Visited-Network Slice Control with NSSAI-Based Device Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of Steering-of-Roaming Application Function (SoR AF) in wireless communication networks is inefficient in effectively and efficiently indicating wireless network slices, preventing the delivery of preferred wireless network services in visited networks.
Innovation Solution
A network controller retrieves and transfers a slice indicator for a visited wireless network slice to a wireless communication device, utilizing a network database to store and manage slice indicators, thereby enabling efficient selection of preferred network slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the Steering-of-Roaming Application Function (SoR AF) is used to serve network lists, then the network lists can be provided to wireless communication devices, but the delivery of wireless communication services from preferred wireless network slices is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) as an intermediary mechanism between the SoR AF and the wireless communication device. The NSSAI carries slice-specific information including S-NSSAI, slice type, and slice status, enabling the device to select appropriate network slices while the SoR AF continues to provide network lists. This intermediary layer resolves the conflict by allowing both network list serving and preferred slice service delivery to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network selection process into multiple independent components: the SoR AF handles network list provision, the NSSAI handles slice-specific information transmission, and the wireless communication device performs final selection. This segmentation allows each component to function independently without interfering with others, enabling network lists to be served while preferred slices can still be delivered through the NSSAI mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the SoR AF is used to indicate wireless network slices, then network slices can be indicated to devices, but the indication is not effective and efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for network slice indication by introducing structured NSSAI information with specific fields (S-NSSAI, slice type, slice status). This parameter transformation enables more effective and efficient indication compared to the unstructured SoR AF approach, as the new parameters provide clearer, more actionable information about available network slices to the wireless communication device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the network slice information in the form of NSSAI that can be independently transmitted and processed. Instead of relying on the SoR AF to directly indicate slices, the NSSAI serves as a replicated information structure that can be efficiently distributed to devices without burdening the SoR AF, thereby improving indication efficiency while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network slices are delivered using requested slices, then specific services can be provided, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary slice information through the NSSAI rather than complete network configuration data. The NSSAI includes only essential parameters (S-NSSAI, slice type, slice status) needed for service selection, avoiding the excessive signaling overhead that would result from transmitting full network configuration details while still enabling customized service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential slice identification and selection information from the broader network configuration and encapsulates it in the NSSAI structure. By taking out only the critical parameters (S-NSSAI, slice type, slice status) and separating them from redundant network information, the system achieves service customization with reduced signaling overhead, as the extracted information can be transmitted efficiently without carrying unnecessary data.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system controls a wireless communication device in a visited wireless communication network. A network database stores a slice indicator for a visited wireless network slice in the visited wireless communication network. A network controller receives a request from the visited wireless communication network for the wireless communication device, and in response to receiving the request, the network controller retrieves the slice indicator for the visited wireless communication network from the network database and transfers the slice indicator to the wireless communication device over the visited wireless communication network. The wireless communication device communicates using the visited wireless network slice in the visited wireless communication network in response to receiving the slice indicator.