Patent ID: 9136983
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: H03M,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for streaming data in a communication system, wherein data is streamed from a transmitter that transmits electrical signals conveying the data to a receiver that receives electrical signals that may convey some of the data, such that the receiver can begin to use the streamed data before it is all received or transmitted, the method comprising: encoding forward error correction (“FEC”) for the data to be transmitted; and transmitting a stream including data and FEC information, whereby: the data is transmitted using a transmit rate that is greater than a consumption rate of the receiver; the transmit rate is less than or equal to a maximum transmit rate and is equal to a sum of a source sending rate and a repair sending rate; and wherein streaming is performed over a plurality of FEC source block protection periods, including at least a first protection period and a second protection period following the first protection period, each protection period having a source sending rate and a repair sending rate, with an amount of overhead used for FEC protection and an amount of overhead used for buffer filling varying over the plurality of FEC source block protection periods such that the source sending rate in the first protection period is greater than the source sending rate in the second protection period, and the repair sending rate in the first protection period is less than the repair sending rate in the second protection period, a timing for changing the source sending rate and the repair sending rate being based on a minimum buffering time at the receiver.