Bandwidth Estimation via Inter-Arrival Time Differentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media transmission technologies face challenges in accurately determining available bandwidth, leading to potential delays or loss of media streams when the bitrate exceeds available network capacity, particularly in real-time video transmissions over limited bandwidth channels.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining estimated available bandwidth by calculating inter-arrival time and inter-frame size differentials, using adaptive filtering to estimate a slope and offset, and detecting over-use or under-use conditions to regulate the bitrate of media streams, ensuring optimal transmission quality without exceeding network capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the bitrate of the media stream is increased to improve video quality, then the video quality is improved, but the network bandwidth is exceeded causing delays and loss of media streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bitrate adjustment by continuously monitoring network conditions (inter-arrival time differentials and inter-frame size differentials) and adapting the encoding bitrate in real-time. The sender adjusts the bitrate dynamically based on current network capacity estimates, allowing the system to optimize video quality while preventing bandwidth exhaustion that would cause stream loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the receiver measures network conditions by analyzing inter-arrival time differentials and inter-frame size differentials, sends this information back to the sender, and the sender adjusts the bitrate accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain reliable media stream delivery by responding to actual network conditions.
2Reliability
If the bitrate is reduced to ensure reliable transmission, then the reliability is improved, but the video quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a static low bitrate to ensure reliability, the system dynamically adjusts the bitrate based on real-time network conditions. When network capacity is sufficient, the bitrate is increased to improve video quality. When bandwidth is constrained, the bitrate is reduced to maintain reliable delivery. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both quality and reliability according to current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bitrate parameter dynamically based on measured network parameters (inter-arrival time differential and inter-frame size differential). By adjusting this critical parameter in response to network conditions, the system achieves both high video quality when possible and reliable delivery when necessary, eliminating the need to choose between the two extremes.
3Productivity
If real-time bandwidth measurement is implemented to optimize transmission, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement of network bandwidth using readily available data from the media stream itself (inter-arrival times and frame sizes). Both the sender and receiver can independently estimate bandwidth without requiring external measurement tools or complex infrastructure. This self-service approach achieves accurate bandwidth measurement while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inter-arrival time differentials and inter-frame size differentials as intermediary measurements to infer network bandwidth. Rather than directly measuring bandwidth with complex equipment, the system uses these easily obtainable differential values as intermediaries that correlate with network capacity, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, and method for estimating available bandwidth for transmitting a media stream over a network, the media stream having a plurality of frames. One method includes receiving some of the plurality of frames, each frame of the plurality of frames having a inter-frame size differential and an inter-arrival time differential, detecting whether at least some of the inter-arrival time differentials are outside of a steady-state range using at least some of the inter-frame size differentials, and estimating an available bandwidth based on the detected change and using a processor.