Multicast Gateway Node Header Generation for Mobile Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicast communication in LTE and 5G mobile access networks faces challenges due to complex control signaling over radio interfaces and resource-intensive management of multicast communications between mobile access networks, multicast sources, and end users.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of modified user device registration procedures and forwarding schemes at multicast gateway nodes, which involve determining multicast identifiers, generating headers for multicast data streams, and forwarding packets to user devices through egress interfaces, optimizing the delivery of multicast content by tailoring headers based on user interest and access node associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex control signaling is used over radio interfaces to manage multicast communications, then multicast delivery can be achieved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex control signaling functions from the radio interface and relocates them to the access node. The access node maintains a multicast tree and performs multicast route optimization locally, separating these functions from the core network and user devices. This extraction reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable multicast delivery through distributed intelligence at the access node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multicast management functions by introducing a multicast service hub that handles high-level multicast session management, while access nodes handle local multicast tree maintenance and optimization. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific tasks, reducing the complexity burden on any single element while ensuring reliable multicast delivery through coordinated operation.
2Measurement precision
If multicast communications are managed in real-time with persistent multicast trees, then accurate content delivery to end users is achieved, but resource consumption and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic multicast tree optimization at the access node, where the multicast tree is adjusted in real-time based on user device movements and network conditions. The access node receives location information from user devices and dynamically reconfigures the multicast tree to maintain optimal delivery paths. This dynamic approach ensures accurate content delivery while reducing resource consumption by adapting to changing conditions rather than maintaining static persistent trees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the access node receives location information and status updates from user devices, then uses this feedback to optimize the multicast tree configuration. The multicast service hub also provides feedback about multicast session status and group membership changes. This feedback loop enables precise content delivery while reducing unnecessary resource consumption by making delivery decisions based on actual network conditions and user presence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hosts perform complex instructions to differentiate between multiple multicast groups, then multicast group management is achieved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multicast service hub as an intermediary between the core network and access nodes, and between multicast sources and user devices. This hub handles complex multicast group management, session establishment, and group membership tracking centrally. Access nodes act as intermediaries for local multicast tree management. By placing these complex differentiation functions in dedicated intermediary components rather than in every host device, the patent maintains versatile multicast group management capability while significantly reducing the processing complexity burden on individual hosts and user devices.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with various implementations, a method is performed at a multicast gateway node within an operator network, where the multicast gateway node includes one or more processors, non-transitory memory, an ingress interface, and one or more egress interfaces. The method includes determining a multicast identifier for a user device in response to obtaining a registration request associated with the user device. The method also includes generating a header for a multicast data stream based at least in part on the multicast identifier in response to obtaining a multicast flow join request. The method further includes populating a packet associated with the multicast data stream with the header. The method further includes forwarding the packet to the user device via a portion of the one or more egress interfaces, where the portion of the one or more egress interfaces is associated with the user device.