Cost analysis and efficient radio bearer selection for multicasting over UMTS

Along with the widespread deployment of the Third Generation (3G) cellular networks, the fast‐improving capabilities of the mobile devices, content, and service providers are increasingly interested in supporting multicast communications over wireless networks and in particular over Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). To this direction, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently standardizing the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) framework of UMTS. In this paper, we present an overview of the MBMS multicast mode of UMTS. We analytically present the multicast mode of the MBMS and analyze its performance in terms of packet delivery cost under various network topologies, cell types, and multicast users' distributions. Furthermore, for the evaluation of the scheme, we consider different transport channels for the transmission of the multicast data over the UMTS Terrestrial Radio‐Access Network (UTRAN) interfaces. Finally, we propose a scheme for the efficient radio bearer selection that minimizes total packet delivery cost. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Embracing RaptorQ FEC in 3GPP multicast services

Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (MBMS) have been introduced by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) aiming to efficiently deliver data to mobile users in a one-to-many way. In order to provide reliable multicast transmission, 3GPP recommends exclusively for MBMS the use of a Forward Error Correction (FEC) mechanism on the application layer. Raptor codes are standardized as the Application Layer FEC (AL-FEC) scheme over 3GPP MBMS. However, the 3GPP standardized systematic fountain Raptor code is nowadays considered obsolete, since a new variation of the Raptor codes has emerged. This enhanced AL-FEC scheme, named RaptorQ, promises higher protection efficiency and superior flexibility on the provision of demanding mobile multicast services. In this work, we provide an extensive performance evaluation presenting at first a theoretical performance comparison of the newly introduced RaptorQ FEC scheme with its predecessor Raptor code, examining the enhancements that RaptorQ introduces on the AL-FEC protection robustness. Thereafter, to verify the enhanced performance of RaptorQ, we present several simulation results considering the modeling of the AL-FEC protection over multicast services for next generation mobile networks, utilizing the ns-3 simulation environment. Investigating several mobile system parameters in conjunction with FEC encoding parameters, we provide valuable results regarding the impacts of the examined AL-FEC schemes application on the multicast services performance.     

The multimedia broadcast/multicast service

This article provides an overview of the multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) for universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) networks. We first outline the features of UMTS networks as defined by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) in order to provide a background for the discussion to follow. We then present the overall MBMS architecture, the services that it provides to the users and the differences between the broadcast and multicast options. The implementation details of MBMS are explained in terms of the modifications needed to the network, the new signaling procedures required and the impact of MBMS on the radio part of the network. We then describe how the security architecture of UMTS is used to support content protection and key distribution for MBMS groups. We evaluate the prospects of MBMS by comparing it first with IP multicast and then with DVB‐H, considered by many to be the closest competitor of MBMS. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the technical and business challenges still faced by MBMS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study of multicast congestion control for UMTS

In this paper, we study the applicability of multicast congestion control over universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) networks. We analyze two well‐known multicast congestion control schemes for fixed networks, namely TCP‐friendly multicast congestion control and pragmatic general multicast congestion control. We investigate their behavior when they are employed in UMTS networks and we analyze the problems arose when these mechanisms are applied over the wireless links of the UMTS terrestrial radio‐access network. Additionally, we propose necessary improvements to these legacy schemes and explain the necessity of these modifications. The proposed schemes are implemented in the ns‐2 network simulator and are evaluated under various network conditions and topologies. Finally, we measure the performance of the proposed modified schemes and compare them with the corresponding legacy mechanisms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An improved mechanism for multiple MBMS sessions assignment in B3G cellular networks

In Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), the downlink capacity is limited by the base station transmission power. Therefore, power control plays an important role to minimize the transmitted power shared among unicast and multicast users within a cell. In Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS), power control targets to the efficient utilization of radio and network resources. However, the expected high demand for such services stresses the need for an efficient scheme, capable of dynamically allocating radio resources to parallel MBMS sessions. This paper proposes a power control mechanism for efficient MBMS session assignment in next generation UMTS networks. The mechanism shares efficiently the available power resources of UMTS base stations to MBMS sessions running in the network. Furthermore, the mechanism is evaluated through several realistic scenarios and the results indicate the ability of the mechanism to utilize efficiently the radio resources and to ensure the service continuity when parallel MBMS services run in the network. Our approach is compared with current 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) approaches, such as these presented in TS 25.346 and in TR 25.922, in order to highlight the enhancements that it provides.     

