Edge Device Unicast to Multicast Stream Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bandwidth constraints in cellular networks and limited wireless spectrum hinder the performance of video-intensive applications by requiring multiple unicast streams for multiple users, leading to inefficient use of network resources.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent edge device maps and combines multiple unicast streams into a single multicast stream, converting them between the server and end-devices, using parameters like connection requests, network traffic conditions, and user relationships to determine when to switch from unicast to multicast mode, thereby optimizing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple unicast streams are transmitted from the core server to multiple end-devices, then each user receives personalized content delivery, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly and network resources are inefficiently used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unicast streams into a single multicast stream at the core server. When multiple users request the same content, the system merges these individual unicast requests into one multicast transmission, which is then distributed to multiple end-devices simultaneously. This merging process significantly reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliable content delivery to all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between unicast and multicast modes based on real-time network conditions and user request patterns. The core server monitors the number of users requesting the same content and automatically transitions from individual unicast streams to a consolidated multicast stream when thresholds are met, optimizing bandwidth usage while ensuring reliable delivery.
2Reliability
If multiple unicast streams are used for video-intensive applications, then individual user quality of service is maintained, but network bandwidth constraints are exceeded and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast video streams into a single multicast stream at the core server. This consolidation maintains the quality of service for individual users by delivering the same high-quality content through an efficient multicast mechanism, while preventing network bandwidth exhaustion that would otherwise occur with multiple simultaneous unicast streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter from unicast to multicast mode based on the number of users and network conditions. This parameter change allows the network to maintain high-quality video delivery while improving overall network productivity by reducing total bandwidth consumption and avoiding congestion.
3Ease of operation
If unicast transmission is used for each user, then content can be delivered to individual devices, but the wireless spectrum is inefficiently utilized and bandwidth constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual unicast content delivery operations into a single multicast transmission. The core server consolidates content requests from multiple users and delivers the content through one efficient multicast stream, maintaining the ease of individual content delivery while dramatically improving wireless spectrum efficiency and reducing overall bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing bandwidth used in multiple transmissions on a cellular network includes mapping at least one request of at least one end-device to a unicast channel between server and an intermediary in the network, creating a correlated multicast communication channel between the intermediary and the at least one end-device, and transferring data from the unicast channel to a multicast channel at the intermediary.