IMS P2P Content Distribution via UE Edge Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently delivering multimedia content to mobile devices, particularly in managing bandwidth and storage demands, as the number of media servers increases with user growth, leading to high backbone network bandwidth requirements and centralized server strain.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) based peer-to-peer (P2P) content distribution system that utilizes dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) and multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) to reduce the need for edge servers by leveraging user equipment (UE) capabilities for content distribution, storage, and adaptation to changing network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of media servers is increased to serve more users, then the content delivery capability is improved, but the backbone network bandwidth requirements and centralized server strain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized content delivery system into distributed peer-to-peer nodes. Instead of relying on a few centralized media servers, the system divides content delivery functions across multiple user equipment devices, where each device can act as both a consumer and a distributor of content. This segmentation reduces the bandwidth burden on the backbone network by localizing content distribution at the edge of the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of content distribution by enabling user equipment to function as edge servers. This transforms the traditional two-tier architecture (backbone network + media servers) into a multi-dimensional distributed architecture where content can be delivered through multiple paths and nodes, reducing dependency on centralized infrastructure and backbone network bandwidth.
2Productivity
If more edge servers are deployed to reduce backbone network strain, then content distribution efficiency is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling user equipment to automatically function as edge servers without requiring specialized infrastructure. Devices use their existing storage and processing capabilities to cache and distribute content dynamically. The system automatically manages content placement and retrieval through distributed hashing and peer discovery mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual server deployment and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes user equipment universal by enabling devices to perform multiple functions: content consumption, content caching, content distribution, and peer discovery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated edge servers and reduces system complexity by leveraging the existing capabilities of consumer devices for content distribution tasks.
3Ease of operation
If centralized servers are used to manage content distribution, then service control is simplified, but storage and bandwidth demands on centralized servers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a content addressable storage system as an intermediary layer between users and the distributed peer-to-peer network. This intermediary handles content registration, storage, and retrieval operations, allowing users to access content through content identifiers rather than managing direct peer-to-peer connections. This mediates the complexity of distributed storage while reducing demands on any single centralized server.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for providing peer-to-peer (P2P) content distribution via a P2P applications server is disclosed. In an example, service control function (SCF) module can be operable for P2P content distribution and include computer circuitry configured to host P2P applications server operable to manage Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) content distribution between two user equipments (UEs).