CN101242573B - Method and system for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast service - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast service, which is used for activating the MBMS service of a designated evolution base station. The method comprises: determining a target eNB; judging whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services; when the target eNB is not transmitting MBMS services, sending a first message for adding the target eNB to a content distribution tree, And the multicast coordinating entity MCE sends radio resource allocation information to the target eNB. The invention also discloses user equipment, evolved base station, multicast coordination entity and communication system.

Description

Method and system for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast service

technical field

The invention relates to the communication field, in particular to a method and a system for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast service.

Background technique

With the development of wireless network technology, it has developed from Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. LTE is an evolution standard based on UMTS network formulated by 3GPP organization. LTE greatly improves the transmission capability of the physical layer and reduces the complexity of the system.

Among them, Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) has also been greatly improved. MBMS was introduced in the R6 version of UMTS for the first time, using the UMTS network to provide MBMS services. MBMS refers to broadcasting or multicasting multimedia data to mobile terminals by sharing a transmission link. MBMS is divided into broadcast and multicast two working modes. Wherein, the broadcast mode refers to that the multimedia data is unidirectionally sent from one service source to all user equipments (User Equipment, UE) inside the broadcast service area. UEs in this mode can receive broadcast data without registration. This broadcast mode can effectively save wireless resources, but it cannot guarantee the integrity of the data received by the UE. The multicast mode is very similar to the broadcast mode, but the UEs that can receive multicast data in the multicast mode are limited to the UEs that have registered for the service. When there are too few UEs receiving multicast data in the cell, the point-to-point (PTP) wireless bearer mode can be further selected to send multicast data to reduce interference to other wireless links.

Under the existing UMTS system, the core network (Core Network, CN) controls the continuity of the MBMS service when the UE performs cell reselection or handover. Taking handover as an example to briefly describe the method of activating MBMS service in the target cell under the UMTS system. See Figure 1 for a flowchart of the method.

Step 101: When a handover occurs, the source radio resource controller (Source Radio Access Network, SRNC) makes a handover decision and sends a handover request message (Relocation Required) with MBMS service information to the CN.

Step 102: CN sends a handover request message with a temporary mobile group identifier and a point-to-point radio access bearer identifier (PTP Radio Access BearerID) to a target radio resource controller (Target Radio Access Network, TRNC).

Step 103: TRNC creates MBMS UE Context (MBMS UE Context) and creates corresponding MBMS Service Context (MBMS Service Context) according to the mark of MBMS service, and obtains corresponding multicast IP address and APN from CN, simultaneously UE and MBMS service context associated. At this time, the state of the MBMS service context is the standby state (Standby).

Step 104: TRNC sends an MBMS registration request message (MBMS RegistrationRequest) to CN.

Step 105: After the CN receives the MBMS registration request message, re-establish the MBMS distribution tree from the broadcast multicast service center (broadcast multicast service center, BM-SC) to the TRNC, that is, set up the MBMS transmission context on each node of the distribution tree ( MBMS Bearer Context), and update the downstream node list (list ofdownstream nodes) of each node. At this time, the state of the newly created MBMS transmission context on each node is also in the standby state.

Step 106: BM-SC initiates MBMS session process (MBMS Session Start), establishes MBMS Iu signaling connection and MBMS Iu bearer between CN and TRNC, and establishes point-to-point radio bearer (PTP RB) between TRNC and UE . At this time, the status of the MBMS transmission context on each node is active (Active), and the UE starts to receive MBMS data from the TRNC.

It can be seen that the participation of the CN is required to activate the MBMS service of the TRNC, and the CN needs to trigger the registration process of the TRNC through the MBMS user equipment linking process. The MBMSIu bearer between CN and TRNC and the MBMS radio bearer between TRNC and UE need to be re-initiated by the upstream node after the TRNC Register to establish the MBMS Session Start process. The current communication system is shown in FIG. 2 .

When the wireless network technology develops to the LTE system, the MBMS also changes into an Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (Enhanced-MBMS, E-MBMS). The architecture of E-MBMS has undergone great changes on the basis of MBMS, one of which is the introduction of the concept of single frequency network (SFN), which requires some continuous evolved base stations (Evolved Node B, eNB) At the same time, the same carrier is used to send exactly the same content, so that the UE can receive an enhanced signal and improve the reception effect. The area formed by these continuous eNBs is called a single frequency network area (SFN area). In the LTE system, in the multi-cell transmission mode, there is no clear way to activate the MBMS service.

Contents of the invention

The embodiment of the present invention provides a method and a system for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast service, which are used to activate the MBMS service of a designated evolved base station.

A method for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast services, comprising the following steps:

Determine the target evolved base station;

judging whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services;

When the target eNB is not transmitting the MBMS service, send a first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree, and the multicast coordinating entity MCE sends radio resource allocation information to the target eNB.

