Method of providing multicast broadcast services continuity in wireless network, corresponding network node and user equipment

FIELD: radio engineering, communication.

SUBSTANCE: multicast broadcast services are supported by at least one multicast broadcast services bearer, said wireless network further providing unicast services to said user equipment, wherein the wireless network further provides unicast services to user equipment. The unicast services are supported by at least one unicast service bearer, wherein multicast broadcast services bearers are multiplexed with unicast services bearers on at least one carrier. The method comprises prioritising multicast broadcast services over unicast services, wherein the prioritising consists in sending an indication from user equipment to the wireless network requesting multicast broadcast services to be prioritised over unicast services. In case of congestion of unicast services on said carrier, the network releases at least one unicast service bearer and/or one unicast connection.

EFFECT: providing continuity of transmission services.

14 cl, 6 dwg

The prior art INVENTIONS

The present invention relates, in particular, to a method for ensuring continuity of services, multicast and broadcast transmission in relation to user equipment of a wireless network.

In modern communication networks, according to the draft long-term development (Long Term Evolution, LTE) 3G defined as part of the standardization of 3GPP consortium, the user equipment may be provided or service unicast or multicast and broadcast services transmission, or both simultaneously.

Service unicast - these are the services that provide for the transmission of data and messages to a single destination purpose (for example, one mobile communication terminal in the case of a wireless network). An example of unicast services are voice call, email, Internet surfing. Services broadcast services, where the transmitted data can be read by any recipient (for example, all mobile terminals in a wireless network can get access to this data). An example of broadcast services can be any service that does not require any registration and is available to all. As such service broadcasting could be presented to GPS.

The multicast service is something �between the services of unicast and broadcast. Here, the same data and messages are sent only to a group of recipients. An example of multicast services could be the streaming of television broadcasting, based on registration (often for a fee) at a particular provider.

In wireless networks, each of the services unicast and broadcast/multicast associated with bearer, specifying the appropriate configuration of the physical layer and layer 2 for completing the requirements for quality of service for different services.

Bearing channels corresponding to the physical bearing. One carrier can support multiple multiplexed bearers. This can be thought of as bearing different channels corresponding to the multiple separate podkatom in the radio frame. It is assumed that in Fig. 1 shows a radio frame, where the bearing channels of different types (service unicast or broadcast services and multicast) are multiplexed on the same carrier. Podckaji#0, #4, #5, #9 the allocated rooms unicast and podckaji#1, #2, #3, #6, #7, #8 allocated for broadcast services and multicast.

In LTE and LTE Advanced services group and broadcasts often referred to as MBMS (broadcast services and multicast multimedia) or e-MBMS (enhanced broadcast services � multicast multimedia). Specialist in the art it will be clear that the present invention can be used in the LTE or LTE Advanced, as well as in the environment of other wireless networks that exhibit the same multiplexing unicast bearers and group/broadcast on the same carrier.

In some cases, it may be that the resources required for bearers of rooms unicast increase, leading to overload. This should be made the decision whether additional resources are provided or not. In the case where resources are available, should be made another decision whether to disable other bearing channels. When services unicast and broadcast and multicast coexist on the same carrier, the solutions of the prior art always gave the benefit of the service unicast and stopped services broadcast and multicast in case of limited resources.

Especially if the service is broadcast and multicast is available on one carrier frequency, the wireless network must provide services unicast transmission on the same carrier for all connected tools user equipment that is not capable of carrier aggregation�x or double intake. Given that for much of the user equipment with the greatest resources of podkatov would be reserved for broadcast services and multicast, unicast services could exist limited resources.

The performance of the network could minimize the limited resources for unicast services on bearing that simultaneously support bearing channels broadcast services and multicast.

One way to minimize the limited resources for unicast services consists of distributing the load-carrying channels of broadcast services and multicast on multiple carriers. For example, highly service broadcast and multicast could be provided on a carrier, where services for broadcast and multicast highlighted just a few of podkatov, leaving most of podkatov available for unicast services. As a result, the limited resources for unicast services would occur rarely, and overload traffic unicast transmissions would be kept under control. Another available service broadcast and multicast must therefore be assigned to other bearing.

Despite the fact that the performance of the network can swest� to the minimum possible limited resources for unicast services on a carrier, used in conjunction with load-carrying channels of broadcast services and multicast, a specific object of the present invention is to provide a method that provides a solution to the problem of limited service unicast transmission with minimal inconvenience for the user to use the services of broadcast and multicast.

