Dynamically adjusting data rate of wireless communications

• US 20030231655A1
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VIXS Systems Incorporated (Pixelworks Incorporated), VIXS Incorporated
• Original Assignee: VIXS Systems Incorporated (Pixelworks Incorporated)
• Inventors: Girardeau, James, Kelton, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,423,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6373 for rate control , e.g. request to the server to modify its transmission rate flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel include processing that begins with one of a plurality of client modules within a wireless multimedia system monitors channel characteristics of a wireless transport channel. The monitoring is done at or below a received packet rate to determine variations in the channel characteristics on a packet-by-packet basis or on a group-of-packets by group-of packets basis. The processing continues when the client module determines whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate of data contained in the packets received via the wireless transport channel. When the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, the client module provides data rate adjustment feedback to a multimedia server of the wireless multimedia system via the wireless transport channel. The processing continues when the multimedia server adjusts the data rate of the data contained in the packets being transported via the wireless transport channel in accordance with the data rate adjustment feedback.

Claims

1. In a wireless multimedia system that includes a multimedia server, a plurality of client modules, and a plurality of wireless transport channels, a method for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel of the plurality of wireless transport channels, the method comprises:

monitoring, by one of the plurality of client modules, channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to determine variations in the channel characteristics from at least one packet to at least one other packet received via the wireless transport channel;

determining, by the one of the plurality of client modules, whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect data rate of data contained in received packets;

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, providing, by the one of the plurality of client modules, data rate adjustment feedback to the multimedia server via the wireless transport channel; and

adjusting, by the multimedia server, data rate of data contained in packets being transported via the wireless transport channel in accordance with the data rate adjustment feedback.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring of the channel characteristics further comprises at least one of:

monitoring signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

monitoring average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

monitoring received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate further comprises:

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a greater data rate; and

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a lower data rate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprises:

determining the increment data rate message when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate at least one of;

greater signal to noise ratio, greater average signal to noise ratio, and less packet error rate;

determining the decrement data rate message when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate at least one of;

lower signal to noise ratio, lower average signal to noise ratio, and greater packet error rate; and

determining the increased data rate value or the decreased data rate based on magnitude of the variations in the channel characteristics.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the adjusting the data rate of data contained in packets further comprises at least one of:

incrementing the data rate by an increment amount in accordance with the increment data rate message;

decrementing the data rate by an increment amount in accordance with the decrement data message;

increasing the data rate in accordance with the increased data rate value; and

decreasing the data rate in accordance with the decreased data rate value.

7. A method for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel, the method comprises:

monitoring channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to determine variations in the channel characteristics from at least one packet to at least one other packet received via the wireless transport channel;

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect data rate of data contained in received packets; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, providing data rate adjustment feedback to a source providing the received packets via the wireless transport channel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the monitoring of the channel characteristics further comprises at least one of:

monitoring signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

monitoring average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

monitoring received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate further comprises:

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a greater data rate; and

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a lower data rate.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the providing data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprises:

determining the increment data rate message when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate at least one of;

greater signal to noise ratio, greater average signal to noise ratio, and less packet error rate;

determining the decrement data rate message when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate at least one of;

lower signal to noise ratio, lower average signal to noise ratio, and greater packet error rate; and

determining the increased data rate value or the decreased data rate based on magnitude of the variations in the channel characteristics.

12. In a wireless multimedia system that includes a multimedia server, a plurality of client modules, and a plurality of wireless transport channels, a method for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel of the plurality of wireless transport channels, the method comprises:

determining, by one of the plurality of client modules, channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to produce determined channel characteristics;

generating, by the one of the plurality of client modules, data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics;

providing, by the one of the plurality of client modules, the data rate adjustment feedback to the multimedia server;

interpreting, by the multimedia server, the data rate adjustment feedback to determine whether data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted; and

when the data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted, adjusting, by the multimedia server, data rate of packets transported via the wireless transport channel.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel further comprises at least one of:

determining signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

determining average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the generating the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises:

composing the data rate adjustment feedback to include an indication of at least one of;

signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis, the average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis, and the received packet error rate for the plurality of packets.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interpreting the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises:

interpreting the indication to determine variations in the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel with respect to a current data rate;

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too slow, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be increased; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too fast, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be decreased.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the generating the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises:

determining variations in the channel characteristics;

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate of data contained in the packets; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, providing the data rate adjustment feedback to indicate an increase or a decrease in the data rate.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the providing data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the generating of the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a packet by packet basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a periodic basis; and

generating the data rate adjustment feedback in response to a request from the multimedia server.

