Patent Publication Number: US-2023156588-A1

Title: Wireless access node selection based on received signal strength (rss) and access node co-location

Description:
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
     Wireless communication networks provide wireless data services to wireless user devices. Exemplary wireless data services include machine-control, internet-access, media-streaming, and social-networking. Exemplary wireless user devices comprise phones, computers, vehicles, robots, and sensors. The wireless user devices execute user applications that use the wireless data services. For example, a helmet may execute an augmented-reality application that communicates with a video-annotation server over a wireless communication network. 
     The wireless communication networks have wireless access nodes which exchange wireless signals with the wireless user devices over radio frequency bands. The wireless signals use wireless network protocols like Fifth Generation New Radio (5GNR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (WIFI), and Low-Power Wide Area Network (LP-WAN). The wireless access nodes exchange network signaling and user data with network elements that are often clustered together into wireless network cores. 
     The wireless network elements comprise Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs), User Plane Functions (UPFs), and the like. Some of the network elements are grouped into wireless network slices to deliver data communication services that feature low-latency, high-bandwidth, or some other service quality. For example, a UPF in a wireless network slice may be optimized for the augmented-reality application in the wireless user device that is served by the wireless network slice. 
     To select a wireless access node, the wireless user device scans frequencies to detect wireless access nodes and determine their Received Signal Strength (RSS). The wireless user device selects the wireless access node with the best RSS for wireless attachment. The wireless user device subsequently detects and reports RSS for the wireless access nodes, and the serving wireless access node may select another wireless access node based on RSS report. The serving wireless access node may select a target wireless access node to handover a wireless user device. The serving wireless access node may select a secondary wireless access node to deliver a dual connectivity service. 
     Unfortunately, the serving wireless access nodes do not effectively select other wireless access nodes to optimize service for the wireless user devices. Moreover, the serving wireless access nodes do not efficiently move the wireless user devices to their optimal wireless access nodes. 
     TECHNICAL OVERVIEW 
     A wireless communication network serves User Equipment (UE) based on co-location and Received Signal Strength (RSS). A serving wireless access node selects itself for an uplink and downlink when no candidate wireless access nodes are co-located with the serving node. The serving node selects a candidate node for the uplink and downlink when the candidate node is co-located with the serving node and has an RSS level that exceeds a first threshold. The serving node selects itself for the uplink and selects a candidate node for the downlink when the candidate node is co-located with the serving node and has an RSS between the first threshold and a second threshold. The UE may trigger slice-specific access node selection by entering idle mode. The serving access node may condition the selection of a candidate access node on whether the candidate node supports a wireless network slice for the UE. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network to serve a User Equipment (UE) based on co-location and Received Signal Strength (RSS). 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an exemplary operation of the wireless communication network to serve the UE based on co-location and RSS. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exemplary operation of the wireless communication network to serve the UE based on co-location and RSS. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an exemplary Fifth Generation (5G) wireless communication network to serve a UE based on co-location, RSS, and slice. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an exemplary UE in the 5G wireless communication network. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates exemplary Radio Units (RUs), Distributed Unit (DU), and Centralized Unit (CU) in 5G wireless communication network  400 . 
         FIG.  7    illustrates exemplary wireless access nodes in the 5G wireless communication network. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary operation of the 5G wireless communication network to serve the UE based on co-location, RSS, and slice. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary operation of the 5G wireless communication network to serve the UE based on co-location, RSS, and slice. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network  100  to serve User Equipment (UE)  101  based on co-location and Received Signal Strength (RSS). Wireless communication network  100  comprises UE  101  and wireless access nodes  111 - 116 . Wireless access nodes  112 - 113  are co-located with access node  111 . Co-location requires that access nodes  112 - 113  be physically located within 1000 feet of one another—often mounted on the same tower or structure. Wireless access nodes  114 - 116  are not co-located with wireless access node  111  because they are not within 1000 feet of wireless access node  111 . UE  101  comprises a computer, phone, vehicle, sensor, robot, or some other data appliance with data communication circuitry. Wireless communication network  100  delivers wireless data service to UE  101 , and exemplary wireless data services include machine-control, internet-access, media-streaming, social-networking, and/or some other networking product. Wireless communication network  100  is simplified for clarity and typically includes far more UEs and access nodes than shown. 
