FEC Bandwidth Monitoring in Media Sessions for Service Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased overhead from forward error correction (FEC) data in packet-based media services in telecommunications networks can negatively impact the quality of service, especially in scenarios where re-transmission of corrupted packets is impractical or impossible, such as in 3GPP networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that monitors the bandwidth consumed by FEC data during media sessions, allowing for adaptive management of FEC data through policy servers that deploy rules to gateway servers to enforce thresholds and adjust FEC algorithms to maintain service quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If forward error correction (FEC) data is included in packet-based media services transmission, then reliability of service delivery is improved, but overhead of transmissions increases negatively impacting service quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the FEC overhead ratio based on network conditions and service requirements. The system monitors packet loss rates, bandwidth availability, and service quality metrics to adaptively modify the amount of FEC data transmitted, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability improvement and overhead minimization in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by transitioning from static FEC configuration to dynamic adaptation. The FEC mechanism adjusts its parameters continuously based on changing network conditions, allowing the system to respond to varying traffic patterns, channel quality, and service requirements, thus maintaining optimal performance across different operating conditions
2Reliability
If FEC mechanisms are employed to reconstruct corrupted data, then service reliability is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary amount of FEC data required to correct the expected level of packet loss. Rather than providing complete redundancy for all possible error scenarios, the system calculates and transmits FEC overhead proportional to the actual network conditions and service requirements, avoiding excessive bandwidth consumption while maintaining adequate reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the FEC parameters including the overhead ratio and correction capability based on real-time network monitoring. When network conditions are good, FEC overhead is reduced; when packet loss increases, the system adjusts parameters to provide enhanced protection, thereby optimizing bandwidth utilization while maintaining service reliability across varying conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for monitoring error correction data are provided. The method comprises receiving an authorization request defining a media session between an AF server and a mobile device from the AF server. The authorization request contains a media packet flow identifier and a corresponding forward error correction (FEC) packet flow identifier. The method includes deploying policy rules for the media session to a gateway server, the policy rules including the media packet flow identifier and the FEC packet flow identifier; receiving periodic reports from the gateway server, the reports including packet counts for each of the media packet flow and the FEC packet flow; determining whether bandwidth consumed by the FEC packet flow exceeds a predetermined threshold; and when the determination is affirmative, sending an action request to the AF server.