Abstract: Performance of transport protocols over a mobile data network is improved by a mobile accelerator, which performs protocol optimizations on-the-fly without requiring any modification to server or client protocol implementations in the operating systems of the server or client. The proposed mobile accelerator is compatible with existing TCP protocol implementations at the server and the client device, without server/client OS modification.

Abstract: A method and a tool based on achievable bandwidth as a metric are provided for selecting paths for overlay construction in an application layer multicast system. An in-band bandwidth probing tool according to the invention can estimate achievable bandwidth, i.e., the data throughput that can be realized between two peers over the transport protocol employed. The tool can determine the amount of extra bandwidth available in the target network path so that excess data traffic can be diverted from congested path without causing new congestion in the target path.

Abstract: The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may operate to receive at least one data packet from a transmitter connected to a first network. A packet forwarding time may be scheduled for the at least one data packet. The at least one data packet may be forwarded to a receiver connected to a second network based on the packet forwarding time such that transmission of the at least one data packet prevents a buffer overflow at the receiver.

Abstract: A pull-based parallel video server system and method of implementation useful in an on-demand video system includes a plurality of slave admission schedulers operating in parallel with a master admission scheduler to back up the master admission scheduler that controls access to an array of pull-based video servers according to a protocol that accounts for jitter and loss of packets, as well as network delays. A transport protocol is provided that improves video data throughput under such conditions. To determine the architecture and functional requirements of the redundant admission schedulers, an analytical tool in the form of a performance model has been developed that incorporates network delays, delay jitters and packet losses on the communication links between the clients, schedulers and servers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an efficient error-control system and method for recovering packet losses, especially losses in distributing multicast video over broadband residential networks. Preferably, unlike most existing error-control algorithms designed for Internet multicast, the system and method does not employ substantial feedback suppression. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial multicasted retransmission. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial parity retransmission. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial local loss recovery. The system and method integrates two existing classes of error-control algorithms: Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) and Forward Error Correction (FEC), to reduce traffic overhead and achieve scalability.

Abstract: In a packet communication system with large bandwidth delay product (BDP) and employing Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the reported advertised window size as advertised by a receiver is employed only as an indication of window size and not as a throughput limit so that more data is sent than the amount specified by the advertised window size. Since the receiver can process all incoming TCP packets, the receiving buffer is consistently near empty. Since the TCP's advertised window size is not accepted as the absolute amount of buffer space available at the receiver, the sender is not constrained by the absolute value of the receiver's advertised window size and instead can transmit more data than the absolute value of the advertised window, enabling the system to increase the actual window size without modifying the link ends. This improved large-BDP-capable protocol is denoted TCP-SC.

Abstract: In a peer-to-peer asymmetric communication environment, an adaptive upload Data Rate Control element—called Adaptive-DRC—is used to detect increase in data return-trip time (RTT) caused by the congestion associated with the uploading of data in an uplink which in turn impacts on downloading data on an associated downlink, namely a downlink sharing resources with the uplink. Using Adaptive-DRC, the congestion is detected and thereupon adjustments to are made to allow continued communication. Adaptive-DRC comprises: (i) RTT estimation; (ii) detection of the onset of congestion, herein pre-congestion detection; and (iii) adaptation of the upload data rate limit. Two specific embodiments are contemplated, namely two versions of Adaptive-DRC wherein the difference lies in the upload data rate limit adaptation technique.

Abstract: Performance of transport protocols over a mobile data network is improved by a mobile accelerator, which performs protocol optimizations on-the-fly without requiring any modification to server or client protocol implementations in the operating systems of the server or client. The proposed mobile accelerator is compatible with existing TCP protocol implementations at the server and the client device, without server/client OS modification.

Abstract: In a peer-to-peer asymmetric communication environment, an adaptive upload Data Rate Control element—called Adaptive-DRC—is used to detect increase in data return-trip time (RTT) caused by the congestion associated with the uploading of data in an uplink which in turn impacts on downloading data on an associated downlink, namely a downlink sharing resources with the uplink. Using Adaptive-DRC, the congestion is detected and thereupon adjustments to are made to allow continued communication. Adaptive-DRC comprises: (i) RTT estimation; (ii) detection of the onset of congestion, herein pre-congestion detection; and (iii) adaptation of the upload data rate limit. Two specific embodiments are contemplated, namely two versions of Adaptive-DRC wherein the difference lies in the upload data rate limit adaptation technique.

Abstract: The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may operate to receive at least one data packet from a transmitter connected to a first network. A packet forwarding time may be scheduled for the at least one data packet. The at least one data packet may be forwarded to a receiver connected to a second network based on the packet forwarding time such that transmission of the at least one data packet prevents a buffer overflow at the receiver.

