WO2025008868A1

WO2025008868A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVISIONING SLICE INFORMATION TO NETWORK SLICE SELECTION FUNCTIONS (NSSFs)

Info

Publication number: WO2025008868A1
Application number: PCT/IN2024/050738
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adityakar Jha; Aayush Bhatnagar; Ankush KHANDELWAL; Hemant Kumar Singh; Meenakshi Sarohi; Santosh Kumar YADAV; Yog VASHISHTH; Anurag Sinha
Original assignee: Jio Platforms Limited
Priority date: 2023-07-03
Filing date: 2024-06-11
Publication date: 2025-01-09

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] is disclosed. The disclosure encompasses: transmitting, by one or more provisioning applications [210], a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit [204]. Next, the method includes transmitting, by the slice database unit [204], a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210]. Next, the method includes providing, by the one or more provisioning applications [210], new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage. Thereafter, the method includes updating, by the one or more NSSFs [116], the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116].

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVISIONING SLICE INFORMATION TO NETWORK SLICE SELECTION FUNCTIONS (NSSFs)

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to field of wireless communication system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to system and method for provisioning slice information to network slice selection functions (NSSFs) in a 5G communication system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art.

[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users. Further, reducing call drops and latency is of paramount importance in the telecommunications industry. Call drops can be frustrating for users, and they can also result in lost revenue for service providers. Latency, on the other hand, refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one device to another and can cause delays and disruptions in communication. The introduction of 5G technology promises to address these issues by delivering ultra-low latency and high-speed data transmission. With 5G, call drops are going to be minimized, and users are going to experience seamless, uninterrupted communication. Additionally, 5G technology may enable the development of new applications and services that require high-speed, low-latency communication, such as remote surgeries, autonomous vehicles, and virtual reality. The reduction of call drops and latency is crucial in ensuring that users have access to reliable and efficient communication services, and the 5G technology is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

[0004] In the field of telecommunications, specifically within the realm of network slicing, the existing state of the art presents several problems that impact the efficiency and performance of network management. One primary issue is the reliance on frequent database polling by applications to check for updates related to network slice data. This conventional approach results in a significant consumption of system resources, increased operational costs, and considerable latency, which can be particularly detrimental in scenarios where quick data synchronization is crucial. Another problem or issue is the lack of real-time data provisioning to Network Slice Selection Functions (NSSFs), which are essential for managing network slices efficiently. Without real-time updates, NSSFs are compelled to continuously scan the backend database for changes in the slice configurations, leading to unnecessary processing overhead and delays in slice selection and assignment. Furthermore, the multiplication of database queries, owing to the need to synchronize slice provisioning data across all instances of an application, underscores the unoptimized behavior of the system. Such inefficiencies become even more pronounced as networks grow in complexity and scale, with each additional query compounding the latency and resource consumption. Therefore, the current practices and approaches for managing network slice provisioning are inadequate for the dynamic needs of modem networks, lacking in scalability, and unable to provide the real-time responsiveness required for optimal network function and user experience.

[0005] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to provide a faster and efficient system and method of provisioning the slice information to the slice data stored in the NFs, which the present disclosure aims to address.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below. [0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs.

[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs that enables real-time updating and synchronization of network slice data without the need for continuous polling of a central database. The system is designed to reduce resource consumption and improve the efficiency of data distribution across network functions.

[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs that facilitates the broadcasting of newly provisioned slice information directly to NSSF instances using a web-socket connection. This approach ensures that NSSFs receive updates instantaneously, enhancing the network's ability to adapt to changes swiftly and efficiently.

[00010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs that creates a distributed slice data store among all NSSF instances. This data store allows for the new network slice information to be published and accessed by NSSFs without the need for frequent backend database queries, thereby streamlining the process and saving valuable time.

[00011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs that is capable of storing new slice information based on Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and Tracking Area Identifier (TAI), thus enabling more targeted and efficient slice management.

[00012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs that periodically synchronizes the data stored on NSSF storage units with that on the slice database units, ensuring consistency and reliability of network slice information across the entire network.

