Downlink multicast for efficient front-haul utilization in a c-ran
AssigneeCommScope Technologies LLC
InventorStuart D. Sandberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment is directed to transmitting downlink user data over the front haul in C-RAN using multicast addressing. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Claims20
A system to provide wireless service comprising:
- a controller;
- and
- a plurality of radio points;
- wherein each of the radio points is associated with at least one antenna and remotely located from the controller, wherein the plurality of radio points is communicatively coupled to the controller over a front haul;
- wherein the controller and the plurality of radio points are configured to implement a base station in order to provide wireless service to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a cell;
- wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a core network of a wireless service provider;
- wherein the controller is configured to determine a simulcast zone for a UE, the simulcast zone comprising a plurality of radio points from which downlink user data is wirelessly communicated to the UE;
- wherein the controller is configured to attempt to form a multicast zone for the simulcast zone, the multicast zone comprising a plurality of multicast groups implemented by the front haul;
- wherein the controller is configured to, if the multicast zone is successfully formed, transmit downlink user data for the UE to the radio points in the simulcast zone over the front haul by transmitting the downlink user data to the multicast groups.
A method of providing wireless service to user equipment (UE) using a system comprising a controller and a plurality of radio points, wherein each of the radio points is associated with at least one antenna and remotely located from the controller, wherein the plurality of radio points is communicatively coupled to the controller over a front haul, and wherein the controller and the plurality of radio points are configured to implement a base station in order to provide wireless service to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a cell, the method comprising:
- determining a simulcast zone for a UE, the simulcast zone comprising a plurality of radio points from which downlink user data is wirelessly communicated to the UE;
- attempting to form a multicast zone for the simulcast zone, the multicast zone comprising a plurality of multicast groups implemented by the front haul;
- and
- if the multicast zone is successfully formed, transmitting downlink user data for the UE to the radio points in the simulcast zone over the front haul by transmitting the downlink user data to the multicast groups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.