A user equipment, comprising:

A measurement unit, configured to measure adjacent cells, and determine an adjacent evolved base station that meets the measurement conditions as a target evolved base station;

a receiving unit, configured to receive MBMS service information of the target eNB from the home eNB;

A judging unit, configured to judge whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services according to the MBMS service information;

A sending unit, configured to send a second message for activating the MBMS service when the judgment result is negative, where the second message includes the identifier of the target eNB and the identifier for marking the MBMS service.

An evolved base station, comprising:

a judging unit, configured to make a handover judgment, and determine an evolved base station that meets the judgment condition as a target evolved base station;

a receiving unit, configured to receive MBMS service information of the target eNB from the target eNB or MCE;

A judging unit, configured to judge whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services according to the MBMS service information;

A sending unit, configured to send a handover request message including an identifier for marking MBMS services to the target eNB when the judgment result is negative, or send a second message for activating the MBMS service to the MCE, or further send a message for A first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree; wherein, the second message includes the identifier of the target eNB and the identifier for marking the MBMS service.

A multicast coordination entity comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive the measurement result sent by the user equipment UE;

The storage unit is used to store the location status information and wireless resource allocation information of the single frequency network area of the evolved base station;

The judging unit is configured to determine, according to the measurement result, an eNB that meets the measurement conditions and is adjacent to the eNB to which the UE belongs as a target eNB, and judges whether it is in the SFN area state information corresponding to the target eNB. Inside the single frequency network area, that is, to determine whether it is transmitting MBMS services;

A sending unit, configured to send wireless resource allocation information to the target eNB when the judgment result is negative, or further send a first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree.

A communication system comprising:

The user equipment is used to receive MBMS service data and perform cell reselection or handover; during cell reselection, measure adjacent cells and determine the eNB that meets the measurement conditions as the target eNB, and according to the evolution The base station obtains the MBMS service information of the target eNB to determine whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service, and sends a second message for activating the MBMS service when the MBMS service is not being transmitted, the second message includes the identity of the target eNB and the identifier used to mark the MBMS service;

An evolved base station, configured to transmit MBMS service data to the user equipment and forward the second message to a multicast coordination entity MCE;

The MCE is configured to send radio resource allocation information to the target eNB according to the received second message, and send a first message for adding the target eNB to a content distribution tree.

A communication system comprising:

User equipment, configured to receive MBMS service data and perform switching;

The evolved base station is configured to transmit MBMS service data to the user equipment; during the handover process, a handover decision is made, and the evolved base station that meets the handover condition is determined as the target evolved base station, and according to the target evolved base station or MCE obtained from the target evolved base station The MBMS service information of the evolved base station judges whether it is transmitting the MBMS service, and sends a second message for activating the MBMS service to the multicast coordination entity MCE when the MBMS service is not transmitted, and the second message includes the identity of the target evolved base station and an identifier for marking the MBMS service; or, when the MBMS service is not transmitted, send a handover request message including an identifier for marking the MBMS service, and the target eNB sends the message to the MCE after receiving the handover request message. A second message for activating the MBMS service, where the second message includes an identifier for marking the MBMS service;

The MCE is configured to send radio resource allocation information to the target eNB according to the received second message;

Wherein, the target eNB sends the first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree after receiving the wireless resource allocation information.

A communication system comprising:

The user equipment is configured to receive MBMS service data and send measurement results obtained by measuring adjacent cells;

An evolved base station, configured to transmit MBMS service data to the user equipment, and send the measurement result to a multicast coordination entity MCE;

The MCE is configured to determine the eNB that meets the measurement conditions as the target eNB according to the measurement result sent by the user equipment, and judge whether it is transmitting the MBMS service according to the locally stored MBMS service information of the target eNB, and When the MBMS service is transmitted, radio resource allocation information is sent to the target eNB, and a first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree is sent.

In this embodiment, the UE initiates the process of activating the MBMS service before completing cell reselection and handover, which ensures the continuity of the MBMS service after the UE performs cell reselection or handover.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the flow chart of the method for activating MBMS service in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a communication system in the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a communication system in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system in an LTE system in an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system when the MCE and the eNB are the same entity in the LTE system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a UE in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a structural diagram of an eNB in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a structural diagram of the MCE in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a third specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a fourth specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a fifth specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a sixth specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a seventh specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an eighth specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of a ninth specific method for activating an MBMS service in an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In order to activate the MBMS service of a designated evolved base station (Evolution Node B, eNB), in this embodiment, first, the user equipment (User Equipment, UE), eNB or multicast coordination entity (Multi-cell/multicast Coordination Entity, The MCE) specifies an eNB based on the measurement result obtained after the measurement, and requests to activate the MBMS service when it finds that the MBMS service has not been activated according to the MBMS service information of the specified eNB. In this embodiment, the designated eNB is called a target eNB, and the eNB to which the UE belongs is called a source eNB. In this embodiment, an LTE system is taken as an example for description.

