ATSC 3.0 Hybrid Delivery for CDN Offload in Live Video Streaming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of broadband video streaming systems in delivering live content is highlighted by high CDN costs and bandwidth usage, which is exacerbated by the unicast delivery model, leading to increased infrastructure costs and compromised video quality.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid delivery system utilizing ATSC 3.0 technology offloads video segments from content delivery networks (CDNs) to broadcast, allowing seamless switching between OTT and OTA media segments, reducing CDN load and improving delivery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicast delivery model is used for broadband video streaming, then video quality can be maintained, but CDN costs and bandwidth usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The video stream is divided into multiple segments (OTT and OTA) that can be delivered through different paths. The system segments the delivery approach by providing both broadband (OTT) and broadcast (OTA) options, allowing selective consumption based on viewer location and network conditions, thereby reducing overall bandwidth requirements while maintaining quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges OTT and OTA delivery systems into a hybrid architecture where both broadband and broadcast streams coexist and can be consumed together. This combination allows the system to leverage the efficiency of broadcast for wide-area distribution while using broadband for supplementary delivery, reducing redundant bandwidth consumption.
2Reliability
If unicast delivery model is used, then video quality is maintained, but infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast infrastructure is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both traditional broadcast content and video streaming content through the same network. This universality allows the system to reduce dedicated streaming infrastructure costs by leveraging existing broadcast networks for portion of the video distribution, thereby lowering overall infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a content delivery platform that acts as an intermediary between the video source and viewers, managing both OTT and OTA streams. This intermediary system coordinates the hybrid delivery, selecting appropriate paths and managing playback, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing infrastructure complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CDN is used for live video streaming, then delivery flexibility is provided, but CDN load and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between OTT and OTA delivery paths based on real-time conditions such as viewer location, network availability, and signal strength. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize delivery by selecting the most efficient path for each viewer, thereby reducing the overall load on CDN infrastructure while maintaining delivery flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
One of the promises of ATSC 3.0 has been the potential for data offload. Separately, advances have been made in hybrid and IP channel rollouts on ATSC 3.0 over the last year. The two have been combined to architect and implement a data offload system. This application explores a practical hybrid delivery model for streaming video services, allowing the distribution of video over CDNs and simultaneously over 3.0, drastically decreasing the bandwidth needs of these CDNs in 3.0 markets, all while integrating into third-party streaming apps to enable seamless streaming with no change to the viewer experience. Topics covered include the methodology for synchronization, encoding needs for the CDN and airchain, signaling design, integration into a streaming application, and the results of the real-world testing of this system.