Codec Converter Gateway for Multi-Format Media Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP interconnection systems face challenges with codec conversion due to the lack of standardized codecs among different business networks, leading to issues with supporting multiple codec conversions, simultaneous processing of channels, and excessive delay in the conversion process, which affects real-time communication.
Innovation Solution
A codec converter and gateway device with multiple codec converting units, a media data extracting unit, resource allocation, and packet reassembling capabilities, capable of converting between various encoding modes, and utilizing a network buffer to adjust jitter, allowing for efficient routing and decoding/encoding of media data across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If codec conversion is performed at a network border using a single gateway device, then installation complexity is reduced, but the device cannot support various kinds of codec conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is segmented into multiple independent codec converting units, where each unit is dedicated to a specific codec conversion type (e.g., G.711 to EVRC, G.711 to AMR). This segmentation allows the single gateway device to support multiple codec conversion types simultaneously without increasing installation complexity, as all units are integrated into one device rather than requiring multiple separate gateways.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple codec conversion functions through its multiple codec converting units. Each unit handles a specific conversion pair, but collectively they provide universal support for various codec conversions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized gateway devices.
2Device complexity
If a single gateway device handles multiple channels, then system size is reduced, but simultaneous processing capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device processes multiple channels by segmenting the processing workload across multiple codec converting units. Each unit can independently handle channel processing, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple channels within a single gateway device. The resource allocation unit dynamically assigns channels to appropriate converting units, enabling parallel processing without requiring multiple physical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource allocation unit implements dynamic channel assignment, where channels are dynamically allocated to available codec converting units based on current load and conversion requirements. This dynamic resource management enables the system to efficiently handle varying numbers of simultaneous channels without fixed hardware limitations.
3Reliability
If codec conversion is performed using traditional methods with reproduction buffer, then packet loss interpolation is possible, but conversion process delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the reproduction buffer from the codec conversion process. Instead of storing decoded audio data in a reproduction buffer for interpolation, the system directly processes and re-encodes audio data through the codec converting units. This elimination of the reproduction buffer significantly reduces conversion delay while maintaining reliability through alternative packet loss handling mechanisms in the resource allocation unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the traditional multi-step process involving reproduction buffering and interpolation by directly transitioning from decoding to re-encoding in the codec converting units. This streamlined approach rushes through the conversion process more quickly, reducing overall delay while the resource allocation unit ensures proper handling of packet loss scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A codec converter includes: a plurality of codec converting units each configured to convert first encoded media data encoded using a first encoding mode into second encoded media data encoded using a second encoding mode different from the first encoding mode; a media data extracting unit configured to extract input-encoded media data from an input packet, and to generate conversion information that identifies a desired format conversion; a resource allocation unit configured to route the input-encoded media data to a selected one of the plurality of codec converting units based on the conversion information; and a packet reassembling unit configured to receive output-encoded media data from the selected one of the plurality of codec converting units, and to assemble the output-encoded media data into an output packet. Each of the plurality of codec converting units selects a different pair of first and second encoding modes.