Clock-Synchronized Rate Control Over Stochastic Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, synchronizing data transmission rates across components connected through stochastic networks is challenging due to unpredictable delays, which can lead to synchronization issues and inefficiencies in multiplexing data from multiple encoders into a constant-bitrate stream.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a local clock is synchronized with a remote clock to within a maximum offset, using time stamps and rate messages to adjust data rates, ensuring accurate synchronization and processing of data messages across non-deterministic communication links, employing phase-locked loops or statistical estimation for synchronization and rate adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stochastic network is used for communication, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but message synchronization precision deteriorates due to random delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces deterministic timing mechanisms with statistical timing mechanisms. Instead of relying on fixed delay values, the system uses statistical estimates of delay distributions to predict message arrival times and adjust synchronization accordingly. This substitution allows the system to maintain synchronization precision while operating over flexible stochastic networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes timing parameters based on observed network conditions. By continuously monitoring actual message delays and adjusting statistical delay models, the system adapts to varying network conditions while maintaining synchronization. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to exploit network flexibility while compensating for timing uncertainty.
2Measurement precision
If deterministic connections are used for high-precision synchronization, then message synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of versatility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal synchronization mechanism that works over both deterministic and stochastic networks. By implementing statistical delay estimation and adaptive timing adjustment, the same synchronization infrastructure can handle multiple network types, eliminating the need for separate deterministic connections and reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rate adjustment is performed without considering delay bounds, then data rate adaptability is improved, but message delivery reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary estimation of delay bounds and incorporates these estimates into rate adjustment decisions before messages are transmitted. By pre-calculating appropriate data rates based on statistical delay models, the system ensures that messages will be delivered reliably while maintaining maximum possible adaptability to network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops that continuously monitor message delivery timing and use this information to refine statistical delay estimates and adjust data rates. This feedback mechanism ensures that rate adaptability is maintained while reliability is preserved through continuous adaptation to actual network behavior.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate message synchronization and efficient data transmission over stochastic networks, reducing variations in delivery times and enabling flexible communication configurations, even with large delays, by ensuring data arrives on time for processing.
Implementation Method 1
A rate message from the remote component is received at the local component, where the rate message includes a first time stamp. A data rate of the local component is adjusted using the rate message when the time of the local clock substantially matches a time determined using the first time stamp.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to communicate between a local component and a remote component, where the local component is connected to the remote component using a non-deterministic communication link. A local clock is synchronized with a remote clock to within a maximum offset. A rate message from the remote component is received at the local component, where the rate message includes a first time stamp. A data rate is adjusted using the rate message when the time of the local clock substantially matches a time determined using the first time stamp. A data message is sent to the remote component using the adjusted data rate, where the data message includes a second time stamp for use in processing data in the data message. In some implementations, the time determined using the first time stamp is also determined using information about a communication link delay and/or a clock offset.