Synchronization of Common Control Messages in MBSFN Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a coordination mechanism for synchronizing common control messages among network elements, making it difficult to maintain MBMS in an MBSFN manner, leading to strong interference among adjacent cells.

Innovation Solution

A central network element is used to instruct distributed network elements to synchronously update and transmit common control messages, ensuring all cells within the MBSFN area receive the same messages at the same time, thereby coordinating the transmission of system messages, MCCH messages, and MICH messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coordination mechanism is introduced to synchronize common control messages among network elements, then the quality of service for MBMS is improved and interference is reduced, but the device complexity and network architecture complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of service for MBMSVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A synchronization indication message is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between network elements. This message carries synchronization indication information that coordinates the transmission timing of common control messages across multiple network elements, enabling synchronized transmission without requiring complex centralized control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization indication message is sent in advance before the actual transmission of common control messages. This preliminary action allows network elements to pre-coordinate their transmission timing, ensuring that all elements are synchronized and ready to transmit at the correct moment, thereby reducing interference and improving service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If common control messages are transmitted asynchronously among adjacent cells, then the network operation flexibility is maintained, but strong interference occurs among adjacent cells affecting MBMS reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork operation flexibilityVSAvoidinterference among adjacent cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A synchronization feedback mechanism is established through the exchange of synchronization indication messages between network elements. Each network element receives and processes these messages to adjust its transmission timing, creating a feedback loop that ensures asynchronous operations do not cause harmful interference while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization indication messages are transmitted periodically to maintain coordination among network elements. This periodic action ensures that even though individual message transmissions may occur at different times, the overall system maintains synchronization patterns that prevent harmful interference while allowing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Strength

If all adjacent base stations transmit the same radio signals synchronously in MBSFN, then signal gain is improved through multi-path reception, but the requirement for identical repetition periods and modification periods increases network configuration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal gainVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the synchronization indication message to coordinate transmission timing. By dynamically adjusting timing parameters based on the synchronization indication information received from other network elements, base stations can maintain synchronous transmission for signal gain while adapting to different network configurations without requiring fixed identical repetition and modification periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2278831B1Synchronization method of common control message among network elements
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 ZTE CORP
  • EP2278831B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2278831B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2278831B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a synchronization method of common control messages among network elements. The method includes that the central network element instructs the distributed network elements to synchronously update the common control messages of the respective specific cells of the distributed network elements. By using the present invention, the synchronous update and synchronous transmission of the common control messages among the cells of different network elements can be realized.