US20060050718A1 - Group communication signal methods and apparatus - Google Patents
Group communication signal methods and apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20060050718A1 US20060050718A1 US11/204,744 US20474405A US2006050718A1 US 20060050718 A1 US20060050718 A1 US 20060050718A1 US 20474405 A US20474405 A US 20474405A US 2006050718 A1 US2006050718 A1 US 2006050718A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
- H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
- H04L12/1863—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast comprising mechanisms for improved reliability, e.g. status reports
- H04L12/1877—Measures taken prior to transmission
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
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- H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
- H04L12/1836—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast with heterogeneous network architecture
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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Definitions
- This invention relates to communications systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for implementing group communications and/or controlling transmission of group communication signals.
- a set of geographically dispersed base stations provide wireless access to a communications infrastructure. Users with wireless communication devices, or terminals, are able to establish a direct communication link with a suitable base station and then exchange information with other users and/or end systems throughout the communication network.
- IP multicast technology provides an efficient packet delivery service for group communications (e.g., one-to-many or many-to-many).
- group communications e.g., one-to-many or many-to-many.
- the use of IP multicast reduces the bandwidth utilization for group communications. This is especially important for supporting group communications over wireless media, where bandwidth is a scarce resource.
- IP multicast When using IP multicast, a group of recipients is associated with an IP multicast address. A data source addresses and sends a single copy of each IP datagram intended for the group of recipients to the IP multicast group address. The routed network will replicate and forward each datagram as needed to deliver it to the routers interconnecting all of the group members. Specialized IP multicast routing protocols are used to form the delivery trees needed for copying and forwarding multicast datagrams.
- IP multicast is a receiver-oriented service, in that receivers join a given multicast group to receive datagrams sent to the corresponding IP multicast group address.
- End systems and access routers communicate with each other via a group membership protocol, e.g., Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP), to enable the access router to maintain information on active multicast group membership necessary for building the delivery trees.
- IGMP Internet Group Management Protocol
- FIG. 1 illustrates a network diagram of an exemplary communications system of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary access node implemented in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates transmission of a separate copy of a multicast packet to each member in a group in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to a plurality of members in a group in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 illustrate transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to a plurality of members in a group using a first set of transmission characteristics to enable reception by the set of receivers in the group in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 6 illustrate transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to a plurality of members in a group using a second set of transmission characteristics to enable reception by the set of receivers in the group in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart that shows an exemplary procedure to adaptively control the mode and characteristics of transmitting multicast packets in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates flowcharts that show exemplary procedures to adaptively determine the preferred mode and characteristics of transmitting multicast packets and to transmit multicast packets based on the determined mode and characteristics in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 9, 10 , 11 and 12 illustrate exemplary information stored by an access node in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
- the present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for implementing group communications, e.g., multicast communications methods and apparatus.
- the methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly well suited for use in wireless communications systems.
- different end nodes which may be wireless terminals used by different individual users, have different communications requirements, e.g., power, timing coding rate, modulation method and/or other signal requirements.
- These differing signal requirements are often a function of differences in channel conditions and/or end node location which exist between different end nodes and an access node.
- the conditions, including channel condition and location can change over time as an end node moves within the coverage area of an access node.
- Each end node may be a member of zero, one, or more multicast groups at any point in time.
- Access nodes serve as the end node's point of attachment, e.g., via a wireless communications link, to a communication system, e.g., cellular network. Group membership may vary with time.
- group membership may change due to actions by the group member(s), e.g., as a user of an end node decides to enter or exit a group, e.g., by signaling a multicast application to make the desired group membership change or by terminating the multicast application.
- Membership can also change as the result of an end node dynamics, e.g., a mobile node, entering or leaving a cell.
- transmission requirements for one or more individual group members may be determined and, in the case of a signal directed at the same time to multiple group members, the transmission requirements for the group are primarily determined from the requirements of the group member with the poorest channel conditions.
- the transmission power, coding rate and/or other characteristics of the multicast signal transmitted over the wireless communications link are determined by information relating to at least one group member and the signal is not necessarily intended to reach the transmitter's full coverage area.
- the transmission power may be much lower than would be required to reach the full transmitter coverage area, e.g., the full sector or cell.
- the transmissions implemented by the access node may be OFDM signal transmissions.
- CDMA and other implementations are also supported and possible.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system 100 , e.g., a cellular communication network, which comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected by communications links.
- Nodes in the exemplary communication system 100 may exchange information using signals, e.g., messages, based on communication protocols, e.g., the Internet Protocol (IP).
- IP Internet Protocol
- the communications links of the system 100 may be implemented, for example, using wires, fiber optic cables, and/or wireless communications techniques.
- the exemplary communication system 100 includes a plurality of end nodes 134 , 136 , 144 , 146 , 154 , 156 , which access the communication system via a plurality of access nodes 130 , 140 , 150 .
- the end nodes 134 , 136 , 144 , 146 , 154 , 156 may be, e.g., wireless communication devices or terminals, and the access nodes 130 , 140 , 150 may be, e.g., wireless access routers or base stations.
- the exemplary communication system 100 also includes a number of other nodes as may be needed to provide interconnectivity or to provide specific services or functions.
- the exemplary communication system 100 includes a mobility agent node 108 , e.g., Mobile IP home agent node, as may be needed to support mobility of end nodes between access nodes, a session signaling server node 106 , e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxy server, as may be needed to support establishment and maintenance of communication sessions between end nodes, and an application server node 104 , e.g., multimedia server, as may be needed to support specific application layer services.
- a mobility agent node 108 e.g., Mobile IP home agent node
- a session signaling server node 106 e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxy server
- SIP Session Initiation Protocol
- an application server node 104 e.g., multimedia server, as may be needed to support specific application layer services.
- the FIG. 1 exemplary system 100 depicts a network 102 that includes the application server node 104 , the session signaling server node 106 , and the mobility agent node 108 , each of which is connected to an intermediate network node 110 by a corresponding network link 105 , 107 , 109 , respectively.
- the intermediate network node 110 in the network 102 also provides interconnectivity to network nodes that are external from the perspective of the network 102 via network link 111 .
- Network link 111 is connected to another intermediate network node 112 , which provides further connectivity to a plurality of access nodes 130 , 140 , 150 via network links 131 , 141 , 151 , respectively.
- Each access node 130 , 140 , 150 is depicted as providing connectivity to a plurality of N end nodes ( 134 , 136 ), ( 144 , 146 ), ( 154 , 156 ), respectively, via corresponding access links ( 135 , 137 ), ( 145 , 147 ), ( 155 , 157 ), respectively.
- each access node 130 , 140 , 150 is depicted as using wireless technology, e.g., wireless access links, to provide access.
- a radio coverage area, e.g., communications cell, 138 , 148 , 158 of each access node 130 , 140 , 150 , respectively, is illustrated as a circle surrounding the corresponding access node.
- the exemplary communication system 100 is subsequently used as a basis for the description of an embodiment of the invention.
- Alternative embodiments of the invention include various network topologies, where the number and type of network nodes, the number and type of links, and the interconnectivity between nodes may differ from that of the exemplary communication system 100 depicted in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 2 provides a detailed illustration of an exemplary access node 300 implemented in accordance with the present invention.
