End-to-End Wireless Network Slicing via Functional Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing techniques primarily focus on separately slicing radio/wireless resources and the core network, failing to provide end-to-end resource slicing that accounts for both wireless/radio resources and the core network in wireless communication networks, which limits design flexibility and efficient resource utilization across diverse services.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a slicing controller that abstracts the device domain, radio access network, and core network as network functions, allowing for end-to-end resource slicing by decomposing network entities into fine-grained functions, grouping them into control-plane and user-plane functions, and abstracting them in multiple dimensions to synthesize slices based on service requirements, ensuring efficient resource allocation and isolation between slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate slicing of radio resources and core network is implemented, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but end-to-end resource slicing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple domains (device domain, radio access network, core network) and applies slicing independently in each domain. This allows the system to maintain implementation simplicity through modular separate slicing while achieving end-to-end resource slicing capability by coordinating slices across domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested slicing where radio resource slices are embedded within RAN slices, which are in turn embedded within core network slices. This hierarchical nesting enables end-to-end slicing capability while maintaining manageable complexity at each nesting level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fine-grained network function decomposition is performed, then service customization flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent decomposes network entities into fine-grained network functions and segments them into control-plane functions and user-plane functions. This segmentation enables flexible service customization by allowing independent configuration and management of each function while reducing overall system complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a slicing controller as an intermediary that manages the decomposition and coordination of fine-grained network functions. This mediator handles the complexity of function decomposition centrally, allowing individual network functions to remain simple while achieving overall service customization flexibility.
3Productivity
If multiple slices coexist on air-interface, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but interference management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating specific time-frequency resources to different slices on the air-interface based on their specific requirements. Each slice receives customized resource allocation and isolation mechanisms tailored to its service characteristics, improving resource utilization while managing interference through localized control measures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of resource slicing in a wireless communication network. The communication network includes a device domain, a radio access network and a core network. The device domain includes at least one device and is connected to the radio access network over a wireless interface. The method includes abstracting the device domain, the radio access network and the core network as a plurality of network functions using a slicing controller to provide end-to-end resource slicing. Network functions provide protocol functionality as part of connectivity in the network.