Multicast Configuration for Idle-State Terminal Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multicast technologies do not support terminal devices in an idle or inactive state, requiring them to establish an RRC connection to receive multicast services, which is inefficient and complex.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable terminal devices in idle or inactive states to receive multicast services by using a group radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI) and multicast configuration parameters, allowing them to receive services via common channels like BCCH and MCCH, and allowing devices in connected states to share configuration parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminal devices in idle or inactive state establish an RRC connection to receive multicast service, then multicast service reception is enabled, but device complexity and resource overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast service reception capabilityVSAvoidRRC connection setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multicast service reception process into two distinct modes: one for connected state terminals (using RRC connection) and another for idle/inactive state terminals (using common channel parameters). This allows each mode to use the most appropriate reception method, avoiding the complexity of RRC connection setup for idle terminals while ensuring multicast service can be received by all terminal states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the common channel (BCCH/MCCH) serve multiple functions: it provides both system information broadcasting and multicast configuration parameters to idle/inactive terminals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate RRC connection setup specifically for multicast service reception in idle state, reducing device complexity while maintaining service capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If terminal devices in idle or inactive state use common channel to obtain multicast configuration parameter, then device complexity is reduced, but parameter delivery reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection setup simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration parameter delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the network device pre-configure and broadcast multicast configuration parameters (including G-RNTI) through the common channel before terminals need to receive multicast services. Terminals in idle/inactive state can directly use these pre-delivered parameters without establishing RRC connections, achieving both simplicity and reliability through advance parameter distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The common channel (BCCH/MCCH) acts as an intermediary that reliably delivers multicast configuration parameters from the network to idle/inactive terminals. This intermediary mechanism ensures parameter delivery without requiring direct RRC connections, maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multicast configuration parameter is allocated to each terminal device, then service quality is improved, but network resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidnetwork resource overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the multicast configuration parameters (G-RNTI, service identifier) into a single group-level configuration that is broadcast to multiple terminals through the common channel. Instead of allocating separate parameters to each terminal, the same group parameters serve multiple terminals simultaneously, reducing network resource overhead while maintaining service quality through efficient resource sharing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter allocation strategy from individual terminal-specific parameters to group-level parameters that can be shared. By using G-RNTI (group RNTI) instead of individual C-RNTI for multicast service identification, the system reduces the quantity of configuration parameters needed while maintaining service quality through efficient parameter reuse across multiple terminals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12477305B2Communication method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a related apparatus, and is applied to the multicast field. One example method includes: A first terminal device obtains a first multicast configuration parameter, where the first multicast configuration parameter includes a group radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI) and an identifier of a multicast service. The first terminal device in an idle state or an inactive state receives the multicast service based on the first multicast configuration parameter.