CN101170716A - Method and device for improving MBMS service availability - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses two methods for increasing the availability of media multiple broadcast service (MBMS). The method comprises: a network side determines a MBMS service request unallowed itself or unappeasable for user, and then sends the value of unallowed or unappeasable reason. The invention also discloses a device for increasing the availability of MBMS. In the inventive proposal, since the network side notifies the user equipment (UE) with the reason of UE rejection, the user will not re-initiate the request in blindness after the service is interrupted, the availability of MBMS is increased, and the reliability of the service provider is enhanced.

Description

Improve the method and the device of MBMS service availability

Technical field

The present invention relates to the broadcast/group broadcast technology, refer to improve the method and the device of multi-medium broadcast/group broadcast service (MBMS, Media Multiple Broadcast Service) service availability especially.

Background technology

Multicast and broadcasting are a kind of technology that transmits data from a data source to a plurality of targets.

Now, people no longer are satisfied with phone and messaging service to the demand of mobile communication, and along with the fast development of internet (Internet), a large amount of mobile multi-media services emerge.The some of them mobile multi-media service requires a plurality of users can receive identical data, for example video request program, television broadcasting, video conference, online education, interactive game etc. simultaneously.These mobile multi-media services are compared with general data service, have characteristics such as data volume is big, longer duration, delay sensitive.

In order to effectively utilize the mobile communications network resource, 3G (Third Generation) Moblie global standards tissue (3GPP) has proposed the multi-medium broadcast/group broadcast service (MBMS) of mobile communications network, thereby in mobile communications network, provide a data source to send the point-to-multipoint service of data to a plurality of users, the realization Internet resources are shared, improve utilization rate of network resource, the interface resource of especially eating dishes without rice or wine.The MBMS that 3GPP proposes can not only realize the classes of messages multicast and the broadcasting of plain text low rate, and can also realize the multicast and the broadcasting of high-speed multimedia business, and this has complied with the trend of following mobile data services development undoubtedly.

In order in existing mobile communications network, to support the MBMS business, in 3-G (Generation Three mobile communication system), increased the mobile network functional entity--broadcast/multicast service center (BM-SC), described BM-SC is content provider's a inlet, be used for authorizing and initiating the MBMS business, and plan transmits the MBMS content to schedule at mobile network.In addition, UE in existing wireless communications network, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) land radio access web (UTRAN), global system for mobile communications strengthen wireless access network (GERAN), Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN, Serving GPRS SupportNode), increased the function relevant on the critical point GPRS Support Node functional entitys such as (GGSN, Gateway GPRS Support Node) with MBMS.Support the wireless network architecture schematic diagram of broadcasting/packet service to stipulate, repeat no more here referring to related protocol.Fig. 1 is the network reference structural representation of existing MBMS, and as shown in Figure 1, the edge of MBMS bearer service is Gmb, Gi reference point, i.e. interface between BM-SC and the GGSN, and wherein, the Gmb interface provides the chain of command function, and the Gi interface provides the user plane bearer function.

At present, on the basis of MBMS broadcasting scheme, propose MBMS and strengthened broadcasting scheme.The basic thought that MBMS strengthens broadcasting is to broadcast at MBMS to introduce point-to-point (P-T-P) pattern of MBMS multicast on the basis and put multiple spot (P-T-M) mode switch and statistics (COUNTING) characteristic.In addition, strengthen in the broadcasting scheme at MBMS, the user sets up in the RRC connection and carries the MBMS business information of self selecting in the request message, and RNC can therefrom directly learn the business that UE selects.And in MBMS standard multicast scheme, the information of the MBMS business that UE selects is after UE finishes adding (JOIN) or service request (Service Request) process alternately with core net, notifies RNC by the ggsn (SGSN) of network side.

Accomplished to start transmission and change sending mode flexibly because MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme, improved the wireless side performance greatly with number of users, simultaneously, owing to reduced the mutual of UE and core net, thus reduced UE access/switching channels time delay greatly.

Strengthen in the broadcasting scheme in MBMS standard multicast scheme and MBMS, data send and have P-T-P and two kinds of patterns of P-T-M.Under the P-T-P sending mode, the user receives the MBMS business on dedicated channel; Under the P-T-M sending mode, the user receives the MBMS business on common channel.Because point-to-point carries power control mechanism, generally the P-T-P pattern is more saved power resource than P-T-M pattern under the less situation of user, and when number of users surpassed certain threshold value, the radio network controller in the wireless access network (RNC) started the conversion of MBMS business from the P-T-P pattern to the P-T-M pattern.Usually, the sub-district can be with professional sending mode such as the P-T-P pattern or the P-T-M pattern of self current employing, and the mode by broadcasting sends to the user who enters this sub-district.

