Patent Description:
MBMS may be supported in a telecommunication system such as a long term evolution (LTE) system, new radio (NR or <NUM>) system, or the like. Document "<NPL>, discusses MBMS monitoring and feedback. This document discloses that the MBMS receivers monitor reception quality and packet CRCs, in order to detect and report abnormal reception, in terms of insufficient quality or packet errors.

The patent document <CIT> discloses power adaptation of MBMS transmissions based on handover measurements, which are reported by the UE when the received quality is below a threshold. The base station waits for UE reports during a time period T after data transmission.

The patent document <CIT> discloses UE feedback for MBMS, wherein the UEs enable the transmission of NACKs in response to an indication that the received quality is below a threshold. This UE threshold can be set by the eNB.

The present invention is defined by the attached claims.

Some embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a case of supporting MBMS in the telecommunication system/network such as the LTE system and the NR system, converge of a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) channel such as a multicast control channel (MCCH) and a multicast traffic channel (MTCH) or coverage of MBMS transmission may be configured statically to match a cell area, to ensure that MBMS transmission via the P2MP channel may reach user equipment (UE) possibly at an edge of the cell area. On the other hand, for example in a case where no UE receiving MBMS is locating at the edge of the cell area, such static configuration for the coverage of the MBMS transmission may result in a waste of transmission power and may increase interference.

<FIG> illustrates an example procedure of configuring/adjusting dynamically coverage of the MBMS transmission in an embodiment.

In the example as illustrated in <FIG>, a base station (BS) <NUM> of the network may transmit MBMS data <NUM> on at least one P2MP channel to one or more UEs which are monitoring the MBMS data <NUM>. For example, the at least one P2MP may include, but is not limited to, MCCH, MTCH, or the like, and the MBMS data <NUM> transmitted by the BS <NUM> on the at least one P2MP channel may include, but is not limited to, control signaling of the MBMS on the MCCH, service data of the MBMS on the MTCH, or the like. Then, in an operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may monitor at least one uplink channel for information on a reception status of the MBMS data <NUM> from one or more UEs, and may adjust coverage of the MBMS transmission or P2MP channel based on the monitoring result in the operation <NUM>, for example by adjusting at least one of transmission power of the P2MP channel or modulation and coding scheme (MCS) level of the P2MP channel.

Cooperating with the BS <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, a UE <NUM> expecting MBMS data from the BS <NUM> may monitor the MBMS data <NUM> on at least one P2MP channel in an operation <NUM>, and may further detect a reception status of the MBMS data <NUM> in an operation <NUM>. For example, in a case where the UE <NUM> does not receive MBMS data within a predetermined time window, or in a case where the UE <NUM> suffers an error or an exception when decoding the received MBMS data <NUM>, or in a case where the MBMS data <NUM> is unexpected by the UE <NUM>, or the like, the UE <NUM> may detect an abnormal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, and may transmit information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data via an uplink channel to the BS <NUM>.

In an example, the information <NUM> may include an indication (e.g. a <NUM>-bit indication) on the abnormal reception of MBMS data. In addition or instead, for example, one or more additional information items may be included in the information <NUM>.

For example, the additional information items in the information <NUM> may include one or more quality detections on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, which may be detected or measured for example in a case where the UE <NUM> detects an abnormal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, or during a period when monitoring the MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, or at other suitable timing. For example, the quality detection may include, but is not limited to, one or more of at least one detected signal and noise rate (SNR) on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, at least one detected channel quality information (CQI) on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, at least one detected block error rate (BLER) on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, at least one detected package error rate (PER) on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, or the like.

For example, the additional information items in the information <NUM> may also include information for example on one or more of at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. For example, the information <NUM> may include at least one temporary mobile group identity (TMGI) of at least one ongoing MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. For example, in a case where the UE <NUM> may detect an abnormal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may remove information on the MBMS associated with the MBMS data <NUM> in at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, and the information <NUM> may include the updated list of the at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services.

