Dynamic Bandwidth Management for Variable Bit Rate WLANs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing WLANs face interruptions in data transfer due to bit rate changes, particularly when transmitting high-priority traffic like voice, audio, and video, as existing bandwidth agreements become invalid, leading to inefficient management of bandwidth in networks supporting variable bit rates.

Innovation Solution

A wireless network hub with a bandwidth manager that dynamically adjusts data rates and negotiates new bandwidth reservations in response to bit rate changes, allowing seamless communication by allocating reserved and unreserved bandwidth to maintain quality of service for high-priority traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bandwidth agreements are negotiated based on an assumed bit rate, then QoS can be provided for constant bit rate applications, but the agreement becomes invalid when bit rate changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoS guaranteeVSAvoidbit rate adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth management where the system transitions from static bandwidth agreements to dynamic adjustments. The AP continuously monitors actual bit rates and renegotiates bandwidth agreements in real-time to adapt to changing conditions, making the system flexible rather than rigid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the AP monitors actual bit rate performance and uses this information to trigger bandwidth renegotiation. This closed-loop control ensures that bandwidth agreements remain valid and effective even when transmission conditions change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bit rate is adjusted in response to rate change events, then connection flexibility is improved, but the existing bandwidth agreement becomes invalid causing data transfer interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoiddata transfer continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary bandwidth renegotiation before data transfer interruptions can occur. When rate change events are detected, the AP proactively initiates new bandwidth agreement negotiations to prevent interruptions rather than reacting after problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous data transfer by implementing seamless bandwidth transitions. The system maintains ongoing communication and renegotiates bandwidth agreements without interrupting the data flow, keeping the useful action of data transmission continuous despite bit rate changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple wireless clients share available bandwidth substantially simultaneously, then network capacity is improved, but bandwidth management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidbandwidth management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service bandwidth management where each wireless client autonomously monitors its own bit rate conditions and triggers bandwidth renegotiation when needed. This distributed approach reduces the management burden on the central AP while maintaining efficient resource allocation across multiple clients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7623496B2Managing bandwidth in network supporting variable bit rate

Publication Date: 2009.11.24 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A way of managing bandwidth in a network supporting variable bit rate is provided. An apparatus is provided that comprises an interface to transmit data to a receiving device. The apparatus comprises a controller that is communicatively coupled to the interface, the controller to detect a bit rate change event and transmit a first portion of the data using reserved bandwidth and a second portion of the data using unreserved bandwidth in response to detecting the bit rate change event.