AVB Network Inter-Domain Linking via Layer 3 Protocol Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio Video Bridging (AVB) networks face challenges in maintaining quality-of-service and low latency when extended across large geographical areas or involving a large number of devices, making real-time streaming impractical due to inherent latency in Internet connections and difficulty in tracking and synchronizing network devices.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves establishing a connection between talker and listener devices by using multiple network domains, with one domain employing OSI Layer 2 protocols like AVB Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP) for synchronized data streaming, and another using OSI Layer 3 protocols like Integrated Services (IntServ) to link them through an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layer 3 protocol, effectively treating data streams as a single stream across the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If AVB network is extended across large geographical areas or Internet connections, then network coverage and reachability are improved, but latency increases and quality-of-service deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidnetwork latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into multiple AVB domains, each maintaining local quality-of-service guarantees. By segmenting the large-scale network into smaller manageable domains with controlled latency characteristics, the system achieves both extended coverage and maintained service quality within each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Border devices act as intermediaries between different AVB domains and the Internet. These border devices perform protocol translation and packet marking, enabling AVB traffic to traverse non-AVB networks while maintaining quality-of-service through intermediary translation of reservation protocols and traffic prioritization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If AVB network includes large number of talker and listener nodes, then network versatility and functionality are improved, but tracking and synchronizing devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of talker and listener nodesVSAvoiddevice tracking and synchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is organized into multiple AVB domains with border devices that manage inter-domain communication. This segmentation allows each domain to independently track and synchronize its devices, reducing overall system complexity while supporting a large total number of nodes across the federated network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Border devices perform multiple functions including protocol translation, packet marking, flow label translation, and coordination between different AVB domains. This multi-functionality consolidates management complexity into specialized border devices rather than requiring every device to participate in complex global synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3420691B1Data streaming with layer 2 and layer 3 reservations
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3420691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3420691B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3420691B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The various embodiments set forth a method of establishing a connection between a talker device and a listener device over a network. The method comprises receiving first stream identification information for a first data stream segment disposed in a first layer 2 domain that includes a talker device, based at least in part on a mapping of the first stream identification information to the second stream identification information, determining second stream identification information for a second data stream segment that links the first layer 2 domain to a second layer 2 domain that includes a listener device, and transmitting the second stream identification information to the second layer 2 domain via a layer 3 protocol.