Source Block Packing for FEC Recovery of Variable-Length Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
In broadcast and communication systems, data loss due to network congestion leads to audio and video quality degradation, and existing error correction methods often result in unnecessary zero padding, reducing efficiency and increasing transmission overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that efficiently configure source blocks by arranging transmission packets in a source block with reduced zero padding, using Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding to improve error correction capabilities and minimize unnecessary data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding is applied to source blocks with variable length packets, then data recovery capability is improved, but zero padding increases transmission overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The source block is divided into two distinct regions: a first region containing source packets arranged in sequential order, and a second region containing arrangement information. This segmentation allows the receiver to efficiently locate and reconstruct missing packets without requiring zero padding throughout the entire block, thereby reducing transmission overhead while maintaining data recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the source block serve different functions: the first region is optimized for sequential data transmission, while the second region is specifically designed to store arrangement information for variable length packets. This local optimization eliminates the need for uniform zero padding across the entire block, reducing wasted transmission resources while preserving FEC functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable length source packets are grouped into source blocks, then data transmission flexibility is improved, but zero padding increases the number of symbols transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The arrangement information that would normally be embedded within the packet data is extracted and placed in a dedicated second region. This allows the first region to contain only the essential source packets without redundant padding, reducing the total number of symbols transmitted while maintaining the flexibility to handle variable length packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional organization by separating the source block into functional regions (first region for packets, second region for arrangement info) rather than using a single sequential array. This dimensional reorganization allows efficient packing of variable length packets without requiring uniform spacing or zero padding, thereby reducing the total symbol count while preserving transmission flexibility.
3Reliability
If repair information is added to source blocks for error correction, then missing data recovery is improved, but transmission efficiency decreases due to unnecessary parity transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The arrangement information is prepared and placed in the second region before the FEC encoding process. This preliminary organization allows the encoder to work only with the necessary source packets in the first region, generating repair information without processing unnecessary zero padding. As a result, transmission efficiency is improved because only essential data and its corresponding parity are transmitted, while missing data recovery capability is maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for recovering data efficiently even when data loss has occurred over a channel or network. The packet transmission method includes arranging a first transmission packet in a source symbol in a first region of a source block; arranging a second transmission packet in a space starting with an empty space of a last source symbol where the first transmission packet is arranged, remaining after arranging the first transmission packet; arranging information related to the second transmission packet in a second region of the source block; performing Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding on the source block; and transmitting the encoded source block.