Multicast Reception Status Feedback for Unicast-Multicast Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multicast and broadcast services in wireless communication systems lack efficient mechanisms for dynamic mode switching between unicast and multicast transmission, leading to service interruptions and suboptimal resource utilization, particularly in scenarios requiring high reliability and power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing techniques that enable user equipment (UE) to report reception status metrics such as packet loss rate, block error rate, and channel state information to the network, allowing for dynamic adjustment of transmission modes (PTP/PTM) to enhance service reliability and resource efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multicast transmission mode is used, then resource utilization is improved, but service reliability deteriorates due to lack of feedback mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidservice reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs report reception status (success/failure) for multicast transmissions back to the network. This allows the network to dynamically switch between multicast and unicast modes based on actual reception conditions, thereby maintaining high resource utilization while ensuring service reliability through adaptive mode selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If unicast transmission mode is used, then service reliability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic switching between unicast and multicast transmission modes based on real-time reception status feedback. The network can transition from resource-intensive unicast mode to efficient multicast mode when conditions permit, and vice versa when reliability is compromised, thereby optimizing resource utilization while maintaining service reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If dynamic mode switching is implemented, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple reception status feedback from UEs to trigger mode switching decisions. The feedback mechanism itself is straightforward (reporting success or failure), and the switching logic is rule-based, which maintains manageable system complexity while achieving improved service continuity through rapid adaptation to reception conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If reception status reporting is enabled, then transmission mode switching is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission mode switchingVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective reception status reporting where UEs report only when necessary (e.g., when reception fails or conditions change). This partial reporting approach provides sufficient information for mode switching decisions without requiring continuous full-status reporting, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining effective transmission mode adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4176595B1Multicast and broadcast service status reporting
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP4176595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4176595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4176595B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, and systems that enable reporting of reception status associated with a multicast and broadcast service are disclosed. In one example aspect, a method for wireless communication includes receiving, by a communication device from the network node, configuration information that configures information indicating a reception status of a multicast and broadcast service. Data for the multicast and broadcast service is carried in one or more bearers. The method also includes transmitting, by the communication device, the information indicating the reception status to the network node based on a measurement result.