Another object of the present invention is to provide mechanisms for network node and user equipment to solve the problems mentioned above, while at the same time, the continuity of service of broadcast and multicast in wireless networks.

Summary of the INVENTION

These objectives and others which will appear below, are solved by the method of ensuring continuity of services, multicast and broadcast transmission to user equipment of a wireless network according to paragraph 1, the corresponding network node according to paragraph 15 and the corresponding user equipment according to item 16.

According to the present invention provides group and broadcasts is given priority over the unicast services in case if there was an overload for unicast services. In the first embodiment, the user equipment sends a decree�tion, requires a wireless network to set the priority of carrier channels of broadcast services and multicast over unicast services.

In the second embodiment, the priority is performed by assigning priorities all carrier channels, custom designed equipment, with priority assigned to the unicast services, lower priority assigned to at least one of broadcast services and multicast.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the prioritization is achieved by the fact that the wireless network sends an indication that for unicast services, custom designed equipment, congestion occurs, provided that the user equipment is arranged to take appropriate measures to maintain the continuity of services to broadcast and multicast.

An advantage of the method according to the present invention is to provide a user equipment more flexible methods of control the type of services which they would like to assign a priority, bearing in mind that at some stage, more and more services to broadcast and multicast can have a preference of users over the conventional�AMI unicast.

For more predominant features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF description of the DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment given by way of non-limiting illustration, and from the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a radio frame for carrier multiplexed with polkadraai bearers service broadcast/multicast and polkadraai bearers of rooms unicast.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a network node according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows embodiment of a user equipment according to the present invention.

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION of the INVENTION

The functions of the various elements shown in the drawings, including functional blocks labeled as "processors", can be ensured through the use of specialized apparatus�atna security and hardware, configured to execution of the software, together with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or a plurality of individual processors, some of which can be used together. Moreover, one should not infer that the explicit use of the term "processor" or "controller" refers exclusively to hardware, made with the possibility of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, hardware, digital signal processing (DSP), network processor, a specialized integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM) and a nonvolatile storage device. It can also include other hardware, conventional and/or custom-made. Similarly, any of the rectangles shown in the drawings are merely conceptual. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of software �of the Board and of the specialized logic, or even manually moreover, the specific method is chosen by the developer, as it is more clear from the context.

Fig. 1 has been described relative to the introductory part of the description.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the user equipment (UE) sends a network node (NN) an indication requesting the establishment of priority services group and broadcast services over unicast. Preferably this instruction is part of an RRC signaling message. The indication may be represented by one bit in the RRC message.

Specialists in the art understand that to refer to the instructions from the UE to the NN can be used for the other message types.

Upon the announcement of the network that the UE priority should be given to services multicast and broadcast transmission, the network node preferably checks whether there is congestion on the supporting channels of rooms unicast. If it is, then the network node decides which bearing unicast channels you want to disable or remove to ensure continuity of services multicast and broadcast transmission for UE has not been compromised.

At the next stage, and in the case of an overload of rooms unicast node in the network sends the UE signal with�communication, pointing to the release of one or more unicast services. One possible means of signaling is the use of RRC messages.

In a preferential embodiment of the RRC-a release message service unicast contains the base release (i.e. release from priority services group and broadcasts). The advantage of this is that UE would avoid any attempt to reinstall released bearer and/or connection services unicast, as part of measures to restore.

Will further explain the three possible versions of the liberation of rooms unicast.

The liberation service unicast transmission may preferably be made either at the level of the bearer service unicast or at the connection level of service unicast, or at both levels. In the case where the bearer is released, the UE continues to be known in the network, and the network stores information about UE: security, ID, etc., In the case when the connection is released, the UE no longer has any bearing installed channels to the network. As a result, the UE is known wireless network only at the zone level tracking, since the release of the connection also clears some�which the stored information about the UE to the network side.

These embodiments of the liberation of rooms unicast are not exhaustive, so any other alternative, obvious to a person skilled in the art in light of the invention, should also be included in the scope of the present invention.

Next, a description is given regarding the release of bearer services unicast. Specialist in the art it will be clear that it extends to the connection release service unicast. For simplicity, the case of the liberation of the compounds of rooms unicast transmission will not be discussed in detail below, but is part of the scope of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the release of the bearer service unicast transmission is achieved by a network node, the requesting UE transition to standby mode. After solving the problem of overload UE to report that it can restore bearer services broadcast and multicast. In this embodiment, the UE during the period of overload cannot get the services of a unicast transmission (including voice calls).