     Various examples of network operation and configuration are described herein. In some examples, UE  101  wirelessly attaches to wireless access node  111  which is referred to as the “serving” access node. Other wireless access nodes  112 - 116  are referred to as “candidate” access nodes. Serving access node  111  determines if any candidate access nodes  112 - 116  are co-located with serving access node  111 . Although candidate access nodes  112 - 113  are co-located with serving access node  111  in this example, serving access node  111  selects itself for the uplink and the downlink for UE  101  when no candidate access nodes are co-located with serving wireless access node  111 . In response to the self-selection, serving access node  111  wirelessly exchanges user data with UE  101  over the uplink and the downlink. When a candidate access node is co-located with serving access node  111  and has an RSS level that exceeds a first threshold, serving access node  111  selects the candidate access node for the uplink and the downlink for UE  101 . For example, candidate access node  113  is co-located with serving access node  111  and may have an RSS that exceeds the first threshold. When multiple candidate access nodes have RSS levels that exceed the first threshold, the candidate with the highest RSS is selected. When candidate access node  113  is co-located with serving access node  111  and has the highest RSS that exceeds the first threshold, candidate access node  113  wirelessly exchanges the user data with UE  101  over the uplink and the downlink. When candidate access nodes are co-located with serving access node  111  and have RSS levels that fall below the first threshold but exceed a second threshold, serving access node  111  selects itself for the uplink for UE  101  and selects one of these candidate access nodes for the downlink for UE  101 . For example, candidate access node  112  is co-located with serving access node  111  and may have an RSS that falls below the first threshold but exceeds the second threshold. When multiple candidate access nodes have RSS levels between the first and second thresholds, the candidate with the highest RSS is selected. When candidate access node  112  is selected due to its co-location with serving access node  111  and a highest RSS between the first and second thresholds, candidate access node  112  wirelessly transfers user data to UE  101  over downlink while serving access node  111  receives user data from UE  101  over the uplink. 
     In some examples, UE  101  enters idle mode, and serving access node  111  selects one of candidate wireless access nodes  112 - 116  to serve UE  101  in response to UE  101  entering idle mode. UE  101  may use a wireless network slice before entering idle mode and serving access node  111  selects a candidate access node that supports the wireless network slice in response to UE  101  entering idle mode. The wireless network slice might comprise Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), or some other network service. UE  101  may use Carrier Aggregation (CA) before entering idle mode and serving access node  111  could select a candidate access node that supports CA in response to UE  101  entering idle mode. Wireless access nodes could maintain data structures that translate neighbor access node identifiers into slice and CA capability. 
     Advantageously, serving wireless access node  111  effectively selects candidate wireless access nodes  112 - 116  to optimize service delivery for UE  101  based on RSS, co-location, and possibly slice support. Moreover, serving wireless access node  111  efficiently moves UE  101  to the optimal wireless access node—possibly optimized the UE&#39;s recent wireless network slice. 
     UE  101  and wireless access nodes  111 - 116  communicate over wireless links that use wireless technologies like Fifth Generation New Radio (5GNR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Millimeter Wave (mmW), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (WIFI), Low-Power Wide Area Network (LP-WAN), Bluetooth, and/or some other wireless communication protocols. In some examples, serving access node  111  comprises an LTE access node and candidate access nodes  112 - 116  comprise 5GNR access nodes. In other examples, serving access node  111  comprises a 5GNR access node and candidate access nodes  112 - 116  comprise LTE, mmW, WIFI, LP-WAN, Bluetooth, and/or some other type of wireless access nodes—including combinations thereof. 
