Carrier Network Bandwidth Modification via Dynamic Content Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrier networks, especially wireless ones, face capacity issues due to increased demand for data services from new users and more bandwidth-intensive devices, leading to degraded or unavailable services during peak usage, and existing solutions like monthly caps do not effectively address these issues without incurring significant upgrade costs.
Innovation Solution
A capacity management agent that integrates with existing carrier network components to modify user content requests by adjusting bandwidth consumption based on network and user parameters, caching content at a lower rate during congestion and increasing it when resources are underutilized, thereby optimizing resource usage and providing quality of service controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier networks upgrade existing infrastructure to meet increased demand, then network capacity and service quality are improved, but implementation and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bandwidth parameter dynamically by modifying content request attributes to request lower bandwidth versions during congestion and higher bandwidth versions when resources are underutilized. This allows the network to adapt to changing conditions without physical infrastructure upgrades, resolving the contradiction between service reliability and infrastructure cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on real-time network conditions by monitoring congestion levels and modifying content requests accordingly. This dynamic adaptation enables the network to maintain service quality during peak usage without requiring permanent infrastructure upgrades, addressing the contradiction between reliability and cost.
2Loss of energy
If carrier networks implement monthly caps on data usage, then bandwidth consumption is controlled, but user experience deteriorates and service quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of static monthly caps, the system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on real-time network conditions. During congestion, bandwidth is reduced through modified content requests; during underutilization, bandwidth is increased. This dynamic approach controls bandwidth consumption while maintaining service quality, resolving the contradiction between bandwidth control and service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring network congestion levels and user bandwidth consumption in real-time, then adjusting content request parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control enables bandwidth management that adapts to actual network conditions, preventing both over-consumption and service degradation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If carrier networks allow unlimited data usage, then user satisfaction increases, but network capacity is exceeded during peak usage hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the bandwidth parameter of content requests based on network conditions, allowing users to access content with variable quality levels. During peak usage, lower bandwidth versions are served to maintain capacity; during off-peak times, higher bandwidth versions improve user satisfaction. This resolves the contradiction between access flexibility and capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial bandwidth allocation during congestion by serving lower-quality content versions that satisfy basic user needs without exhausting network capacity. During underutilization, excessive bandwidth is allocated to provide enhanced user experience. This partial/excessive action strategy balances user satisfaction with capacity management.
4Productivity
If carrier networks reduce bandwidth allocation during congestion, then network capacity is preserved for other users, but individual user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes content request parameters to request lower bandwidth versions during congestion, enabling bandwidth reduction that preserves network capacity while still delivering acceptable service quality. The parameter changes allow flexible quality adjustment that balances individual user experience with overall network capacity preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a capacity management agent that modifies bandwidth that is allocated between an end user and a carrier network by caching requested content that is streamed at a first rate and then providing the cached content to the end user through the carrier network at a second rate. The agent performs a process that includes receiving data intended for a service region of the carrier network from an external data network. The process identifies resource availability at the service region. Next, the process passes the data to the service region at the first rate when the resource availability at the service region is not less than a threshold amount and caches the data for passing to the service region at the second rate that consumes fewer carrier network resource than the first rate when the resource availability at the service region is less than the threshold amount.