Bidirectional Data Rate Measurement via Simultaneous Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speed testers for Internet bandwidth do not provide realistic results as they fail to account for the effects of opposing parallel data traffic in bidirectional data links, leading to inaccurate determination of transmission capacity.

Innovation Solution

A network node with a computer measurement program that dynamically determines the available data rate in bi-directional data connections by downloading and uploading reference files simultaneously, taking into account the impact of parallel data traffic, allowing for precise measurement of transmission capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing speed testers are used to measure bandwidth, then measurement can be performed, but the results are inaccurate because they do not account for opposing parallel data traffic in bidirectional data links

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement realism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement program initiates both download and upload reference file transfers simultaneously at predetermined times, preparing the measurement conditions in advance to capture the actual bidirectional traffic conditions that affect bandwidth availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement approach by introducing time-synchronized dual-directional file transfers with specific reference variables (file sizes, transfer times) to dynamically determine available data rates that reflect real network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If simultaneous download and upload of reference files is performed, then realistic transmission capacity measurement is achieved, but measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacity measurement realismVSAvoidmeasurement program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into distinct phases: downloading a first reference file while uploading a second reference file simultaneously, with each phase having predetermined reference variables that simplify the measurement calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement program uses feedback from transfer start and end times to dynamically calculate available data rates, adjusting the measurement based on actual network conditions observed during the simultaneous bidirectional transfers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If bidirectional data traffic is considered in measurement, then accurate transmission capacity is determined, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable data rate accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement program performs periodic simultaneous download and upload operations at predetermined time intervals, allowing multiple measurements to be taken efficiently to determine average available data rates without excessive time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2521318B1Determination of the transfer capacity in data networks
Publication Date: 2015.04.22 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2521318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2521318B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a network node for the reliable determination of the transmission power in bidirectional data lines (4) in a data network (1), as well as a corresponding system and method. The network node (2a), which is connected to a second network node (2b) via the bidirectional data connection (4), comprises a computer measurement program (3) installed thereon, wherein the computer measurement program (3) is configured to perform at least one download (HR-RD1) of at least one first reference file (RD1) with a first reference size from the second network node (2b) with a first time point (T1) as the start point of the download and a second time point (T2) as the end point of the download, and at least one upload (HO-RD2) of at least one second reference file (RD2) with a second reference size to the second network node (2b) between the first and second time points (T1, T2 ...T2) is intended to be performed simultaneously with the download (HR-RD1) of the first reference file (RD1), and is intended at least to determine the available data rate (B-HR) for the download from the time interval between the first and second time points (T1, T2) and the reference size of the first reference file (RD1).