In the second embodiment, the release of the bearer service unicast transmission is achieved in that releases all the allocated carrying channels of rooms unicast, and bearing the default channel is maintained. It is expected that totraffic, suitable carrier channel by default, will be delivered in the best possible way. Some services unicast transmission on a carrier default channel may be unavailable until the UE receives services broadcast/multicast. As soon as the overload has decreased, can be installed allocated carrying channels of rooms unicast. In this embodiment, the UE during the overload period, may not receive unicast services (including voice calls). In comparison with the option above, this option does not require signal overload in the RRC message, informing about the release of unicast connections, nor about reducing congestion.

In the third embodiment, the release of the bearer service unicast transmission is achieved in that, when the UE indicates its willingness to prioritize services to broadcast and multicast over unicast services are exempt only some selected bearing channels of rooms unicast. This option provides a more flexible solution, but is also more complex because it implies that there should be a choice, what bearing channels of rooms unicast to release and which to leave. Here you can use the assignment of priorities, as described in the second �the Ariant implementation of the present invention (relative to Fig. 3) to help in the selection of carrier channels to release. This method requires the alarm to ensure network updates on information about dynamic values, priorities, since the UE may frequently change the priority between the bearing channels.

Mainly signalling message requesting the establishment of priority of the broadcast services and multicast over unicast transmission can be interpreted on the host network depending on the network policy/operator or subscription information of the user. Thus, the method has the potential to adapt to the requirements of each individual user. So supporting the unicast channels that are exempt in overload situation may differ from user to user.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment of the block 31 management assigns different priorities to the supporting channels received user equipment. Usually the bearing channel is given a default priority P0, the supporting channels 1 and 2 unicast priorities assigned respectively P1 and P2, and the bearing channel of broadcast and multicast are assigned the priority Pm. To bearer shirou�awesomeley and multicasting had priority over the supporting channels P1 and P2 unicast Pm should be at least above P1 or P2 or both above.

Upon detection of an overload the network may initiate the release of carrier channels having a low priority, to ensure the continuity of the bearer broadcast and multicast.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention bearer by default excluded from the mechanism of priority, as it should not be released. However, since it is assumed that the scheme is "best possible" applies to the carrying channel by default, the allocation thereof to the default channel of higher priority than the bearing channel of broadcast and multicast are not jeopardize the continuity of services to broadcast and multicast. Most likely background traffic (e.g. email, Facebook, etc.) can be supplied in accordance carrier channel by default. Bearer by default does not provide a guaranteed bit rate, and the traffic is delivered in accordance with the best opportunity available. If the resource is limited, traffic, deliver the best opportunity available, may be delayed. Bearing the default channel should be maintained for a user equipment connected via the RRC Protocol. Despite�I, what carries the default channel has a higher priority than the services broadcast and multicast, the UE does not need to transfer the service to another carrier to maintain the unicast connections, because the bearer is the default bearer, providing the best opportunities available.

In the LTE standard, the relative allocation/retention priority allocation/retention priorities; ARP), network-based, are still used exclusively in the context of carrier channels unicast could be extended to bearer, broadcast, multicast, to allow comparison of priorities among bearers of a different nature to ensure the continuity of the carrier channel broadcast and multicast.

In a preferred embodiment of the priorities module manages the operation and maintenance of the network, however, priorities may be assigned to a network node or user equipment. If the priorities assigns the user equipment, then need to be put into effect signal mechanism for communication network node different priorities to different bearers.

In the case of resource constraints on the bearing, support bearing channels broadcast and multicast, with�you can compare the priority bearers unicast priority bearers broadcast and multicast and choose what bearing channels to release. Preferably, the network has information about the UE, which receives service broadcast and multicast, so she can focus on these UE. Therefore, according to the present invention, the network may release some bearing unicast channels with a priority lower than the priority of the bearer channel to broadcast and multicast.

If limited resources continues to exist, and the UE does not find more supporting unicast channels with lower priority than the broadcast and multicast, the network preferably UE transmits on another frequency. This situation leads to the release of the bearer broadcast and multicast for the corresponding UE based on the relative priority.

Alternatively, to avoid the release bearer broadcast and multicast and continue to ensure the continuity of service of broadcast and multicast, it is possible to use the method according to the already described relative to Fig. 2 a first embodiment of the implementation.

