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Apparatus and method for generating network slice in wireless communication … — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (US12513048B2)

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. · Google Patents

Google Patents · Patents · License: Open Access

ltd.samsungelectronicsco.

patent, google patents, intellectual property, US12513048B2, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Przemyslaw WYSZKOWSKI, en, 2025

ABSTRACT

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for generating a descriptor for a network slice are provided. The apparatus includes a transceiver, a memory storing one or more instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to obtain requirements for a network slice, determine at least one of a plurality of network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of network slice instances (NSIs), based on the obtained requirements, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, determine at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, based on the obtained requirements, and generate a descriptor for a network slice, based on the determined at least one specific node.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under Â§ 365(c), of an International application No. PCT/KR2021/001015, filed on Jan. 26, 2021, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2020-0015119, filed on Feb. 7, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for generating a network slice in a wireless communication system.

2. Description of Related Art

Wireless communication technology has been developed over the generations mainly for services targeting humans, e.g., voice, multimedia, and data services. Following the commercialization of 5th generation (5G) communication systems, it is predicted that connected devices which are exponentially increasing will be connected to a communication network. Examples of things connected to the network may include automobiles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors installed in various infrastructures, construction equipment, and plant equipment. Mobile devices are expected to evolve into various form factors such as augmented reality (AR) glasses, virtual reality (VR) headsets, and hologram devices. In the 6 th generation (6G) era, efforts are being made to develop enhanced 6G communication systems in order to provide various services by connecting hundreds of billions of devices and things. For these reasons, the 6G communication systems are called beyond 5G systems.

In 6G communication systems predicted to be realized around 2030, a maximum data rate is tera (i.e., 1,000 giga) bps, and a radio latency is 100 microseconds (Î¼sec). That is, compared to 5G communication systems, the data rate is 50 times faster and the radio latency is reduced to 1/10 in the 6G communication systems.

To achieve the high data rate and the ultra-low latency, the 6G communication systems are being considered for implementation in a terahertz band (e.g., a band from 95 gigahertz (GHz) to 3 terahertz (THz)). In the terahertz band, compared to a millimeter wave (mmWave) band adopted for 5G, it is predicted that the importance of a technology capable of ensuring a signal arrival distance, i.e., coverage, will increase due to more serious path loss and atmospheric absorption. As major technologies for ensuring coverage, multi-antenna transmission technologies which are superior in terms of coverage to a radio frequency (RF) element, an antenna, and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), e.g., new waveforms, beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and large scale antennas, need to be developed. In addition, new technologies such as metamaterial-based lenses and antennas, high-dimensional spatial multiplexing using orbital angular momentum (OAM), and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) are being discussed to increase the coverage of terahertz-band signals.

To increase frequency efficiency and improve system networks, a full duplex technology by which uplinks and downlinks simultaneously use the same frequency resources at the same time, a network technology that integrally uses satellites and high-altitude platform stations (HAPSs), a network structure innovation technology that supports mobile base stations and allows network operation optimization and automation, a dynamic spectrum sharing technology through collision avoidance based on spectrum usage prediction, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based communication technology that utilizes AI from the design and has end-to-end AI support functions to realize system optimization, a next-generation distributed computing technology that realizes services of complexity beyond the limitation of user equipment (UE) computing power by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources (e.g., mobile edge computing (MEC) or cloud computing), etc. are being developed for 6G communication systems. Furthermore, attempts are being made to strengthen the connectivity between devices, to optimize a network, to promote implementation of network entities with software, and to increase the openness of wireless communication through the design of a new protocol to be used in the 6G communication systems, the implementation of a hardware-based security environment, the development of a mechanism for the safe use of data, and the development of a technology related to a method of preserving privacy.

Due to the research on and the development of 6G communication systems, it is expected that the next hyper-connected experience will become possible through the hyper-connectivity of the 6G communication systems, which includes not only the connection between things but also the connection between people and things. Specifically, the 6G communication systems are expected to provide services such as truly immersive extended reality (truly immersive XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram, and digital replica. In addition, the 6G communication systems will be applied in various fields such as industry, medical care, automobiles, and home appliances by providing services such as remote surgery, industrial automation, and emergency response through security and reliability enhancement.

Network slicing technology has been introduced to support various services in various network structures. Network slicing is a technology for logically configuring a network with a set of network functions (NFs) for supporting a particular service, and separating the same from other slices. One UE may access two or more slices to receive various services.