[00013] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for provisioning slice information to NSSFs that supports real-time processing of network slice availability requests, thus facilitating a more responsive and adaptable network environment for users and service providers alike.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[00014] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[00015] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) in a communication network is disclosed. The method includes transmitting, by one or more provisioning applications, a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit; transmitting, by the slice database unit, a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications; providing, by the one or more provisioning applications, new slice information to the slice database unit for storage; and updating, by the one or more NSSFs, the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs.

[00016] In an aspect, the method comprises concurrently broadcasting, by the one or more provisioning applications, the new slice information to the one or more NSSFs via a web-socket connection.

[00017] In an aspect, the method further comprising storing, by the one or more NSSFs, the new slice information to a NSSF storage unit of the one or more NSSFs.

[00018] In an aspect, the one or more NSSFs stores the new slice information based on a PLMN and a tracking area identifier.

[00019] In an aspect, a slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit of the one or more NSSFs and a slice data stored on the slice database unit is synchronized periodically.

[00020] In an aspect, the slice database unit is external to the one or more NSSFs.

[00021] In an aspect, the method comprises utilizing the updated new slice information by the one or more NSSFs for real-time processing of network slice availability requests. [00022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) in a communication network is disclosed. The system includes one or more provisioning applications configured to transmit a slice provisioning request. The system further includes a slice database unit configured to: receive the slice provisioning request from the one or more provisioning applications, and transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications; and wherein the one or more provisioning applications is further configured to: provide a new slice information to the slice database unit for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs.

[00023] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a user equipment (UE) for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) in a communication network. The UE comprising: a processor configured to: transmit a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit; transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications; provide a new slice information to the slice database unit for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs.

[00024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium storing instructions for configurable error mapping for network registration in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The instructions include executable code which, when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to transmit, via one or more provisioning applications, a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit; transmit, via the slice database unit, a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications; provide, via the one or more provisioning applications, new slice information to the slice database unit for storage; and update, via the one or more NSSFs, the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the FIG.s are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

[00026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of 5^th generation core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for provisioning a slice information to a slice data stored in an NSSF storage unit of the NSSF, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00028] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary block diagram of a system for provisioning a slice information to a slice data stored in an NSSF storage unit of the NSSF, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00029] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram indicating the process for provisioning the slice information to the slice data stored in an NSSF storage unit of the NSSF, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00030] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computer system upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[00031] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[00032] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.

[00033] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

[00034] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[00035] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.

[00036] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive — in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word — without precluding any additional or other elements. [00037] As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating processor” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.

[00038] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-user-device”, “a smartdevice”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and/or computing device or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The user equipment/device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from at least one of a transceiver unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, a detection unit and any other such unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[00039] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or computer- readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective functions.

[00040] As portable electronic devices and wireless technologies continue to improve and grow in popularity, the advancing wireless technologies for data transfer are also expected to evolve and replace the older generations of technologies. In the field of wireless data communications, the dynamic advancement of various generations of cellular technology are also seen. The development, in this respect, has been incremental in the order of second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and now fifth generation (5G), and more such generations are expected to continue in the forthcoming time.

[00041] Radio Access Technology (RAT) refers to the technology used by mobile devices/user equipment (UE) to connect to a cellular network. It refers to the specific protocol and standards that govern the way devices communicate with base stations, which are responsible for providing the wireless connection. Further, each RAT has its own set of protocols and standards for communication, which define the frequency bands, modulation techniques, and other parameters used for transmitting and receiving data. Examples of RATs include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), LTE (Long-Term Evolution), and 5G. The choice of RAT depends on a variety of factors, including the network infrastructure, the available spectrum, and the mobile device's/device's capabilities. Mobile devices often support multiple RATs, allowing them to connect to different types of networks and provide optimal performance based on the available network resources. The invention herein relates to the situations when the user equipment (UE) operates in the fifth generation (5G) communication system.