Exploiting MIMO Technology for Optimal MBMS Power Allocation

In mobile networks, the provision of rich multimedia services, such as Mobile TV, is considered of key importance. To this end, Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS)—that was introduced in the Release 6 of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)—is envisaged to play an instrumental role in the proliferation of mobile market. The reason behind the design of MBMS was the need to provide multiple users with the same data at the same time in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) cellular networks. Still, MBMS performance is limited by the base stations’ transmission power. As an aftermath, efficient power allocation techniques should be implemented so as to ensure the mass provision of multimedia applications to mobile users. This paper proposes a novel mechanism for efficient radio bearer selection during MBMS transmissions. The proposed mechanism is based on the concept of transport channels combination in any cell of the network. Furthermore, the mechanism exploits the performance enhancements emerged from Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas and manages to efficiently deliver multiple MBMS sessions. The proposed mechanism is thoroughly evaluated and compared with the radio bearer selection mechanisms proposed by 3GPP.     

An Efficient Mechanism for Multicast Data Transmission in UMTS

In this paper, we present an efficient scheme for the multicast transmission of the data in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). We take advantage of the tree topology of the examined network and we introduce the use of Routing Lists (RLs) in the nodes of the UMTS. The adoption of these lists leads to the decrement of the transmitted packets and to the efficient use of network resources in the multicast transmission of the data. We describe in detail the appropriate steps for the successful multicast transfer of data. Furthermore, we analyze the handling of special cases such as user mobility scenarios. Especially, the various handover types are examined along with the Serving Radio Network Subsystem relocation procedure. Finally, we implement our approach in the NS-2 simulator and we present the performance of the multicast mechanism.     

IMT—Advanced增强多媒体多播技术

多媒体多播（MBMS）通过点到多点方式实现由一个数据源向多个用户发送数据,能有效节省网络资源,是下一代宽带移动通信系统关注的重点技术。文章基于MBMS技术的发展历程、最新标准进展、前沿研究热点、演进过程,剖析了第3代移动通信系统（UMTS）R6MBMS和第3．9代移动通信系统（LTE）R10增强多媒体多播（E—MBMS）的逻辑架构;阐述了LTER10中E-MBMS的协议设计,包括关键术语、区域配置、逻辑信道映射和复用、控制消息流程及计数过程;给出了IMT—Advanced中E-MBMS技术发展,包括多基站协作、分层编码、喷泉码传输和终端协作传输的新趋势。     

基于MBMS的手机电视技术

多媒体广播组播业务(MBMS)是3GPP Release 6版本中引入的一项重大功能,目的在于节省系统资源,为用户提供广播或者组播的分组数据业务.作为一种具体的MBMS应用,手机电视技术在3G业务中占有重要的地位.文中介绍了多媒体广播和组播技术(MBMS),包括MBMS的网络结构、业务流程以及基于TD-SCDMA的MBMS系统架构,对LTE中的E-MBMS技术进行了初步研究,并从逻辑结构、业务模式和信道结构等方面简单分析了从MBMS到E-MBMS的演进.     

