MBSFN Control Information Acquisition in Overlapped LTE Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE R10, User Equipment (UE) fails to operate normally when entering an MBMS network with overlapped MBSFN areas, as it can only work on the MCCH of the current cell, limiting its ability to access control information from multiple MBSFN areas.

Innovation Solution

The method involves broadcasting identifier information of multiple MBSFN areas through a system message, transmitting indication information of control information via a system message or RRC message, and delivering control information through the MCCH of the current cell, allowing the UE to acquire corresponding control information from multiple MBSFN areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a base station transmits control information through respective MCCHs of various cells, then each cell can transmit its control information, but the UE fails to work normally when entering an MBMS network with overlapped MBSFN areas

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE operation reliabilityVSAvoidUE ability to access control information from multiple MBSFN areas

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the MCCH of the current cell serve multiple functions by enabling it to transmit control information from multiple MBSFN areas simultaneously. The base station configures the MCCH to carry control information not only from the current cell's MBSFN area but also from other overlapped MBSFN areas, allowing the UE to access control information from multiple areas through a single channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the base station acts as a mediator to forward control information from multiple MBSFN areas through the current cell's MCCH. The base station receives control information from various cells and relays it through the current cell's MCCH to the UE, enabling the UE to access control information from areas it may not be directly connected to.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE can only work on the MCCH of the current cell, then the UE structure remains simple, but the UE cannot access control information from multiple MBSFN areas

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE ability to access control information from multiple MBSFN areasVSAvoidUE operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station pre-configure and broadcast the mapping relationship between multiple MBSFN areas and the current cell's MCCH before the UE needs to access control information. The base station broadcasts this mapping information in system messages, allowing the UE to understand how to access control information from multiple areas without complex real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs copying by having the MCCH transmit copies of control information from multiple MBSFN areas. Instead of requiring the UE to physically access multiple separate channels, the base station creates copies of the control information from various cells and transmits them through the current cell's MCCH, allowing the UE to receive all necessary control information through a single channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If there is only one MCCH in one cell, then the channel structure is simple, but the UE fails to acquire control information from multiple overlapped MBSFN areas

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveControl information acquisitionVSAvoidMCCH structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control information transmission functions of multiple MBSFN areas into a single MCCH channel. Instead of having separate MCCHs for each MBSFN area, the base station combines and transmits control information from multiple areas through the current cell's MCCH, effectively merging multiple information streams into one channel while maintaining the ability to distinguish between different areas through the mapping relationship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8660052B2Method, base station and user equipment for transmitting and acquiring control information in broadcast multicast system

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

Various embodiments provide a method for transmitting control information in a broadcast multicast system, the method includes: broadcasting identifier information of N Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areas to which the current cell belongs through a system message wherein N is an integer with N>1; transmitting indication information of control information of the N MBSFN areas through a system message or a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message; and transmitting the control information of the N MBSFN areas respectively through a Multicast Control Channel (MCCH) of the current cell according to the indication information. Various embodiments can guarantee normal working of a UE when the UE is located in an area overlapped by multiple MBSFN areas.