Terminal Multicast Reception Across Cellular Frequency Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current terminal apparatuses have limited opportunities to receive multicast signals, particularly in MBSFN signals transmitted through MBSFN subframes, as they typically only receive signals in the frequency band corresponding to their cellular system, missing out on signals in shared bands or other cellular systems.

Innovation Solution

The terminal apparatus is designed to receive paging messages in a primary frequency band while also receiving multicast signals in secondary frequency bands, including shared bands or bands from other cellular systems, by selecting appropriate frequency bands during cell selection or reselection processes, and measuring MBSFN reference signals to enhance signal reception opportunities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If terminal apparatus receives multicast signals only in the frequency band corresponding to its cellular system, then the terminal can maintain simple frequency band selection and cellular system compatibility, but the opportunity to receive multicast signals is limited and signal coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopportunity to receive multicast signalsVSAvoidfrequency band management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in its home cellular system frequency band and also receive multicast signals from other cellular systems in different frequency bands. The terminal acts as a universal receiver that adapts to multiple frequency band environments, enabling it to receive multicast signals regardless of which cellular system transmits them.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal apparatus pre-stores information about other cellular systems including their frequency bands, PLMN IDs, and other system parameters before needing to receive multicast signals. This preliminary storage of system information allows the terminal to quickly switch to and receive signals from other cellular systems without complex real-time discovery procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If terminal apparatus monitors multiple frequency bands including shared bands and other cellular system bands, then signal coverage and multicast reception opportunities are improved, but the complexity of frequency band selection and signal processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus segments its reception operations into distinct modes: it monitors its home cellular system frequency band for paging and control signals, while separately monitoring other cellular system frequency bands specifically for multicast signals. This segmentation allows the terminal to handle different frequency bands with different processing requirements independently, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal uses stored information about other cellular systems (PLMN IDs, frequency bands, system parameters) as an intermediary to efficiently identify and tune to the correct frequency bands for multicast reception. This pre-stored information acts as a mediator that simplifies the process of finding and receiving signals from other cellular systems without requiring complex real-time scanning and identification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If terminal apparatus selects frequency bands during cell selection or reselection processes, then multicast signal reception in multiple bands is enabled, but the time and resources required for band selection increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulticast signal reception capabilityVSAvoidband selection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus performs preliminary actions by pre-storing information about other cellular systems including their frequency bands, system parameters, and identification data during normal operation. This advance preparation allows the terminal to quickly switch to receiving multicast signals from other cellular systems when needed, without requiring time-consuming discovery and selection procedures at the moment of signal reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3767972B1Apparatus and method for improved multicast reception
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3767972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal apparatus (100) comprising means configured to, when the terminal apparatus (100) is in a connected mode in a first frequency band of a first cellular system, transmit or receive a first signal in the first frequency band, select a second frequency band, and receive, in the second frequency band, a multicast signal transmitted from a base station of a second cellular system, when the terminal apparatus (100) is in the connected mode in the first cellular system. The second frequency band is different from the first frequency band, and the second cellular system is different from the first cellular system.