In various examples, the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data may be enclosed and transmitted by a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a physical layer signaling, or the like. For example, in case where the UE <NUM> is in an idle state (e.g. RRC_IDLE state) or an inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE state), the UE <NUM> may request an RRC connection and may enclose the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data in the message <NUM> (or msg3) of a random access (RA) procedure or message A (or msgA) of a <NUM>-step RA procedure or the like, through which signaling overhead may be reduced. In another example, a preamble may be configured for the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data, and the UE <NUM> may transmit the preamble to the BS <NUM> when detecting the abnormal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where the BS <NUM> receives or detects the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data from the UE <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may enlarge the coverage of the P2MP channel or the MBMS transmission in an operation <NUM>, for example by improving the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or reducing the MCS level of the P2MP channel.

For example, in response to receiving the information <NUM> or detecting an indication of abnormal reception of MBMS data based on the information <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may determine the reception status of the MBMS data <NUM> as an abnormal reception, and may perform the operation <NUM> to increase the transmission power of the P2MP channel by a predetermined degree and/or reduce MCS level of the P2MP channel by a predetermined number of levels.

In another example, the BS <NUM> may perform a finer adjustment of the coverage of the MBMS transmission based on one or more additional information items in the information <NUM>. For example, when receiving the information <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may determine an adjustment amount for the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or MCS level of the P2MP channel, for which MBMS the adjustment is to be performed, or the like, based on one or more information items in the information <NUM>, such as one or more quality detections, at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. Then, the BS <NUM> may increase the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or reduce MCS level of the P2MP channel based on the determined adjustment amount for the P2MP associated with the determined MBMS. For example, the BS <NUM> may determine one or more services which belongs to at least one ongoing MBMS in the current cell (or the serving cell providing one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services) or at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell (or the serving cell providing one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services) but are not in at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell (or the serving cell providing one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services), and increase the transmission power of the P2MP channel associated with determined one or more services and/or reduce MCS level of the P2MP channel associated with determined one or more services, and may retransmit the MBMS data <NUM> associated with determined one or more services.

For the operation <NUM> of monitoring the information <NUM> on abnormal information of MBMS data, a timer may be configured in the BS <NUM> to provide a monitor time window <NUM> for the BS <NUM>. For example, the timer may be started or restarted in the BS <NUM> in response to the transmission of the MBMS data <NUM> or in parallel to the operation <NUM> of monitoring the information on the reception status, or the like, and may be stopped in response to detecting or receiving the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of the MBMS data from one or more UEs.

Thus, in a case where the BS <NUM> receives the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data before an expiration of the timer configured in the BS <NUM> to provide the monitor time window <NUM> for the BS <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may perform the operation <NUM> to enlarge the coverage of the MBMS transmission. Then, the BS <NUM> may retransmit the MBMS data <NUM> on the at least one P2MP channel one or more UEs (e.g. including the UE <NUM>) by the increased transmission power and/or decreased MCS level, and may perform the operation <NUM> again to monitor the information on the reception status of the MBMS data <NUM>, where, for example, the timer configured in the BS <NUM> to provide the monitor time window <NUM> for the BS <NUM> may be restarted in response to the retransmission of the MBMS data <NUM> or in parallel to the operation <NUM>.

In a case where the BS <NUM> does not receive the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data within the monitor time window <NUM>, for example, the BS <NUM> may keep the coverage of the P2MP channel for transmitting the MBMS data (e.g. the MBMS data <NUM>) unchanged.

In another example, in a case where the BS <NUM> has not received the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data within the monitor time window <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the BS <NUM> may reduce the coverage of the P2MP channel or the MBMS transmission in an operation <NUM> for example by reducing the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or improving the MCS level of the P2MP channel. For example, if no information <NUM> on abnormal reception of MBMS has been received before an expiration of the timer configured in the BS <NUM> to provide the monitor time window <NUM> for the BS <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may determine that the MBMS <NUM> has been received successfully or normally by one or more UEs, and may perform the operation <NUM> to reduce the transmission power of the P2MP channel by a predetermined degree, and/or to increase the MCS level of the P2MP channel by a predetermined number of levels.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may also transmit information <NUM> on a normal/successful reception of MBMS data <NUM> to the BS <NUM> in case where the UE <NUM> detects a successful reception of the MBMS data <NUM> in the operation <NUM>, for example in a case where the UE <NUM> receives the expected MBMS data <NUM> within a predetermined time window and decode the received MBMS data <NUM> successfully.

