MBSFN Subframe Configuration for LTE Paging Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE networks, the configuration of MBSFN subframes varies with different paging scenarios, leading to difficulties in channel estimation for user equipment and resource coordination between network elements, particularly between MCE and eNode B.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for configuring MBSFN subframes, where subframes #1, #2, #3, #6, #7, and #8 are predetermined as MBSFN subframes, with #0, #4, and #9 excluded, allowing user equipment to determine MBSFN subframes based on system broadcast messages and simplifying network resource coordination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If MBSFN subframe configuration varies with different paging scenarios, then paging flexibility is improved, but channel estimation difficulty and resource coordination complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging flexibilityVSAvoidresource coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the MBSFN subframe configuration by excluding specific subframes (#0, #4, and #9) from being configured as MBSFN subframes. This segmentation approach divides the configuration space into fixed excluded portions and flexible configurable portions, allowing paging flexibility in configurable subframes while maintaining consistent channel estimation behavior in excluded subframes, thereby reducing resource coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining which subframes cannot be configured as MBSFN subframes (#0, #4, and #9) before the actual MBSFN configuration takes place. This preliminary exclusion establishes a consistent baseline for channel estimation across all paging scenarios, while still allowing flexibility in configuring MBSFN subframes from the remaining subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If MBSFN subframe configuration varies with different paging scenarios, then paging flexibility is improved, but user equipment channel estimation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging flexibilityVSAvoidchannel estimation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the subframe configuration by identifying specific subframes (#0, #4, and #9) that must not be configured as MBSFN subframes. This creates a consistent reference framework for user equipment to perform channel estimation, while still allowing MBSFN configuration flexibility in other subframes. The segmented approach ensures UE can reliably identify non-MBSFN subframes for accurate channel estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different properties to different subframes: subframes #0, #4, and #9 are locally designated as non-MBSFN subframes with specific channel estimation requirements, while other subframes can have flexible MBSFN configuration. This local differentiation allows paging flexibility in certain subframes while maintaining consistent channel estimation behavior in specific localized subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If all subframes are potentially configurable as MBSFN subframes, then resource utilization flexibility is improved, but network element coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork element coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total subframe set by excluding specific subframes (#0, #4, and #9) from MBSFN configuration eligibility. This segmentation reduces the coordination complexity for network elements (MCE and eNode B) by pre-establishing which subframes are excluded, while still maintaining flexibility in configuring MBSFN subframes from the remaining pool, thus balancing resource utilization flexibility with coordination simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the exclusion of specific subframes (#0, #4, and #9) from MBSFN configuration before the actual resource allocation and coordination process. This preliminary action simplifies the coordination between MCE and eNode B by establishing a fixed reference framework, while still allowing flexible MBSFN configuration in the remaining subframes for optimal resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2328314B1A method for acquiring/configuring the multicast/broadcast over single frequency network sub-frame and an acquiring apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 ZTE CORP
  • EP2328314B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2328314B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2328314B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for acquiring/configuring a multicast/broadcast over single frequency network (MBSFN) subframe and an acquisition apparatus, wherein the method including the following steps that: an MBSFN subframe configuration rule is set which regulates the subframes configured as MBSFN subframes comprise 6 subframes numbered as #1, #2, #3, #6, #7 and #8; a user equipment acquires a system broadcast message from a base station, wherein MBSFN subframe configuration information is included in the system broadcast message; and the UE determines the subframes that are configured as MBSFN subframes according to the configuration rule and the MBSFN subframe configuration information. The present invention simplifies the network configuration.