Patent Description:
Network slicing is a type of virtual networking architecture in the same family as that of software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV). SDN and NFV allow network flexibility through the partitioning of <NUM> network architectures into virtual elements. In essence, network slicing allows the creation of multiple virtual networks on top of a shared physical infrastructure. In cloud virtual random access network (VRAN) scenario, physical components are secondary and logical (software-based) partitions are paramount, devoting capacity to certain purposes dynamically, according to need. Using some common resources such as storage and processors, network slicing permits the creation of network slices devoted to logical, self-contained and partitioned network functions.

There exist problems in facilitating network slice-specific traffic treatment in terms of classifying and rerouting the incoming traffic to its destined network slice. For classifying slice-specific traffic, packet marking is one of the commonly suggested approaches such as segment routing over IPv6 data plane (SRv6), encoding slice identifier (ID) in the header field, virtual LAN (VLAN), network service header (NSH) and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). However, these approaches suffer from the effects of additional header such as higher packet overhead leading to reduced payload, increased traffic volume, higher processing delay (header parsing), increased end-<NUM>-end latency and incompatibility (like NSH may not be supported by all network elements).

Furthermore, with reference to 3GPP TS <NUM>, radio access network (RAN) maps and encodes differentiated services code point (DSCP) field of packet based on QoS flow identifier (QFI) and allocation and retention priority (ARP) of the associated QoS Flow. DSCP is <NUM> bits code point that allows maximum <NUM> (i.e. <NUM>) different codes. As per TS <NUM> (Rel. <NUM>), there are <NUM>5QIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Codes) and no one-to-one DSCP:5QI mapping. As a result, DSCP field cannot map the growing number of 5QIs (5QI grows with each 3GPP release). As <NUM> network slice is meant to enable differentiation of various services with diverse QoS requirements, the current DSCP field in the packet is not sufficient to identify/classify and forward the traffic flow to its destined network slice.

<NPL> pertains to procedures for the <NUM> System.

<CIT> pertains to a method for supporting network bearer control comprising the following steps: obtaining information of a bearer; determining priority information of the bearer according to the acquired information of the bearer; wherein the priority information is used for bearing control, and the bearing control comprises at least one of the following items: selecting an activated bearing, selecting abearing requested to be activated, selecting a switched bearing, judging whether the activated bearing is activated or not, judging whether the activated bearing is requested or not, judging whether the switched bearing is switched or not, selecting a released bearing and judging whether the bearing is released or not.

<CIT> pertains to a session transfer method comprising the following steps: in the PDU session establishment process of the UE in the <NUM> communication system, priority information indicating that the PDU session requested to be established by the UE is transferred to the priority of the <NUM> communication system is sent to the AMF, and when the PDU session of the UE needs to be transferred to the <NUM> communication system subsequently, an AMF determines which PDU session is transferred to the <NUM> communication system according to the priority information of each PDU session, and the subsequent session transfer process is carried out.

<CIT> pertains to a method by which a session management function (SMF) controls a protocol data unit (PDU) session for a low latency service in a wireless communication system can comprise the steps of: receiving a PDU session-related request from a user equipment (UE); determining whether the PDU session-related request is a request for the low latency service; and transmitting, to the UE, a response message to the PDU session-related request when the PDU session-related request is the request for the low latency service, wherein the response message includes low latency information on a PDU session related to the PDU session-related request.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the present disclosure.

The disclosure is provided to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below.

A first aspect of the invention comprises a method as set forth in claim <NUM>.

A second aspect of the invention comprises a system as set forth in claim <NUM>.

Some preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Before undertaking the Mode for Invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same.

