Multicast and broadcast multimedia services in mobile WiMax networks

Abstract

Multicast and broadcast services in WiMAX are downlink point-to-multipoint access services optimized for transmission of a common set of multimedia data packets to a group of users. This capability enables low-cost delivery of large volumes of popular contents (e.g., for video/audio streaming and file sharing) in a mobile network. The MCBCS framework in WiMAX allows multicast/broadcast of data in a radio channel that is time shared with unicast services. In a single-frequency network, where MCBCS transmissions are synchronized or coordinated across BSs in the designated service area, the mobile stations can use macro-space diversity to improve achievable data rates and also maintain service continuity and power saving across cells with minimal interaction with the network.