Method and apparatus for processing a multicast broadcast data stream

Abstract

A multicast broadcast service controller is disclosed. The MBSC processes multicast broadcast data streams for transmission to access service network gateways or base stations. The MBSC includes a MBSC core processor for establishing time synchronization information used by the access service network gateways or base stations to synchronously transmit data streams. The MBSC core processor selects streams for transmission in a time diversity interval (TDI) and builds multicast broadcast (MBS) region content based on the selected streams and configuration information. The MBS region content includes timing synchronization information, resource information and MBS region content location information. A MBS region distribution module (MRD) transmits the MBS region content to the access service network gateways or base stations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing a multicast broadcast data stream, comprising:
 establishing a time base to synchronize transmission of a multicast broadcast service (MBS) region by a plurality of base stations;   building MBS region scheduling information based on the multicast broadcast data stream and configuration information, wherein the MBS region scheduling information includes timing information based at least on the time base; and   transmitting the MBS region scheduling information to the base stations.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multicast broadcast data stream is a substream. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the substream for inclusion in the MBS region. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the scheduling information maps a schedule for transmission of the substream to an allocation symbol group of the MBS region. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein mapping a schedule for transmission of the substream comprises mapping to the allocation symbol group of the substream in a burst. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the substream is a first substream, the method further comprising:
 selecting a second substream for inclusion in the MBS region,   wherein building MBS region scheduling information comprises mapping the first substream to a first allocation in the MBS region and mapping the second substream to a second allocation in the MBS region.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein configuration information comprises a plurality of configuration parameters. 
     
     
         8 . A multicast broadcast service controller (MBSC) for processing a multicast broadcast data stream, comprising:
 a MBSC core processor configured to establish a time base to synchronize transmission of the multicast broadcast service (MBS) region by a plurality of base stations;   an input interface for receiving the multicast broadcast data stream and sending the multicast broadcast data stream to the MBSC core processor; and   a MBS region distribution module;   wherein the MBSC core processor is further configured to build MBS region scheduling information based on the multicast broadcast data stream and configuration information, wherein the MBS region scheduling information includes timing information based at least on the time base; and   wherein the MBS region distribution module is configured to transmit the MBS region scheduling information to the base stations.   
     
     
         9 . The multicast broadcast service controller of  claim 8 , wherein the multicast broadcast data stream is a substream. 
     
     
         10 . The multicast broadcast service controller of  claim 9 , wherein the MBSC core processor is further configured to select the substream for inclusion in the MBS region. 
     
     
         11 . The multicast broadcast service controller of  claim 9 , wherein the MBSC core processor is further configured to schedule information by mapping a schedule for transmission of the substream to an allocation symbol group of the MBS region. 
     
     
         12 . The multicast broadcast service controller of  claim 11 , wherein the MBSC core processor is further configured to map a schedule for transmission of the substream by mapping to the allocation symbol group of the substream in a burst. 
     
     
         13 . The multicast broadcast service controller of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one substream is a first substream, the MBSC core processor further configured to:
 select a second substream for inclusion in the MBS region; and   build the MBS region scheduling information by mapping the first substream to a first allocation in the MBS region and mapping the second substream to a second allocation in the MBS region.   
     
     
         14 . The multicast broadcast service controller of  claim 8 , wherein configuration information comprises a plurality of configuration parameters.