Multicast Session Setup Using Existing Core-RAN Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication technologies face challenges in managing load balancing and reducing signaling overhead during mobility scenarios, particularly in multicast and broadcast services, which affect energy consumption, device cost, spectral efficiency, and latency.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a multicast and broadcast service session using existing tunnels between core network and RAN nodes, allowing for load balancing and reducing signaling overhead by utilizing UE-specific unicast or shared multicast tunnels for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new tunnel is established between core network and each RAN node for multicast and broadcast service, then service reliability is improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the multicast and broadcast service tunnel establishment with the existing unicast PDU session tunnel. Instead of creating a separate dedicated tunnel for MBS, the system reuses the existing unicast tunnel (N3 tunnel between UPF and RAN node) to carry both unicast and multicast/broadcast traffic, thereby avoiding additional signaling overhead while maintaining service reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The existing unicast PDU session tunnel is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both unicast and multicast/broadcast service traffic. The UPF and RAN node configure the tunnel to support multiple service types, allowing a single tunnel structure to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for separate dedicated tunnels
2Reliability
If separate dedicated tunnels are established for multicast and broadcast service, then service quality is improved, but load balancing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines which RAN node should host the MBS session based on real-time conditions such as UE location, network load, and tunnel availability. The core network can dynamically switch between different RAN nodes for MBS delivery, enabling flexible load balancing without requiring separate dedicated tunnels for each node
3Device complexity
If existing unicast tunnel is reused for multicast service, then signaling overhead is reduced, but spectral efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the UPF to selectively forward traffic based on local conditions. The UPF can identify which packets require multicast/broadcast treatment and route them appropriately, while maintaining efficient unicast routing for other traffic. This localized approach allows the system to optimize spectral efficiency at the UPF level while reusing existing tunnels
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems that establish Multicast and Broadcast Service sessions based on existing tunnels between the core network and radio access nodes are disclosed. In one example aspect, a wireless communication method includes receiving, by a first communication node, a request from a core network node to establish a session. The request comprises a list of tunnels established between the core network node and other communication nodes to provide multicast and broadcast service. The method includes selecting, by the first communication node, a channel from the list of tunnels included in the request to establish a multicast and broadcast session that corresponds to the session. The method also includes transmitting, by the first communication node to the core network node, a response indicating an establishment of the session. The response includes information associated with the selected channel between the second communication node and the core network node.