Dynamic Communication Link Capacity Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face inefficiencies due to unused channel capacities, as they often provide fixed and costly resources that are not fully utilized, leading to wasted resources and increased costs, especially in mobile networks where channel capacity is not dynamically adapted to actual data rates.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically adapts communication link channel capacity based on utilization, allowing for either maintaining or changing the channel capacity, and switching between different communication technologies to optimize resource allocation, considering technical and non-technical influencing variables such as connection quality and user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high channel capacity is provided to ensure fast and reliable data transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but network costs increase due to excess channel capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of channel capacity by continuously monitoring utilization metrics and adjusting the channel capacity accordingly. The system transitions from static fixed channel capacity allocation to dynamic adjustment based on actual network conditions, allowing the channel capacity to be increased when utilization is high and decreased when utilization is low, thereby resolving the contradiction between ensuring transmission reliability and reducing network costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of channel capacity from a fixed value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. By introducing utilization-based adjustment mechanisms, the system modifies the channel capacity parameter in response to changing network conditions, enabling optimal balance between transmission reliability and cost efficiency without requiring excessive channel capacity to be permanently allocated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed channel capacity is allocated to communication connections, then resource allocation is simplified, but channel capacity remains unused leading to wasted resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidunused channel capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor channel utilization metrics and use this information to adjust channel capacity allocations. The system collects data on actual data transmission rates and utilization patterns, processes this information, and uses it to dynamically adjust channel capacity, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently based on actual demand rather than fixed predetermined allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms static resource allocation into a dynamic process where channel capacity is continuously adjusted based on monitored utilization. This dynamic approach allows the network to respond to changing demands in real-time, allocating more capacity when needed and reducing capacity when not needed, thereby eliminating wasted resources while maintaining manageable complexity through automated adjustment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication technologies with different channel capacities are used, then adaptability to different data rates is improved, but resource allocation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to data ratesVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal resource allocation framework that can accommodate multiple communication technologies with different channel capacities through a single unified management system. This multi-functional approach allows the same resource allocation mechanisms to work across diverse communication technologies, managing complexity centrally while maintaining adaptability to different data rates and technology characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Speed

If channel capacity is increased to handle peak data transmission demands, then data transmission speed is improved, but costs increase due to unused capacity during low utilization periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork costs
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel capacity adjustment that responds to changing utilization patterns. During peak demand periods, the system increases channel capacity to maintain high data transmission speeds, while during low utilization periods, it reduces channel capacity to eliminate wasted resources and reduce costs. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve high speed when needed without permanently maintaining the capacity required for peak loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the channel capacity parameter dynamically based on utilization metrics, allowing optimal data transmission speed to be achieved during peak periods while reducing capacity during low-utilization periods to minimize costs. This parameter adjustment strategy ensures that the network can handle peak demands effectively without incurring the continuous costs of maintaining maximum capacity at all times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1937026B1Method and apparatus for adapting a communication connection in a communication network
Publication Date: 2012.07.11 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP1937026B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1937026B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1937026B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves determining the efficiency of a communication connection (30,30') depending on the channel capacity (32,32',32'',32''') and the data transmission rate (34,34'). An efficiency is assigned to a functional value, a reaction is carried out depending on the functional value of the communication network. The communication network has a network unit (20,20'), another network unit (21,21') and a communication connection, which has a channel capacity and a data packet is transferred from former network unit to latter network unit by the communication connection. An independent claim is also included for a device for adjusting a communication connection in a communication network.