Multicast location management in a universal terrestrial radio access network

• US 20030119533A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Isokangas, Jari, Sarkkinen, Sinikka
• Application Number:
  US10/304,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20030119533A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/500
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1886 with traffic restrictions for efficiency improvement, e.g. involving subnets or subdomains
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for keeping track of User equipment (UE) locations without regard to an existing Radio Resource Controller (RRC) connection for multicast services in a Routing Area Network (RAN). The invention includes performing a multicast area update procedure in the RRC whether the UE has an existing RRC connection or not. The performing step includes sending from the UE a MULTICAST AREA UPDATE message when the UE detects whether a multicast area change has occurred.

Claims

1. A method of keeping track of User equipment (UE) locations without regard to an existing Radio Resource Controller (RRC) connection for multicast services in a Routing Area Network (RAN), comprising the steps of:

performing a multicast area update procedure in the RRC whether the UE has an existing RRC connection or not,

wherein said performing step comprises;

sending from the UE a MULTICAST AREA UPDATE message when the UE detects whether a multicast area change has occurred.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said performing step further comprises the step:

detecting by the RNC whether the UE enters into a new cell, and if the UE is configured to receive multicast data, causing the UE to check priority of its multicast service subscription.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said detecting step further comprises the step of:

if the priority checked by the UE indicates the highest priority, sending by the UE to the network either a new Multicast location update message or the currently defined RRC.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the sending by the UE to the network step comprises the step of:

sending a Cell Update message to update support multicast related information, if the subscription of the multicast service is critical.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the sending by the UE to the network step comprises the step of:

not sending a Cell Update message to update support multicast related information, if the subscription of the multicast service is not critical.

6. A method of keeping track of User equipment (UE) locations without regard to an existing Radio Resource Controller (RRC) connection for multicast services in a Routing Area Network (RAN), comprising the steps of:

performing a multicast area update procedure in the RRC when the UE has an existing RRC connection,

wherein said performing step comprises;

sending from the UE a MULTICAST AREA UPDATE message when the UE detects whether a multicast area change has occurred.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said performing step further comprises the step:

detecting by the RNC whether the UE enters into a new cell, and if the UE is configured to receive multicast data, causing the UE to check priority of its multicast service subscription.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said detecting step further comprises the step of:

if the priority checked by the UE indicates the highest priority, sending by the UE to the network either a new Multicast location update message or the currently defined RRC.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the sending by the UE to the network step comprises the step of:

sending a Cell Update message to update support multicast related information, if the subscription of the multicast service is critical.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the sending by the UE to the network step comprises the step of:

not sending a Cell Update message to update support multicast related information, if the subscription of the multicast service is not critical.

11. A radio network controller (RNC) in a wireless communications network, said radio network controller carrying out a method of keeping track of User Equipment (UE) locations without regard to an existing Radio Resource Controller (RRC) connection for multicast services in a Routing Area Network (RAN), comprising the steps of:

performing a multicast area update procedure in the RRC whether the UE has an existing RRC connection or not,

wherein said performing step comprises;

receiving from the UE a MULTICAST AREA UPDATE message when the UE detects whether a multicast area change has occurred.

12. A radio network controller according to claim 11, wherein said performing step further comprises the step:

detecting whether the UE enters into a new cell, and if the UE is configured to receive multicast data, causing the UE to check priority of its multicast service subscription.

13. A radio network controller according to claim 12, wherein said detecting step further comprises the step of:

if the priority checked by the UE indicates the highest priority, receiving either a new Multicast Location Update message or the currently defined RRC.

14. A radio network controller according to claim 13, wherein the receiving step comprises the step of:

receiving a Cell Update message to update multicast related information, if the subscription of the multicast service is critical.

15. A radio network controller (RNC) in a wireless communications network, said radio network controller carrying out a method of keeping track of User Equipment (UE) locations without regard to an existing Radio Resource Controller (RRC) connection for multicast services in a Routing Area Network (RAN), comprising the steps of:

performing a multicast area update procedure in the RRC when the UE has an existing RRC connection,

wherein said performing step comprises;

receiving from the UE a MULTICAST AREA UPDATE message when the UE detects whether a multicast area change has occurred

16. A radio network controller according to claim 15, wherein said performing step further comprises the step:

detecting whether the UE enters into a new cell, and if the UE is configured to receive multicast data, causing the UE to check priority of its multicast service subscription.

17. A radio network controller according to claim 16, wherein said detecting step further comprises the step of:

if the priority checked by the UE indicates the highest priority, receiving either a new Multicast Location Update message or the currently defined RRC.

18. A radio network controller according to claim 17, wherein the receiving step comprises the step of:

receiving a Cell Update message to update multicast related information, if the subscription of the multicast service is critical.