Stream Multiplexing Network Device Reducing Bandwidth Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multicast channels in cellular communication systems have high setup times, which hinder performance for group communication services requiring low latency and quick establishment, especially as group sizes increase.
Innovation Solution
A network device strips stream-specific routing information from data packets and merges them into a shared payload with common routing information, allowing for selective decoding and processing based on stream-mapping information, thereby reducing overhead and improving efficiency in transmitting multiple streams over a single channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional multicast channels are used to support group communication services, then the system can provide broadcast and multicast services, but the setup time is high which deteriorates performance for services requiring low latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unicast streams into a single multicast stream by merging their data packets at the network device. This allows the system to use efficient multicast transmission for group communication while maintaining low latency by avoiding separate unicast setup procedures for each user. The merging occurs at the packet level where data from multiple unicast streams are combined into shared multicast packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multicast channel that can serve multiple functions simultaneously - it can carry data for multiple different unicast streams intended for different users or user groups. This universal multicast channel replaces the need for separate dedicated channels, reducing setup time while maintaining the ability to provide personalized group communication services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate unicast streams are used for each user in a large group, then individual user communication is supported, but system resource efficiency deteriorates as the group size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast data streams into a single multicast stream at the network device. Data packets from multiple users are combined into shared multicast packets that are transmitted once to the group. This maintains the ability to address individual users while dramatically improving resource efficiency by avoiding redundant transmissions of the same data to multiple users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multicast data payload into multiple portions, each corresponding to a different original unicast stream. The network device divides the combined data into separate payload portions and includes identification information so that receiving users can selectively extract and process only the portions relevant to them, maintaining individual user support within the efficient multicast framework.
3Loss of information
If multiple separate data packets with individual headers are transmitted for different streams, then stream-specific routing is maintained, but bandwidth overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate data packets into a single consolidated multicast packet. Instead of transmitting separate packets with individual headers for each stream, the network device combines the data payloads and includes a single common header with routing information. This dramatically reduces bandwidth overhead while maintaining accurate stream-specific routing through the use of identification fields that map payload portions to their original streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal packet structure where a single data packet serves multiple functions - it carries data for multiple different streams simultaneously. The common header provides routing information that applies to the entire packet, while internal identification fields within the payload portions maintain stream-specific routing capabilities. This multi-functional packet reduces overhead while preserving routing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a network device obtains a plurality of data packets that are each associated with one of a plurality of different streams, wherein each of the plurality of obtained data packets includes a header portion with stream-specific routing information. The network device strips the stream-specific routing information from the plurality of obtained data packets to produce a plurality of stream-specific payload portions, which are merged into a shared payload portion of a stream-multiplexed data packet that includes common routing information for the plurality of streams in a common header portion. The network device transmits the stream-multiplexed packet to a target device, and the target device determines whether any of the plurality of different streams are relevant to the target UE based on stream-mapping information contained in the stream-multiplexed packet, and selectively decodes and processes the stream-specific payload portions corresponding based on the determination.