A network slice that is appropriate to support a particular service from among the various service is being designed and generated by a communication service provider or a developer. However, to support increasingly diversified services, a technology for automatically generating a network slice that meets requirements of each service is required.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for generating a network slice in a wireless communication system to effectively provide services.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device for obtaining requirements for a network slice, determining at least one of a plurality of network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of network slice instances (NSIs), based on the obtained requirements, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, determining at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, based on the obtained requirements, and generating a descriptor for a network slice, based on the determined at least one specific node is provided. The electronic device includes a transceiver, a memory storing one or more instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to obtain requirements for a network slice, determine at least one of a plurality of network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of network slice instances (NSIs), based on the obtained requirements, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, determine at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, based on the obtained requirements, and generate a descriptor for a network slice, based on the determined at least one specific node.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine a first candidate including at least one NST satisfying a preset first criterion from among the plurality of NSTs, determine a second candidate including at least one NSLD satisfying a preset second criterion from among the plurality of NSLDs, determine a third candidate including at least one NSI satisfying a preset third criterion from among the plurality of NSIs, determine a matching score between the obtained requirements and each of the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates, and determine at least one having a highest matching score from among the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates, as the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, the plurality of NSLDs, or the plurality of NSIs.

The obtained requirements may include at least one of a service level agreement, service provider preference, a latency requirement, a bandwidth requirement, user equipment (UE) functions, subscription information, a cost, or a service type, and the matching score may be determined based on similarity between the obtained requirements and each of the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs or the plurality of NSLDs is determined, transmit, to an orchestrator configured to generate a network slice, the determined at least one.

The plurality of abstract nodes may include at least one of a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node.

At least one abstract node satisfying the obtained requirements may include at least one network slice subnet abstract node, and the at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine at least one of a network slice subnet template (NSST), a network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD), an existing network slice subnet instance (NSSI), a network service descriptor (NSD), or an existing network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determine the determined at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one network slice subnet abstract node.

At least one abstract node satisfying the obtained requirements may include at least one connectivity abstract node, and the at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine at least one of a virtual link, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determine the determined at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one connectivity abstract node.

At least one abstract node satisfying the obtained requirements may include at least one managed function abstract node, and the at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine at least one of an existing managed function, a virtual network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD), an NSD, a VNF instance, or a network service instance, and determine the determined at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one managed function abstract node.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, substitute a plurality of abstract nodes included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs, with a part or an entirety of an element included in at least one of an NSST, an NSLSD, an existing NSSI, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, determine whether each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, when it is determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is not substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, substitute at least one abstract node determined as not being substituted, with a part or an entirety of at least one element satisfying the obtained requirements, and, when it is determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, generate the descriptor for a network slice, based on the substituted part or entirety of the at least one element.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to generate a new NST, and update the plurality of NSTs, based on the generated new NST.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to store at least one of the NSLD or the NSD, based on the generated new descriptor for a network slice.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to generate an NSLD, based on the network slice subnet abstract node and the connectivity abstract node, generate an NSD, based on the connectivity abstract node and the managed function abstract node, and generate the descriptor for a network slice, based on the generated NSLD and NSD.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device for generating a descriptor for a network slice is provided. The operating method includes obtaining requirements for a network slice, determining at least one of a plurality of network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of network slice instances (NSIs), based on the obtained requirements, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, determining at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, based on the obtained requirements, and generating a descriptor for a network slice, based on the determined at least one specific node.

The determining of the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, the plurality of NSLDs, or the plurality of NSIs may include determining a first candidate including at least one NST satisfying a preset first criterion from among the plurality of NSTs, determining a second candidate including at least one NSLD satisfying a preset second criterion from among the plurality of NSLDs, determining a third candidate including at least one NSI satisfying a preset third criterion from among the plurality of NSIs, determining a matching score between the obtained requirements and each of the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates, and determining at least one having a highest matching score from among the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates, as the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, the plurality of NSLDs, or the plurality of NSIs.

The plurality of abstract nodes may include at least one of a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for generating a network slice in a wireless communication system.

2. Description of Related Art

SUMMARY

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

The plurality of abstract nodes may include at least one of a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to generate a new NST, and update the plurality of NSTs, based on the generated new NST.

The at least one processor may be further configured to execute the one or more instructions to store at least one of the NSLD or the NSD, based on the generated new descriptor for a network slice.

The plurality of abstract nodes may include at least one of a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node.

At least one abstract node satisfying the obtained requirements may include at least one network slice subnet abstract node, and the determining of the at least one specific node may include determining at least one of a network slice subnet template (NSST), a network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD), an existing network slice subnet instance (NSSI), a network service descriptor (NSD), or an existing network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determining the determined at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one network slice subnet abstract node.

