Architecting RAN Slicing for URLLC: Design Decisions and Open Issues

The Fifth Generation of mobile networks is emerg-ing as a key enabler for Ultra Reliable and Low LatencyCommunications. However, to effectively design and providesafety-critical applications through mobile systems, many re-search issues still need to be deeply investigated. The mostimportant ones include: (1) the dynamic and flexible managementof radio resources of a new Radio Access Network jointly usedby many virtual mobile operators, (2) the optimized and real-time configuration of network slices, and (3) the harmoniousintegration of Multi-access Edge Computing services. Startingfrom the efficient methodologies and solutions available in thecurrent state of the art, this position paper sheds some importantbasis for the design of a comprehensive architecture enablingRadio Access Network slicing for Ultra Reliable and Low LatencyCommunications, including design criteria, system componentsand their baseline interactions, and critical open issues to beinvestigated in future research initiatives