Fair-Sharing Bandwidth Allocation in Ad Hoc Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices often experience fast data transfer within local networks but are limited by slow connections to the broader network, necessitating a solution to leverage local bandwidth for improved data transfer efficiency in ad hoc networks.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for maintaining borrower and lender accounts in ad hoc networks, allowing bandwidth borrowing and lending, with fair-sharing strategies enforced through a points system to ensure equitable data transfer and prevent account imbalances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If mobile devices use local wireless connections (IEEE 802.11a/b/g) for data transfer, then data transfer speed is improved (3-54 Mbps), but transmission range is limited (30-300 ft)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidtransmission range

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network connection into two parts: a fast local wireless segment (IEEE 802.11) for high-speed data transfer and a longer-range wireless segment (EV-DO, CDMA, EDGE, GPRS) for extended coverage. By dividing the communication path into multiple segments with different characteristics, the system achieves both high speed and extended range simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If mobile devices use wireless telephony protocols (EV-DO, CDMA, EDGE, GPRS) for data transfer, then transmission range is improved (miles), but data transfer rate deteriorates (10 kbps to 1 Mbps)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission rangeVSAvoiddata transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network connection into two parts: a fast local wireless segment (IEEE 802.11) for high-speed data transfer and a longer-range wireless segment (EV-DO, CDMA, EDGE, GPRS) for extended coverage. By dividing the communication path into multiple segments with different characteristics, the system achieves both high speed and extended range simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If ad hoc networks allow bandwidth borrowing without fair-sharing control, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but network resource allocation becomes unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork resource balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a fair-sharing mechanism that uses feedback control to monitor and adjust bandwidth allocation in ad hoc networks. The system continuously monitors network resource usage and dynamically adjusts borrowing limits to prevent any single node from monopolizing bandwidth, thereby maintaining both high data transfer efficiency and balanced resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the bandwidth allocation system dynamic by allowing borrowing limits to change based on current network conditions and resource availability. Instead of fixed allocation, the system adaptively adjusts bandwidth shares in real-time, enabling efficient resource utilization while preventing imbalance as network conditions evolve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10529012B2System and method for fair-sharing in bandwidth sharing ad-hoc networks

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for fair-sharing in bandwidth sharing ad-hoc networks. A method includes maintaining a borrower account and lender account of a borrower and a lender of an ad hoc network. The method also includes adjusting at least one of the borrower account and the lender account based upon data transfer by the lender for the borrower.