Codec-Aware RAN Transport With Unequal Error Protection for Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in delivering high-fidelity quality of experience (QoE) for emerging applications like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and cloud gaming due to varying quantitative constraints such as rate, reliability, and latency, especially as video traffic increases with higher resolutions, and existing technologies lack the ability to optimize transmission strategies based on video codec-specific semantics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of video codec-aware radio access network (RAN) configuration and unequal error protection (UEP) coding, which involves detecting video coded traffic streams, aligning video codec abstraction layer units with physical layer transport elements, and applying forward error correction (FEC) coding based on channel coding rate allocation to protect against radio transmission errors, allowing for dynamic adaptation and selective error protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video coded traffic streams are transmitted over wireless networks with standard error protection, then transmission coverage is maintained, but transmission errors occur that degrade quality of experience for immersive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies unequal error protection by assigning different levels of forward error correction to different parts of the video stream. Important data units (I-frames, P-frames) receive stronger error protection while less critical data receives standard protection, thereby improving overall transmission reliability for critical video content without uniformly increasing protection across all data
Solution Approach 2:
The video coded traffic stream is segmented into transport blocks that are further divided into code block groups. This segmentation allows selective application of error protection mechanisms to specific segments based on their importance, enabling targeted error prevention for critical video data units while maintaining efficient transmission
2Reliability
If forward error correction coding is applied to all video data uniformly, then transmission errors are reduced, but transmission efficiency decreases due to increased overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform error protection, the patent implements differential error protection where the strength of forward error correction varies by data unit importance. Critical video data receives enhanced protection while non-critical data uses standard protection, reducing overall redundancy overhead while maintaining reliability for important content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies excessive error protection only to critical portions of the video stream (I-frames, P-frames) rather than all data. This partial application of enhanced protection achieves sufficient error protection for quality-critical data without the excessive overhead that would result from uniform strong protection across the entire stream
3Reliability
If video codec aware configuration is implemented, then quality of experience is improved through optimized error protection, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs video codec aware configuration where the system detects video traffic patterns and codec specifications, then dynamically adjusts error protection parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automated optimization of quality of experience based on actual video content characteristics without requiring manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting video codec specifications and traffic patterns, then autonomously optimizes error protection settings. This self-service capability improves quality of experience through adaptive error protection without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for video codec aware RAN configuration and unequal error protection coding. An apparatus includes a processor that detects a video coded traffic stream and a video codec specification used to encode the video coded traffic stream, determines an awareness of video coded traffic application data units (“ADUs”) of the video coded traffic stream as video coded network abstraction layer (“NAL”) units of data, aligns the video coded NAL units of the video coded traffic stream to physical layer (“PHY”) transport elements and subsequent channel coding element partitions for a video coded traffic aware PHY transport, determines a channel coding rate allocation of the channel coding element partitions, and applies a forward error correction (“FEC”) coding given at least the determined channel coding rate allocation of the video coded traffic aware PHY transport to channel coding element partitions for protection against radio transmission errors.