Abstract: The invention relates to a method for efficiently setting up a bidirectional multicast service in a mobile communication system. The bidirectional service is provided to a user equipment located in a radio cell controlled by a control entity. For the downlink data of the bidirectional service a downlink multicast service framework is utilized. In case the control entity decides for a point-to-point radio link to the UE, the system resources of the downlink framework are configured so as to re-use the configured system resources of the bidirectional service. This includes radio resources in the radio access network and may include tunnels in the core network. The invention further relates to a network entity in the CN or in the RAN for configuring system resources and for forwarding the multicast service data to the UE. The invention also relates to a mobile terminal for receiving the bidirectional multicast service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the mobility of a mobile terminal, while receiving a service via an access node of a mobile communication network. The mobile communication network has overlapping pool areas, while the access node is assigned to at least two pool areas simultaneously. After the UE changes to the access node of the overlapping area, it is proposed that the mobility management entity serving the UE arbitrarily selects a prospect user plane entity for transporting service data into the next pool areas, and requests from the service provider information about UPEs handling this service. After the actual attachment to an access node within the new pool area, the handover is finalized by changing the UPE from the old one to the selected UPE in the new pool area. Thereby, the data path from the service provider to the UE is constantly being optimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a random access procedure for use in a mobile communication system. Furthermore, the invention also provides a mobile terminal and a base station that as suitably adapted to perform the random access procedure as well as the definition of a special format of a random access response message signalled during the random access procedure. To suggest a random access procedure that allows more information to be conveyed in the first scheduled transmission of the random access procedure, the invention proposes a random access procedure for use in a mobile communication system, wherein a base station transmits a random access response in response to receiving a random access preamble from a mobile terminal, wherein the random access response message comprises a grant for a scheduled transmission by the mobile terminal and an indication on the uplink transmission mode for the scheduled transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for providing IP packets from a core network node to a relay node, wherein the IP packets are conveyed via a base station to the relay node on a wireless interface. To suggest an interface termination for data transport between core network and a relay node that is allowing for a flexible QoS control, preferably on a per user equipment basis this invention proposes two different multiplexing modes for use on the interface between base station and relay node: a first mode in which there is only a single dedicated radio bearer between the base station and the relay node to which all IP packets are multiplexed/mapped, and a second multiplexing mode where multiple dedicated radio bearers between the base station and the relay node are configured and the base station is multiplexing IP packets to the individual dedicated radio bearers according to their QoS class.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a user plane between a user plane entity and different access nodes assigned to different pool areas simultaneously for multicast or broadcast service provision. The method includes receiving at a respective access node assigned to the different pool areas simultaneously plural session start messages indicating different user plane entities of the different pool areas, selecting by the respective access node one user plane entity out of the indicated user plane entities indicated in the session start messages based on a selection rule common to all access nodes assigned to the different pool areas simultaneously, the selection rule ensuring that the access nodes assigned to different pool areas simultaneously select the same user plane entity out of one of the different pool areas, and establishing by the access nodes a respective user plane to the same selected user plane entity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a downlink transmission scheme that supports downlink HARQ operation and macro-diversity that is capable of overcoming the problem of HARQ protocol de-synchronization when using HARQ in the downlink with multiple data transmitting network nodes. In this scheme, a distributed HARQ protocol operation for downlink data transmissions involving multiple network nodes is provided, where only one network node is terminating downlink HARQ protocol operation towards to mobile terminal, i.e. retransmissions of a data packet are sent from a single network node, a single HARQ transmitter, to the mobile terminal. The multiple network nodes send a first transmission of the data packet to the mobile terminal in a single transmission time interval using HARQ. One of the multiple network nodes is designated as the HARQ terminating node that controls/handles all retransmissions of the data packet.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to ensuring service continuity of a multicast service received from an access node assigned to a first and a second pool area simultaneously. Another aspect of the invention relates to the establishment of a user plane between a user plane entity and different access nodes assigned to different pool areas simultaneously for multicast or broadcast services. To ensure service continuity of the multicast service, it is proposed that the MME serving the mobile terminal registers at the UPE providing the multicast user plane to the access node irrespective of the UPE being assigned to the same pool area/tracking area as the MME. To facilitate efficient resource utilization in the distribution of service data to access nodes located in a overlapping region of pool areas, the invention further suggests proactive and reactive schemes for ensuring the selection of a common UPE for overlapping pool areas thereby ignoring consider pool area boundaries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for distributing control signaling for session control of a multicast or broadcast service within a mobile communication network. Furthermore the invention also provides a base station, mobile terminal and communication system to perform the proposed method. In order to reduce the number of signaling connections for the service, the invention proposes to avoid the initial distribution of session control signaling in the entire mobile communications network or service area. Rather than providing service related control signaling connections upon session start, the control signaling connections are set up in response to service requests of the mobile terminals requesting the service. According to one further aspect, the mobile terminals send the service requests based on service announcements available at the mobile terminals, i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuing the