Band Control Apparatus Throughput Prediction for Adaptive Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio link systems with adaptive modulation struggle to efficiently manage bandwidth changes due to external factors like weather, leading to wasted bandwidth and inefficient communication, as previous methods require constant monitoring and take time to identify bottlenecks.

Innovation Solution

A control device and system that calculates predicted end-to-end throughput for each traffic piece, adjusts bandwidth distribution based on priority and available bandwidth, and transmits these settings to communication devices, allowing for efficient bandwidth management during transmission rate changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If adaptive modulation is used to perform optimum wireless communication depending on radio environment, then frequency efficiency is enhanced, but bandwidth waste occurs when transmission rate changes due to external factors like weather

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary band control by calculating predicted end-to-end throughput when transmission rate changes are detected, and proactively reallocates bands before bandwidth waste occurs. This prevents the bottleneck problem by preparing band distribution in advance rather than reacting after traffic loss is detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring transmission rate changes from communication devices and using this information to dynamically adjust band distribution. The control device receives transmission rate change information, calculates the impact on throughput, and reallocates bands based on the feedback loop, ensuring optimal bandwidth utilization under varying radio conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of substance

If constant monitoring of traffic amount is performed to find bottleneck traffic, then bandwidth control can be achieved, but time is consumed to specify the radio link that turns out to be a bottleneck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth control efficiencyVSAvoidtime to specify bottleneck link
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of constantly monitoring traffic to detect bottlenecks, the system performs preliminary band control by calculating predicted throughput when transmission rate changes occur. This proactive approach identifies potential bottlenecks before they cause traffic loss, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and reducing the time required to specify bottleneck links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention skips the time-consuming process of constant traffic monitoring by directly calculating predicted throughput based on transmission rate change information. This allows the system to rapidly identify and respond to potential bandwidth issues without the delay of continuous monitoring cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Device complexity

If band control is not performed when transmission rate is lowered, then system complexity is reduced, but bandwidth that should be reallocated remains wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveband control complexityVSAvoidbandwidth waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs band control automatically based on transmission rate change information received from communication devices. The system serves itself by autonomously calculating predicted throughput and reallocating bands without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure, thus reducing system complexity while preventing bandwidth waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2916501B1Control apparatus, communication system, communication control method, and nontemporary computer-readable medium on which program has been stored
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 NEC CORP
  • EP2916501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2916501B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2916501B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A throughput calculation unit (201) receives the information of a transmission rate change and calculates a predicted end-to-end throughput of each of a plurality of pieces of traffic on the basis of said information and a traffic table (204) that includes the priority and band index of each piece of traffic. An adjustment unit (202) calculates a missing band of each piece of traffic and/or an unused band of a radio link connecting communication devices to each other in a case where a band setting is performed on the basis of the predicted throughput. The adjustment unit (202) determines a band distribution for each piece of traffic on the basis of the missing band and/or unused band as well as on the basis of the traffic table (204). A band setting transmission unit (203) transmits, to the communication apparatuses, the band distribution determined by the adjustment unit (202).