<FIG>, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Although specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail with reference thereto, this is not to limit the embodiments to specific forms.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure to examples that are disclosed. On the contrary, the disclosure is to cover modifications, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include those components or steps only, but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and the drawings are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The present disclosure can be in general be applied to telecommunication technologies including <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The present disclosure may comprise of two parts: (<NUM>) UE-initiated network slice registration followed by (<NUM>) traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary environment for UE-initiated network slice registration and traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks in accordance with an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the environment <NUM> may include a UE <NUM> and a telecommunication system. The UE <NUM> may be any electronic device such as, but not limited to, smartphone, capable of utilizing telecommunication communication technology. The UE <NUM> may include central processing unit ("CPU" or "processor" or "controller") (<NUM>-<NUM>) and a memory (<NUM>-<NUM>) storing instructions executable by the processor (<NUM>-<NUM>). The processor (<NUM>-<NUM>) may include at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user or system-generated requests. The memory (<NUM>-<NUM>) may be communicatively coupled to the processor (<NUM>-<NUM>). The UE (<NUM>) further includes an Input/Output (I/O) interface (<NUM>-<NUM>). The I/O interface (<NUM>-<NUM>) may be coupled with the processor (<NUM>-<NUM>) through which an input signal or/and an output signal may be communicated. The telecommunication network of the present disclosure may be referred as a system or a telecommunication system comprising, but not limited to, a base station (BS) <NUM>, an access and mobility function (AMF) <NUM>, a network slice selection function (NSSF) <NUM>, an unified data management (UDM) <NUM>, <NUM>, an network repository function (NRF) <NUM> and a session management function/slice link function (SMF/SLF) <NUM>. For instance, in <NUM> telecommunication network, the base station <NUM> may be gNodeB (gNB). The AMF <NUM> may oversee authentication, connection, and mobility management between the telecommunication network and the UE <NUM>. The AMF <NUM> may receive connection and session related information from the UE <NUM>. The SMF <NUM> may handle session management, IP address allocation, and control of policy enforcement. The NSSF <NUM> may select network slice instance (NSI) based on information provided during UE attach. A set of AMFs may be provided to the UE <NUM> based on which slices the UE <NUM> has access to. The UDM <NUM> may manage network user data in a single, centralized element. The NRF <NUM> may maintain a record of available network function (NF) instances and their supported services. The NRF <NUM> may allow other NF instances to subscribe and be notified of registrations from NF instances of a given type. The NRF <NUM> may support service discovery, by receipt of Discovery Requests from NF instances and details which NF instances support specific services. In addition to the above-mentioned telecommunication network elements/components, the system may comprise one or more SLF <NUM> and a DPAF <NUM>. The SLF <NUM> may be a part of SMF <NUM> or a separate network element. The one or more SLF <NUM> may be responsible to communicate transport subslice related NSSAI information with the DPAF <NUM> in data plane (i.e. data center, where transport slice subslices reside). The DPAF <NUM> may open RE presentational state transfer (REST) based services which may be discovered by the SLF <NUM> before initiating communication. For the network slice registration, UE <NUM> may transmit a registration request to the AMF <NUM> via the base station <NUM> of telecommunication network. In response to the registration request, the AMF <NUM> transmits a registration accept response comprising NSSAI to the UE <NUM>. For traffic forwarding, the UE <NUM> transmits a PDU session establishment request comprising single NSSAI to the telecommunication network. The base station <NUM> of the telecommunication network maps the single NSSAI to a Flow Label field of IPv6 header and transmits to the DPAF <NUM> via the specific SLF <NUM> of the telecommunication network. The DPAF <NUM> compares QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI with QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI in the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network and transmits a PDU session establishment response to the UE <NUM> based on comparison.

<FIG> shows exemplary sequence diagram illustrating a method for UE-initiated network slice registration in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may transmit a registration request to the base station <NUM>. The registration request may comprise at least one of default configured network slice selection assistance information (DCNI) and network slicing indication information element (IE). At step <NUM>, the base station <NUM> may select the AMF <NUM> based on at least one of DCNI and network slicing indication IE. In one embodiment, the base station <NUM> may select a default AMF node/element. At step <NUM>, the base station <NUM> may forward/transmit the registration request from the UE <NUM> to the selected AMF <NUM> or the default AMF. At step <NUM>, the selected AMF <NUM> or the default AMF may transmit a slice discovery request to the NSSF <NUM> of the telecommunication network in response to the registration request. The slice discovery request may comprise request for transport subslice related NSSAI information. At step <NUM>, the UDM <NUM> may be authenticated and authorized prior to receiving a request from the NSSF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the NSSF <NUM> may transmit a Nudm_SDM_Get request for requesting information on subslices to the UDM <NUM>. At step <NUM>, in response to the Nudm_SDM_Get request, the UDM <NUM> may transmit a Nudm_SDM_Get response with requested information on subslices to the NSSF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the NSSF <NUM> may transmit a slice discovery response to the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network. The slice discovery response may comprise requested transport subslice related NSSAI information. Here, the requested transport subslice related NSSAI information may, also, be referred as NSSAI. The NSSAI may comprise a plurality of single NSSAI, typically, up to eight (<NUM>) single NSSAI in the NSSAI. At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit a registration accept response to the UE <NUM>. The registration accept response may, also, be referred as a UE configuration update. The registration accept response may comprise (forward) transport subslice related NSSAI information. At step <NUM>, in response to the received registration accept response from the AMF <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may transmit a UE configuration complete or network slice registration complete. The steps <NUM> to <NUM> refer to UE-initiated network slice registration process.