19. A method for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel, the method comprises:

determining channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to produce determined channel characteristics;

generating data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics; and

providing the data rate adjustment feedback to a source.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the determining the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel further comprises at least one of:

determining signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

determining average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the generating the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises:

composing the data rate adjustment feedback to include an indication of at least one of;

signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis, the average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis, and the received packet error rate for the plurality of packets.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the generating the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises:

determining variations in the channel characteristics;

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate of data contained in the packets; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, providing the data rate adjustment feedback to indicate an increase or a decrease in the data rate.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the providing data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the generating of the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a packet by packet basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a periodic basis; and

generating the data rate adjustment feedback in response to a request from the multimedia server.

25. A method for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel of the plurality of wireless transport channels, the method comprises:

receiving data rate adjustment feedback;

interpreting the data rate adjustment feedback to determine whether data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted; and

when the data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted, adjusting data rate of packets transported via the wireless transport channel.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises an indication of at least one of:

signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis, the average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis, and the received packet error rate for the plurality of packets, and wherein the interpreting the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises;

interpreting the indication to determine variations in the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel with respect to a current data rate;

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too slow, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be increased; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too fast, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be decreased.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the receiving the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

receiving an increment data rate message;

receiving a decrement data message;

receiving an increased data rate value; and

receiving a decreased data rate value.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the receiving of the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback on a packet by packet basis;

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback on a periodic basis; and

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback in response to a request.

29. A wireless multimedia system comprises:

a multimedia server that includes a server processing module and server memory;

a plurality of wireless transport channels; and

a plurality of client modules, where each client module of the plurality of client modules includes a client processing module and client memory, wherein the client memory includes operational instructions that cause the client processing module to;

monitor channel characteristics of a wireless transport channel of the plurality of wireless transport channels at or below a receive packet rate to determine variations in the channel characteristics from at least one packet to at least one other packet received via the wireless transport channel;

determine whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect data rate of data contained in received packets;

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, provide data rate adjustment feedback to the multimedia server via the wireless transport channel; and

wherein the server memory includes operational instructions that cause the server processing module to;

adjust data rate of data contained in packets being transported via the wireless transport channel in accordance with the data rate adjustment feedback.

30. The wireless multimedia system of claim 29, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to monitor the channel characteristics by at least one of:

monitoring signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

monitoring average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

monitoring received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

31. The wireless multimedia system of claim 29, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to determine whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate by:

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a greater data rate; and

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a lower data rate.

32. The wireless multimedia system of claim 29, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to provide the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

33. The wireless multimedia system of claim 32, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to:

determine the increment data rate message when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate at least one of;

greater signal to noise ratio, greater average signal to noise ratio, and less packet error rate;

determine the decrement data rate message when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate at least one of;

lower signal to noise ratio, lower average signal to noise ratio, and greater packet error rate; and

determine the increased data rate value or the decreased data rate based on magnitude of the variations in the channel characteristics.

34. The wireless multimedia system of claim 32, wherein the server memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the server processing module to adjust the data rate of data contained in packets by at least one of:

incrementing the data rate by an increment amount in accordance with the increment data rate message;

decrementing the data rate by an increment amount in accordance with the decrement data message;

increasing the data rate in accordance with the increased data rate value; and

decreasing the data rate in accordance with the decreased data rate value.