[00042] ‘Assigning’ of the slice is a common technique particularly in the 5G communication system. Under this technique, the UE is assigned with the slice to operate under the selected slice. The slice herein refers to the type of application interfaces, including such as but not limited to, an Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), URLLC (Ultra reliable and low latency communication), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and/or Internet of Things (IOT). Accordingly, the user equipment is required to be assigned with one of the slices, based on a type of UE. For example, the UE of connected car may preferably be required to be assigned with URLLC slice information. Moreover, the UE of robotic arm may be assigned with the mMTC slice information. However, such assignment of slice information is also based on UE location as well. Particularly, the UE is initially assigned with a slice in Home PLMN, while the UE and may be assigned with a different slice as the UE moves from Home PLMN to visited PLMN.

[00043] ‘Provisioning’ of the slice information is also a common technique in the 5G communication system. In this technique, a provisioning application provisions (or stores) a new slice information into the slice data stored on the database. In the present disclosure, the provisioning application, via a web-socket connection, also automatically provisions the slice information on the slice data stored on the NSSF database of the NSSF. The web-socket is a computer communications protocol, providing a simultaneous two-way communication channel over a single Transmission Control Protocol connection.

[00044] As discussed in the background section, the existing state of the art presents several problems that impact the efficiency and performance of network management. One primary issue is the traditional reliance on frequent database polling by applications to check for updates related to network slice data. This conventional approach results in a significant consumption of system resources, increased operational costs, and considerable latency, which can be particularly detrimental in scenarios where quick data synchronization is crucial. Another problem is the lack of real-time data provisioning to Network Slice Selection Functions (NSSFs), which are essential for managing network slices efficiently. Without real-time updates, NSSFs are compelled to continuously scan the backend database for changes in the slice configurations, leading to unnecessary processing overhead and delays in slice selection and assignment. Furthermore, the multiplication of database queries, owing to the need to synchronize slice provisioning data across all instances of an application, underscores the unoptimized behavior of the system. Such inefficiencies become even more pronounced as networks grow in complexity and scale, with each additional query compounding the latency and resource consumption. Therefore, the current practices for managing network slice provisioning are inadequate for the dynamic needs of modem networks, lacking in scalability, and unable to provide the real-time responsiveness required for optimal network function and user experience.

[00045] The present invention significantly improves the management of network slices in telecommunications. Firstly, the invention eliminates the need for frequent database polling, which is a common practice in traditional methods. Instead, it uses a real-time broadcasting mechanism that sends new slice provisioning data from the provisioning application to the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) application through a web-socket channel. This approach greatly reduces the number of database queries, leading to better use of system resources and lower operational costs. Secondly, the invention ensures that updates on any new slice provisioned in the network are directly published to the NSSF slice data store, which is part of the NSSF application. This real-time update feature removes the need for NSSFs to continuously check the backend database for changes. As a result, the processing overhead is reduced, and the slice selection and assignment process become faster.

[00046] A key innovative aspect of the invention is the creation of a distributed slice data store among all NSSF instances. Whenever a new network slice is provisioned, the information is immediately published to this data store. This means that NSSFs no longer have to scan the backend database for updates on slice changes. Instead, they can use the information from the distributed slice data store for further database queries, which saves time and increases efficiency. By reducing the number of database queries and eliminating the need for constant database polling, the invention optimizes the system's behaviour. This leads to better performance, especially as networks become more complex and larger in scale. Lastly, the real-time broadcasting of slice provisioning data and the use of a distributed slice data store enable the system to scale more effectively and respond more quickly to changes in network slice configurations.

[00047] It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention provides a method and system that significantly improve the efficiency and performance of network slice management in telecommunications networks. It does this by enabling real-time updates, reducing resource consumption, and enhancing scalability and responsiveness.