<FIG> shows exemplary sequence diagram illustrating a method for traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may transmit a PDU session establishment request to the base station <NUM> (for each IP flow in a network slice). The PDU session establishment request may comprise at least one of a single NSSAI, QoS indicator and ARP. The QoS indicator may be QFI or 5QI for <NUM> telecommunication network. In one embodiment, the single NSSAI may comprise at least one of slice/service type (SST) and slice differentiator (SD). The information contained in the at least one of SST and SD may be referred as network slice information. The SST may refer to expected network slice behavior in terms of features and services. The SD may be an optional information that complements the SST to differentiate amongst multiple network slices of the same SST. The SD may comprise at least one of subslice identifier and non-standard value. The SD may differentiate network slices with same SST - <NUM> bits. Standardized single NSSAI may have only SST and no SD. Non-standard single NSSAI may be defined as either SST alone (i.e. non-standard) or SST along with SD. At step <NUM>, the base station <NUM> may, first, map the single NSSAI to a Flow Label field of IPv6 header based on QoS indicator and ARP. The Flow Label field of IPv6 header is a <NUM> bits field that allows mapping up to <NUM><NUM> (i.e. <NUM>) network slices. The Flow Label field may allow mapping of packet flows to its network slice based on its QoS transport characteristics i.e. the Flow Label field may be used to classify and forward the (packet) traffic on its respective network slice. In one embodiment, the base station <NUM> may select the AMF <NUM> based on at least one of the single NSSAI, QoS indicator and ARP. In another embodiment, the base station <NUM> may select a default AMF node/element. Subsequently, the base station <NUM> may transmit the PDU session establishment request along with the Flow Label field to the AMF <NUM> based on selection. At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> may perform selection of the SMF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> may transmit NF discovery request to the NRF <NUM>. The NF discovery request may comprise requesting information on at least one of SMF and SLF IP address, fully qualified domain name (FQDN), port number and uniform resource identifier (URI). At step <NUM>, in response to the request, the NRF <NUM> may transmit NF discovery response to the AMF <NUM>. The NF discovery response may comprise requested information on at least one of the SMF and SLF IP address, FQDN, port number and URI. At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> may transmit the PDU session establishment request to the SMF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the SMF <NUM> may select a specific SLF <NUM> based on the Flow Label field received in the PDU session establishment request. In one embodiment, the SLF <NUM> may be a part of the SMF <NUM>. In another embodiment, the SLF <NUM> may be a separate or independent network element and is communicably connected to the SMF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the UDM <NUM> may be authenticated and authorized prior to receiving a request from the SMF/SLF <NUM>. The UDM <NUM> may manage data for access authorization, user registration, and data network profiles. Subscriber data may be provided to the SMF <NUM>, which allocates IP addresses and manages user sessions on the telecommunication network. Depending on the construction of the telecommunication network, both UDM software and unified data repository (UDR) may send and store data. In a stateless network, user information may be stored in the UDR, but the UDM function may retrieve the data, send it to other network functions and manage it. The UDM <NUM> may do this with many UDRs. At step <NUM>, the SMF/SLF <NUM> may transmit a Nudm_SDM_Get request for requesting/retrieving information on user subscription (for services) to the UDM <NUM>. Nudm is related to the 3GPP telecommunication Architecture. It identifies a Service-based Interface for the Unified Data Management. The Nudm_SDM_Get service may use the Nudm_SDM application programming interface (API). The initial AMF may request UE's Slice Selection Subscription data from the UDM <NUM> by invoking the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation. Consumer NF gets the subscriber data indicated by the subscription data type input from the UDM <NUM>. The UDM <NUM> may check the requested consumer is authorized to get the specific subscription data requested. In case of NF consumer is SMF, the subscriber data may contain, for example, Allowed PDU Session Type(s), Allowed SSC mode(s), and default 5QI/ARP. At step <NUM>, in response to the Nudm_SDM_Get request, the UDM <NUM> may transmit a Nudm_SDM_Get response with requested/retrieved information on the user subscription (for services) to the SMF/SLF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the SMF/SLF <NUM> may select policy control function (PCF) based on the information on the user subscription (for services). In one embodiment, the SMF <NUM> may transmit the PDU session establishment request along with the Flow Label field to the SLF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the SLF <NUM> of the SMF/SLF <NUM> may transmit transport slice configuration to the DPAF <NUM>. The SLF <NUM> may communicate with the DPAF <NUM> in data plane. The DPAF <NUM> may be a part of provider edge (PE) or customer edge (CE). The transport slice configuration may comprise the single NSSAI of the PDU session establishment request. On receiving the transport slice configuration, the DPAF <NUM> may convert network slice information (i.e. the information contained in the at least one of SST and SD) of the single NSSAI of the PDU session establishment request into QoS transport characteristics such as data rate, jitter, priority and the like and subsequently, may compare the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI with QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI in the DPAF <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the DPAF <NUM> may transmit a PDU session establishment response to the SMF/SLF <NUM> for establishing data flow using the single NSSAI when the QoS transport characteristics of single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> matches with the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network. Alternatively, the DPAF <NUM> may transmit the PDU session establishment response to the SMF/SLF <NUM> for establishing data flow using new NSSAI when the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> do not match with the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network. The PDU session establishment response may, also, referred as transport slice configuration Ack response. In one embodiment, the new NSSAI has QoS transport characteristics similar to the single NSSAI. At step <NUM>, the SMF/SLF <NUM> may forward/transmit the PDU session establishment response to the AMF <NUM> at step <NUM>. At Step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> may transmit/forward the PDU session establishment response to the UE <NUM>. The steps <NUM> to <NUM> refer to traffic forwarding process in telecommunication networks.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart showing a method for UE-initiated network slice registration performed by a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes one or more steps for UE-initiated network slice registration. The method <NUM> may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, units, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

