Network Packet Generator Using Header Templates for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting media content into Ethernet packets in network communication systems face challenges in achieving low latency, particularly in applications like automotive systems where real-time data transmission is critical.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-implemented conversion pipeline that includes a media input stage, a packetizer, an Ethernet Medium Access Control (MAC) engine, and an Ethernet physical-layer (PHY) interface, which generates headers and appends media frame portions to create Ethernet packets before the frame is fully received, and uses an elasticity buffer to manage clock speed differences, ensuring low latency and efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional methods are used to convert media frames into Ethernet packets (waiting for complete frame reception), then packet accuracy is ensured, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates Ethernet packet headers in advance using header templates before the complete media frame is received. The packetizer begins constructing packets with pre-configured header information, allowing transmission to start before frame reception is complete, thereby reducing latency while maintaining packet integrity through subsequent header updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the packet construction process into separate stages: header generation using templates, payload assembly from received frame portions, and header updating with final frame information. This segmentation allows different parts of the packet to be prepared independently and concurrently, enabling early transmission initiation without compromising overall packet accuracy.
2Productivity
If header generation is performed in advance using templates, then transmission speed increases, but header configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses header templates that store pre-configured header parameters and structures. By changing only the specific parameter values (such as source/destination addresses, frame length) while reusing the same template structure, the system achieves fast header generation without manually configuring complete headers each time, thus reducing configuration complexity while maintaining high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates header copies from master templates for each packet generation event. Instead of configuring headers from scratch, the system copies the basic header structure and selectively updates specific fields with current frame information, significantly reducing the configuration effort and complexity while maintaining packet generation speed.
3Productivity
If the system waits for complete frame reception before transmission, then data accuracy is ensured, but real-time transmission capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary packet construction with estimated or partial header information before the complete media frame is received. This allows the transmission to begin in real-time while the remaining header fields (such as final length indicators) are updated once the frame reception is complete, thus achieving both real-time capability and data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The header information is made dynamic rather than static - it is initially generated with available information and then updated as more frame data becomes available. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the header content in real-time, maintaining accuracy while enabling continuous transmission without waiting for complete frame reception.
Data Source
AI summary
A media content converter, for converting media content into network packets, includes logic circuitry, a header generator and a multiplexer. The logic circuitry is configured to partition the media content into payloads for the network packets. The header generator configured to generate packet headers for the network packets, by populating with data a plurality of header fields according to a predefined header format. The multiplexer is configured to stream a sequence of the network packets for transmission over a communication network, by combining the generated packet headers from the header generator with the corresponding payloads from the logic circuitry.