Distributed Packet Loss Concealment in Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packet loss concealment methods fail to maintain acceptable signal quality when packet loss rates increase or when bursts of consecutive packet loss occur, particularly in packet switching networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distributed packet loss concealment techniques by applying loss concealment not only at the signal destination but also at intermediate points within the network path between the signal source and destination, using loss concealment processors to replace missing packets with substitutes constructed from previously received packets and knowledge of the signal source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet loss concealment is applied only at the signal destination, then the system complexity is reduced, but the perceptual signal quality deteriorates when packet loss rates increase or bursts of consecutive packet loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the packet loss concealment function into multiple segments distributed at different network nodes (intermediate nodes and destination). Each node performs concealment independently on packets it receives, segmenting the overall concealment process across multiple locations rather than concentrating it at a single destination point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate nodes as mediators between the source and destination. These intermediate nodes perform packet loss concealment on packets before they reach the destination, acting as intermediary processors that improve signal quality without requiring the destination to handle all concealment operations alone.
2Reliability
If distributed packet loss concealment is applied at intermediate points, then the perceptual signal quality improves by utilizing more original signal information, but the device complexity increases due to additional loss concealment processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes packet switching nodes multi-functional by enabling them to perform both packet switching and packet loss concealment functions. The loss concealment processors are integrated into existing network infrastructure nodes, allowing these nodes to serve multiple purposes: routing packets and concealing packet losses simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having intermediate nodes autonomously perform packet loss concealment on packets they receive, without requiring centralized control or manual intervention. Each node uses its own received packets and knowledge of the signal source to generate replacement packets, enabling autonomous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system (100) includes a packet switching network (130) configured to transfer a stream of information packets from a source (110) to a destination (120). The communications system (100) also includes at least one loss concealment processor (140) configured to perform packet loss concealment on the stream of information packets as the stream passes through an intermediate point within the packet switching network (130).