Methods, apparatus and machine-readable mediums relating to establishment of broadcast/multicast bearers

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method performed by a broadcast/multicast server for a communication network. The method comprises: receiving, from an application server, a request to establish a broadcast/multicast bearer in the communication network; allocating resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer in the communication network; and sending, to the application server, a response message comprising an indication of whether the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing or not. Corresponding apparatus, and methods and apparatus in the application server, are also provided.

1 . A method performed by a broadcast/multicast server in a communication network, comprising:
 receiving, from an application server, a request to establish a broadcast/multicast bearer in the communication network;   allocating resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer in the communication network; and   sending, to the application server, a response message comprising an indication of whether the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing or not.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication comprises a bitmap. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the bitmap comprises one or more bits, the setting of which indicates one of: allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer was successful; allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer failed; and allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the bitmap comprises a subset of multiple bits to indicate that the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer failed, with each of the multiple bits of the subset indicating a respective reason for the failure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein setting of the bit indicating that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing indicates that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein setting of the bits indicating that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing and the bit indicating that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer was successful indicates that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast/multicast server is configured to respond to the request to establish the broadcast/multicast bearer responsive to a determination that resources have been configured for the broadcast/multicast bearer in a radio access network of the communication network, and wherein the response message comprises an indication that the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is not ongoing. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast/multicast server is configured to respond to the request to establish the broadcast/multicast bearer before any determination that resources have been configured for the broadcast/multicast bearer in a radio access network of the communication network, and wherein the response message comprises an indication that the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, responsive to a determination that resources have been configured for the broadcast/multicast bearer in the radio access network, sending an information message to the application server comprising an indication that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is no longer ongoing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the indication that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is no longer ongoing comprises an indication that that resources have been configured for the broadcast/multicast bearer in the radio access network. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast/multicast server comprises a broadcast/multicast service centre, BM-SC
 wherein the broadcast/multicast bearer comprises a multimedia broadcast and multicast service, MBMS, bearer; and/or   wherein the application server comprises a group communication service application server, GCS AS; and/or   wherein the application server comprises one of: a mission-critical service application server, and a vehicle-to-everything, V2X, application server.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method performed by an application server, the method comprising:
 sending, to a broadcast/multicast server for a communication network, a request to establish a broadcast/multicast bearer in the communication network; and   receiving, from the broadcast/multicast server, a response message comprising an indication of whether the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing or not.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the indication comprises a bitmap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the bitmap comprises one or more bits, the setting of which indicates one of: allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer was successful; allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer failed; and allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the bitmap comprises a subset of multiple bits to indicate that the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer failed, with each of the multiple bits of the subset indicating a respective reason for the failure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein setting of the bit indicating that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing indicates that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein setting of the bits indicating that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing and the bit indicating that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer was successful indicates that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the response message comprises an indication that the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is not ongoing and wherein the method further comprises, responsive to receipt of the response message, initiating transmission of data over the broadcast/multicast bearer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the response message comprises an indication that the allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is ongoing, and wherein the method further comprises, responsive to receipt of the response message, deferring transmission of data over the broadcast/multicast bearer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising receiving an information message from the broadcast/multicast server comprising an indication that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is no longer ongoing. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the indication that allocation of the resources associated with the broadcast/multicast bearer is no longer ongoing comprises an indication that that resources have been configured for the broadcast/multicast bearer in the radio access network. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising, responsive to receipt of the information message, initiating transmission of data over the broadcast/multicast bearer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the broadcast/multicast server comprises a broadcast/multicast service centre, BM-SC; and/or
 wherein the broadcast/multicast bearer comprises a multimedia broadcast and multicast service, MBMS, bearer; and/or   wherein the application server comprises a group communication service application server, GCS AS; and/or   wherein the application server comprises one of: a mission-critical service application server, and a vehicle-to-everything, V2X, application server.   
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A broadcast/multicast server, comprising:
 processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of  claim 1 ; and   power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the broadcast/multicast server.   
     
     
         31 . (canceled)