Dynamic Packet Encoding for Delay Guarantee

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems that use rateless codes to handle packet loss do not effectively manage packet delay, as they do not account for arrival delay and network state changes, leading to potential system failures when delay requirements are not met.

Innovation Solution

A communication system with a transmission terminal that includes a network environment measurement unit and a parameter calculation unit, which determines the number of packets to encode based on user-specified delay guarantees and current network conditions, ensuring that packets are transmitted with a guaranteed maximum allowable delay and probability of meeting that delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rateless code encoding is used to guarantee packet arrival, then packet loss is reduced, but packet delay cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket arrival guaranteeVSAvoidpacket delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the encoding parameter K (number of source packets) variable rather than fixed. The parameter calculation unit dynamically adjusts K based on real-time network state measurements including delay characteristics and loss rates, allowing the system to adapt encoding intensity to current network conditions and guarantee delay requirements while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter K from a static value to a dynamically calculated value based on network conditions. The parameter calculation unit computes K using measured network characteristics (delay, loss rate) to optimize the balance between reliability and delay, ensuring that encoding provides sufficient protection without excessive delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed encoding parameters are used, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding parameter managementVSAvoidnetwork condition adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by measuring actual network state (delay characteristics and loss rates) and using this information to adjust encoding parameters. The parameter calculation unit receives network state measurements and dynamically computes appropriate K values, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If network measurements and dynamic parameter calculation are implemented, then delay guarantee is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delay guaranteeVSAvoidnetwork environment measurement and parameter calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the transmission terminal to autonomously measure its own network state and calculate appropriate encoding parameters without external control. The parameter calculation unit performs self-adjustment based on measured delay characteristics and loss rates, reducing the need for complex external management systems while maintaining delay guarantees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3062456B1Encoding based on data packet delay probability
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 NEC CORP
  • EP3062456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3062456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3062456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system is provided with a transmission terminal and a reception terminal that communicate over a network, and the transmission terminal includes: an encoded packet generation unit which encodes a predetermined number of packets and transmits the encoded packets to the reception terminal over the network; a network environment measurement unit which measures the state of the network; and a parameter calculation unit which determines the predetermined number of packets by using a characteristics to be guaranteed in regard to delay time required for a packet transmitted from the transmission terminal to arrive at the reception terminal and the state of the network. In the communication system in which the transmission terminal and the reception terminal communicate via the network on which a packet loss may occur, a characteristic regarding a packet delay time specified by a user is guaranteed.