At least one abstract node satisfying the obtained requirements may include at least one connectivity abstract node, and the determining of the at least one specific node may include determining at least one of a virtual link, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determining the determined at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one connectivity abstract node.

At least one abstract node satisfying the obtained requirements may include at least one managed function abstract node, and the determining of the at least one specific node may include determining at least one of an existing managed function, a virtual network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD), an NSD, a VNF instance, or a network service instance, and determining the determined at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one managed function abstract node.

The operating method may further include generating a new NST, based on the determined at least one abstract node, and updating the plurality of NSTs, based on the generated new NST.

The determining of the at least one specific node may include, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, substituting a plurality of abstract nodes included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs, with a part or an entirety of an element included in at least one of an NSST, an NSLSD, an existing NSSI, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, determining whether each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, when it is determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is not substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, and substituting at least one abstract node determined as not being substituted, with a part or an entirety of at least one element satisfying the obtained requirements, and the generating of the descriptor for a network slice may include, when it is determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, generating the descriptor for a network slice, based on the substituted part or entirety of the at least one element.

The generating of the descriptor for a network slice may include generating an NSLD, based on at least one specific node determined to substitute for the network slice subnet abstract node and the connectivity abstract node, generating an NSD, based on at least one specific node determined to substitute for the connectivity abstract node and the managed function abstract node, and generating the descriptor for a network slice, based on the generated NSLD and NSD.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium has stored therein one or more programs to be executed by one or more processors of a computing device to control the computing device to obtain requirements for a network slice, determine at least one of a plurality of network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of network slice instances (NSIs), based on the obtained requirements, when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, determine at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, based on the obtained requirements, and generate a descriptor for a network slice, based on the determined at least one specific node is provided.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a program is stored in the computer-readable recording medium to execute, on a computer, the operating method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of network slices according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a management structure between a 3 rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) environment and a network functions virtualization management and orchestration (NFV-MANO) according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of generating a descriptor for a network slice, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for describing a method of generating a network slice descriptor (NSLD) and a network service descriptor (NSD), according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for describing a method of generating a network slice by generating an NSLD and an NSD, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 6 A and 6 B include block diagrams for describing a method of generating an NSLD between a 3GPP environment and a NFV-MANO, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of generating and storing a descriptor for a network slice, which satisfies requirements, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of apparatuses for generating and storing a descriptor for a network slice, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing relationships between a network slice template (NST) or a network slice subnet template (NSST), an abstract node, a network slice subnet abstract node, a managed function abstract node, and a connectivity abstract node, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for describing a method of generating a descriptor for a network slice corresponding to requirements, by using at least one of an NST or a network slice instance (NSI), according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method of selecting an optimal NST or NSI which meets requirements, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of generating a filled NST or a filled NSST by substituting an abstract node with an NSST by using an NST or NSI, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method of generating an NSLD and a network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD), according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method of generating an NSD, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method of generating and storing a descriptor by obtaining specific information about substituted nodes by using a human or an external system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of apparatuses for generating and storing a descriptor by obtaining specific information about substituted nodes by using a human or an external system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an electronic device for generating a descriptor for a network slice, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is Table showing information included in an NST, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 19 is Table showing information included in network slice subnet abstract nodes, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 20 is Table showing information included in managed function abstract nodes, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 21 is Table showing information included in connectivity abstract nodes, according to an embodiment of the disclosure of the disclosure; and

FIG. 22 is Table showing information included in metadata, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The same reference numerals are used to represent the same elements throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the singular forms âa,â âan,â and âtheâ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms âcomprises,â âcomprising,â âincludesâ and/or âincluding,â when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Particularly, integers are examples for better understanding and it is noted that embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the integers.

Terms such as âfirstâ and âsecondâ may be used to designate various elements, but the elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. The phrase âan embodimentâ at various parts of this specification does not always designate the same embodiment of the disclosure. Throughout the disclosure, the expression âat least one of a, b or câ indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

An embodiment of the disclosure may be represented as functional blocks and various processing operations. Some or all of the functional blocks may be implemented by various numbers of hardware and/or software elements configured to perform certain functions. For example, the functional blocks of the disclosure may be implemented by one or more microprocessors or circuit elements for certain functions. As another example, the functional blocks of the disclosure may be implemented using various programming or scripting languages. The functional blocks may be implemented using algorithms executable by one or more processors. Furthermore, the disclosure might employ known technologies for electronic settings, signal processing, and/or data processing.

In the following description of the disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the disclosure unclear. For convenience of explanation, when necessary, an apparatus and a method will be described together.

