Access Node Downlink Congestion Detection for L4S Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks do not effectively notify application servers of downlink data congestion, particularly for Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput (L4S) services, leading to decreased Quality-of-Experience (QoE) in latency-sensitive applications due to the lack of uniform L4S deployment and high costs associated with implementing L4S functionality in user devices.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where an access node in the wireless communication network detects downlink data queue congestion and proactively notifies the application server, allowing the server to generate additional user data based on a congestion control scheme, thereby reducing data transfer rates and maintaining latency requirements without requiring L4S capabilities in user devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If L4S functionality is implemented in user devices to enable congestion control support, then Quality-of-Experience for latency-sensitive applications is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the access node detects downlink data queue congestion and proactively notifies the application server. This mediator approach allows congestion control to function without requiring L4S capabilities in user devices, as the access node acts as the intermediary that bridges the gap between network congestion conditions and application-level congestion control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the traditional approach where user devices report congestion conditions upward through the network, this patent inverts the notification flow by having the access node detect congestion and proactively notify the application server downward. This inversion eliminates the need for complex L4S functionality in user devices while maintaining effective congestion control.
2Loss of time
If uniform L4S deployment is implemented across all user devices to enable effective congestion control, then latency requirements for L4S applications are met, but deployment cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access node serves as an intermediary that enables congestion control functionality without requiring uniform L4S deployment across all user devices. By detecting downlink data queue congestion and notifying the application server, the access node provides the necessary congestion information to maintain latency requirements while avoiding the high costs of universal L4S device implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service congestion control where the application server receives proactive congestion notifications from the access node and autonomously adjusts its data transmission rate. This eliminates the need for complex L4S functionality in user devices, as the server independently manages congestion control based on network conditions reported by the access node.
3Loss of time
If the application server receives proactive congestion notification and implements congestion control, then data transfer rates are reduced to maintain latency requirements, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic congestion control where the application server adjusts its data transfer rate in real-time based on proactive congestion notifications from the access node. The server dynamically reduces throughput only when and where congestion is detected, maintaining high throughput during non-congested periods while ensuring latency requirements are met during congestion events.
Solution Approach 2:
The application server changes operational parameters (data transfer rate) in response to congestion notifications. By dynamically adjusting the transmission rate parameter based on network conditions, the system maintains latency requirements during congestion while maximizing throughput during normal operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments comprise a wireless communication network to proactively notify congestion control systems in response to downlink data congestion. The wireless communication network comprises an access node and an application server. The access node wirelessly exchanges user data with a wireless user device and exchanges the user data with a network user plane for delivery to an application server. The access node detects a data queue for downlink user data transferred by the application server and received from the network user plane and indicates the data queue to the network user plane for delivery to the application server. The application server receives the indication, generates additional user data, and transfers the additional user data based on a congestion control scheme. The access node exchanges the additional user data with the network user plane for delivery to the application server and wirelessly exchanges the additional user data with the wireless user device.