Utility Slice Handover for 5G Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network slicing techniques face challenges in ensuring service continuity during handovers between base stations, particularly when a service slice supported by the source base station is not supported by the target base station.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the target base station maintains service continuity by replacing the unsupported service slice with a utility slice, using a utility data radio bearer, and includes an identifier in the handover request message to indicate the unsupported slice, ensuring seamless service provision through a utility slice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to provide dedicated services with different QoS characteristics, then service quality and customization are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal handover processing mechanism that works across all slice types. The target base station uses a standardized procedure to check slice support, identify unsupported slices, and initiate replacement procedures, making the system adaptable to different slice scenarios without requiring slice-specific handover logic for each case
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a utility slice as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap when service slices are unsupported. Instead of directly handling the complexity of slice replacement, the system uses the utility slice as a temporary or alternative carrier for service data, simplifying the handover process while maintaining service continuity
2Reliability
If service slice replacement with utility slice is implemented during handover, then service continuity is improved, but additional signaling and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs slice support checking and replacement decision-making during the handover preparation phase, before the actual handover execution. The target base station identifies unsupported slices and initiates utility slice establishment in advance, so that when the handover is executed, service continuity is already ensured without additional delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that service data transmission continues uninterrupted during handover by establishing the utility slice before service interruption occurs. The utility slice is configured and ready to carry service data immediately upon handover execution, maintaining continuous useful action without gaps in service delivery
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of ensuring a service continuity based on a utility slice in case of a handover. The method includes receiving a handover request message from a source base station when a user equipment (UE) moves from a coverage of the source base station to that of a target base station, setting a session for the UE based on slice information included in the handover request message, and transmitting a handover request acknowledgment (ACK) message for the handover request message to the source base station, wherein the target base station may provide, when a service slice corresponding to a service provided from the source base station to the UE through a protocol data unit (PDU) session is not supported by the target base station, the service using a utility slice.