Dynamic Unicast Broadcast Mode Selection for Real-Time Content

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current broadcast systems in cellular networks, such as 3GPP MBMS, operate at a 'least common denominator' spectral efficiency, leading to sub-optimal performance for radio-advantaged users and inefficient use of resources, as they cannot dynamically adjust based on user device conditions or content popularity, and lack the ability to seamlessly transition between unicast and broadcast modes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that dynamically select between unicast and broadcast modes based on the number of user devices, likelihood of content consumption, available spectrum, and spectral efficiency, using a content distribution system that determines the optimal mode for each user device to maximize net spectral efficiency and adjust resource allocation accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If broadcast mode is used to deliver content to multiple users simultaneously, then resource utilization improves, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to operating at least common denominator level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidspectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts between broadcast and unicast modes based on real-time conditions such as number of users, content popularity, and network state. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize spectral efficiency by using broadcast when appropriate (high resource utilization) and unicast when needed (high spectral efficiency), resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and spectral efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between two distinct delivery modes: broadcast mode (for high resource utilization with multiple users) and unicast mode (for high spectral efficiency with individual users). This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different scenarios and avoid being constrained to a single inefficient mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If unicast delivery is used to ensure high spectral efficiency for each user, then spectral efficiency improves, but resource utilization deteriorates due to multiplicity of resources required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges broadcast and unicast delivery mechanisms into a unified content delivery framework. By combining the strengths of both modes (broadcast for efficiency with multiple users, unicast for optimized individual delivery), the system achieves both high spectral efficiency and high resource utilization depending on the scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If broadcast operates at fixed spectral efficiency level to maximize coverage, then coverage improves, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust to user conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecoverageVSAvoidadaptability to user conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from fixed spectral efficiency broadcast to a dynamic system that continuously adapts between broadcast and unicast modes based on user conditions, content popularity, and network state. This dynamic adaptation maintains broad coverage while adjusting delivery parameters to match actual user needs and conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If unicast mode is used to serve individual user content requests, then adaptability to user needs improves, but resource utilization deteriorates due to duplicate content delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user needsVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different delivery qualities locally to different users based on their specific needs and conditions. Users with similar content requests receive optimized broadcast delivery (high resource utilization), while users with unique requests receive tailored unicast delivery (high adaptability), achieving both efficiency and customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11979626B2Method and system for delivering real-time content using broadcasting and unicasting

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 SIDEN INC

AI summary

A system and method for operating includes providing a content for communication through a content distribution system having a broadcast mode and a unicast mode, determining a first number of user devices for receiving a communication of the content, determining a likelihood of consumption of the content by the first number of user devices, determining an available spectrum for communicating the content, determining a spectral efficiency for the unicast mode and the broadcast mode of the communication for each of the first number of user devices, selecting the broadcast mode or the unicast mode or both based on the first number of user devices, the likelihood of consumption of the content, the available spectrum and the spectral efficiency and communicating the content to the first number of user devices using the broadcast mode, the unicast mode or both based on selecting.