The order in which the method <NUM> is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally or alternatively, individual steps may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may transmit a registration request to the telecommunication network. The registration request may comprise at least one of DCNI and network slicing indication IE.

At step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may receive a registration accept response from the telecommunication network. The registration accept response may comprise NSSAI.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart showing a method for UE-initiated network slice registration performed by a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The order in which the method <NUM> is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, or alternatively, individual steps may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may receive a registration request from the UE <NUM> via the BS <NUM>. The registration request may comprise at least one of DCNI and network slicing indication IE.

At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit a slice discovery request to the NSSF <NUM> of the telecommunication network in response to the registration request from the UE <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may receive a slice discovery response from the NSSF <NUM>. The slice discovery response may comprise NSSAI.

At step <NUM>, the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit a registration accept response to the UE <NUM>. The registration accept response may comprise the NSSAI.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart showing a method for traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks performed by a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes one or more steps for traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks. The method <NUM> may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, units, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

The order in which the method <NUM> is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally or alternatively, individual steps may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may transmit a PDU session establishment request to the telecommunication network. The PDU session establishment request may comprise a single NSSAI, QoS indicator and ARP.

At step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may receive a PDU session establishment response from the telecommunication network for establishing data flow using the single NSSAI. This may happen when QoS transport characteristics associated with the single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> matches with one of QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network.

At step <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may receive a PDU session establishment response from the telecommunication network for establishing data flow using a new NSSAI. This may happen when the QoS transport characteristics associated with the single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> do not match with one of the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart showing a method for traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks performed by a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the BS <NUM> of the telecommunication network may receive a PDU session establishment request from the UE <NUM>. The PDU session establishment request may comprise a single NSSAI, QoS indicator and ARP.

At step <NUM>, the base station <NUM> of the telecommunication network may map the single NSSAI to a Flow Label field of IPv6 header based on QoS indicator and ARP.

