Jitter Buffer Delay Adaptation for Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication systems face challenges in maintaining signal quality during packet-based transmission of speech information due to channel degradations, leading to jitter and distortion, especially when adjusting delay buffers to adapt to changing network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that monitor and predict future signal characteristics to determine the optimal delay adjustments, considering both immediate and long-term effects on signal quality, by using an optimized action block to decide whether to insert, skip, or modify frames in the jitter buffer based on metadata from the jitter buffer, decoder, and network models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the jitter buffer delay is increased to handle packet variations, then the continuous output of data is ensured, but the signal quality deteriorates due to excessive delay and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The jitter buffer delay is made dynamic rather than fixed. The buffer adapts its delay characteristics in real-time based on incoming packet arrival patterns and network conditions, allowing it to provide sufficient delay for continuous output while minimizing excessive delay that causes distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer parameters (such as fill threshold and empty threshold) are adjusted based on observed network conditions and packet arrival statistics. This allows the system to optimize the balance between ensuring continuous output and maintaining signal quality by changing buffer behavior parameters dynamically
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the jitter buffer delay is decreased to improve signal quality, then signal distortion is reduced, but the continuous output of data cannot be ensured under varying network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The jitter buffer manager continuously monitors packet arrival times and buffer status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust buffer parameters and control decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain continuous output by adapting to actual network conditions while avoiding excessive delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of packet arrival patterns and predicts future buffer status. By taking preliminary actions to adjust buffer parameters before buffer underflow or excessive delay occurs, the system ensures continuous output while maintaining signal quality
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complex computational methods are used to optimize delay adjustments, then signal quality can be improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex computational optimization algorithms, the system achieves signal quality improvement by changing buffer parameter values (such as fill and empty thresholds) based on simple statistical observations of packet arrival patterns. This approach maintains low computational complexity while effectively reducing signal distortion
Data Source
AI summary
Processing of a signal received at a node in a network is described in which effects on the signal caused by applying an action to a first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of the first part of the signal and effects on the signal caused by not applying the action to the first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of a second, subsequent part of the signal. The action may then be selectively applied either to the first part of the signal or to the second part of the signal based upon the quantifications. In some embodiments, the action is applied to a portion of the signal for which the effects on at least one measure of the signal quality are less detrimental.