MBS Delivery Mode Switching for PTM/PTP Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in dynamically switching between multicast and unicast delivery modes for multimedia broadcast services, leading to service interruptions and inefficiencies, particularly in new radio (NR) networks, due to reliance on counting user interest and session data updates.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for multimedia broadcast services that involve UE-initiated indication messages using UCI, MAC CE, and RRC messages to facilitate dynamic switching between point-to-multipoint (PTM) and point-to-point (PTP) transmission modes, with enhancements at the SDAP, RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC, and physical layers to optimize radio bearers and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If counting-based mode switching is used to decide PTM/PTP delivery, then resource efficiency is improved, but service interruption time increases due to MBMS session data updates
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring both PTM and PTP delivery modes and maintaining MBMS session data in advance. When mode switching is triggered, the already-prepared alternative mode can be activated immediately without waiting for session data updates, thus reducing service interruption time while maintaining resource efficiency through counting-based decisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MBMS service suspension/resumption mechanism is applied for mode switching, then delivery mode flexibility is improved, but MBMS session data update complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the MBMS session data management by maintaining separate data structures for PTM and PTP modes independently. This allows the network to switch between modes by selecting the appropriate data structure without requiring complex updates to a unified session data structure, thereby reducing update complexity while preserving delivery mode flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a delivery mode indicator and separate data structures that mediate between the PTM and PTP delivery modes. This intermediary layer simplifies the switching process by providing clear transition paths without requiring complex modifications to the underlying MBMS session data, thus reducing complexity while maintaining flexibility.
3Loss of energy
If conventional MBMS counting-based switching is used, then network resource utilization is improved, but per-UE service continuity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by making delivery mode decisions at the per-UE level rather than uniformly across all UEs. While network-wide counting determines the overall resource allocation strategy, individual UEs can receive customized delivery mode assignments based on their specific service continuity requirements, thus improving per-UE reliability without sacrificing network resource utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for optimal delivery of a multicast/broadcast service (MBS) are provided. A method of an MBS user equipment (UE) includes determining a first indication message to be transmitted to a network, wherein the first indication message includes a UE status associated with an MBS and/or a need for switching an MBS delivery mode. The method further includes receiving a second indication message carrying an optimal delivery mode configuration such as the scheduling information of the switched MBS delivery mode, the frequency, and/or identity of the neighboring cells or the areas that broadcast the same service that the UE is receiving before switching the delivery mode. This can solve issues in the prior art, provide a dynamic, reliable, and/or efficient MBS delivery mode switching, support service continuity, provide a good communication performance, and/or provide high reliability.