PTT Server MBMS Support via Group Session Invitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Push-To-Talk (PTT) server systems fail to provide Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) support to mobile units operating within the Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area of an unaware PTT server, as these servers are not associated with the group session and lack direct access to MBSFN areas.
Innovation Solution
A controlling PTT server determines server association and access network data to identify unaware PTT servers and transmits invitation data to join the group session, enabling MBMS support by activating MBMS services in the MBSFN areas of participating PTT servers, ensuring all mobile units receive multicast broadcasts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a controlling PTT server directly manages all group session participants, then control and coordination is simplified, but coverage area is limited to the controlling server's direct operating area
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the coverage area into multiple operating areas, each served by a separate PTT server. The controlling PTT server segments the group session management by identifying which participants are served by which PTT server, enabling distributed MBMS support across multiple servers while maintaining centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling PTT server acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple PTT servers and group session participants. It sends invitation data to unaware PTT servers to join the group session, enabling these servers to provide MBMS support to participants in their operating areas without direct management overhead.
2Device complexity
If unaware PTT servers are excluded from group sessions, then server association management is simplified, but MBMS support is lost for participants in MBSFN areas of unaware servers
Solution Approach 1:
The controlling PTT server performs preliminary identification of unaware PTT servers that have participants in their MBSFN areas before the group session begins. It sends invitation data to these servers in advance, ensuring they are prepared to provide MBMS support when needed, rather than reacting after the session starts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controlling PTT server receives information about participants in MBSFN areas of unaware PTT servers. This feedback triggers the invitation process, ensuring that MBMS support is activated only when and where it is actually needed, optimizing resource usage while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If invitation data is sent to all potential PTT servers, then MBMS support coverage is maximized, but network traffic and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controlling PTT server applies local quality by sending invitation data only to specific unaware PTT servers that have participants in their MBSFN areas, rather than broadcasting to all servers. This targeted approach activates MBMS support only in the local areas where it is actually needed, reducing unnecessary network traffic and processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of invitation target selection from all potential servers to only those servers with participants in MBSFN areas. This parameter change optimizes the balance between coverage and network efficiency by using criteria-based filtering to identify the minimal set of servers that need to be invited.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method handles a group session of a communication group. The method includes determining server association data and access network association data for each mobile unit in a communication group. The server association data indicates a first association with a Push-To-Talk (PTT) server. The access network association data indicates a second association with an operating area respective to the PTT servers. The method includes determining a first MU of the MUs in the communication group being associated with a first PTT server and associated with a MBMS operating area of a second PTT server, the first PTT server controlling the group session. When none of the MUs participating in the group session is associated with the second PTT server, the method includes inviting the second PTT server to join the group session of the communication group.