Programmable Packet Filtering Offset for Variable Data Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtering systems in set-top boxes face inefficiencies due to the need to align filters from the start of packets, leading to increased computational burden and latency, especially as the number of channels and data streams increases, causing some desired data to be unfiltered and requiring processor intervention.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a programmable hardware filter module that allows filtering from a variable offset, specified in bits or bytes, enabling the filter to start from the beginning of the desired data within a packet, thus reducing processor load and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If filters are aligned from the start of a packet, then the filtering process is simple and consistent, but the processor cannot filter some desired data in the packet and must filter unfiltered portions, increasing computational burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the filter alignment position variable rather than fixed. The filter can be dynamically aligned to start at different positions within a packet depending on where the desired data begins, allowing the system to adapt to varying data locations while maintaining efficient hardware-based filtering without requiring processor intervention for unfiltered portions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of channels and data streams increases, then more comprehensive filtering is required, but the filters overload the processor and consume valuable processing bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the filtering task into two parts: hardware-based filtering for common patterns and processor-based filtering only for exceptional cases. The hardware filter module handles the majority of filtering operations in parallel, segmenting the workload away from the processor and allowing it to focus only on complex or exceptional filtering requirements, thus managing processor load even as channel and data stream numbers increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hardware filter module as an intermediary between the incoming data streams and the processor. This intermediary performs preliminary filtering operations, reducing the volume of data that requires processor intervention and allowing the processor to handle only the results of hardware filtering rather than raw data from multiple channels and streams.
3Stability of the object's composition
If filters process data from the start of packets, then the filtering approach is consistent, but latency increases for real-time operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the hardware filter module prepare and identify filtered data in advance before processor intervention is needed. The hardware filter continuously processes incoming packets and pre-identifies matches, so when processor intervention is required, the work is already partially complete, reducing the time the processor needs to spend and thereby reducing overall latency for real-time operations while maintaining consistent filtering results.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a programmable filtering offset may include filtering desired data located at a variable offset from a start of a particular message in a data stream using a programmable hardware filter module. The variable offset may be specified in bits or bytes. The programmable hardware filter module may start filtering from an offset corresponding to the start of the desired data. The programmable hardware filter module may be a variable length filter or a fixed length filter. An offset from the start of a particular message may be determined, where the desired data that may be compared may start after the offset from the beginning of the message. The programmable hardware filter module may be configured with the determined offset.