Packet Synchronization via Timestamp Queuing for Seamless Handoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed networks, real-time packet services experience synchronization issues during handoffs due to mismatched packet arrival times at access stations, leading to quality degradation such as glitching or dropping of services, as existing solutions like receive queuing do not effectively eliminate time mismatches.
Innovation Solution
Implementing timestamp processing logic and service synchronization queuing logic across network devices to synchronize packet transmissions based on a common time reference, using a global navigation satellite system or network time server, ensuring packets are delayed by a consistent time offset to achieve simultaneous arrivals at access stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packets are transmitted through distributed network paths to multiple access stations, then service coverage and mobility support are improved, but packet arrival time synchronization deteriorates due to varying path delays and jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating expected packet arrival times at each access station before transmission, and pre-determining the required delay values. This allows the network to proactively compensate for path variations rather than reacting to synchronization issues after they occur
Solution Approach 2:
A delay mechanism acts as an intermediary between packet transmission and delivery at access stations. This intermediary component introduces controlled delays to packets based on calculated timing requirements, mediating the synchronization between packets traveling through different network paths with varying delays
2Reliability
If receive queuing is implemented at access stations to handle packet arrival variations, then packet loss during handoff is reduced, but time mismatch between packet streams from different access stations persists
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual packet arrival times at access stations and comparing them against expected arrival times. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust delay values for subsequent packets, ensuring continuous synchronization correction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delay parameter dynamically based on measured network conditions and actual packet arrival times. By adjusting the delay value parameter in response to observed timing deviations, the system adapts to varying network conditions while maintaining synchronization
3Manufacturing precision
If timestamp processing and service synchronization queuing are implemented to synchronize packet arrivals, then handoff quality is improved, but network device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses timestamp information copied from the packet headers (which already contain timing data from the source) to determine delay requirements. Rather than creating entirely new timing mechanisms, the system leverages and processes existing timestamp data that is already present in the packet structure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are described for synchronizing distribution of packet information. In one embodiment, the invention includes timestamp processing logic to process a transmit time indicator embedded within the packet information, where the transmit time indicator is based on a time reference, and service synchronization queuing logic to hold the packet information until a time offset after the transmit time indicator, where the service synchronization queuing logic is synchronized to the time reference.