[00048] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[00049] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of 5th generation core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the 5GC network architecture [100] includes a user equipment (UE) [102], a radio access network (RAN) [104], an access and mobility management function (AMF) [106], a Session Management Function (SMF) [108], a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110], an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112], a Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114], a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116], a Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118], a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120], a Policy Control Function (PCF) [122], a Unified Data Management (UDM) [124], an application function (AF) [126], a User Plane Function (UPF) [128], a data network (DN) [130], wherein all the components are assumed to be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to the person skilled in the art for implementing features of the present disclosure. [00050] The User Equipment (UE) [102] interfaces with the network via the Radio Access Network (RAN) [104]; the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [106] manages connectivity and mobility, while the Session Management Function (SMF) [108] administers session control; the service communication proxy (SCP) [110] routes and manages communication between network services, enhancing efficiency and security, and the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112] handles user authentication; the NSSAAF [114] for integrating the 5G core network with existing 4G LTE networks i.e., to enable Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G deployments, the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116], Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118], and Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] enable network customization, secure interfacing with external applications, and maintain network function registries respectively; the Policy Control Function (PCF) [122] develops operational policies, and the Unified Data Management (UDM) [124] manages subscriber data; the Application Function (AF) [126] enables application interaction, the User Plane Function (UPF) [128] processes and forwards user data, and the Data Network (DN) [130] connects to external internet resources; collectively, these components are designed to enhance mobile broadband, ensure low -latency communication, and support massive machine-type communication, solidifying the 5GC as the infrastructure for next-generation mobile networks.

[00051] Radio Access Network (RAN) [ 104] is the part of a mobile telecommunications system that connects user equipment (UE) [102] to the core network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G network). It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable wireless communication.

[00052] Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [106] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing access and mobility aspects, such as UE registration, connection, and reachability. It also handles mobility management procedures like handovers and paging.

[00053] Session Management Function (SMF) [108] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing, modifying, and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function (UPF) for data forwarding and handles IP address allocation and QoS enforcement. [00054] Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110] is a network function in the 5G core network that facilitates communication between other network functions by providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for service-based interfaces.

[00055] Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112] is a network function in the 5G core responsible for authenticating UEs during registration and providing security services. It generates and verifies authentication vectors and tokens.

[00056] Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114] is a network function that provides authentication and authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that UEs can access only the slices for which they are authorized.

[00057] Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116] is a network function responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for a UE based on factors such as subscription, requested services, and network policies.

[00058] Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118] is a network function that exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications, enabling integration with third-party services and applications.

[00059] Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] is a network function that acts as a central repository for information about available network functions and services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.

[00060] Policy Control Function (PCF) [122] is a network function responsible for policy control decisions, such as QoS, charging, and access control, based on subscriber information and network policies.

[00061] Unified Data Management (UDM) [124] is a network function that centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication, authorization, and subscription information.

[00062] Application Function (AF) [126] is a network function that represents external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network capabilities and services. [00063] User Plane Function (UPF) [128] is a network function responsible for handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS enforcement.

[00064] Data Network (DN) [130] refers to a network that provides data services to user equipment (UE) in a telecommunications system. The data services may include but are not limited to Internet services, private data network related services.

[00065] The invention relates to a system for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network. The system comprises one or more provisioning applications that are configured to transmit a slice provisioning request. Upon receiving the slice provisioning request, a slice database unit transmits a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications. Furthermore, the one or more provisioning applications are configured to provide new slice information to the slice database unit for storage and to update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116],

[00066] The dedicated map refers to a specific data structure used by the one or more NSSFs [116] to organize and store network slice information to hold details about various network slices, such as their configurations, associated resources, and any other relevant data that is required for the operation and management of the network slices. The term "dedicated" implies that this map is specifically allocated for the purpose of storing and managing slice information, and it is an integral part of the NSSFs' internal data management system. The dedicated map may allow the NSSFs to efficiently retrieve and update slice information as needed, which is crucial for the realtime processing of network slice availability requests and for maintaining the overall performance of the network slicing system. It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the dedicated map within the NSSFs serves as a centralized repository for network slice information, enabling the NSSFs to effectively manage and utilize this data for the dynamic provisioning and operation of network slices.

