Broadcast Session Channel Sharing Across PLMNs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a RAN sharing scenario where multiple PLMNs set up sessions for a same broadcast service, existing technologies inefficiently manage network resources, leading to redundant channel setups and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

A communication method where a network device determines that multiple sessions belong to the same broadcast service and sends indication information to avoid setting up redundant transmission channels, such as F1-U and NG-U tunnels, thereby optimizing resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple PLMNs set up separate transmission channels for the same broadcast service, then each PLMN can independently manage its broadcast sessions, but network resources are wasted due to redundant channel setups

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent broadcast session managementVSAvoidnetwork resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transmission channels for the same broadcast service across multiple PLMNs. When a network device determines that broadcast sessions from different PLMNs belong to the same service, it indicates that other network devices do not need to set up separate transmission channels, thereby combining channel resources and eliminating redundancy while maintaining independent session management capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single transmission channel to serve multiple PLMNs for the same broadcast service. The indication information mechanism allows a channel setup by one PLMN to be universally utilized by other PLMNs, making the channel multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate channels for each PLMN

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate transmission channels are set up for each PLMN's broadcast session, then network management flexibility is maintained, but device complexity increases due to multiple channel management overheads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management flexibilityVSAvoidchannel management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces device complexity by merging channel management operations. Instead of independently managing separate channels for each PLMN, the network devices use indication information to share channel resources, thereby simplifying the number of channels that need to be tracked and managed while preserving adaptability through the session determination mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If redundant transmission channels are set up for the same broadcast service, then service availability is ensured, but network resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transmission channels for the same broadcast service across multiple PLMNs. By determining whether broadcast sessions belong to the same service and indicating shared channel usage, the system eliminates redundant channel setups while ensuring service availability through the existing channel, thereby improving network resource utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4686232A1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4686232A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP4686232A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4A
  • EP4686232A1 patent drawingFigure 4B

AI summary

A communication method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: A first network device receives a request message, where the request message is used to request to create a first broadcast session for a first PLMN, and the first broadcast session is a session of a first broadcast service. If the first network device determines, based on the request message, that the first broadcast session and a second broadcast session belong to sessions of the first broadcast service, and the second broadcast session is a session created for a second PLMN, the first network device sends first indication information to a second network device, where the first indication information indicates not to set up a first transmission channel for the first broadcast session, and the first transmission channel is a channel for transmitting the first broadcast service. According to the foregoing method, when determining that the first broadcast session and the second broadcast session belong to the sessions of the first broadcast service, the first network device may indicate that the second network device does not need to set up the channel used to transmit the first broadcast service, so that network resources can be saved, and network resource utilization efficiency can be improved.