CN101065986A - Broadcast channel structure in a mobile communication systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A broadcast channel, such as a broadcast control channel that carries a short message service, in a GSM/EDGE or similar communication system can be extended with additional timeslots. These additional timeslots can be pointed out in a tree structure, the root of which is in the SMS broadcast channel. The extended broadcast channel can be used for broadcast-like services provided under a multimedia broadcast/multicast service.

Description

Broadcast channel structure in the mobile communication system

Background

The application relates to mobile communication system, relates in particular to the television broadcasting in described communication system.

" similar broadcasting " is TV (TV) business (Broadcast-like), that is to say, the business with traditional tv channel concept can be used for some mobile telephone networks.For example telecommunications Italy moves (Telecom Italia Mobile) mobile TV business (TIM) and provides the stream content to TIM user, makes the user to watch the TV program on their mobile phone by the GPRS (GPRS) of GSM.Another example is a motion-group goal informing business, such as using the multimedia messaging service, MMS (MMS) of GSM to be provided by Vodafone.Current these realize all being based on the real-time stream in the clean culture GPRS carrying, have still suppressed business expansion and enlarging in application server and core and the online capacity limit of wireless access.More current Virtual network operators transmit similar broadcasting service by circuit switching (CS) stream in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) (WCDMA) communication system.

Multimedia broadcast/multi broadcast business (MBMS) in GSM and the WCDMA communication system be current by third generation partner plan (3GPP) at technical specification (TS) 23.246 " multimedia broadcast/multi broadcast business (MBMS); 26S Proteasome Structure and Function description (MultimediaBroadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Architecture andfunctional description) " V6.6.0, as standard among the Rel.6 (in March, 2003).According to this standard, MBMS is a point multipoint message traffic, and wherein data are transmitted into a plurality of recipients from the single source entity.Launch identical data and allow Internet resources to be shared for a plurality of recipients, and the MBMS bearer service has broadcasting and multicast pattern.By MBMS, can in telecommunication system, provide one group of complete multicast and broadcasting service, described telecommunication system such as UMTS and according to the mobile telephone system of GSM, enhanced data rates for gsm evolution (EDGE) and WCDMA standard.GSM EDGE Radio Access Network is abbreviated as GERAN usually.The variation of network configuration and the additional signaling relevant with business will be introduced in existing system by disposing MBMS.The aspect of MBMS is at " mobile broadcast/multicast among the mobile network (Mobile Broadcast/Multicast in Mobile Networks) " EricssonReview vol.82 of M.Bakhuizen etc., no.1, and the 6-13 page or leaf has description in (2005).

The Voice ﹠ Video encoder/decoder (codec) of the words that fail to be convened for lack of a quorum (streaming session) that is used for typical handheld device small display is in continuous improvement, and by the 3GPP standardization, for example TS 26.234 " transparent end-to-end packet switched streaming business (PSS); Agreement and encoding and decoding (Transparent end-to-end Packet-switched StreamingService (PSS); Protocols and codecs) " V6.3.0, Rel.6 (in March, 2003).The current realization of moving the TV business as TIM is to use has the stream that data rate is 28 kilobits per seconds (kbps), but for very high-quality content, needed data rate perhaps surpasses 100kbps.For intermediate level of quality, the stream that comprises Voice ﹠ Video needs the data rate of 40-64kbps.For example, 12kbps can be used for the stereo audio of encoding according to AMR-WB encoding and decoding (AMR-WB+), and 32kbps is used for the video that encoding and decoding are encoded according to MPEG-4.Consider the susceptibility of user to the mistake of this type of stream, 1%-2% or BLER (block error rate) still less (BLER) may need for acceptable performance.

Another ongoing standardization activity is digital video broadcasting (DVB) project, and its purpose is the DVB receiver is included in the portable terminal such as mobile phone.Nearest standard is " a digital video broadcasting (DVB); Transmission system (DVB-H) (the DigitalVideo Broadcasting (DVB) that is used for handheld terminal; Transmission System for HandheldTerminals (DVB-H)) ", ETSI EN 302 304 V1.1.1 (in June, 2004).This is current (DVB-T) expansion of standard of DVB land (DVB-terrestrial), to support handheld device and to have introduced new transmission mode-IP data broadcasting (IPDC), this is at " IPDC among the DVB-H: technical need (IPDC in DVB-H:Technicalrequirements) ", and the DVB project has description in (in June, 2004).IPDC is an end-to-end DVB system, comprises the mobile interactive channel that is used for the ambulatory handheld broadcasting service.Also can be referring to " IP data broadcasting fundamental norms; PSI/SI guide (the IPDatacast Baseline Specification that is used for the DVB-T/H system; PSI/SI Guidelines for DVB-T/H Systems) ", file A079, DVB project (in April, 2004).The reader interesting about more information can pay close attention to http://www.dvb.org.