An efficient scheme for single-cell point-to-multipoint e-MBMS transmission

多媒体广播多播业务（MBMS）是3GPP-R6版本中定义的一种典型的广播、多播业务。随着技 术的演进,在LTE系统中 提出了增强的MBMS,即e-MBMS业务。针对e-MBMS业务,提出了一种有效的技术解决 方案。该方案可看作下行发射分集、基于DoA的波束赋形与HARQ技术的结合。同时,仿真结 果也表明,该方案相对于单独的发射分集来说能带来显著的性能增益。     

Cost optimization of MBSFN and PTM transmissions for reliable multicasting in LTE networks

Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems have been specified and designed to accommodate small, high performance, power-efficient, end-user devices. The evolved Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (e-MBMS) feature is introduced by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as a complement to the existing MBMS service in order to accommodate multicast groups that are interested in receiving the same data. MBMS service is provided by MBMS over a Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) and/or Point-To-Multipoint (PTM) transmission methods. One of the challenges of MBMS is the complete error recovery of the transmitted files, a matter of great importance since the distribution of binary data must result in 100% error-free download. To fulfill this tight requirement, Forward Error Correction (FEC) mechanism has been proposed by 3GPP. In this work, we investigate the reliable multicasting by introducing a transmission method that combines the advantages of MBSFN and PTM transmission methods. We compare several FEC-based file recovery methods and evaluate them against various network parameters in a realistic simulation environment. The comparison is based on a cost-oriented analysis of MBMS service that takes into account the transmission cost over all the interfaces and nodes of the LTE architecture. The simulation results are performed with the aid of a new simulation tool and show that the performance of the file repair schemes depend on the network configuration.     

Multicast Broadcast Services Support in OFDMA-Based WiMAX Systems [Advances in Mobile Multimedia]

Multimedia stream service provided by broadband wireless networks has emerged as an important technology and has attracted much attention. An all-IP network architecture with reliable high-throughput air interface makes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access (OFDMA)-based mobile worldwide interoperability for microwave access (mobile WiMAX) a viable technology for wireless multimedia services, such as voice over IP (VoIP), mobile TV, and so on. One of the main features in a WiMAX MAC layer is that it can provide'differentiated services among different traffic categories with individual QoS requirements. In this article, we first give an overview of the key aspects of WiMAX and describe multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) architecture of the 3GPP. Then, we propose a multicast and broadcast service (MBS) architecture for WiMAX that is based on MBMS. Moreover, we enhance the MBS architecture for mobile WiMAX to overcome the shortcoming of limited video broadcast performance over the baseline MBS model. We also give examples to demonstrate that the proposed architecture can support better mobility and offer higher power efficiency.     

Efficient Resource Allocation Based on Layered Coding in Single Frequency Network with Limited Feedback Scheme

Single frequency network (SFN) can provide Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) over a large coverage area, so it receives more and more attention from both academia and industry. However, the application of SFN is still restricted by a large number of feedbacks. Therefore, we propose a novel multicast resource allocation algorithm based on limited feedback scheme. In the algorithm, we first design a user limited feedback scheme based on channel gain threshold to effectively reduce feedback load. The scheme determines to which base stations users should report channel state information. Next, to overcome the MBMS capacity limitation drawback, we encode the MBMS data into a base layer and multiple enhancement layers and develop a joint subcarrier and power allocation strategy to maximize the throughput of enhancement layers while guaranteeing the rate requirement of base layer. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces 83 % of the feedback overhead while achieving a comparable multicast throughput performance to the case of full feedback.     

A multicast mechanism for mobile networks

This letter proposes a multicast table approach to support GSM/UMTS multicast that minimizes the paging cost. The implementation and execution of the multicast tables are very efficient. The costs for updating these tables can be ignored compared with the costs of standard location update procedures. Furthermore, our mechanism can be implemented within the mobility databases without modifying the standard location update messages. We show that our mechanism always outperforms the existing GSM/UMTS multicast mechanisms     

Modulation and coding scheme selection in multimedia broadcast over a single frequency network‐enabled long‐term evolution networks