For convenience of explanation, the following description uses terms and names defined in the standards for 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR), and long term evolution (LTE) systems. However, the disclosure is not limited by these terms and names, and is equally applicable to systems according to other standards.

That is, although a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure will be mainly focused on the communication standards defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and/or the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the subject matter of the disclosure is also applicable to other communication systems having similar technical backgrounds through slight modification without greatly departing from the scope of the disclosure at the discretion of one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, a template refers to a set of general attributes capable of characterizing a particular type, and a network slice template (NST) may define a logical representation of network functions (NFs) and/or resources capable of providing required communication services and/or network capacities. That is, the NST may include abstract information for generating a network slice. The NST is a template for generating a network slice or a network slice instance (NSI), and may be used to provide a reference for generating the NSI. For example, the NST may include information about NFs to be included in and key performance indicators (KPIs) to be satisfied by the network slice.

A network slice subnet template (NSST) is a template for generating a network slice subnet or a network slice subnet instance (NSSI), and may be used to provide a reference for generating the NSSI.

As used herein, an instance may refer to one or a group of runtime entities capable of executing actual services. Network slicing may refer to a method of generating a plurality of logical networks by virtualizing a physical network. In this case, each of the generated plurality of logical networks may be referred to as an NSI. Therefore, each NSI may perform NFs corresponding to the characteristics of the NSI, and various service requirements may be satisfied when a plurality of NSIs perform appropriate network functions. One NSI may include at least one NSSI.

As used herein, abstract nodes are elements included in the NST or NSST, and may include abstract information required to provide required communication services and/or network capacities. In an embodiment, the NST or NSST may include at least one abstract node. For example, the NST or NSST may include a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, and a managed function abstract node. The network slice subnet abstract node and the connectivity abstract node may include metadata information, requirements information, and policies information, and the managed function abstract node may include metadata information, requirements information, policies information, and configuration information. As such, the connectivity abstract node may include information about whether a connection is established between NFs. For example, the connectivity abstract node may include information about a connection type, a connection state, or whether a connection is established between NFs such as access management functions (AMFs), user plane functions (UPFs), and session management functions (SMFs).

As used herein, specific nodes may be nodes including specific information required to substitute for the abstract nodes. For example, the specific node may be a part or the entirety of an element included in at least one of an NSST, a network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD), an existing NSSI, a network service descriptor (NSD), or an existing network service instance.

As used herein, a descriptor may intrinsically be an instance of an information model that provides sufficient details for an orchestrator to perform its job. That is, the descriptor may include a set of specific attributes capable of characterizing a particular type. A network slice descriptor (NSLD) may be a set of specific information required to generate a network slice, an NSI, or an NSSI. In an embodiment, the NSLD may include an NSLSD and a managed function descriptor. The NSLD may include life cycle management information including generation, provisioning, initialization, activation, inactivation, release, and termination, monitored information, and service warranty information for changing a slice structure or size. An NSD may be a set of specific information required to provide a network service or a virtualized network function (VNF). In an embodiment, the NSD may include an NSD as information for providing a network service, a virtual network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD) as information for generating a VNF, a virtual link descriptor (VLD) as information for generating a virtual link, and a physical network function descriptor (PNFD).

Hereinafter, the disclosure will be described in detail by explaining embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of network slices according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a mobile communication system (or a wireless communication system) may include a network that supports network slicing. That is, in the mobile communication system, one physical network may be configured and managed as logically divided network slices. A mobile communication service provider may provide dedicated network slices specialized for various services having different requirements. Each network slice may require a different type or amount of resources depending on service characteristics, and the mobile communication system may ensure the resources required by the network slice. For example, a network slice for providing a voice call service may frequently require control plane signaling, and be configured with NFs specialized therefor. A network slice for providing an Internet data service may frequently require large data traffic, and be configured with NFs specialized therefor.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a 5G system defined by 3GPP, one network slice may be referred to as single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI). The S-NSSAI may include a slice/service type (SST) value and a slice differentiator (SD) value. The SST may represent the characteristics of a service supported by the slice (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), Internet of things (IoT), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X)). The SD may be a value used as an additional identifier of a particular service defined by the SST.

