Predictive Frame Buffer Management for Decoder Underflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital broadband systems, such as DVB, face issues with unstable reception rates and additional buffering that lead to decoding errors and increased service data delivery delays, particularly in interactive services like real-time gaming, due to the loss of predictive frames and insufficient buffer management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a predictive 'no change' type frame with specific parameter values, stored and transmitted to set-top boxes, which can be adapted to minimize buffer underflow and ensure continuous decoding, even in the absence of timely input data, thereby reducing service response times and perceptible errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional buffering is implemented to handle unstable reception rates, then decoder reliability is improved, but service data delivery delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting buffer near-underflow conditions before they occur and proactively supplying predictive frames in advance. The receiving device monitors buffer status and triggers frame supply before the actual underflow happens, allowing the decoder to maintain continuous operation without waiting for actual buffer depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts buffer management based on real-time reception conditions. When unstable reception is detected, the system transitions to supplying predictive frames to maintain decoder operation. This dynamic response allows the system to optimize between buffer size and delivery delay based on current network conditions rather than using fixed buffering strategies.
2Reliability
If buffer size is increased to prevent underflow, then decoding errors are reduced, but service response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system supplies predictive frames in advance when buffer near-underflow is detected, before the actual underflow occurs. This preliminary action prevents decoding errors from happening in the first place, rather than requiring large buffers to statistically prevent underflow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of frame types supplied to the decoder based on buffer status. When buffer near-underflow is detected, the system switches to supplying predictive frames (which have smaller size and can be prepared in advance) instead of waiting for full I-frames, thus maintaining decoding continuity with smaller buffer requirements.
3Reliability
If predictive frames are lost due to unstable reception, then decoder continuity is maintained, but transmission capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by supplying predictive frames that are locally stored at the receiving device. When a predictive frame is lost during transmission, the receiver can retrieve a copy from its local storage and supply it to the decoder, ensuring continuity without requiring retransmission and preserving transmission capacity for other data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for supplying a decoder with data stream such as compressed video signal including both non-predictive and predictive data frames of a common data type. A device comprising a decoder for service data is provided with (1012, 1020) a specific frame that is a predictive frame indicating substantially no changes in the service data in relation to a possible previous service data frame supplied. A service data buffer is monitored (1014) and in case it's at least near an underflow condition according to a number of predetermined criteria (1016), the decoder is fed with the specific frame in order to prevent the decoder from being disturbed due to a lack of timely provided proper input data (1018).