WiMAX Network Element Multicast Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of deployed infrastructure and terminal support for multicast-broadcast solutions in the mobile world, particularly for WiMAX technology, with no known existing IP-TV broadcast solutions available for the WiMAX Forum standard.
Innovation Solution
A network element and system configured to process streams using separate multicast bursts and internet protocol, with a mapping between connection identities and internet protocol flows, enabling multicast/broadcast support by utilizing existing IP TV solutions from the DSL and DVB-H worlds on top of a WiMAX system, and incorporating an access service network gateway to manage multicast protocols and resources efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing IP-TV broadcast solutions from DSL and DVB-H are reused on WiMAX, then broadcast support is provided with minimal adaptation efforts, but the system complexity increases due to the need for mapping between connection identities and internet protocol flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling WiMAX networks to support multiple broadcast technologies (IP-TV, DVB-H, MBMS) through a unified mapping mechanism that connects connection identities to internet protocol flows, allowing existing broadcast infrastructure to operate on WiMAX with minimal adaptation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism between connection identities (MAC layer) and internet protocol flows (IP layer), which serves as a mediator to reconcile the differences between existing broadcast standards and WiMAX architecture, enabling interoperability without requiring complete system redesign
2Reliability
If separate multicast bursts are used for different streams, then stream isolation and quality are improved, but the bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the broadcast channel into separate multicast bursts for different streams, where each burst carries a specific stream identified by a connection identity, allowing quality-of-service differentiation and stream isolation while managing bandwidth through structured multiplexing
3Adaptability or versatility
If mapping between connection identities and internet protocol flows is implemented, then broadcast compatibility with existing IP-TV solutions is achieved, but the processing overhead at the network element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the mapping between connection identities and internet protocol flows at the network element, allowing the system to operate efficiently once the mapping is in place without requiring complex real-time decisions, thus achieving compatibility while managing processing overhead
Data Source
AI summary
A network element provides multicast/broadcast support. The network element is configured to process streams which are transported by a media access control layer, wherein the streams use separate multicast bursts, and to process streams which are transported on an internet protocol. Each of the streams transported by the media access control layer comprises a related connection identity, and each of the streams transported on an internet protocol comprises a related internet protocol flow, wherein a mapping is present between a connection identity and an internet protocol flow for each stream.