35. An apparatus for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel, the apparatus comprises:

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

monitor channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to determine variations in the channel characteristics from at least one packet to at least one other packet received via the wireless transport channel;

determine whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect data rate of data contained in received packets; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, provide data rate adjustment feedback to a source providing the received packets via the wireless transport channel.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to monitor of the channel characteristics by at least one of:

monitoring signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

monitoring average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

monitoring received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to determine whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate by:

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a greater data rate; and

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics allow for a lower data rate.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to provide the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

39. A wireless multimedia system comprises:

a multimedia server that includes a server processing module and server memory;

a plurality of wireless transport channels; and

a plurality of client modules, where each of the plurality of client modules includes a client processing module and client memory, wherein the client memory includes operational instructions that cause the client processing module to;

determine channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to produce determined channel characteristics;

generate data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics;

provide the data rate adjustment feedback to the multimedia server;

wherein the server memory includes operational instructions that cause the server processing module to;

interpret the data rate adjustment feedback to determine whether data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted; and

when the data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted, adjust data rate of packets transported via the wireless transport channel.

40. The wireless multimedia system of claim 39, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to determine the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel by at least one of:

determining signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

determining average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

41. The wireless multimedia system of claim 40, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to generate the data rate adjustment feedback by:

composing the data rate adjustment feedback to include an indication of at least one of;

the signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis, the average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis, and the received packet error rate for the plurality of packets.

42. The wireless multimedia system of claim 41, wherein the server memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the server processing module to interpret the data rate adjustment feedback by:

interpreting the indication to determine variations in the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel with respect to a current data rate;

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too slow, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be increased; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too fast, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be decreased.

43. The wireless multimedia system of claim 39, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to generate the data rate adjustment feedback by:

determining variations in the channel characteristics;

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate of data contained in the packets; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, providing the data rate adjustment feedback to indicate an increase or a decrease in the data rate.

44. The wireless multimedia system of claim 43, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to provide the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

45. The wireless multimedia system of claim 39, wherein the client memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the client processing module to generate the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a packet by packet basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a periodic basis; and

generating the data rate adjustment feedback in response to a request from the multimedia server.

46. An apparatus for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel, the apparatus comprises:

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

determine channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel at or below a receive packet rate to produce determined channel characteristics;

generate data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics; and

provide the data rate adjustment feedback to a source.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to determine the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel by at least one of:

determining signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis;

determining average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to generate the data rate adjustment feedback by:

composing the data rate adjustment feedback to include an indication of at least one of;

signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis, the average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis, and the received packet error rate for the plurality of packets.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to generate the data rate adjustment feedback by:

determining variations in the channel characteristics;

determining whether the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate of data contained in the packets; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics affect the data rate, providing the data rate adjustment feedback to indicate an increase or a decrease in the data rate.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to provide the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

providing an increment data rate message;

providing a decrement data message;

providing an increased data rate value; and

providing a decreased data rate value.

51. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to generate the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a packet by packet basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

generating the data rate adjustment feedback on a periodic basis; and

generating the data rate adjustment feedback in response to a request from the multimedia server.

52. An apparatus for dynamic data rate adjustment of a wireless transport channel of the plurality of wireless transport channels, the apparatus comprises:

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

receive data rate adjustment feedback;

interpret the data rate adjustment feedback to determine whether data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted; and

when the data rate of data contained in packets transported via the wireless transport channel is to be adjusted, adjust data rate of packets transported via the wireless transport channel.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises an indication of at least one of:

signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a packet by packet basis, the average signal to noise ratio of the wireless transport channel on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis, and the received packet error rate for the plurality of packets, and wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to interpret the data rate adjustment feedback by;

interpreting the indication to determine variations in the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel with respect to a current data rate;

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too slow, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be increased; and

when the variations in the channel characteristics indicate that the current data rate is too fast, determining that the data rate of the data contained in the packets is to be decreased.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to receive the data rate adjustment feedback by at least one of:

receiving an increment data rate message;

receiving a decrement data message;

receiving an increased data rate value; and

receiving a decreased data rate value.

55. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to receive of the data rate adjustment feedback further comprises at least one of:

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback on a packet by packet basis;

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback on a grouping of packets by grouping of packets basis;

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback on a periodic basis; and

receiving the data rate adjustment feedback in response to a request.