Broadcast Integrated Network Controller Separating Control and Data Planes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia broadcast multicast services in cellular networks are inefficient due to the need for simultaneous use of identical physical resources by all cells, leading to bandwidth and processing resource inefficiencies, especially in dedicated broadcast networks where uplink traffic is not handled.
Innovation Solution
A network element is introduced that separates control plane and data plane traffic, using point-to-point and multicast protocols respectively, allowing for alternative routing and efficient use of resources, with a Broadcast Integrated Network Controller (BINC) managing all cells from a single entity to simplify configuration and reduce bandwidth requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all cells of a cluster transmit broadcast services simultaneously using identical physical resources, then signal combining at mobile stations is enabled, but bandwidth and processing resources are inefficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the broadcast service transmission by introducing a coordination unit that divides the cluster into subsets of cells. Each subset transmits broadcast services independently using different physical resources, allowing other resources to be allocated to unicast traffic. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining signal combining capability within each subset while improving overall resource utilization across the entire cluster.
2Productivity
If dedicated broadcast network structures are used where all physical resources are used for downlink transmission, then broadcast service capacity is maximized, but uplink traffic handling capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic resource allocation where cells within a cluster can switch between broadcast and unicast modes based on traffic demands. The coordination unit enables cells to be dynamically assigned to different service types, allowing the network to adapt to varying uplink and broadcast requirements over time, thus resolving the contradiction between dedicated broadcast capacity and uplink versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio network control entities are used to manage different cells, then network control flexibility is improved, but configuration complexity and synchronization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a coordination unit as an intermediary between the radio network control entities and the cells. This coordination unit centralizes the management of broadcast services and resource allocation, simplifying the configuration process and ensuring synchronization across cells while maintaining the flexibility of multiple control entities. The coordination unit acts as a mediator that reduces complexity without sacrificing control flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network element (for providing multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) over a communication system that comprises a broadcast multicast service centre (BM-SC) wherein the network element comprises logic for allocating broadcast control plane traffic to at least one first radio network control entity dedicated to handle control plane traffic and allocating broadcast data plane traffic to at least one second radio network control entity dedicated to handle data plane traffic.