LTE User Equipment Frequency Switching for eMBMS Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE technology faces challenges in efficiently discovering and switching between Multicast Broadcast Multimedia Service (eMBMS) services across different frequencies, particularly in single or dual band Long Term Evolution (LTE) environments, which affects user equipment's ability to seamlessly access and manage eMBMS services.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced for user equipment (UE) to switch between frequencies to discover eMBMS services by monitoring paging occasions and acquiring system information blocks (SIB13) on one frequency while potentially switching to another frequency to acquire multicast/broadcast control channels (MCCHs), allowing for efficient tracking and switching between eMBMS services on multiple frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment switches between frequencies to discover eMBMS services, then service discovery capability is improved, but complexity of frequency management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice discovery capabilityVSAvoidfrequency management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring paging occasions and acquiring system information blocks (SIB13) before actually switching frequencies. This advance preparation includes identifying available eMBMS services and their frequencies, so when a service is desired, the UE is already prepared to switch efficiently without complex real-time decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through the use of paging occasions and system information blocks as intermediaries between the UE and eMBMS services. These intermediaries carry service availability information and frequency details, simplifying the frequency switching process by providing structured information rather than requiring direct complex frequency management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment monitors paging occasions and acquires system information on multiple frequencies, then eMBMS service availability is improved, but time consumption for service switching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveeMBMS service availabilityVSAvoidservice switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by monitoring paging occasions at regular intervals and acquiring system information blocks periodically. This periodic monitoring allows the UE to stay updated about eMBMS service availability without continuous active scanning, balancing service availability with time efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs preliminary acquisition of SIB13 and paging information before service switching is needed. This advance information gathering includes identifying frequency locations and service details, so when switching is required, the time penalty is minimized because the information is already cached and processed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If user equipment switches frequencies to acquire multicast/broadcast control channels, then service access capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice access capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by switching to other frequencies only at designated paging occasions rather than continuously monitoring or switching. This periodic approach allows the UE to maintain low power consumption by staying on the current frequency for extended periods, activating frequency switching only when necessary for service discovery or updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential frequency switching operations needed for service access, separating the critical frequency switching moments from continuous operation. By extracting and performing switching only at necessary paging occasions, the system minimizes power consumption while maintaining service access capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2772112B1Discovering an evolved multicast broadcast multimedia service in single or dual band LTE
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2772112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2772112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2772112B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus monitors a page during a current paging cycle on a first frequency. In addition, the apparatus switches to a second frequency after the current paging cycle to receive multicast/broadcast information on the second frequency. Furthermore, the apparatus attempts to receive the multicast/broadcast information on the second frequency before a predetermined time.