Dynamic Buffer Size Adjustment for Satellite Handover Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face interruptions in streaming media content during handover events between communication links, as the local media buffer is often insufficient to provide uninterrupted service during transitions between communication links, especially when moving between different communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that initiate a streaming media session with a remote media server using a first communication link, buffer media data at a first transmission rate, and increase the buffer size by receiving media data at a higher second transmission rate before a link transition, ensuring continuous media playback during handover by managing the local media buffer size based on expected link transition durations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the local media buffer size is increased to prevent depletion during link transitions, then service continuity during handover is improved, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic buffer size adjustment by monitoring link quality metrics and transitioning between buffer modes (normal mode with first buffer size, handover mode with second buffer size) based on detected handover conditions. This allows the system to optimize between service continuity and resource usage by adapting buffer characteristics to current operational needs rather than maintaining a static large buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary buffer expansion before handover events by detecting handover conditions (such as signal quality degradation or location-based predictions) and proactively increasing the buffer size to accumulate sufficient media data. This preliminary action ensures that adequate buffered content is available when the handover occurs, preventing service interruption without requiring the buffer to be constantly large.
2Productivity
If media data is received at a higher second transmission rate before link transition, then buffer refill speed is improved, but use of energy and network bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic buffer refilling at elevated transmission rates only during specific handover preparation intervals rather than continuously. The method detects handover conditions and triggers high-rate data reception temporarily before the link transition occurs, then returns to normal operation. This periodic approach achieves necessary buffer refill speed while minimizing energy consumption and network bandwidth usage to only when and where needed.
3Device complexity
If the local media buffer is kept small to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but service interruption during handover occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains simplicity during normal operation with a small first buffer size but dynamically expands to a larger second buffer size when handover conditions are detected. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to keep device complexity low during steady-state operation while ensuring service continuity during critical handover transitions, resolving the contradiction between small buffer simplicity and handover reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary buffer expansion before handover events by detecting handover conditions and proactively increasing the buffer size to accumulate sufficient media data. This allows the buffer to remain small during normal operation (reducing complexity) while ensuring adequate buffer capacity is available when needed for handover (maintaining reliability).
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for modifying the transmission rate of media data in order to improve craft-based media playback system performance during handover events in a communication system.