Predicting degradation of a communication channel below a threshold based on data transmission errors

Abstract

Applicants have discovered that error detection techniques, such as Forward Error Correction techniques, may be used to predict the degradation below a certain threshold of an ability to accurately convey information on a communication channel, for example, to predict a failure of the communication channel. In response, transmission and/or reception of information on the channel may be adapted, for example, to prevent the degradation below the threshold, e.g., prevent channel failure. Predicting the degradation may be based, at least in part, on data transmission error information corresponding to one or more blocks of information received on the channel and may include determining an error rate pattern over time. Based on these determinations, the degradation below the threshold may be predicted and the transmission and/or reception adapted. Adapting may include initiating use of a different error encoding scheme and/or using an additional communication channel to convey information.

1 . A system comprising:
 a computing device that includes at least one processor and memory;   a prediction module of the computing device configured to predict, based on error information relative to a threshold, a degradation of a communication of information between the computing device and another device over a channel, where the error information is relative to the communicated information, and where the threshold indicates an ability of the channel to accurately convey the information.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  where the channel is a channel of a software defined radio. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  where the degradation is predicted based on an error rate. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  where the predicted degradation comprises a failure of the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  where the degradation is predicted based on an error pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  where the degradation is predicted based on a pattern between error rates of a series of blocks of the information. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  where the error information is determined based on an error correction scheme. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a transmission adapter module of the computing device configured to change, based on the predicted degradation, an error correction scheme of the communication. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a transmission adapter module of the computing device configured to add, based on the predicted degradation, an additional channel to the communication. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  where the degradation is predicted in response to interference with the communication. 
     
     
         11 . A method performed on a computing device that includes at least one processor and memory, the method comprising:
 predicting, by the computing device based on error information relative to a threshold, a degradation of a communication of information between the computing device and another device over a channel, where the error information is relative to the communicated information, and where the threshold indicates an ability of the channel to accurately convey the information.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  where the channel is a channel of a software defined radio. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  where the degradation is predicted based on an error rate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  where the predicted degradation comprises a failure of the channel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  where the degradation is predicted based on an error pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  where the degradation is predicted based on a pattern between error rates of a series of blocks of the information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  where the error information is determined based on an error correction scheme. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising changing, based on the predicted degradation, an error correction scheme of the communication. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising adding, based on the predicted degradation, an additional channel to the communication. 
     
     
         20 . At least one computer storage media comprising:
 memory that comprises computer-executable instructions that, based on execution by a computing device, configure the computing device to predict, based on error information relative to a threshold, a degradation of a communication of information between the computing device and another device over a channel, where the error information is relative to the communicated information, and where the threshold indicates an ability of the channel to accurately convey the information.