- the exemplary access node 300 depicted in FIG. 2 , is a detailed representation of an apparatus that may be used as any one of the access nodes 130 , 140 , 150 , depicted in FIG. 1 .
- the access node 300 includes a processor 304 , a network/internetwork interface 320 , a wireless communication interface 330 and memory 310 , coupled together by bus 306 . Accordingly, via bus 306 the various components of the access node 300 can exchange information, signals and data.
- the components 304 , 306 , 310 , 320 , 330 of the access node 300 are located inside a housing 302 .
- the processor 304 under control of various modules, e.g., routines, included in memory 310 controls operation of the access node 300 to perform various signaling and processing, as discussed below.
- the modules included in memory 310 are executed on startup or as called by other modules. Modules may exchange data, information, and signals when executed. Modules may also share data and information when executed.
- the network/internetwork interface 320 provides a mechanism by which the internal components of the access node 300 can send and receive signals to/from external devices and network nodes.
- the network/internetwork interface 320 includes, a receiver circuit 322 and a transmitter circuit 324 used for coupling the node 300 to other network nodes, e.g., via copper wires or fiber optic lines.
- the wireless communication interface 330 also provides a mechanism by which the internal components of the access node 300 can send and receive signals to/from external devices and network nodes, e.g., end nodes.
- the wireless communication interface 330 includes, e.g., a receiver circuit 332 with a corresponding receiving antenna 336 and a transmitter circuit 334 with a corresponding transmitting antenna 338 used for coupling the access node 300 to other network nodes, e.g., via wireless communication channels.
- the memory 310 of the access node 300 includes a multicast routing/forwarding module 311 , multicast routing/forwarding information 312 , a group membership module 313 , group information 314 , member information 315 , a transmission cost estimation module 316 , a multicast transmission mode determination module 317 and a multicast control module 318 .
- Transmission cost estimation module 316 includes a transmission control module 319 for determining at least one of a transmission power level, coding rate and modulation method to be used for transmitting packets to the end nodes which are indicated by said first set of group membership information to be members of said first group, said at least one of a transmission power level and coding rate being determined as a function of information relating to a condition associated with at least one group member.
- modulations methods which may be selected include, e.g., QPSK, QAM 16, QAM 64, etc.
- the transmission control module includes logic, circuits and/or sub-modules for adjusting the determined transmission power level, coding rate and/or modulation method in response to changes in channel condition information, as a channel condition associated with the end node in said first group having the worst channel conditions changes over time.
- the multicast routing/forwarding module 311 controls the operation of the access node 300 to support routing/forwarding of multicast traffic packets.
- the multicast routing/forwarding module 311 may use any one of a variety of multicast routing protocols, e.g., Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP), Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM), etc.
- the multicast routing/forwarding information 312 includes, e.g., the multicast routing and/or forwarding tables indicating the interfaces between which multicast packets corresponding to specific groups should be copied and forwarded.
- the group membership module 313 controls the operation of the access node 300 to support managing group membership information on interfaces of the access node 300 .
- the group information 314 includes, e.g., the set of groups for which there are active members connected to the access node 300 via the wireless interface 330 and specific information pertaining to each such group.
- the member information 315 includes, e.g., specific information pertaining to each group member connected to the access node 300 via the wireless interface 330 . Both the group information 314 and member information 315 are more fully described subsequently.
- the transmission cost estimation module 316 computes a cost estimate corresponding to the transmission of multicast information (e.g., packets or a fixed number of information bits) to one or more members in a group.
- the estimated cost is a function of one or more determined transmission characteristics, e.g., power, bandwidth, time, code rate.
- the determined transmission characteristics are a function of the channel condition and or channel variation (e.g., signal to noise ratio, error rate).
- information used for cost estimation as well as the results are included in the group information 314 and member information 315 stores.
- the multicast transmission mode determination module 317 determines the preferred mode for transmission of multicast information (e.g., packets) for a particular multicast group.
- the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is determined based on the number of group members. For example, if the number of group members is less than or equal to some threshold N, a separate copy of each multicast packet is transmitted to each group member, while if the number of group members is greater than the threshold N, a single copy of each multicast packet is transmitted to the set of group member.
- the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is determined based on the relative estimated costs for transmitting information separately to each member (e.g., unicast directed transmissions) versus transmitting information simultaneously to the set of group members (e.g., multicast directed transmissions).
- information used for multicast transmission mode determination as well as the results are included in the group information 314 and member information 315 stores.
- the multicast control module 318 controls the overall operation of the access node 300 to support adaptively controlling the mode and/or characteristics of transmitting multicast information (e.g., packets) via the wireless interface 330 .
- multicast information e.g., packets
- the multicast control module 318 exchanges signals and/or information with other modules included in memory 310 , e.g., group information 314 , member information 315 , transmission cost estimation module 316 , and multicast transmission mode determination module 317 .
- the multicast control module 318 implements switching between modes of operation, transmission power levels, modulation methods and coding rates based on determinations and/or information provided by the various other modules including the transmission control module 319 and multicast transmission mode determination module 317 .
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate transmission of a multicast packet from an access node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention during two different modes of operation.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a scenario 900 where the access node 300 transmits a separate copy of each multicast packet to each group member using individually allocated transmission resources
- FIG. 4 illustrates a scenario 400 where the access node 300 transmits a single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources.
- the transmission resources may include a transmission unit, said transmission unit being, e.g., one of a frame and a time slot.
- the transmission resources may also include other things such as segments and spreading codes. Determination of the preferred mode for transmission of multicast packets is a function of the set of group members (e.g., the number of group members) and/or the specific information associated with each group member (e.g., channel condition and/or channel variation).
- FIG. 3 depicts an access node 300 and a plurality of end nodes ( 910 , 911 , 912 , 913 , 914 , 915 , 916 , 917 ) within the radio coverage area 901 of the access node 300 .
- a first end node 912 and a second end node 915 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group.
- the dotted-dashed line 930 between the access node 300 and the first end node 912 represents transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to said first end node 912 .
- a corresponding dotted-dashed circle 931 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said first end node 912 .
- the dashed line 920 between the access node 300 and the second end node 915 represents transmission of a separate copy of the same multicast packet to said second end node 915 .
- a corresponding dashed circle 921 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said second end node 915 .
- the transmissions to the first end node 912 and the second end node 915 may occur either simultaneously or at different points in time, but in either case they are separate transmissions using transmission resources specifically assigned, allocated, or associated with the respective end nodes.
- FIG. 4 depicts an access node 300 and a plurality of end nodes ( 410 , 411 , 412 , 413 , 414 , 415 , 416 , 417 ) within the radio coverage area 401 of the access node 300 .
- a first end node 410 , a second end node 412 , and a third end node 415 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group.
- the dashed lines 420 between the access node 300 and the group of end node 410 , 412 , 415 represent transmission of a multicast packet to the group of end node 410 , 412 , 415 .
- a corresponding dashed circle 421 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said group of end node 410 , 412 , 415 .
