Gateway Selective Multicast Packet Transfer for Mobile Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3GPP mobile communication systems cannot flexibly transfer multicast or broadcast packets to mobile terminals without requiring support for IGMP or MLD, leading to inefficiencies in home networks, where these packets are frequently transmitted, inhibiting the mobile terminal's ability to enter idle mode and reducing battery life.

Innovation Solution

A gateway device with a channel management unit, pass-through packet determination unit, and transfer policy control unit that selectively transfers multicast or broadcast packets based on signals from the mobile terminal, allowing for flexible policy changes to enable packet transfer without needing IGMP or MLD support in the mobile terminal or external network equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gateway transfers all multicast or broadcast packets to the mobile terminal, then the mobile terminal can receive all packets from the external network, but the mobile terminal cannot enter idle mode and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket reception completenessVSAvoidmobile terminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal sends a policy setting request in advance to the gateway, indicating its intention to receive multicast or broadcast packets. The gateway pre-configures the transfer policy based on this request, establishing the packet transfer mechanism before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action enables the terminal to receive necessary packets while allowing the system to optimize power management subsequently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway dynamically adjusts the packet transfer policy based on the mobile terminal's state and requirements. When the terminal is in active mode and has expressed interest in receiving multicast/broadcast packets, the gateway transfers these packets. When the terminal enters idle mode, the gateway stops transferring these packets, creating a dynamic adaptation that resolves the contradiction between complete packet reception and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the gateway requires IGMP or MLD support for multicast packet transfer, then packet transfer control is standardized, but device complexity increases and compatibility with home network appliances is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast packet transfer controlVSAvoidmobile terminal and network equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as an intermediary that implements the complex multicast packet transfer control logic on its side, rather than requiring the mobile terminal or external network equipment to support IGMP or MLD protocols. The gateway receives policy setting requests from the terminal and autonomously manages the multicast packet transfer, shielding the terminal from protocol complexity while maintaining reliable controlled transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from protocol-based control (requiring IGMP/MLD support in terminals) to policy-based control (gateway-managed transfer policies). This parameter change simplifies the terminal and external network equipment by removing the requirement for IGMP/MLD support, while the gateway maintains reliable multicast packet transfer control through its policy management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the gateway transfers multicast or broadcast packets continuously, then the mobile terminal receives all packets, but unnecessary packet transmission increases and battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket delivery assuranceVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous packet transfer, the system uses periodic policy setting requests from the mobile terminal to the gateway. The terminal periodically indicates its reception needs, and the gateway adjusts packet transfer accordingly. This periodic interaction allows the terminal to enter idle mode between periods when it needs packets, reducing unnecessary transmission and conserving battery life while maintaining reliable delivery when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9461848B2Gateway device, mobile communication system, mobile terminal, packet transfer control method, control method of mobile terminal, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 NEC CORP

AI summary

A pass-through packet determination unit (112) of an anchor GW 100A controls whether or not to transfer a Layer 3 packet arriving from an external network (20) to a downlink channel set up with a mobile terminal (700) based on a transfer policy. Further, a transfer policy control unit (111) changes the transfer policy to enable transfer of a multicast packet or a broadcast packet to the mobile terminal (700) by the downlink channel in response to receiving from the mobile terminal (700) a Layer 3 packet preliminarily specified as a trigger to start transfer of a multicast packet or a broadcast packet to the mobile terminal (700) by the downlink channel.