Multicast-service Distribution on a Cellular Network Assisted by Local Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper we propose an architecture for providing multicast services in 3G-cellular networks with the support from local ad hoc networks. The architecture is designed to increase the availability of high data-rate group services to wireless terminals. The architecture is based on a hybrid network which is composed of a central controlled cellular network and a number of local ad hoc networks. We present simulation results to show that this hybrid network architecture requires little cellular radio resources to provide multicast service to a majority of the mobile multicast subscribers. Two multicast routing protocols, one strongly centralized routing scheme and one distributed routing scheme, are proposed for this architecture. A detailed description of these protocols, and a rough protocoloverhead analysis are also given in the paper.