At present, owing to reasons such as MBMS mode switch, RNC may not allow UE to set up the P-T-P carrying, is exemplified below:

The user sends RRC connection request (RRCCONNECTION REQUEST) message by user terminal (UE) to RNC, carries in this RRC connection request message to wish to set up the P-T-P loaded information; Strengthen in the broadcasting scheme at MBMS, after RNC receives RRC connection request message, can from this RRC connection request message, obtain the MBMS business information that UE selects, if RNC self surpasses predetermined threshold value by the number of users that the P-T-P pattern sends the MBMS business, then RNC can trigger mode change, the mode that self is sent the MBMS business is the P-T-M pattern from the P-T-P mode switch, therefore, the RRC connection of RNC meeting refusing user's is set up request or discharge this RRC connection by dispose procedure immediately after RRC connection foundation is finished.In MBMS standard multicast scheme, after UE and core net were finished alternately, SGSN informed the business that RNC is user-selected by connecting (Linking) process, and at this moment, if RNC need be to the P-T-M mode switch, then RNC initiates RRC and connects dispose procedure.

Same situation also is present in the situation of user's handover, here suppose cell-of-origin employing P-T-M mode carrying, Target cell adopts the P-T-P mode carrying, if the handover of UE causes the Target cell mode switch, requirement is set up in the P-T-P carrying that RNC also can refusing user's.

As seen from the above description, RNC can refuse the MBMS P-T-P carrying of UE and sets up requirement by send RRC connection refused message or RRC connection release message to UE, still, connects the reason of not informing refusal in refusal or the release message at RRC.

From existing to MBMS Business Processing process because network side is not informed the user with the cause value of refusing user's, unnecessary reconnect or unusually that may cause UE; And, also can't give the impression of the suitable prompting of user, thereby reduce the MBMS availability of traffics with the assurance user, also reduced the confidence level of operator.

In addition, after the user has added a session (SESSION), if RNC is when receiving from the professional initiation command of the MBMS of core net, self can not satisfy the resource requirement of current sessions, perhaps in SESSION carries out by the higher service occupation of priority, perhaps the reason owing to other temporarily can not provide MBMS business to UE, network side directly is provided by the MBMS business that provides to UE, and user side can't be provided by the professional reason that can not provide and can not provide, at this moment, the user is may try reconstruct professional but can not be successful, and UE also may occur unusually.As can be seen, under the mechanism of existing protocol, if above situation, user's impression can't guarantee, thereby reduced the MBMS availability of traffics, also reduced the confidence level of operator.

Summary of the invention

In view of this, main purpose of the present invention is to provide the method for two kinds of raising MBMS service availabilities, can guarantee user's professional use experience, improves the confidence level of operator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of device of the MBMS of raising service availability, can guarantee user's professional use experience, improve the confidence level of operator.

For achieving the above object, technical scheme of the present invention specifically is achieved in that

A kind of method that improves multi-medium broadcast/group broadcast service MBMS service availability, this method comprises:

Network side sends unallowed cause value to user terminal after determining self not allow user's MBMS service request.

Described unallowed cause value is carried in the RRC connection refused message and sends to user terminal.

Described unallowed cause value is carried in the RRC connection release message and sends to user terminal.

The identification information of described unallowed cause value and unaccepted MBMS business is carried in sub-district/UTRAN Acceditation Area renewal acknowledge message and sends to user terminal.

Described cause value is because the cause value of mode switch for the expression refusal.

This method is applicable to that MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme.

This method is applicable to that MBMS standard multicast scheme or MBMS strengthen broadcasting scheme.

A kind of method that improves the MBMS service availability, this method comprises:

Network side sends unappeasable cause value to user terminal after determining self to satisfy user's MBMS service request.

Described unappeasable cause value is carried at MBMS and revises in service information message or the unmodified service information message of MBMS, sends to user terminal.

The identification information of described unappeasable cause value and unaccepted MBMS business is carried in sub-district/UTRAN Acceditation Area renewal acknowledge message and sends to user terminal.

Described unappeasable cause value is the temporary transient disabled cause value of expression service.

This method is applicable to that MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme or MBMS standard multicast scheme.

A kind of device that improves the MBMS service availability, this device are used for determining whether network side allows or can not satisfy user's MBMS service request, and when not allowing maybe can not satisfy, do not allow or unappeasable cause value to the user terminal transmission.

As seen from the above technical solution, among the present invention, network side sends to user terminal and not to allow or unappeasable cause value after determining self not allow maybe to satisfy user's MBMS service request.Among the present invention program, will refuse the reason of UE owing to network side and notify UE, and make the user after service disconnection, can blindly not initiate request again, guarantee user's impression, improve the MBMS availability of traffics, also improve the confidence level of operator.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the network reference structural representation of existing MSMS;

Fig. 2 a is that RRC of the present invention connects the flow chart of setting up embodiment;

Fig. 2 b is that RRC of the present invention connects the flow chart that discharges embodiment.

