Available Bandwidth Measurement Using Fixed Probe Rate Ranges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring available bandwidth are inaccurate in scenarios with rapidly changing background traffic, as they adjust the range of probe packet sending rates based on previous measurements, leading to deviations from the real available bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

The method involves sending a first probe sequence to determine an initial available bandwidth measurement, then determining a second probe sequence with a fixed range of sending rates based on the first measurement, ensuring that the range of sending rates does not deviate from the real available bandwidth, even in scenarios with fierce background traffic changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the range of sending rates of probe packets is adjusted based on previous measurement results, then measurement efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when background traffic changes rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidavailable bandwidth measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the probe packet sending rate range adaptable to network conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the sending rate range based on network feedback, allowing it to respond to changing background traffic conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to be both efficient (through targeted probing) and accurate (through adaptive range selection).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of probe packet sending rate range based on measured network conditions. By modifying this parameter according to actual network state, the system can maintain high measurement efficiency while adapting to rapid background traffic changes, thus preventing accuracy deterioration that would occur with fixed parameter approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If probe packets are sent with high sending rates to quickly determine available bandwidth, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to deviation from real available bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoidavailable bandwidth measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by first conducting a measurement to determine an initial available bandwidth value, then using this information to set an appropriate sending rate range for subsequent measurements. This preliminary step ensures that probe packets are sent at rates that are likely to accurately reflect the true available bandwidth, balancing speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the results of initial measurements to adjust the sending rate range for subsequent measurements. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system learns from previous measurements and adapts its probing strategy, maintaining accuracy while reducing measurement time through focused sampling in the relevant rate range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3896913B1Method for measuring available bandwidth and communication device
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3896913B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3896913B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3896913B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a method for measuring available bandwidth, to improve measurement accuracy. The method in the embodiments of this application includes: A transmit end sends a first probe sequence to a receive end, and receives a first available bandwidth measurement result returned by the receive end, where the first probe sequence includes a group of probe packets with increasing sending rates, and the first probe sequence is used for determining the first available bandwidth measurement result; the transmit end determines a second probe sequence based on the first available bandwidth measurement result, where the second probe sequence includes a group of probe packets with increasing sending rates, a range of the sending rates of the second probe sequence is the same as a range of the sending rates of the first probe sequence, and the second probe sequence is used for determining a second available bandwidth measurement result; the transmit end sends the second probe sequence to the receive end, and receives the second available bandwidth measurement result returned by the receive end; and the transmit end obtains the available bandwidth, where the available bandwidth is determined based on the second available bandwidth measurement result.