eMBMS Redirection from 5G NR to LTE Base Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly 5G/NR, lack mechanisms for transitioning between unicasting and broadcasting or multicasting of evolved multicast broadcast multimedia service (eMBMS) content, leading to inefficient use of radio resources due to the need for individual data streams to multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for redirecting or handing over user equipment (UE) from a 5G/NR base station to an LTE base station, allowing the broadcast multicast service center (BMSC) to transmit eMBMS content via the LTE base station, which supports broadcasting or multicasting, thereby conserving radio resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicasting is used to transmit eMBMS content to multiple users in 5G/NR, then each user receives individual data streams ensuring reliable delivery, but radio resources are inefficiently consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a redirection mechanism where the 5G/NR base station acts as an intermediary that redirects users to an LTE base station for eMBMS content reception. The 5G/NR base station receives the content and forwards it to LTE, which then broadcasts/multicasts to multiple users, resolving the contradiction between reliable delivery and resource efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between unicasting (in 5G/NR for initial content delivery) and broadcasting/multicasting (in LTE for content distribution to multiple users). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize resource usage based on the number of users and content delivery stage, reducing radio resource consumption while maintaining reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If 5G/NR base stations transmit eMBMS content to multiple users, then service coverage is provided, but the lack of broadcasting/multicasting mechanisms leads to inefficient resource usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the eMBMS service universally accessible across different radio access technologies (5G/NR and LTE). The system can deliver content through 5G/NR base stations and redistribute through LTE base stations, providing multi-functional capability that maintains service coverage while optimizing resource utilization through LTE's broadcasting/multicasting features
3Reliability
If individual data streams are transmitted to each user, then each user receives content reliably, but the need for multiple individual streams increases resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual data streams into a single broadcast/multicast stream by redirecting users to the LTE base station. Instead of transmitting separate copies of eMBMS content to each user through 5G/NR, the system combines content delivery into a unified LTE broadcast/multicast transmission, reducing the quantity of data transmitted while maintaining reliable reception for all users
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a broadcast multicast service center (BMSC) device may receive, from a user equipment (UE) and via a first base station associated with a first radio access technology (RAT), a request for evolved multicast broadcast multimedia service (eMBMS) content. The BMSC device may transmit, to an access and mobility management function (AMF) device, a redirection request or a handover request, associated with the UE, from the first base station to a second base station associated with a second RAT. The BMSC device may transmit, to the UE and based at least in part on the UE being redirected or handed over to the second base station, the eMBMS content via the second base station. Numerous other aspects are provided.