This embodiment provides multiple methods for activating the MBMS service of a designated eNB. For example, the first method is to activate the MBMS service of the target eNB when the UE in the standby state performs cell measurement and finds that the target eNB that meets the measurement conditions does not transmit the MBMS service. Methods. For example, the second method is a method of activating the MBMS service of the target eNB when the UE in the standby state performs cell reselection and finds that the target eNB is not transmitting the MBMS service. For example, the third method is a method in which the source eNB activates the MBMS service of the target eNB when the source eNB finds that the target eNB does not transmit the MBMS service when the UE in the activated state performs handover. For example, the fourth method is a method in which the target eNB requests to activate the MBMS service when the source eNB finds that the target eNB is not transmitting the MBMS service when the UE in the activated state performs handover.

Referring to FIG. 3, the communication system in this embodiment includes an MBMS user plane entity (UPE for MBMS, mUPE), MCE, eNB and UE.

The mUPE is a logical entity, eg can be in a UPE. mUPE is used as a logical entity for data flow management, MBMS header compression, distribution of MBMS content data, adding target eNB to the content distribution tree, establishing data plane bearer with target eNB, and is the end point of the synchronization protocol.

MCE is a logical module, which can be an independent node, as shown in Figure 4, or it can be in an existing network entity, such as a mobile management entity (Mobile Management Entity, MME), a user plane entity (User Plane Entiey, UPE), broadcast multicast service center (broadcast multicast service center, BM-SC), operation and maintenance center (Operation & Maintenance Center, OMC) or eNB, etc., see the MCE shown in Figure 5 and an eNB combined into one entity network structure diagram. In this embodiment, the MCE is taken as an independent node as an example for illustration. MCE is used to control and allocate wireless resources of SFN area, send SFN area wireless resource allocation information (including subcarrier information and frequency band information) to the target eNB, or further send air interface configuration information (including coding, modulation mode), etc. Join the SFN area and activate the MBMS service of the target eNB. The MCE stores service identifiers, SFN area identifiers, radio resource allocation information, air interface configuration information, eNB identifiers, corresponding SFN area information, and neighboring eNB identifiers.

The UE receives MBMS service data, performs cell reselection when it is in the standby state, and performs handover when it is in the active state. When performing cell reselection, the UE performs cell reselection measurement, and selects the eNB corresponding to the best cell as the target eNB according to the measurement results; obtains information about the MBMS service (including service identifier, etc.) of the target eNB through the source eNB 102, and determines the target eNB. Whether the eNB is transmitting the MBMS service, if so, reselect to the cell under the target eNB, otherwise request to activate the MBMS service of the target eNB.

The eNB transmits MBMS service data to the UE, forwards the message sent by the UE; interacts with the adjacent eNB through the X2 interface, obtains the information about the MBMS service of the adjacent eNB, and judges whether the adjacent eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the information; For handover decision, the eNB that meets the handover conditions is taken as the target eNB. When the target eNB has activated the MBMS service, the UE is handed over to the target eNB. Otherwise, the MCE is directly or indirectly requested to activate the MBMS service of the target eNB, and then the UE is handed over to the target eNB. Under the target eNB; when it is the target eNB, send an extension request message to the MCE according to the service identifier, request to join the SFN area, and activate the MBMS service.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the UE in this embodiment includes a receiving unit 601 , a measuring unit 602 , a judging unit 603 , a storage unit 604 and a sending unit 605 .

Wherein, the measuring unit 602 measures neighboring cells, and determines an eNB meeting the measurement condition as a target eNB. The receiving unit 601 receives MBMS service information of the target eNB from the source eNB. The storage unit 604 stores the received MBMS service information of the target eNB, the measurement result obtained by the measurement unit 602, and the like. Each storage unit in this embodiment may be a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape. The judging unit 603 judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the MBMS service information. The sending unit 605 sends the measurement result, or sends an expansion request message (SFN AreaExpand Request) when the judgment result is negative, and the expansion request message includes the identification and service identification of the target eNB.

Referring to FIG. 7A , the eNB in this embodiment includes a receiving unit 701 , a judging unit 702 , a judging unit 703 , a storage unit 704 and a sending unit 705 .

Wherein, the judging unit 702 makes a handover judgment, and determines the eNB meeting the judgment condition as the target eNB. The receiving unit 701 receives MBMS service information of the target eNB from the target eNB or MCE. The storage unit 704 stores the received MBMS service information of the target eNB. The judging unit 703 judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the MBMS service information. The sending unit 705 sends a handover request message including the service identifier and the SFN area identifier to the target eNB when the judgment result is negative, or sends an extended request message to the MCE, or further sends a join request message to the mUPE, wherein the extended request message includes the target eNB id and service id.

