MBMS Counting via MCCH Notification for Accurate UE Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) counting, existing technologies limit MBMS counting requests to UEs receiving the Multicast Control Channel (MCCH), preventing non-receiving UEs from responding, which can lead to incorrect service initiation decisions and potential service impediments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that transmit an MCCH change notification over a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) scrambled by an MBMS-specific Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) or in a system message, allowing all UEs to receive the notification and respond to MBMS counting requests, even if they are not currently receiving the MBMS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MBMS counting requests are transmitted only over MCCH to UEs receiving MBMS, then the counting procedure is simple and resource-efficient, but non-receiving UEs cannot respond leading to inaccurate service initiation decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses MCCH change notification as an intermediary mechanism to reach non-receiving UEs. Instead of directly transmitting counting requests to all UEs (which would be complex), the system uses the existing MCCH change notification infrastructure as a mediator to alert potential recipients, including those not currently receiving MBMS, about upcoming counting requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by sending MCCH change notifications before the actual MBMS counting requests. This allows UEs to be pre-alerted and prepared to receive and respond to counting requests, ensuring that potential recipients including non-receiving UEs are aware of the upcoming counting procedure and can respond appropriately.
2Quantity of substance
If MBMS counting requests are sent only to UEs currently receiving MBMS, then the procedure uses fewer resources, but potential recipients who are not receiving MBMS are excluded from the counting process
Solution Approach 1:
The MCCH change notification serves as an efficient intermediary that can reach multiple UEs including non-receiving ones without requiring the full resource allocation of direct counting request transmission to all potential recipients. This mediator approach increases the number of responding UEs while controlling energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using MCCH change notifications (a lighter signaling mechanism) to alert UEs about upcoming counting requests, rather than directly transmitting full counting requests to all potential recipients. This partial approach ensures broader UE participation while avoiding the excessive resource consumption of comprehensive direct notification.
3Ease of operation
If the network only monitors UEs receiving MBMS for counting responses, then the monitoring process is simpler, but service initiation decisions may be incorrect due to missing responses from non-receiving UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs are notified of upcoming counting requests via MCCH change notifications and are expected to respond. This creates a feedback loop that ensures the network receives responses from both receiving and non-receiving UEs, improving the reliability of service initiation decisions while maintaining manageable monitoring complexity through structured feedback collection.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for requesting and feeding back a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) state, the method being used for allowing a network side to inform a related user equipment (UE) to feed back MBMS state information and allowing the informed UE to feed back the MBMS state information. The request method comprises: when necessary to acquire the receiving state of an MBMS, a base station transmits, through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) belonging specially to an MBMS service, or through a system message, a multicast control channel (MCCH) change notification to the UE; and the base station transmits an MBMS state report request to the UE through the changed MCCH. The present invention also discloses a device for implementing the method.