Deriving Audio Parameters from AES67 RTP Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In audio over IP networks using the AES67 standard, network administrators struggle to derive audio parameter values such as sampling frequency and number of audio channels from IP packets, as this information is not directly available within the packets, leading to challenges in error-free data transmission and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that derive the number of samples per channel and sampling frequency by analyzing timestamp differences in RTP headers and UDP packet lengths, allowing network administrators to extract audio parameter values from AES67-compatible audio information signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If audio information is transmitted as pure bitstream in IP packets according to AES67 standard, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but network administrators cannot obtain audio parameter information (sampling frequency, number of channels) from the packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) headers as an intermediary to carry audio parameter information within the IP packet stream. The RTP headers contain timestamp fields that encode sampling frequency and sequence number information that reveals the number of channels, allowing network administrators to extract audio parameters without adding separate configuration channels.
2Device complexity
If configuration data is transmitted via a different channel from audio data, then data transmission is simplified, but network administrators cannot monitor or verify audio stream properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges audio data transmission with parameter information by embedding timestamp and sequence number fields directly within the RTP headers that accompany the audio samples. This combining allows network administrators to monitor and derive audio parameters (sampling frequency, number of channels) from the same data stream that carries the audio content, eliminating the need for separate configuration channels.
3Reliability
If timestamp comparison method is used to detect erroneous packets, then error detection capability is improved, but the method only works for streams with constant sampling rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends error detection capability to variable sampling rate streams by using sequence number fields in RTP headers alongside timestamp comparison. The sequence numbers provide a reliable ordering mechanism that works regardless of sampling rate changes, while timestamps provide timing information. This combination of parameters enables error detection in both constant and variable sampling rate scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for deriving audio parameter values from an AES67-compatible audio information signal formed from a serial data stream of successive IP packets (IP(i)), in which the IP packets contain an IP header (IP HDR), a UDP header (UDP HDR), an RTP header (RTP HDR) and a data field (DATA), and audio parameter values, such as sampling rate and number of channels, are derived from information stored in the headers.