Wildcard Network Slice Grouping for Lower UE Attachment Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficient explicit listing of network slice identifiers when attaching user equipment devices to multiple network slices in wireless communication networks, particularly for large numbers of slices, leads to suboptimal resource allocation and management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a novel slice identification schema that supports group-level identification of network slices using wildcard slice/service type (SST) and wildcard slice differentiator (SD) options, enabling unified access control for flexible slice grouping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If explicit listing of network slice identifiers is used for each UE attachment, then individual network slice identification is achieved, but messaging overhead and resource allocation inefficiency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual network slice identifiers into a single group identifier (slice group ID) that represents a collection of network slices. Instead of listing each slice identifier separately in UE attachment messages, the system combines them into one identifier that the network can expand into multiple individual slice identifiers for resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slice group identifier serves multiple functions: it identifies a group of network slices collectively, enables efficient messaging by replacing multiple identifiers with one, and allows the network to dynamically determine which specific slices within the group should be allocated to a UE based on current network conditions and UE requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If explicit listing of all network slice identifiers is performed, then complete network slice coverage is achieved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of network slices into logical groups, where each slice group ID represents a subset of network slices with common characteristics or purposes. This segmentation allows the system to manage large numbers of slices through manageable groups while maintaining the ability to allocate specific slices individually when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The slice group identifier acts as an intermediary between the UE's attachment request and the network's resource allocation process. Instead of directly processing multiple individual slice identifiers, the network uses the group identifier as an intermediate step to efficiently determine which specific slices to allocate, improving resource allocation efficiency while maintaining complete slice coverage.
3Measurement precision
If individual network slice identifiers are listed for each UE, then precise slice selection is achieved, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual slice identifier transmissions into a single group identifier transmission in the communication protocol. This merging reduces the complexity of message structures, decreases the number of fields that need to be processed, and simplifies the communication protocol while maintaining the ability to precisely select individual slices through network-side expansion of the group identifier.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide novel approaches to handling network slice groups in access stratum and non-access stratum communications in a cellular communication network. Novel slice identification schema can support group-level identification of groups of network slices without individually listing the network slices. Some embodiments implement a slice identifier that supports wildcard slice/service type (SST) options and/or wildcard slice differentiator (SD) options to support wildcard-enabled slice groups. Some embodiments enable use of such wildcard-enabled slice groups in context of unified access control. Some embodiments introduce a novel criteria type to unified access control to expressly support flexible slice grouping.