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 use by a base station, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the base station, information for a multicast broadcast region indicating a pattern of sub-intervals within a time divided interval and indicating resource information for use in broadcasting multicast broadcast service data, wherein the base station belongs to the multicast broadcast region which includes a plurality of base stations;   receiving, by the base station, a multicast broadcast data stream; and   broadcasting, by the base station, the multicast broadcast data stream in at least one of the pattern of sub-intervals using the indicated resource information as an orthogonal frequency division multiplex signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multicast broadcast data stream is for a service and the resource information is for the service. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein multicast broadcast service data for the multicast broadcast region is not broadcasted in sub-intervals not of the pattern of sub-intervals. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sub-intervals are frames. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern of sub-intervals repeats each time divided interval. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received information for the multicast broadcast region constrains scheduling by the base station. 
     
     
         7 . A base station comprising:
 an interface configured to receive information for a multicast broadcast region indicating a pattern of sub-intervals within a time divided interval and indicating resource information for use to broadcast multicast broadcast service data, wherein the base station belongs to the multicast broadcast region which includes a plurality of base stations;   the interface further configured to receive a multicast broadcast data stream; and   a processor configured to control a radio interface to broadcast the multicast broadcast data stream in at least one of the pattern of sub-intervals using the indicated resource information as an orthogonal frequency division multiplex signal.   
     
     
         8 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the multicast broadcast data stream is for a service and the resource information is for the service. 
     
     
         9 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the processor does not have the interface broadcast multicast broadcast service data for the multicast broadcast region in sub-intervals not of the pattern of sub-intervals. 
     
     
         10 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the sub-intervals are frames. 
     
     
         11 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the pattern of sub-intervals repeats each time divided interval. 
     
     
         12 . The base station of  claim 7 , wherein the received information for the multicast broadcast region constrains scheduling by the processor.