Adaptive Streaming Encoder for Time-Varying Connection Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data-streaming systems, there is a need for responsive means to adapt signal content in real-time to ensure service quality as connection-state varies with time, particularly for delay-sensitive data where retransmission is not desirable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the flow rate of data from a source to a sink by acquiring measurements characterizing the connection, estimating transmittance variation, determining an adjustment to the encoding rate, and instructing the encoder to adapt the signal according to the favorable encoding rate, using encoding coefficients based on performance metrics and acceptance intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the encoding rate is increased to improve data transmission speed, then productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to buffer overflow and data loss in time-varying connections
Solution Approach 1:
The encoding rate is made dynamic by continuously adjusting it based on real-time connection state measurements. The system monitors performance metrics and adapts the encoding rate to match the current transmittance of the time-varying connection, allowing the system to optimize transmission speed while preventing data loss by reducing the rate when connection quality deteriorates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by measuring connection performance characteristics and using these measurements to adjust the encoding rate. The encoder receives feedback about the connection state and modifies its output rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances transmission productivity with reliability.
2Reliability
If the encoding rate is decreased to improve reliability and prevent data loss, then reliability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to reduced data transmission speed
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a static low encoding rate, the system dynamically adjusts the encoding rate to match the actual connection capacity. This allows the system to maintain high transmission speeds when the connection is good while reducing the rate only when necessary to prevent data loss, thus avoiding the permanent productivity loss that would result from a consistently low encoding rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the encoding rate parameter in response to measured connection conditions. By monitoring performance metrics and adjusting the encoding rate parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and productivity rather than being constrained to a fixed conservative rate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time connection state measurement and encoding rate adjustment is implemented to improve adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional measurement and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves adaptability through self-service mechanisms where the encoder automatically adjusts its own encoding rate based on measurements it receives about the connection state. The feedback loop is integrated into the existing data streaming architecture, allowing the system to adapt without requiring complex external control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement and control mechanisms are designed to work within the existing data streaming framework, using the same communication channels and processing infrastructure. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain existing functions while adding adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for adapting streaming data for transmission over a connection of time-varying capacity are disclosed. A streaming server individually adapts transmission rates of signals directed to subtending clients according to measurements characterizing connections from the streaming server to the clients. The measurements may relate to characteristics such as transfer delay, data-loss fraction, and occupancy level of a buffer at a client's receiver. A flow controller associated with the streaming server derives metrics from measurements taken over selected time windows to determine a permissible transmission rate from the server to each active client. Metrics related to a specific characteristic may include a mean value over a moving window as well as short and long term tendencies of respective measurements. An adaptable encoder at the streaming server encodes signals to meet permissible transmission rates.