MCCH Update Mechanism for LTE Forward Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE technologies face challenges in shortening the minimum MCCH modification period and MSP to meet the delay requirements of cluster communication services, particularly for Group Communication Service Enabler (GCSE), leading to forward compatibility issues with UE in R12 not shortening the MCCH minimum period while R13 does.

Innovation Solution

A method for updating MCCH information by the network side in a short MCCH modification period, based on the priority of MBMS traffic data, allowing updates in less than 5.12 seconds for high-priority data and only in the normal period for non-high-priority data, including resource configuration changes such as subframe allocation, modulation, and coding schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the MCCH modification period is shortened to meet delay requirements of cluster communication services, then the service responsiveness and productivity are improved, but forward compatibility with UE in R12 deteriorates due to different minimum period requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMCCH modification periodVSAvoidforward compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the MCCH modification period configurable and adaptable. The network can dynamically select between a first modification period (shorter, for R13 UEs) and a second modification period (longer, for R12 UEs) based on the UE's capability. This allows the system to transition from static to dynamic period selection, resolving the contradiction between shortened periods for responsiveness and longer periods for compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of MCCH modification period from a fixed value to a configurable parameter with multiple possible values. By introducing different modification period options (first and second periods) and allowing the network to select appropriate values based on UE type, the system achieves both shortened periods for R13 services and maintained compatibility for R12 UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the MCCH modification period is shortened for R13 UEs, then the service delay is reduced, but the ability to maintain consistent operation with R12 UEs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice update speedVSAvoidmulti-version compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the UE population into different groups (R12 UEs and R13 UEs) with different capability requirements. By segmenting the modification period into a first period for R13 UEs and a second period for R12 UEs, the system can apply different update speeds to different segments, achieving high productivity for new services while maintaining adaptability across multiple UE versions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the MCCH modification period mechanism universal by designing it to support multiple function modes. The same MCCH update mechanism serves both R12 UEs (with longer periods) and R13 UEs (with shorter periods), allowing the system to maintain multi-version compatibility while achieving improved service updates for newer UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If different modification periods are used for different UE versions, then forward compatibility is maintained, but the system complexity increases due to multiple configuration parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforward compatibilityVSAvoidconfiguration management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling UEs to autonomously identify their own version capabilities and select the appropriate modification period without complex network configuration. R12 UEs automatically use the second modification period while R13 UEs automatically use the first modification period. This self-service approach maintains forward compatibility while avoiding the complexity of manual configuration management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3128772B1Method and device for updating multimedia broadcast multicast control channel information
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 ZTE CORP
  • EP3128772B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3128772B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3128772B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for updating multimedia broadcast multicast control channel information, a method for receiving updated multimedia broadcast multicast control channel information, a network device and a user equipment. Herein, the method includes: updating, by a network side, MCCH information in a short Multicast Control CHannel MCCH modification period, and when the MCCH information to be updated is related to a resource configuration change of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service MBMS traffic data, selecting, by the network side, to update the MCCH information in the short MCCH modification period or selecting to update the MCCH information in a normal MCCH modification period, based on the priority of the MBMS traffic data for which resource configuration is changed; transmitting, by the network side, the updated MCCH information.