GPRS QoS Scheduling via Microscheduling and Peak Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS) networks face challenges in managing quality of service (QoS) due to varying radio frequency link quality, which differs across users sharing the same time slot, making it difficult to apply wired-line network QoS management approaches effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize microscheduling, peak picking, and other techniques to provide differentiated quality of service levels by optimizing the allocation of airlink resources, ensuring users receive guaranteed minimum and maximum throughput, thereby maximizing network throughput and revenue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wired-line network QoS management approaches are applied to GPRS/EGPRS air links, then QoS management simplicity is maintained, but transmission quality reliability deteriorates due to varying RF link quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic QoS management by continuously monitoring RF link quality metrics (signal strength, interference power) and adapting scheduling decisions in real-time. The scheduler dynamically adjusts allocation decisions based on current channel conditions, transitioning from static wired-line approaches to dynamic wireless adaptation, thereby maintaining reliability despite varying RF conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key scheduling parameters including allocation decisions, link adaptation coding rates, and timeslot assignments based on measured RF link quality. By modifying these parameters dynamically according to actual channel conditions rather than fixed configurations, the system achieves reliable QoS differentiation in the volatile wireless environment.
2Reliability
If differentiated QoS levels are provided to users, then user-perceivable service quality improves, but network throughput optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by assigning different QoS levels to different users or traffic flows based on their specific RF link quality measurements and service requirements. Rather than uniform treatment, the system provides tailored scheduling decisions and allocation ratios customized to each user's current channel conditions, achieving both differentiation and optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where RF link quality measurements are continuously monitored and fed back to the scheduler. This feedback loop enables the scheduler to adjust allocation decisions to maximize overall throughput while ensuring users receive their guaranteed minimum and maximum throughput levels, balancing differentiation with optimization.
3Productivity
If airlink resources are allocated based on short-term link quality variations, then network capacity improves, but QoS predictability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing guaranteed minimum and maximum throughput levels for each user before actual data transmission occurs. These pre-defined throughput guarantees act as constraints that frame the scheduling decisions, ensuring predictable QoS bounds are met while the scheduler optimizes capacity utilization within these predetermined parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts allocation within the framework of guaranteed throughput bounds, allowing flexible optimization of network capacity while maintaining QoS predictability. The dynamic scheduler operates within the constraints of pre-established minimum and maximum throughput guarantees, achieving both adaptability and predictability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for providing differentiated quality of service (QoS) within a GPRS/EGPRS network environment. The invention advantageously uses one or more of a microscheduling technique, a peak picking technique and other techniques and methodologies to provide differentiated quality of service levels to users while maximizing total network throughput.