A QoS-aware Multicast Routing Protocol for Wireless Access Networks

Abstract

This document describes an approach to integrate Quality of Service-aware multicast into Radio Access Networks (RAN). The protocol, O-MRP (Multicast Tree Optimization-enabled QoS-aware Multicast Routing Protocol) provides fast joining and leaving capabilities to support mobile users. Additionally, the protocol includes a mechanism for multicast route optimization, aiming on different optimization goals, like reduced resource consumption or minimum delay. The flexible integration of both features makes O-MRP outstanding. The approach requires changes to routers within the RAN only. Thus, the protocol is transparent to Mobile Nodes (MN) and network elements outside the RAN, which is an additional major benefit in comparison to other approaches. A simulation study compares the signalling overhead of the multicast protocol as well as the resource consumption with the classical unicast approach, widely used today.