Adaptive Queue Management for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current adaptive queue management (AQM) operations in wireless communication networks fail to efficiently utilize increased link capacity, particularly in phases like slow start, leading to suboptimal throughput when additional resources are added, such as secondary eNBs or Wi-Fi access points.

Innovation Solution

An access network node determines if an increase in capacity is expected and adjusts AQM parameters, such as the time for packet drop, to suppress congestion indications and extend the slow start phase until additional resources are activated, allowing faster utilization of total link capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If AQM operation is applied to keep RTT within reasonable bounds, then network congestion is avoided and packet delivery is stabilized, but link capacity utilization is reduced and throughput is suboptimal when additional resources are added

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery stabilityVSAvoidlink capacity utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the AQM operation adaptive rather than static. The network node dynamically adjusts AQM parameters based on detected capacity increase events, transitioning the system from a fixed congestion control mode to a flexible mode that can exploit additional link capacity while maintaining reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes AQM parameters (such as packet drop thresholds, queuing delay limits, or congestion window adjustments) in response to detected capacity increases. By modifying these parameters, the system allows the congestion window to grow faster and utilizes the additional link capacity, thereby improving throughput without permanently compromising packet delivery stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If AQM parameters are adjusted to suppress congestion indications during capacity increase, then slow start phase is extended and throughput is improved, but congestion control responsiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcongestion detection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively detecting capacity increase events (such as additional radio resources or activated secondary eNBs) and adjusting AQM parameters before congestion actually occurs. This anticipatory adjustment allows the system to maximize throughput during the capacity increase period while maintaining the ability to respond to actual congestion conditions when they arise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3335463B1Predictive adaptive queue management
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3335463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3335463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3335463B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of queue management. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a technique of adjusting adaptive queue management operation in a wireless communication network. A method embodiment comprises determining (S202), by an access network node (100) of the wireless communication network, whether an increase in capacity for data transmission between the access network node (100) and a wireless communication device (300) is expected, and adjusting (S204), by the access network node (100), AQM operation associated with the access network node (100), if it is determined that an increase in capacity for data transmission between the access network node (100) and the wireless communication device (300) is expected.