Edge Server Content Transcoding for Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional networks face inefficiencies in delivering transcoded content to terminals, as the same content is often sent multiple times in different formats, leading to increased bandwidth usage and processing load.
Innovation Solution
Implementing servers at the edge of the network that receive content from the distribution network, transcode it into multiple formats, and distribute it over the access network, ensuring alignment of i-frames across formats to allow seamless switching between formats during content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transcoders transcode content into different formats for different terminals, then compatibility with various terminals is improved, but bandwidth usage increases due to sending the same content multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs transcoding in advance at the edge location before content delivery, storing multiple format versions of the content. When a terminal requests content, the system can immediately deliver the appropriate pre-transcoded format without real-time transcoding delays, thus improving terminal compatibility while managing bandwidth through selective delivery of pre-prepared formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements format-specific optimization by delivering content in different formats tailored to specific terminal capabilities. The edge location stores and delivers content in multiple formats (e.g., different resolutions, codecs) matched to the requesting terminal's specifications, ensuring optimal playback quality for each device type while avoiding unnecessary transmissions of incompatible formats.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the same content is sent over the distribution network multiple times in different formats, then terminal compatibility is improved, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates copies of content in multiple formats and stores them at the edge location. Instead of transcoding on-demand for each terminal request, the system maintains pre-transcoded copies in various formats, reducing the processing load during content delivery while ensuring compatibility with different terminal types through selective copy selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge location acts as an intermediary between the distribution network and access network, performing the transcoding function locally rather than at the source or terminal. This intermediary approach consolidates the processing load at a single location while enabling multiple format deliveries to different terminals without requiring the source system to handle multiple format conversions.
3Ease of operation
If i-frames are aligned across different format copies, then seamless format switching during viewing is enabled, but transcoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs i-frame alignment during the preliminary transcoding phase at the edge location. By synchronizing the i-frame positions across all format versions before storage, the system enables seamless format switching during playback without requiring complex real-time synchronization, thus improving user experience while managing transcoding complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
Content may be received at an edge location in one format, but delivered to a terminal on an access network in another format. The received content may be transcoded at the edge location. The transcoded content may be stored, or immediately delivered. The transcoded content may be fragmented prior to storage. Multiple copies of the transcoded content may be maintained in multiple formats. These formats may be aligned with one another such that delivery of the content can include delivering portions of the content in one format and other portions of the content in another format.