In an example, the information <NUM> may include an indication (e.g. a <NUM>-bit indication) on the normal reception of MBMS data <NUM>. In addition or instead, for example, one or more additional information items may be included in the information <NUM>.

For example, the additional information items in the information <NUM> may include one or more quality detections on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, which may be detected or measured for example in a case where the UE <NUM> detects a successful or normal reception of MBMS data <NUM> in the operation <NUM>, or during a period when monitoring the MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, or at other suitable timing. For example, the quality detection may include, but is not limited to, one or more of at least one detected SNR on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, at least one detected CQI on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, at least one detected BLER on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, at least one detected PER on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, or the like.

For example, the additional information items in the information <NUM> may also include information for example on at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. For example, the information <NUM> may include at least one temporary mobile group identity of at least one ongoing MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. For example, in a case where the UE <NUM> may detect a successful or normal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may add information on the MBMS associated with the MBMS data <NUM> in at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell, and the information <NUM> may include the updated list of the at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell.

In various examples, the information <NUM> on the normal reception of MBMS data <NUM> may be enclosed and transmitted by a RRC signaling, a MAC CE, a physical layer signaling, or the like. For example, in case where the UE <NUM> is in an idle state (e.g. RRC_IDLE state) or an inactive state (e.g. RRC_INACTIVE state), the UE <NUM> may request an RRC connection and may enclose the information <NUM> on the normal reception of MBMS data <NUM> in the message <NUM> (or msg3) of an RA procedure or message A (or msgA) of a <NUM>-step RA procedure or the like, through which signaling overhead may be reduced. In another example, a preamble may be configured for the information <NUM> on the successful/normal reception of MBMS data <NUM>, and the UE <NUM> may transmit the preamble to the BS <NUM> when detecting the successful/normal reception of MBMS data <NUM> in the operation <NUM>.

In an example, in response to receiving the information <NUM> within the monitor time window <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may keep the information <NUM> without adjusting the converge of the MBMS transmission, and may utilize the information <NUM> later in the operation <NUM> performed in response to the end of the monitor time window <NUM>. For example, in the operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may determine an adjustment amount for the transmission power and/or MCS level of the P2MP channel associated with one or more correctly received services based on the information <NUM>.

In another example, as illustrated in <FIG>, in response to receiving the information <NUM> within the monitor time window <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may perform an operation <NUM> to reduce the converge of the MBMS transmission associated with one or more services based on the information <NUM>, for example by reducing transmission power of the P2MP channel or modulation and/or increasing the MCS level of the P2MP channel. For example, in the operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may determine an adjustment amount for the transmission power and/or MCS level of the P2MP channel associated with one or more correctly received services based on the information <NUM>. In this example, in response to the end of the monitor time window <NUM>, the operation <NUM> may be either performed or ignored.

In another example, the BS <NUM> may ignore the information <NUM> from the UE <NUM>. In another example, the BS <NUM> may perform the operation <NUM> in response to receiving the information <NUM> after the end of the monitor time window <NUM>.

In some examples, after adjusting the coverage of the MBMS transmission (e.g. the operation <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>), the MBMS <NUM> may be retransmitted and the operation <NUM> of monitoring the information on the reception status of the MBMS <NUM> from one or more UEs may be re-performed again. For example, the timer configured in the BS <NUM> for the monitoring may be restarted.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in some examples, the BS <NUM> may also transmit information <NUM> to one or more UEs.

