Multicast to Unicast Conversion Router for Video Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) face challenges in providing multicast video streaming to users connected to incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) networks due to the lack of multicast replication functionality on ILEC's optical line terminal (OLT), leading to high capital and operational expenses from deploying complex broadband network gateways and requiring significant technical expertise.
Innovation Solution
A communication network system that includes a video server generating multicast signals, which are converted into unicast signals by a router for distribution to user devices through multiple further routers, allowing seamless integration with existing networks and reducing the need for complex equipment and technical expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If miniBNG equipment is deployed at edge CO sites to replicate multicast traffic, then multicast video streaming capability is achieved, but capital expenditure and operational expenditure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the multicast replication function from the complex miniBNG equipment and implements it directly in the OLT device. This removes the need for separate miniBNG appliances at edge CO sites, reducing both capital expenditure on equipment and the complexity of deploying multiple device types in the network
Solution Approach 2:
The OLT device is enhanced to perform both its traditional function of providing access to end users and the additional function of multicast traffic replication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated miniBNG equipment, reducing overall device complexity and deployment cost while maintaining multicast video streaming capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If miniBNG equipment is deployed at large numbers of edge CO sites, then multicast video streaming is enabled, but operational expenses and maintenance complexity increase due to high cost of human labor
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the multicast replication function from miniBNG and implementing it in OLT, the invention reduces the number of different device types that need to be maintained. This consolidation simplifies operations and reduces the burden on maintenance personnel, addressing the high operational expenses associated with managing numerous miniBNG devices across edge CO sites
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a more homogeneous network architecture where the OLT device handles both access and multicast replication functions. This uniformity across network devices simplifies training, maintenance procedures, and operational workflows, reducing the operational complexity and human labor costs associated with managing diverse equipment types
3Adaptability or versatility
If BNG equipment is integrated with carrier servers, then subscriber management is achieved, but integration complexity with Radius server, DHCP server, Portal server, and OSS increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the multicast replication function from the BNG and implements it in the OLT, which separates the multicast handling from the complex subscriber management functions that remain in the BNG. This functional separation reduces integration complexity with carrier servers while maintaining subscriber management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the network functions by placing multicast replication in the OLT and keeping subscriber management in the BNG and carrier servers. This segmentation reduces the complexity of integrating all functions in a single device, making the system more manageable and easier to maintain
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication network (20), comprising a video server (21), adapted to generate a multicast video signal, and a first router (23) is provided. The communication network (20) is operated by a first communication provider. The first router (23) is adapted to receive the multicast video signal, generate a plurality of unicast video signals from the multicast video signal, and provide each of the plurality of unicast video signals to one of a plurality of user devices (50-55), connected to a first further communication network (40), through at least a first further router (41), which is part of the first further communication network (40). The first further communication network (40) is operated by a second communication provider.