Session Border Controller Adaptive Transcoding Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia communication systems lack a dynamic algorithm for adapting transcoding usage, leading to resource exhaustion and call drops or failures, especially when high-quality codecs like EVS are used, resulting in inefficient resource allocation and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts transcoding by subscribing to transcoding capacity events and categorizing transcoding phases to proactively manage codec offerings based on available resources, eliminating costly codecs when resources are scarce and avoiding additional transcoding when capacity is critical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-quality codecs like EVS are offered to all devices, then audio quality is improved, but transcoding resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of codec offering based on transcoding resource availability. When resources are abundant, high-quality EVS codecs are offered; when resources are scarce, the system switches to offering only low-cost codecs like G.711 or OPUS, thus adapting audio quality and resource consumption to current system conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The codec offering list is made dynamic rather than static. The SBC continuously monitors transcoding resource usage and adjusts the offered codecs in real-time, transitioning between different codec sets based on current resource availability, enabling the system to be both high-quality when possible and resource-efficient when necessary
2Reliability
If transcoding resources are allocated for peak traffic, then call reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic resource allocation where the available transcoding capacity is continuously monitored and the codec offering is adjusted accordingly. During peak traffic, the system naturally limits to low-cost codecs, preserving resources for when they're truly needed, while during off-peak times, high-quality codecs become available, thus achieving both reliability and efficiency without over-provisioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of codec selection based on resource availability metrics. By monitoring transcoding capacity usage and adjusting the offered codec list, the system ensures call reliability is maintained through appropriate codec matching while optimizing resource utilization by avoiding unnecessary transcoding operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If the codec list is enriched with additional codecs, then service versatility is improved, but transcoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The codec list is segmented into different categories: primary codecs (G.711, OPUS) that are always offered and require minimal or no transcoding, and secondary codecs (EVS, G.722) that are offered conditionally when resources are available. This segmentation allows the system to maintain versatility while managing complexity by not offering all codecs simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The codec offering strategy is made dynamic, where the system adapts the level of codec enrichment based on current transcoding capacity. The SBC monitors resource availability and adjusts the codec list accordingly, offering a comprehensive codec set when resources are abundant and a streamlined set when resources are constrained, thus balancing versatility and complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for transcoding in a communication system, the communication system comprising: a first user equipment, E1, a first Session Border Controller, SBC-1, associated with E1, a Border Gateway Function BGF-1, a data network, DN, a second user equipment, UE2, and a second Session Border Controller, SBC-2, associated with UE2, wherein the SBC-1 has a transcoding capacity, TC, wherein the TC has a value within one of a plurality of ranges, the method comprising the steps of: subscribing, from the SBC-1 to the BGF-1, to a transcoding capacity event; notifying, from the BGF-1 to the SBC-1, about a current TC; sending, from the UE1 towards the UE2, a Session Description Protocol, SDP, offer, through SBC-1, comprising a first set of codecs; receiving the SDP offer, at the SBC-1, and sending the SDP offer to the UE2 through the DN and SBC-2, the SDP offer sent from the SBC-1 comprising a second set of codecs depending on the current phase TC; receiving, at the UE2, the SDP offer comprising the second set of codecs and selecting a codec; sending, from the UE2 to the UE1, a SDP answer including the selected codec, through SBC-2, the DN, the BGF-1 and the SBC-1; checking, at the SBC-1, whether the UE2 selected codec matches with one of the set of codecs of the SDP offer of the UE1, and, in case it matches, forwarding the SDP answer to the E1, in the case the UE2 selected codec does not match with one of the codecs of the SDP offer of the UE1, checking, at the SBC-1 whether the selected codec is supported by the BGF-1, and, in the case it is supported, instructing the BGF-1, by the SBC-1, to perform transcoding from the selected codec into a codec from the first set of codecs of the SDP offer, updating the SDP answer, and forwarding the updated SDP answer to the UE1.