In an example, the information <NUM> may include one or more configurations of the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception and/or the information <NUM> on the normal reception. For example, a configuration on the information <NUM> and/or <NUM> may specify the contents (e.g. one or more qualities to be detected) included in the information <NUM> and/or <NUM>, and different configurations on the information <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be associated with different multimedia broadcast multicast services. For example, the information <NUM> may include a configuration on the information <NUM> associated with a first MBMS which specifies that the information <NUM> associated with the first MBMS includes a detected BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the first MBMS, and another configuration on the information <NUM> associated with a second MBMS which specifies that the information <NUM> associated with the second MBMS does not include information on quality detection. Based on the information <NUM>, when the UE <NUM> detects an abnormal reception of MBMS data for the first MBMS, the UE <NUM> may detect BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the first MBMS, and may include the detected BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the first MBMS in the information <NUM>. When the UE <NUM> detects an abnormal reception of MBMS data for the second MBMS, the UE <NUM> may transmit the information <NUM> indicating an abnormal reception of MBMS data for the second MBMS without quality detections. Thus, the information <NUM>/<NUM> reporting from a UE to the BS <NUM> may be configured flexibly.

In addition or instead, the information <NUM> may also include information on the timer in the BS <NUM> for monitoring the information on the reception status. For example, the UE <NUM> may configure or determine the time window for the operation <NUM> of monitoring the MBMS data <NUM>, based on information on the timer in the BS <NUM>. For example, the UE <NUM> may configure the timer window for monitoring the MBMS data <NUM> to match the monitor time window <NUM> for the BS <NUM>, so that the UE <NUM> may inform the information <NUM>/<NUM> to the BS <NUM> in time.

According to the present invention, the information <NUM> includes information on the timer and also information on one or more quality thresholds on the at least one P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, for example a threshold for BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the first MBMS, a threshold for PER on the P2MP channel associated with the first MBMS, a threshold for BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the second MBMS, a threshold for PER on the P2MP channel associated with the second MBMS, and so on. Then, the UE <NUM> may utilize such one or more quality thresholds to evaluate the reception status of the MBMS data and/or reception quality of the MBMS data. For example, the UE <NUM> may detect the quality of a P2MP channel associated with an MBMS for example before or during the operation <NUM>, and in case where the detected quality is below the threshold indicated in the information <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may determine the abnormal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>, for example without an actual reception of the MBMS data <NUM>.

In addition or instead, the information <NUM> may also include information on one or more of at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. For example, the information <NUM> may include at least one TMGI of at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, or the like. Then, for example, in a case where the UE <NUM> detects that the received MBMS data <NUM> is not associated with a registered TMGI of a MBMS of interest of the UE <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may determine the abnormal reception of MBMS data in the operation <NUM>.

In various examples, the information <NUM> may be transmitted via at least one of RRC signaling, system information, a dedicated signaling, or the like. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a system information block <NUM> (SI15) may be extended to carry the information <NUM>. In another example, a system information block <NUM> (SI20) may be extended to carry the information <NUM> in a case of a single cell point to multi-points (SC-PTM) services/transmissions. In another example, other one or more system information blocks (SIBs) or new SIBs may be utilized for transmitting the information <NUM>.

Further, in some examples, the transmissions of the MBMS data <NUM> and the information <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> may be associated with either the substantially same serving cell or different serving cells. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the BS <NUM> may transmit the MBMS data <NUM> in a secondary cell (SCell) <NUM> and receive the information <NUM> on abnormal reception in a special cell (sPCell) <NUM>. Correspondingly, the UE <NUM> may receive the MBMS data <NUM> in the SCell <NUM> and transmit the information <NUM> on abnormal reception in the sPCell <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of adjustment of the coverage of the MBMS transmission based on the example procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. In the example as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> locates outside of a coverage scope <NUM> of the MBMS transmission within which the BS <NUM> transmit the MBMS data <NUM>. Then, for example due to not receiving the MBMS data <NUM> within a predetermined time window, the UE <NUM> may transmit the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data to the BS <NUM>. In response to receiving the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data from the UE <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may improve the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or reduce the MCS level of the P2MP channel, so that the coverage scope <NUM> may be enlarged to a new scope <NUM> which covers at least the UE <NUM>. Thus, new transmission of the MBMS data <NUM> may be received by the UE <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of adjustment of the coverage of the MBMS transmission based on the example procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. In the example as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> locates within a coverage scope <NUM> of the MBMS transmission, and may receive the MBMS data <NUM> from the BS <NUM> successfully. Then, in a case where the BS <NUM> does not receive information <NUM> on abnormal reception of MBMS data for example within the predetermined time window <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may reduce the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or improve the MCS level of the P2MP channel in the operation <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, so that the coverage scope <NUM> may be reduced to a new scope <NUM>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may fall outside of the new scope <NUM> and thus fail to receive the MBMS data from the BS <NUM> due to the reduction of the coverage scope in the previous operation <NUM>. Then, a procedure similar to that as illustrated in <FIG> may be repeated, where the UE <NUM> may transmit the information <NUM> on the abnormal reception of MBMS data to the BS <NUM> and the BS <NUM> may perform the operation <NUM> again to enlarge the coverage of the P2MP channel from the scope <NUM>.

