Bandwidth Estimation Using Duplicate Media Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating available network bandwidth for real-time multimedia streaming, such as VoIP, often degrade the quality of the stream and are inefficient, especially in variable bandwidth conditions, as they require probe packets that utilize network bandwidth and can cause delays or packet loss.
Innovation Solution
A method that transmits audio and video packet streams over a network, where the bandwidth is estimated by measuring metrics like network delay and packet loss, allowing for adaptive bitrate adjustment to maintain quality by enabling or disabling video streams based on available bandwidth, using probe packets that are duplicates of the media stream to minimize quality degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional probe packets are sent to estimate network bandwidth, then bandwidth measurement is achieved, but network quality degrades due to additional bandwidth consumption and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bandwidth estimation function with the existing media stream transmission by using duplicate packets from the media stream itself as probe packets, rather than sending separate conventional probe packets. This combines measurement and media delivery into a single process, eliminating additional bandwidth consumption while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates duplicate copies of media stream packets to serve as probe packets for bandwidth estimation. These duplicate packets carry the same payload as the original media packets, allowing bandwidth measurement without introducing foreign traffic that would degrade network quality
2Adaptability or versatility
If probe packets are transmitted to test available bandwidth, then bandwidth information is obtained, but packet loss and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs bandwidth estimation continuously in the background using duplicate packets before making adaptation decisions, rather than waiting for quality degradation to occur. This preliminary continuous monitoring allows proactive adaptation without causing delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous bandwidth estimation by incorporating measurement functionality into every media packet transmission, ensuring uninterrupted bandwidth monitoring without periodic interruptions that would cause delays
3Manufacturing precision
If audio and video streams are transmitted simultaneously at high bitrate, then media quality is improved, but network bandwidth is exceeded causing packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bitrate adaptation where transmission parameters are continuously adjusted based on real-time bandwidth measurements. The system can dynamically switch between different quality levels and enable/disable video streams to match available network capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes transmission parameters such as bitrate and stream enablement based on measured network conditions. When bandwidth is insufficient, the system reduces bitrate or disables video streaming to maintain reliable packet delivery while preserving audio quality
Data Source
AI summary
A method of estimating available bandwidth for a network comprising a transmitting device and a receiving device, the method comprising: transmitting a media packet stream over the network to the receiving device, the media packets comprising media data for streaming media at the receiving device; transmitting one or more probe packets over the network so as to test the available bandwidth of the network, wherein the probe packets comprise duplicate data of the media packet stream; and determining, during transmission of the probe packets, a measure of network bandwidth availability in dependence on one or more metrics associated with receiving the media packet stream at the receiving device.