Communication Station Flexible Data Packet Header Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet communication systems face challenges with flexible compression techniques, leading to bandwidth fluctuations, high delay variations, and erasure rates due to varying bandwidth consumption by audio or audiovisual applications, which are not effectively managed by current header compression protocols.
Innovation Solution
A communication station and method that determine the packet format and compressed data of a data packet based on compressed header information, using a dummy packet to split the header compression operation into preparatory and finalization steps, allowing for internal cross-layer signaling to adjust codec rates and payload sizes, and deciding whether to drop packets or use inter-coding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If header compression protocols are used to reduce bandwidth consumption, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but delay variations and erasure rates increase due to state synchronization issues between compressor and decompressor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing header compression state updates during periods of inactivity before actual data transmission begins. The compressor and decompressor synchronize their contexts in advance during setup phases, ensuring both ends are in consistent states before live communication starts. This prevents state desynchronization during active transmission, reducing erasure rates and delay variations while maintaining bandwidth efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If codec rates are adjusted to manage bandwidth fluctuations, then bandwidth stability is improved, but audio or audiovisual quality deteriorates due to rate reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth management into two independent components: header compression for protocol overhead and source coding rate control for payload quality. By compressing headers separately from the media payload, the system stabilizes total bandwidth consumption without reducing the quality of the audio or audiovisual content. The header compression handles the protocol overhead efficiently while the source coder maintains optimal quality settings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application streams are transported on different bearers, then channel flexibility is improved, but resource contention increases due to interference between streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple application streams (RTP and RTCP) onto a single transport bearer, eliminating the need for separate bearers. By applying header compression to all streams on the same bearer, the system reduces the number of radio resources allocated and eliminates inter-stream contention. The compression mechanism handles headers from different applications efficiently, consolidating resource usage while maintaining flexibility in stream transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a communication station for determining a packet format of a data packet based on at least one compressed header information field. A header packet format of a data packet is determined based on the determined packet format of a partially or completely compressed header information part. The station may also determine a codec rate based on the result of a previously performed compression of at least one header information field. In one embodiment, internal cross-layer signaling from a header generator module to a payload generator module in the communication station is used for signaling information associated with determining the header packet format of the data packet. The method reduces bandwidth fluctuations associated with services such as text messaging audio, or audiovisual services; lowers the delay variations and the erasure rates for application media streams; and provides for faster set-up of sessions.