Padding time-slice slots using variable delta-T

• US 20070002870A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Vesma, Jussi, Pekonen, Harri
• Application Number:
  US11/169,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20070002870A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.420
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/22 Traffic shaping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2416 Real-time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2441 relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/431 using padding or de-padding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23611 Insertion of stuffing data into a multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bitrate synchronisation arrangements in time-division multiplex systems using bit stuffing for systems with different or fluctuating information rates H04J3/073
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• 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 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64315 DVB-H
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting real-time service data in a digital broadcast network (e.g., DVB-H network), where gaps in the transmission are filled with non-real-time service data. Two types of service data are received as packets to be formed into time-slice bursts. Real-time service data, which typically varies in bit rate (e.g., streaming video), leaves gaps when capacity is reserved for it. These gaps are filled with non-real-time service data (e.g., file download) when forming time-slice bursts.

Claims

1. A digital broadcast transmitter, comprising:

one or more network interfaces;

one or more processors, configured to perform the steps of;

receiving a plurality of high-priority data packets via the one or more network interfaces, wherein the plurality of high-priority data packets include content for higher priority transmission;

receiving a plurality of lower-priority data packets via the one or more network interfaces, wherein the plurality of lower-priority data packets include content for lower-priority transmission;

forming the plurality of high-priority data packets into a first burst for time-sliced transmission;

determining if additional capacity is available within the first burst;

responsive to additional capacity being available, inserting a first portion of the plurality of lower-priority data packets into the first burst; and

forwarding the first burst for transmission.

2. The digital broadcast transmitter of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to perform the steps of:

forming a second portion of the plurality of lower-priority data packets into a second burst for time-sliced transmission; and

forwarding the second burst for transmission.

3. The digital broadcast transmitter of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to perform the steps of:

combining the first burst and the second burst for simultaneous transmission.

4. The digital broadcast transmitter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of high-priority data packets include streaming video data.

5. The digital broadcast transmitter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of high-priority data packets and the plurality of lower-priority data packets include Internet Protocol (IP) packets.

6. The digital broadcast transmitter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of high-priority data packets and the plurality of lower-priority data packets are for transmission in a Digital Video Broadcasting—

Handheld (DVB-H) system.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the time-insensitive data packets comprise a file for download.

7. A method for padding time-slice bursts, the method comprising:

receiving time-sensitive data packets for transmission in a digital broadcast transmission system;

receiving time-insensitive data packets for transmission in the digital broadcast transmission system;

forming the time-sensitive data packets into a first time-slice burst;

determining whether the first time-slice burst has been filled by the time-sensitive data packets;

responsive to the time-sensitive data packets not filling the first time-slice burst, filling any remaining capacity in the first time-slice burst with a first portion of the time-insensitive data packets; and

forwarding the full first time-slice burst for transmission.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

forming a second portion of the time-insensitive data packets into a second time-slice burst; and

forwarding the second time-slice burst for transmission.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

combining the first time-slice burst and second time-slice burst for simultaneous transmission.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the digital broadcast transmission system is a Digital Video Broadcast—

Handheld (DVB-H) system.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the time-sensitive data packets comprise video data.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the time-sensitive data packets comprise audio data.

14. A digital broadcast transmitter, comprising:

one or more network interfaces, for receiving real-time service packets and non-real-time service packets;

a storage, for storing received real-time service packets; and

a processor, configured to perform the steps of;

receiving real-time service packets via the one or more network interfaces, wherein the real-time service packets include time-sensitive data;

receiving non-real-time service packets via the one or more network interfaces, wherein the non-real-time service packets do not include time-sensitive data;

storing the real-time service packets in the storage;

forming the real-time service packets into a Tisle slot;

determining if additional capacity is available in the Tisle slot;

responsive to additional capacity being available in the Tisle slot, adding non-real-time service packets to the Tisle slot;

forwarding the Tisle slot for transmission.

15. The digital broadcast transmitter of claim 14, wherein the Tisle slot is forwarded for transmission in a Digital Video Broadcasting—

Handheld (DVB-H) network.