MBMS Service Announcement via Segmented Control Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP mobile communication networks, efficiently performing a multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) service announcement (SA) is challenging due to the need for terminals to receive metadata with service identifiers, multicast IP addresses, and UDP ports before establishing an MBMS bearer, which is not directly supported by conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a service center and radio access network, where the service center provides MBMS data and metadata with service announcement information, and the radio access network periodically transmits establishment information to terminals, allowing them to establish an MBMS bearer and receive service announcement information through specific channels, including a broadcast control channel (BCCH) and multicast control channel (MCCH).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If service announcement information is transmitted through MBMS bearer, then resource efficiency is improved, but terminal cannot receive service announcement before establishing MBMS bearer
Solution Approach 1:
The service announcement transmission is segmented into two parts: establishment information transmitted through dedicated control channels (BCCH/MCCH) for bearer setup, and actual service announcement metadata transmitted through the MBMS bearer once established. This segmentation allows terminals to first receive necessary setup information via reliable control channels, then efficiently receive service announcement data through the multicast bearer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary transmission of establishment information (including service identifiers, multicast IP addresses, and UDP ports) through control channels before the MBMS bearer is fully established. This preliminary action enables terminals to prepare and establish the bearer in advance, ensuring they can subsequently receive service announcement information efficiently through the multicast channel.
2Ease of operation
If conventional unicast bearer is used for service announcement, then terminal can receive information before service, but resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The MBMS bearer is designed to serve multiple functions: it first carries establishment information for bearer setup, then transitions to carrying service announcement metadata, and finally delivers actual MBMS content. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate unicast bearers for service announcement, allowing a single multicast bearer to handle all transmission needs efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
Control channels (BCCH and MCCH) act as intermediaries that facilitate the initial bearer establishment by transmitting necessary configuration information. Once the bearer is established through this intermediary assistance, the system transitions to direct efficient multicast transmission for service announcement delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-media broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) providing system and a method thereof. The MBMS providing system provides an MBMS to a terminal having an MBMS function. The MBMS providing system includes a service center and a radio access network. The service center provides MBMS data and metadata having service announcement information abut the MBMS to the terminal. The radio access network periodically transmits establishment information for receiving the metadata to the terminal, and provides the metadata and the MBMS data received from the service center to the terminal through nodes for transmitting data. The establishment information includes first establishment information having a service identifier and IP/UDP parameters for receiving the metadata, and second establishment information for establishing a radio channel.