BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to wireless or mobile communications networks, such as, but not limited to, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Advanced Pro, LTE-M, and/or 5G radio access technology. In particular, some embodiments may relate to multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) distribution.

Description of the Related Art

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) refers to a communications network including base stations or Node Bs, and, for example, radio network controllers (RNC). UTRAN allows for connectivity between the user equipment (UE) and the core network. The RNC provides control functionalities for one or more Node Bs. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are called the Radio Network Subsystem (RNS). In case of E-UTRAN (enhanced UTRAN), no RNC exists and radio access functionality is provided by an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB) or many eNBs. Multiple eNBs are involved for a single UE connection, for example, in case of Coordinated Multipoint Transmission (CoMP) and in dual connectivity.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) or E-UTRAN provides a new radio access technology and refers to the improvements of UMTS through improved efficiency and services, lower costs, and use of new spectrum opportunities. In particular, LTE is a 3GPP standard that provides for uplink peak rates of at least, for example, 75 megabits per second (Mbps) per carrier and downlink peak rates of at least, for example, 300 Mbps per carrier. LTE supports scalable carrier bandwidths from 20 MHz down to 1.4 MHz and supports both Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD).

As mentioned above, LTE may also improve spectral efficiency in networks, allowing carriers to provide more data and voice services over a given bandwidth. Therefore, LTE is designed to fulfill the needs for high-speed data and media transport in addition to high-capacity voice support. Advantages of LTE include, for example, high throughput, low latency, FDD and TDD support in the same platform, an improved end-user experience, and a simple architecture resulting in low operating costs.

Certain releases of 3GPP LTE (e.g., LTE Rel-10, LTE Rel-11, LTE Rel-12, LTE Rel-13) are targeted towards international mobile telecommunications advanced (IMT-A) systems, referred to herein for convenience simply as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

LTE-A is directed toward extending and optimizing the 3GPP LTE radio access technologies. A goal of LTE-A is to provide significantly enhanced services by means of higher data rates and lower latency with reduced cost. LTE-A is a more optimized radio system fulfilling the international telecommunication union-radio (ITU-R) requirements for IMT-Advanced while keeping the backward compatibility.

5thgeneration wireless systems (5G) refers to the new generation of radio systems and network architecture. 5G is expected to provide higher bitrates and coverage than the current LTE systems. Some estimate that 5G will provide bitrates one hundred times higher than LTE offers. 5G is also expected to increase network expandability up to hundreds of thousands of connections. The signal technology of 5G is anticipated to be improved for greater coverage as well as spectral and signaling efficiency.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is directed to a method, which may include receiving, for example by a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC), an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request message to initiate an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request procedure. The activate MBMS bearer request message may include at least one of information on local MBMS distribution received from a local MBMS entity (LME), or a destination area, or a destination area and an indication that preferred delivery is via local distribution. The method may also include determining whether local distribution path will be used based on at least one of information received in the activate MBMS bearer request message and/or stored information about local MBMS entities.

In an embodiment, the method may further include, when establishment of local delivery path is needed, initiating, for example by a station transmitting the activate MBMS bearer request message, a local distribution request procedure comprising transmitting a local distribution request message to the local MBMS entity (LME). The local distribution request message may include at least one Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI).

According to one embodiment, the method may also include receiving a local distribution response message from the local MBMS entity (LME), the local distribution response message including a list of internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports in the local MBMS entity (LME) for receiving data and information on local MBMS distribution. In an example embodiment, the information on local MBMS distribution may comprise at least one of an IP source address and/or IP multicast address in the local MBMS entity (LME) for IP multicast distribution.

In an embodiment, the station may be preconfigured with information on the local MBMS entity (LME), the information including a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or IP address. According to one embodiment, the method may also include transmitting an activate MBMS bearer response message comprising the information of local multicast distribution.

According to one embodiment, the method may also include sending data to the local MBMS entity (LME) based on the internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports received in the local distribution response message from the local MBMS entity (LME). In an embodiment, the method may also include initiating MBMS session start procedure to use the local distribution path.

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include receiving means for receiving an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request message to initiate an activate MBMS bearer request procedure. The activate MBMS bearer request message may include at least one of information on local MBMS distribution received from a local MBMS entity (LME), or a destination area, or a destination area and an indication that preferred delivery is via local distribution. The apparatus may also include determining means for determining whether local distribution path will be used based on at least one of information received in the activate MBMS bearer request message and/or stored information about local MBMS entities.

In an embodiment, the apparatus may further include, when establishment of local delivery path is needed, initiating means for initiating a local distribution request procedure comprising transmitting a local distribution request message to the local MBMS entity (LME). The local distribution request message may include at least one Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI).

According to one embodiment, the apparatus may include receiving means for receiving a local distribution response message from the local MBMS entity (LME), where the local distribution response message comprises a list of internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports in the local MBMS entity (LME) for receiving data and information on local MBMS distribution.

In an embodiment, the information on local MBMS distribution may include at least one of an IP source address and/or IP multicast address in the local MBMS entity (LME) for IP multicast distribution. According to one embodiment, the apparatus may be preconfigured with information on the local MBMS entity (LME), wherein the information comprises a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or IP address.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus may also include transmitting means for transmitting an activate MBMS bearer response message that comprises the information of local multicast distribution. In one embodiment, the apparatus may also include transmitting means for sending data to the local MBMS entity (LME) based on the internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports received in the local distribution response message from the local MBMS entity (LME).

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request message to initiate an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request procedure. The activate MBMS bearer request message may comprise at least one of information on local MBMS distribution received from a local MBMS entity (LME), or a destination area, or a destination area and an indication that preferred delivery is via local distribution. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to determine whether local distribution path will be used based on at least one of information received in the activate MBMS bearer request message and/or stored information about local MBMS entities.

Another embodiment is directed to a method, which may include receiving, by a local MBMS entity (LME), a local distribution request message from an intelligent transport system station, wherein the local distribution request message comprises at least one Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI).

In an embodiment, the method may also include sending a local distribution response message to the intelligent transport system station, where the local distribution response message comprises a list of internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports in the local MBMS entity (LME) for receiving data and information on local MBMS distribution.

According to one embodiment, the method may also include receiving data from the intelligent transport system station on the internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports indicated in the local distribution response message, and forwarding the data to the associated internet protocol (IP) multicast distribution path. The local MBMS entity (LME) may be configured to use IP multicast to distribute the data.

In an embodiment, the method may further include performing at least one of the following functions: SYNC function, IP multicast distribution function, and/or MBMS security function for encrypting a MBMS data packet.

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including receiving means for receiving, by a local MBMS entity (LME), a local distribution request message from an intelligent transport system station, wherein the local distribution request message comprises at least one Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI).

In an embodiment, the apparatus may also include sending means for sending a local distribution response message to the intelligent transport system station, where the local distribution response message comprises a list of internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports in the local MBMS entity (LME) for receiving data and information on local MBMS distribution.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus may also include receiving means for receiving data from the intelligent transport system station on the internet protocol (IP) addresses and/or ports indicated in the local distribution response message, and forwarding means for forwarding the data to the associated internet protocol (IP) multicast distribution path. The apparatus may be configured to use IP multicast to distribute the data.

In an embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to perform at least one of the following functions: SYNC function, IP multicast distribution function, and/or MBMS security function for encrypting a MBMS data packet.

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive a local distribution request message from an intelligent transport system station, where the local distribution request message comprises at least one Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI).

