Combining push and pull scheduling for mobile data broadcasting in convergence networks

Considering digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) with reverse channels, we propose a novel scheduling algorithm for data dissemination as a combination of push and pull schemes. After collecting statistics of requests from clients, the server partitions the data items into hot and cold sets, according to the number of requests. The broadcast server schedules and broadcasts hot items periodically based on a push algorithm. On an empty slot between hot items scheduled, the server broadcasts a cold item based on an on-demand pull mechanism. Simulations show that our proposed algorithm achieves high successful response ratio with a response time small enough to be practical.