[00067] Network slice availability requests refer to queries or demands made by network components or user applications to determine the availability of specific network slices. For example, in a 5G network, different network slices can be created for loT devices, autonomous vehicles, and mobile broadband users, each with its own specific performance characteristics. When a user application or a network component needs to utilize a particular network slice, it sends a network slice availability request to the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF). The NSSF processes the request using the most up-to-date slice information to determine if the requested slice is available and suitable for the specific service requirements.

[00068] The slice provisioning approval response refers to a confirmation message sent by the slice database to the provisioning application after validating and accepting a slice provisioning request. The slice provisioning approval response ensures that all necessary validations, checks, and resource allocations have been completed before the new slice information is disseminated to the Network Slice Selection Functions (NSSFs).

[00069] The new slice information includes slice identifiers assigned on a per-Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) basis for a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and a list of Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs). The new slice information consists of the Slice Service Type (SST) and Slice Differentiator (SD) details, for the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) to ensure accurate network slice selection and management. For example, if a new slice is provisioned for a specific geographic area covered by a particular TAI and PLMN, this information must be updated at the NSSF

[00070] In an embodiment, the one or more provisioning applications are configured to concurrently broadcast the new slice information to the one or more NSSFs via a web-socket connection. This enables real-time update of slice information across all NSSF instances. Additionally, the one or more NSSFs [116] further comprise a NSSF storage unit configured to store the new slice information. The new slice information is stored based on a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and a tracking area identifier.

[00071] To ensure consistency, the slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit of the one or more NSSFs [116] and the slice data stored on the slice database unit are synchronized periodically. Importantly, the slice database unit [204] is external to the one or more NSSFs [116], which helps in maintaining a centralized database for slice information. Finally, the one or more NSSFs [116] are configured to utilize the updated new slice information for real-time processing of network slice availability requests, thereby enhancing the efficiency and performance of the network. [00072] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of a system [200] for provisioning a slice information to a network slice selection functions (NSSFs) storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116] is shown, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The system [200] for provisioning, by a client [202], the slice information to the NSSF [116] includes a provisioning application [210], the NSSF storage unit [206], NSSF decision unit [208] and a WebSocket connection [212] (for example APIs).

[00073] The provisioning application [210] is configured for provisioning slice information to the slice data stored on the slice database (DB) unit [204] . Moreover, the provisioning application [210] is also capable of automatically provisioning, via the web-socket connection [212], the slice information to the slice data stored in the NSSF storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116], In particular, the provisioning application [210] is configured to send a slice provisioning request to the slice DB unit [204] sends a slice information to the slice DB unit [204] to be stored in a slice data of the slice DB unit [204] upon receiving a slice provisioning approval response from the slice DB unit [204]; and automatically send, via the web-socket connection [212], the slice information to the NSSF [116] to be stored in the slice data stored on a NSSF storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116], The provisioning application [210] refers to an external application or a set of instructions that facilitates configuring of slice information corresponding to the slice data stored on the slice database (DB) unit [204] .

[00074] The websocket connection [212] is provided between the provisioning application [210] and the NSSF [116], The websocket connection [212] is adapted to receive the slice information from the provisioning application [210], and broadcast the same to the NSSF [116], thereby facilitating automatically provisioning of the slice information in the slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116], Thus, with the help of this web-socket connection [212], the slice data information is automatically and instantly provisioned at the NSSF [116], NSSF [116] thus has the information of the latest slice data available. This may be used in selection and availability request processing.

[00075] Finally, the NSSF [116] includes the NSSF decision unit [208], which uses the updated slice information to process network slice availability requests in real-time, enhancing the network’s efficiency and responsiveness to changes in slice provisioning. It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the system [200] ensures that the provisioning application [210] and the NSSF [116] work in tandem through the web-socket connection [212] to streamline the management of network slices.

[00076] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary block diagram of a system [300] for provisioning a slice information to a network slice selection functions (NSSFs) storage of the NSSF is shown, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The system [300] for provisioning, by an administrator or client [302], the slice information to the NSSF [306a-306b] includes a provisioning application [310] and a websocket connection [312a-312b]. The administrator provisions new network slice in NSSF provisioning application on REST interface.

