De-jitter Buffer Control Circuitry for Audio Delay Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio communication systems face issues with jitter-induced delays and underflow conditions due to varying network delays, leading to degraded user experience and audio quality.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that adjust the target delay value of a de-jitter buffer based on estimated arrival delays, synchronizing the decoding timing with the de-jitter buffer playback timing to minimize end-to-end delay and improve audio quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed target delay value is used in the de-jitter buffer, then the buffer can maintain simple operation, but the end-to-end delay increases and audio quality degrades due to inability to adapt to varying network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target delay value adjustable rather than fixed. The de-jitter buffer control circuitry dynamically determines the target delay value based on the actual arrival delay of audio packets, allowing the system to adapt to varying network conditions and minimize end-to-end delay while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the de-jitter buffer control circuitry monitor the actual arrival delay of audio packets and use this information to adjust the target delay value. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the system continuously optimizes its performance based on real-time network conditions.
2Reliability
If the target delay value is set to be unnecessarily long, then underflow conditions are prevented, but end-to-end delay increases and user experience degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the target delay value based on the actual arrival delay measurements. Instead of using a fixed unnecessarily long delay, the system dynamically sets the target delay parameter to match actual network conditions, preventing underflow when needed while minimizing delay when network conditions are stable.
3Loss of time
If the target delay value is set to be too short, then end-to-end delay is reduced, but underflow conditions occur and audio quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the de-jitter buffer control circuitry automatically determine and adjust the target delay value based on actual arrival delay measurements. The system serves itself by monitoring its own performance and making appropriate adjustments, ensuring sufficient buffer depth to prevent underflow while minimizing unnecessary delay.
4Ease of operation
If decoding is performed at a fixed interval independent of de-jitter buffer playout timing, then the decoder operation is simplified, but additional delay is introduced and synchronization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the decoding timing adaptive rather than fixed. The decoder timing control circuitry dynamically adjusts the decoding start time based on when the de-jitter buffer actually dequeues packets, ensuring decoding is synchronized with playout timing while maintaining operational simplicity through automated timing adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the decoder timing control circuitry monitor the actual dequeue timing from the de-jitter buffer and use this information to adjust decoding timing accordingly. This feedback mechanism eliminates additional delay and maintains synchronization between buffering and decoding operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes de-jitter buffer control circuitry configured to determine an arrival delay value, to determine a receive time of a first audio packet of a talk spurt, to determine a target delay value associated with a de-jitter buffer based on the arrival delay value and the receive time of the first audio packet. The apparatus also includes a decoder timing control circuitry configured, in response to detecting the first audio being dequeued from the de-jitter buffer, to cause a decoder to start decoding of the first audio packet.