One-Way Delay Measurement via Two-Way Path Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IP network systems, measuring one-way delays between Over The Top (OTT) servers and Internet Gateways (IGWs) is challenging due to lack of clock synchronization and differing measurement protocols, making it difficult to determine an optimal path.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine one-way delays by calculating differences in two-way delays across multiple paths, using performance analysis devices to compare delays between OTT servers and IGWs, even when they are not clock-synchronized and support different protocols, and sending this information to network policy control devices to determine optimal routing paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If one-way measurement is performed between OTT server and IGW, then one-way delay can be measured, but clock synchronization and same measurement protocol are required which are not available in actual deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-way delay measurementVSAvoidprotocol compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a two-way measurement path through the core network as an intermediary mechanism. By measuring the round-trip delay from IGW to OTT server and back, the system can calculate one-way delays without requiring direct clock synchronization or protocol compatibility between OTT server and IGW, thus resolving the adaptability issue while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the delay measurement into multiple components: two-way delay through core network, one-way delays in access networks, and processing delays. By breaking down the total delay into measurable segments that can be obtained through different measurement methods, the system achieves accurate one-way delay calculation without requiring end-to-end protocol compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If two-way measurement is performed between IGW and OTT server, then two-way delay can be determined, but optimal path calculation requires one-way delay relationship which cannot be derived

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetwo-way delay measurementVSAvoidone-way delay relationship
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where delay measurements from multiple paths are collected and used to calculate one-way delays. By feeding back the two-way delay information along with one-way delay measurements from access networks, the system can derive the one-way delay relationship needed for optimal path calculation, thus preventing information loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurement paths are used to determine one-way delays, then optimal path selection becomes possible, but measurement complexity and calculation overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath selection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement and calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal measurement framework that can determine one-way delays for multiple paths using the same core methodology. By establishing a multi-functional measurement system that works across different network configurations and path types, the system enables optimal path selection without proportionally increasing measurement and calculation complexity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3334091B1Method and device for measuring time delay
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3334091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3334091B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3334091B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a delay measurement method and device. The method includes: determining a first delay of a first path; obtaining a first two-way delay of a first two-way path; obtaining a first one-way delay from a third IGW port to a provider/provider edge device; obtaining a second one-way delay from the provider/provider edge device to a first IGW port; determining a second delay, where the second delay is obtained by subtracting the first one-way delay and the second one-way delay from the first two-way delay; and comparing the first delay with the second delay, so as to determine a delay relationship between a one-way delay of a path from an OTT server to a second IGW port and a one-way delay of a path from the OTT server to the third IGW port. By means of the foregoing solutions, a one-way delay relationship between delays from the OTT server to different IGWs may be effectively determined, so as to determine a path whose one-way delay is optimal according to the one-way delay relationship.