- Transmission of the multicast packet to the group of end nodes 410 , 412 , 415 uses shared transmission resources that are monitored by the individual end nodes 410 , 412 , 415 in parallel.
- the shared transmission resources may include a transmission unit, transmission segment, spreading code and/or other transmission resources of the type described above.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate transmission of a multicast packet during the second mode of operation (e.g., the mode illustrated in FIG. 4 ) from an access node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention using two different sets of transmission characteristics.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a scenario 500 where the access node 300 transmits single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources and a first set of transmission characteristics (e.g., power and code rate), while FIG. 6 illustrates a scenario 600 where the access node 300 transmits a single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources and a second set of transmission characteristics (e.g., power and code rate).
- a first set of transmission characteristics e.g., power and code rate
- FIG. 6 illustrates a scenario 600 where the access node 300 transmits a single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources and a second set of transmission characteristics (e.g., power and code rate).
- Determination of the transmission characteristics is a function of the set of group members (e.g., the number of group members) and/or the specific information associated with each group member (e.g., channel condition and/or channel variation). Changes in group membership, e.g., adding or deleting end nodes from a group, or changes in conditions corresponding to an end node which is a group member such as channel conditions and/or channel variations may trigger transition from transmitting as shown in FIG. 5 to transmitting as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the location of the end node, e.g., mobile node, 610 within the cell and the channel condition to the end node 610 are both conditions which correspond to the end node 610 .
- the channel corresponding to the end node identified by reference 610 is likely to be worse than the worst channel to a group member in FIG. 5 since node 610 is further away from the base station 300 than any of the group members in the FIG. 5 example.
- FIG. 5 depicts an access node 300 and a plurality of end nodes ( 510 , 511 , 512 , 513 , 514 , 515 , 516 , 517 ) within the radio coverage area 501 of the access node 300 .
- a first end node 512 , a second end node 514 , and a third end node 515 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group.
- the dashed lines 520 between the access node 300 and the group of end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 represent transmission of a multicast packet to the group of end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 .
- a corresponding dashed circle 521 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said group of end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 .
- Transmission of the multicast packet to the group of end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 uses shared transmission resources that are monitored by the individual end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 in parallel.
- the dashed circle 521 is shown to minimally encompass said group of end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 to indicate the transmission characteristics are determined to efficiently transmit the multicast packet to the group of end nodes 512 , 514 , 515 , e.g., using minimum power, bandwidth, and/or time needed to reliably transmit the multicast packet to the group members.
- FIG. 6 depicts an access node 300 and a plurality of end nodes ( 610 , 611 , 612 , 613 , 614 , 615 , 616 , 617 ) within the radio coverage area 601 of the access node 300 .
- a first end node 610 , a second end node 612 , and a third end node 615 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group.
- the dashed lines 620 between the access node 300 and the group of end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 represent transmission of a multicast packet to the group of end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 .
- a corresponding dashed circle 621 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said group of end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 .
- Transmission of the multicast packet to the group of end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 uses shared transmission resources that are monitored by the individual end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 in parallel.
- the dashed circle 621 is shown to minimally encompass said group of end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 to indicate the transmission characteristics are determined to efficiently transmit the multicast packet to the group of end nodes 610 , 612 , 615 , e.g., using minimum power, bandwidth, and/or time needed to reliably transmit the multicast packet to the group members.
- the dashed circle 621 in FIG. 6 is depicted with a larger radius than the dashed circle 521 in FIG. 5 to indicate that the transmission characteristics are different (e.g., 621 may corresponded to a higher power transmission than 521
- FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 700 defining an exemplary procedure used in some embodiments of the present invention to adaptively control the transmission of multicast packets, via the wireless interface 330 of an access node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention.
- the procedure is executed for each multicast packet directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface.
- the first step 702 of the procedure corresponds to the event of a multicast packet being directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface.
- a determination is made as to whether the number of group members is greater than a predetermined threshold N.
- step 706 a separate copy of the multicast packet is made for each member of the group, in step 708 transmission characteristics for sending a copy to each member of the group are determined, and in step 710 the individual copies are separately transmitted to each group member using transmission resources specifically assigned, allocated, or associated with each group member.
- step 712 transmission characteristics for sending a copy to the set of members in the group are determined, and in step 714 a copy of the multicast packet is transmitted to the set of members in the group using shared transmission resources that are monitored by each group member. In either case, processing ends in step 716 .
- FIG. 8 illustrates a first flowchart 800 defining an exemplary procedure used in some embodiments of the present invention to adaptively determine a preferred multicast packet transmission mode for multicast packets corresponding to a particular group that are directed for transmission via the wireless interface 330 of an access node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 8 also illustrates a second flowchart 850 defining an exemplary procedure used in some embodiments of the present invention to adaptively control the transmission of multicast packets, via the wireless interface 330 of an access node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention, based on the preferred multicast packet transmission mode, e.g., as determined by the procedure defined by said first flowchart 800 in FIG. 8 .
- the procedure defined by the first flowchart 800 in FIG. 8 executes repeatedly for a particular multicast group (e.g., as a background process) irrespective of multicast packet arrivals for said group.
- the first step 802 determines the transmission characteristics (e.g., power, code rate) for separately transmitting information to each member in the group (e.g., as a function of individual member channel condition and variation).
- the next step 804 determines the transmission characteristics (e.g., power, code rate) for transmitting information to the set of members in the group using shared transmission resources (e.g., as a function of group channel condition and variation).
- the next step 806 estimates the cost U of separately transmitting the same information to each member in the group (e.g., as a function of the transmission characteristics associated with each member determined in step 802 ).
- the next step 808 estimates the cost M of transmitting information to the set of members in the group using shared transmission resources (e.g., as a function of the transmission characteristics determined in step 804 ).
- step 810 the estimated costs, U and M, corresponding to the two modes of operation, are compared. If the estimated cost U is less than the estimated cost M, then the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is set to Unicast in step 812 , otherwise the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is set to Multicast in step 814 .
- Step 816 optionally adds a delay, before returning to step 802 and repeating the procedure, to control the frequency of the computations.
- the procedure defined by the second flowchart 850 in FIG. 8 is executed for each multicast packet directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface.
- the first step 852 of the procedure corresponds to the event of a multicast packet being directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface.
- a determination is made as to whether the preferred multicast packet transmission mode (e.g., as set by the procedure defined by the first flowchart 800 in FIG. 8 ) is presently set to Unicast or Multicast.
- step 856 a separate copy of the multicast packet is made for each member of the group and in step 858 the individual copies are separately transmitted to each group member using transmission resources specifically assigned, allocated, or associated with each group member and using transmission characteristics as determined during the last execution of step 802 .
- step 860 a single copy is transmitted to the set of members in the group, step 860 .
- a copy of the multicast packet is transmitted to set of members in the group using shared transmission resources that are monitored by each group member and using transmission characteristics as determined during the last execution of step 804 . In either case, processing ends in step 862 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary group information 314 and exemplary member information 315 (both in tabular form) that may be stored in memory 310 of an access node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention.
