Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation in Telecommunication Access Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telephony networks face challenges in ensuring fair allocation of network bandwidth across access modules, leading to disparities in service performance for packet flows of the same class due to practical hardware limitations and varying load conditions, without increasing network cost or complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithm that uses shaper control logic to communicate load information across access modules, dynamically controlling shaper rates to achieve fair bandwidth allocation and ensure similar performance for services of the same class, regardless of the access module handling the packet flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distributed scheduling is used across access modules, then device complexity is reduced, but bandwidth allocation fairness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where access modules report their load conditions and packet loss statistics back to the scheduler. The scheduler uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust scheduling decisions and shaper rates, ensuring fair bandwidth allocation while maintaining distributed architecture. This resolves the contradiction by enabling fairness through information feedback without requiring centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic shaper rates that can be adjusted in real-time based on current network conditions. Instead of static scheduling parameters, the system dynamically modifies shaper rates across different access modules to compensate for varying load conditions, ensuring fair bandwidth distribution. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains fairness while preserving the simplicity of distributed scheduling.
2Device complexity
If static shaper rates are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to load conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static to dynamic shaper rates that automatically adapt to changing network conditions. The shaper rates are continuously adjusted based on real-time feedback about packet loss and load conditions, enabling the system to respond to varying traffic patterns without requiring complex reconfiguration. This maintains simplicity while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where access modules continuously monitor their own performance metrics (packet loss, throughput) and report to the scheduler. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of shaper rates to match actual network conditions, providing adaptability without requiring complex control logic or manual intervention.
3Reliability
If centralized scheduling is implemented, then bandwidth allocation fairness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling function across multiple access modules rather than concentrating it in a single centralized scheduler. Each access module maintains its own scheduler that operates independently but coordinates through feedback mechanisms. This segmentation achieves fairness through distributed decision-making while avoiding the complexity and cost of a centralized scheduling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service scheduling where each access module autonomously manages its own packet flows and adjusts its shaper rates based on local conditions and feedback. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized scheduling logic while maintaining fair bandwidth allocation through peer-to-peer coordination and feedback-based adjustment.
4Reliability
If shaper rates are dynamically adjusted, then bandwidth allocation fairness is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic adjustment of shaper rates rather than continuous modification. The system updates shaper rates at specific intervals or triggered by significant changes in network conditions, rather than constantly monitoring and adjusting. This periodic approach achieves fair bandwidth allocation while minimizing the processing energy required for rate adjustment operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A telecommunication system employs dynamic shaping across a plurality of access modules of an access node using a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithm that is based on current load conditions for each of the access modules in order to achieve a fair allocation of network bandwidth at the access node. In one exemplary embodiment, access modules at an access node communicate via a control channel with shaper control logic that receives load information from each of the access modules. Using such load information, the shaper control logic dynamically controls the shaper rates for the access modules so that a fair allocation of network bandwidth is achieved across all of the access modules. Specifically, the shaper rates are controlled such that packet flows for services of the same class achieve the same or similar performance (e.g., average data rate) regardless of which access module is communicating each respective packet flow.