Gateway Packet Gap Detection for IPTV QoE Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring packet-switched network services, such as IPTV and VoIP, fail to effectively address service impairments like pixelation, screen freezing, and poor voice quality, as they lack comprehensive solutions for quality of experience (QoE) monitoring and network performance analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gateway connected to an appliance that detects gaps between downstream packets, issues requests for retransmission, and records compound parameters indicative of packet loss or corruption, allowing for detailed logging and analysis of network performance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring of packet-switched network services is implemented to detect service impairments, then quality of experience monitoring capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple specialized components: a gap detector module that identifies packet gaps, a parameter determination module that calculates compound parameters, and a logging module that records performance data. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive QoE monitoring through modular, manageable units rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as compound parameters that mediate between raw packet data and QoE assessment. The compound parameter serves as an intermediary metric that combines multiple packet-level observations into a single meaningful indicator of service quality, simplifying the overall monitoring process while maintaining measurement precision.
2Loss of information
If detailed logging of compound parameters is performed to analyze network performance, then service impairment analysis capability is improved, but data processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating compound parameters in real-time as packets are received and gaps are detected. Rather than analyzing all raw packet data afterward, the compound parameters are pre-computed and logged during packet reception, reducing the processing load for subsequent service impairment analysis while preserving all necessary information.
3Reliability
If the media application requests retransmission of missing packets, then packet loss recovery is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The media application applies partial action by selectively requesting retransmission only for certain missing packets rather than all missing packets. The system determines whether to request retransmission based on the compound parameter and gap characteristics, requesting retransmission for critical packets while omitting requests for less critical ones, thus achieving acceptable packet loss recovery while conserving network bandwidth.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for monitoring a service provided over a packet-switched network, such as an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service, an Internet access service, or a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) telephony service. Various parameters related to the service (e.g., parameters indicative of packet loss, packet corruption, or other packet error) are determined and used to assess various aspects of the service and/or network over which the service is delivered, including a quality of experience (QoE) of subscribers.