In another embodiment, the above-mentioned information in the priority assigned to the supporting channels broadcast services and multicast, could be considered to be information about signature�e user. Thus, the solution could be adjusted to the requirements/subscription information individual user. In addition, there is potential to adapt the priorities of carrier channels unicast to a particular user, given the use of bearer broadcast and multicast and the corresponding priority.

This solution can be further improved considering the implicit choice/user interaction. For example, a user initiating a voice call, implicitly indicates a higher priority than services broadcast and multicast. The user can set the priority of the service broadcast and multicast by termination of the voice call, and then the network will move the user to the layer broadcast services and multicast and will provide a lower level of service for bearer by default to ensure that the UE choice of layer broadcast services and multicast. However, in an implicit user interaction is assumed that you are familiar with the direct relationship between applications and supporting channels with high priority, so that the user closes the application will result in the release of the bearer and changing priorities�s remaining bearers.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment of the continuity of service of broadcast and multicast is provided by sending the instructions overload services unicast carrier, shared overloaded service unicast and broadcast and multicast. The overload indication is sent from the network node means of the user equipment, receiving/are interested in receiving broadcast services and multicast.

Congestion information can either be transmitted in a cell in broadcast mode, to use the congestion information UE are only interested in broadcast and group transfer, or congestion information may be provided to the relevant UE that receive or wish to receive the broadcast and multicast, via dedicated RRC-signaling, and the UE is known to the network node. Used RRC-alarm can be either a dedicated RRC-signaling or RRC-alarms transmitted in broadcast mode in a cell.

When receiving the overload indicator on the carrier frequency of the broadcast and multicast UE wishing to provide services Shi�acoustilay and multicast priority over unicast transmission, disable services unicast to expect a large amount of traffic in the downlink.

The application layer UE informs the network node about disabling unicast services that ultimately leads to the release of the related carrying channels. This is done at the application level, and can be used mainly the procedure of establishment/modification/release bearer network IP-CAN.

When the load on the bearing is reduced, the UE should be notified to enable the app, released by overload.

This third version of the implementation relies to disable bearers unicast fully on UE. If any of the supporting unicast channels are not released (with the exception of bearer by default), then the network is required to transfer the UE to another carrier to maintain the unicast connection.

To improve the performance of the network may indicate to the UE, the release of any load-bearing channels may help to solve the problem of overload. Thus, the user decides to disable the application on the basis of his interests (assuming that the user knows about the correspondence between the bearer and the application).

Specialists in the art it will be clear that any�e combination of two or more options presented implementation would solve the technical problem and is part of the scope of the present invention. For example, in addition to the release of some bearers on the basis of priorities, the UE could also informed about the situation of overload.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a node network 50 according to the present invention. The network node is part of a wireless network and configured to support the continuity of services to broadcast and multicast for user equipment. Services group and broadcasts are supported for at least one bearer service group and broadcasts. Wireless network for the user equipment is further ensured service unicast transmission to user equipment. Services unicast supported for at least one bearer service unicast. Bearing channels of multicast and broadcast services transmission are multiplexed with bearing channels of unicast services on at least one carrier. According to the present invention the node network 50 includes a control unit 51, configured to determine priority of multicast and broadcast services transmission over the unicast services.

In the first embodiment of implementation of the control unit 51 reaches establishing priority by provian�I a priority for each carrier channel, support service to the user terminal. At least one of the bearers of multicast and broadcast services transmission is given a higher priority than the bearers of unicast services. The priority is taken into account by node network 50 for the liberation bearers in case of overload on the above-mentioned carrier, and bearing channels with lower priority are released first.

In the second embodiment of implementation of the control unit 51 reaches establishing priority by sending a user equipment specifying overload bearer service unicast carrier, used in conjunction with the service of broadcast and multicast.

The node network 50 performs the method steps described in connection with the description of Fig. 2, 3, 4.

Fig. 6 shows embodiment of a user device 60 according to the present invention. The user equipment is part of a wireless network and configured to maintain the continuity of services multicast and broadcast transmission. Services group and broadcasts are supported for at least one bearer service group and broadcasts. User equipment is provided additionally for unicast services, and� services unicast supported, at least one bearer service unicast. Bearing channels of multicast and broadcast services transmission are multiplexed with bearing channels of unicast services on at least one carrier. The user equipment contains a module 61, is capable of requesting the establishment of priority services group and broadcasts over the unicast services. Module 61 includes means for sending network node to the instructions, requesting the establishment of priority services group and broadcast services over unicast.