In an example, the coverage of the MBMS transmission may be enlarged in the operation <NUM> based on the adjustment (reduced amount) in the operation <NUM>, and the scope <NUM> may be enlarged back to the scope <NUM>.

In another example, the coverage of the MBMS transmission may be enlarged in the operation <NUM> based on one or more previous adjustments and/or one or more previous coverage scopes. For example, new transmission power and/or new MCS level may be determined based on the transmission powers corresponding to the scopes <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the MCS levels corresponding to the scopes <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the new scope <NUM> may be between the scopes <NUM> and <NUM> and may cover the UE <NUM>.

In another example, the coverage of the MBMS transmission may be enlarged in the operation <NUM> based on the additional information items in the information <NUM>, such as one or more detected qualities on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, so that a finer and more accurate enlargement from the scope <NUM> to the scope <NUM> may be achieved.

<FIG> illustrates another example of adjustment of the coverage of the MBMS transmission based on the example procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. In the example as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> locates within a coverage scope <NUM> of the MBMS transmission, and may receive the MBMS data <NUM> from the BS <NUM> successfully. Then, the UE <NUM> may transmit the information <NUM> on the normal/successful reception of the MBMS <NUM> to the BS <NUM>. For example, the information <NUM> may include information on one or more detected qualities, a list of correctly received services, or the like. Then, based on the information <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may perform the operation <NUM> or <NUM> to reduce the transmission power of the P2MP channel and/or improve the MCS level of the P2MP channel, so that the coverage scope <NUM> may be reduced efficiently to a new scope <NUM> which also covers the UE <NUM>.

In the above one or more examples, through the example procedure for example as illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the BS or the network may configure or adjust the coverage of the MBMS transmission dynamically based on feedback(s) from one or more UEs, so that the a waste of transmission power may be reduced or avoided.

It is appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the above examples, and one or more modifications and/or variations may be made based on the above examples.

<FIG> illustrates an example method <NUM> for configuring/adjusting dynamically coverage of the MBMS transmission in an embodiment, which may be performed for example in the BS <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in an operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may transmit data of an MBMS (e.g. the MBMS data <NUM>) on a P2MP channel. For example, in the operation <NUM>, the data of the MBMS on the P2MP channel may include at least one of a control signaling of the MBMS on the MCCH, service data of the MBMS on the MTCH, or the like. In an operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may monitor an uplink channel for information on an abnormal reception of the data (e.g. the information <NUM>). In an operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may adjust coverage of the P2MP channel based on the monitoring in the operation <NUM>.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the example method <NUM> may further include an operation <NUM>. In the operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may start a timer for the operation <NUM> (e.g. the timer for providing the monitor time window <NUM>), for example in response to the operation <NUM>. Then, in a case where information on an abnormal reception of MBMS data (e.g. the information <NUM>) is detected based on the operation <NUM>, for example before an expiration of the timer, the BS <NUM> may perform an operation <NUM> to stop the timer. Further, in the operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may perform a sub-operation <NUM> to enlarge the coverage of the P2MP channel, for example based on the information on the abnormal reception of the MBMS data which is detected in the operation <NUM> before the operation <NUM>.

