IP Packet Transmission Redundancy and Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transmitting video and audio data over IP networks fail to effectively address multiple packet drops and burst errors, as well as network link failures, which can result in data loss and packet reordering, limiting the reliability of video applications.
Innovation Solution
The method employs redundant network paths and the SMPTE 2022 FEC protocol to regenerate missing packets, using a buffer to manage duplicate packets and ensure seamless switching between networks, allowing for correction of both packet drop and network link errors, with optional use of SMPTE 2022 FEC packets to recover lost data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple redundant network paths are used to transmit identical content, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple buffers and stream management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple redundant packet streams into a single output stream by buffering packets from multiple network paths and selectively outputting them based on sequence numbers, eliminating the need for complex synchronization while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary buffering of packets from all network paths before output, allowing the system to pre-process and organize packets by sequence number, which simplifies the selection process and avoids complex real-time synchronization
2Reliability
If packet buffering is implemented to handle out-of-order packets, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to waiting for packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements buffering only for the specific purpose of reordering packets by sequence number, rather than buffering entire streams or waiting for complete sets, thus minimizing time loss while ensuring packet completeness
3Reliability
If forward error correction packets are transmitted, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to additional data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting error correction data, the patent transmits duplicate copies of the original content packets through redundant network paths, which is more efficient than traditional FEC approaches as it uses existing packet copies rather than additional correction data
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method for packet transmission over IP networks redundant IP packet streams are generated by an IP transmitter (32) and transmitted using separate network paths (34) to one or more IP receivers (36). At each IP receiver (36) duplicate IP packets are overwritten to form a single combined packet stream. By using redundant IP packet streams the effects of packet loss and of network congestion can be reduced. A device and system for packet transmission over IP networks is also provided.