SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COEXISTENCE OF MBMS AND VoIP SERVICES

• US 20160242174A1
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Published: 08/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Bontu, Chandra Sekhar, Kanesalingam, Prabaharan
• Granted Patent: US 9,681,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0093 signalling arrangements in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for coexistence of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network is provided. The method includes determining a number of MBMS subframes for an MBMS allocation period. The method also includes, for each MBMS subframe of the number of MBMS subframes, assigning a frame number and a subframe number for the MBMS subframe such that a probability of a VoIP packet transmission during the MBMS subframe is mitigated. By mitigating the probability that a VoIP packet transmission occurs during a scheduled MBMS subframe, a VoIP user equipment (UE) may miss fewer packets and/or experience reduced battery drain.

Claims

1. A method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network, the method comprising:

determining a number of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, MBMS, subframes for an MBMS allocation period; and

for each MBMS subframe of the number of MBMS subframes;

assigning a frame number and a subframe number for the MBMS subframe such that a probability of a Voice Over Internet Protocol, VoIP, packet transmission during the MBMS subframe is mitigated.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the number of MBMS subframes comprises determining the number of MBMS subframes for the MBMS allocation period based on an MBMS load value for the MBMS allocation period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the MBMS load value is determined based on a radio bandwidth required to support MBMS services with acceptable service quality.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning the frame number and the subframe number for the MBMS subframe comprises:

assigning the frame number with a periodicity equal to the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission; and

assigning the subframe number for each MBMS subframe a fixed subframe number, the fixed subframe number being the same for each MBMS subframe.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning the frame number and the subframe number for the MBMS subframe comprises:

for each MBMS subframe in a first subset of the number of MBMS subframes;

assigning the frame number with a periodicity equal to the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission; and

assigning the subframe number for each MBMS subframe a fixed subframe number; and

for each MBMS subframe in a second subset of the number of MBMS subframes;

assigning the frame number with a periodicity equal to the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission and offset; and

assigning the subframe number for each MBMS subframe the fixed subframe number, the fixed subframe number being the same for each MBMS subframe in both the first and second subsets of the number of MBMS subframes.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein, for each MBMS subframe in the second subset of the number of MBMS subframes, assigning the frame number comprises assigning the frame number with a periodicity equal to the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission and offset by half of a VoIP period.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein assigning the frame number and the subframe number for the MBMS subframe further comprises:

for each MBMS subframe in a third subset of the number of MBMS subframes;

assigning the frame number with a periodicity equal to the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission; and

assigning the subframe number for each MBMS subframe a second fixed subframe number, the second fixed subframe number being the same for each MBMS subframe in the third subset of the number of MBMS subframes.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning the frame number and the subframe number for the MBMS subframe comprises:

assigning the frame number to be equal to

9. The method of claim 8 wherein assigning the subframe number for each MBMS subframe comprises assigning the subframe number as x(floor of (i/P)) where x is {1, 6, 3, 8, 2, 7}.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein assigning the subframe number for each MBMS subframe comprises assigning the subframe number as x(floor of (i/P)) where x is {3, 8, 9, 4, 7}.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission is 20 subframes.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the periodicity of the VoIP packet transmission is 40 subframes.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A network node in a cellular communications network, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the apparatus is operative to;

determine a number of Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, MBMS, subframes for an MBMS allocation period based on an MBMS load value for the MBMS allocation period; and

for each MBMS subframe of the number of MBMS subframes, assign a frame number and a subframe number for the MBMS subframe such that a probability of a Voice Over Internet Protocol, VoIP, packet transmission during the MBMS subframe is mitigated.

16-48. -48. (canceled)