In addition, also as illustrated in <FIG>, in the example method <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may check whether the timer started in the operation <NUM> has expired, <NUM> in a case where no information on the abnormal reception of the MBMS data is detected in the operation <NUM>. If the timer has expired, in the operation <NUM>, the BS <NUM> may perform a sub-operation <NUM> to reduce the coverage of the P2MP channel. If the timer has not expired, the BS <NUM> may continue to monitor the information on the abnormal reception of the MBMS data in the operation <NUM>.

For example, the coverage of the P2MP channel may be enlarged by at least one of a reduction of transmission power of the P2MP channel or an improvement of MCS level of the P2MP channel. For example, the coverage of the P2MP channel may be reduced by at least one of an improvement of transmission power of the P2MP channel or a reduction of MCS level of the P2MP channel.

In some embodiments, the information on the abnormal reception, which is monitored or received in the operation <NUM>, may include information on one or more of: an indication of the abnormal reception; at least one quality detection on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; at least one ongoing MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services; at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services; at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services; or the like. For example, the at least one quality detection on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS may include one or more of: a detected SNR on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; detected CQI on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; a detected BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; a detected PER on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; or the like.

In some embodiments, the information on the abnormal reception, which is monitored in the operation <NUM>, may be received via one or more of RRC signaling, a MAC CE, a physical signaling, a preamble, or the like.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the example method <NUM> may also include an operation <NUM> of transmitting information (e.g. the information <NUM>) on at least one of a configuration of the information on the abnormal reception, information on a timer for monitoring the information on the abnormal reception, at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one quality threshold on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, or the like. For example, such information transmitted in the operation <NUM> may be via at least one of RRC signaling, system information (e.g. SI15, SI20), a dedicated signaling, or the like. For example, different configuration of the information on the abnormal reception may be associated with different multimedia broadcast multicast services.

In some embodiments, the transmission of the data of the MBMS in the operation <NUM> and a reception of the information on the abnormal reception in the operation <NUM> may be associated with different serving cells. For example, the transmission of the data of the MBMS in the operation <NUM> may be associated with a secondary cell, and the reception of the information on the abnormal reception in the operation <NUM> may be associated with a special cell. Further, the transmission of the data of the MBMS in the operation <NUM>, the transmission in the operation <NUM>, and a reception of the information on the abnormal reception in the operation <NUM> may be associated with different serving cells.

Cooperating with the example method <NUM> in the BS <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates an example method <NUM> for configuring/adjusting dynamically coverage of the MBMS transmission in an embodiment, which may be performed for example in the UE <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the operation <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may monitor data of an MBMS (e.g. the MBMS data <NUM>) on a P2MP channel. Then, in an operation <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may detect an abnormal reception of the data. For example, in a case of a reception failure of the data on the P2MP channel within a predetermined time window, or in a case of a decoding error of the data received via the P2MP channel, or the like, the UE <NUM> may detect the abnormal reception of the data of the MBMS. Then, in an operation <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may transmit information on the abnormal reception (e.g. the information <NUM>) in response to the detection in the operation <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the information on the abnormal reception, which is transmitted in the operation <NUM>, may include information on one or more of: an indication of the abnormal reception; at least one quality detection on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; at least one ongoing MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services; at least one correctly received MBMS in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services; at least one MBMS of interest in the current cell or in the serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services; or the like. For example, the at least one quality detection on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS may include one or more of: a detected SNR on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; detected CQI on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; a detected BLER on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; a detected PER on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS; or the like. For example, the information on the abnormal reception may be transmitted via one or more of RRC signaling, a MAC CE, a physical signaling, a preamble, or the like.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the example method <NUM> may also include an operation <NUM> of receiving information (e.g. the information <NUM>) on at least one of a configuration of the information on the abnormal reception, information on a timer for monitoring the information on the abnormal reception, at least one ongoing MBMS in a current cell or in a serving cell that provides one or more multimedia broadcast multicast services, at least one quality threshold on the P2MP channel associated with the MBMS, or the like. For example, such information received in the operation <NUM> may be via at least one of RRC signaling, system information (e.g. SI15, SI20), a dedicated signaling, or the like. For example, different configuration of the information on the abnormal reception may be associated with different multimedia broadcast multicast services.

