Telecommunications Endpoint Signal Processing Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized signal processing in telecommunications networks often underutilizes the resources available at endpoints, leading to inefficient processing of signals during calls, as the processing techniques are not tailored to the specific resource availability of each endpoint.
Innovation Solution
A packet-based telecommunications endpoint determines its resource availability and receives a signal-processing computer program from a data-processing system, allowing it to perform processing tasks such as noise reduction and echo cancellation based on its available resources, thereby offloading some processing from the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If signal processing is centralized in the telecommunications network, then network control and management is simplified, but endpoint resources remain underutilized and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments signal processing functions between the network and endpoint by providing multiple versions of signal processing computer programs (full version, reduced version, skeleton version) that can be selectively downloaded to endpoints. This segmentation allows the network to maintain control while endpoints perform appropriate processing based on their resource availability, resolving the contradiction between simplified network control and improved processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts signal processing distribution based on endpoint resource availability. The endpoint determines its resource availability and receives appropriate computer program versions from the network, allowing the processing architecture to dynamically adjust between centralized and distributed processing modes, thereby improving efficiency without compromising network control.
2Power
If signal processing is centralized in the network, then network infrastructure utilization is maximized, but endpoint-specific resource capabilities are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different versions of signal processing computer programs tailored to specific endpoint resource characteristics. Endpoints with abundant processor resources receive processor-intensive programs, while memory-constrained endpoints receive optimized versions, allowing each endpoint to utilize its specific resource capabilities effectively while the network maintains overall utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of computer program complexity based on endpoint resource availability. The network transmits different versions of signal processing programs (full, reduced, skeleton) with varying computational requirements, allowing endpoints to adapt their processing capabilities to match their available resources, thereby improving both network power utilization and endpoint adaptability.
3Productivity
If the endpoint performs all signal processing locally, then processing efficiency improves, but network resources are underutilized and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endpoint performs partial signal processing by receiving and executing appropriate versions of computer programs (full, reduced, or skeleton versions) based on its resource availability. This partial action approach allows the endpoint to handle processing tasks efficiently without requiring full processing capability locally, thereby improving efficiency while avoiding excessive device complexity through selective program execution.
4Reliability
If the endpoint downloads and executes full-version signal processing programs, then processing capability is maximized, but memory and processor resources are过度 consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically matches computer program versions to endpoint resource availability. The endpoint determines its resource state and receives appropriately scaled programs (full, reduced, or skeleton versions), ensuring that processing capability is maximized within the available resource constraints, thereby maintaining reliability without excessive resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of computer program size and complexity based on endpoint resource availability. By providing multiple versions with different computational and memory requirements, the system allows endpoints to execute programs that maximize processing capability while consuming only the necessary amount of local resources, resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are disclosed that enable the offloading of some of the signal processing that has often been centralized in a telecommunications network, to one or more telecommunications endpoints. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a packet-based telecommunications endpoint that comprises processing and memory resources determines the resource availability of one or more of its resources. The endpoint transmits the resource availability information to a data-processing system, which then transmits a signal-processing computer program back to the endpoint. The computer program is based on the resources that are available at the endpoint. The endpoint then proceeds to use the computer program to process the signals that are received—for example, during the course of a phone call that involves the endpoint. The signal processing that is performed can include noise reduction, echo cancellation, muting, automatic gain control, and so forth.