In addition, comprising independently in user terminal, the DVB-H receiver also requires new terminal hardware and antenna.Because the distribution of frequency spectrum may need different antennas in different countries.Because interoperability testing that new network node causes and checking will postpone to introduce.Because network configuration needs to revise, this locality distribution of programs/channels will be very expensive, and described network configuration typically is designed for the covering of country or region.

Compare DVB-H and DVB-T, GERAN/UTRAN MBMS has lower data rate.On the other hand, GERAN/UTRAN MBMS can launch different information in each sub-district.Thereby GERAN/UTRAN MBMS is suitable for broadcasting local content variable or that rely on the broadcast/multi broadcast group.UTRAN or UMTS Terrestrial radio access network network are the parts of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and determine to comprise the part of the network of radio network controller (RNCs) and so-called Node B, and described Node B is similar to the base station in other mobile telephone system.UMTS is one of the third generation (3G) mobile telephone system, and it is developed in the IMT-2000 of International Telecommunication Union framework and by the 3GPP standardization.

Even so, in order to compete with DVB-H, the performance of cellular broadcasting carrying can stand to improve.The special-purpose unicast tunnel that strengthens in GPRS (EGPRS) or the WCDMA system is difficult to mobile TV stream, because described channel is difficult to be upgraded to big consumption.Capacity limitation problem in the wireless network is solved by MBMS, and it provides a dedicated channel to be used to receive each set of terminal of identical content.Yet still needing independently, channel is used for program guide or service description.Words are restarted caused delay owing to fail to be convened for lack of a quorum, and channel switch also may be the same slow with current MBMS as standard.

General introduction

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of channel architecture, it is configured to distributing multimedia information in communication system.This channel architecture comprises the broadcast communication channel that is divided into a plurality of time slots; And pointer, this pointer is included in the predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots.This pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of Radio Access Network, it is configured to distributing multimedia information.This Radio Access Network comprises the base station of broadcast wireless signal, and described wireless signal has the channel architecture that configuration is used for multimedia messages, and wherein the wireless channel structure comprises the broadcast communication channel that is divided into a plurality of time slots; And a predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots comprises pointer, and this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot in the wireless signal, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

According to another aspect again of the present invention, a kind of subscriber equipment that is used for communication network is provided, broadcast singal wherein comprises a series of time slot, described time slot carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.This subscriber equipment comprises input equipment, and it is configured to be activated by the user; Receiver, it is configured to the broadcast singal of decoding; And with input equipment and receiver control of communication processor.A predetermined time slot of described time slot comprises pointer, and this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot of broadcast singal.Based on from the user's input information of input equipment and about the information of communication network, processor controls determines that at least one time slot is to receive the decode and to make receiver receive the decode determined time slot.

According to a further aspect of the invention, provide a kind of in communication system the method for distributing multimedia information.The method comprising the steps of: broadcast communication channel is divided into a plurality of time slots; And pointer is included in the predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots.This pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot of broadcast communication channel, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

The accompanying drawing summary

Certain characteristics of the present invention, purpose and benefit will in conjunction with the drawings and be read this specification and be understood, wherein:

Fig. 1 describes the broadcast channel with a plurality of time slots;

Fig. 2 is the block diagram of communication system;

Fig. 3 A is the block diagram of Radio Access Network in the communication system;

Fig. 3 B is the block diagram of base station in the Radio Access Network;

Fig. 4 is the block diagram of portable terminal;

Fig. 5 is the more detailed block diagram of portable terminal;

Fig. 6 is the flow chart of the method for distributing multimedia information.

Describe in detail

The inventor recognizes that existing short message service (SMS) broadcast channel (it is typically carried by the time slot on the Broadcast Control Channel in GSM/EDGE or the similar communication system (BCCH) zero (TS0)) can be expanded additional time slot, these additional time slots can point out in tree structure that the root of described tree structure is in the SMS broadcast channel.BCCH typically carries the Overhead Message that is sent to independent terminal, and described Overhead Message is paging or call alerts message for example, and the text message of picture SMS.