In some embodiments, a reception of the data of the MBMS in the operation <NUM> and the transmission of the information on the abnormal reception in the operation <NUM> may be associated with different serving cells. For example, the transmission of the data of the MBMS in the operation <NUM> may be associated with a special cell, and the reception of the information on the abnormal reception in the operation <NUM> may be associated with a secondary cell. Further, a reception of the data of the MBMS in the operation <NUM>, the reception in the operation <NUM>, and the transmission of the information on the abnormal reception in the operation <NUM> may be associated with different serving cells.

<FIG> illustrates an example apparatus <NUM> for configuring/adjusting dynamically coverage of the MBMS transmission in an embodiment, which may be for example at least a part of the BS <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the example apparatus <NUM> may include at least one processor <NUM> and at least one memory <NUM> that may include computer program code <NUM>. The at least one memory <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> may be configured to, with the at least one processor <NUM>, cause the apparatus <NUM> at least to perform at least the operations of the example method <NUM> described above.

In various embodiments, the at least one processor <NUM> in the example apparatus <NUM> may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Further, the at least one processor <NUM> may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in <FIG>.

In various embodiments, the at least one memory <NUM> in the example apparatus <NUM> may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various embodiments, the example apparatus <NUM> may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus <NUM>, including the at least one processor <NUM> and the at least one memory <NUM>, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the example apparatus <NUM> may include means for performing operations of the example method <NUM> described above in various embodiments. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may include means <NUM> for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>, means <NUM> for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>, and means <NUM> for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>. In one or more another embodiment, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus <NUM>. In one or more another embodiments, the example apparatus <NUM> may further include one or more means for performing one or more additional operations in the example method <NUM>, such as one or more means for performing the operations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the example method <NUM>.

In some embodiments, examples of means in the apparatus <NUM> may include circuitries. For example, an example of means <NUM> may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>, an example of means <NUM> may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>, and an example of means <NUM> may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>,. In some embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

The term "circuitry" throughout this disclosure may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to one or all uses of this term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

<FIG> illustrates an example apparatus <NUM> for configuring/adjusting dynamically coverage of the MBMS transmission in an embodiment, which may be for example at least a part of the UE <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the at least one processor <NUM> in the example apparatus <NUM> may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a CPU, a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example FPGA and ASIC. Further, the at least one processor <NUM> may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in <FIG>.

In various embodiments, the at least one memory <NUM> in the example apparatus <NUM> may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

As shown in <FIG>, the example apparatus <NUM> may include means for performing operations of the example method <NUM> described above in various embodiments. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may include means <NUM> for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>, means <NUM> for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>, and means <NUM> for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>. In one or more another embodiment, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus <NUM>. In one or more another embodiments, the example apparatus <NUM> may further include one or more means for performing one or more additional operations in the example method <NUM>, such as one or more means for performing the operation <NUM> of the example method <NUM>.

Another example embodiment may relate to computer program codes or instructions which may cause an apparatus to perform at least respective methods described above. Another example embodiment may be related to a computer readable medium having such computer program codes or instructions stored thereon. In some embodiments, such a computer readable medium may include at least one storage medium in various forms such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. The non-volatile memory may also include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to. " The word "coupled", as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Likewise, the word "connected", as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," "for example," "such as" and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) performed by a UE comprising:
receiving (<NUM>) from a base station first information on a timer and on at least one quality threshold on a point-to-multipoint channel associated with a multimedia broadcast multicast service;
monitoring (<NUM>), during a time window matching a monitor time window at the base station provided by the timer, received multimedia broadcast multicast service data based on the at least one quality threshold in the first information;
detecting (<NUM>), based on the at least one quality threshold, the abnormal reception of the data; and
transmitting (<NUM>) to the base station second information on the abnormal reception in response to the detection.