Network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) may include one or more S-NSSAI values. Examples of the NSSAI include configured NSSAI which is stored in a user equipment (UE), requested NSSAI which is requested by a UE, allowed NSSAI which is allowed to be used by a UE determined by a NF (e.g., an AMF or a network slice selection function (NSSF)) of a 5G core network, and subscribed NSSAI to which a UE is subscribed, but are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, a mobile broadband slice may be a network slice generated mainly to increase the speed and performance of wireless transmission. The mobile broadband slice may include a network slice for services such as 4K/8K ultra-high definition (UHD), hologram, and augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR). As such, to generate the mobile broadband slice, the communication service provider may configure the network slice with NFs specialized for a user plane to support the download of a significant amount of data.

In another embodiment, a healthcare slice may be a network slice generated to provide services such as real-time high-quality medical video transmission, healthcare information transmission through numerous sensors or measuring instruments, telemedicine, and remote surgery. As such, to generate the healthcare slice, the communication service provider may configure the network slice with NFs specialized for reliability.

In still another embodiment, an IoT slice may include a network slice for generating and sharing information by connecting all devices in daily life to a network. For example, for a mission-critical IoT slice, a 5G core (UP) and a related server (e.g., a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) server) may be included in an edge cloud to minimize transmission delay.

As another example, for a massive IoT service in which stationary sensors for measuring a temperature, a humidity, a rainfall, etc. are connected to a mobile communication network, unlike portable UEs, a function such as handover or location update may not be required. Alternatively, for a mission-critical IoT service such as autonomous driving or remote control of industrial robots, unlike a mobile broadband service, a low latency within several milliseconds (ms) may be required.

In another embodiment, a network slice for a physical infrastructure may include a network slice for communication between UEs or buildings. As such, the network slice for the physical infrastructure may support telecommunication such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), communication using any digital subscriber line (xDSL)/cable, or communication using an edge cloud.

As such, an appropriate model, method, or tool for simplifying a design and deployment is required to construct complicated abstract entities included in various network slices. Many researches and standardization processes are being conducted on the main concept of network slicing, but a method of automatically designing network slices, a form to be provided, a level of details to be processed as descriptions, a method of expressing dependencies between elements, etc. are still unclear. Although the concept of NST is currently adopted in research on network slices, information to be included in the NST and a method of processing the NST are not discussed and thus research on the NST is required.

In addition, to provide dedicated network slices specialized for various services having different characteristics, a mobile communication service provider needs to determine the type and amount of resources required to configure a required network slice for each circumstance. As such, a method or apparatus for automatically generating an appropriate network slice when only requirements for a particular communication service are given is required.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a management structure between a 3GPP environment and a network functions virtualization management and orchestration (NFV-MANO) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a 3GPP management system may employ an ETSI NFV-MANO system to include a comprehensive management system structure and interfaces to which network function virtualization is applied in a mobile environment. In an embodiment, a communication system may include a 3GPP slice related management functions block 210 , an ETSI NFV-MANO block 220 , element managers 230 , physical network functions (PNFs) 240 , virtualized network functions (VNFs) and cloud native network functions (CNFs) 250 , and a network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI) 260 . In an embodiment, the 3GPP slice related management functions block 210 may include a communication service management function (CSMF) 212 , a network slice management function (NSMF) 214 , and a network slice subnet management function (NSSMF) 216 .

The ETSI NFV-MANO block 220 may include a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) 222 , a virtualized network function manager (VNFM) 224 , and a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) 226 . The NFVO 222 may automatically deploy and manage network services. The VNFM 224 is in charge of assignment, scheduling, management, and orchestration of virtual resources, and may manage life cycles of the VNFs. The VIM 226 may provide an interface for higher layer software, and manage life cycles of, schedule, assign, load, or upgrade virtual resources.

In an embodiment, the element managers 230 may manage life cycles of network elements or NFs. For example, the element managers 230 may instantiate, update, or remove the NFs.

In an embodiment, the NFVI 260 is a resource group used to host and connect the VNFs, and may be a cloud data center including a server, a virtualized management program, an operating system, a virtual machine, a virtual switch, and network resources.

Various scenarios and requirements for performing network management through Os-Ma-Nfvo between the CSMF 212 and the NFVO 222 and an interface between the element managers 230 and the VNFM 224 are being actively derived. In a process of standardizing network slicing, network slice deployment and a runtime environment may be determined by the 3GPP slice related management functions block 210 connected to the ETSI NFV-MANO block 220 including the NFVO 222 , the VNFM 224 , and the VIM 226 . As such, an orchestrator may be in charge of overall management of target entities. That is, the orchestrator may provide necessary information in the form of a descriptor for appropriate operations of the target entities. For example, in the ETSI NFV-MANO block 220 , the orchestrator may provide a network service by using an NSD as an input. As another example, in the 3GPP slice related management functions block 210 , the orchestrator may provide a network slice by using an NSLD as an input. However, a method of automatically generating an NSLD, a method of automatically generating an NSD with reference to the NSLD, etc. are not specified and thus are required.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of generating a descriptor for a network slice, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3 , in operation 310 , an electronic device may obtain requirements for a network slice. In an embodiment, the requirements for a network slice may include a descriptor of a service level agreement (SLA). In addition, the requirements for a network slice may include requirements related to service provider preference, latency, a bandwidth, coverage, functions, a service type, subscription information, a cost of equipment, a shared frequency, etc., but are not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device may obtain the requirements for a network slice of a communication service from a CSMF. As another example, the electronic device may obtain the requirements for a network slice by receiving a user input from a user.

