Continued service for user equipment (UEs) receiving multicast while Radio Resource Control (RRC) is inactive.

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for continuing multicast service to a mobile Radio Resource Control (RRC) user equipment (UE) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the UE receives multicast service from a first network node in a first cell while operating in an RRC inactive or RRC idle state within the first cell. The UE further receives indications of Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) counter synchronization across multiple network nodes for multicast service, the multiple nodes including the first network node. The UE further selects a second cell to camp. The UE further continues to receive multicast service in the second cell from a second network node in the second cell, the multiple nodes including the second network node, based on the continuation of PDCP variables, the continuation of PDCP variables responding to indications of PDCP counter synchronization.

Claims

1. At least one processor, When executed by the aforementioned at least one processor, Receiving multicast services from the first network node of the first cell while operating in a state where Radio Resource Control (RRC) is inactive or RRC idle, Receiving an indication of packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) counter synchronization across multiple network nodes for the multicast service, wherein the multiple network nodes include the first network node, Selecting a second cell for camping, Based on the continuation of the PDCP variable, the multicast service continues to be received in the second cell from the second network node of the second cell, wherein the plurality of network nodes include the second network node, and the continuation of the PDCP variable is in response to the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization, and continues to be received. at least one memory that stores instructions to cause the user's equipment to do at least one thing A user-controlled device equipped with the following features.

2. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, In response to the indication for PDCP counter synchronization, refrain from performing at least one of the following in relation to the multicast service: re-establishing the PDCP or initializing the PDCP state variables in the second cell. The user equipment device according to claim 1, wherein the user equipment device is at least caused to continue receiving the multicast service in the second cell.

3. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, In response to the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization, the continuation of the PDCP variable is determined. The user equipment device is further made to do at least the following: The user device according to claim 1, wherein when the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the user device at least causes the user device to continue receiving the multicast service by applying the continuation of the determined PDCP variable to receive packets associated with the multicast service in the second cell.

4. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, To receive indications of logical channel identifier (LCID) mappings between at least the first network node and the second network node for the multicast service. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the user device is at least made to receive the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

5. The indication of the LCID mapping indicates that the first LCID value associated with the first network node is mapped to the second LCID value associated with the second network node. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, Receiving the multicast service via the logical channel identified by the second LCID value. The user equipment device according to claim 4, wherein the user equipment device is at least caused to continue receiving the multicast service in the second cell.

6. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, In response to receiving the LCID mapping, the PDCP counter of the first cell is applied in the second cell to receive the multicast service. The user equipment device according to claim 4, wherein the user equipment device is at least caused to continue receiving the multicast service in the second cell.

7. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, Prior to making the above selection, receive the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization from the first network node. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the user device is at least made to receive the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

8. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, After making the above selection, receiving the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization from the second network node. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the user device is at least made to receive the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

9. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, In the RRC release message, the indication for PDCP counter synchronization is received. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the user device is at least made to receive the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

10. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, Receiving the indication for PDCP counter synchronization in a multicast control channel (MCCH) configuration. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the user device is at least made to receive the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

11. A method performed by user equipment, Receiving multicast services from the first network node of the first cell while operating in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state within the first cell, Receiving an indication of packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) counter synchronization across multiple network nodes for the multicast service, wherein the multiple network nodes include the first network node, Selecting a second cell for camping, Based on the continuation of the PDCP variable, the multicast service continues to be received in the second cell from the second network node of the second cell, wherein the plurality of network nodes include the second network node, and the continuation of the PDCP variable is in response to the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization, and continues to be received. Methods that include...

12. In the second cell, the continued reception of the multicast service means that In response to the indication for PDCP counter synchronization, refrain from performing at least one of the following in relation to the multicast service: re-establishing the PDCP or initializing the PDCP state variables in the second cell. The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

13. In response to the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization, the second cell decides to continue the PDCP variable, By applying the determined PDCP variable continuation, the second cell continues to receive the multicast service by receiving packets associated with the multicast service. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

14. Receiving the indication for the PDCP counter synchronization means that To receive indications of logical channel identifier (LCID) mappings between at least the first network node and the second network node for the multicast service. The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

15. The indication of the LCID mapping indicates that the first LCID value associated with the first network node is mapped to the second LCID value associated with the second network node. In the second cell, the continued reception of the multicast service means that Receiving the multicast service via the logical channel identified by the second LCID value. The method according to claim 14, including the method described in claim 14.

16. In the second cell, the continued reception of the multicast service means that In response to receiving the LCID mapping, the PDCP counter of the first cell is applied in the second cell to receive the multicast service. The method according to claim 14, including the method described in claim 14.

17. Receiving the indication for the PDCP counter synchronization means that Prior to making the above selection, receive the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization from the first network node. The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

18. Receiving the indication for the PDCP counter synchronization means that After making the above selection, receiving the indication of the PDCP counter synchronization from the second network node. The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

19. Receiving the indication for the PDCP counter synchronization means that In the RRC release message, the indication for PDCP counter synchronization is received. The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

20. Receiving the indication for the PDCP counter synchronization means that Receiving the indication for PDCP counter synchronization in a multicast control channel (MCCH) configuration. The method according to claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

21. Network node, At least one processor, When executed by the aforementioned at least one processor, To determine that packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) counter synchronization across multiple network nodes is applied to a multicast service, wherein the multiple network nodes include the network node; In response to the aforementioned decision, an indication of the PDCP counter synchronization across the multiple network nodes for the multicast service is sent to the user equipment (UE). at least one memory that stores instructions to cause the network node to do at least A network node equipped with these features.

22. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, To transmit an indication of a logical channel identifier (LCID) mapping between the network node and at least one other network node among the plurality of network nodes for the multicast service. The network node according to claim 21, wherein the network node is at least caused to transmit the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

23. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, To determine the LCID mapping between the network node and the other network node for the multicast service. The network node according to claim 21, wherein the network node is further made to do at least the above.

24. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, Sending the indication for PDCP counter synchronization to the UE in at least one of a multicast control channel (MCCH) configuration or a radio resource control (RRC) release message. The network node according to claim 21, wherein the network node is at least caused to transmit the indication for PDCP counter synchronization.

25. When the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, To exchange logical channel identifier (LCID) information associated with the multicast service with another network node among the multiple network nodes. The network node according to claim 21, wherein the network node is further made to do at least the above.

26. The network node according to claim 25, wherein the LCID information includes indications of one or more Quality of Service Flow Identifiers (QFIs) mapped to individual LCIDs associated with the multicast service.

27. A method performed by network nodes, To determine that packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) counter synchronization across multiple network nodes is applied to a multicast service, wherein the multiple network nodes include the network node; In response to the aforementioned decision, an indication of the PDCP counter synchronization across the multiple network nodes for the multicast service is sent to the user equipment (UE). Methods that include...

28. The transmission of the indication for PDCP counter synchronization is To transmit an indication of a logical channel identifier (LCID) mapping between the network node and at least one other network node among the plurality of network nodes for the multicast service. The method according to claim 27, including the method described in claim 27.

29. To determine the LCID mapping between the network node and the other network node for the multicast service. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

30. The transmission of the indication for PDCP counter synchronization is Sending the indication for PDCP counter synchronization to the UE in at least one of a multicast control channel (MCCH) configuration or a radio resource control (RRC) release message. The method according to claim 27, including the method described in claim 27.

31. To exchange logical channel identifier (LCID) information associated with the multicast service with another network node among the multiple network nodes. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the LCID information includes an indication of one or more Quality of Service Flow Identifiers (QFIs) mapped to individual LCIDs associated with the multicast service.

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