Method and apparatus for multiplexing a multitude of separate data streams into one shared data channel, while maintaining CBR requirements
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJose R. Brunheroto, Frans Laemen, Julio Nogima, Frank A. Schaffa, William J. Anzick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Transport packet multiplexing system and methodology that provides accurate bandwidth control, allowing bandwidth requirements to vary per multiplexed data stream while guaranteeing bandwidth availability. Accurate timing control is provided by implementing a real-time scheduling mechanism for adjusting the timing information based upon timing information obtained at the time of multiplexing to accurately represent environmental changes.
Claims17
A method for multiplexing transport packets associated with one or more data sources for transmission over a shared fixed bit rate medium, at least one data source required to transmit packets at an associated Constant Bit Rate (CBR), said method including:
- a) storing transport packets associated with a data source within a data queue memory storage device associated with a respective data source, each data queue memory device having an associated queue identifier (QID);
- b) maintaining timing information comprising plurality of time intervals and scheduling a time interval for each QID having a transport packet to be multiplexed on said shared medium based on a required CBR for said data source and said fixed bit rate medium;
- c) tracking in real-time time intervals associated with said fixed bit rate and determining from a current time interval a transport packet associated with said QID to be multiplexed;
- d) determining a time offset indicating a difference between the scheduled time interval for said transport packet and an actual time of multiplexing said transport packet;
- and,
- e) updating said timing information for a next transport packet to be multiplexed from the associated QID based on said determined time offset and an associated CBR of said data source.
A system for multiplexing Constant Bit Rate (CBR) encoded content for transmission over a fixed bit rate medium, said content including fixed size packets associated with one or more data sources for transmitting streams at an associated CBR, said system including:
- a) data memory means associated with a respective data source for storing transport packets associated with each data source, each data memory means having an associated queue identifier (QID);
- b) real-time output control means for enabling multiplexing of a transport packet from said data memory means according to said fixed bit rate;
- and,
- c) scheduler means in synchronization with said real-time output control means for scheduling a QID associated with said transport packet to be multiplexed based on a required CBR for said data source providing said transport packet and said fixed bit rate, and initiating transport packet multiplexing at said real-time output control means, said scheduler means including means for determining a time offset indicating a difference between a scheduled time interval for said QID and an actual time of multiplexing said transport packet, wherein said scheduling means updates timing information for a next transport packet to be multiplexed from the associated QID based on said determined time offset.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.