Hybrid Statistical Multiplexer for Non-Video Traffic Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional statistical multiplexing systems face challenges in dynamically adjusting bit rates for variable bit rate digital channels, particularly in accommodating non-video data traffic without reserved bit rates and ensuring compliance with transport stream rules, leading to inefficiencies and potential delays.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid statistical multiplexer that delays video packets in certain cycles to make room for non-video packets and adjusts the bit rate pool based on packet delays, using in-memory containers to store and manage packets differently based on their delay capabilities, ensuring efficient bit rate allocation and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional statistical multiplexing dynamically adjusts bit rates for variable bit rate digital channels, then the system can accommodate different video complexities, but it cannot effectively allocate bits to non-video data traffic without reserved bit rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiplexing process into distinct phases: video packet processing, non-video packet insertion, and compliance verification. This segmentation allows independent optimization of video quality and non-video traffic accommodation while maintaining transport stream rules through structured packet handling and delay management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts bit rate allocation between video and non-video traffic based on real-time channel conditions and traffic demands. The multiplexer continuously monitors packet types, delays video packets when non-video traffic requires bandwidth, and adapts allocation decisions cycle-by-cycle to optimize overall system performance while complying with transport stream constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video packets are delayed to make room for non-video packets, then non-video traffic can be accommodated, but video transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering video packets in delay queues before final multiplexing. This allows the multiplexer to strategically delay video packets only when necessary for non-video traffic insertion, rather than applying continuous delays. The preliminary buffering enables selective, minimal delays that accommodate non-video traffic while preserving video transmission efficiency through intelligent queue management.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer changes the timing parameter of video packet transmission dynamically based on traffic conditions. By adjusting packet delay duration as a variable parameter rather than applying fixed delays, the system optimizes the balance between accommodating non-video traffic and maintaining video transmission efficiency. The delay parameter is modified cycle-by-cycle based on actual bandwidth availability and traffic priorities.
3Reliability
If bit rates are reserved for non-video data traffic, then non-video packets can be transmitted reliably, but bit rate usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplexer implements self-service by automatically detecting non-video traffic needs and allocating bandwidth dynamically without pre-reserved bit rates. The system monitors incoming packet types, identifies non-video traffic requirements, and reallocates video bandwidth accordingly in real-time. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates wasted reserved bit rates while ensuring reliable non-video transmission through adaptive bandwidth allocation based on actual traffic demands.
Data Source
AI summary
Delivering a transport stream using a hybrid statistical multiplexer. Over a plurality of multiplexing cycles, a plurality of single program transport streams (SPTSs) are multiplexed onto a multiple program transport stream (MPTS). In each multiplexing cycle, it is determined whether any portion of the packets carried by the plurality of SPTSs may be delayed such that the delayed portion is multiplexed onto the MPTS in a future multiplexing cycle. For each multiplexing cycle, delay information that identifies how many packets were delayed is determined. The size of the bit rate pool for a subsequent allocation cycle is adjusted based on the delay information for a prior multiplexing cycle. Thereafter, the MPTS is delivered to one or more recipients.