Multicast Session Handling for RRC_INACTIVE UE Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, managing multicast sessions for user equipment (UE) in an inactive state, particularly in RRC_INACTIVE state, is challenging due to the lack of precise location tracking at the cell level, leading to inefficiencies in data delivery and resource management.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for determining the presence of UE in an inactive state, identifying required areas for multicast session handling, and coordinating with neighboring nodes to manage data delivery, including advertising, broadcasting, and establishing shared delivery paths as needed, while monitoring UE activity and updating area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multicast session handling is performed for inactive UEs across all tracking areas, then coverage is improved, but signaling overhead and resource allocation increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining multicast session handling requirements specifically for each tracking area based on actual UE presence. The network node identifies which tracking areas contain inactive UEs participating in multicast sessions and restricts multicast data transmission to only those specific areas, rather than broadcasting to all tracking areas. This localized approach ensures reliable delivery to target UEs while minimizing unnecessary signaling overhead and resource consumption in areas without inactive UEs.
2Measurement precision
If precise cell-level location tracking is implemented for inactive UEs, then data delivery accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from cell-level location tracking to tracking area-level tracking, representing a dimensional change in the granularity of location management. Instead of monitoring inactive UEs at the detailed cell level which would require complex signaling and system resources, the solution operates at the broader tracking area level. This dimensional shift maintains sufficient accuracy for multicast data delivery by identifying which tracking areas contain inactive UEs, while significantly reducing system complexity and signaling overhead associated with fine-grained cell-level tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: determining a presence of at least one user equipment that is participating in a multicast session while in an inactive state; determining an area where handling of the multicast session for the at least one user equipment in inactive state is required; determining one or more nodes handling cells within at least a part of the determined area for handling the multicast session; in response to the determining a presence of at least one user equipment in inactive state, sending to each determined node a request to handle the multicast session for the at least one user equipment in inactive state.