Referring to FIG. 7B , the MCE in this embodiment includes a receiving unit 710 , a judging unit 711 , a storage unit 712 and a sending unit 713 .

The receiving unit 710 receives the measurement result sent by the UE, the extension request message sent by the source eNB or the target eNB, and the like.

The storage unit 712 stores the SFN area location status information, service identifier, SFN area identifier, air interface configuration information and radio resource allocation information of the eNB.

The judging unit 711 determines the eNB meeting the measurement conditions as the target eNB according to the measurement result, and judges whether it is inside the SFN area according to the state information of the SFN area corresponding to the target eNB.

When the judgment result is negative, the sending unit 713 sends radio resource allocation information to the target eNB for corresponding configuration, or further sends a joining request message to the mUPE.

Referring to FIG. 8, the main method flow for activating the MBMS service in this embodiment is as follows:

Step 801: Determine a target eNB. The UE in the standby state determines the target eNB according to the measurement result. During handover, the source eNB determines the target eNB according to the handover decision result. The MCE receives the measurement result sent by the UE in the standby state to determine the target eNB.

Step 802: Obtain MBMS service information of the target eNB.

Step 803: Determine whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services according to the MBMS service information of the target eNB, and send a join request message to the mUPE when the MBMS service is not being transmitted, requesting that the target eNB be added to the content distribution tree (or multicast group), by The MCE sends radio resource allocation information to the target eNB.

Referring to FIG. 9, in this embodiment, when the UE in the standby state performs cell measurement and finds that the target eNB that meets the measurement conditions does not transmit the MBMS service, the specific method for activating the MBMS service of the target eNB is as follows:

Step 901: UE is receiving MBMS service, measures neighboring cells, and sends the measurement result to MCE through source eNB.

Step 902: The MCE selects an eNB meeting the measurement conditions as a target eNB according to the measurement result, wherein the eNB is a neighboring eNB of the home eNB of the UE.

For example, the measurement condition is that the CPICH transmit power of the adjacent cell is greater than the CPICH transmit power of the own cell, or the CPICH transmit power of the adjacent cell is greater than the CPICH transmit power of the own cell and the difference is greater than the preset threshold value, or The CPICH transmit power of the adjacent cell is greater than the preset threshold.

In this embodiment, the threshold value can be adjusted to determine whether there is an eNB that meets the adjusted measurement condition, and the eNB that meets the measurement condition is used as the target eNB, and the MBMS service of the target eNB is activated. Before the UE undergoes cell reselection, activate the MBMS service of the target eNB that the UE may reselect.

Step 903: The MCE learns whether the target eNB is inside the SFN area according to the locally stored SFN area location status information of the eNB, that is, whether the target eNB has activated the MBMS service, and if so, only sends a response message to the UE, otherwise, proceeds to step 904.

Step 904: The MCE sends an extended instruction message to the target eNB, the message includes radio resource allocation information, and requests the mUPE to add it to the content distribution tree, activate the MBMS service of the target eNB, and make one or more cells within the coverage of the target eNB Join the SFN area.

Step 905: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended indication response message to the MCE.

In step 902, the MCE may further determine whether the eNB that meets the measurement condition meets the decision condition, and takes the eNB that meets the decision condition as a target eNB. Judgment conditions include: whether the cell covered by it exceeds the maximum SFN area, whether its load is less than the preset threshold value, whether it belongs to the eNB that is allowed to join the SFN area in the local configuration information, and whether it does not belong to the eNB that is prohibited from joining the SFN area in the local configuration information eNB.

In step 904, the MCE may only send an extension instruction message to the target eNB, and the target eNB sends a joining request message to the mUPE in step 905, requesting to join the content distribution tree.

The method realizes the activation of the MBMS service of the adjacent eNB when the signal received by the UE is poor, so that the UE receives the enhanced signal and improves the reception quality of the MBMS service.

Referring to FIG. 10 , in this embodiment, when the UE in the standby state performs cell reselection and finds that the target eNB does not transmit the MBMS service, the specific method for activating the MBMS service of the target eNB is as follows:

Step 1001: The UE in the standby state performs cell reselection, judges whether there is an eNB that meets the cell reselection measurement conditions among neighboring eNBs, and selects the eNB with the best measurement result from the eNBs that meet the cell reselection measurement conditions as the target eNB. For example, the transmit power values of common pilot signals of adjacent cells are compared, and the cell with the highest value is the best cell.

