Multicast Handover via Access Router Subscription Table
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handover between networks in digital communications, such as those used in IPTV, result in latency and require the terminal to communicate with both old and new networks simultaneously, which is not always possible, especially when the terminal moves, and are not compatible with seamless mobility protocols like PMIPv6.
Innovation Solution
A method where the second network's access router detects the terminal's arrival and obtains subscription information from a subscription table to manage the handover transparently, allowing seamless network switching without the terminal needing to intervene, using a common router to reroute multicast streams until the second router joins the multicasting tree.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal communicates with both old and new networks simultaneously to enable handover, then the handover process can be initiated, but the terminal cannot always communicate with both networks at the same time, especially when the link with the first router is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The access router of the second network autonomously detects the terminal's arrival and retrieves subscription information from the subscription table without requiring terminal intervention. The router automatically manages the handover process, including receiving and retransmitting multicast streams, eliminating the need for the terminal to simultaneously communicate with both networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The subscription table acts as an intermediary that stores terminal subscription information, allowing the second network's access router to obtain necessary data without direct terminal communication. The common router serves as a mediator to reroute multicast streams from the first network to the second network during the transition period.
2Productivity
If the access router of the second network waits for the terminal to indicate multicast subscriptions, then the terminal can control its subscriptions, but this creates latency during the handover process
Solution Approach 1:
Subscription information is pre-stored in the subscription table before handover occurs. When the terminal arrives at the second network, the access router immediately retrieves the subscription information from the table without waiting for terminal indication, enabling instant handover and eliminating latency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal actively manages multicast stream transfer between routers, then the terminal can control the handover process, but this is not compatible with seamless mobility protocols like PMIPv6 where the terminal should be transparent
Solution Approach 1:
The access router of the second network autonomously performs all handover management functions including detecting terminal arrival, retrieving subscription information, receiving multicast streams from the common router, and retransmitting to the terminal. The terminal remains completely passive and transparent, fully compatible with PMIPv6 seamless mobility protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for managing a transfer of a data stream received by a mobile terminal of a first network to a second network, the terminal having subscribed to at least one multicasting group receiving the data stream, and being connected to the first network by way of an access router for the first network, termed the first router. The method comprises: detecting, by an access router for the second network, termed the second router, an arrival of the terminal in the second network; obtaining, by the second router, information relating to at least one multicasting group to which the terminal has subscribed, on the basis of a reading of a subscription table; and receiving the data stream by the second router, on the basis of the information obtained, and retransmission to the terminal.