Mechanism to enable interworking between network slicing and evolved packet core connectivity
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a mechanism to enable interworking between fifth generation system (5GS) network slicing and evolved packet core (EPC) connectivity. In an example, techniques are provided for existing packet data unit (PDU) sessions that provide connectivity to a network slice from a set of network slices. Connectivity to the network slice is in response to a user equipment (UE), that uses network slices, moving between a 5G network and a 4G network. The existing PDU sessions are connected to a dedicated EPC core network that supports the same services provided by the network slice.
1 . A method of wireless communications, comprising:
enabling user equipment (UE) functionality to maintain a mapping between active packet data network (PDN) connections and corresponding single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) in response to a UE moving to an evolved packet core (EPC) or in response to new PDN connections being created while the UE is in the EPC;
providing information about the mapping to an access and mobility management function (AMF) during a registration procedure; and
receiving the corresponding S-NSSAI in a Protocol Configuration Option (PCO) field in response to the new PDN connection being created while the UE is in the EPC.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a PDN connection is the same or similar to a packet data unit (PDU) session.
3 . A wireless communication device, comprising:
memory storing instructions; and
a processor in communication with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:
enable user equipment (UE) functionality to maintain a mapping between active packet data network (PDN) connections and corresponding single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) in response to a UE moving to an evolved packet core (EPC) or in response to new PDN connections being created while the UE is in the EPC;
provide information about the mapping to an access and mobility management function (AMF) during a registration procedure; and
receive the corresponding S-NSSAI in a Protocol Configuration Option (PCO) field in response to the new PDN connection being created while the wireless communication device is in the EPC.
4 . The wireless communication device of claim 3 , wherein a PDN connection is the same or similar to a packet data unit (PDU) session.