eMBS Service Change Muting Prevention via MCCH Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, the synchronization of multimedia broadcast and multicast services (MBMS) during service changes leads to muting of ongoing services, causing unsatisfactory user experiences due to interruptions in MBMS transmissions when starting or stopping new services.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that send specific control packet data units (PDUs) to base stations during multicast scheduling periods to prevent muting by indicating service start or stop times and using MCCH update periods to synchronize MBMS control channel updates, ensuring timely receipt of synchronization packets to avoid service interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If service changes (starting or stopping new services) are performed during MBMS transmissions, then service flexibility and adaptability are improved, but muting of ongoing services occurs causing service interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by sending control PDUs in advance during the MCCH modification period before the actual service change occurs. This allows the base station to be notified of upcoming service start/stop times and prepare accordingly, preventing muting of ongoing services while enabling service flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If synchronization packets are sent during MCCH modification periods, then service synchronization is improved, but timing coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidtiming coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses control PDUs as an intermediary mechanism to convey service start/stop time information from the network to the base station. This intermediary allows precise synchronization to be achieved through structured information exchange during MCCH modification periods, managing timing coordination complexity through standardized signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9673990B2Method for eliminating muting during evolved multicast broadcast service (eMBS) service change
Publication Date: 2017.06.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • US9673990B2 patent drawing
  • US9673990B2 patent drawing
  • US9673990B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and system for preventing muting of ongoing services when a new multicast traffic channel, MTCH, is to be started or stopped are disclosed. According to one aspect, embodiments provide a method that includes sending an indication of service start to trigger sending of a multicast control channel, MCCH, update during a first MCCH modification period to inform the base station of the new MTCH to be started during a second MCCH modification period at a time determined at the base station. The method further includes sending control packet data units, PDUs, during an MCCH modification period preceding the second MCCH modification period, the PDUs arranged to avoid muting of the ongoing services.