Step 1002: The UE obtains the MBMS service information of the target eNB from the source eNB, judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the MBMS service information, and if so, proceeds to step 1009, otherwise proceeds to step 1003.

Step 1003: The UE sends an extension request message to the source eNB, and the message includes the identity of the target eNB, the SFN area identity and the service identity.

Step 1004: The source eNB forwards the extension request message to the MCE.

Step 1005: MCE sends an extended indication message to the target eNB according to the target eNB's identity and service identity, the message includes radio resource allocation information, and requests mUPE to add it to the content distribution tree, activate the MBMS service of the target eNB, and make the target eNB correspond to One or more of the cells join SFNarea.

Step 1006: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended indication response message to the MCE.

Step 1007: The MCE sends an extended response message to the source eNB.

Step 1008: The source eNB forwards the extended response message to the UE.

Step 1009: UE reselects to the cell of the target eNB.

In step 1005, the MCE may instruct the source eNB to request the mUPE to add the target eNB to the content distribution tree, or in step 1006, the target eNB sends a joining request message to the mUPE after receiving the extended indication message, requesting to join the content distribution tree.

Referring to FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, when the UE in the activated state performs handover and the source eNB finds that the target eNB does not transmit the MBMS service, the specific method flow of activating the MBMS service of the target eNB is as follows:

Step 1101: The UE in the activated state is handed over.

Step 1102: The source eNB makes a handover decision, and selects an adjacent eNB that meets the handover condition as the target eNB.

Step 1103: The source eNB obtains the MBMS service information of the target eNB through the X2 interface, or obtains the MBMS service information of the target eNB from the MCE, and judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service required by the UE according to the information, if the target eNB has activated MBMS business, go to step 1109, otherwise go to step 1104.

Step 1104: The source eNB sends an extension request message to the MCE, and the message includes the identity of the target eNB, the service identity and the SFN area identity.

Step 1105: The MCE sends an extended instruction message to the target eNB, which includes radio resource allocation information, and requests the mUPE to add it to the content distribution tree, so that the target eNB joins the SFN area, that is, activates the MBMS service of the target eNB.

Step 1106: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended indication response message to the MCE.

Step 1107: MCE sends an extended response message to the source eNB.

Step 1108: the source eNB sends a handover request message to the target eNB, and continues the handover process.

Step 1109: UE switches to the cell of the target eNB.

In step 1105, the MCE may further send an extended indication message to an eNB adjacent to the target eNB and outside the SFN area to add it to the SFN area.

Wherein, step 1104 and step 1108 can be performed simultaneously.

Referring to FIG. 12 , in this embodiment, when the UE in the activated state performs handover, and the source eNB finds that the target eNB does not transmit the MBMS service, the specific method flow of the target eNB requesting to activate the MBMS service is as follows:

Step 1201: The UE in the activated state is handed over.

Step 1202: The source eNB makes a handover decision, and selects a neighboring eNB that meets the handover condition as a target eNB.

Step 1203: The source eNB obtains the MBMS service information of the target eNB through the X2 interface, and judges based on the information whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service required by the UE. If the target eNB has activated the MBMS service, proceed to step 1211, otherwise proceed to step 1204.

Step 1204: The source eNB sends a handover request message to the target eNB, and the message includes the ID of the MBMS service required by the UE and the ID of the SFN area.

Step 1205: The target eNB sends an extended request message to the MCE, requesting to join the SFN area, and the extended request message includes the service identifier and the SFN area identifier.

Step 1206: The MCE sends an extended indication message to the target eNB, and the message includes radio resource allocation information.

Step 1207: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended indication response message to the MCE.

Step 1208: The target eNB sends a join request message to the mUPE, requesting to join the content distribution tree. Or, by sending a joining request message to the mUPE, requesting to add the target eNB to the content distribution tree. The target eNB has joined the SFN area, that is, activated the MBMS service.

Step 1209: the target eNB sends a handover response message to the source eNB.

Step 1210: the source eNB sends a handover command to the UE.

Step 1211: UE switches to the cell of the target eNB.

Referring to FIG. 13 , in this embodiment, when the UE performs cell measurement and finds that the target eNB that meets the measurement conditions does not transmit the MBMS service, this embodiment does not limit whether the UE is in the active state or the standby state. The specific method flow for activating the MBMS service of the target eNB is as follows:

Step 1301: UE is receiving MBMS service, measures neighboring cells, and sends the measurement result to the source eNB.

Step 1302: The source eNB sends the measurement result to the MCE; or the source eNB makes a preliminary judgment based on the UE's measurement result whether MBMS extension is required, and sends the preliminary judgment result to the MCE; or the source eNB sends its own measurement result together with the UE's The measurement results are sent to the MCE together.

