRC release message, with the user equipment (UE) executing a slice-specific cell reselection procedure using predetermined information from the RRC release message when there are discrepancies in slice or frequency information between the SIB16 and the RRC release message.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE uses system information for slice-specific cell reselection, then the UE can obtain comprehensive network slice information, but inconsistencies between system information and RRC release message lead to uncertainty in determining frequency priorities and slice group information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of slice-specific cell reselectionVSAvoiduncertainty in frequency priority and slice group information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The RRC release message is prepared in advance with slice group information and frequency priority information that pre-configures the UE for upcoming cell reselection. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the UE enters idle or inactive state, it already has the necessary information to perform slice-specific cell reselection without relying on potentially inconsistent system information broadcasts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The RRC release message acts as an intermediary that bridges the network's slice configuration and the UE's cell reselection procedure. It carries dedicated slice group information and frequency priority information that mediates between the general system information and the UE's specific reselection needs, resolving inconsistencies by providing authoritative configuration data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE executes slice-specific cell reselection using both system information and RRC release message, then more information is available, but discrepancies between the two sources create confusion about which information to trust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of cell reselection procedureVSAvoidcomplexity of information reconciliation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different types of information are assigned different authorities based on their purpose. The RRC release message provides dedicated, UE-specific slice group information and frequency priority information that takes local precedence for slice-specific reselection, while system information provides general network parameters. This local quality differentiation eliminates the need for complex reconciliation by establishing clear information hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cell reselection information is segmented into distinct components: system information provides general broadcast parameters, while the RRC release message provides dedicated slice-specific configuration. This segmentation allows each information source to fulfill its specific function without requiring the UE to reconcile conflicting data, as each segment serves its designated purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network provides detailed slice information in both system information and RRC release message, then the UE has more options for cell reselection, but maintaining consistency between the two increases network signaling overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptions for cell reselectionVSAvoidnetwork signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The critical slice-specific information (slice group information and frequency priority information) is extracted from the general system information and placed into the RRC release message. This extraction allows the network to provide comprehensive reselection options through the dedicated RRC message without duplicating all information in both system broadcasts and release messages, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining reselection versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250261102A1Communication control method and user equipment

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

In an aspect, a communication control method is a communication control method in a mobile communication system. The communication control method includes broadcasting, by a base station, system information. The communication control method includes transmitting, by the base station, an RRC release message to a user equipment. The communication control method further includes executing, by the user equipment, a slice-specific cell reselection procedure by using predetermined information when first slice information included in the system information is different from second slice information included in the RRC release message and/or when first frequency information included in the system information is different from second frequency information included in the RRC release message.