Dynamic UE Counting for MBMS Network Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current counting methods in multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) networks are inadequate for accurately determining the number of users in a cell, leading to inefficient radio resource allocation and wastage, as they rely on pre-set time intervals for recounting, which cannot keep pace with rapid changes in user mobility and activation/deactivation.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically updates user equipment information records based on variant communication behavior, allowing for immediate recounting when the user number exceeds a threshold, enabling timely and accurate determination of transmission modes, thereby optimizing radio resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If regular recount triggering based on pre-set time sections is used, then the counting process is simple to implement, but the accuracy of user number determination deteriorates due to inability to reflect rapid changes in user mobility and activation/deactivation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of user number determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of counting process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring UE communication behavior (channel state changes, activation/deactivation events) and using this information to dynamically trigger recount operations. When UE transitions between different channel states (e.g., from CELL_PCH to CELL_FACH) or when activation/deactivation events are detected, the system automatically initiates a recount to update the user number, ensuring accurate measurement without requiring complex continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The counting process transitions from static time-based triggering to dynamic event-based triggering. The system adaptively adjusts when recount operations occur based on actual UE behavior patterns, performing counts only when necessary (upon detecting communication behavior changes) rather than following a fixed schedule, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If recount is triggered only when pre-set time section ends, then the counting operation is efficient with low overhead, but the timeliness of transmission mode determination deteriorates as user number changes cannot be captured in real-time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeliness of transmission mode determinationVSAvoidefficiency of counting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines periodic time-based counting with event-triggered counting. Regular counts occur at predetermined time intervals to maintain baseline efficiency, while additional counts are triggered by UE communication events. This hybrid approach ensures timely detection of user number changes without excessive counting operations, balancing timeliness and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the number of UE is counted in every pre-set time section, then the user number information is updated frequently, but radio resources are wasted due to unnecessary recounting when user number remains stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of user number determinationVSAvoidradio resource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from UE communication behavior monitoring to intelligently determine when recounting is necessary. By detecting actual changes in UE state (channel transitions, activation/deactivation events), the system triggers counts only when user composition changes, avoiding redundant counting operations when the user number remains stable, thus preventing radio resource wastage while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The counting strategy changes from fixed time-interval based to condition-based triggering. The system monitors parameters such as UE channel state and activation status, and only initiates recount operations when these parameters indicate actual changes in user composition, thereby optimizing the balance between measurement accuracy and resource consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2074744B1A counting method and network control device
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2074744B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2074744B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2074744B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a counting method, which pre-establishes a user equipment (UE) information record and a user number threshold in a cell. The method includes: A. informing UEs in the cell where multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) is transmitted about the beginning of the counting, receiving a response from the UEs, and recording the responded UE records into the UE information record; B. monitoring the cell, and updating the UE information record when determining that a UE having a varied communication behavior in the cell; C. according to the UE number in the UE information record and the user number threshold in the cell, determining whether to trigger a re-counting or not, and if yes, returning to Step A; otherwise, returning to Step B. The present invention also provides a network control device used in technology, which includes a storage module, a control module, and a communication module. Through the technical solution of the present invention, the accuracy for determining the MBMS operation transmission mode at the network side is improved.