MCE Channel Selection for LTE eMBMS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly LTE, face challenges in optimizing multimedia broadcast multicast services due to increased demand for mobile broadband access, requiring improved channel management and quality of service (QoS) in contention-based radio frequency bands.

Innovation Solution

A Multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) is introduced to receive channel status reports from eNodeBs, select suitable channels for evolved multimedia broadcast multicast services (eMBMS), and prompt eNodeBs to provide eMBMS using these channels, while also determining if content requires delay QoS and scheduling transmission during contention-free periods using a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) scheme.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If eMBMS is transmitted in contention-based radio frequency bands, then mobile broadband access demand is met, but interference with Wi-Fi services increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile broadband access capacityVSAvoidinterference with Wi-Fi services
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary channel assessment by receiving channel status reports from eNodeBs before selecting channels for eMBMS transmission. This advance planning allows the network to identify and avoid channels with high Wi-Fi activity, thereby preventing interference before it occurs while still meeting mobile broadband demand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where eNodeBs continuously report channel status information to the Multicast Coordination Entity. This feedback loop enables dynamic channel selection that adapts to changing Wi-Fi activity patterns, allowing the network to maintain high productivity while minimizing harmful interference through real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple eNodeBs use different channels independently, then channel utilization is flexible, but eMBMS coverage continuity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel utilization flexibilityVSAvoideMBMS coverage continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The Multicast Coordination Entity merges channel selection decisions across multiple eNodeBs by receiving channel status reports from all eNodeBs and making coordinated channel assignments. This centralization ensures that adjacent eNodeBs use the same channels for eMBMS transmission, maintaining coverage continuity while still allowing flexible adaptation to local channel conditions through the reporting mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If delay-insensitive content is transmitted during contention periods, then channel utilization is maximized, but delay-sensitive content QoS deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel utilizationVSAvoiddelay-sensitive content QoS
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments transmission opportunities into distinct time periods: contention-free periods reserved for delay-sensitive eMBMS content and contention periods for delay-insensitive content. This temporal segmentation ensures that delay-sensitive content receives guaranteed QoS during protected periods while still allowing maximum channel utilization during contention periods for non-time-critical data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3085179B1LTE embms service enhancement
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3085179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3085179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3085179B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may be an MCE. The apparatus receives a plurality of channel status reports from respective eNBs. In an aspect, each channel status report includes channel information associated with a respective eNB for one of a plurality of channels in a contention based radio frequency band. The apparatus selects a channel for an eNB among the plurality of channels based on the plurality of channel status reports. In an aspect, the selected channel is available to be used for an eMBMS. The apparatus prompts the eNB to provide the eMBMS using the selected channel.