Transport Packet Header Compression Using Reduced Format

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication network technologies face high bandwidth costs due to large transport packet headers, with existing header compression methods like RoHC requiring complex computations and unnecessary decoding of full headers for packet filtering.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for generating and processing transport packets with reduced header sizes by determining whether to use a full or reduced header format, using fields like delta_timestamp, reduced_pckt_id, and RefSeqNum to compress headers while maintaining low computational complexity and transparency for packet filtering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If full size packet header format is used, then packet filtering and decoding are simplified, but bandwidth consumption increases due to larger header size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidheader processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packet header is segmented into two distinct formats: full size header and reduced size header. The system selectively applies the appropriate format based on packet characteristics, allowing optimization of bandwidth usage without compromising the ability to handle complex filtering requirements when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The header format parameter is dynamically changed based on packet type and filtering requirements. By transitioning between full size and reduced size formats, the system adapts to different operational conditions, reducing bandwidth consumption for suitable packets while maintaining full functionality when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If reduced sized packet header format is used, then bandwidth consumption decreases, but packet filtering becomes more complex requiring full header decoding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidpacket filtering ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of packets to determine whether they can use reduced size headers. By pre-identifying suitable packets before compression, the system avoids the need for full header decoding during filtering operations, maintaining ease of operation while achieving bandwidth reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary classification mechanism is introduced that determines the appropriate header format before transmission. This intermediary layer ensures that packets suitable for reduction are properly marked and can be efficiently filtered at the receiver without requiring full header expansion, thus maintaining filtering ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If existing header compression methods like RoHC are used, then header size is reduced, but computational complexity increases due to complex computations required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a lightweight, disposable header compression approach that does not require complex stateful computations. By using simple, deterministic rules for header reduction that can be applied independently to each packet, the system achieves bandwidth reduction with minimal computational overhead, avoiding the expensive computations of methods like RoHC

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2987296B1Method and apparatus for packet header compression
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 INTERDIGITAL VC HOLDINGS INC
  • EP2987296B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP2987296B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2987296B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B

AI summary

To compress headers efficiently, headers may be differentially encoded. In one embodiment, a difference between a current field and a reference field can be used in a reduced header. In another embodiment, the least significant bits of the current field can be used to represent the current field. When such a field is received, the most significant bits of a reference field are needed to de¬ compress the field. In addition, the present principles determine the typical usage scenarios that may benefit from header compression and further determine that some fields can be removed in a reduced header or be represented by fewer bits. Header compression may impose constraints on the representation of the current field. The present principles recognize constraints on using reduced headers and provide rules and guidelines on applying header compression.