Long term evolution constitutes the next generation cellular network beyond 3G that is designed to support the explosion in demand for bandwidth‐hungry multimedia services in wireless networks by providing an extremely high performance radio access technology. To support multimedia broadcast/multicast services (MBMS), long term evolution offers the functionality to transmit MBMS over a single frequency network, where a time‐synchronized common waveform is transmitted from multiple cells for a given duration. This enables over‐the‐air combining, thus significantly improving the spectral efficiency (SE) compared with conventional MBMS operations. In MBMS over a single frequency network transmissions, the achieved SE is mainly determined by the modulation and coding scheme selected. This study proposes and evaluates four approaches for the selection of the modulation and coding scheme. Each approach corresponds to different users' distribution and multimedia traffic conditions. On the basis of SE measurements, we determine the approach that either maximizes or achieves a target SE for the corresponding users' distribution and traffic conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A multicast mechanism for UMTS

This article aims to investigate multicast deployment issues and requirements in the context of UMTS networks. We propose a multicast mechanism that supports resource-efficient multicast packet delivery. The proposed scheme allows multicast packets to be transferred in an optimal manner on shared links toward multiple destinations. We describe the mechanisms of the proposed scheme in establishing multicast tunnels within the network and performing group management. We explore the differences between the proposed scheme and the multimedia broadcast/multicast service of the 3GPP, and outline the advantages and disadvantages of both multicast schemes.     

An improved MBMS power counting mechanism towards long term evolution

One of the key objectives of beyond 3rd generation mobile networks is the realization of enhanced end-user experience through the provision of rich multimedia services. Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (MBMS) framework epitomizes the increasing popularity of such applications and is envisaged to play an instrumental role for the Long Term Evolution (LTE) proliferation in mobile market. For exploiting resource efficiency, MBMS specifications consider the Counting Mechanism which decides whether it is more efficient to deliver MBMS multicast traffic over Point-to-Point (PTP) or Point-to-Multipoint (PTM) bearers. However, the necessity to further improve MBMS resource efficiency and integrate new technologies in the frame of LTE stresses the need for an advanced Counting Mechanism. In this work we propose a novel Power Counting Mechanism for efficient selection of MBMS bearers. The proposed mechanism optimally utilizes power resources and exploits broadband characteristics and performance enhancements emerged from Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas used in LTE networks.     

SIP Multicast-Based Mobile Quality-of-Service Support over Heterogeneous IP Multimedia Subsystems

The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) all-IP network supports IP multimedia services through the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). This paper proposes a mobile Quality-of-Service (QoS) framework for heterogeneous IMS interworking. To reduce the handoff disruption time, this framework supports the IMS mobility based on the concept of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) multicast. In our approach, the mobility of a User Equipment (UE) is modeled as a transition in the multicast group membership. With the concept of dynamic shifting of the multicast group's members, the flow of actual data packets can be switched to the new route as quickly as possible. To overcome mobility impact on service guarantees, UEs need to make QoS resource reservations in advance at neighboring IMS networks, where they may visit during the lifetime of the ongoing sessions. These locations become the leaves of the multicast tree in our approach. To obtain more efficient use of the scarce wireless bandwidth, our approach allows UEs to temporarily exploit the inactive bandwidths reserved by other UEs in the current IMS/access network. Analytic and simulation models are developed to investigate our resource reservation scheme. The results indicate that our scheme yields comparable performance to that of the previously proposed channel assignment schemes.     

A Study on a Differentiated Service Queuing Scheme Based on Transmitted Bytes Within a UMTS Core Network Gateway

Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) is a popular 3G system to support network applications full of variety. According to the quality of service (QoS) features of four types of UMTS traffic, this study proposes a BBQ (byte-based queuing) scheme to handle a UMTS packet forwarding process in differentiation. With the BBQ scheme, four types of UMTS traffic depend on their QoS features to receive differentiated packet forwarding performance within a UMTS core network. Several scenarios are simulated to realize the packet transmission performance of the BBQ scheme. Moreover, a packet transmission performance comparison between the IETF RIO scheme and the BBQ scheme is discussed in this study. The simulation results show that a differentiated packet forwarding behavior among UMTS traffic can be provided by the BBQ scheme with low cost operation/architecture; this demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed queuing scheme.