Core Network Multicast Area Indication for 5G Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face challenges in quickly deploying a multicast system across an entire 5G network, and application servers cannot determine the areas where the multicast system has been deployed, hindering efficient multicast service management.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a core network device receives information about a multicast area and sends indication information to the sender, indicating whether the network supports the multicast service in that area, allowing the sender to determine service availability and adjust communication methods accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operator deploys the multicast system across the entire 5G network, then the multicast service coverage is improved, but the deployment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple areas with different multicast support capabilities. The network is segmented into areas where multicast is supported and areas where it is not, allowing gradual deployment without requiring entire network coverage. This resolves the contradiction by enabling partial coverage deployment that reduces complexity while maintaining service availability where possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multicast service in a portion of areas rather than requiring complete network coverage. The sender can establish multicast sessions in areas where the network supports it, even if other areas don't support the service yet. This partial action approach allows service deployment to proceed without waiting for complete network readiness, reducing deployment complexity while improving coverage progressively.
2Loss of information
If the application server queries all network areas to determine multicast support, then the service availability information is improved, but the signaling overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by maintaining area information indicating whether each area supports multicast services before the sender needs to query. The core network device already has this information prepared and can provide it directly to the sender without requiring the sender to query each area individually. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming queries while ensuring accurate service availability information is provided.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a core network device as an intermediary between the sender and the network area information. Instead of the sender directly querying network areas, the core network device acts as a mediator that consolidates area support information and provides it to the sender in a single operation. This intermediary approach reduces signaling overhead and query time while maintaining complete service availability information.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a communications method, apparatus, and system. Specifically, after receiving information about a multicast area from a sender of a multicast service, a first core network device in a first network obtains, based on the information, indication information indicates that the first network cannot support the multicast service in the multicast area, or indicates that the first network supports the multicast service in a portion of areas of the multicast area; and sends the indication information to the sender. In this way, the sender of the multicast service can determine whether the first network supports the multicast service in the multicast area.