Satellite based content distribution system using IP multicast technology

A system for IP multicast communication, comprising:

• a destination that transmits a request via a return channel and receives an IP multicast communication from a unidirectional communication channel;
• a source that receives the request through the return channel, and generates and transmits the IP multicast communication to the unidirectional communication channel in accordance with the request, wherein the unidirectional communication channel and the return channel operate independently;
• a director coupled to the source that receives conversion information via the return channel;
• and
• a conversion server coupled to the destination that converts the IP multicast communication to unicast in accordance with the conversion information and without requiring a routing table.

A system for IP multicast communication, comprising:

• a destination transmitting a request and receiving an IP multicast communication from a unidirectional satellite, the destination comprising,
• at least one downstream network having at least one client that generates the request,
• a reception device that receives and transmits the IP multicast communication from the unidirectional satellite to a router that is configured to communicate via a return channel, and
• a conversion server coupled to the destination that converts the IP multicast communication to unicast in accordance with conversion information;
• a source, configured to send said information to said server and to record usage statistics for a client in the destination and generate a bill in response to the usage statistics, that receives the request through the return channel, and generates and transmits the IP multicast communication to the unidirectional satellite in accordance with the request, the source comprising,
• a media server configured to output a processed media stream,
• a media encoder that receives a live media stream and transmits the live media stream to the media server for processing,
• an upstream network coupled to the media server that receives the processed media stream and generates the IP multicast communication,
• a director coupled to the source that receives the conversion information via the return channel, and
• a router coupled between the upstream network and a transmission device configured to transmit the IP multicast communication to the unidirectional satellite;
• wherein the unidirectional satellite and the return channel operate independently, and the return channel comprises the Internet.