MBMS Counting for Idle Terminals via Predetermined Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing MBMS counting procedure is not applicable to user terminals in an RRC idle state, which limits the network's ability to understand the demand status for MBMS services, as it only accounts for connected terminals.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a base station transmits an MBMS counting request using a predetermined signal that can be received by user terminals in an RRC idle state, allowing these terminals to respond with an MBMS counting response once they transition to an RRC connected state, thereby enabling demand status understanding for MBMS services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the existing MBMS counting procedure is used, then the network can understand the demand status for MBMS services from RRC connected terminals, but it cannot account for RRC idle terminals, resulting in incomplete demand status understanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the MBMS counting procedure to be universally applicable to both RRC connected terminals and RRC idle terminals. The base station transmits counting requests that can be received by terminals in either state, and the procedure accommodates different response mechanisms depending on the terminal state, thereby achieving multi-functionality and eliminating the limitation of the existing procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior in the terminal response mechanism. RRC connected terminals respond immediately with counting responses, while RRC idle terminals transition to connected state before responding. This dynamic adaptation allows the counting procedure to handle different terminal states effectively, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and procedure applicability.
2Loss of information
If the MBMS counting request is transmitted using a signal receivable by RRC idle terminals, then the network can obtain comprehensive demand status information, but the signaling load and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terminal population into two groups: RRC connected terminals and RRC idle terminals. Each group follows a different response path - connected terminals respond directly while idle terminals transition to connected state first. This segmentation allows the network to manage the complexity by handling different terminal types through standardized but distinct procedures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining information completeness.
Data Source
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AI summary
An MBMS control method comprises the steps of: transmitting, by a eNB 200 included in the network, an MBMS counting request for counting UE 100s that either receive or have an interest in receiving the MBMS service, by using a predetermined signal that can be received by a user terminal in an RRC idle state; receiving, by an MBMS-compliant UE 100 that supports MBMS reception, the MBMS counting request transmitted by using the predetermined signal, in the RRC idle state; and performing, by the MBMS-compliant UE 100, a predetermined operation for transmitting an MBMS counting response, on the basis of the received MBMS counting request.