At step <NUM>, the base station <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit the PDU session establishment request along with the Flow Label field to the specific SLF <NUM> using the SMF <NUM> via an AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network.

At step <NUM>, the SLF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit the single NSSAI of the PDU session establishment request to the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network.

At step <NUM>, the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may convert network slice information (i.e. the information contained in the at least one of SST and SD) of the single NSSAI of the PDU session establishment request into QoS transport characteristics.

At step <NUM>, the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may compare the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI with QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI in the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network.

At step <NUM>, the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit a PDU session establishment response via the SMF <NUM> and the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network for establishing data flow using the single NSSAI. This may happen when the QoS transport characteristics of single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> matches with the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network.

At step <NUM>, the DPAF <NUM> of the telecommunication network may transmit the PDU session establishment response via the SMF <NUM> and the AMF <NUM> of the telecommunication network for establishing data flow using new NSSAI. This may happen when the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> do not match with the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network.

<FIG> illustrates an example for an uplink data flow for traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks performed by a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an example for a downlink data flow for traffic forwarding in telecommunication networks performed by a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For explaining the example illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the telecommunication network may be a <NUM> network.

With reference to <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may transmit a UL PDU session establishment request to the RAN <NUM> (for each IP flow in a network slice). Here, the RAN may be a BS <NUM>. The UL PDU session establishment request may comprise at least one of a single NSSAI, 5QI or QFI and ARP <NUM>. The RAN <NUM> may map the single NSSAI to a Flow Label field <NUM> of IPv6 header based 5QI or QFI and ARP. The Flow Label field of IPv6 header is a <NUM> bits field that allows mapping up to <NUM><NUM> (i.e. <NUM>) network slices. The Flow Label field may allow mapping of packet flows to its network slice (i.e. slice ID) based on its QoS transport characteristics i.e. the Flow Label field may be used to classify and forward the (packet) traffic on its respective network slice. Based on the 5QI or QFI and ARP of the associated QoS Flow, the RAN <NUM> may mark the packet with the slice ID by encoding the Flow Label field <NUM> of the packet and forward the packet to the slice. The RAN <NUM> may transmit the UL PDU over GPRS tunnelling protocol (GTP) tunnel towards user plane function (UPF) <NUM>, <NUM>. The UPF <NUM>, <NUM> may further transmit the UL PDU to DPAF (not shown in <FIG>) via SMF/SLF (not shown in <FIG>). In this example, the DPAF may be present at a commercial servicer <NUM> i.e. Netflix server.

With reference to <FIG>, when a UL PDU is received from the UE <NUM>, a commercial server <NUM> i.e. Netflix server may transmit requested DL PDU to the RAN <NUM> using the Flow Label field of IPv6 header (i.e. slice ID) via the DPAF (not shown in <FIG>), SMF/SLF (not shown in <FIG>), UPF <NUM>, <NUM> over GTP tunnel. In detail, the DPAF may convert network slice information (i.e. the information contained in the at least one of SST and SD) of the single NSSAI of the UL PDU session establishment request into QoS transport characteristics such as data rate, jitter, priority and the like. At the DPAF, the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI may be compared with QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI in the DPAF. The DPAF may transmit a PDU session establishment response to the SMF/SLF for establishing data flow using the single NSSAI when the QoS transport characteristics of single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> matches with the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network. Alternatively, the DPAF may transmit the PDU session establishment response to the SMF/SLF for establishing data flow using new NSSAI when the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI sent by the UE <NUM> do not match with the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI of the telecommunication network. From the UE <NUM> side, in case of the mismatch or if the slice is not available at the present moment due to resource constraint, the UE <NUM> may select an alternate slice using an alternate NSSAI from its list of NSSAIs that is present with the UE <NUM> which may satisfy the QoS requirement of the user's service request. The UE <NUM> has the NSSAI information of all the slices available in the telecommunication network. The PDU session establishment response may, also, referred as transport slice configuration Ack response. In one embodiment, the new NSSAI has QoS transport characteristics similar to the single NSSAI. The SMF/SLF may forward/transmit the PDU session establishment response to the RAN <NUM> via UPF <NUM>, <NUM> over GTP tunnel. The RAN <NUM> may remove the Flow Label field of IPv6 header from the DL PDU and may transmit the DL PDU to the UE <NUM> using IP header.