User equipment 60 performs the method steps described in connection with the description of Fig. 2, 3, 4.

1. Method of ensuring continuity of services, multicast and broadcast transmission user equipment (60), which is part of the wireless network, and the latter service group and broadcasts are supported for at least one bearer service group and broadcasts, and referred to the wireless network additionally provides mentioned user equipment (60) service unicast, with the latter service unicast supported by at least one bearing Kang�scrap services unicast wherein said bearing channels of multicast and broadcast services transmission are multiplexed with bearing channels of unicast services on at least one carrier, the method includes the steps in which:
- establish the priority of the mentioned services group and broadcasts over the unicast services, over and above the priority is to send the mentioned wireless network from the user equipment (60), requesting the establishment of priority services group and broadcasts over the unicast services, and in the event of an overload services unicast mentioned mentioned carrier network frees at least one bearer service unicast and/or a single unicast connection.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bearer service unicast identified as a bearer by default for the user equipment (60), wherein said bearer default remains a priority above mentioned bearing channel services group and broadcasts.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the said indication is sent via RRC signalling.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mentioned user equipment (60) is notified via alarms, because of the priority mentioned services group and broadcasts over the unicast services was released connection service unicast, wherein said method further comprises a step in which a user equipment (60) avoids any attempts to re-set the connection service unicast, as part of measures to restore.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the said priority is to assign at the user terminal a priority for each carrier channel, and mentioned bearer is either n�existent channel services group and broadcasts, either bearer of unicast services, wherein at least one of the bearers of multicast and broadcast services transmission has a higher priority than the bearing channels for unicast services, and the priority is taken into account for the liberation bearers in case of overload on the above-mentioned carrier, and bearing channels with lower priority are released first.

7. A method according to claim 6 in which the said priorities assigned to the module operation and maintenance of the mentioned wireless network.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein in case of overload services unicast mentioned mentioned carrier network frees at least one bearer service unicast low priority.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the said priority-setting involves sending instructions overload bearer service unicast mentioned carrier, and referred to the user equipment (60) performs the step of disabling at least one bearer service unicast mentioned on the carrier when receiving the instructions mentioned overload.

10. A method according to claim 9 in which the said overload indication is sent via a specialized RRC signalling

11. A method according to claim 9 in which the said overload indication is sent via RRC signalling is transmitted in broadcast mode in a cell.

12. A method according to claim 9, in which the mentioned user equipment (60) releases at least one of the bearers of rooms unicast transmission when receiving the instructions mentioned overload.

13. Node (50) network, which is part of the wireless network is arranged to maintain continuity of services, multicast and broadcast transmission for a user equipment (60), with the latter service group and broadcasts are supported for at least one bearer service group and broadcasts, and referred to the wireless network additionally provides mentioned user equipment (60) service unicast, with the latter service unicast supported for at least one bearer service unicast wherein said bearing channels of multicast and broadcast services transmission are multiplexed with bearing channels of unicast services on at least one carrier, and the said node (50) network includes:
block (51) control is performed with the possibility of establishing priorities�mentioned services and multicast and broadcast transmission over the unicast services, wherein said prioritizing is obtained by assigning a priority for each carrier channel that support the service at the user terminal, at least one of the bearers of multicast and broadcast services transmission has a higher priority than the bearing channels for unicast services, over and above the priority is taken into account mentioned wireless network for the liberation bearers in case of overload on the above-mentioned carrier, and bearing channels with lower priority are released first, or referred to the establishment of the priority given by sending the referred user equipment (60) indicate overload bearer service unicast mentioned on the carrier.

14. User equipment (60), which is part of the wireless network is arranged to maintain continuity of services, multicast and broadcast transmission, with the latter service group and broadcasts are supported for at least one bearer service multicast and broadcast transmission, wherein said user equipment (60) is provided in addition to the unicast services, and services unicast support�Xia, at least one bearer service unicast, and mentioned bearing channels of multicast and broadcast services transmission are multiplexed with bearing channels of unicast services on at least one carrier, and referred to the user equipment (60) comprises a module (61), is capable of requesting the establishment of priority mentioned services group and broadcasts over the unicast services, wherein the module (61) includes means for sending a wireless network, the instructions, requesting the establishment of priority mentioned services group and broadcasts above mentioned services unicast moreover, in case of overload services unicast mentioned mentioned carrier network frees at least one bearer service unicast and/or a single unicast connection.