Multi-stage UE Counting for MBMS Broadcast Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wireless telecommunications systems face inefficiencies in managing multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) due to high overhead and spectral inefficiencies when using point-to-point (PTP) communication with a large number of user equipment (UEs), and complex counting algorithms increase communication overhead and load on uplink access channels.

Innovation Solution

A multi-stage counting method is implemented to determine the number of UEs interested in an MBMS, using a streamlined procedure for high interest levels to switch to point-to-multipoint (PTM) communication and a more detailed count for low interest levels to decide between PTM and point-to-point (PTP) communication, reducing overhead and improving spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If point-to-point (PTP) communication is used to provide MBMS to a large number of UEs, then communication quality is maintained, but overhead increases substantially and spectral efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidoverhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between PTP and PTM communication modes based on the number of interested UEs. When the number of UEs exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from PTP to PTM communication, adjusting the communication strategy in real-time to optimize the balance between communication quality and overhead efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the communication mode parameter based on UE count. By monitoring the number of interested UEs and comparing it against a threshold, the system adjusts the communication parameter (PTP vs PTM) to achieve optimal performance, transitioning from quality-focused PTP to efficiency-focused PTM when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complex counting algorithms are used to determine the number of UEs interested in MBMS, then accurate UE counting is achieved, but communication overhead and load on uplink access channels increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE counting accuracyVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The counting process is segmented into two stages: a first stage using a simplified counting method to determine if the number of interested UEs exceeds a threshold, and a second stage using a more detailed counting method only when necessary. This segmentation reduces overall overhead by avoiding complex counting algorithms in scenarios where simple threshold-based decisions suffice.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a simplified counting approach (partial action) that provides sufficient information for decision-making without performing a complete and complex count of all interested UEs. By using a threshold-based first stage counting method, the system obtains adequate information to switch communication modes without the full overhead of precise counting algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2365706B1Multi-stage setup for long-term evolution multimedia broadcast multicast service transmissions
Publication Date: 2013.12.25 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2365706B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2365706B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2365706B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for providing a service is provided. The system includes a central control 50 to promote a plurality of cells 10, 20, 30, 40 to use a first counting method to determine whether user equipment 100 within the plurality of cells 10, 20, 30, 40 are interested in the service. Based on responses from at least one of the cells 10, 20, 30, 40 having interested user equipment 100, the central control 50 promotes the at least one of the cells 10, 20, 30, 40 to either provide the service via point-to-multipoint broadcast, or use a second counting method to determine whether to provide the service via point-to-multipoint broadcast or point-to-point communication.