Filter Order Inversion for Data Reordering in Communication Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication networks, control-plane communication forwarded via software can arrive later than data processed in hardware, causing data reordering issues, and limited filtering resources restrict scalability and lead to disordered data reception.

Innovation Solution

Inverting the order of filters for different types of connections based on their filter requirements, with automatic reconfiguration triggered by thresholds, ensures that data is processed and forwarded in the correct order, maintaining efficient resource utilization and preventing data reordering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control-plane communication is forwarded via software processing, then filtering capability is improved, but data arrival order deteriorates (software-processed data arrives later than hardware-processed data)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoiddata arrival order

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forwarding control-plane data to the control plane for processing before hardware-processed data arrives at the destination. This ensures that control-plane data (which requires filtering and processing) is handled in advance, preventing out-of-order delivery while maintaining hardware-speed forwarding for other data types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If filtering resources are increased to handle more connections, then service coverage is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption worsen (limited filtering resources)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidfiltering resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments filtering resources into two distinct categories: hardware filters for high-speed data forwarding and software filters for control-plane data processing. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of connections with appropriate filtering mechanisms, improving service coverage without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using hardware filters for all connections (which would exhaust resources), the patent inverts the approach by using software filters specifically for control-plane connections that require complex filtering, while hardware filters handle standard data forwarding. This inversion optimizes resource utilization and enables scalable service coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Speed

If hardware filtering is used for high-speed forwarding, then data forwarding speed is improved, but filtering flexibility deteriorates (restricted filtering capability)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata forwarding speedVSAvoidfiltering flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different filtering capabilities to different data paths: hardware filters provide high-speed but limited filtering for standard data, while software filters provide flexible but slower processing for control-plane data. Each filtering mechanism is optimized for its specific function, achieving both speed and flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8938527B2Method and device for data processing in a communication network

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 ADTRAN GMBH

AI summary

A method and a device for data processing in a communication network. The method includes the following steps: (i) at least one filter applicable for a first type of connection is provided in front of at least one filter that is applicable for a second type of connection; and (ii) the order of the at least on filter applicable for the first type of connection and the at least one filter applicable for the second type of connection is inverted in case that the number of filters required for the second type of connection increases.