     Wireless access nodes  111 - 116  communicate with one another and a network core over network connections that comprise metallic wiring, glass fibers, radio channels, or some other communication media. The network connections use technologies like IEEE 802.3 (ETHERNET), Internet Protocol (IP), Time Division Multiplex (TDM), Data Over Cable System Interface Specification (DOCSIS), General Packet Radio Service Transfer Protocol (GTP), mmW, 5GNR, LTE, WIFI, LP-WAN, Bluetooth, virtual switching, inter-processor communication, bus interfaces, and/or some other data communication protocols. UE  101  and wireless access nodes  111 - 116  include radios. UE  101  and wireless access nodes  111 - 116  comprise microprocessors, software, memories, transceivers, bus circuitry, and the like. The microprocessors comprise Digital Signal Processors (DSP), Central Processing Units (CPU), Graphical Processing Units (GPU), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), and/or the like. The memories comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), flash circuitry, disk drives, and/or the like. The memories store software like operating systems, user applications, radio applications, and network functions. The microprocessors retrieve the software from the memories and execute the software to drive the operation of wireless communication network  100  as described herein. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an exemplary operation of wireless communication network  100  to serve UE  101  based on co-location and RSS. The operation may differ in other examples. UE  101  detects and reports Received Signal Strength (RSS) for wireless access nodes  112 - 116  to serving access node  111  ( 201 ). Serving access node  111  determines if any candidate access nodes  112 - 116  are co-located with serving access node  111  ( 202 ). When no candidate access node is co-located with serving wireless access node  111  ( 203 ), serving access node  111  selects itself for the uplink and the downlink for UE  101  ( 204 ) and wirelessly exchanges user data with UE  101  over the uplink and the downlink ( 205 ). When candidate access nodes are co-located with serving access node  111  ( 203 ), serving access node  111  determines when these candidates have an RSS level that exceeds a first threshold ( 206 ). When one of these candidate access nodes has an RSS level that exceeds the first threshold ( 207 ), serving access node  111  selects the candidate access node for the uplink and the downlink for UE  101  ( 208 ), and the selected candidate access node wirelessly exchanges the user data with UE  101  over the uplink and the downlink ( 209 ). When candidate access nodes are co-located with serving access node  111  ( 203 ) but have RSS levels that falls below the first threshold ( 207 ), serving access node  111  determines if any of these candidate access nodes have RSS levels that exceed a second threshold ( 210 ). When candidate access nodes are co-located with serving access node  111  ( 203 ) and have RSS levels lower than the first threshold ( 207 ) and higher than the second threshold ( 211 ), serving access node  111  selects itself for the uplink for UE  101  and selects the candidate access node for the downlink for UE  101  ( 212 ). Serving access node  111  wirelessly receives user data from UE  101  over the uplink ( 213 ) and the selected candidate access node transfers user data to UE  101  over the downlink ( 214 ). 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an exemplary operation of wireless communication network  100  to serve UE  101  based on co-location and RSS. The operation may differ in other examples. UE  101  wirelessly receives a pilot signal from serving Access Node (AN)  111  and responsively attaches to serving AN  111 . UE  101  receives pilot signals from candidate access nodes  112 - 116  and reports RSS to serving AN  111 . Serving AN  111  determines if any candidate access nodes are co-located with serving access node  111 . For example, serving AN  111  may host a data structure that correlates neighbor access nodes like candidate nodes  112 - 116  with their co-location status. When no candidate access nodes  112 - 116  are co-located with serving wireless access node  111 , serving access node  111  selects itself for the uplink and the downlink for UE  101 . In this example, candidate access nodes  112 - 113  are co-located. When some candidate access nodes are co-located with serving access node  111 , serving access node  111  determines if any of these candidate access nodes have an RSS level that exceeds a first threshold and selects one of these candidate access nodes for the uplink and downlink for UE  101 . In this example, the RSS for co-located nodes  112 - 113  falls below the first threshold. When none of the candidate access nodes that are co-located also have an RSS level that exceeds the first threshold, serving access node  111  determines if any of the co-located candidate access nodes have RSS levels that exceed a second threshold. In this example, serving access node  111  selects candidate access node  112  because candidate access node  112  is co-located with serving access node  111  and has an RSS level between the first threshold and the second threshold. Serving access node  111  signals candidate access node  112  to serve UE  101  over the downlink. Serving access node  111  signals UE  101  to use candidate access node  112  for the downlink. UE  101  transfers user data to external systems over the uplink to serving AN  111 . UE  101  receives user data from the external systems over the downlink from candidate access node  112 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates exemplary Fifth Generation (5G) wireless communication network  400  to serve UE  401  based on co-location, RSS, and slice. 5G wireless communication network  400  comprises an example of wireless communication network  100 , although network  100  may differ. 5G wireless communication network  400  comprises: UE  401 , RUs  411 - 416 , DUs  417 - 418 , CU  419 , and core  420 . RUs  411 - 413  are co-located within 1000 feet of one another and may be mounted on the same tower. 
