Content Server Resource Reservation for Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reserving radio resources in mobile access networks are inefficient due to sub-optimal consumption of resources, as content providers do not share information about user content consumption, leading to inadequate resource allocation and increased costs, especially for video traffic which accounts for a significant portion of network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method for reserving and allocating physical resource blocks in mobile access networks, where a content server determines the number of blocks to reserve based on the data stream's quality and unit cost, and a control entity adjusts the allocation to balance supply and demand, allowing for dynamic revision of resource requests based on changing conditions and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content servers reserve radio resources independently without coordination, then each server can guarantee quality of service for its streams, but radio resources are used suboptimally due to lack of information sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent resource reservation requests from different content servers into a single aggregated request. The network element consolidates the resource needs of multiple servers and performs unified resource allocation, transforming individual reservations into a collective allocation process that improves overall radio resource efficiency while maintaining QoS guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
The network element acts as an intermediary between content servers and the radio access network. It receives reservation requests from multiple servers, processes them collectively, and allocates resources optimally without requiring direct coordination between servers. This mediator approach enables resource sharing while preserving the independence of content providers.
2Reliability
If content servers reserve bandwidth based on estimated needs, then they can ensure content delivery, but they cannot guarantee chunks arrive before the player requests them causing video freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary resource reservation before actual content transmission. By securing radio resources in advance through the reservation mechanism, the system ensures that when content chunks need to be transmitted, the necessary radio resources are already allocated and ready, enabling timely delivery before the player requests the chunks.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource reservation system is dynamic rather than static. The network element continuously monitors resource availability and adjusts allocations based on current network conditions and actual demand. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and ensure chunks are delivered timely without excessive over-provisioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If quality settings are applied per stream with fixed bandwidth reservation, then each stream maintains consistent quality, but the system cannot adapt to varying channel conditions over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic resource allocation where the network element continuously adjusts radio resource assignments based on real-time channel conditions. While quality settings remain per-stream, the actual resource allocation is flexible and adapts to varying network conditions, allowing the system to maintain quality consistency through adaptive resource management rather than fixed reservations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the network element monitors actual channel conditions and resource utilization, then adjusts future resource allocations accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining consistent quality levels through compensatory resource adjustments.
4Device complexity
If content providers do not share user information, then commercial interests are protected and implementation complexity is reduced, but resource allocation becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The network element serves as an intermediary that enables optimal resource allocation without requiring content providers to share sensitive user information. By collecting and processing resource reservation requests from multiple servers and performing centralized allocation, the intermediary achieves efficient resource utilization while preserving the independence and commercial interests of individual content providers.
Solution Approach 2:
Each content server independently submits its resource needs to the network element without requiring direct coordination with other servers. The network element then performs the optimization function centrally, allowing servers to self-serve their resource requirements while the system as a whole achieves optimal allocation through the intermediary's coordination.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for reserving physical resource blocks of a mobile access network (MAN), implemented by a content server (300a, 300b) configured to send a data stream requested by a terminal (100a, 100b) connected to the mobile access network with a determined level of quality, the method comprising: · determination of a value of a number of blocks to be reserved, as a function of parameters related to the data stream, and of the determined level of quality, · sending of a first request for reserving resource blocks, comprising the determined value of the number of blocks to be reserved, to a control entity (200) of the mobile access network, · reception of a response for allocating resource blocks originating from the control entity, comprising a value of a number of blocks allocated to the content server.