Event-Based Network Capacity Scaling for Demand Surges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face challenges in efficiently managing transient surges in demand caused by events like large gatherings, as providing capacity for such surges is often not feasible due to high costs.
Innovation Solution
Implement an event controller that identifies potential demand-increasing events, selects a pre-stored template, and communicates with a service orchestrator to dynamically scale or instantiate network elements to support the increased demand, then scales down resources when the event ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless networks are designed with capacity to support significant short-term demand surges, then network reliability during events is improved, but network cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network capacity adjustment by continuously monitoring demand indicators and automatically scaling network resources up during events and down during normal periods. This transforms the static network capacity into a dynamic resource that adapts to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reliability during events and avoiding excessive costs during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes network capacity parameters based on detected event conditions. When events are detected through monitoring various indicators, the system adjusts capacity parameters such as bandwidth allocation and resource provisioning, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and cost through parameter adaptation rather than fixed capacity design.
2Productivity
If network capacity is scaled up to support event demand, then demand satisfaction is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to idle capacity during normal periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scaling of network resources based on event detection and termination. Network capacity is increased periodically during identified events and reduced periodically when events end, creating a rhythmic pattern of resource allocation that matches demand cycles. This periodic action ensures high productivity during events while minimizing resource waste during normal periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the network automatically detects events, determines capacity requirements, and adjusts resources without external intervention. This autonomous resource management optimizes both demand satisfaction and resource efficiency by responding immediately to actual conditions rather than relying on predetermined static allocation.
3Device complexity
If static network capacity is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to event-based demand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network demand indicators and automatically trigger capacity adjustments in response to detected events. This closed-loop feedback system enables the network to adapt to changing conditions without requiring complex manual reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability through automated responsive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring event detection rules and capacity adjustment policies before events occur. When events are detected, pre-planned capacity changes are automatically executed, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making while maintaining high adaptability to event-based demand patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include identifying an event in a network and identifying a template in response to the event. The template may identify actions to be performed to service data traffic associated with the event. The method may also include determining, by an event controller, that at least one wireless station in the network has capacity to service data traffic associated with the event and transmitting, by the event controller and based on the identified template, instructions to at least one device to implement changes to the least one wireless station. The method may further include instantiating the changes to the at least one wireless station.