     UE  401  attaches to CU  419  over LTE RU  411  and DU  417 . UE  401  interacts with core  420  over LTE RU  411 , DU  417 , and CU  419  to authorize UE  401  for a wireless network slice like URLLC, eMBB, or mMTC. UE  401  exchanges user data with the wireless network slice in core  420  over LTE RU  411 , DU  417 , and CU  419 . The wireless network slice in core  420  may exchange the user data with external systems. 
     UE  401  eventually goes into idle mode. In idle mode, UE  401  occasionally checks the network for incoming messages. UE  401  determines RSS for 5GNR RUs  412 - 416  and reports the RSS levels to CU  419 . In response to UE  401  entering idle mode, CU  419  determines if any candidate RUs for UE  401  are co-located with serving RU  411 . When no candidate RUs are co-located with serving RU  411 , CU  419  selects serving RU  411  for the uplink and the downlink for UE  401 . In response to the selection of RU  411 , UE  401  exchanges user data with the wireless network slice in core  420  over the uplink and the downlink that traverse LTE RU  411 , DU  417 , and CU  419 . 
     In this example, CU  419  determines that candidate 5GNR RUs  412 - 413  are co-located with serving LTE RU  411 . If one of these candidate RUs  412 - 413  supports the wireless network slice and has an RSS level that exceeds a first threshold, then CU  419  selects that candidate RU for the uplink and the downlink for UE  401 . When co-located 5GNR RU  413  supports the wireless network slice and has an RSS that exceeds the first threshold, UE  401  exchanges user data with the wireless network slice over the uplink and the downlink that traverse 5GNR RU  413 , DU  417 , and CU  419 . 
     In this example, candidate 5GNR RUs  412 - 413  are co-located with serving LTE RU  411 . If one of candidate RUs  412 - 413  supports the wireless network slice and has an RSS level between the first threshold and a second threshold, then CU  419  selects that candidate RU for the downlink for UE  401 . When co-located 5GNR RU  412  supports the wireless network slice and has an RSS between the first threshold and the second threshold, UE  401  exchanges user data with the wireless network slice over the uplink that traverses LTE RU  411 , DU  417 , and CU  419  and over the downlink that traverses 5GNR RU  412 , DU  417 , and CU  419 . 
     In some examples, UE  401  and serving access node  411  use Carrier Aggregation (CA) before UE  401  enters idle mode. In response to UE  401  entering idle mode, CU  419  selects a co-located access node for the uplink and downlink for UE  401  when the candidate supports CA and has an RSS level that exceeds the first threshold. CU  419  may also select a co-located access node for the downlink for UE  401  when that candidate supports CA and has an RSS level between the first threshold and the second threshold. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates exemplary UE  401  in 5G wireless communication network  400 . UE  401  comprises an example of UE  101 , although UE  101  may differ. UE  401  comprises LTE radio  501 , 5GNR radios  502 , user circuitry  503 , and user components  504 . User components  504  comprise sensors, controllers, displays, or some other user apparatus that generates slice data. Radios  501 - 502  comprise antennas, amplifiers, filters, modulation, analog-to-digital interfaces, DSP, memory, and transceivers that are coupled over bus circuitry. User circuitry  504  comprises memory, CPU, user interfaces and components, and transceivers that are coupled over bus circuitry. The memory in user circuitry  504  stores an operating system (OS), user applications (APP), and network applications for Physical Layers (PHY), Media Access Controls (MAC), Radio Link Controls (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocols (PDCP), and Radio Resource Control (RRC)  500 . The antennas in LTE radio  501  are wirelessly coupled to LTE RU  411  over an LTE link. The antennas in 5GNR radios  502  are wirelessly coupled to 5GNR RUs  412 - 416  over a 5GNR links. Transceivers (XCVRs) in radios  501 - 502  are coupled to transceivers in user circuitry  503 . Transceivers in user circuitry  503  are coupled to user components  504 . The CPU in user circuitry  504  executes the operating system, user applications, and network applications to exchange network signaling and user data RUs  411 - 416  over radios  501 - 502 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates exemplary