- the group information 314 table includes columns (a) 1001 identifying a group, (b) 1002 identifying the end nodes that are members of the group, (c) 1006 the channel condition and/or location information corresponding to the end node in the group to which the row corresponds having the worst channel conditions and/or which is located furthest away from the access node, (d) 1003 indicating the determined transmission characteristics for transmitting information using shared resources to the set of members in the group, (e) 1004 indicating the estimated cost for transmitting information using shared resources to the set of members in the group, (f) indicating the estimated cost for separately transmitting information to each member of the group using individually allocated resources, and (g) 1005 indicating the preferred multicast transmission mode for the group.
- the group information 314 may be, and in some embodiments is, updated from time to time, e.g., as changes in group membership, channel conditions and/or location occur. Portions of the information show in table 314 may be, and in some embodiments is, stored elsewhere in memory.
- Each row 1021 , 1022 of the group information 314 table represents the information associated with a particular multicast group. Exemplary information is presented for two multicast groups.
- the first group (224.225.1.6) includes two members (10.2.1.2 and 10.2.1.10) and indicates that the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is Unicast.
- the second group (224.225.1.9) includes four members (10.2.1.5, 10.2.1.10, 10.2.1.27, and 10.2.1.43) and indicates that the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is Multicast.
- the power and coding rate for the group is selected to correspond to the coding rate/power level combination needed to reach the end node in the group with the worst channel conditions. This will normally correspond to a lower power level and a higher coding rate than that which would be required to reach all areas of the transmission coverage region. This is particularly beneficial in terms of conserving resources when group members are located well within the boundary of the transmission coverage region.
- the coding rate may be lower and/or the power level used may be higher for the group than the minimum required to reach the end node in the group with the worst channel conditions, e.g., to improve robustness of in the absence of ARQ.
- the estimated multicast mode transmission cost in column 1004 may be, and in some embodiments is, a function of the determined multicast transmission characteristics in column 1003 .
- the estimated unicast mode transmission cost in column 1007 of the group information 314 table may be, and in some embodiments is, a function of the individual estimated unicast transmission cost corresponding to each group member listed in column 1002 , where the individual estimated unicast transmission cost corresponding to each group member is shown in column 1053 of the member information 315 table.
- the preferred multicast transmission mode in column 1005 is set to Multicast if the estimated multicast mode transmission cost in column 1004 is lower than the estimated unicast mode transmission cost in column 1007 , and is set to Unicast otherwise.
- alternative cost estimation and mode determination functions are used in various embodiments of the present invention.
- the member information 315 table includes columns (a) 1051 identifying a group member/end node, (b) 1055 channel condition and/or location information for the individual end node, (c) 1052 indicating the determined transmission characteristics for separately transmitting information to the end node, and (c) 1053 indicating the estimated cost for separately transmitting information to the end node.
- Each row ( 1061 , 1062 , 1063 , 1064 , 1065 ) of the member information 315 table represents the information associated with a particular end node (A, B, C, D or E).
- the member information 315 may be, and in some embodiments is, updated as the conditions/location corresponding to the end node changes.
- end node may be a member of multiple groups, but need not be listed in the member table more than once.
- end node 10.2.1.10 (row 1063 of the member information 315 table) is indicated as a member of group 224.225.1.6 (row 1021 and column 1002 of the group information 314 table) and group 224.225.1.9 (row 1022 and column 1002 of the group information 314 table).
- FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary group information 314 ′ and exemplary member information 315 ′ as may be stored in memory 310 of an access node at a second point in time (e.g., a time other than the time at which the information shown in FIG. 9 is stored).
- the group information and 314 ′ and member information 315 ′ are shown with the same rows and columns, but the row/column reference numbers have been augmented with a prime symbol, ′, to indicate that the information corresponding to a particular row/column may be different at said second point in time.
- end node 10.2.1.43 is a member of the first group 224.225.1.6 (see row 1021 ′ and column 1002 ′), where said end node is not shown as a member in FIG. 9 (see row 1021 and column 1002 ).
- the group information 314 ′ table in FIG. 10 indicates that the estimated unicast transmission cost (row 1021 ′ and column 1007 ′) is higher than that shown in FIG. 9 (see row 1021 and column 1007 ), and that the preferred multicast transmission mode is set to Multicast (see row 1021 ′ and column 1005 ′).
- FIG. 11 illustrates exemplary group information 314 ′′ and exemplary member information 315 ′′ comparable to that shown in FIG. 10 , but wherein the determined multicast transmission characteristics 1003 ′′ and estimated multicast mode transmission costs in column 1004 ′′ are computed differently.
- the determined multicast transmission characteristics in column 1003 ′′ are set equal to the determined unicast transmission characteristics of the worst node in the group, where the worst node is indicated in column 1006 ′′ and the corresponding unicast transmission characteristics is indicated in column 1052 ′′ of the member information 315 ′′ table.
- the estimated multicast mode transmission cost in column 1004 ′′ is set equal to the estimated unicast transmission cost corresponding to the worst node, where the worst node is indicated in column 1006 ′′ and the corresponding estimated unicast transmission cost is indicated in column 1053 ′′ of the member information 315 ′′ table.
- FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary group information 314 ′′′ and exemplary member information 315 ′′′ based on the same computations as used in FIG. 11 , but as may be stored in memory 310 of an access node at a second point in time (e.g., a time other than the time at which the information shown in FIG. 11 is stored).
- a second point in time e.g., a time other than the time at which the information shown in FIG. 11 is stored.
- changes are indicated for both groups 224.225.1.6, row 1021 ′′′, and 224.225.1.9, row 1022 ′′′.
- FIG. 12 when compared to FIG. 11 , shows that changes in group membership and/or conditions corresponding to a member of a group which has the same group membership, can trigger changes in the allocation of transmission resources such as power, and coding rate.
- the same changes could, and in some embodiments do, result in changes in the modulation method selected to be used.
- communications between nodes is based all, or in part, on the Internet Protocol (IP).
- IP Internet Protocol
- communication of both data and/or control signaling between the network nodes may use IP packets, e.g., datagrams.
- modules may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware.
- Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implemented using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods.
- a machine e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the above-described method(s).
- the methods and apparatus of the present invention may be, and in various embodiments are, used with code division multiple access (CDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), or various other types of communications techniques which may be used to provide wireless communications links between access nodes and mobile nodes.
- CDMA code division multiple access
- OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
- the access nodes are implemented as base stations which establish communications links with mobile nodes using OFDM and/or CDMA.
- the mobile nodes are implemented as notebook computers, personal data assistants (PDAs), or other portable devices including receiver/transmitter circuits and logic and/or routines, for implementing the methods of the present invention.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/601,935, filed Aug. 16, 2004 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
- This invention relates to communications systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for implementing group communications and/or controlling transmission of group communication signals.
- In a typical cellular communication network, a set of geographically dispersed base stations provide wireless access to a communications infrastructure. Users with wireless communication devices, or terminals, are able to establish a direct communication link with a suitable base station and then exchange information with other users and/or end systems throughout the communication network.
- IP multicast technology provides an efficient packet delivery service for group communications (e.g., one-to-many or many-to-many). The use of IP multicast reduces the bandwidth utilization for group communications. This is especially important for supporting group communications over wireless media, where bandwidth is a scarce resource.
