Packet encoding method to provide unequal error protection to users and/or applications data

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a packet encoding scheme to ensure unequal error protection to different bits in a packet or in multiple packets. In one embodiment, a method to process bits in a bit stream comprises scrambling the bit stream; separating the scrambled bit stream into a high priority bit stream with an order of high priority bits from left to right and a low priority bit stream with an order of low priority bits from left to right; rearranging the bits by embedding the high priority bits in the low priority bit stream while preserving the two orders, the rearranged bit stream including blocks of bits, each block including one or more high priority bits disposed left of corresponding one or more low priority bits to provide protection for the high priority bits against noise which is at least equal to protection for the low priority bits; and modulating the rearranged bit stream using Gray encoding method to produce an encoded bit stream.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to communications systems and, more particularly, to a packet encoding scheme to provide unequal error protection for different bits.[0002]In a communication system, some of the transmitted information bits require more protection than others (for example, header bits are more important than payload bits, and I-frames are more important compared to P / B-frames in MPEG video streaming). To achieve this, one of the several known techniques can be employed such as forward-error-correction (FEC) applied unequally, packet retransmissions, etc. These techniques may be used to provide unequal error protection for different packets but are not suitable to provide unequal error protection to the bits in one packet.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the invention provide a packet encoding scheme to ensure unequal error protection to different bits in a packet or in multiple packets. In one embodiment, the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a way to make sure that different bits in a packet or multiple packets have equal protection against errors. This is important because some bits are more important than others, and the method ensures that all bits are protected to the same degree. The method uses a combination of scrambling and rearranging bits to achieve this. The invention also provides a way to detect and correct errors in a packet, which can improve the reliability of the transmission. Overall, the invention provides a more effective and reliable way to protect important bits in a packet.

Problems solved by technology

These techniques may be used to provide unequal error protection for different packets but are not suitable to provide unequal error protection to the bits in one packet.

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