The inventor recognizes that also the BCCH channel of described expansion can be used for similar broadcasting service and this no longer need be mutual between the foundation structure part of communication terminal and communication system, described communication terminal is such as mobile phone, and the foundation structure of communication system part is such as base station or Node B.Terminal only receives the broadcast channel that launch the base station, and each broadcast channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.By this way, common EGPRS channel can be set up from the broadcast channel of media server to the base station.The quantity of channel, channel content and channel architecture can be defined by tolerance and the program product that is fit to by system operator.Terminal can be selected broadcast channel and buffer memory or download broadcasted content by the suitable software application of carrying out in terminal.Content can be buffered or short period of high-speed cache makes broadcasted content " off-line " or " non real-time " to show with the download of compensating network stand-by period, decoder delay etc. or long period.Buffer memory or high-speed cache real-time multimedia streaming content can be minimized in the interference (glitch) in the data transmission, can also channel switching time be minimized by fill several reception buffers always.Identical in addition or another software application can select best frequency to receive, thereby causes the transfer of terminal effectively.

Fig. 1 has described a plurality of time slot TS0, TS1, TS2 ..., TS7, it is the time portion of carrier signal.In GSM/EDGE, the TS0 of BCCH carries SMS information, and the SMS broadcast channel can carry 15 pages of 93 characters.

The inventor also understands, points out that the pointer of extended channel or token (such as character string) can be inserted in the time slot, in any page or leaf of broadcasting on typical SMS channel.For example, the string " Broadcast:BCCH TS1:BBC " can be inserted into by TS0 entrained the page or leaf in.As go here and there that self advises and will be described more fully below, described string can point out that another or a plurality of BCCH time slot and indication can be in that information that finds.In this example, the time slot TS1 of BCCH has the information about Britain broadcaster (BBC) channel.

Can will be appreciated that any suitable pointer can be used, and is not only character string, and described pointer only need be comprised in the predetermined time slot of any in fact broadcast channel.In addition, pointer need not to point out the one or more time slots on himself channel, but any other the one or more time slots that can point out in communication system usually to be launched.In addition, pointer can comprise open to the outside world information, promptly is shown to the user, and " hiding " but information promptly used and be need not to be shown to the user by subscriber equipment.This some examples that hide Info are to be used for the modulation of one or more broadcast channels and the information of encoding scheme, and about the information of which time slot corresponding to which broadcast channel.

Example as shown in fig. 1, entrained and by can advantageously being business or program guide such as the first indicated extended channel of the pointer of SMS character string in the time slot such as time slot TS1, it can be easily but not necessarily looks the homepage (mainpage) of similar traditional text-TV channel.By the physical slot by time of sufficient amount is provided for extended channel, can point out several homepages or channel, for example page or channel are used for from communication system obtainable each broadcasting service node or broadcast product.Three such homepages are indicated by three arrows among the time slot TS1, and it has pointed out that corresponding time slot afterwards is right.This advantageously makes content continuous updating in terminal of business guide.

One or more suitable pointers can be pointed out another or a plurality of extended channel such as the character string on the homepage, and it is entrained by pointed one or more additional time slot.In example shown in Figure 1, the extended channel that is called TV channel 1 is entrained by time slot TS2 and TS3, and another extended channel that is called TV channel 2 is entrained by time slot TS4 and TS5, and another extended channel that is called TV channel 3 is entrained by time slot TS6 and TS7 again.Thereby whole BCCH is instructed to distribute to broadcast channel, but this not necessarily.This outer channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages, such as the business guide in this example and three TV channels, can be arranged in any suitable manner in institute's distributed time slot.

Fig. 2 is the block diagram that can adopt the communication system 200 of the channel architecture of describing among the application.Portable terminal or subscriber equipment (UE) 202, communicate by letter with core-network entities by Radio Access Network (RAN) 204 such as GSM/EDGE, described core-network entities comprises Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 206, gateway GSN (GGSN) 208, attaching position register (HLR) 210 and broadcast/multi broadcast business center (BM-SC) 212.Described core network entity normally conventional and be suitable for handling MBMS and multimedia messages.In typical GSM/EDGE network, the PDP Context that is used for management traffic is set up at GGSN208 in response to the request that comes self terminal/UE202.

Especially, BM-SC 212 is responsible for providing and transmitting Mobile Broadcast Services, and the entrance that is used as the delivery of content business maybe needs to use the server of MBMS.Its foundation and control to the MBMS transmission bearer of RAN204, and be used to scheduling and transmit the MBMS transmission.BM-SC 212 can also provide service announcements to UE, and this notice has comprised the professional needed information of adding MBMS.BM-SC 212 can be used to manage the specific safety function that is used for the multicast pattern.RAN 204 comprises one or more base stations and base station controller or Node B, and radio network controller (RNC), and the wireless signal of launching except that whereabouts UE comprises this degree of the described channel architecture of the application, and these all are conventional.

