UE Broadcast Multicast Session Manager for MBMS Content Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia broadcasting and multicasting systems in wireless communications require complex processes for user equipment (UE) to define and transmit multicast groups, making it difficult for users to share content without going through the broadcast-multicast service center.
Innovation Solution
A UE Broadcast/Multicast (UEBM) session manager is introduced to facilitate wireless packet broadcast or multicast services, allowing UEs to initiate and manage their own broadcast/multicast sessions, authenticate as content providers, generate charging records, locate recipient UEs, and allocate network resources, thereby simplifying the process of serving as a source of multicast/broadcast content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UEs go through the BM-SC to define and transmit multicast groups, then content distribution is enabled, but the process becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the multicast group management functionality from the centralized BM-SC and implements it directly in the UE through a local multicast group manager. This allows UEs to independently define, join, and leave multicast groups without requiring complex interactions with the BM-SC, thereby simplifying the operation while maintaining content distribution capability
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is empowered to self-manage multicast group operations including defining groups, joining groups, and leaving groups through local context management. The UE autonomously handles multicast session establishment and resource allocation without requiring cumbersome BM-SC intervention for each operation, improving ease of use
2Quantity of substance
If unicast channels are used to distribute content to small groups, then content distribution is enabled, but bandwidth consumption increases as group sizes grow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal multicast mechanism that can handle both small groups and large groups efficiently. The UE-based multicast group manager enables the system to dynamically adapt to different group sizes and content types, allowing a single multicast infrastructure to serve multiple scenarios (small group sharing, large group broadcasting, different content formats) without requiring separate unicast channels for each case
3Ease of operation
If centralized BM-SC manages all multicast sessions, then network control is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multicast management functionality into two parts: strategic control remains with the BM-SC (session management, resource allocation), while operational control is delegated to the UE (group definition, joining, leaving). This segmentation allows user-friendly local operations while maintaining necessary network-level control and coordination
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system is provided for implementing a wireless packet broadcast or multicast service. The system includes at least one Radio Access Network (RAN) for communicating with a first UE over a first wireless interface and a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) for communicating with the RAN over a second wireless packet interface. A gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) is provided for communicating with the SGSN over a third wireless packet interface and for communicating with external packet-switched networks. A UE Broadcast/Multicast (UEBM) session manager is also provided, which is configured to provision a wireless packet broadcast or multicast service initiated by the first UE.