[00077] The Provisioning Application [310] is capable of provisioning the slice information to the slice data stored on the database (DB) [304], Moreover, the provisioning application [310] is also capable of automatically provisioning, via the one or more websocket connection [312a- 312b], the slice information to the slice data stored in the NSSF storage unit [308a-308b] of the NSSF [306a-306b]. In particular, the provisioning application [310] is configured to send a slice provisioning request to the DB [304]; send a slice information to the DB [304] to be stored in a slice data of the DB [304] upon receiving a slice provisioning approval response from the DB [304]; and automatically send, via the websocket connection [312a-312b], the slice information to the NSSF [306a-306b] to be stored in the slice data stored on a NSSF storage unit [308a-308b] of the NSSF [306a-306b],

[00078] The websocket connection [312a-312b] is provided between the provisioning application [310] and the NSSF [306a-306b]. The websocket connection [312a-312b] is adapted to receive the slice information from the provisioning application [310], and broadcast the same to the NSSF [306a-306b], thereby facilitating automatically provisioning of the slice information in the slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit [308a-308b] of the NSSF [306a-306b]. Thus, with the help of this websocket connection [312a-312b], the slice data information is automatically and instantly provisioned at the NSSF [306a-306b] . NSSF [306a-306b] thus has the information of the latest slice data available. This may be used in selection and availability request processing.

[00079] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, NSSF instances such as NSSF [306a] and NSSF [306b] communicate over Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2 (HTTP2) connection. NSSF instances share slice data information among their corresponding slice storage units, so that instances may communicate with each-other for working and sharing network resources together and if one NSSF instance goes down, the other NSSF instance may take care of service operation for down/idle instance.

[00080] It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the system [300] thus enables the efficient and real-time provisioning of network slice data, minimizing the need for repeated database queries and enhancing the responsiveness and performance of the network.

[00081] Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary method flow diagram [400], for provisioning the slice information to the NSSF storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. In an implementation, the method [400] is performed by the 5GC architecture [100] or system 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the method [400] starts at step [402] .

[00082] Next, at step [404], the method [400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises transmitting, by one or more provisioning applications [210] , a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit [204] . The slice provisioning request may have the request for new slice information for performing any of adding, deleting, modifying, updating slice data in the network. The provisioning application [210] send the request to slice database unit [204], which is external to the one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116], In an example, in a telecommunications network, a software component such as a provisioning application sends a digital request to a centralized database system designated as the slice database unit. This request specifically asks to add new information related to network slicing — a method for segmenting a network into distinct virtual blocks with unique characteristics tailored for different services or customers.

[00083] Next, at step [406], the method [400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises transmitting, by the slice database unit [204], a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210], The slice provisioning approval response is transmitted to the provisioning applications [210] by the slice database unit [204] after analysing the request. In an exemplary embodiment, the analysis may be performed based on one or more validation process. In an example, following the submission of a network slice configuration request, the slice database unit [204] evaluates the details and, upon confirming that they meet the required criteria, sends an approval back to the one or more provisioning applications [210] that initiated the request. [00084] Next, at step [408], the method [400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises providing, by the one or more provisioning applications [210], new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage. The provisioning application [210] stores the slice data, such as, but not limited to, per PLMN, per TAI basis in the slice database unit [204], The new slice information may encompass a range of data points, such as configurations specific to a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) thereby ensuring that the newly provisioned slice data is securely stored in the slice database unit [204], thus facilitating the synchronization and retrieval required for effective network slice management and operations.

[00085] Next, at step [410], the method [400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises concurrently updating, by the one or more NSSFs [116], the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116], The one or more Network Slice Selection Functions (NSSFs) [116] performs an update of their respective dedicated maps with the new slice information that has been received. This update within each NSSF [116] ensures that the latest network configuration data is reflected accurately and promptly across all instances, thereby enabling efficient management and allocation of network resources in real time.

