Adaptive Connectivity Check Prioritization for Bandwidth-Constrained Media Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ICE protocol for establishing media sessions in bandwidth-constrained networks often results in excessive bandwidth usage and call establishment failures due to its rigid rules, particularly in scenarios with limited bandwidth, such as cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves modifying the order of connectivity checks to prioritize more viable candidate pairs, pruning or limiting connectivity checks for less viable pairs, and adjusting the number of probe messages, thereby reducing bandwidth usage and optimizing the media session establishment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ICE protocol performs connectivity checks for all candidate pairs in the standardized order, then comprehensive path validation is achieved, but excessive bandwidth is consumed and call establishment fails in bandwidth-constrained networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the connectivity check process adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts the connectivity check behavior based on network conditions, specifically detecting when bandwidth is constrained and modifying the check sequence accordingly. This allows the protocol to transition from checking all candidate pairs in standardized order to a more selective approach, optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining call establishment reliability in constrained environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of connectivity check sequencing based on detected network conditions. When bandwidth constraint is detected, the system alters the check sequence parameter to prioritize certain candidate pairs over others, rather than following the fixed standardized order. This parameter change enables the system to reduce bandwidth consumption by avoiding unnecessary checks on low-priority candidate pairs in bandwidth-constrained scenarios
2Reliability
If connectivity checks are performed for all candidate pairs regardless of viability, then all possible paths are validated, but bandwidth is wasted on checking less viable candidates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a viability assessment of candidate pairs before executing full connectivity checks. The system preliminarily evaluates which candidate pairs are more likely to succeed based on available information, and then prioritizes connectivity checks for these high-viability pairs. This preliminary sorting action prevents wasting bandwidth on checking less viable candidates while ensuring that promising paths are validated first
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing connectivity checks on a selected subset of candidate pairs rather than all possible pairs. When bandwidth is constrained, the system performs checks only on the most viable candidate pairs identified through preliminary sorting, leaving less viable pairs unchecked or checked with lower priority. This partial checking approach reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining sufficient reliability for call establishment
Data Source
AI summary
A media session is established between a first device (e.g., endpoint) and a second device (e.g., endpoint) via a communication network based on connectivity checks performed by the devices. A set of candidate pairs, including network addresses available to the first device and the second device, is generated. Among the candidate pairs of the candidate pair set, a respective priority is initially assigned for connectivity checks. If a connectivity check modification condition is determined to be met for candidate pairs used for connectivity checks, the priority ordering of the candidate pairs is modified to produce a second priority ordering. This second priority ordering assigns a higher priority for a candidate pair which meets the connectivity check modification condition than a candidate pair that does not meet the condition. Based on the modified ordering, connectivity checks are performed, and the media session is configured and established using a candidate pair determined to be valid.