Dynamically adjusting data rate of wireless communications

• US 7,423,990 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VIXS Systems Incorporated (Pixelworks Incorporated), VIXS Incorporated
• Original Assignee: VIXS Systems Incorporated (Pixelworks Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kelton, James R, Girardeau, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Assistant Examiner(s): PARK, JUNG H
• Application Number:
  US10/174,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,275 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/329
• 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:

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 wherein the determining the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel further comprises at least one of;

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;

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

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;

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.

2. 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.

3. The method of claim 1, 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.

4. 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 by at least one of;

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;

generating data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics and 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, wherein generating the data rate adjustment feedback frirther includes;

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; and

providing the data rate adjustment feedback to a source.

5. The method of claim 4, 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.

6. 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 wherein the data rate adjustment feedback includes an indication of at least one of;

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

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, wherein interpreting the data rate adjustment feedback further includes;

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; 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.

7. The method of claim 6, 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.

8. The method of claim 6, 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.

9. 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, wherein 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 by at least one of;

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

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets;

generate data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics;

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;

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.

10. The wireless multimedia system of claim 9, 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.

11. 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 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 bases;

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets;

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

provide the data rate adjustment feedback to a source.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, 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.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, 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.

14. 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 in response to a request transmitted over the wireless transport channel, wherein the data rate adjustment feedback further includes 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;

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.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, 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.

16. 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 wherein the determining the channel characteristics of the wireless transport channel further comprises at least one of;

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;

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

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;

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, wherein interpreting the data rate adjustment feedback includes;

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; 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.

17. 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, wherein 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 by at least one of;

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

determining received packet error rate for a plurality of packets;

generate data rate adjustment feedback based on the channel characteristics 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;

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 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; 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.