Network Slicing

Requirements from the Network Operation Point of View :

3GPP Basic Capability Requirements
1. Network Slicing
• Network slicing divides a single physical network into
multiple virtual slices, each optimized for a specific
service.
• Provide the functionality of a complete network, including
RAN and core network functions.
• Enables operators to customize their network for different
applications and customers.
• Slices can differ in
– Services (e.g., priority, policy control, and security),
– Performance (e.g., latency, availability, reliability, and
data rates)
– The types and detail of assurance data, and in the type
of failure diagnosis offered.
• Can serve only specific users (e.g., public safety users,
corporate customers, or industrial users).
Efficiency of N/w Slicing
i. Resource Efficiency :
• Instead of wasting resources on uniform provisioning,
each slice gets tailored resource allocation:
– eMBB slice → high bandwidth
– URLLC slice → ultra-low latency
– mMTC slice → massive device connec vity
• This avoids over-provisioning and improves overall
utilization.
• Example:
Stationary IoT sensors can be placed in an mMTC slice
with minimal mobility signaling, saving resources.
ii. Efficient User Plane
• Each slice can have its own user plane function (UPF)
placement.
• For latency-sensitive slices (like URLLC), UPFs are
deployed at the edge (MEC).
• For less sensitive services, UPFs remain in centralized
cloud.
Benefit:
• Reduced latency (edge UPF for URLLC)
• Optimized routing paths per slice
• Better handling of high data traffic (eMBB) via caching
iii. Efficient Content Delivery :
• Content delivery strategies differ per slice:
– eMBB slice: uses edge caching for video streaming and VR
– URLLC slice: prioritizes fast delivery of small packets with
minimal signaling
• Benefits:
• Slicing ensures that heavy traffic (video) does not affect
latency-critical services.
• No congestion spillover between services Improved QoS per
application
iv. Energy Efficiency
• Low-power devices (IoT) are grouped into mMTC
slices:
– Reduced signaling overhead
– Extended sleep cycles
– Lightweight protocols
• High-performance slices (eMBB) use more power but
only where needed.
• Benefits:
• Battery life improvement for IoT devices
• Efficient power usage across network
2. Diverse Mobility Management
• Different devices and services in 5G have very different
movement patterns, so mobility handling cannot be
uniform:
– High-speed users (cars, trains)
– Pedestrians (moderate mobility)
– Stationary or low-mobility devices (IoT sensors)
• 5G adapts mobility procedures based on service needs, not just
connectivity.
• Role of Network Slicing
• Network slicing enables separate mobility strategies per slice,
instead of one common approach.
• Each slice is optimized for: Latency , Reliability , Mobility pattern
and Signaling overhead
Continued…
• Relationship between the mobile station and the RAN , used
to set up, maintain, and release the various physical channels.
• Devices may be:
– Stationary during their entire usable life (e.g., sensors
embedded in infrastructure)
– Stationary during active periods but nomadic between
activations (e.g., fixed access, Nomadic : A user or device
moves occasionally between locations, but is not
continuously moving)
– Mobile within a constrained and well-defined space (e.g.,
in a factory)
– Fully mobile
Mobility in :
• eMBB Slice : high (smartphones, video streaming )
• Features:
– Frequent handover (HO) support
– Seamless mobility across cells
– High data continuity
• URLLC Slice : critical + time-sensitive ( autonomous vehicles,
remote surgery )
• Features:
– Ultra-fast handovers
– Make-before-break connections
– Edge-based mobility anchoring
• mMTC Slice : low or stationary (IoT sensors )
• Features:
– Minimal or no handovers
– Reduced mobility signaling
– Long idle/sleep modes
3. Priority, QoS, and Policy Control
• 5G supports multiple services (commercial + critical like public
safety)
Policy: A set of rules defined by the network that determines
what services a user gets, including priority and QoS levels.
Policy Control: The mechanism that allocates and manages
network resources to enforce these policies for each user.
Priority: Indicates the importance of packets during
transmission. Higher priority → transmitted first when
resources are limited.
Quality of Service (QoS): Defines the performance requirements
of a service, such as: Throughput (data rate) , Latency (delay) ,
Packet loss , Jitter , Reliability and security
• Priority is part of QoS but is often treated separately because:
Two services can have the same QoS requirements , but
different priority levels
• Policy control in 5G dynamically manages QoS and priority to
ensure efficient and differentiated service delivery based on
application requirements.
4. Connectivity Models
• 5G networks support both direct and indirect
connectivity models for user equipment (UE).
Three connection models:
1. Direct 3GPP connection: Device communicates with an
application server or with another device through a 5G
network. Ex: a surveillance camera with 5G n/w
2. Indirect 3GPP connection : device communicates
through a smartphone to the 5G network. Ex: fitness
tracker that communicates with the user’s smartphone
via Bluetooth and through the phone to the 5G network.
3. Direct device connection: device that communicates
directly with other devices. Ex: the connection between
the fitness tracker and the smartphone.
5. Network Capability Exposure and Context Awareness
• Capability Exposure: 5G provides APIs that allow third parties
(applications, service providers) to access network capabilities
such as connectivity, QoS, and mobility.
• Enables third parties to: Customize network behavior for
specific use cases , Create and manage dedicated network
slices and Control services in a service-hosting (edge/cloud)
environment
• Two-Way Interaction : Not only does the network share
information, but applications also provide context to the
network.
• Examples of context information: Traffic patterns (expected
data usage over time) , Device mobility and speed , Battery
status
• Benefits : Optimized resource allocation , Improved radio
resource management , Better QoS and performance
6. Flexible Broadcast/Multicast Service
• 5G enables dynamic and flexible resource allocation for
multicast/broadcast:
– Resources are assigned based on demand (number of users)
– Can switch between unicast multicast broadcast
– Supports different QoS per service/slice
• Benefits: Efficient bandwidth usage (same data sent once
to many users), Reduced network congestion and
Supports scalable content delivery
Network Slicing
• eMBB slice: high-quality video broadcast
• URLLC slice: reliable group communication (e.g.,
emergency alerts)
• mMTC slice: multicast for IoT devices
Core Network Functional Architecture
Tunneling
Tunneling : Is a process where an entire IP packet is
encapsulated inside another IP packet to transmit it through
the network.
Working: When a UE sends data to the Internet:
• UE → gNB (RAN):
UE creates an IP packet with: Source IP = UE , Destination IP =
Internet server
• gNB → Core Network (UPF):
– gNB cannot directly send to the Internet
– It wraps (encapsulates) the UE’s IP packet inside a new IP
packet
– New header: Source IP = gNB , Destination IP = UPF
• UPF → Internet:
– UPF removes the outer header (decapsulation)
– Sends original packet to the destination
• Original UE packet = payload
• New packet = outer tunnel packet
• Path between gNB and UPF = CN (Core Network) Tunnel
Activity :
1. A UE sends 1200 bytes of application data. In 5G
tunneling using GTP-U, the headers added are: IP
header = 20 bytes ,UDP header = 8 bytes , GTP
header = 8 bytes . Find: Total packet size and
Overhead percentage
2. A link has bandwidth = 100 Mbps. Each packet
carries: Payload = 1000 bytes and Tunneling
overhead = 40 bytes. Find effective data rate (useful
throughput)
3. A User Plane Function handles 500 users. Each user
sends: 2 Mbps data and Tunneling overhead = 5%
Find total load on UPF
PDU Session Establishment Message
Flow