Hybrid 5G Media Streaming With Unicast-Broadcast Resource Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges arise in implementing a 5G media streaming service that combines unicast and broadcast communication services due to ambiguity in architecture and lack of specificity regarding how to set up and operate such a combination, leading to subpar performance and diminished throughput.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid architecture is implemented where a multicast/broadcast client application server at the UE handles multicast/broadcast communication, while a unicast application function in the data network handles unicast communication, with resources delivered via 5G unicast hosted in the data network and resources via 5MBS hosted on a server within the 5MBS client, using a streaming manifest to indicate resource availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hybrid architecture combining unicast and broadcast communication services is implemented, then service functionality and versatility are improved, but architectural complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 5GMS service into two distinct delivery paths: unicast resources hosted in the data network and broadcast resources hosted on a server within the 5MBS client. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with clearly defined functions, reducing architectural complexity while maintaining service versatility. The streaming manifest further segments resource identification, clearly indicating which resources are available via which delivery method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a streaming manifest as an intermediary component that mediates between the hybrid architecture and the UE. This manifest contains information indicating the first set of resources accessible via unicast and the second set of resources accessible via broadcast, simplifying the UE's access to the complex hybrid architecture by providing a unified interface for resource discovery and selection.
2Reliability
If resources are delivered via both unicast and broadcast paths, then service quality and reliability are improved, but resource management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resources into two distinct sets: a first set of resources delivered via unicast and a second set of resources delivered via broadcast. This segmentation allows the UE to manage resources independently according to their delivery path, reducing resource management complexity. The streaming manifest explicitly identifies which resources belong to which set, enabling simplified resource selection and access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial delivery where only specific resources are delivered via broadcast while others remain unicast-only. This partial action approach allows the system to gain the benefits of broadcast delivery for appropriate resources while maintaining unicast delivery for resources that require individualized access, thereby improving service quality without unnecessarily complicating resource management across all resources.
3Productivity
If broadcast delivery is used for media streaming, then network efficiency and throughput are improved, but service interactivity and customization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service into broadcast-delivered resources for efficient delivery and unicast-delivered resources for interactive and customized access. The streaming manifest identifies which resources are available via which path, allowing the UE to utilize broadcast for standard content (improving throughput) while accessing unicast resources for interactive and customized needs (maintaining adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal access mechanism where the UE can access resources through multiple paths (broadcast or unicast) depending on the specific resource and service requirements. The streaming manifest provides a unified interface that works for both broadcast and unicast resources, enabling the system to maintain interactivity and customization capabilities while leveraging broadcast efficiency for appropriate content.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive an indication that a 5G media streaming (5GMS) service is partially available over a 5G multicast/broadcast service (5MBS). The UE may receive information that indicates a first set of resources of the 5GMS service that are accessible or delivered via 5G unicast, and a second set of resources of the 5GMS service that are accessible or delivered via 5MBS, wherein the second set of resources are hosted on a server of the UE. The UE may receive or transmit data associated with the 5GMS service. Numerous other aspects are described.