provision of a multicast service to a mobile node, which moved to a network area, in which the multicast service is provided at a different data rate than before. A content synchronization entity is introduced into the mobile communications system for deciding whether to establish an additional multicast session to be provided to the mobile node via an additional data channel, in order to allow a seamless multicast service provision. The content synchronization entity may base its decision on various parameters and algorithms, such as the progress of the session provision in the source network at the time the mobile node performs the handover. Subsequent mobile nodes that enter the same network area may reuse the previously established additional data channel and receive the additional multicast session, since the additional data channel may be established as a multicast radio bearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and network control node for detecting the point of attachment of mobile terminals moving within a mobile communication network in idle mode, wherein the mobile communication system can be logically divided into plural tracking areas to which the mobile terminals register. Further, the invention relates to a method for enabling management of mobile terminals in idle mode receiving a service within such mobile communication system. Moreover, the invention relates to a method and mobile terminal for updating the mobile terminal's tracking area registration in a mobile communication system being logically divided into plural tracking areas, wherein mobile terminal is in idle mode and is registered to plural tracking areas simultaneously. The invention suggests different mechanism how to detect terminals registering to plural tracking area, how to verify their current location in the network and how to use these information, for example for resource management.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the mobility of a mobile terminal, while receiving a service via an access node of a mobile communication network. The mobile communication network has overlapping pool areas, while the access node is assigned to at least two pool areas simultaneously. After the UE changes to the access node of the overlapping area, it is proposed that the mobility management entity serving the UE arbitrarily selects a prospect user plane entity for transporting service data into the next pool areas, and requests from the service provider information about UPEs handling this service. After the actual attachment to an access node within the new pool area, the handover is finalized by changing the UPE from the old one to the selected UPE in the new pool area. Thereby, the data path from the service provider to the UE is constantly being optimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting data to a mobile node. A network access entity is connected to several routing entities, forming a routing area. The mobile node is located within a reception area, controlled by a first routing entity. A moving velocity of the mobile node is continuously being calculated and compared to a predetermined threshold. In case the moving velocity is not higher than the threshold, the data is transmitted from the network access entity to the first routing entity and from there to the mobile node. In case the velocity is higher than the threshold, the data is transmitted from the network access entity to each of the routing entities within the routing area and is then further transmitted from the first routing entity to the mobile node.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for providing a multicast service from or via an application server to a mobile terminal within a mobile communication system, wherein the mobile communication system provides a downlink multicast or broadcast service (DMBS) that can be utilized for transmitting the downlink multicast data to the mobile terminal. Further, the invention relates to a mobile terminal and network entities that participate in this method. To enable an efficient provision of a bidirectional multicast service to users, wherein a DMBS may be used for providing downlink multicast data to the users, the invention proposes that the mobile terminal requests an application server to route downlink multicast data through the resources established for the multicast service instead of the resources for the DMBS, upon receiving a notification that a point-to-point connection is to be used for the downlink multicast data transfer. Thereby, the establishment of additional RAN resources for DMBS can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for efficiently setting up a bidirectional multicast service in a mobile communication system. The bidirectional service is provided to a user equipment located in a radio cell controlled by a control entity. For the downlink data of the bidirectional service a downlink multicast service framework is utilized. In case the control entity decides for a point-to-point radio link to the UE, the system resources of the downlink framework are configured so as to re-use the configured system resources of the bidirectional service. This includes radio resources in the radio access network and may include tunnels in the core network. The invention further relates to a network entity in the CN or in the RAN for configuring system resources and for forwarding the multicast service data to the UE. The invention also relates to a mobile terminal for receiving the bidirectional multicast service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for efficiently providing a bidirectional multicast service (e.g. IMS) to a user equipment (105), located in a radio cell, controlled by a control entity (104). For the downlink data of the bidirectional service a downlink multicast service (e.g. MBMS) is utilized. In case the control entity (e.g. RNC) decides for a point-to-point radio link to the UE, the bidirectional service is notified and system resources, established for the bidirectional service are utilized for providing the bidirectional service downlink data. This includes radio resources in the radio access network and may include connections in the core network. Optionally, the downlink multicast service may be de-activated for the specific mobile terminal, but the system resources already established may be maintained. The invention further relates to a network entity in the CN or in the RAN for configuring system resources and for forwarding the multicast service data to the UE.

Abstract: The invention relates to group communication services, i.e. communication services involving two or more users (or service participants). The invention provides a method for distributing multicast data of a multicast service to different domains and a method for distributing multicast data to service participants in a domain. Further, the invention relates to a control node and system implementing the respective methods. To improve resource utilization when providing a multicast service, including inter alia PoC services, to service participants the invention provides mechanisms to avoid unnecessary multiplication of multicast data in the distribution tree for multicast services with service participants of different domains. For this purpose the controlling node that is initiating the multicast service upon request determined to which domains the multicast data is to be provided and only forwards the multicast data on a per-domain basis.