Abstract: A pull-based parallel video server system and method of implementation useful in an on-demand video system includes a plurality of slave admission schedulers operating in parallel with a master admission scheduler to back up the master admission scheduler that controls access to an array of pull-based video servers according to a protocol that accounts for jitter and loss of packets, as well as network delays. A transport protocol is provided that improves video data throughput under such conditions. To determine the architecture and functional requirements of the redundant admission schedulers, an analytical tool in the form of a performance model has been developed that incorporates network delays, delay jitters and packet losses on the communication links between the clients, schedulers and servers.

Abstract: A pull-based parallel video server system and method of implementation useful in an on-demand video system includes a plurality of slave admission schedulers operating in parallel with a master admission scheduler to back up the master admission scheduler that controls access to an array of pull-based video servers according to a protocol that accounts for jitter and loss of packets, as well as network delays. A transport protocol is provided that improves video data throughput under such conditions. To determine the architecture and functional requirements of the redundant admission schedulers, an analytical tool in the form of a performance model has been developed that incorporates network delays, delay jitters and packet losses on the communication links between the clients, schedulers and servers.

Abstract: A method and a tool based on achievable bandwidth as a metric are provided for selecting paths for overlay construction in an application layer multicast system. An in-band bandwidth probing tool according to the invention can estimate achievable bandwidth, i.e., the data throughput that can be realized between two peers over the transport protocol employed. The tool can determine the amount of extra bandwidth available in the target network path so that excess data traffic can be diverted from congested path without causing new congestion in the target path.

Abstract: Digital content is encoded and transmitted in form suitable for presentation in a variety of formats, particularly suited to mobile device environments. In specific embodiments, server-side, independent and integrated architectures are disclosed. In further specific embodiments, techniques for prefix, postfix, interrupted and midway insertions of generic data and multi-media data are disclosed together with techniques for seamlessly handling media duration, whether or not media duration is known. Still further, techniques are disclosed for retaining synchronization among inserted media segments, for reducing startup delay and for traffic smoothing, all as part of systems and techniques for media transcoding.

Abstract: In a packet communication system with large bandwidth delay product (BDP) and employing Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the reported advertised window size as advertised by a receiver is employed only as an indication of window size and not as a throughput limit so that more data is sent than the amount specified by the advertised window size. Since the receiver can process all incoming TCP packets, the receiving buffer is consistently near empty. Since the TCP's advertised window size is not accepted as the absolute amount of buffer space available at the receiver, the sender is not constrained by the absolute value of the receiver's advertised window size and instead can transmit more data than the absolute value of the advertised window, enabling the system to increase the actual window size without modifying the link ends. This improved large-BDP-capable protocol is denoted TCP-SC.

Abstract: A pull-based parallel video server system and method of implementation useful in an on-demand video system includes a plurality of slave admission schedulers operating in parallel with a master admission scheduler to back up the master admission scheduler that controls access to an array of pull-based video servers according to a protocol that accounts for jitter and loss of packets, as well as network delays. A transport protocol is provided that improves video data throughput under such conditions. To determine the architecture and functional requirements of the redundant admission schedulers, an analytical tool in the form of a performance model has been developed that incorporates network delays, delay jitters and packet losses on the communication links between the clients, schedulers and servers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an efficient error-control system and method for recovering packet losses, especially losses in distributing multicast video over broadband residential networks. Preferably, unlike most existing error-control algorithms designed for Internet multicast, the system and method does not employ substantial feedback suppression. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial multicasted retransmission. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial parity retransmission. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial local loss recovery. The system and method integrates two existing classes of error-control algorithms: Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) and Forward Error Correction (FEC), to reduce traffic overhead and achieve scalability.

Abstract: A pull-based parallel video server system and method of implementation useful in an on-demand video system includes a plurality of slave admission schedulers operating in parallel with a master admission scheduler to back up the master admission scheduler that controls access to an array of pull-based video servers according to a protocol that accounts for jitter and loss of packets, as well as network delays. A transport protocol is provided that improves video data throughput under such conditions. To determine the architecture and functional requirements of the redundant admission schedulers, an analytical tool in the form of a performance model has been developed that incorporates network delays, delay jitters and packet losses on the communication links between the clients, schedulers and servers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an efficient error-control system and method for recovering packet losses, especially losses in distributing multicast video over broadband residential networks. Preferably, unlike most existing error-control algorithms designed for Internet multicast, the system and method does not employ substantial feedback suppression. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial multicasted retransmission. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial parity retransmission. Preferably, the system and method does not employ substantial local loss recovery. The system and method integrates two existing classes of error-control algorithms: Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) and Forward Error Correction (FEC), to reduce traffic overhead and achieve scalability.

Abstract: A pull-based parallel video server system and method of implementation useful in an on-demand video system includes a plurality of slave admission schedulers operating in parallel with a master admission scheduler to back up the master admission scheduler that controls access to an array of pull-based video servers according to a protocol that accounts for jitter and loss of packets, as well as network delays. A transport protocol is provided that improves video data throughput under such conditions. To determine the architecture and functional requirements of the redundant admission schedulers, an analytical tool in the form of a performance model has been developed that incorporates network delays, delay jitters and packet losses on the communication links between the clients, schedulers and servers.