Distributed Communication Network Domain Manager Capacity Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in maintaining a constant level of service due to the variability of user and infrastructure mobility, heterogeneity of service providers, and the complexity of routing data streams across multiple domains and technologies, leading to difficulties in resource allocation and quality of service guarantees.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing a distributed communication network that uses a multi-domain, multi-operator, and multi-radio resource allocator, with a communication network graph comprising interconnected functional units managing different layers of resources, allowing for dynamic capacity mapping and resource allocation to ensure service level objectives are met across the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-domain, multi-operator network architecture is used to route data streams across heterogeneous networks, then the adaptability and service coverage are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of resource allocation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into multiple domains, each managed by a domain manager that handles resource allocation and capacity mapping independently. This segmentation allows complex heterogeneous networks to be broken down into manageable sub-networks, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad service coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Domain managers act as intermediaries between the control plane and data plane, and between different network domains. They translate service level objectives into resource allocation decisions and coordinate capacity mapping across domains, simplifying the management of complex multi-domain architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dynamic resource allocation is implemented to maintain constant service levels in mobile networks, then the quality of service is improved, but the computational requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary capacity mapping and resource allocation before data streams are established. Domain managers pre-compute capacity maps that reflect current network conditions, enabling rapid routing decisions without real-time computational overhead during actual data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors network conditions and updates capacity maps based on feedback from network elements. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining efficient processing through incremental updates rather than complete re-computations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If capacity mapping is performed across multiple domains to optimize resource utilization, then the productivity and resource efficiency are improved, but the measurement precision and difficulty of capacity assessment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcapacity mapping accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Capacity mapping is performed separately in each domain by local domain managers, who have precise knowledge of their own domain's resources and conditions. This segmented approach maintains measurement precision within each domain while achieving overall network-wide resource optimization through coordination between domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3560173B1Method of preparing a distributed communication network for the forwarding of a data stream across said network
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 THALES SA
  • EP3560173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560173B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Firstly, the distributed communication network (10) is provided. This network uses a plurality of functional units (24, 26, 28, 30) interconnected by communication links (42, 44, 46, 48, 50), said functional units (24, 26, 28, 30) being distributed in at least two layers (34, 36, 38, 40), including a main layer (36) and at least one lower layer (38, 40). At least two of said layers (34, 36, 38, 40) each comprise at least one domain (54, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B, 58C, 60A, 60B) with a domain manager (64, 66A, 66B, 68A, 68B, 68C, 70A, 70B), said domains (54, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B, 58C, 60A, 60B) comprising a main domain (56A) belonging to the main layer (36), and at least one support domain (58A) belonging to a lower layer (38) and comprising at least one functional unit (28) hooked up via a vertical link (42) to a main functional unit (26) of the main domain (56A). The domain manager (64, 66A, 66B, 68A, 68B, 68C, 70A, 70B) of each domain (54, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B, 58C, 60A, 60B) determines a capacity-related mapping of the domain (54, 56A, 56B, 58A, 58B, 58C, 60A, 60B). The domain manager (66A) of the main domain (56A) thereafter discovers the or each support domain (58A), before the domain manager (68A) of the or of each support domain (58A) shares the capacity-related mapping of said support domain (58A) with the domain manager of the main domain (56A). Next the domain manager (66A) of the main domain (56A) updates the capacity-related mapping of said main domain (56A) as a function of the or each support domain capacity-related mapping (58A) shared with the domain manager (66A) of the main domain (56A).