Step 1303: The MCE takes an eNB that meets the measurement conditions as a target eNB, where the eNB is an adjacent eNB of the UE's home eNB. The MCE may select an eNB meeting the measurement conditions as the target eNB according to the measurement result of the UE, or the preliminary judgment result of the source eNB, or the measurement result of the source eNB itself together with the measurement result of the UE.

For example, the measurement condition is that the CPICH transmit power of the adjacent cell is greater than the CPICH transmit power of the own cell, or the CPICH transmit power of the adjacent cell is greater than the CPICH transmit power of the own cell and the difference is greater than the preset threshold value, or The CPICH transmit power of the adjacent cell is greater than the preset threshold.

In this embodiment, the threshold value can be adjusted to determine whether there is an eNB that meets the adjusted measurement condition, and the eNB that meets the measurement condition is used as the target eNB, and the MBMS service of the target eNB is activated. Before the UE undergoes cell reselection, activate the MBMS service of the target eNB that the UE may reselect.

Step 1304: The MCE knows whether the target eNB is inside the SFN area according to the locally stored SFN area location status information of the eNB, that is, whether the target eNB has activated the MBMS service, and if so, only sends a response message to the UE, otherwise, proceeds to step 1305.

Step 1305: The MCE sends an extended instruction message to the target eNB, which includes radio resource allocation information, and requests the mUPE to add it to the content distribution tree, activate the MBMS service of the target eNB, and make one or more cells within the coverage of the target eNB Join the SFN area.

Step 1306: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended instruction response message to the MCE.

In step 1303, the MCE may further determine whether the eNB that meets the measurement condition meets the decision condition, and takes the eNB that meets the decision condition as the target eNB. Judgment conditions include: whether the cell covered by it exceeds the maximum SFN area, whether its load is less than the preset threshold value, whether it belongs to the eNB that is allowed to join the SFN area in the local configuration information, and whether it does not belong to the eNB that is prohibited from joining the SFN area in the local configuration information eNB.

In step 1305, the MCE may only send an extension indication message to the target eNB, and the target eNB sends a joining request message to the mUPE in step 1306, requesting to join the content distribution tree.

The method realizes the activation of the MBMS service of the adjacent eNB when the signal received by the UE is poor, so that the UE receives the enhanced signal and improves the reception quality of the MBMS service.

Referring to Figure 14, in this embodiment, the UE in the standby state performs cell reselection and determines the target eNB, but the UE cannot determine whether the target eNB transmits the MBMS service, the specific method of activating the MBMS service of the target eNB is as follows:

Step 1401: The UE in the standby state performs cell reselection, judges whether there is an eNB that meets the cell reselection measurement conditions among neighboring eNBs, and selects the eNB with the best measurement result as the target eNB from the eNBs that meet the cell reselection measurement conditions. For example, the transmit power values of common pilot signals of adjacent cells are compared, and the cell with the highest value is the best cell.

Step 1402: The UE sends an indication message to the source eNB, the indication message contains information related to the MBMS that the UE is receiving, such as but not limited to the service identifier, the single frequency network area identifier, the temporary multicast group identifier TMGI, the session identifier Session ID, the target One or more of a cell ID and a target eNB ID, and the indication message may also include the target cell ID selected by the UE reselection algorithm.

Step 1403: After receiving the indication message, the source eNB forwards it to the MCE.

Step 1404: The MCE judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the information related to the MBMS that the UE is receiving in the indication message, and if so, proceeds to step 1409, otherwise proceeds to step 1405.

Step 1405: The MCE sends an extended instruction message to the target eNB according to the target eNB's identity and service identity, the message includes radio resource allocation information, and requests mUPE to add it to the content distribution tree, activate the MBMS service of the target eNB, and make the target eNB correspond to One or more of the cells join SFNarea.

Step 1406: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended instruction response message to the MCE.

Step 1407: The MCE sends an extended response message to the source eNB.

Step 1408: The source eNB forwards the extended response message to the UE.

Step 1409: UE reselects to the cell of the target eNB.

In this embodiment, the UE does not know whether the target cell has MBMS services during the cell reselection process, it just sends the relevant MBMS indication information to the network side during cell reselection, and the MCE decides whether to expand the target cell according to the indication information MBMS business.

Referring to Figure 15, in this embodiment, when the UE in the activated state performs handover and reselection and determines the target eNB, but the UE cannot determine whether the target eNB transmits the MBMS service, the specific method for activating the MBMS service of the target eNB is as follows:

Step 1501: The UE in the active state is handed over.

Step 1502: During the handover process, the UE performs measurement according to the measurement control message sent by the source eNB or MCE, and reports the measurement result to the source eNB. The measurement results include but are not limited to: information related to the MBMS that the UE is receiving, such as but not limited to service identifier, single frequency network area identifier, temporary multicast group identifier TMGI, session identifier Session ID, target cell identifier, target eNB One or more identifiers, and the indication message may also include the identifier of the target cell selected by the UE reselection algorithm.