Embodiment

Core concept of the present invention is: network side sends to user terminal and not allow or unappeasable cause value after determining self not allow maybe to satisfy user's MBMS service request, and is unusual so that UE avoids UE to occur for the suitable prompting of user simultaneously.

For making purpose of the present invention, technical scheme and advantage clearer, below with reference to the accompanying drawing preferred embodiment that develops simultaneously, to the situation of network side among the present invention, further describe in the MBMS service request of determining self not allow the user.

Fig. 2 a is that RRC of the present invention connects the flow chart of setting up embodiment, shown in Fig. 2 a, is example with the WCDMA system, may further comprise the steps:

Step 200a:UE sends RRC connection request message to RNC, carries the business that cell represents to wish to set up MBMS P-T-P carrying and request in this RRC connection request message.

After step 200b:RNC receives RRC connection request message, suppose because the number of users that passes through P-T-P pattern transmission MBMS business of self surpasses predetermined threshold value and the trigger mode conversion, the mode that self is sent the MBMS business is the P-T-M pattern from the P-T-P mode switch, so, RNC will represent that refusal is because the cause value of mode switch (MBMS MODE CHANGE) is carried at RRC connects to set up and send to UE in the refuse information.

Described cause value can be carried at the RRC connection and set up in existing Reason For Denial (Rejection cause) cell of refuse information, can certainly be carried in other existing cell or the newly-increased cell.

Among Fig. 2 a,, belong to MBMS and strengthen broadcasting scheme because UE carries the information of the business of request in RRC connection request message, because RNC has obtained the business information that the user selects, therefore, RNC can directly refuse the P-T-P pattern of UE request, sends the MBMS business by common signal channel to UE.

Method shown in Fig. 2 a is applicable to that MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme.

Fig. 2 b is that RRC of the present invention connects the flow chart that discharges embodiment, shown in Fig. 2 b, may further comprise the steps:

Step 200b:UE sends RRC connection request message to RNC, carries cell in this RRC connection request message and represents to wish to set up MBMS P-T-P carrying.

Suppose that this moment, RNC set up refuse information to UE transmission RRC connection.

Step 201b～step 202b:UE and core net such as SGSN finish UE alternately and add the MBMS business, and afterwards, SGSN connects (Linking) process notice RNC user's MBMS contextual information by UE.

Here include the MBMS business information that UE selects in the MBMS contextual information.

Step 203b～step 204b: if RNC this moment triggers the MBMS carrying of sub-district, UE place to the P-T-M mode switch, then RNC will represent that refusal is to send to UE because the cause value of mode switch is carried in the RRC connection release message.

Described cause value can be carried in the existing Reason For Denial cell of RRC connection release message, can certainly be carried in other existing cell or the newly-increased cell.

Step 205b:UE sends RRC to RNC and connects Release complete.

Among Fig. 2 b, because UE does not carry the information of the business of request in RRC connection request message, belong to MBMS standard multicast scheme, therefore, RNC can not directly refuse the P-T-P pattern of UE request, but after the follow-up UE of finishing added MBMS and obtains the business information of UE request, by the request of RRC connection release message refusal UE, the user received professional by common signal channel afterwards.

Method shown in Fig. 2 b is applicable to MBMS standard multicast scheme.

Find out that easily strengthen broadcasting scheme for MBMS, RNC also can connect dispose procedure by RRC, will represent that again refusal is because the cause value of mode switch is notified to UE, no longer describes in detail here.

From the flow chart shown in Fig. 2 a and Fig. 2 b as seen, known unaccepted reason in the message of users from networks side, made the user to take appropriate measures, again correctly, access network quickly according to failure cause.Such as, in Fig. 2 a or Fig. 2 b illustrated embodiment, the user knows that network side is owing to being the request of having refused UE of P-T-M pattern from the P-T-P mode switch, and the user can reattempt the RRC connection request so, and only need wait for that receiving the MBMS broadcasting service from common channel gets final product.Like this, guarantee user's impression, improved the MBMS availability of traffics, also improved the confidence level of operator.

For the situation of user's handover, similar shown in implementation method and Fig. 2 a or Fig. 2 b when refusing user's connects if network side also is owing to mode switch, no longer repeat here.

In addition, in definite situation that self can not satisfy user's MBMS service request, this situation is applicable to that MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme and MBMS standard multicast scheme for network side.Be implemented as follows:

When certain sub-district can not provide related service, can revise to increase in information on services (MBMS modified services Information) message or the unmodified information on services of existing MBMS (the MBMS unmodified services Information) message indicating the cause value that related service can not be provided at existing MBMS.After UE learns that relevant MBMS business can not provide, suitably point out for the user.

