MBMS Bearer Handling for Group Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current group communications systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization due to the need for robust modulation and coding of both floor control and media signals in MBMS, leading to excessive battery consumption and suboptimal use of network resources, as they are transmitted together on the same bearers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing separate MBMS bearers for floor control and media transmission, allowing for independent modulation and coding schemes that optimize Quality of Service (QoS) for each, enabling efficient resource use and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If floor control signaling and media are transmitted together on the same MBMS bearer, then the system structure is simple, but the QoS requirements force robust encoding that reduces resource efficiency and increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MBMS transmission by creating separate bearers for floor control signaling and media transmission. This allows each bearer to be optimized independently for its specific QoS requirements, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different encoding robustness levels to different parts of the transmission system. The floor control bearer uses robust encoding to ensure reliable delivery, while the media bearer uses less robust encoding to improve resource efficiency, allowing each component to have the quality appropriate for its function.
2Reliability
If robust modulation and coding is used for floor control signaling, then reliability of control messages is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates due to excessive redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
By separating floor control signaling into its own dedicated MBMS bearer, the patent allows the use of robust modulation and coding only where necessary for control messages, rather than applying it to all transmissions. This segment-specific approach maintains reliability for control while improving overall resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels locally: the floor control bearer receives robust encoding treatment to ensure reliability, while the media bearer uses standard encoding. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying redundancy only where it is truly needed.
3Reliability
If clients listen to multiple MBMS bearers to capture media from all groups, then complete media reception is ensured, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information flow by placing floor control signaling on a separate bearer from media. This allows clients to efficiently manage their listening behavior by monitoring the control bearer for group membership changes and floor control messages, while selectively receiving media only from relevant groups, thereby reducing battery consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, by a control node, for MBMS bearer handling comprises activating and announcing a first MBMS bearer for supporting floor control in a group call to client nodes of the group call. The method additionally includes activating and announcing at least one second MBMS bearer for supporting media transmission in the group call. The floor control and the media transmission are supported on separate MBMS bearers for the group call. A method, by a client node for MBMS bearer handling comprises obtaining a broadcast service announcement of a first MBMS bearer for supporting floor control in a group call from a control node of the group call. The method additionally includes obtaining a broadcast service announcement of at least one second MBMS bearer for supporting media transmission in the group call from the control node. The floor control and the media transmission are supported on separate MBMS bearers for the group call.