Inverse Multiplexer Scheduler for Heterogeneous Network Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inverse multiplexing systems are ineffective in managing rapidly varying heterogeneous wireless network links, leading to bandwidth aggregation challenges with significant latency penalties, which limits the implementation of demanding applications in mobile communication devices.

Innovation Solution

An inverse multiplexer with a scheduler that calculates propagation time differences between network links and determines a network link configuration and data sending order using these differences, along with bandwidth estimates, to efficiently direct data across multiple network links, allowing for out-of-order data transmission and duplication to enhance reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If data is transmitted over multiple heterogeneous wireless network links using inverse multiplexing, then bandwidth aggregation is improved, but latency and jitter increase due to varying propagation times and link characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to varying network conditions by continuously monitoring link characteristics and adjusting data transmission parameters in real-time, allowing the inverse multiplexer to cope with rapidly changing heterogeneous wireless network links while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes transmission parameters such as data segmentation size, retransmission timing, and link selection based on measured propagation times and link quality, optimizing the balance between bandwidth aggregation and latency across different network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If data is transmitted over multiple heterogeneous wireless network links, then bandwidth aggregation is improved, but reliability is reduced due to link variability and failure risks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements retransmission mechanisms and error handling protocols that prepare for potential link failures in advance, cushioning against reliability issues by having backup transmission paths and recovery procedures ready before failures occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the receiving device sends acknowledgments and status information back to the transmitting device, allowing real-time monitoring of link reliability and dynamic adjustment of transmission strategies to maintain connection stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If compression techniques are used to reduce data amount, then bandwidth requirement is reduced, but overall latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata amountVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying heavy compression to all data, the system uses partial compression or selective compression only for non-time-critical data portions, avoiding the latency penalty of full compression while still reducing bandwidth requirements for suitable content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2945416B1Method and apparatus for transmission of data over a plurality of networks
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 CELLXION
  • EP2945416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2945416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2945416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is discussed a method of transmitting data from a first network device to a second network device using a plurality of network links. The method comprises the first network device sending first data to the second network device over a first network link at a first transmission time and sending second data to the second network device over a second network link at a second transmission time. The first network device receives from the second network device an indication of the time difference between reception of the first data over the first network link and reception of the second data over the second network link. The first network device then calculates a propagation time difference between the time taken for the first data to reach the second network device over the first network link and the second data to reach the second network device over the second network link using the received time difference indication and the first and second transmission times, and determines a network link configuration and data sending order using the calculated propagation time difference.