Dynamic Bandwidth Shaping for Fair Network Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunication networks face challenges in ensuring fair allocation of network bandwidth across access modules, leading to disparities in service performance for customers, especially as network demand increases, without significantly increasing cost or complexity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithm that uses shaper control logic to dynamically control shaper rates across access modules based on current load conditions, ensuring fair allocation of bandwidth and preventing packet loss by limiting aggregate downstream capacity below the network's maximum capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If distributed scheduling is implemented across access modules, then network scalability and modularity are improved, but bandwidth allocation fairness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoidbandwidth allocation fairness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines distributed scheduling with centralized coordination by implementing a chassis-wide scheduler that spans multiple access modules. This hybrid approach maintains the scalability benefits of distributed architecture while achieving fairness through centralized bandwidth allocation decisions across all access modules in the chassis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where access modules report their load conditions and bandwidth usage to the chassis-wide scheduler. Based on this feedback, the scheduler dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation to ensure fair distribution across all access modules while maintaining network scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If static bandwidth allocation is used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but service performance consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation complexityVSAvoidservice performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static to dynamic bandwidth allocation by implementing real-time monitoring and adjustment capabilities. The system continuously monitors network conditions and service requirements, then dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation to maintain consistent performance across all services while managing implementation complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes bandwidth allocation parameters based on real-time network conditions and service requirements. By adjusting allocation parameters rather than using fixed static values, the system maintains service performance consistency while managing complexity through programmable control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If aggressive bandwidth allocation is implemented, then network throughput is improved, but packet loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidpacket loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by reserving bandwidth and establishing quality of service parameters in advance before congestion occurs. The system pre-configures allocation parameters and maintains buffers to accommodate peak traffic demands, thereby preventing packet loss while maintaining high throughput during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor packet loss and throughput in real-time, then adjusts bandwidth allocation dynamically. When packet loss is detected, the system reduces allocation to prevent further loss; when throughput is sufficient, it increases allocation to maximize productivity, creating a self-regulating system that balances both objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10225195B2Telecommunication systems and methods using dynamic shaping for allocating network bandwidth

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 ADTRAN INC

AI summary

A telecommunication system employs dynamic shaping based on current load conditions for at least one congestion point in order to achieve a fair allocation of network bandwidth. In one exemplary embodiment, shaper control logic communicates with virtual scheduler/shapers to learn current load conditions for at least one congestion point. Using such load information, the shaper control logic dynamically controls the shaper rates for the virtual scheduler/shapers so that packet flows for services of the same class passing through the congestion point achieve a desired (e.g., same or similar) performance regardless of which virtual scheduler/shaper is communicating each respective packet flow.