Carrier Aggregation Configuration for eMBMS Multicast Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently configuring carrier aggregation (CA) for multicast data in enhanced multimedia broadcast multicast services (eMBMS) with carrier aggregation techniques, particularly in determining optimal CA configurations for dedicated and mixed mode types.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a CA configuration for a wireless device to receive multicast data on multiple carriers of dedicated or mixed mode types, based on pre-defined rules, device capabilities, and pre-defined sets of acceptable configurations. This includes sending device capabilities to network nodes, determining interest in specific carriers, and configuring acceptable CA configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier aggregation configuration is optimized for multicast data reception, then network performance and multicast service delivery are improved, but device complexity and configuration management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidconfiguration management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node provides pre-defined sets of acceptable CA configurations to the wireless device before actual multicast data reception. This allows the device to quickly select from pre-evaluated configurations rather than determining optimal configurations in real-time, reducing configuration management complexity while maintaining network performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network node communicates capability information and pre-defined configuration sets to the wireless device. This intermediary communication layer automates the configuration selection process, resolving the contradiction by allowing optimized configurations to be pushed down from the network rather than requiring complex device-side optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the network becomes aware of UE multicast reception status and capability, then multicast service delivery is optimized, but signaling overhead and network complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulticast service deliveryVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential capability information needed for multicast optimization from the UE and communicates it to the network node. By taking out only the relevant capability parameters rather than complete device state information, the solution optimizes multicast service delivery while minimizing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution changes the parameter representation by using capability indicators and pre-defined configuration sets rather than continuous parameter negotiation. This discrete parameter approach reduces signaling overhead while still enabling the network to optimize multicast service delivery based on UE capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple CA configurations are supported for different multicast scenarios, then service versatility is improved, but device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidconfiguration management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple CA configurations for different multicast scenarios are pre-defined and provided by the network node before service deployment. The wireless device simply selects from these pre-configured options based on its capabilities and the specific multicast service requirements, achieving service versatility without requiring the device to manage complex configuration details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal configuration framework where a single mechanism (selection from pre-defined sets) serves multiple multicast scenarios. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration management process to handle diverse multicast services, improving versatility while keeping device complexity manageable.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3580972B1Controlling user equipment carrier aggregation configuration with enhanced multimedia broadcast multicast services
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3580972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3580972B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3580972B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided is a method operating a wireless device in a wireless communication network. The method includes determining a carrier aggregation (CA) configuration for the wireless device to receive eMBMS data on multiple carriers of a dedicated mode type and/or a mixed mode type. The CA configuration is determined based at least partially on at least one of a pre- defined rule that delimits one or more acceptable characteristics for at least a portion of the multiple carriers, a capability of the wireless device that relates to receiving and decoding eMBMS data on multiple carriers, and a pre-defined set of acceptable CA configurations. The method includes configuring the determined CA configuration in the wireless device and performing one or more operational tasks under the configured CA configuration.