Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation for Wireless Access Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow control methods for wireless networks either allow a single user to occupy most of the bandwidth, disrupting others, or waste resources when few users are present, as they do not effectively manage bandwidth distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that count rate-limited and rate-unlimited users, adjusting rates based on thresholds to ensure fair bandwidth allocation, limiting high users and distributing bandwidth evenly among all users when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rate of a single user is not limited, then the user can fully utilize the available bandwidth, but other users may be disrupted when a single user occupies most of the bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rate limiting that adjusts in real-time based on network conditions. The access device continuously monitors bandwidth usage and dynamically adjusts rate limits for different users, transitioning from static to adaptive control. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high bandwidth utilization when needed while preventing monopolization through dynamic intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of rate limits based on the number of online users and their current bandwidth consumption. When a single user occupies excessive bandwidth, the system modifies their rate limit parameter downward. This parameter adjustment mechanism enables the system to prevent bandwidth monopolization while maintaining efficient overall utilization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed bandwidth is allocated for each user, then bandwidth monopolization is prevented, but the total bandwidth cannot be fully utilized when there are few users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed bandwidth allocation with dynamic rate limiting that adapts to the number of online users. When few users are present, rate limits are relaxed to allow full bandwidth utilization. When many users are online, rate limits are adjusted to prevent monopolization. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between preventing monopolization and maximizing utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the number of online users and their bandwidth consumption patterns. Based on this feedback, the access device adjusts rate limits in real-time. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically optimize bandwidth allocation, preventing monopolization when necessary while maximizing utilization when conditions permit.
3Ease of operation
If rate limiting is applied to all users, then bandwidth distribution becomes fair, but the complexity of managing different rate limits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments users into different groups based on their bandwidth consumption patterns and applies different rate limiting strategies to different segments. This segmentation approach simplifies management by treating similar users similarly while maintaining fairness. The access device divides the user base into segments that can be managed with appropriate rate limiting policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes to simplify rate limit management by adjusting rate limits based on the number of online users rather than manually configuring individual limits. This parameter-driven approach automatically adapts rate limits to current network conditions, reducing management complexity while maintaining fairness through systematic parameter adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow control method and apparatus are provided. The flow control method includes: counting the number of rate-limited users among online users of an access device and the real-time flow rate of each online user; determining whether the number of the rate-limited users is greater than a first threshold; determining whether the total real-time flow rate of all the online users is greater than a second threshold if the number of the rate-limited users is not greater than the first threshold; and limiting the rate of a rate-unlimited user with the maximum real-time flow rate among the online users if the total real-time flow rate is greater than the second threshold. With the above scheme, all the online users can make full use of the total bandwidth of the access device, thus improving the use experience.