Fig. 3 A has described RAN 204 in more detail.The different radio network functions of radio network controller (RNC) 302,304 controls for example comprises RAB foundation, diversity transfer etc.More usually, each RNC by the BS that is fit to directly to call out from terminal/UE, each other by down link (that is, the base station is to mobile radio station or forward direction) and up link (that is, mobile radio station to the base station or reverse) channel communication.In Fig. 3 A, RNC 302 is represented as and is coupled to BS 306,308,310, and RNC 304 is represented as and is coupled to BS 312,314,316.

In 3G vocabulary, the geographic area of each BS or Node B service is divided into one or more sub-districts.In Fig. 3 A, BS 316 is represented as has five antenna sector S1-S5, and it can be expressed as the sub-district that constitutes BS 316, although sector or also can be called as the sub-district by other zone of serving from the signal of BS.BS typically is coupled to the RNC of their correspondences by dedicated telephone line, optical fiber link, microwave link etc.RNC 302,304 is connected with external network such as PSTN (PSTN), internet etc. by one or more core-network entities.

Because UE moves about BS, and may vice versa, ongoing connection is handled and is kept by transferring (handover) or switching (handoff), and wherein the user is when another sub-district is shifted in a sub-district, and user's connection hands over to another BS from a BS.Shown that in Fig. 3 A UE 318,320 communicates by letter with a plurality of BS in diversity transfer situation.UE 318 communicates by letter with BS 306,308,310, and UE 320 communicates by letter with BS 310,312.Control communication link between the RNC 312,314 allow via BS 310,312 to/from the diversity communication of UE 320.

Fig. 3 B is the block diagram of base station 306, show as described in the invention when generating BCCH the part of related BS.To recognize that Fig. 3 B shows the Typical Disposition of base station in communication system 200.The base station comprises a plurality of transceiver units that are used for carrying out at system and UE two-way communication, and Fig. 3 B indicated these transceiver units TRU-1, TRU-2, TRU-3 ..., TRU-N.The quantity of transceiver unit even can be zero without limits in principle.

Each TRU typically distributes " channel group " separately, and it is one group of down link and possible uplink radio carrier signal, has the frequency of being planned according to frequency reuse pattern given in the system (pattern).In Fig. 3 B, transceiver unit TRU-1 for example can belong to channel group " BCCH " and other transceiver unit and can belong to channel group " TCH " or " Traffic Channel ".Alternately, a large amount of different TCH channel group can be arranged, and one or more transceiver units each in belonging to is not on the same group arranged, make different TCH groups can plan different frequency reuse pattern thus.

Transceiver unit advantageously (but not necessarily) comprises and is used for handling the needed all functions of wireless signal in communication system, for example eight time slots in time division multiple access (TDMA) frame described in the image pattern 1 comprise timing reference generation, signal processing, wireless receiving and emission and power amplification.Thereby transceiver unit typically comprises wireless transmission and receiving unit, and described wireless transmission and receiving unit are controlled by one or more processors, and signal is provided and signal from these one or more processors is provided to these one or more processors.For example, transceiver unit can generate the signal with a plurality of frames, and handle operation and other is functional by suitable transceiver signal, each frame can comprise at least one in forward error correction and the error detection occurs element, and described other functionally can comprise the suitable treatments resource that is used for the encrypt/decrypt signal.

As indicated among Fig. 3 B, to come to antenna for base station 324 or from antenna for base station 324 by the combiner on their paths 322 from the signal of transceiver unit.Combiner 322 merges transmitting and the signal that receives is distributed to transceiver unit from several transceiver units.

Thereby, be understandable that the TRU in the BCCH channel group has formulated the radiofrequency signal that offers antenna 324.This signal has the channel architecture that configuration is used for multimedia messages, comprises for example broadcast communication channel of BCCH, and this BCCH is divided into a plurality of time slots.For example as shown in Figure 1, a predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots comprises pointer, and this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot in the wireless signal, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

Currently be sure of that because power system capacity, BCCH is suitable for carrying by this way broadcast channel.BCCH be used to handover measurement and thus BCCH launched continuously and plot planning is made according to high frequency re-use factor.The continuous broadcasting of bcch carrier means that increasing the system broadcasts capacity will can not increase activity factor or interference level.The signal strength signal intensity of radio signal quality or reception is also typically fine at cell boarder.

Should be understood that, yet the BCCH channel is not the only possibility that is used for above-mentioned similar broadcast message.Be used for also can being used at the carrier wave of the TCH of RAN.Have lower wireless quality and lower time slot bit speed even compare TCH with BCCH, time slot but more can easily be used for obtaining to have the business of comparativity.