[00086] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, as the new slice information is automatically provisioned in the slice data stored at the NSSF storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116], it avoids a need of sending queries to the slice DB unit [204] for updating of the slice data stored thereon. Further, the slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit [206] of the NSSF [116] and the slice data stored on the slice DB unit [204] may periodically synchronized.

[00087] In another exemplary aspect of the present discourse, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure encompasses real-time updation of all instances of NSSF with the slice data using the websocket connection.

[00088] Exemplarily, the one or more provisioning applications [210] are responsible for concurrently broadcasting the new slice information to the one or more Network Slice Selection Functions (NSSFs) [116] via a web-socket connection [212], This ensures that all relevant NSSFs receive the updated data in real-time. Upon receipt of this information, the one or more NSSFs [116] proceed to store the new slice information within a NSSF storage unit [206], This storage is meticulously organized based on specific identifiers, such as the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and the Tracking Area Identifier, to facilitate efficient data retrieval and management. To maintain data consistency and accuracy, there is a periodic synchronization process between the slice data stored in the NSSF storage unit [206] and the slice data stored in the slice database unit [204], Notably, the slice database unit [204] is situated externally to the one or more NSSFs [116], which allows for centralized management of slice data. Finally, the one or more NSSFs [116] are equipped to utilize the updated new slice information for real-time processing of network slice availability requests. This capability is essential for dynamic and efficient network slicing operations, ensuring that the network can adapt to varying demands and conditions promptly.

[00089] Thereafter, the method terminates at step [412],

[00090] In an example, a telecommunications company that needs to dynamically manage different network slices for various services, such as loT (Internet of Things), eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication). The provisioning applications could be part of the company's network management system, responsible for configuring and updating network slices based on service requirements. The slice database unit would be a centralized database that stores all the slice configurations. When a new loT service requires a specific network slice, the provisioning sends a request to the slice database unit to create or update the slice configuration. Once approved, the new slice information is stored in the database and simultaneously updated across all NSSFs in the network via a web-socket connection, ensuring that the network can immediately start providing the loT service with the appropriate slice resources.

[00091] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computer system [500] upon which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented. In an implementation, the computing device implements the for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network. In another implementation, the computing device itself implements the method for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network, wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[00092] The computer system [500] encompasses a wide range of electronic devices capable of processing data and performing computations. Examples of computer system [500] include, but are not limited only to, personal computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, user equipment (UE), servers, and embedded systems. The devices may operate independently or as part of a network and can perform a variety of tasks such as data storage, retrieval, and analysis. Additionally, computer system [500] may include peripheral devices, such as monitors, keyboards, and printers, as well as integrated components within larger electronic systems, showcasing their versatility in various technological applications.

[00093] The computer system [500] may include a bus [502] or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor [504] coupled with bus [502] for processing information. The processor [504] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The computer system [500] may also include a main memory [506], such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus [502] for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor [504], The main memory [506] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor [504], Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor [504], render the computer system [500] into a special -purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions. The computer system [500] further includes a read only memory (ROM) [508] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [502] for storing static information and instructions for the processor [504],

[00094] A storage device [510], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus [502] for storing information and instructions. The computer system [500] may be coupled via the bus [502] to a display [512], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. An input device [514], including alphanumeric and other keys, may be coupled to the bus [502] for communicating information and command selections to the processor [504], Another type of user input device may be a cursor control [516], such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor [504], and for controlling cursor movement on the display [512], This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.

[00095] The computer system [500] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computer system [500] causes or programs the computer system [500] to be a special -purpose machine. According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by the computer system [500] in response to the processor [504] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [506], Such instructions may be read into the main memory [506] from another storage medium, such as the storage device [510], Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory [506] causes the processor [504] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.

