Relay Node MBMS Data Mapping for Seamless Service Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Relay Nodes (RN) in LTE-A systems do not support Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) data transmission, leading to user equipment (UE) failing to receive MBMS signals when moving into coverage areas served by RNs, thereby affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a correspondence relationship between MBMS bearer identifiers and user plane data tunnel identifiers, allowing RNs to obtain and transmit MBMS user plane data from Donor eNBs over the Un interface, ensuring seamless MBMS service delivery to UEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If Relay Nodes are introduced to extend network coverage, then coverage area is improved, but MBMS service delivery is lost in RN-covered areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidMBMS service delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the Donor eNB acts as a mediator between the MBMS Gateway and the Relay Node. The Donor eNB receives MBMS data from the MBMS Gateway and forwards it to the Relay Node through the Un interface, enabling the Relay Node to relay MBMS data to UEs without requiring direct MBMS support at the Relay Node itself. This resolves the contradiction by allowing coverage extension through RNs while maintaining MBMS service delivery through the intermediary Donor eNB.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If Relay Nodes are deployed to reduce network deployment cost, then cost is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork deployment costVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the Relay Node to perform multiple functions: it continues to serve as a wireless access point for UEs while also relaying MBMS data from the Donor eNB. The Relay Node utilizes existing interfaces (Un interface for backhaul communication with Donor eNB, Uu interface for UE communication) to achieve MBMS data relay, avoiding the need for dedicated MBMS hardware while extending functionality. This multi-functionality approach reduces deployment cost by reusing existing infrastructure while managing complexity through standardized protocols.

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

3Area of stationary object

If MBMS data is relayed through Un interface, then MBMS coverage is extended, but data transmission reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMBMS coverageVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the Relay Node sends status information about MBMS data reception and transmission to the Donor eNB. The Donor eNB can adjust MBMS data forwarding based on relay node status reports, ensuring reliable data transmission. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain transmission reliability while extending coverage through the Relay Node by adapting to real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2667523B1Relaying MBMS data of an MBMS session
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP2667523B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2667523B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2667523B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present application are a method, an apparatus and a system for data transmission, which are used to realize support for transmission of MBMS service in a network scene with deployment of RNs. A data transmission method disclosed in the present invention comprises the following steps: a Relay Node RN establishes a first corresponding relationship between indications of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service MBMS bearers and indications of user plane data tunnels of MBMS sessions, and a second corresponding relationship between the indications of user plane data tunnels of MBMS sessions and indications of MBMS sessions; the RN obtains, according to the first corresponding relationship, the user plane data of a MBMS session transmitted from a Donor Evolved Node DeNB, and transmits, according to the second corresponding relationship, the user plane data of the MBMS session to a User Equipment UE.