Statistical Multiplexer Bit Rate Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional statistical multiplexing systems cannot guarantee precise long-term distribution of bit rates between channels, making it difficult for broadcasters to meet contractual obligations for average bit rate delivery without sacrificing video quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that establishes and enforces a target average bit rate for each channel by splitting the bit allocation pool into two portions: one for maximizing video quality and another for minimizing the gap between actual and target bit rates, ensuring long-term average bit rates are met without compromising video quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional statistical multiplexing is used to distribute bit rates based on video complexity, then video quality is maximized, but long-term average bit rate guarantees cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The bit rate allocation is segmented into two distinct pools: a first bit rate pool for quality-based allocation and a second bit rate pool for target average bit rate enforcement. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously pursue video quality optimization and contractual bit rate guarantees without conflict
Solution Approach 2:
A bit rate management intermediary is introduced that operates between the encoders and the multiplexer. This intermediary tracks long-term average bit rates, enforces target rate constraints, and adjusts allocations between the two pools, thereby mediating between quality demands and contractual obligations
2Manufacturing precision
If bit rates are dynamically adjusted based on video complexity, then video quality is improved, but precision in meeting target average bit rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different allocation strategies are applied locally to different bit rate pools: the first pool uses quality-based dynamic allocation while the second pool uses target-rate-based allocation. This local differentiation allows each pool to optimize for its specific purpose without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the allocation parameter from purely quality-based to a dual-parameter approach that considers both video quality metrics and target average bit rate requirements. This parameter transformation enables precise control over long-term bit rate delivery while maintaining quality awareness
3Device complexity
If a single bit rate pool is used for all channels, then system complexity is reduced, but ability to meet individual channel target bit rates is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single bit rate pool is segmented into two separate pools with distinct purposes: one for quality optimization and another for target rate enforcement. This segmentation structure enables the system to meet individual channel contractual obligations while maintaining overall system manageability
Data Source
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AI summary
Ensuring a long-term average bitrate for channels of a statistical multiplexing meets or exceeds a specified limit. An arbitrary target average bitrate for each of a set of channels of the statistical multiplexer is received. The long-term average bit rate for each channel of the statistical multiplexer is tracked. For each allocation cycle of the statistical multiplexer, bitrates to each encoder are assigned by splitting a bit allocation pool of the statistical multiplexer into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is allocated to maximize video quality and the second portion is allocated to minimize a gap between the set of channels that are below their arbitrary target average bitrate based on the long-term average bit rate for the set of channels. Thereafter, the bit rates allocated from the first and second portions are distributed to the encoders encoding/transcoding the set of channels.