MBMS Session Initiation via Local Cache and New Control Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) architectures in wireless cellular networks rely heavily on core network mechanisms for session initiation and content delivery, failing to provide a signaling mechanism for wireless cellular network nodes to notify about locally cached content for MBMS sessions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that initiates MBMS sessions using a cached content manager associated with wireless cellular network nodes, defining new control interfaces for communication between the cached content manager and Multi-Cell Multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) and MBMS Gateway (MBMS GW), allowing local multimedia content delivery to User Equipments (UEs) without relying on the Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BMSC) for signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multimedia content is delivered through the BMSC using existing MBMS architecture, then content delivery is enabled, but backhaul overload and signaling congestion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables different network nodes (eNBs) to cache multimedia content locally in their own memory units, allowing each node to serve content from its local cache rather than all nodes fetching from the BMSC. This localizes content delivery and reduces backhaul traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements content caching in advance at network nodes before actual delivery is needed. The BMSC or content providers pre-populate local caches at eNBs, so when users request content, it can be delivered immediately from local cache without real-time backhaul transmission.
2Productivity
If multimedia content is delivered through the BMSC using existing MBMS architecture, then content delivery is enabled, but signaling congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the content delivery function from the BMSC and places it at the eNB level. Each eNB can independently manage its local cache and initiate MBMS sessions without requiring continuous signaling with the BMSC, thereby reducing signaling congestion in the core network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables eNBs to autonomously manage content delivery by checking their local caches and initiating MBMS sessions independently when content is requested, without requiring constant BMSC involvement. This self-service capability reduces signaling overhead.
3Reliability
If core network mechanisms are used for session initiation, then MBMS sessions can be established, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each eNB to independently initiate MBMS sessions based on its local cache status and user requests, rather than requiring centralized session management through the BMSC. This local decision-making reduces network resource consumption while maintaining reliable content delivery.
4Reliability
If BMSC is used as entry point for all content delivery, then centralized control is maintained, but service handover across cells becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content delivery function across multiple eNBs, each capable of independent content delivery from its local cache. This segmentation allows seamless service handover between cells since each eNB can independently continue content delivery without requiring complex coordination with the BMSC during handover events.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for delivering multimedia content to at least one User Equipment (UE), using a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) in a wireless cellular network is provided. The method includes initiating a MBMS session for delivering the multimedia content cached at a local cache server of at least one wireless cellular network node, by at least one cached content manager, defining new control interfaces for communicating between the at least one cached content manager and at least one of: a Multi-Cell Multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) and a MBMS Gateway (MBMS GW), sending a notification on a new control interface to the MCE for establishing the MBMS session, and signaling at least one Radio Access Network (RAN) node to deliver the multimedia content using the established MBMS session by the MCE.