Here, can not provide related service promptly can not satisfy the situation of user's MBMS service request, comprise that network side can not satisfy the resource requirement of current MBMS business, perhaps in SESSION carries out by the higher service occupation of priority, perhaps the reason owing to other temporarily can not provide MBMS business etc. to UE.

In the embodiment of the invention, can indicate the MBMS service request that network side can not satisfy the user by in the MBMS of MBMS modified services Information message and MBMS unmodified services Information message request UE action (MBMS Required UE action) cell, increasing as serve temporarily unavailable promptings such as (service tempdown).

Like this, network side business begin back or business carry out in since a variety of causes be in can not provide service state the time, owing to UE can in time learn information and reason, make the user after service disconnection, can blindly not initiate request again, guaranteed user's impression, improve the MBMS availability of traffics, also improved the confidence level of operator.

In addition, to being in sub-district _ forward access channel (CELL_FACH) state, cell _ paging channel (CELL_PCH) state, during the user's of universal mobile telecommunications system land radio access web (UTRAN) Acceditation Area _ paging channel (URA_PCH) state processing, when initiating sub-district/Acceditation Area, the user upgrades (CELL/URA UPDATE) message, if carry request P-T-P loaded information in this CELL/URA UPDATE message, and this moment, if network side has triggered mode switch, so, among the present invention, network side can upgrade to carry in the newly-increased MBMS pattern change cell of confirming (CELL/URAUPDATE CONFIRM) message at sub-district/UTRAN Acceditation Area represents that refusal is because the cause value of mode switch; Perhaps, when the P-T-P that network side can not be provided for requiring owing to reasons such as resources carries, can in newly-increased congested (Congestion) of CELL/URA UPDATE CONFIRM message cell, carry the cause value of expression traffic congestion.

Simultaneously, network side can be carried at the sign (MBMS Service ID) of MBMS business of refusal simultaneously in the newly-increased MBMS service identification cell of CELL/URA UPDATE CONFIRM message and send to user terminal, like this, the user has not only been known the reason of refusal, and has known unaccepted business.

Find out that easily the user who the present invention is directed under the CELL_FACH state that is in, CELL_PCH state, the URA_PCH state initiates the processing that CELL/URA upgrades, and both has been applicable to MBMS standard multicast scheme, be applicable to that also MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme.

Based on said method, the present invention also provides a kind of device of the MBMS of raising service availability, this device is used for determining whether network side allows or can not satisfy user's MBMS service request, and when not allowing maybe can not satisfy, does not allow or unappeasable cause value to the user terminal transmission.This device can be arranged among the RNC of network side.

The above is preferred embodiment of the present invention only, is not to be used to limit protection scope of the present invention, all any modifications of being made within the spirit and principles in the present invention, is equal to replacement, improvement etc., all should be included within protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

1. a method that improves multi-medium broadcast/group broadcast service MBMS service availability is characterized in that, this method comprises:

Network side sends unallowed cause value to user terminal after determining self not allow user's MBMS service request.

2. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described unallowed cause value is carried in the RRC connection refused message and sends to user terminal.

3. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described unallowed cause value is carried in the RRC connection release message and sends to user terminal.

4. method according to claim 1 is characterized in that, the identification information of described unallowed cause value and unaccepted MBMS business is carried in sub-district/UTRAN Acceditation Area renewal acknowledge message and sends to user terminal.

5. according to each described method of claim 1～4, it is characterized in that described cause value is because the cause value of mode switch for the expression refusal.

6. method according to claim 2 is characterized in that, this method is applicable to that MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme.

7. according to claim 3 or 4 described methods, it is characterized in that this method is applicable to that MBMS standard multicast scheme or MBMS strengthen broadcasting scheme.

8. a method that improves the MBMS service availability is characterized in that, this method comprises:

Network side sends unappeasable cause value to user terminal after determining self to satisfy user's MBMS service request.

9. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, described unappeasable cause value is carried at MBMS and revises in service information message or the unmodified service information message of MBMS, sends to user terminal.

10. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the identification information of described unappeasable cause value and unaccepted MBMS business is carried in sub-district/UTRAN Acceditation Area renewal acknowledge message and sends to user terminal.

11. each described method is characterized in that according to Claim 8～10, described unappeasable cause value is the temporary transient disabled cause value of expression service.

12., it is characterized in that this method is applicable to that MBMS strengthens broadcasting scheme or MBMS standard multicast scheme according to claim 9 or 10 described methods.

13. device that improves the MBMS service availability, it is characterized in that, this device is used for determining whether network side allows or can not satisfy user's MBMS service request, and when not allowing maybe can not satisfy, does not allow or unappeasable cause value to the user terminal transmission.

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