Multicast Stream Rate Segmentation for Edge Server Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting unicast streams to multicast face limitations due to network and edge server constraints, leading to increased transmission latency and difficulty in providing high-quality video distribution, especially when connected to low-bandwidth or low-capacity networks.
Innovation Solution
Generating multiple multicast streams with different transfer rates and allowing edge servers to selectively receive streams based on network capacity, using techniques like IGMP or MLD for dynamic route control, to optimize content distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multicast communication is used to reduce server load and network traffic, then the amount of traffic is reduced, but transmission latency increases due to matching the lowest network rate or edge server reception capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The content distribution system segments the single multicast stream into multiple multicast streams with different transfer rates. Each stream is optimized for different network conditions, allowing receivers to select the appropriate stream quality without being constrained by the lowest-capacity receiver in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allows receivers to switch between different multicast streams based on their reception capacity and network conditions. High-capacity receivers can select higher-rate streams for lower latency, while low-capacity receivers select lower-rate streams for stable reception, making the system adaptable to varying receiver capabilities.
2Quantity of substance
If a single multicast stream is transmitted to all receivers, then traffic reduction is achieved, but high-quality video cannot be provided to receivers with narrow bandwidth due to ABR switching to low quality
Solution Approach 1:
The content is divided into multiple multicast streams with different quality levels and transfer rates. This segmentation allows each receiver to access the quality level appropriate for its bandwidth capacity, preventing forced downgrading to low quality while still achieving overall traffic reduction through multicast efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels are provided locally to different receivers based on their specific network conditions and reception capacities. High-bandwidth receivers receive high-quality streams while low-bandwidth receivers receive appropriately scaled streams, optimizing video quality for each local context rather than forcing a uniform quality level.
3Power
If multicast communication is used with edge servers, then origin server load is reduced, but the system is restricted by low-rate networks and low-capacity edge servers
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting content into multiple streams with different transfer rates, the system enables edge servers and networks with varying capacities to handle appropriate stream types. High-capacity edge servers can handle high-rate streams while low-capacity ones handle lower-rate streams, expanding overall system adaptability without reducing origin server load.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast communication system achieves multi-functionality by supporting multiple transfer rates within the same infrastructure. A single multicast group can serve both high-capacity and low-capacity receivers simultaneously through different stream selections, making the system universally compatible with diverse network conditions and edge server capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to distribute content with a high quality and low latency without being limited by a low-rate and unstable network and a low-capacity reception-side edge servers while maintaining sufficient traffic reduction effects.A content distribution system according to the present disclosure converts part of communication for distribution into multicast communication. In the content distribution system, a transmission-side edge server (UC/MC) generates and transmits a plurality of multicast streams having different transfer rates for the same input content, and a reception-side edge server (MC/UC) selects and receives a multicast stream having a desired transfer rate among the plurality of transmitted multicast streams.