Radio Units (RUs)  411 - 413 , Distributed Unit (DU)  417 , and Centralized Unit (CU)  419  in 5G wireless communication network  400 . RUs  411 - 413 , DU  417 , and CU  419  comprise examples of wireless access nodes  111 - 116 , although nodes  111 - 116  may differ. RUs  412 - 413  comprise examples of RUs  414 - 416 , although RUs  414 - 416  may fifer. DU  417  comprises an example of DU  418 , although DU  418  may differ. RUs  411 - 413  comprise antennas, amplifiers, filters, modulation, analog-to-digital interfaces, DSP, memory, radio applications, and transceivers that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU  417  comprises memory, CPU, user interfaces and components, and transceivers that are coupled over bus circuitry. The memory in DU  417  stores operating systems and network applications for PHY, MAC, and RLC. CU  419  comprises memory, CPU, user interfaces and components, and transceivers that are coupled over bus circuitry. The memory in CU  419  stores operating systems and network applications for PDCP and RRC  600 . The antennas in LTE RU  411  are wirelessly coupled to UE  401  over an LTE link. The antennas in 5GNR RUs  412 - 413  are wirelessly coupled to UE  401  over 5GNR links. Transceivers in RUs  411 - 413  are coupled to transceivers in DU  417 . Transceivers in DU  417  are coupled to transceivers in CU  419 . Transceivers in CU  149  are coupled to core  420 . The DSP and CPU in RUs  411 - 413 , DU  417 , and CU  419  execute the operating systems, radio applications, and network applications to exchange network signaling and user data with UE  401  and network core  420 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates exemplary wireless access nodes  701 - 706  in 5G wireless communication network  400 . LTE access node  701  comprises LTE RU  411 , a portion of DU  417  (PHY, MAC, RLC), and a portion of CU  419  (PDCP, RRC  600 ). 5GNR access node  702  comprises 5GNR RU  412 , a portion of DU  417  (PHY, MAC, RLC), and a portion of CU  419  (PDCP). 5GNR access node  703  comprises 5GNR RU  413 , a portion of DU  417  (PHY, MAC, RLC), and a portion of CU  419  (PDCP). 5GNR access node  704  comprises 5GNR RU  414 , a portion of DU  418  (PHY, MAC, RLC), and a portion of CU  419  (PDCP). 5GNR access node  705  comprises 5GNR RU  415 , a portion of DU  418  (PHY, MAC, RLC), and a portion of CU  419  (PDCP). 5GNR access node  706  comprises 5GNR RU  416 , a portion of DU  418  (PHY, MAC, RLC), and a portion of CU  419  (PDCP). RUs  411 - 416  wirelessly exchange network signaling and user data with UE  401 . RRC  600  in CU  419  exchanges network signaling with network core  420 . The PDCPs in CU  419  exchange user data with UE  401  and with the wireless network slice in network core  420 . When UE is attaches to LTE access node  701 , RRC  600  selects candidate 5GNR access nodes  412 - 416  to serve UE  401  based on RSS, co-location, slice, and CA as described herein. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary operation of 5G wireless communication network  400  to serve UE  401  based on co-location, RSS, and slice. The operation may differ in other examples. LTE RU  411  transfers a pilot signal for LTE AN  701 . UE  401  receives the pilot signal from RU  411 . RRC  500  in UE  401  attaches to RRC  600  of LTE AN  701  in CU  419  over RU  411  and DU  417 . RRC  500  in UE  401  interacts with RRC  600  in CU  419  over RU  411  and DU  417  to authorize UE  401  for the wireless network slice. UE  401  exchanges user data with the wireless network slice in core  420  over LTE RU  411  and the LTE AN  701  portions of DU  417  and CU  419 . 
     UE  401  goes into idle mode, and in response, RRC  500  in UE  401  determines RSS for 5GNR RUs  412 - 416  based on their pilot signals. RRC  500  in UE  401  reports the RSS levels to RRC  600  in CU  419  over RU  411  and DU  417 . In response to UE  401  entering idle mode, RRC  600  for LTE AN  701  in CU  419  determines if any candidate 5GNR ANs  702 - 706  are co-located with serving LTE AN  701 . When no candidate ANs are co-located with serving LTE AN  701 , RRC  600  in CU  419  selects itself (LTE AN  701 ) for the uplink and the downlink for UE  401  when it leaves idle mode. As shown in dotted lines if LTE AN  701  were selected (it is not in this example), UE  401  would exchange user data with the wireless network slice in core  420  over LTE RU  411  and the LTE AN  701  portions of DU  417  and CU  419 . 
