Helper Transport Streams for Deterministic Re-multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Re-multiplexing operations in subscriber television networks are random and non-deterministic, leading to inconsistencies in output transport streams generated by different re-multiplexers, even when receiving the same input stream and having the same settings, due to lack of phase and frequency relationship between incoming and outgoing streams, and differences in clock sources and hardware initialization times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a master re-multiplexer generates a helper transport stream containing a description of re-multiplexing operations, which is then used by remote re-multiplexers to ensure bit-by-bit identical output by applying these operations to the original transport streams, thereby making the re-multiplexing process deterministic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional random re-multiplexing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but output consistency and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a master re-multiplexer to generate a reference output transport stream, then creates helper transport streams that contain instructions for remote re-multiplexers to copy the exact same re-multiplexing operations. This ensures all remote re-multiplexers produce bit-by-bit identical outputs without needing to independently make re-multiplexing decisions, thus improving output consistency while keeping individual device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The helper transport stream acts as an intermediary that carries re-multiplexing operation instructions from the master re-multiplexer to remote re-multiplexers. This intermediary mechanism enables deterministic re-multiplexing across distributed devices without requiring complex synchronization or communication protocols between remote re-multiplexers themselves.
2Reliability
If deterministic re-multiplexing with helper transport streams is implemented, then output consistency improves, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential re-multiplexing operation instructions into a separate helper transport stream, rather than transmitting complete reference output streams to all remote locations. This extraction approach minimizes bandwidth consumption by sending only the necessary control information needed to reproduce identical outputs deterministically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote re-multiplexers operate independently, then device autonomy is maintained, but output identity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Remote re-multiplexers maintain operational autonomy by receiving and executing instructions from helper transport streams, copying the exact re-multiplexing operations performed by the master re-multiplexer. This copying mechanism ensures bit-by-bit output identity while preserving device autonomy, as each remote re-multiplexer independently processes the same instructions without requiring real-time coordination with other devices.
Data Source
AI summary
In one system embodiment, a master re-multiplexer may be configured to receive an indexed transport stream, re-multiplex the indexed transport stream by performing a set of re-multiplexing operations, generate a helper transport stream, the helper transport stream comprising a description of the set of operations, wherein the set of operations comprises both program clock reference (PCR) re-stamping and inserting packets, and providing the helper transport stream over a communications network to plural remote re-multiplexers capable of identically re-multiplexing the indexed transport stream based on the helper transport stream.