Multicast Communication Bridging with EBI Allocation for 5G-to-EPS Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle with effective multicast communication between user equipment (UE) and the network, particularly when the UE moves from a 5G system to Evolved Packet Service (EPS), leading to gaps in communication continuity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are introduced for the Session Management Function (SMF) and UE to manage multicast communication by requesting and allocating Endpoint Identifier (EBI) for unicast QoS flows, enabling seamless multicast communication across different network systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multicast communication is used in 5G system, then service quality and coverage are improved, but communication continuity deteriorates when UE moves from 5G to EPS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the SMF node allocates EBI (Endpoint Identifier) information for unicast QoS flows to bridge the gap between 5G multicast communication and EPS network. This intermediary EBI allocation process enables seamless transition and maintains communication continuity when UE moves between different network systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter approach by allocating EBI for unicast QoS flows instead of using traditional multicast group identifiers. This parameter change enables the system to maintain multicast communication functionality while adapting to network transitions between 5G and EPS, thereby improving communication continuity.
2Reliability
If unicast QoS flow is allocated for multicast communication, then communication continuity is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the EBI allocation mechanism universal by enabling the SMF node to handle both 5G multicast communication and EPS transition scenarios through a single unified approach. The same EBI allocation process serves multiple functions: maintaining multicast service continuity, supporting network transitions, and ensuring service delivery across different network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the SMF node allocate EBI information for unicast QoS flows in advance before the UE actually needs to transition to EPS. This preliminary EBI allocation ensures that when network transition occurs, the necessary communication parameters are already prepared, reducing the complexity of real-time configuration changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosure of the present specification provides a method for performing multicast-related communication by an SMF. The method may comprise the steps of: receiving, from a UE, a join request message for requesting participation in multicast communication; transmitting, to an AMF node, an allocation request message for requesting allocation of an EBI to a unicast QoS flow corresponding to a multicast QoS flow related to the multicast communication; and receiving information of the EBI allocated to the unicast QoS flow from the AMF node.