CDN Bitrate Determination via Preliminary Network Capability Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streamed video delivery over the Internet faces challenges in selecting an optimal bitrate due to bottlenecks introduced by content originators, content delivery networks (CDNs), or Internet service providers, leading to user experience issues as connection tests can take several seconds and are often required after fast forwarding or rewinding, similar to traditional cable or satellite television.
Innovation Solution
A content delivery network (CDN) system that intelligently determines a suitable bitrate for content streams by retrieving characteristics of the access network, content object, and CDN, allowing for the selection of an appropriate algorithm to deliver content at the optimal bitrate to the end-user system, thereby reducing the need for frequent connection tests and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a streaming device uses a fixed algorithm to determine bitrate based on connection testing, then the bitrate selection adapts to network conditions, but the user experience is greatly affected due to testing taking several seconds and requiring retests after fast forwarding or rewinding
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining bitrate capabilities during initial connection establishment. The CDN server stores bitrate capability information after the initial connection test, allowing subsequent requests to use this pre-determined information without requiring repeated connection testing, thus eliminating the time loss for fast forwarding or rewinding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of connection capability information and stores it on the CDN server. Instead of re-testing the connection each time, the player requests and uses the copied capability information from the server, which significantly reduces the time required for bitrate determination during subsequent streaming operations
2Measurement precision
If connection testing is performed frequently to maintain optimal bitrate, then bitrate selection remains accurate, but user experience is disrupted by the testing process
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the CDN server store and return connection capability information to the player. The server provides feedback about the determined bitrate capabilities, allowing the player to make accurate bitrate selections without performing new connection tests, thus maintaining accuracy while avoiding user experience disruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The connection capability information is determined in advance and stored on the server, so when the player needs to select a bitrate for fast forwarding or rewinding, the information is already available without requiring new testing, thus maintaining accuracy while ensuring ease of operation
3Measurement precision
If the system uses traditional connection testing methods, then bitrate determination is performed from the end user system perspective, but the process is slow and affects streaming performance
Solution Approach 1:
The CDN server acts as an intermediary between the player and the network. Instead of the player directly performing connection tests, the server performs the capability determination and stores the results. The player then requests this pre-determined information from the server, which maintains measurement precision while significantly improving streaming delivery speed by eliminating repeated testing
Solution Approach 2:
The connection capability determination is performed in advance by the CDN server and the results are stored. When the player needs bitrate information, it is already available from the preliminary action, thus maintaining precision while improving productivity by avoiding time-consuming re-testing
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for delivering content objects over the Internet to an end user system with a content delivery network (CDN) is disclosed that allows for intelligent bandwidth determination for content streams. A content object is delivered with the CDN using the Internet. When a content object is requested by an end user media player, characteristics of the access network, the content object and/or the CDN are used to choose an suitable algorithm. The algorithm then determines a bitrate for delivery of the content object to the end user media player. Ultimately, the content object is transmitted at the bitrate to the end user media player.