Dynamic SIP Timer Adjustment for IMS Network Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Statically configured SIP timers in IMS networks can lead to suboptimal performance and outages due to non-optimal settings, causing excessive signaling and traffic floods, which are not resilient to dynamic network conditions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dynamic SIP timer settings based on real-time or predicted network status by monitoring and analyzing network performance metrics such as RTT, latency, and error rates to adjust timer values adaptively, ensuring optimal signaling and resilience across various network scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If statically configured SIP timers are used in IMS networks, then network operation is simplified and stable, but network performance becomes suboptimal and vulnerable to outages due to non-optimal settings under dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resilienceVSAvoidadaptability to dynamic network conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic SIP timer adjustment by continuously monitoring network performance metrics (RTT, latency, error rates) and adaptively modifying timer values based on current network conditions. This transforms the static timer configuration into a dynamic system that can respond to changing network states, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where network performance is continuously monitored and used to adjust SIP timer settings. The monitoring component tracks metrics such as round-trip time and error rates, feeds this information back to the timer management component, which then adjusts timer values accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the network to maintain optimal performance under varying conditions while preserving operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If statically configured SIP timers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but excessive signaling and traffic floods occur due to non-optimal timer settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimer configuration complexityVSAvoidexcessive signaling and traffic floods

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling the network to automatically monitor its own performance and adjust timer configurations without external intervention. The monitoring component continuously assesses network conditions, and the timer management component autonomously modifies timer values to prevent excessive signaling and traffic floods, eliminating the need for manual configuration while reducing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes timer parameters based on real-time network conditions. By monitoring metrics such as RTT and error rates, the system adjusts timer values to match current network performance characteristics. This parameter adaptation prevents the generation of excessive signaling and traffic floods that occur with fixed, non-optimal timer settings, while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If dynamically adjusted SIP timers are implemented, then network performance and resilience are optimized, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and adaptive adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the SIP timer management system into distinct functional components: a monitoring component that tracks network performance metrics, a timer management component that adjusts timer values, and existing SIP signaling components. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, managing overall system complexity through modular design while enabling dynamic timer adjustment for optimized network performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If dynamically adjusted SIP timers are implemented, then excessive signaling is reduced, but measurement and detection difficulty increases due to need for real-time network monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidnetwork performance monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring component is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it measures network performance metrics (RTT, latency, error rates) needed for timer adjustment, detects network conditions that may indicate impending outages, and provides data for performance optimization. This multi-functionality reduces signaling overhead by consolidating measurement activities into a single universal monitoring system rather than requiring separate detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10812535B2Timer management for session initiation protocol

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for managing timers for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) that facilitates network communications in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) are disclosed. Based on monitored network traffic, network performance measures can be determined to form a basis for dynamic configuration of SIP timers, which may reflect real time network status and optimize SIP based network communication.