[00096] The computer system [500] also may include a communication interface [518] coupled to the bus [502], The communication interface [518] provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link [520] that is connected to a local network [522], For example, the communication interface [518] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line . As another example, the communication interface [518] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface [518] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[00097] The computer system [500] can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link [520] and the communication interface [518], In the Internet example, a server [530] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [528], the Internet Service Provider (ISP) [526], the local network [522] and the communication interface [518], The received code may be executed by the processor [504] as it is received, and/or stored in the storage device [510], or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

[00098] An aspect of the present disclosure provides A User Equipment (UE) for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) in a communication network. The UE comprising: a processor configured to: transmit a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit; transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications; provide a new slice information to the slice database unit for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs. [00099] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network, the storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: one or more provisioning applications [210] to transmit a slice provisioning request; a slice database unit [204] to: receive the slice provisioning request from the one or more provisioning applications [210]; transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210]; and wherein the one or more provisioning applications [210] is further configured to: provide a new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116],

[000100] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution for efficient provisioning of the slice information to the slice data stored in the NFs, in particular provisioning of the slice information to the slice data stored in the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), thereby reducing the traffic on a Database (DB) and thus minimizing the utilization of resources thereon. The present disclosure enables real-time update of any new slice provisioned in network is directly published to NSSF slice data storage that is part of NSSF application. Further, the present disclosure provides a solution, which automatically broadcasts slice provisioned data over websocket channel across all application instances (NSSF instances), thereby reducing the database queries at application end and removes frequent polling for any slice data updates by the application.

[000101] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various the components/units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[000102] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other 5 changes in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network, the method comprising: transmitting, by one or more provisioning applications [210], a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit [204]; transmitting, by the slice database unit [204], a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210]; providing, by the one or more provisioning applications [210, a new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage; and updating, by the one or more NSSFs [116], the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116],

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises concurrently broadcasting, by the one or more provisioning applications [210], the new slice information to the one or more NSSFs [116] via a web-socket connection [212],

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising storing, by the one or more NSSFs [116], the new slice information to aNSSF storage unit [206] of the one or more NSSFs [116].

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more NSSFs [116] stores the new slice information based on a PLMN and a tracking area identifier.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit [206] of the one or more NSSFs [116] and a slice data stored on the slice database unit [204] is synchronized periodically.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slice database unit [204] is external to the one or more NSSFs [116],

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising utilizing the updated new slice information by the one or more NSSFs [116] for real-time processing of network slice availability requests.

8. A system for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network, the system comprising: one or more provisioning applications [210] configured to transmit a slice provisioning request; a slice database unit [204] configured to: receive the slice provisioning request from the one or more provisioning applications [210], and transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210]; and wherein the one or more provisioning applications [210] is further configured to: provide a new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116],

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more provisioning applications [210] are configured to concurrently broadcast the new slice information to the one or more NSSFs [116] via a web-socket connection [212],

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more NSSFs [116] further comprises a NSSF storage unit [206] configured to store the new slice information.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more NSSFs [116] store the new slice information based on a PLMN and a tracking area identifier.

12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein a slice data stored on the NSSF storage unit [206] of the one or more NSSFs [116] and a slice data stored on the slice database unit [204] is synchronized periodically.

13. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the slice database unit [204] is external to the one or more NSSFs [116],

14. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more NSSFs [116] are configured to utilize the updated new slice information by the one or more NSSFs [116] for real-time processing of network slice availability requests.

15. A User Equipment (UE) for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network, the UE comprising: a processor configured to: transmit a slice provisioning request to a slice database unit [204]; transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210]; provide a new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more

NSSFs [116],

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction for provisioning slice information to one or more network slice selection functions (NSSFs) [116] in a communication network, the storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: one or more provisioning applications [210] to transmit a slice provisioning request; a slice database unit [204] to: receive the slice provisioning request from the one or more provisioning applications [210]; transmit a slice provisioning approval response to the one or more provisioning applications [210]; and wherein the one or more provisioning applications [210] is further configured to: provide a new slice information to the slice database unit [204] for storage; and update the received new slice information in a dedicated map within the one or more NSSFs [116],

5