Bandwidth Control Device for Wireless Link Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks with adaptive modulation, existing bandwidth allocation methods fail to stabilize bandwidth allocation, leading to inefficient traffic accommodation and degraded communication quality, especially for variable bit rate traffic, due to fluctuations in link bandwidth and lack of consideration for stability levels.

Innovation Solution

A bandwidth control device calculates the stability level and utilization rate of wireless link bandwidth, allocating bandwidth based on these metrics to ensure stable allocation and efficient traffic accommodation, using techniques such as classifying link bandwidth for each stability level and utilizing queues for different modulation schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If bandwidth control is performed using fixed allocation methods in wireless networks with adaptive modulation, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but bandwidth stability deteriorates due to link bandwidth fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth control implementation complexityVSAvoidbandwidth allocation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation by continuously monitoring link bandwidth fluctuations and adjusting the allocated bandwidth for each traffic flow accordingly. The controller calculates stability levels based on historical bandwidth data and dynamically modifies allocation decisions to maintain stability despite underlying link variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring actual bandwidth usage and link conditions, then using this information to adjust future bandwidth allocations. The controller receives feedback about bandwidth fluctuations and uses this to calculate stability levels that inform subsequent allocation decisions, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If extra bandwidth is allocated to high-priority traffic to maintain quality, then communication quality is improved, but bandwidth accommodation efficiency deteriorates due to unstable link conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidbandwidth accommodation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation from fixed to variable based on stability levels. By calculating stability levels from historical data and adjusting allocations dynamically, the system maintains communication quality for priority traffic while efficiently utilizing available bandwidth, thereby improving both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system allocates bandwidth partially based on priority needs and partially based on available capacity and stability levels. Rather than always allocating full required bandwidth to high-priority traffic, it allocates appropriate portions that maintain quality while leaving room for other traffic, thus improving overall accommodation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If bandwidth is limited to absolutely available bandwidth to ensure stability, then bandwidth stability is improved, but traffic accommodation efficiency deteriorates due to inability to allocate extra bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth stabilityVSAvoidtraffic accommodation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocations based on calculated stability levels rather than using fixed limits. When stability levels indicate reliable conditions, the system can allocate extra bandwidth beyond minimum requirements, improving traffic accommodation efficiency while maintaining stability through continuous monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If conventional bandwidth allocation methods are used without considering stability levels, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but traffic accommodation efficiency deteriorates due to inability to utilize fluctuating bandwidth effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation method complexityVSAvoidtraffic accommodation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of stability levels based on historical bandwidth data before making allocation decisions. By pre-calculating stability metrics and using them to guide subsequent allocation actions, the system improves traffic accommodation efficiency without requiring complex real-time adjustments during bandwidth allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2512168B1Bandwidth control device, bandwidth control method, and wireless network system
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 NEC CORP
  • EP2512168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2512168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2512168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a network configured using a wireless link in which a transmission rate fluctuates, accommodation efficiency of traffic is improved while communication quality of VBR traffic is maintained. A bandwidth control device includes a stability level calculation means which calculates a stability level indicating a probability that a bandwidth is available in a wireless link using adaptive modulation, a utilization rate calculation means which calculates a utilization rate of a bandwidth used by traffic to be accommodated, an allocation means which allocates, to the traffic, a link bandwidth of the stability level corresponding to the utilization rate of the traffic, and a path control means which sets a path for the traffic in the wireless network including a communication device that performs communication over the wireless link based on the allocated link bandwidth.