Channel Bonding Across Network Types
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio and video communication systems face challenges in efficiently delivering content across different network types, particularly in managing bandwidth and synchronizing data streams across various communication channels, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions in content delivery.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of channel bonding techniques, where multiple communication channels are bonded together to form a bonded channel group, allowing for flexible distribution of data streams using marker packets and round-robin distribution methods, enabling efficient delivery of audio and video content across diverse network types by synchronizing data across channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple communication channels are bonded together to deliver content, then the bandwidth and content delivery capability are improved, but the complexity of managing and synchronizing data streams across different network types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel bonding management into distinct functional components: a distributor that divides content into chunks and assigns them to specific channels, and collators at each endpoint that reassemble the chunks. This segmentation allows independent management of distribution and reassembly processes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high content delivery capability across multiple bonded channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces marker packets as intermediary elements that facilitate synchronization and tracking across bonded channels. These marker packets carry synchronization information and channel identifiers, acting as mediators that enable the distributor and collators to coordinate their operations without requiring complex direct communication between all system components, thereby managing the complexity of multi-channel synchronization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data streams are distributed across multiple network types, then the adaptability to network conditions is improved, but the synchronization accuracy and data stream integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the distributor pre-process content into chunks and embed synchronization information in marker packets before distribution. This advance preparation ensures that when data arrives at endpoints through different network types with varying conditions, the synchronization information is already available to maintain accurate reassembly, thus preserving synchronization accuracy while enabling network adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where collators use the synchronization information from marker packets to track and reassemble chunks in the correct sequence. This feedback loop ensures that even when data traverses multiple network types with different latencies and reliability, the system can detect and correct synchronization deviations, maintaining data stream integrity while adapting to varying network conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, different network types may be channel bonded to function as a single logical channel.