Mobile communication system, multicast data distribution method, core network apparatus, and access network apparatus

Abstract

A core network apparatus notifies a piece of identification information on each service for receiving multicast data in a down link to an access network apparatus. The access network apparatus receives the piece of the identification information notified from the core network apparatus to capture a radio channel for the service identified by the piece of the identification information. The core network apparatus transmits the multicast data to the access network apparatus in a receivable form on the basis of the piece of the identification information. The access network apparatus receives the multicast data transmitted from the core network apparatus on the basis of the piece of the identification information and transmits the received multicast data to terminals over the radio channel.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A mobile communication system, comprising:
 a core network node that distributes multicast data in a down link, an access network apparatus, and a terminal, wherein   the core network node   transmits to the access network apparatus identification information for identifying a service for transmitting the multicast data in a down link to a prescribed terminal, and   distributes the multicast data to the access network apparatus on the basis of the identification information;   the access network apparatus   receives the identification information from the core network node,   transmits the multicast data received from the core network node to the terminal on the basis of the identification information; and   the terminal   receives the multicast data.   
   
   
       13 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the core network node transmits a session start message including the identification information to the access network apparatus.   
   
   
       14 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the identification information is tunnel identification information for identifying a tunnel for transporting the multicast data from the core network node to the access network apparatus.   
   
   
       15 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the tunnel identification information is a TEID (Tunnel Endpoint Identifier).   
   
   
       16 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the identification information is information indicating a multicast group for distributing the multicast data.   
   
   
       17 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the information indicating the multicast group is an IP multicast address.   
   
   
       18 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the access network apparatus joins to the multicast group when receiving the information that indicates the multicast group from the core network node.   
   
   
       19 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 18 , wherein
 the access network apparatus transmits the IP multicast address to the IP multicast router.   
   
   
       20 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the access network apparatus does not include the IP address in a session start response message to be transmitted to the core network node.   
   
   
       21 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the access network is an RNC (Radio Network Controller).   
   
   
       22 . A core network node distributing multicast data in a down link, comprising:
 a transmitter that transmits to an access network apparatus identification information for identifying a service for transmitting the multicast data in a down link to a prescribed terminal; and   a distributor that distributes the multicast data to the access network apparatus on the basis of the identification information.   
   
   
       23 . The core network node according to  claim 22 , wherein
 the identification information is tunnel identification information for identifying a tunnel for transporting the multicast data from the core network node to the access network apparatus.   
   
   
       24 . The core network node according to  claim 23 , wherein
 the identification information is information indicating a multicast group for distributing the multicast data.   
   
   
       25 . An access network apparatus receiving multicast data in a down link, comprising:
 a first receiver that receives identification information for identifying a service for transmitting the multicast data in the down link to a prescribed terminal;   a second receiver that receives the multicast data from the core network node on the basis of the identification information; and   a transmitter that transmits the multicast data to the terminal on the basis of the identification information.   
   
   
       26 . A multicast data distribution method in a mobile communication system including a core network node that distributes multicast data in a down link, an access network apparatus, and a terminal, comprising
 the core network node   transmitting to the access network apparatus identification information for identifying a service for transmitting the multicast data in the down link to a prescribed terminal;   the access network apparatus   receiving the identification information from the core network node;   the core network node   distributing the multicast data to the access network apparatus on the basis of the identification information;   the access network apparatus   transmitting the multicast data received from the core network node to the terminal on the basis of the identification information; and   the terminal   receiving the multicast data.   
   
   
       27 . The multicast data distribution method according to  claim 26 , wherein
 the identification information is tunnel identification information for identifying a tunnel for transporting the multicast data from the core network node to the access network apparatus.   
   
   
       28 . The multicast data distribution method according to  claim 26 , wherein
 the identification information is information indicating a multicast group for distributing the multicast data.   
   
   
       29 . The multicast data distribution method according to  claim 28 , wherein
 the access network apparatus joins the multicast group when the information indicates the multicast group from the core network node.   
   
   
       30 . The multicast data distribution method according to  claim 29 , wherein
 the access network apparatus transmits the information indicating the multicast group to an IP multicast router.   
   
   
       31 . A multicast data distribution method in a core network node that distributes multicast data in a down link, comprising:
 transmitting to an access network apparatus identification information for identifying a service for transmitting the multicast data in the down link to a prescribed terminal; and   distributing the multicast data to the access network apparatus on the basis of the identification information.   
   
   
       32 . A multicast data distribution method in an access network apparatus that receives multicast data in a down link, comprising:
 receiving from a core network node identification information for identifying a service for transmitting the multicast data in the down link to a prescribed terminal;   receiving the multicast data from the core network node on the basis of the identification information; and   transmitting the multicast data to the terminal on the basis of the identification information.