Some of the advantages of the present disclosure are listed below.

The present disclosure does not require extra header, unlike packet marking techniques such as SRv6, encoding slice ID in the header field, VLAN, NSH and MPLS, consequently, resulting in lower traffic volume compared to the packet marking techniques.

Since the present disclosure does not require extra header, the method described in the present disclosure reduces packet processing delay leading to reduction in end-<NUM>-end latency.

The present disclosure overcomes forwarding compatibility issues that exist in packet marking techniques such as SRv6, MPLS, VLAN and NSH.

The present disclosure allows mapping of packet flows to its needed network slice based on its QoS transport characteristics by using <NUM> bits Flow Label field of IPv6 header, which allows <NUM><NUM> (i.e. <NUM>) network slices. This approach overcomes the limitation of DSCP field of <NUM> bits code point that allows only maximum <NUM><NUM> (i.e. <NUM>) different codes.

The described operations may be implemented as a method, system, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. The described operations may be implemented as code maintained in a "non-transitory computer readable medium", where a processor may read and execute the code from the computer readable medium. The processor is at least one of a microprocessor and a processor capable of processing and executing the queries. A non-transitory computer readable medium may include media such as magnetic storage medium (e.g., hard disk drives, floppy disks, tape, etc.), optical storage (CD-ROMs, DVDs, optical disks, etc.), volatile and non-volatile memory devices (e.g., EEPROMs, ROMs, PROMs, RAMs, DRAMs, SRAMs, Flash Memory, firmware, programmable logic, etc.), etc. Further, non-transitory computer-readable media include computer-readable media except for a transitory. The code implementing the described operations may further be implemented in hardware logic (e.g., an integrated circuit chip, Programmable Gate Array (PGA), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.).

The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present disclosure(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an", and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not the device or article cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not the device or article cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as with such functionality/features. Therefore, other embodiments of the present disclosure do not include the device itself.

The illustrated operations of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show certain events occurring in a certain order. In alternative embodiments, certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the above described logic and still conform to the described embodiments. Further, operations described herein may occur sequentially or certain operations may be processed in parallel. Yet further, operations may be performed by a single processing unit or by distributed processing units.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and the language may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. be limited not by this detailed description. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the present invention which is set forth in the following claims.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A method for traffic forwarding in communication networks, the method comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), by a base station (<NUM>) of a communication network, a PDU session establishment request from a user equipment, UE (<NUM>), wherein the PDU session establishment request comprises a single network slice selection assistance information, NSSAI, a quality of service, QoS, indicator and an allocation and retention priority, ARP;
mapping (<NUM>), by the base station (<NUM>), the single NSSAI to a flow label field of a header based on the QoS indicator and the ARP;
transmitting (<NUM>, <NUM>), by the base station (<NUM>), the PDU session establishment request along with the flow label field to a session management function, SMF, via an access and mobility function, AMF (<NUM>), of the communication network;
selecting (<NUM>), by the SMF, a specific slice link function, SLF (<NUM>), based on the flow label field received in the PDU session establishment request;
transmitting, by the SMF, the PDU session establishment request along with the flow label field to the specific SLF (<NUM>);
transmitting (<NUM>), by the specific SLF (<NUM>), the single NSSAI of the PDU session establishment request to a data plane application function, DPAF (<NUM>), of the communication network;
converting, by the DPAF (<NUM>), network slice information of the single NSSAI of the PDU session establishment request into QoS transport characteristics;
comparing, by the DPAF (<NUM>), the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI with QoS transport characteristics of NSSAIs in the DPAF (<NUM>) of the communication network;
transmitting (<NUM>), by the DPAF (<NUM>), a PDU session establishment response via the SMF (<NUM>) and the AMF (<NUM>) to the UE (<NUM>) for establishing data flow using the single NSSAI in response to the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI matching the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI in the DPAF (<NUM>) of the communication network; and
transmitting (<NUM>), by the DPAF (<NUM>), the PDU session establishment response via the SMF (<NUM>) and the AMF (<NUM>) to the UE (<NUM>) for establishing data flow using a new NSSAI in response that the QoS transport characteristics of the single NSSAI not matching the QoS transport characteristics of the NSSAI in the DPAF (<NUM>) of the communication network.