Network Time Reporting for Synchronized Multi-Flow Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in ensuring synchronous transmission of multiple data flows for real-time media services like VR/AR/MR and cloud gaming, particularly in 5G systems, where different data flows such as audio, video, pressure, and touch data require precise timing to maintain user experience.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that involves network devices reporting and utilizing time information for scheduling data flows based on their transmission times from application servers to ensure accurate end-to-end synchronization, adjusting packet delay budgets, and using association identifiers to coordinate synchronized transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transmission scheduling is performed based on time information from application server to network device, then end-to-end synchronous transmission accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application server performs preliminary timestamping of data packets before transmission, recording the sending time and duration information. This preliminary action allows the network device to calculate transmission time and schedule multiple data flows for synchronous transmission without requiring continuous complex signaling during transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses timestamp information copied from the application server's perspective to the network device's scheduling decisions. By copying the timestamp and duration information, the network device can infer transmission characteristics without establishing complex real-time signaling channels, thus reducing overhead while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple data flows are transmitted with strict synchronization requirements, then user experience is improved, but transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments different data flows (audio, video, pressure, touch data) into separate streams, each with its own timestamp and duration information. This segmentation allows independent tracking and scheduling of each flow while maintaining overall synchronization, reducing the complexity of managing all flows as a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scheduling parameter from complex real-time coordination to simple timestamp-based calculation. By using timestamp information and duration data already available at the application server, the network device can schedule transmissions by calculating time differences, transforming a complex synchronization problem into a simpler parameter-based scheduling task.
3Measurement precision
If time information is reported for each data flow, then transmission scheduling accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application server performs preliminary timestamping and duration recording actions before data transmission begins. This preliminary measurement of transmission characteristics allows the network device to obtain accurate scheduling information without requiring real-time processing and measurement during active transmission, thus reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus configured to execute the method. The method may include receiving, by a fist network device, configuration information configured to enable the first network device to report time information configured for synchronous transmission of a first data flow of a service and a second data flow of the service. The method may further include determining first transmission time from sending of the first data flow by an application server to arrival of the first data flow at the first network device. The method may further include reporting, based on the first transmission time, the time information configured for synchronous transmission of the first data flow and the second data flow.