The quality of measuring quantity, business and its broadcasting that can determine time slot of system operator by being fit to.Can select to be used for modulation and the encoding scheme (MCS) that RAN transmits based on the quality of wanting, covering and frequency planning, the channel quantity of distributing to broadcasting can be based on capacity and the business demand of wanting, and for example is used to the encoding bit rate of the broadcasting TV business wanted.A large amount of different schemes (MCS-1 is to MCS-9) are current to be used for EGPRS by standardization.MCS-1 uses gaussian minimum shift key (GMSK) modulation to MCS-4, and MCS-5 uses (3 π/8) 8-system phase shift keyings (8-PSK) modulation to MCS-9.

As discussed above, the benefit of this configuration is to be not used between terminal and the base station special mutual demand.The base station only needs the unacknowledged multimedia messages of emission continuously, and can not know the position or the activity of receiver.Terminal is selected the channel of broadcast message, and advantageously selects the best transmitter of described information.

Fig. 4 is the block diagram of portable terminal or UE 202.Select broadcast message for convenience, can advantageously redefine the keypad 404 of terminal by the 402 performed software application of the processor in the terminal 202.Software application can be stored in the suitable applications memory 406 and operational example as so that " 1 " on the keypad means channel 1, it is the business guide in the described configuration of Fig. 1.Below more detailed description will be arranged.

The download of information that terminal 202 can also will be wanted based on user's preference and terminal applies and/or cache in the suitable memory 408.Utilize the information of high-speed cache, can carry out instant channel switch at broadcasting TV interchannel, this is because the stream buffer memory need not to be initialised.According to user configuration or previous use, can download and/or broadcast channel that high-speed cache is all or can download and/or channel that high-speed cache is one or more.The non real-time transmission, for example new segment (clip) can be by being downloaded and dynamically updating by viewed business guide the user when an opportunity arises.Timestamp and storage refresh then and may be required, and business guide is upgraded and also may be required.For example business guide upgrade can and fresh content (this fresh content has been described in renewal), memory pointer separately and timestamp be sent out together.Fresh content can present in broadcast channel and can present in business guide for the pointer of fresh content.By this way, each time slot can provide more substantial data (segment) and user's access delay need not any change, and this is because can increase refresh rate.Although some contents can not be real-time, and can browse when an opportunity arises the user, such content still can be upgraded together with current information.

In the simple form of this configuration, there is no need special selection " the best " base station, thereby need not special control signaling.Select to guarantee enough operations sufficiently in order to handle the typical cell that connects transfer and carry out.Except that cell selecting, guarantee that another method that terminal receives suitable broadcast singal is to use grand diversity to merge, wherein receive in its receiver front end 410 by terminal and merge from the signal broadcasting of different transmitters.This operating in the mobile telephone system is general, and need be between the base station broadcast content synchronization so that the signal of a plurality of receptions can be decoded and merge to terminal.The frequency re-use factor of utilization on TCH is 1 synchronous transmission, thereby can finish grand diversity because the equalizer in the terminal receiver 410 can merge the signal of different districts.Utilize grand diversity, the bit rate that can improve coverage and improve cell boarder.

As described hereinly in the GSM/EDGE communication system, broadcast TV, typically use unencrypted transmission down in unacknowledged mode Radio Link control (RLC).Support the unencrypted transmission in the 3GPP standard, described 3GPP standard for example is 3GPP TS 04.64 V8.7.0, GPRS (GPRS); Mobile radio station Serving GPRS Support Node (MS-SGSN) logic link control (LLC) layer standard, Rel.99 (December calendar year 2001).If want to encrypt, then it can be carried out on application layer or can be by subscribing control.The channel of encrypting can be used for " paying " content, such as pay-per-view (pay-per-view) incident.

Set up common GPRS channel from BM-SC 212 or from other broadcasted content supplier to the base station the RAN 204.Change of content (in available broadcast channel capacity) and quality can be managed by BM-SC.Also have, BM-SC can be below homepage (time slot TS1) channel architecture described in change such as Fig. 1 or time slot tree, and need not to change the other parts of network configuration.

