Adaptive Bitrate Video Prefetching via Lower Quality Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video data transmission over computer networks faces challenges in maintaining high quality video delivery while reducing bandwidth utilization costs, particularly when using lower quality communication paths with high latency, packet drop, or jitter.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an adaptive bit rate (ABR) method where network appliances detect steady-state conditions in video downloads and prefetch subsequent video segments using lower quality links, optimizing the use of available bandwidth and reducing the demand on high-quality links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video segments are downloaded using high-quality connection paths, then video delivery quality is maintained, but bandwidth utilization costs increase and high-quality link resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by prefetching video segments before they are actually needed for playback. Network appliances detect steady-state conditions and proactively download future video segments using available lower-quality links during periods when the high-quality link is being used for current segment delivery. This advance preparation ensures that when segments are needed, they are already available, maintaining playback quality while freeing up expensive high-quality bandwidth for other traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network appliances as intermediary devices that perform WAN virtualization and segment prefetching operations. These appliances act as mediators between the video source and the end user, intelligently routing current video segments through high-quality links while prefetching future segments through lower-quality links. The intermediary manages the complexity of multi-path routing and quality management, allowing the system to utilize lower-quality paths without compromising the user's perceived video quality.
2Loss of energy
If lower quality links are used for video transmission, then bandwidth costs are reduced, but video delivery quality and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system downloads video segments in advance during steady-state periods using lower-quality links. By prefetching segments before they are needed for playback, the system can utilize lower-quality, lower-cost links without risking playback quality. The prefetching occurs when there is sufficient time margin, ensuring that even if lower-quality links have higher latency or packet loss, the segments are already downloaded and ready for immediate delivery to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels to different parts of the video stream at different times. Current video segments being played are delivered through high-quality links to ensure playback quality, while future segments that are being prefetched use lower-quality links to reduce costs. This local differentiation of quality requirements allows the system to optimize costs without compromising the user's actual viewing experience.
3Productivity
If prefetching is performed using lower quality links, then high-quality link resources are freed for priority traffic, but the complexity of path management increases
Solution Approach 1:
Network appliances serve as intermediary devices that centralize the complexity of multi-path management. These appliances implement WAN virtualization and maintain awareness of multiple connection paths, their qualities, and current usage. By concentrating the path management logic in these intermediary devices rather than distributing it across multiple points in the network, the system can handle complex multi-path routing while keeping the overall architecture manageable. The intermediaries abstract the complexity from the end systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where network appliances automatically detect steady-state conditions, select appropriate prefetch paths, and manage segment routing without requiring manual intervention. The appliances monitor link qualities, calculate prefetch timing, and dynamically adjust routing decisions based on current network conditions. This automation reduces the operational complexity that would otherwise be required to manage multiple path qualities and coordinates prefetching operations.
4Loss of energy
If steady-state detection and prefetching logic is implemented, then bandwidth optimization is achieved, but the complexity of download session management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The download session management system implements self-service through automated detection of steady-state conditions and dynamic prefetching decisions. Network appliances continuously monitor download progress, link qualities, and timing parameters, automatically determining when to initiate prefetching operations. The system calculates whether sufficient time is available to download segments using lower-quality links without impacting playback schedules, and adjusts its behavior accordingly. This automation achieves bandwidth optimization while managing complexity through intelligent algorithms rather than manual processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Delivery of high quality video in an adaptive bit rate (ABR) download session is achieved using obtained using lower quality communication paths. The method involves detecting that an ABR download session of a video is in a steady-state condition. If so a further determination is made as to whether there is sufficient pre-fetch time available to download an (N+1)th video segment of the video using at alternative connection path through a virtual WAN having a lower quality than a first connection path through the virtual WAN. If sufficient pre-fetch time is available, the (N+1)th video segment is prefetched using at least the second connection path instead of the first connection path.