Distributed MABR Caching for Bandwidth and Failure Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicast Adaptive Bit Rate (MABR) systems face inefficiencies in bandwidth usage and network resource management, particularly due to the need for storing multiple copies of streamed content and potential network overload during server failures.
Innovation Solution
A system that distributes cache storage among in-home devices using an analytical engine to select optimal devices for caching multimedia segments, and employs redundant multicast servers for resilient delivery, ensuring efficient bandwidth use and minimizing network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multicast delivery is used to share content streams among receivers, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but network resources must be devoted to storing copies of streamed content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the caching function by introducing edge caching devices at multiple network locations (head-end, mid-slice, end-slice) rather than relying on a single centralized cache. This distributes the storage burden across the network while maintaining efficient content delivery through multicast
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to content storage by distributing caches across multiple network nodes and locations. Instead of storing all content copies at one location, the system creates a distributed cache hierarchy that spans the network topology, reducing the storage burden on any single node
2Reliability
If redundant multicast servers are deployed for resiliency against failures, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and network resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the edge caching devices, which simultaneously provide content storage, multicast reception, and unicast fallback capabilities. This consolidation reduces the need for separate redundant server infrastructure while maintaining system resiliency
Solution Approach 2:
The edge caching devices act as intermediaries between the head-end multicast source and the client devices. These intermediaries provide local content storage and can serve clients directly or request content from the head-end, reducing the need for multiple redundant head-end servers
3Reliability
If unicast delivery is used during multicast stream interruption, then service continuity is maintained, but network bandwidth is overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-caching content segments at edge devices before they are needed. When multicast interruptions occur, clients can immediately retrieve content from local edge caches rather than initiating unicast requests, preventing bandwidth overload
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed edge caches act as a cushion against multicast failures. By storing content segments in advance at multiple network locations, the system creates a buffer that absorbs the impact of multicast interruptions without overwhelming the network with unicast traffic
Data Source
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AI summary
A gateway device operatively connected to a multicast server and at least one client player device, each client player device having a respective client agent, the gateway device comprising a gateway agent and a MABR master, the MABR master configured to receive a multicast stream from the multicast server and automatically select an agent from among the gateway agent and any respective agent of the at least one client player device, to cache respective segments of the multicast stream.