Step 1503: The source eNB makes a handover decision according to the measurement result reported by the UE or other information such as load, and selects a cell meeting the handover condition as the target cell.

Step 1504: the source eNB sends an MBMS indication message to the MCE, and the indication message includes the information related to the MBMS that the UE is receiving and the identity of the target cell.

Step 1505: The MCE judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the information related to the MBMS that the UE is receiving in the indication message, and if so, proceeds to step 1509, otherwise proceeds to step 1506.

Step 1506: The MCE sends an extended indication message to the target eNB, and the message includes radio resource allocation information.

Step 1507: The target eNB performs corresponding configuration according to the radio resource allocation information, and returns an extended indication response message to the MCE.

Step 1508: The target eNB sends a join request message to the mUPE, requesting to join the content distribution tree. Or, by sending a joining request message to the mUPE, requesting to add the target eNB to the content distribution tree. The target eNB has joined the SFN area, that is, activated the MBMS service.

Step 1509: the target eNB sends a handover response message to the source eNB.

Step 1510: the source eNB sends a handover command to the UE.

Step 1511: UE switches to the cell of the target eNB.

The two steps of step 1509 and step 1510 do not necessarily follow the sequence in this embodiment, and may be performed simultaneously with the step of expanding the single frequency network.

In this embodiment, the source eNB sends the handover request message to the target eNB, which may be before the MBMS indication message in step 1504, or after step 1509. In this embodiment, the timing for sending the handover request is not limited.

In this embodiment, the UE moves, and during the movement, the UE performs measurement according to the measurement control message, and reports the measurement result to the source eNB at a certain critical point, and the measurement report includes information related to the MBMS that the UE is receiving . The source eNB makes a handover decision and selects a target cell according to the measurement results of the UE and other load information. Before initiating a handover request to the target eNB where the target cell is located, the source eNB sends an MBMS indication message to the MCE. The indication message includes the information that the UE is receiving. MBMS-related information and target cell identity. The MCE judges whether the target cell has the transmission of these MBMS services, and if not, sends an extended MBMS message to the target eNB where the target cell is located.

This embodiment provides methods for activating MBMS services in various scenarios, realizing the activation of MBMS services in the target cell before UE cell reselection or handover to the target cell, and ensuring the MBMS service after UE cell reselection or handover to the target cell continuity. This embodiment also provides a method for selectively expanding the SFN area, which ensures the continuity of the MBMS service during the UE's movement, effectively utilizes network resources, and enables the UE to receive enhanced signals to improve the receiving effect.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and equivalent technologies, the present invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims (23)