In order on typical mobile phone, to show real-time TV, need data rate and the BLER of about 40kbps may be not more than 2% with receivable quality.It is 12 to 15 that BCCH typically is planned to frequency re-use factor, and this causes carrier wave/interference (C/I) ratio on the cell boarder to arrive 12dB for 10dB.The MCS-5 scheme provides the BLER of 22kbps/ time slot and about 1% when the C/I of 10dB.Be understandable that, depend on the length of the IP grouping of being launched corresponding to " packet error rate " of 1%BLER, because transmission is unacknowledged.If require the further BLER of raising, then can use error correcting technique, such as forward error correction (FEC) (for example, determine sign indicating number, convolution code, Turbo code and other distortion), need more bandwidth (approximately 5%-10%) in this case.The TV channel can be provided for the needed data rate of acceptable quality to use two BCCH time slots to be used for as described in Figure 1.

Thereby, can be on BCCH as described in Figure 1 three TV channels of service, have the space that is used for channel, it can be carried by the data rate of time slot with 22kbps, it can be a business guide and such as the information of text news, photo and video clips.This channel can be launched information in the mode of circulation, promptly is not to launch all information at each time slot, and mobile radio station can be stored this information and is used for quick access.This information content can be similar to the remote text of traditional text-TV/ (Tele-text), comprises the content of multimedia of sound and image perhaps more advancedly.

It is current that what can be sure of is that typical " off-line " information content comprises static text, photo more or less and the sound that write down and typical " online " information content comprises stream information, such as radio and television and radio.From a viewpoint, off-line content is similar to books or newspaper.Yet be understandable that these classification do not have the boundary of fine definition.Yet usually, off-line content can provide coding and/or transformat, this coding and/or transformat with provide employed coding of online content and/or transformat different.

It is current that what can be sure of is that off-line content should comprise still less mistake than online or stream content, so that match user is based on the expectation for the experience of books and TV.Thus, UE should store that received in its memory and the transmission content decoding of zero defect ground.For fear of retransmitting possible lengthy content, content is by the advantageously section of being divided into or frame, and these sections or frame are repeated to launch, and each frame has error detection occurs/correction scheme separately, such as FEC and/or cyclic redundancy check (CRC) or verification and element.If the frame that is received has the mistake that is not repaired, UE will attempt receiving the decode the frame of transmission afterwards, and the frame that is correctly decoded is inserted in the memory to replace the frame of mistake.Thereby receiver can have the mistake among the content that a plurality of chances detect and correction is received, and comprises that discarded partial content and wait retransmit.If the user selects to browse the content of being stored, and described content comprises one or more erroneous frame, then one or more erroneous frame will be preferably so that mode is definite to the user easily.

Media broadcast in GSM/EDGE described herein or the similar communication system is flexibly and can expands in many ways, improves and strengthen.

For example, if frequency spectrum can use, then by spectrum allocation may can be increased more TV channel to the broadcast transmitted on the Traffic Channel.In typical gsm communication system, frequency reuse must be similar to current BCCH and reuse to realize the demand of wireless environment.Have " TV broadcasts pointer " identical tree structure with shown in Fig. 1 and can be used for additional TV broadcast channel on the definition of T CH frequency.In this case, the required number of timeslots of each channel depends on by the selected frequency reuse of system operator, selected encoding scheme etc.Coverage and capacity also depend on the network planning.

If the application's media broadcast is based on cellular-communication-system structure, it can realize the different brackets of " part " broadcast transmitted simply.According to demand and interest, the TV channel can be broadcasted in the greater or lesser part of cellular network, promptly by different base stations.Be understandable that the present invention is not limited to cellular communications networks, especially the present invention is not limited to the GSM/GERAN system.

Supplementary service (such as ballot, ordering etc.) interactive or reactive (reactive) can support by described from here enhancing channel, although may need the feedback channel from terminal to base station.This feedback channel can easily be finished by the category-A terminal, and described category-A terminal has two independently radio receiving-transmitting units, perhaps in addition the modification of the existing telecommunication standard by being applied to particular communications system finish.Possible, can use the terminal that has two receiver chains but a transmitter is only arranged, its mode is similar to the typical GSM/EDGE mobile phone with DVB-H receiver.

Special-purpose feedback channel makes the user can be mutual.The information of using about ballot, selection, purchase is embedded in the broadcasted content, at " program guide " or with audio-visual content.Terminal applies can be stored and is used for the selection of ul transmissions after a while, if perhaps the back is available to channel (backchannel), the result is launched back server.Finishing a kind of of this may mode be " returning SMS ".For the consideration of simplifying the user, ballot can not finished by the button that is/denys that activates on the phone.

Feedback channel can be used for ordering " pay-per-view " content, and be used for the decruption key of this content can be by the business guide on the TS1 or on dedicated forward channel and can obtain.If separate forward channel is unavailable, then common content decryption key can be provided with encrypted form by business guide, and the user who has paid request content can use its user key that has had to decipher the form of described encryption.Business guide can be upgraded continuously by the user, and described user has paid and has been allowed to obtain content decryption key.

