Synchronous Data Transmission Over Packet Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications networks face challenges in maintaining synchronicity and interoperability between synchronous and asynchronous networks, particularly during transitions and interconnections, which complicates the integration of synchronous data streams over asynchronous packet data networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that package synchronous data streams into data packets with a fixed packet rate independent of the bitrate, allowing transmission over asynchronous networks, where the receiver node detects and regenerates the clock frequency based on the packet rate, enabling synchronous data transmission without synchronized clocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If synchronous data streams are transmitted over asynchronous packet data networks using variable packet rates matching bitrate, then data transmission flexibility is improved, but network complexity and clock synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronous data stream is segmented into discrete data packets with fixed rate information embedded. Each packet is treated as an independent unit carrying both data and timing information, allowing the asynchronous network to handle packets individually while preserving synchronous characteristics at endpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
Fixed rate information acts as an intermediary between the synchronous data stream and the asynchronous packet network. This intermediary carries timing references that allow clock regeneration at the receiver without requiring synchronization throughout the entire network path.
2Reliability
If synchronous networks are built at large scale to maintain synchronicity, then data transmission reliability is improved, but network complexity and interoperability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronous clocking characteristics are extracted from the data packets themselves rather than being maintained as a separate network-wide synchronization infrastructure. Timing information is embedded within individual packets, allowing synchronous behavior to emerge at endpoints without requiring synchronous network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each data packet carries its own timing information and rate definitions, making it self-sufficient for clock regeneration. The receiver can independently regenerate clocks from received packets without relying on external synchronization signals or network-wide clock distribution systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packet rate varies with bitrate to accommodate different data streams, then transmission adaptability is improved, but clock regeneration difficulty and traffic congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
Fixed rate information is predetermined and embedded in each data packet before transmission. This preliminary encoding of timing information allows the receiver to regenerate clocks without complex detection algorithms, as the rate information is already explicitly provided in the packet structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods, system, nodes and computer program for transmission of a synchronous data stream having a bitrate, over an asynchronous packet data network (120) between a transmitter node and a receiver node (110) comprising: packaging (S100), by the transmitter node, the synchronous data stream into data packets, transmitting (S110), by the transmitter node,the data packets onto the asynchronous packet data network (120) with a fixed packet rate defined by a first clock frequency which corresponds to the average distance in time between two consecutive data packets transmitted onto the asynchronous packet data network, which is independent of the bitrate of the synchronous data stream, receiving (S120), by the receiver node (110), the data packets from the asynchronous packet data network (120), detecting (S130), by the receiver node (110), the fixed packet rate, and based on the fixed packet rate, regenerating (S140), by the receiver node (110), the first clock frequency by detection of the distance in time between two consecutive data packets received from the asynchronous packet data network.