Adaptive Streaming via Multipath Bandwidth Probing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive streaming technologies, particularly those using RTSP/RTP protocols, struggle to effectively manage network bandwidth fluctuations, leading to degraded user experience due to freezing issues in IPTV environments, and fail to leverage existing IPTV equipment efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows immediate control over streaming rates by utilizing multiple communication paths, enabling seamless switching between different bit rates and probing network capacity through the RTSP protocol, allowing clients to request fragments from multiple servers to adapt to changing network conditions without modifying existing server infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single unicast link is used for streaming, then the system is simple to manage, but the user experience degrades due to freezing issues when network bandwidth fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the streaming content into multiple chunks that can be downloaded in parallel from different servers or paths. This allows the system to maintain simplicity in management while improving reliability by distributing the streaming load across multiple independent transmission paths, preventing freezing when one path experiences bandwidth fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple unicast streaming paths into a single adaptive streaming session. By merging multiple transmission paths and using a unified control mechanism that monitors bandwidth conditions across all paths, the system achieves both simplicity in management (through centralized control) and reliability (through redundant paths).
2Reliability
If multiple communication paths are used for adaptive streaming, then the user experience improves through seamless switching between bit rates, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism that manages multiple communication paths. This intermediary component monitors bandwidth conditions, selects appropriate paths, and coordinates chunk downloads from different servers. By using this intermediary layer, the system achieves reliable adaptive streaming without requiring complex modifications to the underlying RTSP/RTP protocols or existing IPTV infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection and bit rate switching based on real-time bandwidth monitoring. The system continuously adapts its streaming parameters by selecting from multiple available paths, allowing seamless transitions between different bit rates. This dynamic approach improves reliability while keeping complexity manageable through algorithmic adaptation rather than hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If RTSP/RTP protocols are used for streaming control, then compatibility with existing IPTV infrastructure is maintained, but the ability to adapt to varying network characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial modification to the RTSP protocol by introducing optional parameters and extensions that enable adaptive streaming without completely redesigning the protocol stack. By implementing adaptive features as optional enhancements rather than fundamental changes, the system achieves improved network adaptability while maintaining compatibility with existing IPTV infrastructure and avoiding excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a system for adaptive streaming in a multipath environment comprising a plurality of servers (14, 16, 18) being respectively capable of transmitting multimedia content in a RTP/RTSP environment through a respective data path (20, 22, 24) to a client (12), wherein the client (12) includes a controller means (40) being capable of probing each of said data paths (20, 22, 24) in order to determine a respective bandwidth associated to each of said data paths (20, 22, 24) and to request a chunk of said multimedia content for each of said servers (14, 16, 18) according to the respective bandwidth. In addition, the invention relates to a method for adaptive streaming in a multipath environment.