Cross-Layer Packet Flow Adaptation for Real-Time QoE Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applications lack visibility into end-to-end network path performance, leading to slow and incorrect reactions to network changes at other OSI layers, particularly the transport layer, resulting in suboptimal Quality of Experience (QoE) for user-facing applications like gaming and videoconferencing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cross-layer application network flow adaptation mechanisms that enable communication between the application and transport layers, allowing for real-time adjustment of packet flows based on granular performance metrics and recommendations, using agents and APIs to optimize QoE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If applications operate without visibility into transport layer performance metrics, then device complexity is reduced, but Quality of Experience optimization becomes slow and incorrect due to incomplete network information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (agent or interface) at the transport layer that mediates communication between the transport layer and application layer. This intermediary collects performance metrics and selectively exposes relevant information to applications through standardized interfaces, enabling QoE optimization without requiring direct complex cross-layer integration. The intermediary filters and translates transport layer data into application-useful formats, resolving the contradiction by providing necessary visibility while maintaining architectural boundaries.
2Speed
If applications receive complete transport layer performance metrics, then Quality of Experience can be optimized in real-time, but information processing overhead and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing applications with selective, tailored performance metrics based on their specific needs rather than exposing all transport layer data. Different applications receive different subsets of metrics relevant to their QoE requirements (e.g., video applications receive bandwidth and jitter metrics, while voice applications receive latency and packet loss metrics). This selective information provision enables real-time optimization while minimizing processing overhead by avoiding transmission of irrelevant data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing applications with only the necessary subset of transport layer metrics needed for their specific QoE optimization, rather than complete information. The system determines which metrics are relevant to each application's performance requirements and exposes only those, reducing information processing overhead while maintaining adequate reaction speed for network condition changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications make autonomous adjustments to packet flows, then Quality of Experience improves through adaptive optimization, but control over network resources becomes fragmented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where applications autonomously adjust their packet flows based on transport layer performance metrics, and these adjustments are monitored and coordinated by the transport layer. The feedback loop allows applications to adapt to network conditions while the transport layer maintains overall resource coordination by observing and managing the cumulative effect of application-level adjustments. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability while preventing resource fragmentation through coordinated feedback control.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an agent executed on a device receives performance metrics regarding a transport layer of the device. The agent sends the performance metrics to an application executed on the device. The application makes, based on the performance metrics, a determination indicating one or more adjustments to a packet flow of a plurality of packet flows sent by the application. The application, based on the determination, sends an adjusted packet flow according to the one or more adjustments as part of the plurality of packet flows.