Network Packet Prioritization via Frame Dependency Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional real-time network protocols, such as RTP and RTCP, are unable to determine and assign priority levels to network packets on a per-packet basis, lacking sufficient granularity to prioritize packet importance, and do not account for the inter-relationships between packets and streams.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine and assign priority levels to network packets based on parameters like media frame type, ordering, and relationships within media streams, allowing for dynamic modification of transmission parameters such as data rate, inter-frame spacing, and retry counts based on packet priority and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional RTP/RTCP protocols are used for packet transmission, then basic media streaming is supported, but per-packet priority assignment and importance-based prioritization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the traditional session-level priority into packet-level priorities by introducing dependency and redundancy metrics for individual packets. Each packet is evaluated independently based on its relationship to other packets (e.g., whether it is required for decoding) and its redundancy value, enabling fine-grained priority assignment while maintaining manageable protocol complexity through structured analysis frameworks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by assigning different priority levels to different packets within the same stream based on their individual characteristics. Packets are differentiated using dependency (whether packet loss affects decoding) and redundancy (whether packet loss can be recovered) metrics, allowing critical packets to receive higher priority while non-critical packets receive lower priority, thus optimizing resource allocation at the packet level.
2Productivity
If per-packet priority levels are assigned based on dependency and redundancy, then transmission efficiency is improved, but packet analysis and classification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary analysis of packet dependencies and redundancies before transmission occurs. By pre-evaluating each packet's relationship to other packets and assigning priority levels in advance, the system optimizes transmission efficiency without requiring complex real-time analysis during actual data transfer, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where transmission results and packet loss information are used to update dependency and redundancy assessments. This feedback loop allows the system to refine its packet prioritization based on actual transmission conditions, improving transmission efficiency over time while managing complexity through adaptive learning rather than purely deterministic analysis.
3Reliability
If dynamic transmission parameter modification is implemented based on packet priority, then quality of service is optimized, but system adaptability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of transmission parameters such as retransmission thresholds, packet dropping policies, and priority scheduling based on current network conditions and packet characteristics. The system dynamically adapts its behavior according to changing conditions (e.g., network congestion, packet loss patterns) while maintaining a structured framework for decision-making, thus optimizing quality of service without overwhelming system adaptability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by modifying transmission parameters (e.g., retransmission count thresholds, priority levels, transmission timing) based on packet dependency and redundancy assessments. By systematically adjusting these parameters according to pre-established criteria and feedback from transmission results, the system optimizes quality of service through controlled adaptability rather than unstructured responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a system is described that comprises a network device adapted to receive a media stream including a plurality of network packets. The network device of the system processes the media stream, targeted for a client device communicatively coupled to the network device, by performing a number of operations. A first operation comprises partitioning the plurality of network packets into a plurality of subsets, each subset in the plurality of subsets corresponding to a media frame in a plurality of frames. Next, a priority level is determined for each media frame in the plurality of media frames, where the priority level for each media frame is assigned to each of the one or more network packets in the frame. Thereafter, network packets are transmitted or dropped based at least on the priority level associated with each network packet in the plurality of network packets.