Cell dependent multi-group hybrid automatic repeat request method for multicast in wireless networks

1. A method for hybrid automatic repeat request error recovery, said method comprising:

determining a recovery multicast group address using a function of a multicast group address and access point address;

transmitting a request to join a multicast group;

transmitting a request to join a recovery multicast group;

transmitting a registration message to a recovery server;

determining when a registration reply message has been received from said recovery server;

transmitting a recovery request message to said recovery server to request recovery data using said determined recovery multicast group address; and

receiving said recovery data from said recovery server, wherein said recovery data is one of error recovery data generated by cross packet coding and re-transmitted data.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said first determining act further comprises:

associating with an access point;

obtaining said access point address; and

obtaining said multicast group address.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said access point address is one of an internet protocol address and a medium access control address, wherein said multicast group address is obtained from one of a session description file and a directory server, wherein said first determining act is performed by one of applying a hash function to said medium access control address and applying a hash function to said internet protocol address.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving multicast data;

determining if any data has been lost;

determining if another device has transmitted said recovery request message;

generating said recovery request message, if no other device has transmitted said recovery request message;

determining if any recovery data has been received previously; and

unicasting said recovery request message to said recovery server if no recovery data has been previously received.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said request to join said multicast group is transmitted to one of an access point and an Ethernet switch, wherein said request to join said multicast group is performed using internet group management protocol, wherein said registration message is unicast, wherein said registration reply message includes an address of said recovery server.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining if a device is a member of a recovery multicast group; and

transmitting a reply to said recovery data, and wherein said transmitting act is performed if no other devices have replied to said recovery multicast group message and a delay time has expired.

7. An apparatus for automatic repeat request error recovery, comprising:

means for determining a recovery multicast group address using a function of a multicast group address and access point address;

means for transmitting a request to join a multicast group;

means for transmitting a request to join a recovery multicast group;

means for transmitting a registration message to a recovery server;

means for determining when a registration reply message has been received from said recovery server;

means for transmitting a recovery request message to a recovery server to request recovery data using said determined recovery multicast group address; and

means for receiving said recovery data from said recovery server, wherein said recovery data is one of error recovery data generated by cross packet coding and re-transmitted data.