Wireless Data Burst Throughput Measurement via Buffer Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current QoS verification schemes in LTE systems lack a clear definition for measurement time, making accurate IP throughput measurement impossible, especially for data bursts, which affects the reliability of packet throughput measurement and network optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the start and end times of a data burst by estimating the transmitter's buffer size, allowing for precise measurement of IP throughput during a defined measurement period, ensuring consistent and reliable packet throughput measurement across all eNBs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If no measurement time is clearly defined for IP throughput measurement, then the measurement scheme is simple, but the measurement accuracy becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIP throughput measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by defining the measurement time period in advance through network configuration messages sent from the network to the UE. The measurement time period is predetermined and communicated to the UE before actual throughput measurement occurs, allowing the UE to prepare and perform measurements within the specified timeframe. This resolves the contradiction by establishing clear measurement boundaries without requiring complex real-time determination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the network to configure different measurement time period parameters for different UEs or different measurement scenarios. The measurement time period can be adjusted as a configurable parameter, enabling flexible optimization of measurement accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized parameter management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If measurement time is not standardized, then implementation is easier, but measurement reliability across different eNBs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket throughput measurement reliabilityVSAvoidstandardization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by establishing a standardized measurement time period definition that can be applied across all eNBs and UEs in the network. The same measurement time period configuration mechanism and calculation methodology are universally applied, ensuring consistent and reliable throughput measurements regardless of which eNB performs the measurement. This standardization resolves the reliability issue while maintaining manageable complexity through unified procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If data burst measurement is performed without defined start and end points, then the measurement process is simpler, but the throughput calculation accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata burst throughput measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the measurement time period that encompasses the data burst transmission. The start and end points of measurement are determined in advance based on the configured measurement time period, allowing accurate capture of the entire data burst without requiring complex real-time detection of burst boundaries. This approach improves measurement precision while keeping the procedure manageable through standardized timing configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2688334B1Method and apparatus for measuring data burst throughput in a wireless communications system
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2688334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2688334B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2688334B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus of measuring a packet throughput in a wireless communication system are provided. When determining a reference time for estimating packet throughput, a receiver determines the time that a data burst starts or ends in order to estimate the packet throughput considering a change in the data burst of the transmitter buffer. A measurement period is defined through the determined start time and end time of the data burst, and packet throughput is measured considering the total amount of the received data burst. The throughput of packet data may be estimated by each base station based on the same standard rule, so that the measured packet throughput values may be reliable, thus allowing the operator to make use of it as a parameter for MDT.