MBMS Continuity via F1 Interface Scheduling Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MBMS systems face challenges in ensuring seamless continuity of multimedia broadcast and multicast services during handovers in wireless communication networks, particularly in managing scheduling information transfer between distributed and central units, which can lead to service disruptions and user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves transmitting MBMS scheduling information through a new F1 interface message or system information block, allowing for efficient handover procedures by pre-transmitting or post-transmitting this information before or after the handover process, ensuring continuous service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MBMS scheduling information is transferred through traditional handover procedures, then service continuity is maintained, but service interruptions occur during handover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transferring MBMS scheduling information to the target DU before the actual handover occurs. The source DU sends the scheduling information to the target DU in advance, so that when handover happens, the target DU already has the necessary information to immediately continue MBMS service without interruption. This resolves the contradiction by performing the information transfer beforehand, eliminating service interruption time while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If MBMS scheduling information is transferred before handover, then service continuity is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the MBMS scheduling information transfer with existing handover signaling procedures. Instead of creating a separate dedicated signaling mechanism, the scheduling information is embedded within the existing F1 interface messages that are already being exchanged between source and target DUs during handover. This combining approach maintains service continuity while avoiding additional signaling overhead, as the information is carried in messages that would be transmitted anyway.
3Device complexity
If MBMS scheduling information is transferred after handover, then signaling overhead is reduced, but service interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by ensuring MBMS scheduling information is transferred to the target DU before the handover is completed. The source DU sends this information to the target DU as part of the handover preparation phase, so that when the UE actually switches to the target DU, the service can continue without interruption. This approach prioritizes service continuity over minimizing signaling overhead.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional handover procedures are used for MBMS, then network compatibility is maintained, but user experience deteriorates due to service disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-transferring MBMS scheduling information to the target DU before handover occurs. This ensures that when the user equipment switches cells, the MBMS service continues seamlessly without audible or visible interruptions, dramatically improving user experience. The solution maintains network compatibility by working within the existing handover framework while adding the preliminary information transfer step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the F1 interface as an intermediary mechanism to transfer MBMS scheduling information between source and target DUs. This intermediary approach allows the information to be carried through existing network infrastructure without requiring changes to the core network or user equipment, thus maintaining compatibility while improving service continuity and user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) continuity. The system and method include transmitting, by a wireless communication device through a first distributed unit (DU) of a wireless communication node to a central unit (CU) of the wireless communication node, a first message. The first DU corresponds to a first subset of a plurality of MBMS services of the CU. The first message indicates a second subset of the plurality of MBMS services that corresponds to a second DU of the wireless communication node. The system and method include receiving, by the wireless communication device from the CU in response to transmitting the first message, a second message including MBMS scheduling information. The system and method include performing, by the wireless communication device, a handover procedure from the first DU to the second DU.