UE Traffic Steering to Network Slices 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 in a wireless communication system supporting multiple network slices optimized for different application categories.
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 multiple network slices to support different application categories, then the network can provide optimized services for various applications, but the UE cannot currently select and attach to desired network slices based on specific criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network side network element as an intermediary between the UE and network slices. This element receives slice selection criteria from the UE, determines the appropriate network slice, and facilitates the attachment process. The intermediary simplifies the complex task of multi-slice selection and attachment by centralizing the decision-making logic in a dedicated network component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE provide slice selection criteria before the actual attachment process. The network side element then uses these pre-provided criteria to pre-determine the appropriate network slice, enabling the UE to attach to the correct slice without complex real-time decision-making processes.
2Reliability
If the UE manually selects network slices, then slice selection can be optimized for specific applications, but the process becomes complex and battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously provide slice selection criteria based on its own application needs. The UE independently determines which slices it requires and communicates these preferences to the network, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention or network-side guessing about user requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical manual selection processes with automated network-side processing. Instead of requiring the UE to manually navigate complex slice selection interfaces, the system substitutes this with automated criteria evaluation and slice determination performed by the network side network element.
3Productivity
If the network supports multiple network slices for different application categories, then service optimization is improved, but existing solutions do not enable UE to select and attach to desired slices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a network side network element that performs multiple functions: receiving slice selection criteria from UEs, determining appropriate network slices based on these criteria, and facilitating attachment to the selected slices. This multi-functional element enables the network to support diverse application categories while providing unified slice selection capability across different UE types and scenarios.
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.