Dual-Stream Signal Encoding for VoIP Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern communication systems, particularly those using VoIP networks, face signal degradation issues due to channel imperfections, noise, and overload, leading to reduced quality of received signals, and existing robust encoding methods compromise signal quality even when increasing bit rates.

Innovation Solution

A dual-encoding approach is employed, using a model-based parametric encoder for core signal encoding and a high-quality non-model based encoder for enhancing signal portions, with channel estimation determining the proportion of signal encoded by each method to adapt to channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If robust encoding schemes are used to overcome channel degradation, then reliability of signal transmission is improved, but manufacturing precision of signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The signal is divided into two separate encoding streams: a robustly encoded version that ensures reliable transmission under poor channel conditions, and a high-quality version that maintains signal fidelity when channel conditions are good. The receiver selects or combines these streams based on channel quality, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The encoding strategy is made dynamic by adapting the selection between robust and high-quality encoding based on real-time channel conditions. When channel degradation is detected, the system switches to or emphasizes robust encoding; when conditions improve, it transitions to high-quality encoding, allowing the system to optimize both reliability and quality according to operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If complex computational methods are used to improve signal quality, then manufacturing precision of signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using continuously complex computational methods, the system employs simpler encoding schemes that are selected based on channel conditions. When high quality is needed, a more sophisticated but still manageable encoding approach is used temporarily; when conditions deteriorate, the system switches to simpler robust encoding, avoiding the need for permanently complex computational infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2109950B1Method of transmitting data in a communication system
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 SKYPE
  • EP2109950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2109950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2109950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of encoding a signal to be transmitted from a terminal via a channel in a communication network comprising; receiving the signal at the terminal; determining characteristics of the channel; encoding a first portion of the signal in accordance with a first encoding method to produce a first encoded signal portion; encoding a second portion of the signal in accordance with a second encoding method to produce a second encoded signal portion; wherein the first portion of the signal encoded in accordance with the first encoding method is dependent on the determined characteristics of the channel; and transmitting the first encoded signal portion and the second encoded signal portion via the channel.