- When using IP multicast, a group of recipients is associated with an IP multicast address. A data source addresses and sends a single copy of each IP datagram intended for the group of recipients to the IP multicast group address. The routed network will replicate and forward each datagram as needed to deliver it to the routers interconnecting all of the group members. Specialized IP multicast routing protocols are used to form the delivery trees needed for copying and forwarding multicast datagrams.
- IP multicast is a receiver-oriented service, in that receivers join a given multicast group to receive datagrams sent to the corresponding IP multicast group address. End systems and access routers communicate with each other via a group membership protocol, e.g., Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP), to enable the access router to maintain information on active multicast group membership necessary for building the delivery trees.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a network diagram of an exemplary communications system of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary access node implemented in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 3 illustrates transmission of a separate copy of a multicast packet to each member in a group in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to a plurality of members in a group in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5 illustrate transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to a plurality of members in a group using a first set of transmission characteristics to enable reception by the set of receivers in the group in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 6 illustrate transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to a plurality of members in a group using a second set of transmission characteristics to enable reception by the set of receivers in the group in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart that shows an exemplary procedure to adaptively control the mode and characteristics of transmitting multicast packets in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 8 illustrates flowcharts that show exemplary procedures to adaptively determine the preferred mode and characteristics of transmitting multicast packets and to transmit multicast packets based on the determined mode and characteristics in accordance with the present invention. -
FIGS. 9, 10 , 11 and 12 illustrate exemplary information stored by an access node in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. - The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for implementing group communications, e.g., multicast communications methods and apparatus. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly well suited for use in wireless communications systems. In such systems different end nodes, which may be wireless terminals used by different individual users, have different communications requirements, e.g., power, timing coding rate, modulation method and/or other signal requirements. These differing signal requirements are often a function of differences in channel conditions and/or end node location which exist between different end nodes and an access node. The conditions, including channel condition and location, can change over time as an end node moves within the coverage area of an access node. Each end node may be a member of zero, one, or more multicast groups at any point in time. Access nodes serve as the end node's point of attachment, e.g., via a wireless communications link, to a communication system, e.g., cellular network. Group membership may vary with time.
- Different multicast applications can be executing on different end nodes with each end node being a member of one, multiple or no multicast groups at any point in time. Within an area serviced by a transmitter, e.g., access node's sector or cell transmitter, group membership may change due to actions by the group member(s), e.g., as a user of an end node decides to enter or exit a group, e.g., by signaling a multicast application to make the desired group membership change or by terminating the multicast application. Membership can also change as the result of an end node dynamics, e.g., a mobile node, entering or leaving a cell.
- The methods and apparatus of the invention are directed to the subject matter claimed in the present application.
- In accordance with the present invention, transmission requirements for one or more individual group members may be determined and, in the case of a signal directed at the same time to multiple group members, the transmission requirements for the group are primarily determined from the requirements of the group member with the poorest channel conditions. In such cases, the transmission power, coding rate and/or other characteristics of the multicast signal transmitted over the wireless communications link are determined by information relating to at least one group member and the signal is not necessarily intended to reach the transmitter's full coverage area. Thus, assuming the full set of group members are close to the transmitter and experiencing good channel conditions, the transmission power may be much lower than would be required to reach the full transmitter coverage area, e.g., the full sector or cell.
- While determining transmission characteristics such as power, coding rate, and/or modulation method as a function of channel condition information related to group members can be used with systems which support the two modes of operation as discussed above, this feature of the invention can be used in embodiments where a single mode of multicast transmissions is supported and each transmission is directed to multiple end nodes in a group, when the group includes more than one end node in the access node's coverage area.
- The transmissions implemented by the access node may be OFDM signal transmissions. However, CDMA and other implementations are also supported and possible.
- Numerous variations on the above described methods and apparatus of the present invention are possible. The detailed description which follows provides additional description of the invention as well as discussing additional exemplary embodiments, features and benefits of the invention.
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FIG. 1 illustrates anexemplary communication system 100, e.g., a cellular communication network, which comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected by communications links. Nodes in theexemplary communication system 100 may exchange information using signals, e.g., messages, based on communication protocols, e.g., the Internet Protocol (IP). The communications links of thesystem 100 may be implemented, for example, using wires, fiber optic cables, and/or wireless communications techniques. Theexemplary communication system 100 includes a plurality ofend nodes access nodes end nodes access nodes exemplary communication system 100 also includes a number of other nodes as may be needed to provide interconnectivity or to provide specific services or functions. Specifically, theexemplary communication system 100 includes amobility agent node 108, e.g., Mobile IP home agent node, as may be needed to support mobility of end nodes between access nodes, a sessionsignaling server node 106, e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxy server, as may be needed to support establishment and maintenance of communication sessions between end nodes, and anapplication server node 104, e.g., multimedia server, as may be needed to support specific application layer services. - The
FIG. 1 exemplary system 100 depicts anetwork 102 that includes theapplication server node 104, the sessionsignaling server node 106, and themobility agent node 108, each of which is connected to anintermediate network node 110 by acorresponding network link intermediate network node 110 in thenetwork 102 also provides interconnectivity to network nodes that are external from the perspective of thenetwork 102 vianetwork link 111.Network link 111 is connected to anotherintermediate network node 112, which provides further connectivity to a plurality ofaccess nodes network links - Each
access node exemplary communication system 100, eachaccess node access node - The
exemplary communication system 100 is subsequently used as a basis for the description of an embodiment of the invention. Alternative embodiments of the invention include various network topologies, where the number and type of network nodes, the number and type of links, and the interconnectivity between nodes may differ from that of theexemplary communication system 100 depicted inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 2 provides a detailed illustration of anexemplary access node 300 implemented in accordance with the present invention. Theexemplary access node 300, depicted inFIG. 2 , is a detailed representation of an apparatus that may be used as any one of theaccess nodes FIG. 1 . In theFIG. 2 embodiment, theaccess node 300 includes aprocessor 304, a network/internetwork interface 320, awireless communication interface 330 andmemory 310, coupled together bybus 306. Accordingly, viabus 306 the various components of theaccess node 300 can exchange information, signals and data. Thecomponents access node 300 are located inside ahousing 302. - The
processor 304 under control of various modules, e.g., routines, included inmemory 310 controls operation of theaccess node 300 to perform various signaling and processing, as discussed below. The modules included inmemory 310 are executed on startup or as called by other modules. Modules may exchange data, information, and signals when executed. Modules may also share data and information when executed. - The network/
