Multicast SIP Session Control for WLAN VoIP Battery Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing group calls in WLAN VoIP networks, such as SAP and traditional SIP, face issues like excessive battery usage, verbose responses, and inefficiencies in contacting all participants, particularly when using multicast addresses for session control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses SIP with multicast addresses for both bearer and signaling channels, including the use of a multicast address for the initial INVITE message and selective response management through headers like NoResponse and Selected-Via, to facilitate efficient group call setup and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SAP is used for group call setup, then all communication units can be contacted, but excessive battery usage occurs and network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the addressing parameter from broadcast/SAP to multicast, allowing selective group communication. Communication units join specific multicast groups rather than receiving all broadcast traffic, reducing unnecessary processing and battery consumption while maintaining reliable group call setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication network into multiple multicast groups, each serving specific communication units. This segmentation allows targeted communication rather than network-wide broadcast, reducing the energy burden on individual devices while maintaining comprehensive group call capability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional SIP is used for group calls, then call control is achieved, but responses are verbose and network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary verbose responses from the SIP protocol implementation. By using multicast addressing and selective response mechanisms, only essential response information is transmitted and processed, reducing network traffic volume while preserving call control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial response processing where communication units selectively respond to multicast SIP messages based on their group membership and call requirements. This partial action approach reduces unnecessary response processing while maintaining adequate call control.
3Productivity
If multicast address is used for SIP signaling, then all participants can be contacted simultaneously, but traditional SIP cannot properly deliver messages to call targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the multicast address serve multiple functions: it acts as both the signaling destination for SIP messages and the bearer channel for media transmission. This multi-functionality enables simultaneous contact of all participants while maintaining reliable message delivery through proper SIP message routing and group membership management.
4Reliability
If SAP is used for group calls, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but excessive network load and processing requirements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having communication units join specific multicast groups based on their local requirements and network conditions. Each unit processes only relevant multicast traffic for its joined groups rather than all network traffic, reducing processing complexity while maintaining comprehensive group call coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (800, 900) and apparatus (1001) for controlling a session between communication units (141-146) sharing a group Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address. The method includes determining communication units from which a response to a session initiation protocol (SIP) control message is not required and preparing the control message which is sent to the communication units using the group address with information used to control from which of the of communication units the response is required. The SIP control message is sent to a second communication unit using a unicast address indicating that the response is required.