1. A method for activating multimedia broadcast and multicast service, characterized in that, comprising the following steps: Determine the target evolved base station; judging whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services; When the target eNB is not transmitting the MBMS service, send a first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree, and the multicast coordinating entity MCE sends radio resource allocation information to the target eNB. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining the target eNB refers to: the user equipment UE in the standby state measures adjacent cells, and determines the adjacent eNB that meets the measurement conditions as the target Evolved base station. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the target eNB is the target eNB determined when the UE performs cell reselection. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the UE obtains the information about the MBMS service of the target eNB through the eNB to which it belongs, and judges the target eNB according to the information about the MBMS service Whether the MBMS service is being transmitted. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the UE sends a second message for activating the MBMS service to the MCE through the home eNB, the second message includes the identity of the target eNB and The identifier used to mark the MBMS service. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the MCE sends the first message after receiving the second message; or The target eNB sends the first message after receiving the radio resource allocation information. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the target eNB refers to: when the UE in the activated state performs handover, its home eNB makes a handover decision, and determines the eNB that meets the handover conditions as Target evolution base station. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the home eNB obtains the information about the MBMS service of the target eNB through the target eNB or MCE, and judges according to the information about the MBMS service Whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the home eNB sends a handover request message including an identifier for marking MBMS services to the target eNB; the target eNB receives the handover request message After the request message, send a second message for activating the MBMS service to the MCE, where the second message includes an identifier for marking the MBMS service; or The home eNB sends a second message for activating the MBMS service to the MCE, where the second message includes an identifier for marking the MBMS service. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the MCE sends the first message after receiving the second message; or The target eNB sends the first message after receiving the radio resource allocation information. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the target evolved base station means that the MCE will meet the measurement conditions and be compatible with the UE according to the measurement results obtained by the UE in the standby state for measuring adjacent cells. The eNB adjacent to the home eNB is determined as the target eNB. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the MCE judges whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service according to the stored information about the MBMS service of the target eNB. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, the MCE sends the first message; or, the target eNB sends the first message after receiving the radio resource allocation information. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the target eNB refers to the eNB that the MCE will meet the measurement conditions and belong to with the UE according to the measurement results obtained by the UE on neighboring cells The adjacent eNB is determined as the target eNB. 15. The method according to claim 2, wherein the UE sends the indication information of the MBMS service that the UE is receiving to the MCE through the eNB to which it belongs, and the MCE judges the target service according to the indication information Whether the evolved base station is transmitting MBMS services. 16. The method according to claim 7, wherein the home eNB sends indication information of the MBMS service that the UE is receiving to the MCE, and the MCE judges whether the target eNB The MBMS service is being transmitted. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the indication information of the MBMS service being received by the UE includes: service identification, single frequency network area identification, temporary multicast group identification TMGI, session identification Session ID , one or more of a target cell identifier and a target eNB identifier. 18. A user equipment, characterized by comprising: A measurement unit, configured to measure adjacent cells, and determine an adjacent evolved base station that meets the measurement conditions as a target evolved base station; a receiving unit, configured to receive MBMS service information of the target eNB from the home eNB; A judging unit, configured to judge whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services according to the MBMS service information; A sending unit, configured to send a second message for activating the MBMS service when the judging result is negative, where the second message includes the identifier of the target eNB and the identifier for marking the MBMS service. 19. An evolved base station, comprising: a judging unit, configured to make a handover judgment, and determine an evolved base station that meets the judgment condition as a target evolved base station; a receiving unit, configured to receive MBMS service information of the target eNB from the target eNB or MCE; A judging unit, configured to judge whether the target eNB is transmitting MBMS services according to the MBMS service information; A sending unit, configured to send a handover request message including an identifier for marking MBMS services to the target eNB when the judgment result is negative, or send a second message for activating the MBMS service to the MCE, or further send a message for A first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree; wherein, the second message includes the identifier of the target eNB and the identifier for marking the MBMS service. 20. A multicast coordination entity, comprising: a receiving unit, configured to receive the measurement result sent by the user equipment UE; The storage unit is used to store the location status information and wireless resource allocation information of the single frequency network area of the evolved base station; The judging unit is configured to determine, according to the measurement result, an eNB that meets the measurement conditions and is adjacent to the eNB to which the UE belongs as a target eNB, and judges whether it is in the SFN area state information corresponding to the target eNB. Inside the single frequency network area, that is, to determine whether it is transmitting MBMS services; A sending unit, configured to send wireless resource allocation information to the target eNB when the judgment result is negative, or further send a first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree. 21. A communication system, comprising: The user equipment is used to receive MBMS service data and perform cell reselection or handover; during cell reselection, measure adjacent cells and determine the eNB that meets the measurement conditions as the target eNB, and according to the evolution The base station obtains the MBMS service information of the target eNB to determine whether the target eNB is transmitting the MBMS service, and sends a second message for activating the MBMS service when the MBMS service is not being transmitted, the second message includes the target eNB's Identification and identification used to mark MBMS services; An evolved base station, configured to transmit MBMS service data to the user equipment and forward the second message to a multicast coordination entity MCE; The MCE is configured to send radio resource allocation information to the target eNB according to the received second message, and send a first message for adding the target eNB to a content distribution tree. 22. A communication system, comprising: User equipment, configured to receive MBMS service data and perform switching; The evolved base station is configured to transmit MBMS service data to the user equipment; during the handover process, a handover decision is made, and the evolved base station that meets the handover condition is determined as the target evolved base station, and according to the target evolved base station or MCE obtained from the target evolved base station The MBMS service information of the eNB judges whether it is transmitting the MBMS service, and sends a second message for activating the MBMS service to the multicast coordination entity MCE when the MBMS service is not being transmitted, and the second message includes the target eNB's An identifier and an identifier for marking the MBMS service; or, when the MBMS service is not transmitted, a handover request message including an identifier for marking the MBMS service is sent, and the target eNB sends the handover request message to the MCE after receiving the handover request message A second message for activating the MBMS service, where the second message includes an identifier for marking the MBMS service; The MCE is configured to send radio resource allocation information to the target eNB according to the received second message; Wherein, the target eNB sends the first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree after receiving the wireless resource allocation information. 23. A communication system, comprising: The user equipment is configured to receive MBMS service data and send measurement results obtained by measuring adjacent cells; An evolved base station, configured to transmit MBMS service data to the user equipment, and send the measurement result to a multicast coordination entity MCE; The MCE is configured to determine the eNB that meets the measurement conditions as the target eNB according to the measurement result sent by the user equipment, and judge whether it is transmitting the MBMS service according to the locally stored MBMS service information of the target eNB, and When the MBMS service is transmitted, radio resource allocation information is sent to the target eNB, and a first message for adding the target eNB to the content distribution tree is sent.

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