MBMS Session Suspend Notification for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE technology, face challenges in maintaining service continuity during Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) session suspensions, leading to potential service interruptions due to network congestion or low user interest, as existing methods do not provide adequate advance notification for suspension, resulting in delayed unicast bearer establishment and service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves early notification of MBMS session suspension through modified Multicast Channel Scheduling Information (MSI) and MBSFN Area Configuration messages, allowing User Equipment (UE) to initiate unicast bearer establishment before the suspension, thereby minimizing service disruption by aligning the unicast bearer setup with the MBMS session suspension period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MBMS session suspension notification is delayed or not provided, then network resources are saved and system complexity is reduced, but service continuity is broken and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system sends an early notification to the UE about the upcoming MBMS session suspension before it actually occurs. This preliminary action allows the UE to proactively establish a unicast bearer in advance, ensuring service continuity when the MBMS session is suspended. The notification includes timing information that enables the UE to prepare the alternative reception path before the multicast service is interrupted.
2Loss of time
If early notification of MBMS session suspension is implemented, then unicast bearer establishment time is reduced and service continuity is improved, but system complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing MBMS control messages (MSI and MBSFN Area Configuration messages) to carry both their original scheduling information functions and the additional early suspension notification function. By embedding suspension indication fields and timing information within these existing message structures, the system avoids creating entirely new signaling protocols, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while still achieving early notification and fast unicast bearer establishment.
3Productivity
If MBMS session is suspended without advance notification, then network congestion is managed and resource allocation is simplified, but service interruption occurs and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system sends an early notification to the UE about the upcoming MBMS session suspension before it actually occurs. This preliminary action allows the UE to proactively establish a unicast bearer in advance, ensuring service continuity when the MBMS session is suspended. The notification includes timing information that enables the UE to prepare the alternative reception path before the multicast service is interrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies existing MBMS control messages by adding specific fields and parameters (such as suspension indication bits and timing information fields) to convey suspension details. This parameter-based approach allows the system to transmit rich suspension notification information within existing message frameworks, minimizing the increase in signaling volume while providing comprehensive advance notice to UEs for seamless service transition.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives a service through an MBMS session. The apparatus receives a first notification of an upcoming suspension of the MBMS session. The apparatus requests establishment of a unicast bearer prior to the upcoming suspension of the MBMS session upon receiving the first notification. The apparatus receives a corresponding unicast version of the service of the MBMS session via unicast when the unicast bearer is established. In an aspect, the first notification may be received during a first MCCH modification period, the corresponding unicast version of the service is received via unicast during a second MCCH modification period. In an aspect, the apparatus may further receive a second notification that the MBMS session is suspended during the second MCCH modification period.