MBS RLC Bearer Configuration for PTM-PTP Reliability Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G mobile communication systems face challenges in providing enhanced multicast broadcast services with high reliability and flexibility, particularly in managing point-to-multipoint and point-to-point transmissions efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a configuration method that associates Radio Link Control (RLC) entities with specific logical channels for both point-to-multipoint (PTM) and point-to-point (PTP) transmissions, allowing for dynamic switching and retransmission using unicast bearers to enhance reliability and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single RLC entity is used for MBS transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to perform dynamic switching between PTM and PTP modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the RLC entity into separate first RLC entity for PTM reception and second RLC entity for PTP transmission, each handling specific transmission modes independently. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple transmission paths with different reliability characteristics, enabling dynamic switching between modes based on reception conditions while keeping each individual RLC entity configuration manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional RLC structure where the first RLC entity handles PTM reception and the second RLC entity handles PTP transmission, allowing the same logical channel to support both multicast and unicast operations. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to different reception scenarios without requiring completely separate communication paths.
2Reliability
If dynamic switching between PTM and PTP modes is enabled, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple RLC entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability between PTM and PTP transmission modes by configuring separate first and second RLC entities that can be activated based on reception conditions. The system can dynamically select which RLC entity to use depending on whether PTM or PTP provides better reception quality, enabling adaptive optimization of reliability without requiring permanent activation of all possible transmission paths.
3Reliability
If point-to-point retransmission is used for MBS, then reliability is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to dedicated unicast resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using PTP retransmission selectively only when and where needed - specifically when a UE fails to receive MBS data through PTM transmission. Instead of applying PTP universally to all MBS transmissions, the system locally activates unicast retransmission resources only for UEs experiencing reception failures, thereby maintaining high reliability for problematic cases while preserving resource efficiency for UEs that can successfully receive via PTM.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control method used in a mobile communication system comprising a base station for providing a multicast broadcast service (MBS) to a user equipment. The communication control method comprises transmitting, by the base station configured to transmit MBS data via an MBS bearer, to the user equipment, information for configuring the user equipment with a Radio Link Control (RLC) entity and a corresponding logical channel. The information indicates the MBS bearer being associated with the RLC entity. The RLC entity includes a first RLC entity used for point-to-multipoint (PTM) reception and a second RLC entity used for point-to-point (PTP) transmission, the first RLC entity is associated with a PTM logical channel, and the second RLC entity is associated with a PTP logical channel.