In operation 330 , the electronic device may determine at least one of a plurality of NSTs, a plurality of NSLDs, or a plurality of NSIs, based on the obtained requirements. In an embodiment, the electronic device may select one of the plurality of NSTs, the plurality of NSLDs, or the plurality of NSIs, which best meets the obtained requirements.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may determine a first candidate including at least one NST satisfying a preset first criterion from among the plurality of NSTs, determine a second candidate including at least one NSLD satisfying a preset second criterion from among the plurality of NSLDs, determine a third candidate including at least one NSI satisfying a preset third criterion from among the plurality of NSIs, determine a matching score between the requirements obtained in operation 310 and each of the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates, and determine at least one having a highest matching score from among the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates, as the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, the plurality of NSLDs, or the plurality of NSIs. For example, the matching score may be determined based on similarity between the obtained requirements and each of the NST, the NSLD, and the NSI respectively included in the first, second, and third candidates. As another example, the matching score may be set in such a manner that a candidate having a higher similarity within a cost limitation set by a service provider has a higher matching score even when the candidate does not have the highest similarity.

In another embodiment, the electronic device may select at least one of an NST, an NSLD, and/or an NSI corresponding to a first requirement of the obtained requirements, and select at least one of the selected NST, NSLD, and/or NSI, which best meets the requirements 510 , based on the first requirement. For example, the first requirement may fall into a broad category such as a network slice or service type.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may select the at least one NST from an NST repository, based on the first criterion. For example, the first criterion may include an NST type, an NST capacity, or an interface type. The electronic device may select the at least one NSLD from an NSLD repository, based on the second criterion. For example, the second criterion may include an NSLD type, an NSLD capacity, or an interface type. The electronic device may select the at least one NSI from an NSI inventory, based on the third criterion. For example, the third criterion may include an NSI type, an NSI capacity, or an interface type. In an embodiment, the first, second, and third criteria may be identical to each other, partially identical to each other, or different from each other. For example, the electronic device may select a first NST from the NST repository, based on the NST type, select a first NSLD from the NSLD repository, based on the NSLD type, select a first NSI from the NSI inventory, based on the NSI type, determine a matching score between the requirements and each of the first NST, the first NSLD, and the first NSI, and determine one having a high matching score from among the first NST, the first NSLD, and the first NSI. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may reduce the amount of calculation by selecting an NST, an NSLD, or an NSI based on a comprehensive criterion such as a type before a descriptor for a network slice is specified, and generate an optimal descriptor for a network slice by comparing similarity of all candidates. In an embodiment, when the electronic device selects the NSLD or the NSI, operations 350 and 370 may not be performed.

In operation 350 , when at least one of the plurality of NSTs is determined, the electronic device may determine at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in the at least one of the plurality of NSTs, based on the obtained requirements. In an embodiment, the plurality of abstract nodes included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs or the plurality of NSIs may include a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, and a managed function abstract node.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may substitute the network slice subnet abstract node included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs, with a specific node. That is, the electronic device may substitute the network slice subnet abstract node by using specific information. The electronic device may determine at least one of an NSST, an NSLSD, an existing NSSI, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determine the determined at least one as a specific node to substitute for the network slice subnet abstract node.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may substitute the connectivity abstract node included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs, with a specific node. That is, the electronic device may substitute the connectivity abstract node by using specific information. The electronic device may determine at least one of a virtual link, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determine the determined at least one as a specific node to substitute for the connectivity abstract node.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may substitute the managed function abstract node included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs, with a specific node. That is, the electronic device may substitute the managed function abstract node by using specific information. The electronic device may determine at least one of an existing managed function, a VNFD, an NSD, a VNF instance, or a network service instance, based on similarity to the obtained requirements, and determine the determined at least one as a specific node to substitute for the managed function abstract node.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may substitute a plurality of abstract nodes included in the determined at least one of the plurality of NSTs, with a part or an entirety of an element included in at least one of an NSST, an NSLSD, an existing NSSI, an NSD, or an existing network service instance, determine whether each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, when it is determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is not substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, substitute at least one abstract node determined as not being substituted, with a part or an entirety of at least one element satisfying the obtained requirements, and, when it is determined that all of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the element satisfying the obtained requirements, generate the descriptor for a network slice, based on the substituted part or entirety of the at least one element. That is, the electronic device may recursively perform the substitution process until all abstract nodes included in the NST are substituted. In this case, the element may correspond to a specific node.

