UE Network Slice Selection by Application Category
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions do not enable a user equipment (UE) to select and attach to a desired network slice based on specific criteria, which is necessary for supporting multiple 5G application categories in wireless communication networks.
Innovation Solution
The UE is configured to determine an application category associated with a data packet and request a network connection to a network slice optimized for that category, using a category selection policy to steer traffic to appropriate network slices, thereby optimizing communication performance and reducing battery consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE connects to a single network slice, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different application categories deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple independent network slices, each optimized for specific application categories (e.g., mobile broadband, autonomous driving, massive IoT). The UE can selectively connect to relevant slices based on application requirements, achieving multi-category support while maintaining manageable complexity through clear slice separation and standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is designed with universal capability to support multiple network slice types simultaneously. By implementing a unified slice selection mechanism that works across different slice types, the UE achieves adaptability to various application categories without requiring separate specialized connection management for each slice type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network slices are created and managed via NFV procedures, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for sophisticated slice selection and attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Network slices are pre-configured with standardized parameters and characteristics during NFV deployment. The UE receives slice information in advance through system information blocks or dedicated signaling, allowing it to perform simple matching based on pre-defined criteria rather than complex real-time analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (such as an access network discovery and selection function or simplified slice selection algorithm) that bridges the NFV network slice management system and the UE. This intermediary translates complex NFV slice parameters into simplified selection criteria that the UE can easily process, reducing the burden on UE complexity while preserving adaptability to diverse applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for supporting network slicing. One apparatus (200) includes a processor (202) that receives (802) a data packet to be transmitted via a mobile communication network, identifies (804) an application category (421) associated with the data packet, and requests (806) a network connection corresponding to the identified application category (421). Requesting (806) a network connection corresponding to the identified application category (421) may include transmitting a connection setup message (428) indicating the identified application category (421). Identifying (804) the application category associated with the data packet comprises applying a category selection policy (504) to the data packet, the category selection policy (504) comprising one or more rules for selecting an application category (421) based on data packet characteristics. In various embodiments, the apparatus (200) includes a transceiver (210) that communicates with the mobile communication network supporting a plurality of application categories.