Auto-Bandwidth Adjustment with Dual Timers for Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical communication networks face inefficiencies due to static bandwidth allocation methods that fail to adapt to traffic fluctuations, leading to data loss and underutilization of bandwidth, especially during cyclical or bursty traffic patterns.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an auto-bandwidth adjustment system with dual timers to differentiate between upward and downward bandwidth adjustments, allowing for more responsive and dynamic allocation of bandwidth based on real-time traffic sampling, thereby reducing data loss and optimizing resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bandwidth is allocated at regular time intervals using static allocation methods, then bandwidth management is simplified and stable, but the system cannot respond quickly to traffic fluctuations, resulting in data loss during traffic increases and underutilization during traffic decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddata loss prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation by introducing multiple timers with different time constants that automatically adjust bandwidth allocation based on real-time traffic conditions. The system transitions from static periodic allocation to dynamic adjustment where bandwidth is increased rapidly in response to traffic demands and decreased slowly to maintain stability, resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and data loss prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms through multiple timers that continuously monitor traffic conditions and adjust bandwidth allocation accordingly. The first timer provides rapid response to traffic increases while the second timer ensures gradual decrease during traffic reductions, creating a feedback loop that maintains both high utilization efficiency and reliable data transmission by preventing excessive data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If bandwidth allocation is increased rapidly to respond to traffic demands, then data loss is reduced, but bandwidth oscillation and instability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidbandwidth allocation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bandwidth adjustment process into two distinct phases controlled by different timers: rapid increase phase handled by the first timer and gradual decrease phase handled by the second timer. This segmentation allows the system to be aggressive when needed (preventing data loss) while being conservative during reductions (maintaining stability), thus resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies asymmetric adjustment characteristics where bandwidth increases are rapid and aggressive while decreases are slow and gradual. This asymmetry in the adjustment behavior allows the system to quickly adapt to growing traffic demands without causing oscillation during reductions, maintaining both reliability and stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple timers with different time constants are used to adjust bandwidth, then responsiveness to traffic fluctuations is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to traffic fluctuationsVSAvoidtimer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the timer mechanism universal by having both timers perform the same basic function of monitoring and adjusting bandwidth, but with different time constants suited to different phases of adjustment. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to handle both rapid increases and gradual decreases using the same type of mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8737218B2Method and system for adjusting bandwidth using multiple timers

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjusting bandwidth allocations for traffic-engineered tunnels used to carry traffic along a network. Traffic over the tunnel is sampled at a first interval period and at a second interval period, where the second interval period is shorter than the first interval period. A determination is made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation is adjusted upward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation. Also, a determination can be made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation can be adjusted downward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation.