Transport Stream Packet Header Compression via TRIZ Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital broadcast networks face inefficiencies in transmitting transport stream packets due to the overhead of fixed header fields, particularly the 13-bit packet identifier and 4-bit continuity counter, which occupy significant bandwidth and are not optimized for systems like DVB-T2 where packet boundaries are already signaled at lower layers.
Innovation Solution
Replacing the 13-bit packet identifier with a one-bit short packet identifier and the 4-bit continuity counter with a one-bit duplicated packet indicator, and optionally removing the transport error indicator, to reduce the header size while ensuring data integrity and compatibility with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the standard 13-bit packet identifier and 4-bit continuity counter are used in transport stream packet headers, then data integrity and compatibility with existing systems are maintained, but transmission efficiency is reduced due to increased header overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes redundant header fields from the transport stream packet structure. Specifically, it removes the 13-bit packet_id field and 4-bit continuity_id field from the standard MPEG-2 transport stream header, keeping only essential fields like the 8-bit sync byte and 1-bit payload_start_indicator. This extraction principle directly reduces header size from 4 bytes to potentially 1-2 bytes while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter structure of the packet header by replacing fixed-length fields with variable-length or omitted fields. Instead of always transmitting a 13-bit packet_id and 4-bit continuity_id, the system uses parameter changes to transmit only necessary information, adapting the header structure based on whether packets are NULL packets or contain actual payload data.
2Quantity of substance
If header fields are reduced to improve transmission efficiency, then bandwidth is saved, but data integrity and system compatibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying to preserve data integrity through reversible compression. The receiver system maintains a copy of the standard header format and uses it to reconstruct removed fields like packet_id and continuity_id based on the transmitted short forms and contextual information. This copying approach ensures that even though fields are removed during transmission, the complete header information is restored at the receiver, maintaining data integrity and compatibility with standard MPEG-2 TS processing.
3Quantity of substance
If the packet identifier is shortened from 13 bits to 1 bit, then header overhead is significantly reduced, but the ability to identify multiple different packet types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the packet identification function into multiple parts: the transmitted short packet_id (1 bit) identifies basic packet categories (NULL vs. payload), while the receiver reconstructs the full packet identifier using contextual information from the transport stream structure and previously received packets. This segmentation allows the transmitted overhead to be minimal while the full identification capability is restored through intelligent reconstruction at the receiver end.
Data Source
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AI summary
A demultiplexer 630 routes only one or more transport stream packets with a single packet identifier value to each physical layer pipe. A header compression unit 620 replaces the packet identifier of the transport stream packet with a short packet identifier of one bit length indicating at least whether the transport stream packet is a NULL packet.