Buffer Load Management for Low Latency Multimedia Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication solutions, particularly in low latency environments, face challenges such as high latency, susceptibility to interference, and inability to adapt dynamically to changing network conditions, making them unsuitable for real-time multimedia transmission in environments like classrooms or concerts where low latency is critical.
Innovation Solution
A method for buffer load management that involves analyzing the input rate over time, identifying periodic disturbances, and adjusting the target latency by modifying the output or input rate of a communication device's buffer, using autocorrelation and cross-correlation techniques to select relevant data patterns and apply optimal latency settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buffering is increased to compensate for network impairments, then reliability is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic buffer size adjustment by monitoring network conditions and automatically modifying the buffer size to maintain optimal balance between reliability and latency. The system transitions from static buffering to adaptive buffering that responds to real-time network state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network impairments and using this information to adjust buffer size. The feedback loop enables the system to learn from past performance and optimize buffering parameters to prevent both underflow and excessive latency.
2Speed
If buffer size is reduced to maintain low latency, then speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to network impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts buffer size based on real-time network conditions rather than using a fixed small buffer. This enables the system to maintain low latency during good network conditions while increasing buffer size when impairments are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering data during good network conditions and using this pre-buffered data to compensate for future network impairments. This proactive approach allows the system to maintain stream continuity without requiring large permanent buffers.
3Reliability
If adaptive buffer management is implemented to handle periodic disturbances, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting periodic disturbances in the network stream and adjusting buffer parameters without external intervention. The autonomous disturbance detection and adaptation mechanisms eliminate the need for manual configuration or complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffer management layer that mediates between the network input and audio output. This intermediary component absorbs periodic disturbances and provides a stable data flow to the audio playback system, isolating the complexity from the core audio processing functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for buffer load management in a communication device includes storing in a first buffer of the communication device, multimedia data comprised in data packets, determining an indication of the input rate at that first buffer and adding the indication to a second buffer containing information on the input rate over time, performing an autocorrelation on a signal comprising said information on the input rate over time, finding peaks in the autocorrelation and identifying a peak in a period to perform for the peak, a crosscorrelation of the signal comprising the information on the input rate over time with a periodic signal with given phase, selecting a part of the information on the input rate stored in the second buffer, using a reference signal, determining a target latency for the first buffer, and applying the target latency to the first buffer.