Still advantageously, when terminal is TV pattern (that is, being used to receiving broadcasting information), the digital button on the terminal keypad is used to select the TV channel.For example, press " 1 " and can mean that TV channel 1 is selected, press " 2 " and mean that TV channel 2 is selected, or the like.Other suitable device can be used for carrying out volume control or progressively (step-wise) channel selection on joystick or the terminal.By this way, physical layer can be controlled by the keypad of terminal.

For example, UE can comprise the button that is exclusively used in the broadcasted content selection.Pushing button to be interpreted as configuration for described in Fig. 1, the physical layer among the UE (that is, receiver 410) should receive and decode time slot 4 and 5.Figure 4 illustrates the block diagram of the UE202 with this ability, more detailed block diagram is Fig. 5.Based on the user's input information on keypad, keyboard or joystick 404, and the information of relevant broadcast system (channel guide for example, it can be aforesaid receives from network by receiver 410), processor controls 402 determines to receive the decode which or which time slot.Gap information is fed to front end receiver (Fe RX) 502 and the decoder 504 that is included in the receiver 410 then.Fe RX 502 and decoder 504 are " physical layers " among the UE 202.Fe RX 502 receives the signal of being caught by suitable antenna 506, and those signals are downconverted to base band.For saving power, Fe RX 502 opens during the time slot corresponding to TV broadcasting, so that receive the decode broadcasting, described TV broadcasting is selected by keypad 404 by the user.

Fig. 6 is the method flow diagram that is used for distributing multimedia information according to one of them aspect in the many aspects of the present invention.In step 602, broadcast communication channel is divided into a plurality of time slots.In step 604, pointer is comprised in the predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots, and it points out at least one extended channel.As mentioned above, one or more extended channels are comprised at least one other time slot identical or another broadcast communication channel, and carry unacknowledged multimedia messages.In step 606, multimedia messages is distributed by the unacknowledged transmissions of broadcast channel.

The broadcast technology of being expected described herein and the important benefits of system are, effectively business provides and becomes possibility, and the demand of " TV notion " (for example quick conversion of different TV interchannel) can realize, does not meanwhile need new network node or radio hardware.This broadcasting solution makes the TV content can pass to a plurality of users in the sub-district efficiently.Meanwhile, suppose all available channel by emission/broadcasting constantly, interchannel be converted into possibility fast.

These technology can realize in existing GSM/EDGE standard (for example, 3GPP Rel.5), for conventional terminal (legacy terminal); The wireless environment (interference) when if the TV business is launched on BCCH; Framework, signaling or the like; And wireless and core network does not have or has only small influence.For the reduced form of the TV on GSM/EDGE broadcasting, the new software that does not need or may only need appropriateness to change.Suppose that required hsrdware requirements (for example, GSN and the TRU that the EDGE ability is arranged) are available, no longer need extra new equipment (except that terminal) with suitable TV application.

What can expect is that the present invention can comprise for example mobile communication equipment realizing in the environment on a large scale.Should also be understood that above-mentioned process can repeat if desired.Understand for convenience, each side of the present invention is according to for example being described by the performed sequence of movement of the element of programmable computer system.Can recognize, can pass through particular electrical circuit (for example, interconnect carrying out the discrete logic gate of specific function, or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by the performed program command of one or more processors, perhaps carry out different actions by both combinations.

Thereby the present invention can realize with multiple different form, does not describe all forms in the above, and all forms are all expected and are included in the scope of the present invention.For each aspect of various aspects of the present invention, any described form can be called " logic configured " and carry out described action, perhaps selectively is called " logic " and carries out described action.

Be stressed that word " comprises " and " comprising " when using in this application that the feature of being stated, integral body, step or parts have appearred in regulation, but do not get rid of the appearance of one or more further features, integral body, step or parts or their combinations.

Above-mentioned specific implementations only is schematically, and should not be construed as any type of restriction.Scope of the present invention determines by following claim, and all distortion and equivalents all are considered to fall within the scope that claim is intended to comprise.

Claims (27)

1. channel architecture, it is configured to distributing multimedia information in communication system, comprising:

Broadcast communication channel, it is divided into a plurality of time slots; With

Pointer, this pointer are included in the predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots, and this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

2. the channel architecture of claim 1, wherein communication channel is that Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) and at least one other time slot are comprised among the BCCH.

3. the channel architecture of claim 2, wherein pointer is included in the character string in the time slot zero.

4. the channel architecture of claim 2, wherein BCCH comprises short message service (SMS) channel.