internetwork interface 320 provides a mechanism by which the internal components of theaccess node 300 can send and receive signals to/from external devices and network nodes. The network/internetwork interface 320 includes, areceiver circuit 322 and atransmitter circuit 324 used for coupling thenode 300 to other network nodes, e.g., via copper wires or fiber optic lines. Thewireless communication interface 330 also provides a mechanism by which the internal components of theaccess node 300 can send and receive signals to/from external devices and network nodes, e.g., end nodes. Thewireless communication interface 330 includes, e.g., areceiver circuit 332 with a corresponding receivingantenna 336 and atransmitter circuit 334 with acorresponding transmitting antenna 338 used for coupling theaccess node 300 to other network nodes, e.g., via wireless communication channels. - In the
FIG. 2 embodiment, thememory 310 of theaccess node 300 includes a multicast routing/forwarding module 311, multicast routing/forwardinginformation 312, agroup membership module 313,group information 314,member information 315, a transmissioncost estimation module 316, a multicast transmissionmode determination module 317 and amulticast control module 318. Transmissioncost estimation module 316 includes atransmission control module 319 for determining at least one of a transmission power level, coding rate and modulation method to be used for transmitting packets to the end nodes which are indicated by said first set of group membership information to be members of said first group, said at least one of a transmission power level and coding rate being determined as a function of information relating to a condition associated with at least one group member. Various modulations methods which may be selected include, e.g., QPSK, QAM 16, QAM 64, etc. The transmission control module includes logic, circuits and/or sub-modules for adjusting the determined transmission power level, coding rate and/or modulation method in response to changes in channel condition information, as a channel condition associated with the end node in said first group having the worst channel conditions changes over time. - The multicast routing/
forwarding module 311 controls the operation of theaccess node 300 to support routing/forwarding of multicast traffic packets. The multicast routing/forwarding module 311 may use any one of a variety of multicast routing protocols, e.g., Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP), Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM), etc. The multicast routing/forwardinginformation 312 includes, e.g., the multicast routing and/or forwarding tables indicating the interfaces between which multicast packets corresponding to specific groups should be copied and forwarded. Thegroup membership module 313 controls the operation of theaccess node 300 to support managing group membership information on interfaces of theaccess node 300. Thegroup information 314 includes, e.g., the set of groups for which there are active members connected to theaccess node 300 via thewireless interface 330 and specific information pertaining to each such group. Themember information 315 includes, e.g., specific information pertaining to each group member connected to theaccess node 300 via thewireless interface 330. Both thegroup information 314 andmember information 315 are more fully described subsequently. - The transmission
cost estimation module 316 computes a cost estimate corresponding to the transmission of multicast information (e.g., packets or a fixed number of information bits) to one or more members in a group. In some embodiments of the invention the estimated cost is a function of one or more determined transmission characteristics, e.g., power, bandwidth, time, code rate. In some embodiments of the invention, the determined transmission characteristics are a function of the channel condition and or channel variation (e.g., signal to noise ratio, error rate). In accordance with some embodiments, information used for cost estimation as well as the results are included in thegroup information 314 andmember information 315 stores. - The multicast transmission
mode determination module 317 determines the preferred mode for transmission of multicast information (e.g., packets) for a particular multicast group. In some embodiments, the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is determined based on the number of group members. For example, if the number of group members is less than or equal to some threshold N, a separate copy of each multicast packet is transmitted to each group member, while if the number of group members is greater than the threshold N, a single copy of each multicast packet is transmitted to the set of group member. In some embodiments, the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is determined based on the relative estimated costs for transmitting information separately to each member (e.g., unicast directed transmissions) versus transmitting information simultaneously to the set of group members (e.g., multicast directed transmissions). In accordance with some embodiments, information used for multicast transmission mode determination as well as the results are included in thegroup information 314 andmember information 315 stores. - The
multicast control module 318 controls the overall operation of theaccess node 300 to support adaptively controlling the mode and/or characteristics of transmitting multicast information (e.g., packets) via thewireless interface 330. - Thus, the
multicast control module 318 exchanges signals and/or information with other modules included inmemory 310, e.g.,group information 314,member information 315, transmissioncost estimation module 316, and multicast transmissionmode determination module 317. Themulticast control module 318 implements switching between modes of operation, transmission power levels, modulation methods and coding rates based on determinations and/or information provided by the various other modules including thetransmission control module 319 and multicast transmissionmode determination module 317. -
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate transmission of a multicast packet from anaccess node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention during two different modes of operation.FIG. 3 illustrates ascenario 900 where theaccess node 300 transmits a separate copy of each multicast packet to each group member using individually allocated transmission resources, whileFIG. 4 illustrates ascenario 400 where theaccess node 300 transmits a single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources. The transmission resources may include a transmission unit, said transmission unit being, e.g., one of a frame and a time slot. The transmission resources may also include other things such as segments and spreading codes. Determination of the preferred mode for transmission of multicast packets is a function of the set of group members (e.g., the number of group members) and/or the specific information associated with each group member (e.g., channel condition and/or channel variation). -
FIG. 3 depicts anaccess node 300 and a plurality of end nodes (910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917) within theradio coverage area 901 of theaccess node 300. Afirst end node 912 and asecond end node 915 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group. The dotted-dashedline 930 between theaccess node 300 and thefirst end node 912 represents transmission of a copy of a multicast packet to saidfirst end node 912. A corresponding dotted-dashedcircle 931 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to saidfirst end node 912. The dashedline 920 between theaccess node 300 and thesecond end node 915 represents transmission of a separate copy of the same multicast packet to saidsecond end node 915. A corresponding dashedcircle 921 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to saidsecond end node 915. The transmissions to thefirst end node 912 and thesecond end node 915 may occur either simultaneously or at different points in time, but in either case they are separate transmissions using transmission resources specifically assigned, allocated, or associated with the respective end nodes. -
FIG. 4 depicts anaccess node 300 and a plurality of end nodes (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417) within theradio coverage area 401 of theaccess node 300. Afirst end node 410, asecond end node 412, and athird end node 415 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group. The dashedlines 420 between theaccess node 300 and the group ofend node end node circle 421 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said group ofend node end nodes individual end nodes -
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate transmission of a multicast packet during the second mode of operation (e.g., the mode illustrated inFIG. 4 ) from anaccess node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention using two different sets of transmission characteristics.FIG. 5 illustrates ascenario 500 where theaccess node 300 transmits single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources and a first set of transmission characteristics (e.g., power and code rate), whileFIG. 6 illustrates ascenario 600 where theaccess node 300 transmits a single copy of each multicast packet to the set of group members using shared transmission resources and a second set of transmission characteristics (e.g., power and code rate). Determination of the transmission characteristics is a function of the set of group members (e.g., the number of group members) and/or the specific information associated with each group member (e.g., channel condition and/or channel variation). Changes in group membership, e.g., adding or deleting end nodes from a group, or changes in conditions corresponding to an end node which is a group member such as channel conditions and/or channel variations may trigger transition from transmitting as shown inFIG. 5 to transmitting as shown inFIG. 6 . The location of the end node, e.g., mobile node, 610 within the cell and the channel condition to theend node 610 are both conditions which correspond to theend node 610. InFIG. 6 the channel corresponding to the end node identified byreference 610 is likely to be worse than the worst channel to a group member inFIG. 5 sincenode 610 is further away from thebase station 300 than any of the group members in theFIG. 5 example. -
