1. RTOP: optimal user grouping and SFN clustering for multiple eMBMS video sessions
- Author
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Ahmed Khalid, Cormac J. Sreenan, and Ahmed H. Zahran
- Subjects
Optimization ,SFN clustering ,Broadcast communication ,Computer science ,Multiple eMBMS video sessions ,Cluster users ,Worst channel condition ,Unicast ,Throughput ,02 engineering and technology ,Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service ,Single frequency network ,Session (web analytics) ,Multicast communication ,Base station ,eMBMS users ,3GPP standard ,RTOP ,eNB ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Optimisation ,System utility ,Optimization problem ,Cluster analysis ,Real-time systems ,Video streaming ,Radio spectrum management ,Neighboring base stations ,business.industry ,Evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service ,020206 networking & telecommunications ,Bit rate ,Average user bitrate ,SFN clusters ,Multiple bitrates ,3G mobile communication ,Streaming media ,Broadcast communication network ,Wireless spectrum ,Scarce wireless resource utilization ,Operator-defined utility ,Multiple cell sites ,Real-time videos ,business ,Cellular radio ,Computer network ,Optimal user grouping - Abstract
Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS) is a 3GPP standard that improves the utilization of scarce wireless resources and the quality of the received content. eMBMS uses a Single Frequency Network (SFN) to transmit real-time videos over synchronized resources across neighboring base stations (eNBs) and allows users to share wireless spectrum across multiple cell sites. However the user with the worst channel condition and the eNB with the least available resources limit the throughput of a session. To overcome such limitations, the SFN can be divided into non-overlapping clusters of eNBs and in each cluster users can be split into groups. We formulate an optimization problem that maximizes an operator-defined utility for multiple eMBMS sessions served at multiple bitrates by choosing the optimal set of SFN clusters and user groups for each session. We propose an algorithm, RTOP, that finds the optimal or a near-optimal solution in real-time regardless of the number of eMBMS users. Our extensive simulations indicate that, in comparison to state-of-the-art schemes, RTOP improves the system utility and average user bitrate by up to 14% and 90% respectively. Additionally, we show that the utility of RTOP always stays within a 1% gap from the optimal solution.
- Published
- 2019