5. the channel architecture of claim 1, wherein pointer comprises and hides Info, described hiding Info comprises modulation and the encoding scheme that is used on the extended channel, and about which time slot corresponding in the information of which broadcast channel at least one.

6. the channel architecture of claim 1, wherein a plurality of time slots on the broadcast communication channel comprise a plurality of extended channels, and described extended channel is configured to tree structure, and the root of described tree structure is in comprising the time slot of pointer.

7. the channel architecture of claim 6 wherein carries business guide information by the first pointed extended channel of pointer.

8. the channel architecture of claim 1 wherein comprises information off-line and stream TV programme by the entrained multimedia messages of extended channel, and comprises in the business guide information of TV program information at least one.

9. the channel architecture of claim 8, wherein off-line content is carried as a plurality of frames by extended channel, and each frame comprises in forward error correction and the error detection occurs element at least one.

10. Radio Access Network, it is configured to distributing multimedia information, comprising:

The base station, its broadcasting has the wireless signal that configuration is used for the channel architecture of multimedia messages, wherein the wireless channel structure comprises the broadcast communication channel that is divided into a plurality of time slots, and a predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots comprises pointer, this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot in the wireless signal, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

11. the Radio Access Network of claim 10 wherein comprises information off-line and stream TV programme by at least one the entrained multimedia messages in the extended channel and comprises in the business guide information of TV program information at least one.

12. the Radio Access Network of claim 11, wherein off-line content is carried as a plurality of frames by extended channel, and each frame comprises in forward error correction and the error detection occurs element at least one.

13. a subscriber equipment that is used for communication system, broadcast singal wherein comprises a series of time slot, and described time slot carries unacknowledged multimedia messages, and this equipment comprises:

Input equipment, it is configured to be activated by the user;

Receiver, it is configured to the broadcast singal of decoding, and a predetermined time slot of wherein said time slot comprises pointer, and this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot of broadcast singal; With

Processor controls, itself and input equipment and receiver communicate;

Wherein, based on from the user's input information of input equipment and about the information of communication network, processor controls determines that at least one time slot is to receive the decode and to make receiver receive the decode determined time slot.

14. the subscriber equipment of claim 13, wherein broadcast singal comprises that Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) and at least one other time slot are comprised among the BCCH.

15. the subscriber equipment of claim 14, wherein pointer comprises and hides Info, and described hiding Info comprises modulation and the encoding scheme that is used on the extended channel, and about which time slot corresponding in the information of which broadcast channel at least one.

16. the subscriber equipment of claim 13, wherein receiver comprises front end receiver, and it is opened during the time slot of determining.

17. the subscriber equipment of claim 13, wherein said definite time slot comprise information off-line and stream TV programme and by the user by in the selected business guide information of input equipment at least one.

18. the subscriber equipment of claim 17, wherein subscriber equipment further comprises memory, and it is configured to store unacknowledged multimedia messages; Off-line content is carried as a plurality of frames by extended channel; Each frame comprises at least one in forward error correction and the error detection occurs element; And the off-line content that is correctly decoded is stored in this memory.

19. the method for a distributing multimedia information in communication system comprises:

Broadcast communication channel is divided into a plurality of time slots; With

Pointer is included in the predetermined time slot of described a plurality of time slots, wherein this pointer points out to be included at least one extended channel at least one other time slot of broadcast communication channel, and this extended channel carries unacknowledged multimedia messages.

20. the method for claim 18, wherein broadcast communication channel is that Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) and at least one other time slot are comprised among the BCCH.

21. the method for claim 19, wherein pointer is included in the character string in the time slot zero.

22. the method for claim 19, wherein BCCH comprises short message service (SMS) channel.

23. the method for claim 18, the wherein said step that comprises comprises the step that is included in hiding Info in the pointer, described hiding Info comprises modulation and the encoding scheme that is used on the extended channel, and about which time slot corresponding in the information of which broadcast channel at least one.

24. the method for claim 18, wherein a plurality of time slots comprise a plurality of extended channels, and described partiting step comprises the step that extended channel is configured to tree structure, and the root of described tree structure is in comprising the time slot of pointer.

25. the method for claim 24 is wherein carried business guide information by the first pointed extended channel of pointer.

26. the method for claim 19 wherein comprises information off-line and stream TV programme by the entrained unacknowledged multimedia messages of at least one extended channel, and comprises in the business guide information of TV program information at least one.

27. the method for claim 26, wherein off-line content is carried as a plurality of frames by extended channel, and each frame comprises in forward error correction and the error detection occurs element at least one.

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