MPEG Media Transport Rate Adaptation via Bandwidth Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid growth of mobile video traffic poses challenges for mobile operators in optimizing network capacity and dimensioning, particularly in managing congestion and ensuring continuous service during peak usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) media transport (MMT) device and method that measures available bandwidth and switches between different bitrate streams to adapt transmission, ensuring seamless delivery of media content by dropping or adding media units based on network conditions, thereby managing congestion and maintaining service quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transmission bandwidth is increased to handle growing mobile video traffic, then the network capacity is improved, but the network congestion and dimensioning challenges worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rate adaptation by switching between different bitrate streams (first stream and second stream) based on real-time available bandwidth measurements. The system dynamically adjusts the transmission rate by selecting appropriate fragments from different streams, transforming the static network capacity problem into a dynamic adaptation solution that responds to changing network conditions without requiring permanent over-provisioning of network resources.
2Reliability
If rate adaptation is implemented by switching between different bitrate streams, then the service continuity is improved, but the transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media content into fragments from different bitrate streams (first stream fragments and second stream fragments). Each fragment is independently selectable based on available bandwidth, allowing the system to maintain service continuity by switching between segments without requiring complex real-time transcoding or rebuffering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary preparation by organizing media content into multiple bitrate streams with pre-encoded fragments before transmission. This advance preparation allows for rapid rate adaptation during transmission by simply selecting pre-prepared fragments from the appropriate stream, avoiding the need for complex real-time processing and reducing transmission control complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bitrate streams are maintained for rate adaptation, then the adaptability to network conditions is improved, but the network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bitrate parameter by selecting fragments from different streams (first stream with higher bitrate, second stream with lower bitrate) based on measured available bandwidth. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt to varying network conditions without permanently maintaining all bitrate variants simultaneously, optimizing network resource consumption while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) media transport (MMT) device for sending or receiving media content is provided. The MMT device comprises a memory unit and a controller. The controller is configured to measure an available bandwidth, receive fragments of a first encoded stream of the media content and fragments of a second encoded stream of the same media content based on the available bandwidth and a current transmission bandwidth. A mixed encoded stream comprises the fragments received from the first encoded stream and the fragments received from the second encoded stream.