     In this example, RRC  600  for LTE AN  701  in CU  419  determines that candidate ANs  712 - 713  are co-located with serving AN  701 . If one of these candidate ANs  712 - 713  supports the wireless network slice and has an RSS level that exceeds the first threshold, then RRC  600  for LTE AN  701  in CU  419  selects this candidate AN for the uplink and the downlink for UE  401 —otherwise AN  701  is still used. When candidate 5GNR AN  703  is selected for the uplink and the downlink for UE  401 , RRC  600  in CU  419  signals the RRC for AN  703  in CU  419  to serve UE  401  over the uplink and downlink to the wireless network slice. The RRC for AN  703  in CU  419  signals the RLC for AN  703  in DU  417  to serve UE  401  over the uplink and downlink to the wireless network slice. RRC  600  for AN  701  in CU  419  signals RRC  500  in UE  401  to use LTE AN  703  for the uplink and downlink to the wireless network slice. UE  401  attaches to the RLC of LTE AN  703  in DU  417  over RU  413 . As shown by dotted lines if 5GNR AN  703  were selected for the uplink and downlink (it is not in this example), UE  401  would exchange user data with the wireless network slice in core  420  over the uplink and the downlink that traverse 5GNR RU  413  and the 5GNR AN  703  portions of DU  417  and CU  419 . The operation proceeds to  FIG.  9   . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary operation of 5G wireless communication network  400  to serve UE  401  based on co-location, RSS, and slice. The operation may differ in other examples. The operation continues from the discussion of  FIG.  8    above. If one of co-located and candidate ANs  712 - 713  supports the wireless network slice and has an RSS level between the first threshold and the second threshold (and no candidate ANs are above the first threshold), then RRC  600  for AN  701  in CU  419  selects this candidate AN for the downlink for UE  401 —otherwise AN  701  is still used. When candidate AN  702  is selected for the downlink for UE  401 , RRC  600  for AN  701  in CU  419  signals the RRC for AN  702  in CU  419  to serve UE  401  over the downlink for the wireless network slice. The RRC for AN  702  in CU  419  signals the RLC for AN  702  in DU  417  to serve UE  401  over the downlink for the wireless network slice. RRC  600  for AN  701  in CU  419  signals RRC  500  in UE  401  to use 5GNR AN  702  for the downlink from the wireless network slice. RRC  500  in UE  401  attaches to the RLC of LTE AN  702  in DU  417  over RU  412 . UE  401  transfers user data to the wireless network slice in core  420  over the uplink that traverses LTE RU  411  and the LTE AN  701  portions of DU  417  and CU  419 . UE  401  receives user data from the wireless network slice in core  420  over the downlink that traverses 5GNR RU  412  and the 5GNR AN  702  portions of DU  417  and CU  419 . 
     The wireless data network circuitry described above comprises computer hardware and software that form special-purpose networking circuitry to serve UEs based on co-location, RSS, and slice. The computer hardware comprises processing circuitry like CPUs, DSPs, GPUs, transceivers, bus circuitry, and memory. To form these computer hardware structures, semiconductors like silicon or germanium are positively and negatively doped to form transistors. The doping comprises ions like boron or phosphorus that are embedded within the semiconductor material. The transistors and other electronic structures like capacitors and resistors are arranged and metallically connected within the semiconductor to form devices like logic circuitry and storage registers. The logic circuitry and storage registers are arranged to form larger structures like control units, logic units, and Random-Access Memory (RAM). In turn, the control units, logic units, and RAM are metallically connected to form CPUs, DSPs, GPUs, transceivers, bus circuitry, and memory. 
     In the computer hardware, the control units drive data between the RAM and the logic units, and the logic units operate on the data. The control units also drive interactions with external memory like flash drives, disk drives, and the like. The computer hardware executes machine-level software to control and move data by driving machine-level inputs like voltages and currents to the control units, logic units, and RAM. The machine-level software is typically compiled from higher-level software programs. The higher-level software programs comprise operating systems, utilities, user applications, and the like. Both the higher-level software programs and their compiled machine-level software are stored in memory and retrieved for compilation and execution. On power-up, the computer hardware automatically executes physically-embedded machine-level software that drives the compilation and execution of the other computer software components which then assert control. Due to this automated execution, the presence of the higher-level software in memory physically changes the structure of the computer hardware machines into special-purpose networking circuitry to serve UEs based on co-location, RSS, and slice. 
     The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of the invention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Note that some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of the invention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described above can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. Thus, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.