Media Packet Aggregation for Satellite VoIP Bandwidth Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In satellite-based Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, the high data overhead and small payload result in poor utilization of satellite bandwidth due to the need for multiple packet headers, leading to inefficiencies in packet transmission over time slotted communication systems.
Innovation Solution
Combining multiple media packets into larger packets with fewer headers, which are transmitted during designated transmit windows, and using probe packets to synchronize media packetization with these windows, thereby reducing packet delay and improving bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple individual packets are transmitted during each transmit window, then the media can be delivered with lower buffering delay, but the data overhead increases and bandwidth utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual media packets into a single aggregated packet for transmission during each transmit window. Instead of sending packets separately with individual headers, the system merges the packetized media into one larger packet structure that uses a single header, thereby reducing overhead and improving bandwidth utilization while maintaining acceptable delay characteristics
2Loss of energy
If larger packets are formatted and transmitted, then bandwidth utilization improves, but packet delay increases in non-time slotted networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the periodic nature of time-slotted communication systems by aggregating packets into larger units that are transmitted at the beginning of each periodic transmit window. This periodic transmission approach allows larger packets to be sent without adding significant delay, as the timing is synchronized with the inherent periodic structure of the satellite communication system
3Reliability
If multiple packet headers are used for each packet, then individual packet tracking is enabled, but data overhead increases and bandwidth efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual packet headers into a single header structure that accompanies the aggregated packet. This single header contains necessary tracking information for the entire group of media packets, eliminating the need for multiple separate headers and significantly reducing overhead while maintaining the ability to track and manage the packetized media
Data Source
AI summary
Media that is normally packetized into many separate individual packets and then queued for individual transmission during a transmit window is combined together into one, or a few, packets. The larger packets more efficiently carry media over a time slotted communication media since only one, or a few, packet headers are used for carrying a larger amount of media. Since packets cannot be transmitted until the start of a new transmit window, the larger packets do not substantially add to the overall packet delay that normally occurs when larger packets are formatted and transmitted in non-time slotted networks.In another aspect of the system, probe packets are used to identify the start of the transmit window. The transmit window start time is inferred from the round trip times for the probe packets and media packetization is then synchronized with the identified transmit windows.