Dynamic Path Computation for Telecommunications Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications networks, when a service is requested for a future period, if no single path is available for the entire duration due to resource reservations by other services, users are informed that a path is not available, leading to service unavailability.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining a plurality of paths, each available during a respective portion of the time period, ensuring at least one path is available for the service at any time, by utilizing a Path Computation Element (PCE) to compute and switch between multiple paths dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single path is reserved for the entire time period, then resource allocation is simple and management is easy, but service availability cannot be guaranteed when resources are reserved for other services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time period into multiple time segments and divides the service into multiple path segments, where each path segment serves a specific time segment. This allows the system to guarantee service availability by ensuring at least one path segment is available for each time segment, while avoiding the complexity of managing a single path for the entire period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection by determining multiple paths with different availability time periods and selecting appropriate paths based on current time and availability status. This dynamic approach ensures service continuity while allowing flexible resource allocation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and management complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple paths are determined for different time portions, then service continuity is guaranteed, but computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary path computation by determining multiple paths and their availability time periods in advance, before service execution. This allows the system to have pre-computed path options ready, reducing real-time computation requirements and ensuring service continuity without excessive processing delays during actual service delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If path availability is checked for the whole time period, then resource reservation is straightforward, but service scheduling flexibility is reduced when no single path is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining path availability locally for each time segment rather than requiring a single path to be available for the entire time period. This allows different paths to have different availability characteristics for different time segments, providing scheduling flexibility while managing complexity through localized availability checks.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for path computation for a service in a telecommunications network. In one aspect, a method comprises receiving a request to schedule the service utilizing the network in a time period determining that a path for the service is not available for the whole of the time period, and determining a plurality of paths for the service, each of the plurality of paths being available during a respective portion of the time period, such that at least one of the plurality of paths is available for the service at any time during the time period.