U.S. patent application number 14/923336 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-18 for launch delay offset data flow protection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nevion Europe AS. Invention is credited to Andrew Rayner.
Application Number | 20160048432 14/923336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49381303 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160048432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rayner; Andrew |
February 18, 2016 |
LAUNCH DELAY OFFSET DATA FLOW PROTECTION
Abstract
A signal protector utilizes a dual data path delay offset
enabling signal recovery on both paths following simultaneous data
loss on both paths.
Inventors: |
Rayner; Andrew; (Felixstowe,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nevion Europe AS |
Sandefjord |
|
NO |
|
|
Family ID: |
49381303 |
Appl. No.: |
14/923336 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13863890 |
Apr 16, 2013 |
9172501 |
|
|
14923336 |
|
|
|
|
61625901 |
Apr 18, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
714/747 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 47/28 20130101;
G06F 2201/805 20130101; H04L 1/0056 20130101; H04L 47/41 20130101;
H04L 45/24 20130101; H04L 1/06 20130101; H04L 47/32 20130101; G06F
11/1625 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 11/16 20060101
G06F011/16 |
Claims
1. A data protection method comprising the steps of: providing data
path A and data path B; paths A and B transporting the same data;
and, offsetting the data transported by path A from the data
transported by path B by a time "t" such that following a
simultaneous data loss on both paths during a time interval that is
less than or equal to "t" an uninterrupted data flow can be
recovered using a combination of information from both data
paths.
2. The data protection method of claim 1 wherein data lost from
path A is replaced by data from path B and wherein data lost from
path B is replaced by data from path A.
3. A lost data recovery method comprising the steps of: providing
data path A for transporting data packets; providing data path B
for transporting data packets; paths A and B transporting the same
data packets; and, offsetting the data transported by path A from
the data transported by path B by a time "t" such that following a
simultaneous data loss on both paths during a time interval that is
less than or equal to "t" an uninterrupted data flow can be
recovered by combining data from both data paths; wherein packets
lost from path A are replaced by packets from path B and wherein
packets lost from path B is replaced by packets from path A.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein paths A and B are implemented in
the same media using VLAN separation.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein t is at least 50 milliseconds.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein path A interconnects with the
first and second stations and path B interconnects with the first
and second stations.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein: the first station is an encoder
and the second station is a decoder; path A interconnects the
encoder with a decoder SIPS; path B interconnects an encoder NAT
and delay block with the decoder SIPS; and, data paths A and B
transport multi-channel audio.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/863,890 filed Apr. 16, 2013 which claims
the benefit of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 61/625,901 filed Apr. 18,
2012 and entitled LAUNCH DELAY OFFSET DATA FLOW PROTECTION.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known signal protection schemes include error correction
using multiple channels and/or large static buffers. Such systems
utilize excessive bandwidth and/or introduce relatively long
latency. Although signal protection innovations are not a focus
area of the telecommunications industry, improvements that are
adopted by the industry have the potential to benefit large groups
of consumers.
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] This invention relates to the electrical arts. In
particular, a signal is protected through the use of launch delay
offset.
[0005] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0006] Some signal protection systems are known. For example, some
signal protection systems merely use simultaneous broadcasts on
dual paths allowing for redundancy via switching between the paths.
However, signal protection developments have not generally been a
focus area of the telecommunications industry, perhaps due to the
widespread use of the dual path protection system mentioned above.
But, known systems generally suffer from one or more of hardware
complexity, software complexity, high initial cost, high operating
costs, large additions to required bandwidth, and signal
degradation. Selected embodiments of the present invention provide
solutions to one or more of these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a signal protector utilizing
dual data paths with a delay offset. In an embodiment, a data
protection method comprises the steps of: providing data path A and
data path B; each of the data paths extending between first and
second stations; paths A and B transporting the same data; and,
offsetting the data transported by path A from the data transported
by path B by a time "t" such that following a simultaneous data
loss on both paths during a time interval that is less than or
equal to "t" an uninterrupted data flow can be recovered using a
combination of information from both data paths.
[0008] In an embodiment, a data protection method comprising the
steps of providing a data transmitting block for receiving and
forwarding data and a data receiving block for receiving the
forwarded data and delivering data; coupling dual redundant data
paths A and B between the data transmitting block and the data
receiving block; configuring the transmitting block to transmit
redundant data on data path B time "t" later than the data
transmitted on path A; and, maintaining an uninterrupted flow of
delivered data following a simultaneous data loss on both paths of
duration less than or equal to "t" by merging data from paths A and
B to provide at least some of the data delivered following to the
data loss.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. The figures, incorporated herein and forming
part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and,
together with the description, further serve to explain the
principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the
relevant art to make and use the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a protection system in accordance with the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the protection system of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The disclosure provided in the following pages describes
examples of some embodiments of the invention. The designs,
figures, and descriptions are non-limiting examples of certain
embodiments of the invention. For example, other embodiments of the
disclosed device may or may not include the features described
herein. Moreover, disclosed advantages and benefits may apply to
only certain embodiments of the invention and should not be used to
limit the disclosed inventions.
[0013] Where parts are connected, descriptions herein include the
term "coupled" which refers to either direct or indirect
connections. Direct connections provide for a first part connected
directly to a second part, for example A connected directly to B.
Indirect connections provide for a first part connected indirectly
to a second part, for example A connected indirectly to C via
B.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a signal protection system in accordance with
the present invention 100. Data paths A and B transport packet
flows. As shown, Paths A and B are offset.
[0015] An exemplary Data Loss is shown. Here, Path A packets n+2,
n+3, n+4 are lost and Path B packets n-1, n, n+1 are lost.
[0016] Recovery following the Data Loss is seen as follows. Path A
is rebuilt using unlost packets n+2, n+3, n+4 of path B. Path B is
rebuilt using unlost packets n-1, n, n+1 of Path A. In various
embodiments, unlost packets are recovered and data streams are
rebuilt using one or more of memories, buffers, switches, and other
similar data processing equipment.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the signal protection system of FIG. 1
implemented in a multi-channel audio transport system 200. Both
data feeds are in the same pipe with VLAN separation and in this
example Feed B is delayed with respect to Feed A by 70 ms. As
shown, the feeds extend between an encoder originating the data and
a decoder processing the data forwarded by the encoder.
[0018] In various embodiments this data protection system enables
recovery from simultaneous data loss in redundant, offset data
paths. And, in various embodiments, dual path synchronized
transmission data protection systems are adapted to implement the
delay offset of the present invention.
[0019] In an example utilizing an embodiment of the present
invention, a national radio network entity operating a private IP
network implemented the present invention to resolve short,
simultaneous data losses on dual diverse paths through the network
where disturbances were less than 50 milliseconds in duration. The
solution provides at a transmitting end a network feed source and a
network adapter for delaying one of redundant network feeds by 70
milliseconds. Exemplary equipment includes a network adapter in the
form of a Nevion Ventura VS906 IP Media Edge Adapter. With an audio
input, the adapter provides dual redundant IP data flows carrying
the audio information.
[0020] Receiving equipment provides delay equalization for the
redundant paths and adjusts for both network delay and artificial
delay to create one integral feed. A complementary receiving end
adapter takes in the two network data flows and merges them to
provide a merged data flow from which the audio information is
decapsulated. This technique provides uninterrupted delivery of the
transported audio information despite short, simultaneous network
disturbances. Skilled artisans will of course recognize the present
invention is not limited to particular transmission media or
information transmission protocols.
[0021] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the
form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. As such, the breadth and scope of the
present invention should not be limited by the above-described
exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance
with the following claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *