Central Entity for VoIP Redundancy and Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Voice-over-Packet (VoIP) systems face challenges in dynamically managing packet redundancy and error correction, particularly during network congestion, which affects voice quality and bandwidth usage, as existing methods lack centralized coordination and adaptive mechanisms to respond to impaired sessions.
Innovation Solution
A system with a central entity that monitors VoIP media streams for impairments, computes quality metrics, and adjusts media characteristics, such as redundancy and error correction, in response to threshold crossings, using protocols like SCCP, MGCP, or SIP, to optimize voice quality and bandwidth management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet redundancy or FEC is applied to all VoIP calls, then voice quality is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases and network congestion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of error correction (FEC) and redundancy mechanisms selectively based on the specific impairment conditions of each VoIP session. Rather than applying uniform protection to all calls, the system tailors the protection level to the actual network conditions, applying stronger protection only when packet loss exceeds thresholds and reducing or eliminating protection when network conditions are good, thus optimizing the trade-off between voice quality and bandwidth consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the application of redundancy and FEC based on real-time network conditions and impairment thresholds. The protection mechanisms are activated or deactivated, and their intensity is modified, in response to changing network conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to network congestion and adjust bandwidth usage accordingly while maintaining voice quality when needed
2Reliability
If packet redundancy or FEC is applied to compensate for packet loss, then voice quality is improved, but device complexity and control mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where endpoints monitor voice quality metrics and network conditions, and this information is fed back to control entities that manage redundancy and FEC application. The feedback loop includes threshold-based triggering mechanisms that activate protection only when quality degradation is detected, and automatic adjustment based on reported conditions. This feedback-driven approach simplifies control by using automated threshold-based decisions rather than complex manual management
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables endpoints to self-monitor their own voice quality metrics and network conditions, and automatically trigger appropriate protection mechanisms without requiring constant external control. Endpoints can independently detect when packet loss exceeds thresholds and initiate redundancy or FEC mechanisms, reducing the complexity of centralized control while maintaining coordinated protection across the network
3Loss of energy
If low-bit-rate audio codecs are employed to conserve bandwidth, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but voice signal quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of audio codecs dynamically based on network conditions and impairment thresholds. The system can switch between different codec bit-rates, adjust codec settings, or modify other audio processing parameters in response to network conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the system to use lower bit-rates when network bandwidth is constrained or packet loss is high, while switching to higher quality codecs when network conditions improve, thus optimizing the trade-off between bandwidth consumption and voice signal quality
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment may include an apparatus comprising a message buffer to receive messages from a voice over packet endpoint if impairments in a media stream pass a threshold, and a processor coupled with the message buffer, the processor to determine changes to media characteristics for the voice over packet endpoint in relation to the impairments and to signal the voice over packet endpoints to adjust media characteristics of the media stream in both directions. Another example embodiment may be a method comprising monitoring a voice over packet media stream for impairments, computing Voice over packet quality metrics based on the impairments, sending or receiving the Voice over packet quality metrics to or from a session peer, when a threshold is crossed for the Voice over packet quality metrics, sending an event notification to a central entity, and changing media characteristics of the voice over packet media stream in relation to the impairments as directed by the central entity.