Multicast Paging and DRX Cycles for Low-Power Idle UEs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in supporting broadcast and multicast services, particularly in 4G LTE networks, where multimedia broadcast and multicast services are complex and not optimized for IoT, software updates, and other applications.

Innovation Solution

The system separates transport from services and utilizes a 5G core network to provide multimedia broadcast and multicast services, specifying transport using 5G core network functions and configuring QoS flows based on service requirements, supporting flexible network deployments and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If 4G LTE networks are used to support multimedia broadcast and multicast services, then existing wireless communication infrastructure can be utilized, but the system complexity increases and optimization for IoT and software updates is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimization for IoT and software updatesVSAvoidservice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into 5G core network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF) that can independently manage multicast services. The AMF handles mobility management, SMF handles session management, and UPF handles user plane forwarding, allowing each function to be optimized separately for different services like IoT and software updates while reducing overall service complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The 5G core network functions are designed to provide universal support for multiple service types including multimedia broadcast, multicast, IoT applications, and software updates through a single unified architecture. The QoS flow mechanism can be configured differently for each service type while using the same core network infrastructure

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multicast services are supported in existing wireless systems, then service coverage is provided, but network flexibility and deployment options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic QoS flow configuration where the network can adaptively adjust multicast service parameters based on real-time conditions. The SMF can dynamically modify QoS parameters, tunnel configurations, and resource allocation for multicast flows, enabling flexible deployment across different network scenarios without requiring complex pre-configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic changes to QoS parameters, tunnel endpoint identifiers, and resource allocation for multicast services. The network can modify these parameters based on service requirements, user equipment capabilities, and network conditions, providing deployment flexibility without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If UEs are paged in idle mode for multicast services, then service delivery is enabled, but power consumption increases and service efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery efficiencyVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic paging for idle mode UEs receiving multicast services. Instead of continuous monitoring, UEs can enter idle mode and wake up at predetermined periodic intervals to check for multicast data. The network pages UEs at these periodic intervals, significantly reducing UE power consumption while maintaining efficient service delivery through the configured periodic monitoring schedule

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4432771B1Multicast idle mode behavior and paging
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4432771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432771B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4432771B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may transmit a request to establish a multicast session. The request may identify a multicast service session including a multicast quality of service flow. The UE may receive, from a base station wirelessly communicating with the UE, an indication of communication resources for the UE to use to receive multicast packets of the multicast service session from a content provider via a tunnel between a first network node and the base station. The tunnel may be established for the multicast service session based on identifying that the multicast service session lacks an existing tunnel between the first network node and the base station. The UE may identify a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle for the multicast service session, and receive the multicast packets from the base station according to the indicated communication resources and the identified DRX cycle.