Multicast Ethernet Traffic Transmission Over Radio Access Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting multicast or broadcast Ethernet traffic over wireless wide area networks, particularly in terms of reliability, latency, flexibility, and security, due to limitations in existing technologies such as eMBMS and SC-PTM, which are not well-suited for high-reliability, low-latency applications like factory automation or Industrial Internet of Things use cases.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves configuring a group of user equipment (UEs) with a common set of parameters, using a group identifier for multicast or broadcast traffic, and transmitting this traffic over a physical downlink shared channel, allowing for dynamic configuration and adaptation, improved beam management, and secure acknowledgement mechanisms, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing multicast technologies (eMBMS, SC-PTM) are used for wireless transmission, then network coverage is provided, but reliability is insufficient for high-reliability applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different applications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configuration of multicast parameters including adaptive modulation and coding schemes, dynamic resource allocation, and real-time quality of service adjustments based on channel conditions and application requirements, enabling the system to adapt to varying reliability demands of different industrial applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key transmission parameters such as modulation order, coding rate, resource block allocation, and transmission power dynamically to optimize reliability for specific industrial applications, allowing the system to transition from generic multicast to application-tailored transmission with reliability up to 1e-5 or 1e-6

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If existing multicast technologies are used, then basic transmission is achieved, but latency is too high for real-time industrial applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring resource pools, pre-establishing group identifiers, pre-negotiating QoS parameters, and pre-synchronizing clocks between base stations and user equipment before actual data transmission, thereby eliminating setup delays and achieving latency of a few milliseconds suitable for real-time industrial control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms including acknowledgment protocols, quality of service monitoring, and dynamic resource re-allocation based on transmission performance, allowing the system to maintain low latency while ensuring reliability through real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If group identifier based multicast is implemented, then transmission efficiency is improved, but security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multicast group management into multiple security layers: public group identifiers for efficient routing, private security credentials for authentication, and encrypted data channels for content protection, allowing simultaneous achievement of transmission efficiency through group identification and security through layered protection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces security intermediaries including authentication servers, encryption modules, and trusted platform modules that mediate between the efficient group-based multicast mechanism and security requirements, verifying device credentials and protecting transmitted data without compromising transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3861678B1Multicast or broadcast ethernet traffic transmissions over a radio access network
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3861678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3861678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3861678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a configuration for a group of UEs, including the UE, associated with a common set of parameters indicated in multicast or broadcast traffic, wherein the configuration includes a group identifier associated with the group of UEs; and receive the multicast or broadcast traffic over a radio access network (RAN) in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) communication, wherein the group identifier is used to identify that the multicast or broadcast traffic is intended for the UE. Numerous other aspects are provided.