FSF Architecture for IoT Traffic Forecasting in SDNs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current IoT traffic forecasting methods in Software-Defined Networks (SDNs) lack effective feature selection techniques, leading to suboptimal Quality of Service (QoS) routing, particularly when dealing with limited data sets and nonlinear relationships, and existing methods either require extensive data for Deep Learning or rely on fixed feature selection thresholds.

Innovation Solution

The development of an end-to-end trainable feature selection-forecasting architecture (FSF) that dynamically selects features using trainable importance scores and gamma-gated feature selection units, allowing for automatic and adaptive feature selection, thereby improving forecasting accuracy and reducing training time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Deep Learning techniques (LSTM, 1D CNN) are used for forecasting, then forecasting performance is improved, but data set size requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforecasting performanceVSAvoiddata set size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and selects only the most relevant features from the input data using feature selection techniques (mRMR, mutual information, correlation analysis) before feeding them to the forecasting model. This reduces the dimensionality of the data from the full dataset to a curated subset of informative features, allowing the model to achieve high performance with less data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing strategies to different features based on their characteristics. Important features are selected and retained while less important ones are discarded. The forecasting model processes selected features with higher computational resources while handling remaining features more efficiently, optimizing the trade-off between performance and data requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If feature selection is not used, then model complexity is reduced, but forecasting error increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel complexityVSAvoidforecasting error
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs feature selection as a preliminary step before the main forecasting process. By pre-selecting informative features using statistical measures (mutual information, correlation coefficients, mRMR scoring), the system prepares optimized input data that reduces forecasting error without requiring complex model architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces feature selection metrics and scoring mechanisms as intermediary components between the raw data and the forecasting model. These intermediaries (mRMR scorer, correlation analyzer, feature importance calculators) act as mediators that transform raw features into a refined set of informative inputs, improving forecasting accuracy without increasing model complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If fixed feature selection threshold is used, then computational complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different data conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidadaptability to data conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic feature selection where the selection process adapts to different data conditions and contexts. Instead of using fixed thresholds, the system calculates feature importance scores (mutual information, correlation coefficients) that are specific to each forecasting task and data set, allowing the model to adaptively select features based on the actual data characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of feature selection based on the specific forecasting problem and data characteristics. Different scoring functions (mRMR, mutual information, correlation) are applied depending on the data conditions, and the selection threshold is adjusted dynamically rather than being fixed, enabling the system to adapt to varying data scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If more features are selected, then forecasting accuracy is improved, but training time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforecasting accuracyVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial feature selection by selecting only the most informative subset of features rather than using all available features. By applying multiple selection criteria (mRMR, mutual information, correlation analysis) and choosing a limited number of top-ranked features, the system achieves sufficient forecasting accuracy with reduced training time compared to using all features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces brute-force approaches (using all features or exhaustive search) with efficient statistical measures for feature evaluation. Instead of computationally expensive methods, the system uses analytical solutions (correlation coefficients, mutual information calculations) that provide good feature rankings with lower computational cost, reducing training time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4113381A1An end-to-end trainable feature selection-forecasting architecture for internet of things traffic forecasting to achieve predictive quality of service routing in software-defined networks
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 YASAR UNIVSI
  • EP4113381A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113381A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4113381A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The subject of invention is related to a method which develops a novel feature selection-forecasting architecture, called FSF, that is able to perform automatic, dynamic selection of features in order to minimize the forecasting error in IoT traffic forecasting for predictive Quality of Service (QoS) routing in Software-Defined Networks (SDNs). By minimizing the forecasting error, the FSF architecture allows higher quality IoT traffic predictions that improve the QoS in routing on SDNs.