Network Manager for Location-Based Broadcast Offloading During Peak Demand

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of communication devices in cellular networks leads to network complexity, congestion, and high operational and financial costs, especially during high-demand events, while broadcast networks offer a more efficient and less complex infrastructure for data transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a network manager that integrates cellular and broadcast networks to offload data from cellular networks to broadcast networks, utilizing a network controller to manage the transmission of load data through radio access networks based on location-based request data and configuration data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If cellular networks are dimensioned for average load, then network complexity and costs are reduced, but congestion and overload situations occur during high-demand events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork complexityVSAvoidnetwork reliability under high load
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a broadcast network as an intermediary system to handle high-load data transmission. When cellular networks experience congestion during high-demand events, the system switches to using broadcast networks (such as DVB-T, DVB-S, or satellite-based networks) to deliver content to users. This mediator approach allows the cellular network to maintain its average-load dimensioning while relying on the broadcast network infrastructure during peak demand periods, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced complexity and maintained reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the transmission mode parameter based on network load conditions. During normal operation, unicast communication is used in the cellular network. When congestion is detected, the system switches to broadcast/multicast mode via the broadcast network. This parameter change allows the network to adapt to varying load conditions without requiring over-provisioning of cellular infrastructure, thereby maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If more transceivers with higher capabilities are provided to serve increased number of devices, then network capacity increases, but technical and financial efforts and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universality of broadcast network infrastructure to serve multiple functions. The same broadcast network infrastructure (transmitters, satellites, ground stations) that provides traditional broadcast services is also utilized for mobile data transmission during high-load scenarios. This multi-functionality allows the system to increase network capacity without adding dedicated cellular transceivers, as the broadcast infrastructure serves both traditional and mobile data transmission purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the existing broadcast network infrastructure as a copy or alternative pathway for data transmission. Instead of building new cellular capacity, the solution copies the content delivery function to the broadcast network domain. Users receive data through broadcast transmissions supplemented by cellular networks, effectively creating a parallel delivery path that increases capacity without proportionally increasing cellular infrastructure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If unicast communication model is used to provide services to end users, then user-specific services are enabled, but network congestion occurs during high-demand events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-specific service capabilityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency under high load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic communication mode selection that adapts to network conditions and user needs. Each user device can dynamically switch between unicast and broadcast reception modes based on available network resources and service requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain user-specific service capabilities when needed while achieving high network efficiency during high-demand events by switching to broadcast mode for common content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data transmission into two parts: common content delivered via efficient broadcast/multicast channels, and user-specific interactions delivered via unicast channels. This segmentation allows the majority of data traffic (content delivery) to be handled efficiently by the broadcast network, while preserving unicast capabilities for interactive services. The result is improved overall network efficiency while maintaining adaptability for user-specific services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4087286B1Network manager, receiving device and methods for broadcast radio access networks
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4087286B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4087286B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4087286B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a network manager comprising a data interface configured to communicatively couple to at least one radio access network of a broadcast network that is configured to wirelessly emit a load data signal, and to communicatively couple to a load data source network; and a network controller communicatively coupled to the data interface and configured to receive location based request data with regard to the transmission of the load data from the load data source network, and to provide configuration data to configure the at least one radio access network to use at least one specific location specific radio access network resource for transmission of the load data; wherein the network controller is configured to define the specific radio access network resources based on the received location based request data. Further, the present disclosure provides a receiving device and respective methods.