In operation 370 , the electronic device may generate a descriptor for a network slice, based on the determined at least one specific node. In an embodiment, the descriptor for a network slice may include an NSD to be used by an ETSI NFV-MANO orchestrator, or an NSLD or NSLSD to be used by a 3GPP NSMF/NSSMF orchestrator.

In an embodiment, the electronic device may generate an NSLD, based on at least one specific node determined to substitute for the network slice subnet abstract node and the connectivity abstract node. That is

CLAIMS

Claims ( 15 )

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device comprising:

a transceiver; memory storing one or more instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to:

obtain requirements for a network slice,

select at least one candidate out of a plurality of abstract network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of existing network slice instances (NSIs), respectively considered as candidates, based on a determined highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by exposed capabilities of the candidates,

select at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in a selected at least one abstract NST based on the determined highest score of abstract nodes requirements satisfaction by the exposed capabilities of specific nodes,

generate a new NSLD based on the selected at least one abstract NST,

generate at least one new network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD) and at least one corresponding new network service descriptor (NSD) based on each network slice subnet abstract node included in the selected at least one abstract NST, and

pass the new NSLD, and the at least one new NSLSD to a slicing orchestrator for instantiating an NSI and at least one network slice subnet instance (NSSI), and pass the at least one new NSD to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) for instantiating a network service (NS) instance corresponding to the at least one instantiated NSSI for satisfying the obtained requirements.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the obtained requirements comprise at least one of quality of service requirements, a service level agreement, service provider preference, a latency requirement, a bandwidth requirement, user equipment (UE) functions, subscription information, a cost, or a service type.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to

execute the one or more instructions to, when at least one of the plurality of NSIs is selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by its exposed capabilities, transmit to an orchestrator configured to reuse the selected at least one of the plurality of NSIs and execute the one or more instructions to, when at least one of the plurality of NSLDs is selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by its exposed capabilities, transmit to an orchestrator configured to create an NSI based on the selected at least one of the plurality of NSLDs.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of abstract nodes comprise at least one of a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node.

5 . The electronic device of claim 4 ,

wherein the plurality of abstract nodes, in response to at least one of the plurality of NSTs being selected, comprise at least one network slice subnet abstract node, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:

select at least one of a network slice subnet template (NSST), an NSLSD, an existing NSSI, an NSD, or an existing NS instance respectively considered as specific nodes, based on determined highest score of network slice subnet abstract node requirements satisfaction by the exposed capabilities of specific nodes, and

determine the selected at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one network slice subnet abstract node, and

wherein the network slice subnet abstract node requirements are determined based on obtained requirements.

6 . The electronic device of claim 4 ,

wherein the plurality of abstract nodes, in response to at least one of the plurality of NSTs being selected, comprise at least one connectively abstract node, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:

select at least one of an existing virtual link, an NSD, or an existing NS instance, respectively considered as specific nodes, based on a determined highest score of connectivity abstract mode requirements satisfaction by the exposed capabilities of specific nodes, and

determine the selected at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one connectivity abstract node, and

wherein the connectivity abstract node requirements are determined based on obtained requirements.

7 . The electronic device of claim 4 ,

wherein the plurality of abstract nodes, in response at at least one of the plurality of NSTs being selected, comprise at least one managed function abstract node, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:

select at least one of an existing managed function, a virtual network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD), an NSD, a VNF instance, or a NS instance, respectively considered as specific nodes, based on a determined highest score of managed function abstract node requiremnets satisfaction by the exposed capabilities of specific nodes, and

determine the selected at least one as at least one specific node to substitute for the at least one managed function abstract node, and

wherein the managed function abstract node requirements are determined based on obtained requirements.