FIG. 5 depicts anaccess node 300 and a plurality of end nodes (510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517) within theradio coverage area 501 of theaccess node 300. Afirst end node 512, asecond end node 514, and athird end node 515 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group. The dashedlines 520 between theaccess node 300 and the group ofend nodes end nodes circle 521 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said group ofend nodes end nodes individual end nodes circle 521 is shown to minimally encompass said group ofend nodes end nodes -
FIG. 6 depicts anaccess node 300 and a plurality of end nodes (610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617) within theradio coverage area 601 of theaccess node 300. Afirst end node 610, asecond end node 612, and athird end node 615 are each marked with an M to indicate that they are members of a particular multicast group. The dashedlines 620 between theaccess node 300 and the group ofend nodes end nodes circle 621 represents the characteristics (e.g., power and code rate) of the transmission directed to said group ofend nodes end nodes individual end nodes circle 621 is shown to minimally encompass said group ofend nodes end nodes circle 621 inFIG. 6 is depicted with a larger radius than the dashedcircle 521 inFIG. 5 to indicate that the transmission characteristics are different (e.g., 621 may corresponded to a higher power transmission than 521). -
FIG. 7 illustrates aflowchart 700 defining an exemplary procedure used in some embodiments of the present invention to adaptively control the transmission of multicast packets, via thewireless interface 330 of anaccess node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention. The procedure is executed for each multicast packet directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface. Thefirst step 702 of the procedure corresponds to the event of a multicast packet being directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface. In thesecond step 704, a determination is made as to whether the number of group members is greater than a predetermined threshold N. - If the number of group members does not exceed the pre-determined threshold N, a separate copy of the multicast packet is transmitted to each group member, steps 706, 708, 710. Thus, in step 706 a separate copy of the multicast packet is made for each member of the group, in
step 708 transmission characteristics for sending a copy to each member of the group are determined, and instep 710 the individual copies are separately transmitted to each group member using transmission resources specifically assigned, allocated, or associated with each group member. - Alternatively, if the number of group members does exceed the pre-determined threshold N, a single copy is transmitted to the set of members in the group, steps 712, 714. Thus, in
step 712 transmission characteristics for sending a copy to the set of members in the group are determined, and in step 714 a copy of the multicast packet is transmitted to the set of members in the group using shared transmission resources that are monitored by each group member. In either case, processing ends instep 716. -
FIG. 8 illustrates afirst flowchart 800 defining an exemplary procedure used in some embodiments of the present invention to adaptively determine a preferred multicast packet transmission mode for multicast packets corresponding to a particular group that are directed for transmission via thewireless interface 330 of anaccess node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention.FIG. 8 also illustrates asecond flowchart 850 defining an exemplary procedure used in some embodiments of the present invention to adaptively control the transmission of multicast packets, via thewireless interface 330 of anaccess node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention, based on the preferred multicast packet transmission mode, e.g., as determined by the procedure defined by saidfirst flowchart 800 inFIG. 8 . - The procedure defined by the
first flowchart 800 inFIG. 8 executes repeatedly for a particular multicast group (e.g., as a background process) irrespective of multicast packet arrivals for said group. Thefirst step 802 determines the transmission characteristics (e.g., power, code rate) for separately transmitting information to each member in the group (e.g., as a function of individual member channel condition and variation). Thenext step 804 determines the transmission characteristics (e.g., power, code rate) for transmitting information to the set of members in the group using shared transmission resources (e.g., as a function of group channel condition and variation). Thenext step 806 estimates the cost U of separately transmitting the same information to each member in the group (e.g., as a function of the transmission characteristics associated with each member determined in step 802). Thenext step 808 estimates the cost M of transmitting information to the set of members in the group using shared transmission resources (e.g., as a function of the transmission characteristics determined in step 804). - In
step 810, the estimated costs, U and M, corresponding to the two modes of operation, are compared. If the estimated cost U is less than the estimated cost M, then the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is set to Unicast instep 812, otherwise the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is set to Multicast instep 814. Step 816 optionally adds a delay, before returning to step 802 and repeating the procedure, to control the frequency of the computations. - The procedure defined by the
second flowchart 850 inFIG. 8 is executed for each multicast packet directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface. Thefirst step 852 of the procedure corresponds to the event of a multicast packet being directed to the wireless interface for transmission to a set of group members associated with the wireless interface. In thesecond step 854, a determination is made as to whether the preferred multicast packet transmission mode (e.g., as set by the procedure defined by thefirst flowchart 800 inFIG. 8 ) is presently set to Unicast or Multicast. - If the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is Unicast, a separate copy of the multicast packet is transmitted to each group member, steps 856, 858. Thus, in step 856 a separate copy of the multicast packet is made for each member of the group and in
step 858 the individual copies are separately transmitted to each group member using transmission resources specifically assigned, allocated, or associated with each group member and using transmission characteristics as determined during the last execution ofstep 802. - Alternatively, if the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is Multicast, a single copy is transmitted to the set of members in the group,
step 860. Thus, in step 860 a copy of the multicast packet is transmitted to set of members in the group using shared transmission resources that are monitored by each group member and using transmission characteristics as determined during the last execution ofstep 804. In either case, processing ends instep 862. -
FIG. 9 illustratesexemplary group information 314 and exemplary member information 315 (both in tabular form) that may be stored inmemory 310 of anaccess node 300 implemented in accordance with the invention. Thegroup information 314 table includes columns (a) 1001 identifying a group, (b) 1002 identifying the end nodes that are members of the group, (c) 1006 the channel condition and/or location information corresponding to the end node in the group to which the row corresponds having the worst channel conditions and/or which is located furthest away from the access node, (d) 1003 indicating the determined transmission characteristics for transmitting information using shared resources to the set of members in the group, (e) 1004 indicating the estimated cost for transmitting information using shared resources to the set of members in the group, (f) indicating the estimated cost for separately transmitting information to each member of the group using individually allocated resources, and (g) 1005 indicating the preferred multicast transmission mode for the group. Thegroup information 314 may be, and in some embodiments is, updated from time to time, e.g., as changes in group membership, channel conditions and/or location occur. Portions of the information show in table 314 may be, and in some embodiments is, stored elsewhere in memory. Eachrow group information 314 table, represents the information associated with a particular multicast group. Exemplary information is presented for two multicast groups. The first group (224.225.1.6) includes two members (10.2.1.2 and 10.2.1.10) and indicates that the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is Unicast. The second group (224.225.1.9) includes four members (10.2.1.5, 10.2.1.10, 10.2.1.27, and 10.2.1.43) and indicates that the preferred multicast packet transmission mode is Multicast. Note that incolumn 1003 the power and coding rate for the group is selected to correspond to the coding rate/power level combination needed to reach the end node in the group with the worst channel conditions. This will normally correspond to a lower power level and a higher coding rate than that which would be required to reach all areas of the transmission coverage region. This is particularly beneficial in terms of conserving resources when group members are located well within the boundary of the transmission coverage region. In some embodiments of the present invention, the coding rate may be lower and/or the power level used may be higher for the group than the minimum required to reach the end node in the group with the worst channel conditions, e.g., to improve robustness of in the absence of ARQ. - In the
