NCT Cell MBMS Configuration via Legacy Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

New carrier type (NCT) cells in LTE systems cannot support multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) due to lack of configuration and control mechanisms, limiting their ability to provide multimedia services efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A service processing method that involves user equipment (UE) receiving MBMS configuration information from a legacy carrier type (LCT) cell, allowing UE to perform service configuration processing on NCT cells, including receiving and processing MBMS configuration messages, MCCH information change notifications, and multicast channel scheduling, enabling NCT cells to support MBMS services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If NCT cells are introduced to enhance network capabilities, then network performance and coverage are improved, but the ability to support MBMS services deteriorates due to lack of configuration mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidMBMS service support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling NCT cells to support multiple service types including both traditional unicast services and MBMS multicast/broadcast services. The base station is configured to send MBMS configuration information for NCT cells to user equipment, allowing the same cell infrastructure to serve multiple purposes and user types uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring MBMS configuration information at the base station before actual MBMS service delivery to NCT cells. The configuration information including MBSFN area ID, carrier frequency, and other parameters is prepared in advance and made available to user equipment, enabling seamless MBMS service without requiring additional real-time configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If LCT cells use separate MBMS configuration mechanisms, then service control precision is maintained, but system complexity increases when NCT cells are added

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by consolidating the MBMS configuration mechanisms for both LCT and NCT cells into a unified system. The base station uses the same configuration procedures and information structures for both cell types, eliminating the need for separate management mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise service control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the base station's MBMS configuration mechanism to serve both LCT and NCT cells universally. The same configuration information structure and transmission method are applied to both cell types, allowing a single system component to handle multiple cell types without requiring additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If NCT cells lack MBMS configuration information, then device simplicity is maintained, but service functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell configuration complexityVSAvoidMBMS service functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring complete MBMS configuration information at the base station before NCT cells begin providing MBMS services. The configuration including carrier frequency, MBSFN area identification, and scheduling parameters is prepared in advance and transmitted to user equipment, enabling full MBMS functionality without adding complexity to the NCT cell structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the base station as an intermediary that holds and manages MBMS configuration information for NCT cells. Instead of embedding complex configuration mechanisms within NCT cells, the base station acts as a mediator that provides configuration information to user equipment, enabling NCT cells to support MBMS services with minimal internal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2966824B1Method and device for processing service of new carrier type cell and communication system
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2966824B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2966824B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2966824B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a service processing method for a new carrier type cell, an apparatus, and a communications system. The method includes: receiving, by user equipment UE, a system message sent by a base station corresponding to a legacy carrier type LCT cell, where the system message includes multimedia broadcast multicast Service MBMS configuration information of a new carrier type NCT cell; and performing, by the UE, service configuration processing on an MBMS of the NCT cell according to the MBMS configuration information of the NCT cell. The technical solutions of the present invention can implement support of an NCT cell for an MBMS and extend application scenarios of the MBMS.