8 . The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:

in response to at least one of the plurality of NSTs being determined, substitute a plurality of abstract nodes included in the selected at least one of the plurality of NSTs, into a part or an entirety of specific nodes; determine whether each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the specific nodes satisfying the requirements of the abstract node; in response to it being determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is not substituted with a part or an entirety of the specific nodes satisfying the abstract node requirements, substitute at least one abstract node determined as not being substituted, with a part or an entirety of at least one specific node satisfying the abstract node requirements; and in response to it being determined that each of the plurality of abstract nodes is substituted with a part or an entirety of the specific node satisfying the abstract node requirements, generate a set of NSLD and NSLSD descriptors, based on a structure of NST selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements and of NSSTs that substituted the network slice subnet abstract nodes in the selected NST recursively selected NSSTs.

9 . The electronic device of claim 1 ,

wherein the plurality of abstract nodes comprise at least one of the network slice subnet abstract noce, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node, wherein a specific node to substitute a given network slice subnet abstract node is selected out of at least one of NSSTs, NSLDs, existing NSSIs, NSDs, or existing NS instances, based on the determined highest score of network slice subnet abstract node requirements satisfaction by exposed capabilities of specific nodes, wherein a specific node to substitute a given managed function abstract node is selected out of at least one of existing managed functions, an existing virtual network function (VNF), a virtual network function descriptor (VDFD), an NSD or existing NS instances based on the determined highest score of managed function abstract node requirements satisfaction by exposed capabilities of specific nodes, and

wherein a specific node to substitute a given connectivity abstract node is selected out of at least one of the an existing virtual link, an NSD or an existing NS instance based on the determined highest score of connectivity abstract node requirements satisfaction by exposed capabilities of specific nodes.

10 . An operating method of an electronic device for generating a descriptor for a network slice, the operating method comprising:

obtaining requirements for a network slice; selecting at least one candidate out of a plurality of abstract network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of existing network slice instances (NSIs), respectively considered as candidates, based on a determined highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by exposed capabilities of the candidates; selecting at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in a selected at least one abstract NST based on the determined highest score of abstract nodes requirements satisfaction by the exposed capabilities of specific nodes; and generating a new NSLD based on the selected at least one abstract NST, generating at least one new network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD) and at least one corresponding new network service descriptor (NSD) based on each network slice subnet abstract node included in the selected at least one abstract NST, and passing the new NSLD, and the at least one new NSLSD to a slicing orchestrator for instantiating an NSI and at least one network slice subnet instance (NSSI), and passing the at least one new NSD to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) for instantiating a network service (NS) instance corresponding to the at least one instantiated NSSI for satisfying the obtained requirements.

11 . The operating method of claim 10 , wherein the obtained requirements comprise at least one of quality of service requirements, a service level agreement, service provider preference, a latency requirement, a bandwidth requirement, user equipment (UE) functions, subscription information, a cost, or a service type.

12 . The operating method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of abstract nodes comprise at least one of a network slice subnet abstract node, a connectivity abstract node, or a managed function abstract node.

13 . The operating method of claim 10 , further comprising:

when at least one of the plurality of NSIs is selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by its exposed capabilities, transmitting to an orchestrator configured to reuse the selected at least one of the plurality of NSIs; and when at least one of the plurality of NSLDs is selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by its exposed capabilities, transmitting to an orchestrator configured to create an NSI based on the selected at least one of the plurality of NSLDs.

14 . A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having stored therein one or more programs to be executed by one or more processors of a computing device to control the computing device to:

obtain requirements for a network slice; select at least one candidate out of a plurality of abstract network slice templates (NSTs), a plurality of network slice descriptors (NSLDs), or a plurality of existing network slice instances (NSIs), respectively considered as candidates, based on a determined highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by exposed capabilities of the candidates; select at least one specific node to substitute for a plurality of abstract nodes included in a selected at least one abstract NST based on the determined highest score of abstract nodes requirements satisfaction by the exposed capabilities of specific nodes; and generate a new NSLD based on the selected at least one abstract NST, generate at least one new network slice subnet descriptor (NSLSD) and at least one corresponding new network service descriptor (NSD) based on each network slice subnet abstract node included in the selected at least one abstract NST, and pass the new NSLD, and the at least one new NSLSD to a slicing orchestrator for instantiating an NSI and at least one network slice subnet instance (NSSI), and pass the at least one new NSD to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) for instantiating a network service (NS) instance corresponding to the at least one instantiated NSSI for satisfying the obtained requirements.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors of the computing device further control the computing device to:

where at least one of the plurality of NSIs is selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by its exposed capabilities, transmit to an orchestrator configured to reuse the selected at least one plurality of NSIs, and when at least one of the plurality of NSLDs is selected as a candidate with the highest score of obtained requirements satisfaction by its exposed capabilities, transmit to an orchestrator configured to create an NSI based on the selected at least one of the plurality of NSLDs.

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