Mesh Network Gateway for Reliable Multicast Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing efficient multicast and broadcast services over IP-based mesh networks is challenging due to transient links and limited backhaul capabilities, which disrupt IP multicast transport and lead to high latency and dropped connections.
Innovation Solution
A cloud coordination server virtualizes eNodeBs and performs functions typically handled by the BM-SC and MCE, such as radio resource control and synchronization, using link quality reports to construct optimal multicast routes and manage radio resources, thereby enabling reliable multicast services in mesh networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP-based mesh networks are used to provide multicast and broadcast services, then network flexibility and resiliency are improved, but transient links and limited backhaul capabilities cause high latency and dropped connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mesh network gateway as an intermediary device between the core network and mesh network nodes. The gateway maintains persistent IP connections to the core network while managing dynamic mesh network connections, thereby isolating the impact of transient mesh links from the core network and improving connection reliability without sacrificing flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-establishment of multicast bearers and resource allocation before actual data transmission. The gateway pre-configures routing paths and reserves network resources, so when data needs to be transmitted, the path is already prepared, reducing latency and preventing dropped connections due to dynamic link changes
2Device complexity
If traditional point-to-point IP routing is used in mesh networks, then network simplicity is maintained, but broadcast and multicast services become challenging to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network gateway is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a standard IP router for unicast traffic while simultaneously providing multicast/broadcast capabilities through specialized handling of multicast bearers. This multi-functionality allows the network to maintain simplicity for standard traffic while adding broadcast versatility when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that translates between traditional point-to-point IP routing and multicast/broadcast requirements. It receives multicast data from the core network and distributes it to multiple mesh nodes, effectively adapting point-to-point infrastructure to support broadcast services without requiring fundamental changes to the underlying network architecture
3Reliability
If decentralized routing is used in mesh networks, then network resiliency is improved, but coordination for multicast services becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into two functional parts: a decentralized mesh network layer that provides resiliency through distributed routing, and a centralized gateway layer that handles multicast coordination. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without the complexity of combining both responsibilities at every node
4Productivity
If multiple network nodes are virtualized to a single interface, then resource management efficiency is improved, but control and synchronization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualized interface at the gateway acts as an intermediary between the core network and multiple virtualized mesh nodes. It consolidates control signals to simplify core network interactions while maintaining individual node management capabilities, thereby improving resource efficiency without making control excessively difficult
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing multicast services to mobile devices, comprising: providing, at a controller node, an interface representing a single network node to a multicast server node; receiving, at the controller node, link status messages from a first and a second network node; constructing, at the controller node, a multicast route at the controller node based on the received link status messages; receiving, at the controller node, a multicast data stream from the multicast server node; and sending the multicast data stream to at least two mobile devices via the constructed multicast route.