exemplary group information 314 table, the estimated multicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1004 may be, and in some embodiments is, a function of the determined multicast transmission characteristics incolumn 1003. Note however, that the estimated unicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1007 of thegroup information 314 table may be, and in some embodiments is, a function of the individual estimated unicast transmission cost corresponding to each group member listed incolumn 1002, where the individual estimated unicast transmission cost corresponding to each group member is shown incolumn 1053 of themember information 315 table. For each group, e.g., row, the preferred multicast transmission mode incolumn 1005 is set to Multicast if the estimated multicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1004 is lower than the estimated unicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1007, and is set to Unicast otherwise. Note that alternative cost estimation and mode determination functions are used in various embodiments of the present invention. - The
member information 315 table includes columns (a) 1051 identifying a group member/end node, (b) 1055 channel condition and/or location information for the individual end node, (c) 1052 indicating the determined transmission characteristics for separately transmitting information to the end node, and (c) 1053 indicating the estimated cost for separately transmitting information to the end node. Each row (1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065) of themember information 315 table, represents the information associated with a particular end node (A, B, C, D or E). Themember information 315 may be, and in some embodiments is, updated as the conditions/location corresponding to the end node changes. Note that an end node may be a member of multiple groups, but need not be listed in the member table more than once. For example, end node 10.2.1.10 (row 1063 of themember information 315 table) is indicated as a member of group 224.225.1.6 (row 1021 andcolumn 1002 of thegroup information 314 table) and group 224.225.1.9 (row 1022 andcolumn 1002 of thegroup information 314 table). -
FIG. 10 illustratesexemplary group information 314′ andexemplary member information 315′ as may be stored inmemory 310 of an access node at a second point in time (e.g., a time other than the time at which the information shown inFIG. 9 is stored). The group information and 314′ andmember information 315′ are shown with the same rows and columns, but the row/column reference numbers have been augmented with a prime symbol, ′, to indicate that the information corresponding to a particular row/column may be different at said second point in time. Thegroup information 314′ shown inFIG. 10 , indicates that end node 10.2.1.43 is a member of the first group 224.225.1.6 (seerow 1021′ andcolumn 1002′), where said end node is not shown as a member inFIG. 9 (seerow 1021 and column 1002). Correspondingly, thegroup information 314′ table inFIG. 10 indicates that the estimated unicast transmission cost (row 1021′ andcolumn 1007′) is higher than that shown inFIG. 9 (seerow 1021 and column 1007), and that the preferred multicast transmission mode is set to Multicast (seerow 1021′ andcolumn 1005′). -
FIG. 11 illustratesexemplary group information 314″ andexemplary member information 315″ comparable to that shown inFIG. 10 , but wherein the determinedmulticast transmission characteristics 1003″ and estimated multicast mode transmission costs incolumn 1004″ are computed differently. In particular, in accordance with theFIG. 11 example, for a particular group, e.g., row of thegroup information 314″ table, the determined multicast transmission characteristics incolumn 1003″ are set equal to the determined unicast transmission characteristics of the worst node in the group, where the worst node is indicated incolumn 1006″ and the corresponding unicast transmission characteristics is indicated incolumn 1052″ of themember information 315″ table. Similarly, the estimated multicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1004″ is set equal to the estimated unicast transmission cost corresponding to the worst node, where the worst node is indicated incolumn 1006″ and the corresponding estimated unicast transmission cost is indicated incolumn 1053″ of themember information 315″ table. -
FIG. 12 illustratesexemplary group information 314′″ andexemplary member information 315′″ based on the same computations as used inFIG. 11 , but as may be stored inmemory 310 of an access node at a second point in time (e.g., a time other than the time at which the information shown inFIG. 11 is stored). In accordance with theFIG. 12 example, changes are indicated for both groups 224.225.1.6,row 1021′″, and 224.225.1.9,row 1022′″. - For group 224.225.1.6,
row 1021′″, note that there are changes to the determined multicast transmission characteristics incolumn 1003′″, the estimated multicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1004′″, and the estimated unicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1007′″, as compared to the same row/columns inFIG. 11 . Each of these changes corresponds to changes related to the group member 10.2.1.2 identified as the worst node, node A. With respect to this member, changes in channel conditions and/or location affect the unicast transmission characteristics resulting in higher power requirement and higher cost than in the case of theFIG. 11 example. This change results higher power requirement and costs for the group than in the case of theFIG. 11 example, despite the fact that the membership of the group 224.225.1.9 remains the same from the time of theFIG. 11 example to the time of theFIG. 12 example. - For group 224.225.1.9,
row 1022′″, note that there are changes to group membership incolumn 1002′″ and other columns, as compared to the same row/columns inFIG. 11 . Thegroup information 314′″ indicates that end node 10.2.1.5 is not a member of the second group 224.225.1.9 (seerow 1022′″ andcolumn 1002′″). Correspondingly, the worst node indicated incolumn 1006′″ is different than in the case ofFIG. 11 example and that the determined multicast transmission characteristics incolumn 1003′″, the estimated multicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1004′″, and the estimated unicast mode transmission cost incolumn 1007′″ have all been changed accordingly, as compared to the same row/columns inFIG. 11 . - Thus,
FIG. 12 when compared toFIG. 11 , shows that changes in group membership and/or conditions corresponding to a member of a group which has the same group membership, can trigger changes in the allocation of transmission resources such as power, and coding rate. The same changes could, and in some embodiments do, result in changes in the modulation method selected to be used. - In some embodiments of the present invention, communications between nodes is based all, or in part, on the Internet Protocol (IP). Thus, communication of both data and/or control signaling between the network nodes may use IP packets, e.g., datagrams.
- Various features of the present invention are implemented using modules. Such modules may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implemented using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods. Accordingly, among other things, the present invention is directed to a machine-readable medium including machine executable instructions for causing a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the above-described method(s).
- Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of the present invention described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description of the invention. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of the invention. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may be, and in various embodiments are, used with code division multiple access (CDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), or various other types of communications techniques which may be used to provide wireless communications links between access nodes and mobile nodes. In some embodiments the access nodes are implemented as base stations which establish communications links with mobile nodes using OFDM and/or CDMA. In various embodiments the mobile nodes are implemented as notebook computers, personal data assistants (PDAs), or other portable devices including receiver/transmitter circuits and logic and/or routines, for implementing the methods of the present invention.
Claims (26)
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US8488602B2 (en) | 2013-07-16 |
CN101061389A (en) | 2007-10-24 |
KR20070055536A (en) | 2007-05-30 |
EP1794942A1 (en) | 2007-06-13 |
CN101057457B (en) | 2012-09-05 |
JP2011223592A (en) | 2011-11-04 |
JP4537455B2 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
KR20070053756A (en) | 2007-05-25 |
WO2006023485A1 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
US20070002859A1 (en) | 2007-01-04 |
JP5086384B2 (en) | 2012-11-28 |
JP2008510433A (en) | 2008-04-03 |
HK1108245A1 (en) | 2008-05-02 |
CA2577425A1 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
CA2577421A1 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
JP2010183587A (en) | 2010-08-19 |
EP1784652A4 (en) | 2010-05-12 |
WO2006023484A1 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
KR100884175B1 (en) | 2009-02-17 |
CN101057457A (en) | 2007-10-17 |
EP1784652A1 (en) | 2007-05-16 |
JP2008510434A (en) | 2008-04-03 |
EP1794942A4 (en) | 2010-03-10 |
KR100915730B1 (en) | 2009-09-04 |
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