Frequency or radio access technology (rat) selection based on slice availability

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to frequency or RAT selection based on slice availability. In one aspect, a core network function is provided for determining information for RAT and/or frequency selection based on knowledge of network slices and providing that information to a RAN node, which may provide that information to a UE. The information may be a RFSP index or other index parameter, which may be set based on subscription related information or other information. Slice knowledge may include knowledge of availability of network slices at the network, active slices for the UE, slices to which the UE is registered or connected, and/or slices to which the UE is allowed access. In another aspect, a RAN node performs mapping to mobility policies for UE active or idle mobility based on the determined information along with slice or subscription information provided by a CN node.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Radio Access Network, RAN, node configured to communicate with a User Equipment, UE, the RAN node comprising:
 a radio interface; and   processing circuitry configured to:
 receive information for Radio Access Technology, RAT, and/or frequency selection; 
 use the received information to determine UE-specific cell reselection 
   priorities to control idle mode camping and/or active mode mobility; and 
 provide the UE-specific cell reselection priorities to the UE; 
 
wherein at least one of:
 the received information for the RAT and/or frequency selection was determined based on knowledge of network slices; or 
 the received information for the RAT and/or frequency selection further comprises the knowledge of network slices. 
 
     
     
         2 . The RAN node of  claim 1 , wherein the knowledge of network slices comprises knowledge of:
 availability of network slices at a network;   active slices for the UE;   slices to which the UE is registered or connected; and/or   slices to which the UE is allowed access based on subscription information.   
     
     
         3 . The RAN node of  claim 1 , wherein the information for the RAT and/or frequency selection comprises an index parameter. 
     
     
         4 . The RAN node of  claim 3  wherein the index parameter comprises a RAT and/or Frequency Selection Priority, RFSP, index. 
     
     
         5 . The RAN node of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to receive the knowledge of network slices from the UE, the RAN node, or another node. 
     
     
         6 . The RAN node of  claim 1 , wherein the information for the RAT and/or frequency selection comprises information used to control a frequency on which the UE camps. 
     
     
         7 . The RAN node of  claim 1 , wherein the information for the RAT and/or frequency selection comprises information used to configure frequency priorities for idle mode reselection. 
     
     
         8 . The RAN node of  claim 1 , wherein the RAN node comprises an enhanced or evolved Node B, eNB, or a New Radio Base Station, gNB. 
     
     
         9 . A method implemented in a Radio Access Network, RAN, node, the method comprising:
 receiving information for Radio Access Technology, RAT, and/or frequency selection;   using the received information to determine User Equipment, UE,-specific cell reselection priorities to control idle mode camping and/or active mode mobility; and   providing the UE-specific cell reselection priorities to a UE; 
 wherein at least one of:
 the received information for the RAT and/or frequency selection was determined based on knowledge of network slices; or 
 the received information for the RAT and/or frequency selection further comprises the knowledge of network slices. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the knowledge of network slices comprises knowledge of:
 availability of network slices at a network;   active slices for the UE;   slices to which the UE is registered or connected; and/or   slices to which the UE is allowed access based on subscription information.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the information for the RAT and/or frequency selection comprises an index parameter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the index parameter comprises a RAT and/or Frequency Selection Priority, RFSP, index. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the information for the RAT and/or frequency selection comprises information used to control a frequency on which the UE camps. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the information for the RAT and/or frequency selection comprises information used to configure frequency priorities for idle mode reselection.