Method and Apparatus For Data Packet Transport In a Wireless Communication System Using an Internet Protocol

Abstract

Method and apparatus for data packet transport in a wireless transmission system supporting broadcast transmissions. A multicast tree is built between nodes through neighboring routers. The multicast tree forms a tunnel through which the broadcast content is transmitted. The broadcast message is encapsulated in an Internet Protocol packet for transmission through the multicast tree. At least one multicast tree is formed between the Internet portion of the system and the wireless portion of the system, such as the Access Network. In one embodiment, an external multicast tree is formed between a content source and a packet data service node, and an internal multicast tree is formed between the packet data service node and a packet control function node.

1 . An infrastructure apparatus for providing broadcast transmissions from a wired communication network to a wireless communication network, the infrastructure apparatus comprising:
 means for establishing one or more secure tunnels to communicate with one or more infrastructure entities of the wireless communication network;   means for joining a multicast tree associated with the wired communication network;   means for receiving a multicast transmission over the multicast tree, wherein the multicast transmission comprises an encapsulated packet; and   means for transmitting the encapsulated packet over the one or more secure tunnels.   
     
     
         2 . The infrastructure apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for receiving requests from the one or more infrastructure entities to join the multicast tree. 
     
     
         3 . The infrastructure apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multicast transmission identifies its source as an intermediate node and the encapsulated packet identities its source as a selected content source of the wired communication network. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for providing broadcast transmissions from a wired communication network to a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
 circuitry configured to establish one or more secure tunnels to communicate with one or more infrastructure entities of the wireless communication network; join a multicast tree associated with the wired communication network; receive a multicast transmission over the multicast tree, wherein the multicast transmission comprises an encapsulated packet; and transmit the encapsulated packet over the one or more secure tunnels.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive requests from the one or more infrastructure entities to join the multicast tree. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the multicast transmission identifies its source as an intermediate node and the encapsulated packet identifies its source as a selected content source of the wired communication network. 
     
     
         7 . A method for providing broadcast transmissions from a wired communication network to a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
 establishing one or more secure tunnels to communicate with one or more infrastructure entities of the wireless communication network;   joining a multicast tree associated with the wired communication network;   receiving a multicast transmission over the multicast tree, wherein the multicast transmission comprises an encapsulated packet; and   transmitting the encapsulated packet over the one or more secure tunnels.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising receiving requests from the one or more infrastructure entities to join the multicast tree. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the multicast transmission identifies its source as an intermediate node and the encapsulated packet identifies its source as a selected content source of the wired communication network. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product for providing broadcast transmissions from a wired communication network to a wireless communication network, the computer program product comprising:
 a computer-readable medium encoded with instructions executable to:
 establish one or more secure tunnels to communicate with one or more infrastructure entities of the wireless communication network; 
 join a multicast tree associated with the wired communication network; 
 receive a multicast transmission over the multicast tree, wherein the multicast transmission comprises an encapsulated packet; and 
 transmit the encapsulated packet over the one or more secure tunnels. 
   
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , further encoded with instructions executable to receive requests from the one or more infrastructure entities to join the multicast tree. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the multicast transmission identifies its source as an intermediate node and the encapsulated packet identifies its source as a selected content source of the wired communication network.