Serial Stream Control Symbols for Single-Bit Error Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital video transmission technologies face challenges in maintaining synchronization between transmitters and receivers due to high error rates in control symbols, leading to unacceptable delays and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating predefined m-bit control symbols of the form {k1-k2-k2-k1} or {k1-k1-k2-k2} into serial streams, where k1 and k2 have a Hamming distance of at least 2, to enable robust detection and synchronization, even in the presence of single-bit errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional control symbols are used in high-speed serial streams, then transmission speed is improved, but error rate increases causing loss of synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing control symbols with built-in error tolerance. The control symbols use a specific structure where the second half is the bitwise inverse of the first half, creating redundancy that cushions against bit errors. This allows the receiver to detect and correct single-bit errors without losing synchronization, thus protecting the transmission reliability while maintaining high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of control symbols from traditional formats to a specific form where the symbol is divided into two halves with the second half being the bitwise inverse of the first. This parameter change creates a detectable pattern that is robust against bit errors, enabling reliable synchronization even at high transmission speeds where errors are more likely to occur.
2Reliability
If auxiliary channel is used for re-synchronization, then synchronization can be restored, but user experience deteriorates due to unacceptable delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the receiver to autonomously detect and correct synchronization errors using the embedded error-detecting structure within the control symbols themselves. The receiver can identify when a control symbol has been corrupted by comparing the expected inverse relationship between the two halves, and can request retransmission of just that specific symbol without needing to alert the transmitter through the auxiliary channel, thus eliminating the delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-structuring control symbols with built-in error detection capability before transmission. The inverse relationship between the two halves of each control symbol is established in advance, allowing the receiver to immediately detect errors upon reception without needing to communicate with the transmitter first. This preliminary structuring enables rapid error recovery without auxiliary channel delays.
3Measurement precision
If control symbols are made more robust to errors, then detection accuracy improves, but symbol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in a functional sense by creating a specific structural relationship where one half of the control symbol (the second half) is the bitwise inverse of the other half. This asymmetric relationship provides clear detectability for error correction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The inverse relationship creates a unique pattern that is easy to verify computationally without requiring complex encoding schemes.
Data Source
AI summary
Control symbols taking the form {k1-k2-k2-k1} are inserted in a serial stream including m bit data words. k1 and k2 are each predefined m bit control words differing from the m bit data words. The Hamming distance between k1 and k2 is at least 2. Such control symbols may be robustly detected in the presence of a one bit error in the symbol, or a data word immediately preceding or following the symbol. The m bit words may be 8B/10B encoded data, or defined control words. The control symbols may be used for data delineation, stream synchronizaiton, transmitter/receiver synchronization or for other control signalling.